Fated to Die in an Academy Novel – Chapter 115

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
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Walking through the corridor that appeared before me was a strange experience.

No, could I even call it a corridor?

It didn’t feel like I was stepping on anything, but it didn’t feel like I was floating either.

I could move forward if I wanted to, but there was a strange discomfort, a sense of dissonance, when I did.

-Don’t lose that feeling. That sense of unease is proof that you haven’t been completely swallowed by the dream. You’re fine for now, but whatever the goal of those who caused this incident, they won’t ignore a sudden variable like you.

“I guess so.”

Sun Wukong was right.

They wouldn’t welcome me, no matter how I looked at it.

It would be better to assume the worst and act accordingly, assuming they already knew I was awake.

“Ah, a door.”

I understood this was a dream world, but what form did it take?

Would I enter someone else’s dream if I went through this door?

“…There’s no point in worrying about it now.”

I proceeded through the door while staying alert.

The moment I stepped through the pouring light…

“…Huh?”

The scenery changed, and my body changed along with it.

When I regained consciousness, I saw a child with a cute, doll-like face looking incredibly angry.

The vibrant blonde hair and intense orange eyes reminded me of someone, but the chubby cheeks and small, doll-like appearance were completely different from the guy I knew.

“…I offered to make you my subordinate, and you said what?”

A surprisingly intelligent voice came from those tiny lips.

Ah, it was Cheon Yoo-hak. I was glad it was someone I knew.

“Ah, our young master doesn’t seem to understand when someone speaks to him once. I should be more understanding.”

Huh…?

My body, deprived of free will once again, started talking on its own.

“Didn’t you hear? The son of the Cheon-hwa Group seems to have received excellent home education, offering to make someone your subordinate the moment you meet them.”

Ah, the memories flowed in.

This was Cheon Yoo-hak’s memory, but it was also a scene Kang So-hyun remembered.

The surroundings were blurry, perhaps because his memory of our first meeting wasn’t clear, but he seemed to remember me vividly.

…Huh?

Wait, I was just trying to resolve the incident, but if I used this properly, I could see the past, couldn’t I?

At first, I tried to regain control of my body using the Authority in my heart, but I stopped as this might be a chance to see Kang So-hyun’s memories that I didn’t know about.

However, since Cheon Yoo-hak was the subject of this dream, I couldn’t access memories before this point.

The day we first met.

He offered to make me his subordinate with a rather aggressive attitude, and I told him his home education must have been great.

…Wow, So-hyun, you were more reckless than I thought.

Or was it because the character was based on me, so he resembled me?

“You insolent brat! I was going to play with you since you seemed like a suitable opponent!”

“Ah, what? Do you need a friend? You should have just said so~ I thought you were picking a fight.”

“It’s too late now. I’ve assessed your level. I’ve lost interest.”

…He had a dramatic way of saying he was offended. So he was even worse before?

“Really? That’s a shame. But are you sure about that?”

“…About what?”

“Are you sure it’s okay to judge someone based on a few words? They might become a precious connection.”

…No, wait, So-hyun’s way of talking was too strange. He looked like a kid, so how could he speak so eloquently?

No, more than that… It was too familiar. It was too similar to the way I attracted people’s attention…

Could I just dismiss this as ‘It’s because he’s a character based on me’?

“…You’re right. Hmph, fine. Unfortunately, you’re the only one here at a suitable level to play with, so I’ll give you one chance.”

“Hey, if you’re happy to have a friend, just say so~ You won’t make any friends if you act like that.”

“Ha, I have no intention of playing house with those below my level.”

Yet, he seemed quite pleased, humming happily as if he was thrilled to be talking to someone his age for the first time.

Well, if you could call this a conversation.

“Alright, to celebrate you becoming my subordinate, I’ll give you a tour.”

“Oh, I wasn’t planning on becoming your subordinate, but I can’t ignore the sincerity of the Cheon family’s heir.”

“Hmph, I’m glad you understand. I don’t do this for just anyone. Follow me.”

Hey, he was being sarcastic. Don’t fall for it, Yoo-hak…!

The sight of the excited kid eager to show his first friend around and the little devil following him with a dark smile was quite unsettling.

Seriously, what kind of person was Kang So-hyun?

To me, it was an abnormal scene, but to the adults around us who were thinking it was just children imitating adults, they just smiled warmly.

“This birthday festival of mine is on a scale that even the leaders of most countries can’t experience. My father said all of this is for the circulation of the economy and a beacon of hope for the poor.”

…A birthday festival? Just hearing about it made me want to lose my mind. He liked it back then?

Anyway, he walked around with small, cute steps while puffing out his chest proudly as he boasted about his father, thinking he looked dignified.

Was he more talkative as a child? Or was it just that he didn’t know how to hold a conversation since I was his first friend?

“Oh, he sounds like a good person. You must be proud.”

“…Well, I understand it’s a good deed. But I don’t know if it’s necessary.”

“Hmm?”

“Why should we share what we earned through hard work and give opportunities to those who don’t work or make any effort? I don’t understand. I would understand if it were a reward for those who work hard.”

To the little boy with his established worldview, the weak seemed to be objects of disgust.

From a child’s perspective, what was natural to him must have felt natural to everyone else.

“I get annoyed when I see people who don’t make any effort, even though they weren’t born with disabilities or had accidents.”

At least his vocabulary was cute compared to now, with him just saying “annoyed.”

He would probably say “disgusted” or “irritated” now.

My mouth, which had been silently listening to him, finally opened again.

“You’re right.”

…No way, he agreed?

“People misunderstand, but the weak aren’t always good. Some oppress those weaker than themselves, and others justify their evil deeds as if their weakness is a shield. It’s sad.”

You’re not a kid, are you?

“As expected, I knew we could communicate with you. I made the right decision in making you my subordinate.”

I smiled at the smug little boy and continued in a slightly admonishing tone.

“But your father’s volunteer work and donations aren’t unnecessary.”

“Hmm? Why? Don’t you also think they’re useless?”

“There are those who, even if born in the gutters, will climb up and see the world. Like jade born mixed with stones yet displaying its beauty without breaking, there are those who die simply because they lack opportunity.”

“…I don’t understand.”

“I call that talent.”

“…Are you saying there might be awakened people among them?”

“Ah, you could understand it that way. It’s similar, but it’s more fundamental than that.”

“…Hmm?”

“Think of it simply. It’s a waste. Potential always shines. Someone you might need in the future might be dying somewhere. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could save that ‘talent’ just by sharing something insignificant to you?”

“…I see, it could be an opportunity to buy the favor of talented individuals at a low cost. It makes sense, but you could just buy proven talent. It’s still inefficient.”

“That wasn’t what I meant, but well, you’ll understand it someday.”

“Ha, that’ll never happen. Stop acting smart.”

“Yeah, whatever you say. So? Where are we going anyway?”

“Ah, right. We’re almost there, so I’ll tell you. It’s good to learn by observing what adults do, but it’s also rude to keep asking questions, so I’m planning an expedition to find out for myself.”

In other words, he was bored watching the adults and wanted to play.

“And before the expedition, we need disguises.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because the adults will be concerned if they recognize me. It’ll be more fun if we do this on our own, without adult supervision.”

He didn’t want to be interrupted while playing with his first friend.

The costume room Cheon Yoo-hak led me to was surprisingly well-stocked with children’s sizes.

His assumption that no one would recognize him just because he wore a wig and changed his clothes was strangely age-appropriate.

“I’ll wear this black wig, so you wear this.”

“Oh, a golden wig like yours?”

“Yes. Consider it an honor. It’s the same color as my hair, but I’m allowing you, my subordinate, to wear it.”

“Well then, of course, it’s an honor.”

“Hmph, I’m glad you understand.”

After putting on the wigs and looking at each other, we seemed to have successfully disguised ourselves.

“Good, let’s go to the party venue first. We need to secure enough food before setting out on our expedition.”

“Oh, and drinks too?”

“Yes, orange juice would be nice.”

“Then, as your subordinate, I’ll carry the heavier drinks, so you look for food.”

“Haha, good. Let’s meet back here after we’re done.”

And how much time passed after that?

Little Yoo-hak, being a smart kid, brought back a bag filled with food that wouldn’t get crushed or stained with sauce, and I filled two canteens with water and juice.

“Haha, perfect.”

“The leader will decide where we’re going, right?”

“…Leader?”

“We’re going on an expedition, right? Then we’re an expedition team. I’ll be your subordinate for now. If I’m the subordinate, you’re the expedition leader.”

“Not bad.”

How did such a cute, chubby little kid become the Cheon Yoo-hak I knew today?

…No, judging by his behavior, he was still similar… It was a bit sad.

Well, the children’s expedition was uneventful.

We explored new places, played with the older brothers and sisters we met, and then moved on to our next destination.

When Cheon Yoo-hak saw a tall staircase, he said “This place seems too difficult for our level. Let’s explore other places first!” and ran off, and I burst out laughing.

This was fun.

I was enjoying playing with him, but it probably wasn’t pure childlike enjoyment. It was closer to the satisfaction of watching a pure child have fun.

Yet, it also felt strangely childlike.

It was a bit… strange. I wasn’t sure.

“Are you tired already?”

“No way.”

“That’s good. I would have been disappointed if you started whining before we even explored half the place.”

Actually, I was a bit tired.

Even at this age, I wasn’t very healthy.

Then, my body suddenly stopped, and my gaze shifted.

As we stepped outside for some fresh air, I noticed a child sitting alone in a corner.

She looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t tell who she was, perhaps because she wasn’t as flashy as Cheon Yoo-hak, or perhaps because she was too young.

Or maybe I just didn’t know her.

The girl was crying. Her face looked like she had experienced the world’s hardships.

“What are you looking at? Hmm? What’s this, a crying child?”

You’re a child too, idiot.

“I’ll go comfort her.”

“…Huh? What a busybody. You don’t even know why she’s crying. It’s rude to interfere. She probably just lost her parents in this big hall. The guards will find her soon.”

“Hey, but she might be the child of one of your dad’s guests.”

“Hmph, I don’t care about someone who just sits there and cries. Well, if you’re concerned, you can tell the lost children center.”

“Ah, it won’t take long, so just wait a bit, leader. She might be unexpectedly helpful later.”

“You live a difficult life.”

Little Yoo-hak seemed annoyed that his expedition was interrupted, but he seemed pleased that I called him “leader” and sat down nearby as if he would wait.

This worked perfectly. Should I call him “leader” when we get back?

“Go ahead.”

“Thanks, leader~ I’ll be right back!”

I took out a cream bun and some foil-wrapped chicken from my food bag and approached the child.

She would like either sweets or some chicken.

“Are you hurt? Why are you crying? Do you want this?”

“…No, go away.”

Wow, this little princess, whoever she was, had a sharp tongue. But she looked hungry and tired, so she shouldn’t be picky.

It was normal for kids to be unable to resist what they wanted.

“Hey, I don’t know what happened, but eating delicious food always makes you feel better~ After you eat this, you’ll want to tell me why you were crying~”

The little lady finally looked up at me.

“Hmm, thanks for looking. Do you like cream buns or chicken better?”

“…Cream bun.”

It was a strange experience that my body moved as I wished even though it wasn’t under my control.

“Here you go.”

“…Thank you.”

The child took a small bite of the cream bun.

“…Delicious.”

“Right? I told you it would be delicious.”

“…How old are you?”

“Five.”

“Me too.”

“Then we’re friends. Why were you crying here, my friend?”

“…Sob.”

Oh dear, she was crying again. It must have been something upsetting.

“It’s okay to take your time. I have someone waiting for me, but he can wait for me for a little longer~”

“Thank you.”

After she took another bite of the cream bun, I offered her the strawberry milk I secretly brought. She readily accepted and drank it.

She was so cute.

Whose child was this adorable little girl?

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T/N – First up, a heads up. I’ll try to do a paid chapter mass release this coming Saturday. Please keep an eye on it. 😉

Lol at the Yoo-hak translator. So-hyun seems to be pretty good at it.

Also, So-hyun acting quite similarly to the MC solidifies my theory further that this isn’t his first rodeo, it’s just that he lost his memories of his previous runs somehow. Though it feels like there’s still some details missing.

Lastly, who is this little girl?

If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.