I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 38

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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To be, or not to be, that is the question.

“It’s really a question. A question……”

My head felt like it was going to split because I couldn’t forget what I had just seen.

Hamlet exists in this world.

With a high probability, it would be the same as the Hamlet from the original world.

The problem is why the hell it’s here.

While writing this novel, I never once pulled in elements from the real world.

So if something jarring like Hamlet popped up, it would greatly damage the plausibility.

Then there was only one answer.

An existence that could damage the plausibility of this world.

It must be an element added by the reader who sent me here.

‘But why?’

I had returned to square one again.

The important thing was why they added something like this.

Was it to give me something to read in case I felt nostalgic for my original world?

No way. There’s no way that guy would show such detailed consideration for me.

Maybe he threw it in as a prank because he wanted to see me wracking my brain and agonizing over a few books.

‘I don’t know.’

I finally shook my head and stood up.

There was no way I could know even if I pondered over what I didn’t know.

What on earth was he thinking when he did that…… I’ll have to ask him directly when I return to the original world.

Right after punching him in the face first.

“Is it about time?”

It’s the damn 1st period.

Thanks to helping Emilia with the cleaning, I didn’t even have time to take another nap and had to get ready to leave.

While changing into my school uniform, I looked around the bedroom once more.

I thought the bedroom of the single dormitory room was quite spacious…… This room was not just spacious but desolate.

There was a desk, a full-length mirror, a queen-size bed, a closet…… All sorts of things were there, but there was still a vast amount of empty space.

It was definitely a place that Alexia, who liked small spaces, would be disgusted by and leave.

Of course, I’ll use it gratefully.

Although Emilia might scream every time she cleans.

I’m already exploiting her for low wages, so I’ll have to help her clean from time to time if I don’t want to be killed by Emilia later.

“Are you going to class?”

“Yes. Today, no matter who comes, absolutely do not open the door. There’s water and food inside, so don’t even come out.”

Since Henderson was dead, I didn’t think there would be any more people capable of breaking through the barrier of the Imperial Academy, but……

When do things ever go as expected in the world?

I didn’t even know Henderson would come.

So I told Emilia to be as careful as possible.

“Yes. Since this morning, there has been someone knocking on the barrier…… I deliberately didn’t open it.”

“Well done.”

“……?”

Only after seeing Emilia’s perplexed expression did I realize.

That my hand was on Emilia’s head.

I had been unconsciously patting Emilia’s head.

Like how I used to do to that kid……

I fake coughed and hurriedly removed my hand.

“I apologize. If it was unpleasant, I’m sorry.”

“Ah, no. I was just surprised……”

Emilia forced a smile.

I’m screwed.

If this gets to Hertlocker’s ears, he might make a fuss about killing me.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Yes. Have a safe trip.”

Leaving behind Emilia, who bowed more than usual to see me off, I left the mansion.

Come to think of it, she said someone kept knocking on the barrier.

Should I take a look at their face?

As I approached the main gate, I saw a person with a deeply pulled hood beyond the bars.

They seemed to have a smaller build and height than Schlus, but it was difficult to guess their gender.

“Who are you?”

“Schlus Hainkel.”

“Yes. I am indeed Schlus Hainkel. Who are you?”

I opened the main gate and asked with a bit of wariness.

Since they were inside the Imperial Academy from the morning, the probability of them being an assassin was low, but someone who wrapped their face and body like this would normally look quite suspicious.

Their voice was also ambiguous, making it difficult to distinguish whether they were male or female.

Too young for a man, and a bit husky for a woman.

“I can’t tell you that yet. If you follow me, I’ll tell you-”

“Class is starting soon. Come back after class.”

“Hey, it’ll only take a moment……”

“I’m busy.”

What are you saying when I’m asking who you are?

I was so annoyed that I ended up passing by that unidentified person.

If they’re keen, they’ll come find me again.

After getting quite far from the mansion, I glanced back and saw the hooded figure with their head bowed as if dejected.

Somehow, I suddenly felt a chilling sensation in my body, as if I had made a big mistake.

It was probably just a feeling.

What could possibly happen?

***

“Haah……”

The corners of Emilia’s mouth kept twitching as she fiddled with her bangs.

It was because she kept recalling Schlus’ touch from earlier.

She was someone who extremely hated people touching her head, but strangely, it didn’t feel bad this time.

No, it even felt comfortable.

“Why……”

Emilia’s lips pursed.

She herself knew well why.

Last night. After the Crow Henderson barged in, Emilia had no choice but to see Schlus differently.

Schlus had said. It was the employer’s duty to protect their attendant.

That was a false statement.

That was a statement that only held true in the world of nobles, in the relationship between a lord and a vassal.

She had never heard of such a thing as a duty to protect in the hierarchical relationship between commoners. Unless it was specified in the contract.

So Emilia could easily tell that it was just an excuse.

Schlus used to hide his goodwill in such a way.

But this time, it was beyond the level of goodwill.

Because Schlus had been risking his own life.

“He’s really crazy. Crazy……”

No matter how much she thought about it, she could only say he was crazy.

How many people could risk their own lives to save others?

And for a stranger he had known for less than a month, not even family or a lover.

In that sense, Schlus’ goodwill went beyond philanthropy and seemed like madness.

Such behavior could only be established in three cases.

Either he was crazy enough to want to die.

Or he had the conviction that he absolutely wouldn’t die even if he did this.

And if it wasn’t either of those, then he thought I was precious enough to save even at the cost of his own life.

“…… Huh?”

Emilia’s cheeks became hot as she recalled the last possibility.

If I say it like this, it almost…… almost seems like Schlus is in love with me.

“Ugh! I must be crazy!”

Emilia ended up covering her face with her hands and lying down on the sofa.

She felt the heat of her face on her hands.

“There’s no way, you idiot!”

There was no possibility that Schlus liked her.

Emilia repeated that in her mind as she calmed her heart.

What reason would Schlus, who was scheduled for a major status upgrade, have to like a commoner like me?

-Love, you see, has no reason. It just comes out of nowhere one day.

Eric’s famous saying came to mind again, but Emilia quickly shook her head and erased it from her mind.

No matter what, it was too unrealistic.

It was a story as absurd as Schlus coming from another world.

“Phew. Get a grip. Get a grip.”

Emilia stood up abruptly, still holding her flushed face.

Still not realizing why she was agitated more than necessary.

As Emilia kept pacing around the living room, her heart pounding, she suddenly looked out the window and tilted her head.

“What’s with that person, really?”

The person in the pulled-down hood who had been standing in front of the door for a while was still there.

But they were bowing their head as if dejected.

With her good eyesight, she quickly scanned and saw their smooth and soft hands.

From that, she could only speculate that they were the child of a noble family.

***

“When will I be able to receive a thank you?”

“What?”

Let’s say Iris naturally came and sat next to me.

Let’s say it’s burdensome that people keep staring at me.

But aside from that, why does this woman keep saying strange things to me?

“What do you mean by a thank you?”

“Do you really not know?”

“……”

I wanted to punch her and tell her to stop beating around the bush.

Why did I make Iris have this personality……

If I could go back in time, I would immediately fix Iris’ way of speaking first.

“If you keep acting like that, you’ll never get a thank you.”

“You’re not even trying to remember…… Okay. I’ll give you a hint. I told you before that someone was in danger. Don’t you remember?”

Someone is in danger……

Ah. Now I remember.

Iris had warned me that my attendant was in danger.

At that time, I didn’t know what it meant, so I ignored it and had forgotten about it until now.

So if you ask if it was of no help at all, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Last night, the reason I didn’t fall asleep despite being tired was because I kept feeling strangely uneasy.

Maybe I was unconsciously recalling Iris’ words and being wary.

“I remember.”

“Then what about the thank you?”

“…… Thanks.”

I gave a half-hearted thank you.

Honestly, this time it was a bit ambiguous to say my life was saved……

Iris must not have liked that, as she puffed out her cheeks and turned her head slightly.

“If you keep acting like this, I might not cooperate either.”

“I never asked you to cooperate.”

“Whoa! Are you really doing this? You still can’t trust me?”

She spoke as if it was unfair, but there was nothing I could do.

I clearly know your cunning heart. How can I trust you wholeheartedly?

If you want to blame someone, blame the guy who made your personality like that.

Ah. That’s me.

Cancel what I just said.

“Then make it so I can trust you.”

“Wasn’t saving your life enough?”

“I think I need a bit more assurance.”

“Wow. You’re basically telling me to keep being devoted to you.”

“Didn’t you say before that we would be together for a long time? Or is this relationship not worth even this much devotion?”

“……”

Iris glared at me with a displeased expression.

Because she had nothing to say.

If we really become a special relationship in the future as Iris has been implying, Iris, who knows that, would be able to do anything for me.

If she really helps me without any compensation until I truly trust her, that’s a gain in itself.

And if she quits halfway, it’s like admitting it was a lie.

Iris was caught in a dilemma.

“I’ve been devoting myself to you, Schlus…… I didn’t know you had this kind of mindset. It’s really too much.”

Iris pretended to wipe away tears.

It was such a blatant act that it wasn’t even funny.

Did she think she could move my heart with such a cheap act?

As I was thinking that, Erica approached from the side and made a fuss.

“Wh-What! Iris is crying?”

“……?”

I thought her acting was sloppy, but it seemed she was trying to deceive Erica from the beginning, not me.

Erica glared at me while hugging the sobbing Iris.

I saw Iris’ smile as she slightly raised her head from Erica’s embrace.

She’s trying to start a battle of public opinion……

How annoying.

“Schlus Hainkel!”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Did you do something wrong?”

“No. Let me ask you the opposite. What do you know to confront me?”

“Ugh…… But I know you two fought, right?”

“Even if we did fight, why do you think it’s my fault?”

“I don’t think it’s only your fault. But still…… Lo-Lovers’ quarrels don’t start from just one person’s mistake, you know?”

“What?”

“So first, you two need to talk and clear up the misunderstanding……”

“No, wait a minute, Erica!”

Iris, who couldn’t stand it anymore, jumped up and cut off Erica’s words.

Iris’ cheeks were unusually flushed.

I don’t think I’ve seen Iris show such agitation even in the original work.

Erica’s pure evil was scary like this.

“Why are you talking as if the two of us are lovers in the first place?”

“Weren’t you? Last time, you were hugging and even sucking on his fingers, so…… Mmph?!”

Iris immediately covered Erica’s mouth.

The hugging part must be referring to when she supported me when I was about to collapse from mana exhaustion.

But what’s this about sucking on my fingers?

When I stared at Iris, she avoided my gaze and rolled her eyes.

This is a bit suspicious.

“Silence.”

At that moment, a low voice rang out from the podium.

It was Ludwig, neatly dressed as always.

“Class will start soon, so be quiet. And Schlus Hainkel.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think there will be enough time, so I’ll tell you in advance. A distinguished guest is waiting, so as soon as class ends, hurry and go meet them.”

“……?”

The crowd began to murmur.

I also had no idea what he was talking about.

After thinking for a while-

‘Ah.’

I thought I roughly knew the identity of the ‘distinguished guest’ Ludwig was referring to.

First of all, there aren’t many people Ludwig would go out of his way to address respectfully even though they’re not here.

There’s no way Ludwig would call Alexia a distinguished guest.

And considering the special incident that happened yesterday, the ‘distinguished guest’ had narrowed down to one person.

Come to think of it, the person in the hood standing in front of the main gate……

‘Shit. I’m screwed.’

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