The Transmigrator Doesn’t Dream of Being the Protagonist – Chapter 16

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Back in her dormitory, Tia thought about what Ethan had said. He was not an easy person to read.

He had been so composed, as if he had planned everything from the start.

‘And in class, he provided the exact answer Professor Rond was looking for.’

He had accurately identified the optimal strategy for hunting trolls.

He had also cleverly induced her to participate in the “Necklace Snatch,” turning it into a trend among their classmates.

Some students, intrigued by Ethan’s demonstration, were even crafting their own necklaces.

Tia had initially been curious about his motive for proposing the game.

But as she witnessed its growing popularity, her curiosity transformed into certainty.

The “Necklace Snatch” would become a massive hit.

Her entrepreneurial instincts urged her to secure exclusive rights to the necklaces.

And she had followed her instincts.

‘What do you say? How about selling the copyright to my company? I’ll give you ten million Elleh.’

Tia, with her keen eye for profitable ventures, had been ready to purchase the copyright. If Ethan had been an ordinary first-year student, he would have readily accepted the ten million Elleh.

‘Yes, I must admit I’m impressed. You anticipated my intention to propose a deal and beat me to it….’

Those words lingered in her mind.

Ethan had skillfully steered the negotiation in his favor, as if he had been expecting her offer.

Her trading company had the resources and connections to turn the “Necklace Snatch” into a widespread phenomenon. They could organize tournaments and even lobby to have it included as an official assessment at the academy.

If the most prestigious academy in the empire adopted the “Necklace Snatch” as an assessment, other academies would undoubtedly follow suit.

They could design the necklaces to have limited durability, ensuring students would need to purchase replacements.

But Ethan had chosen royalties over a lump sum payment. He had calculated that royalties would be more profitable in the long run.

He had presented his proposal with practiced ease, as if he had planned everything in advance. He had skillfully piqued her interest, triggered a trend, and even taken control of the negotiation.

He had successfully executed his plan.

‘Ethan, how far ahead did you plan this…?’

Despite lacking a noble lineage, his knowledge and actions were befitting of a high-ranking aristocrat.

A smile spread across Tia’s face as she thought about it.

She opened a chart she had meticulously compiled.

It listed individuals she deemed noteworthy.

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Individuals to Watch

1st Priority: Reus / Top Entrance Exam Scorer

2nd Priority: Tesha / Princess

3rd Priority: Sepia von Logness / Only Daughter of the Logness Family

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The chart served as a secret record of potential allies.

Reus, having achieved the highest score on the entrance exam despite lacking the Hero Candidate’s Mark, was someone she wanted on her side.

Tesha had entered the academy, concealing her identity as the princess.

She had blended in seamlessly, her true identity unknown to most students. But she hadn’t been able to escape the vast information network of Tia’s trading company. That alone was enough to place her as a second priority.

It was still unclear whether Tesha would inherit the throne.

The Logness family was one of the ten most powerful families in the empire.

It was no surprise that these three individuals occupied the top spots on her list.

“Fufu, Crow, I’ve found someone interesting.”

Tia murmured to herself.

“Interesting―! Interesting―!”

The raven mimicked her words.

Tia added another name to the top of the list.

0th Priority: Ethan / Personally Interesting

“Ethan, you are now my top priority observation target. Please continue to entertain me.”

Tia tapped the chart with her fan, a satisfied smile on her face.

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It was six o’clock.

I was heading to the northern forest.

On the day of our first meeting, Master Sylvia had arrived at the clearing before me.

“Ethan, to think you would keep your master waiting. Brace yourself for a tough lesson today.”

The following day, I had arrived two hours early and practiced my swordsmanship in the clearing.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Sylvia hadn’t shown up early, unlike some master from a martial arts novel. She probably had her own duties as an instructor.

Sylvia consistently arrived fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.

This had instilled a habit of arriving early.

I often found myself practicing in the northern forest, even when it wasn’t our designated training time.

And today was officially our last training session.

Two weeks had flown by.

“Ethan, you’ve been diligently practicing, I see.”

As always, Sylvia had approached without a sound.

I lowered my sword.

Was it because it was our final session?

Dania stood beside Sylvia.

She gave me an encouraging thumbs-up.

‘Fighting, Ethan! You can do it!’

She mouthed the words.

I smiled back.

And faced Sylvia.

“Master….”

“Enough talk. Draw your sword. It’s time to fulfill our agreement.”

Sylvia’s expression was cold and serious.

The subtle smile that usually played on her lips was gone.

She had transformed back into the formidable Sylvia von Linchester.

“As promised, your final test will be a spar against me.”

I adjusted my grip on the wooden sword.

Sylvia took her stance, wielding the wooden rod.

The rules were the same as always.

“Give it your all. If your sword touches me even once, you win.”

Can I win?

The thought briefly crossed my mind.

But I had to win.

Sylvia charged towards me.

The wooden rod whistled through the air.

It was a subtle, but definitely mana-infused attack.

My hand throbbed as I parried the blow.

She launched a series of attacks.

I barely managed to block them.

“Ethan! Is that all you’ve got?!”

I gritted my teeth.

A dull ache spread through my body. I couldn’t even tell where I had been hit.

Some attacks were predictable, but impossible to block.

Others were too fast to even see.

Why was it so difficult for me to acquire advantages?

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

A storm of blows rained down upon me.

I instinctively dropped to one knee.

“Weak! Pathetic! Ethan! Are you trying to disappoint me?!”

I struggled to my feet.

Another barrage of attacks followed.

It wasn’t even a spar anymore. It was a brutal beating.

Thwack!

A strike to my knee sent me crashing to the ground.

“Hmph, it’s over. Don’t ever tell anyone you learned swordsmanship from me!”

Sylvia glanced down at me, then turned to leave.

“It’s not over yet, Sylvia.”

I pushed myself back up.

My legs trembled uncontrollably.

Sylvia admired tenacity.

I had to at least show her that I wasn’t giving up.

“Ethan!”

Dania’s worried voice reached my ears.

My head throbbed.

I was physically exhausted.

But I couldn’t give up.

I forced myself to stand.

“Sylvia, I can still fight!”

I shouted at her retreating figure.

Sylvia turned around.

Her eyes were still cold and sharp.

“Ethan, you lack talent.”

So what?

It’s not like I chose to be talentless.

I clenched my jaw.

“I’ll never… give up.”

I charged towards Sylvia.

My battered body was incredibly slow.

Thwack!

The wooden rod struck the back of my hand.

I almost dropped my sword.

But strangely, the next blow didn’t hurt.

Tap!

The wooden rod tapped the top of my head.

“…Ethan. You truly are…”

And my wooden sword was touching Sylvia’s waist.

“Master Sylvia, my sword clearly touched…”

But I couldn’t finish my sentence.

I had pushed my body past its limits.

Thud.

I collapsed to the ground,

Like a scene straight out of a martial arts novel.

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I winced at the bright light.

My body felt heavy and lifeless.

I opened my eyes with a start.

Damn! I’m late for class!

I tried to sit up, but my body refused to obey. I was covered in bruises. A wave of pain washed over me.

“Ethan, you’re awake?”

I turned my head.

Dania was sitting there, bathed in the morning sunlight.

“Dania…?”

“Dania? I told you to call me Nia!”

Dania pinched my cheek.

It hurt so much that tears welled up in my eyes.

“Ow! It hurts!”

Nia finally released my cheek.

The memories of last night came flooding back.

“Did… Did I pass the test?”

“Pass? I don’t know.”

I bit my lower lip.

It seemed I hadn’t completely failed.

If I had, my future would be too pitiful to even contemplate.

“Where’s Master? And where am I? And shouldn’t I be in class right now…?”

My questions tumbled out in a torrent.

Nia sighed, looking at me.

“Ethan, one question at a time, please.”

“Oh, sorry…”

“Okay. First, Sylvia is away at the moment. Second, we’re in her private office. And lastly, you’ve been granted a day of rest due to your injuries.”

Nia calmly answered my questions.

The door opened.

Sylvia stood there, her silver hair styled in a braid, wearing her silver armor. How diligent could she be, to dress like this every single day?

Braided hairstyles were time-consuming and intricate, weren’t they?

“You’re awake.”

Sylvia slowly approached my bedside. Nia quickly stood up as I tried to sit up. But I could only manage to raise my upper body.

I couldn’t even begin to imagine how badly I had been beaten.

“There’s no need to force yourself.”

I looked at Sylvia, gauging her reaction.

Her gaze was still cold and sharp. It felt intimidating.

“Dania.”

“Yes, Master Sylvia!”

“Would you mind giving us some privacy?”

“Of course.”

Dania left the room.

Sylvia and I were alone.

“You seem curious about the results of your test.”

“Yes, I am. …Did I fail?”

There was no point in hiding it.

Sylvia smiled softly.

“You passed.”

Relief washed over me.

If I were the protagonist, a “Quest Completed” message would have popped up.

“You mastered all the techniques I taught you. And you didn’t release your mana. Do you remember what I said at the beginning of our training?”

“That I shouldn’t release my mana without permission?”

“Yes. You passed, Ethan.”

I waited for Sylvia to continue.

“If you had released your mana to pass the test, you would have failed immediately. You persevered admirably. Continue your studies at the academy.”

Sylvia paused, clearing her throat.

“I promised you a special reward, didn’t I?”

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