I’m Sick of the Kind Protagonist, so I Might as Well Just Die - Chapter 8

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#08
“You’re spouting nonsense like it’s some grand mission….”
While I stood there bewildered, my surroundings shifted once more.
This time… it resembled a school.
‘I’ve never attended anything like a school.’
Neatly arranged desks and chairs, pens and paper placed upon them, and the sound of a bell ringing from outside. I found myself wondering if this was what an elite private academy—the kind the Nobility attended—might look like, when I belatedly realized my clothes had changed as well.
“Wow….”
An involuntary exclamation escaped me at the sensation of soft fabric clinging to my body.
A cape and shirt that draped from my shoulders and swayed at my waist, along with trousers—all crafted from sleek black cloth. The Emperor and Adelaine wore identical bewildered expressions as they gazed down at their own transformed attire.
“Hey, Ren! You bastard! Why did you drag me into this too!”
Silpi, her narrow pupils widening, let out a sharp cry as she checked above her head. She seemed quite displeased that a beret identical to ours sat askew atop her blunt-cut hair.
“What? You want me to answer? What exactly are you trying to do, dressing us all in these strange clothes?”
“I would like for all of you to serve as members of the Committee.”
Perenustus, who had pushed the protesting Silpi away at arm’s length, uttered something equally strange.
I felt a small measure of relief watching the bewildered expressions on the other three faces. It meant I wasn’t the only one utterly lost by what was unfolding.
“I have determined that Aurelia serves as an important variable capable of introducing diversity into my worldview. I also wish to conduct research on how the curse my other self carelessly imposed will manifest.”
“What does that have to do with these clothes! And what’s this Committee anyway? Isn’t that something the old men dumped on you to clean up their mess?”
“Precisely. Suffering diminishes when shared, so I thought we should bear it together.”
Adelaine’s expression faltered for a moment, and she muttered a curse beneath her breath. The Emperor, quick to notice, stepped half a pace forward to shield her from view.
‘Judging by how he acts, it seems he really does care for her.’
“Hey, no matter what, suddenly acting like a vengeful spirit dragging everyone down with you isn’t right! Especially when these two are Academy top students!”
While the others fell silent, Silpi alone protested with increasing fervor. Silver blood dripped, then streamed down, yet Perenustus turned toward the two top students with unflappable composure.
“I trust you both understand.”
“…Yes.”
“Yes….”
The pair of Academy top students answered reluctantly, their expressions deeply displeased.
“Excellent. Now that Aurelia has acquired a name, allow me to make formal introductions. This is Leonas Hagpethar Yuletanis, our Academy’s top student.”
Perenustus gestured toward the Emperor.
‘Both of them have names that are impossible to remember.’
Convinced I could never memorize the full name, I regarded the man introduced as Leonas—no longer the Emperor. Leonas offered his habitual smile and gave a slight bow of acknowledgment.
“And this is Bilateia Ferniciosa Venisike.”
This time Perenustus indicated Adelaine. Hidden behind Leonas, Adelaine poked her head out just enough to offer a subtle nod of greeting.
The name Adelaine suited her far better.
‘Then again, any name would pale beside such beauty.’
I waved hello, and Adelaine turned her head sharply, retreating behind Leonas once more.
Unable to witness this exchange while restraining the rambunctious Silpi, Perenustus addressed me with a note of caution.
“Both are exemplary students without flaw, so there is much Aurelia can learn from them.”
“….”
“My expectations for Aurelia are considerable. My concerns are equally great.”
I suddenly found myself curious.
“Ah, yes. Since you brought that up… what exactly do you expect from me? Shouldn’t you explain what this Comedy-Tragedy Equilibrium Law is in concrete terms?”
“I think it’s still too early to provide that answer.”
Was he saying I lacked the capacity for such elevated discourse?
Without uttering a word, Perenustus blinked as though he’d read my unspoken thoughts.
“I hope this becomes an opportunity for Aurelia to learn the weight of responsibility and burden carried by those who fulfill their assigned roles, accompanied by profound self-reflection.”
“….”
“For exemplary students like Bilatea and Leonas—those who grasp ten truths from a single lesson—I would explain ten times, a hundred times over. But Aurelia is currently a bug so fundamental that no amount of lengthy, detailed, or courteous explanation would help. So I’m providing a learning process suited to that level.”
“Wow….”
While I stood speechless in utter bewilderment, Bilatea carefully raised her hand.
“Professor, I must confess—I don’t understand this situation either. Leonas and I are at a critical juncture before completing the Academy, and suddenly this Committee is rather…”
Bilatea closed her mouth before the harsh words could escape, then hastily signaled Leonas with her eyes. Leonas, recognizing that such candor would jeopardize his own future, ventured a careful suggestion.
“Professor, wouldn’t it be better to have Aurelia experience the Academy’s trial classes rather than enrolling her in this Committee?”
“Trial classes?”
“Yes. Consider my case.”
“Ah… Bilatea participated in the Academy’s trial classes before transferring here from that martial arts world.”
Bilatea nodded eagerly. Perenustus, after a moment’s consideration, shook his head.
“Everyone here has experienced Aurelia firsthand. From that experience, we know Aurelia is an extremely serious malfunction.”
“Ah, calling a person a malfunction right in front of them…”
“The fact that everyone in Aurelia’s Village was corrupted shows this is no ordinary matter. To be honest, I’m not even certain whether Aurelia is a controllable bug or if deletion is the only answer.”
The word “deletion” struck my ears like thunder.
I understood instinctively. “Deletion” meant that this man—who could send me to strange places and change locations in an instant—could erase me from existence entirely.
A chill ran down my spine.
Perenustus regarded my evident tension with an enigmatic gaze before continuing.
“That’s why I cannot send her to the Academy. I cannot even imagine what catastrophe might unfold if the students became corrupted. Leonas and Bilatea are capable, so I’m making this request because I’m confident you won’t be contaminated by this serious bug.”
He glanced at Silpi with a smirk.
“I have far greater expectations for you two than for this helpless fool.”
“Hey! Calling your own fragment an idiot!”
Silpi bristled. Perenustus completely ignored her this time as well.
“While spending time with Aurelia, please gather data that satisfies me. Of course, I will provide compensation.”
“Compensation…you mean…”
“Well, how about assigning you to the world that Leonas and Bilatea desire with one hundred percent accuracy? If you wish to move to an entirely different genre, I can guarantee that as well.”
Leonas’s eyes gleamed with interest. Perenustus glanced at Leonas, who had taken the bait so readily, then turned his body toward Bilatea.
“Bilatea, you’ve already experienced it, haven’t you? How difficult it is to transition to a completely different genre. You know better than anyone that without a glitch like this one, such a move is virtually impossible.”
Bilatea and Leonas, their hearts swayed by the temptation, exchanged glances. The deliberation of these two model students was far shorter than I’d anticipated.
“…So what should we do from now on?”
Bilatea was the first to speak. Perenustus opened his hand as though he’d expected exactly this.
“There are several things I want to confirm first, so let’s all go to where Aurelia lived. I’d appreciate it if you could find out in detail what books she obtained, how she obtained them, how much she read, and how far her understanding extends.”
“Then Aurelia will return to that world?”
“No.”
Perenustus shook his head firmly in response to Leonas’s cautious question.
“The world in question has experienced a critical malfunction and has been frozen until the cause analysis is complete. Since it is entirely halted, all you need do is observe it thoroughly.”
Perenustus shoved Silpi, whom he had been gripping by the collar the entire time, toward us.
“Silpi, you go and investigate as well. Check whether there’s any possibility of restoring your body.”
“What? If I just conduct the investigation properly, you can reattach my body?”
“Investigate whether it’s possible or not, and report back. Directly.”
Perenustus spoke while checking his watch.
“Any questions? If not, then right now—”
“I have a question!”
I raised my hand.
Perenustus and the four others seemed taken aback, as though they had assumed there would be no questions. Perenustus nodded, gesturing for me to speak.
I pointed to the classroom-like landscape that had materialized in an instant and asked what I truly wanted to know.
“Your abilities are this extraordinary, so why won’t you go yourself?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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