"I-I'm a bit shy...."

President Braum blinked.

'What?'

His golden eyes looked at Miranda's equally shocked and unable to believe the words from the student's mouth.

He gazed back again at the black-haired boy in front of him.

"Are..."

"You serious?"

Troi could only nod his head in reply.

Rubbing his nose, President Braum had no idea what to say.

"Student, are you aware that your aura harbors great potential."

"And that is what we do here to cultivate that potential into power."

"You'll have money, fame, and authority in both name and blade."

"No longer will you be a mere commoner, you'll be granted a new home where the nobles reside,"

"But most importantly, we will have more power to protect the crown,"

"Isn't that what you came here for?"

"To be able to guard the crown that grants us peace?"

Troi lowered his head and as he stared on the floor, a sigh left his mouth.

'Damn, I have to think of something.'

His emotionless mind started racing.

Trying to find anything to help him say the right words.

Silence engulfed the room whilst confusion and curiosity raged inside the two professors.

Until a soft-spoken voice echoed behind Troi's ears.

"That can't be the only reason is it?"

Miranda could no longer hold the words desperate to leave her mouth.

"An opportunity that can't be bought by a billion bells stands before you, student."

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Yet you hesitate,"

"Tell us the real reason, Troi."

"We will try to understand."

Troi gritted his teeth as one of his emotions broke free in his mind.

'Oh, okay Ms. Miranda,'

'President Braum the real reason that I don't want to accept your offer is that I'm currently inside a generic f*cking novel made by an author who created villains who want to kill other people for the pettiest reasons.'

'Some target the protagonist because he's so much more handsome than they are,'

'Some jealous of his harem.'

'Some envious of his strength.'

'One guy literally targeted him just because he smelt good!'

'And if I ever gain a fraction of the attention he has, then some random villain might just target me because I'M BLACK."

Troi's mind who went haywire for a second soon calmed down as he felt the chains inside his mind tighten their hold.

Taking a deep breath, he once again delved into his thoughts.

Seeing the student before him silent and barely moving.

President Braum grew anxious.

Ms. Miranda slowly walked away from the door and sat on the sofa next to Troi who had his head down.

"Troi?"

"Is everything fine?"

Troi didn't answer since he was currently thinking like his life depended on it.

But even when his mind was clear thanks to the chains he could not find the right words to say.

Until he heard a soft-spoken voice that made one of his emotions run wild.

"Is it because of your parents?"

Troi widened his eyes.

'Huh?'

Gently raising his head to look at Ms. Miranda.

Her lime eyes full of sympathy and pity met his own.

Troi who was able to hide his shock saw a way out.

In the end, he didn't need to say anything at all.

Instead, he meekly nodded his head.

A solemn sigh left Miranda's lips.

"Alright, Troi, we understand."

Being trained to read body language from a young age to see through lies.

President Braum instantly saw the emotions behind the face of Ms. Miranda.

"We have kept you long enough here, Troi."

"You're excused but we might need to call you again in the future."

Troi stood up from the sofa and bowed to the president.

"Thank you, sir, for respecting my wishes."

And made his way out of the office.

As he closed the door behind him.

He saw the hallway of the academy full of students.

But most importantly.

[Mind of The Murderer has been deactivated]

[Mind of The Murderer can only be activated after 24 hours]

All of his emotions were no longer held back.

But he didn't feel happy.

Nor any fulfillment even though he had successfully wriggled his way out.

No,

In his mind, he felt ashamed.

'I'm sorry,'

He had kept it out in his mind.

A version of him that was born here.

Who had aspirations, emotions, and goals.

A version of him that had a life here.

He remembered the note he had found on the coffee table from the very first time he had opened his eyes here.

Such misery he had felt when he realized he transmigrated into a world that was doomed to die.

But what about the version of him that worked hard for that?

The version of him that wielded the spear.

Who like him trained fiercely.

To be admitted to such a prestigious academy.

'He must've felt extremely happy when he had read that note.'

'He must've felt all of his efforts were finally acknowledged.'

'Only for me to suddenly inhabit his body.'

Troi's heart started to tighten.

But he shook his head.

For that only fueled the cinder in his soul.

And so he walked through the students.

Hoping that if he finally succeeds to avert the destined doom of this world.

The version of him that worked hard to see that note.

Would find his way home.

Back to his body.

Such as he who was taken from his own.