The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

Become the protagonist of this world?

In truth, Ruvian had never desired such a role, be it before he learned about Zian’s disappearance or after.

The thought had never once taken root within him. It might have sounded as though he were clinging stubbornly to some lofty ideal, yet that was not the case.

He already held another plan in mind for that.

But... to be fair, his clone was not wrong either.

When a story lost its protagonist, someone had to step forward and take that place or everything would drift without direction.

Still, why did it have to be him of all people?

If Zian Herga could no longer stand at the center, there was already someone else Ruvian considered far more suited for that position.

That was the real reason he refused to push himself onto the stage. The role did not fit him, no matter how he looked at it.

”For a clone, why are you so eager to push me into being the protagonist?”

The clone suddenly frowned.

”You seriously have to ask that? You want to survive, don’t you? Becoming the protagonist would raise your relevancy tier faster. That’s the whole point.”

Ruvian gave a slow shake of his head.

”I see. I think I finally understand this trial’s purpose.”

Confusion slipped across the clone’s face.

Ruvian continued. ”You said earlier that you know everything about me, didn’t you? Then you should already know why I refuse to become the protagonist and would rather stay in the background as nothing more than an extra.”

The clone fell silent and watched him closely, turning the words over in his mind.

A moment later, his eyes widened as realization struck him with visible disbelief.

”You... you can’t be serious. Don’t tell me that’s really your reason. That... that doesn’t make any sense?”

”Are you out of your mind!!?”

Yet, Ruvian didn’t reply.

He simply smiled.

Letting out a heavy sigh through his nose, the clone dragged a hand over his face.

”Ah, this is driving me nuts. Fine, forget what I said before. I don’t understand you at all. Why would anyone want to do that? You make no sense. Gods, I don’t want to say this to myself, but...”

”Are you a fool?”

Ruvian slightly chuckled.

”No, I know you would understand, you must be thinking the same, don’t you?” Ruvian replied.

”Still, you did your job well. I don’t want to be the protagonist, and furthermore, even an extra can exert his own influence on the narrative. So, I already know what I need to do now.

”All thanks to you for confirming my doubts.”

The clone tilted his head, his curiosity creeping in.

”Hmm, and what exactly is that?”

”You were dead right about one thing. I’ve been too passive as of late. I keep saying I want to raise those extras, yet my efforts never came close to that intention.”

”I need to push harder, act better, move faster if I want to stay alive. Even if that means changing the story itself.”

His gaze sharpened as he added.

”My goal is no longer to just survive in this world...”

Slowly, Ruvian lifted his wand.

”I will create a good ending for this cursed novel.”

A quiet laugh leaked from the clone’s lips.

”You are truly out of your mind.”

Ruvian smiled contentedly.

”You’re not going to fight back anymore?” he asked.

”No. What would be the point? You already cleared the trial. You have confronted your flaw. And you already made up your mind for your next course of action. Therefore, my role here has ended.”

Ruvian studied him for a moment. ”So you won’t try to stop me from what I’m about to do next?”

The clone let out a scoff.

”As if you’d listen even if I did. Go ahead and do whatever you want, you stubborn bastard. Whatever happens next will be yours to deal with, not mine.”

His voice softened slightly as he added.

”After all, I’m just a stray voice echoing inside your head.”

Mana gathered along the tip of Ruvian’s wand, condensing into a bright, trembling point of light.

”Go. Shoot me,” the clone said, watching him without fear.

”Let us end this foolish trial, you twisted bastard...”

Ruvian smiled in agreement and released the spell.

”[Magic Missile].”

*****

Ding!

[Trial Concluded]

[Subject: Ruvian Castelor]

[Endurance Time: 13 minutes 23 seconds]

[You have received +500 Plot Points!]

The mirror realm began to fracture, its surface webbing with fine cracks that spread like frost across glass.

One by one, the fissures widened until the entire space ruptured.

The streams of light bled through the broken seams before swelling into a brilliance that flooded everything and swallowed the realm in radiance.

When Ruvian finally opened his eyes, he found himself no longer within that world but lying motionless upon the stage, his gaze fixed on the ceiling above.

’Has the trial ended?’

Still somewhat dazed, he pressed a hand to the floor and pushed himself upright. His eyes drifted across the silent surroundings.

However, only the five mirrors stood where they had been, while the other Polaris scholars were nowhere to be seen.

Soon after, Ruvian heard a slow clap drifting through the air.

When he turned toward the sound, he saw that his instructor, Airin, was approaching, her expression bright with surprise.

”Congratulations, Ruvian. You have cleared the trials.”

She paused, as if weighing her next words, then gave a small, restrained nod.

”You performed... exceptionally well. That was quite a fight. It seems like you’ve learned about your flaws. I don’t know what sort of discussion you have with your clone, but if you managed to defeat it... then you have succeeded in overcoming yourself.”

She held out her hands, and he took them without hesitation, letting her pull him to his feet while the ache in his body dragged against his bones.

”I see. So I have cleared the trials. What about the others?” he asked.

”Everyone passed except for Corwin. They have all been sent back to their rooms to recover. This trial usually puts a heavy strain on the mind and leaves most scholars barely conscious by the end of it. Frankly, I am still trying to understand how you are standing here.”

’Ah, right. My mental endurance runs deeper than most.’

’Shit...’

”Now that you mention it, I do feel a little dizzy,” he said, pressing a hand lightly to his temple.

Airin assessed him for a brief moment, then reached into her sleeve and drew out a small vial filled with a murky, slow swirling liquid.

She gently held it toward him.

”Here. Drink this. It will steady you.”

Ruvian accepted [Recovery Potion] without hesitation.

In truth, he did not feel dizzy at all, yet a dull ache still clung to his body from head to toe, so he took it anyway when it was offered.

”Thanks. By the way, Instructor, would it be possible for me to see the rest of the results?”

She blinked at that, clearly caught off guard by the request.

For a while, she simply looked at him, weighing something behind her eyes, then gave a small nod.

”Of course. There is no issue with that.”

”Follow me.”

Turning his head, Ruvian stared at the mirror device for a moment.

He saw his reflection staring back at him.

Then, with a heavy sigh, he faced forward again and walked behind Airin.

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[Chapter 64: Trials of Confrontation (7)]