An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

After the amazement of Dragon's Gaze faded, I decided to test other system features.

I decided to test my inventory skill. It turned out to be surprisingly intuitive. I only had to touch an item and think about storing it, and it vanished instantly. Retrieving it was just as simple, a mere thought, and the item reappeared exactly where it had been.

Curious, I retrieved Drakathorn from my inventory.

Gripping the spear tightly, I felt its weight resonate with my pulse. The polished bone of the shaft intertwined with blackened steel seemed alive beneath my fingers, warm and humming with raw energy. The jagged spearhead flickered between fiery orange and electric blue, casting a surreal glow across the room.

I marveled at the intricate runes spiraling along the blade, each one pulsating with a golden hue, as though whispering secrets of the dragon king's untamed power. The iridescent pommel shimmered, its colors shifting like a dragon's scales, while a faint growl echoed from within the weapon, as if a beast slumbered inside.

"Cool," I murmured, giving it a few experimental swings. The spear moved with deadly precision, like an extension of my arm.

After a while, satisfied with my tinkering, I returned Drakathorn to the inventory.

Deciding against trying the training space just yet—it was already late—I stretched out on my bed. Tomorrow was the first day of the academy, and I didn't want to make a bad impression by being late.

The next morning, I woke early, around six. After freshening up, I donned the academy uniform neatly folded in the room. The tailored fit hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my already handsome appearance. Admiring myself in the mirror, I smirked.

This uniform does suit me well.

A knock at the door interrupted my musings. Opening it, I found Alicia standing there, looking stunning in her own uniform.

"You look good in the uniform," she remarked, her lips curving into a soft smile.

"I could say the same about you," I teased, pulling her close in a playful hug.

Before she could respond, an awkward coughing sound interrupted us.

"Cough… Cough..."

Turning my head, I saw Luna emerging from the room next door, her face flushed.

Alicia quickly stepped away, her cheeks glowing with embarrassment.

Unfazed, I offered Luna a warm smile. "Good morning, Miss Luna. What a pleasant surprise to find you as my neighbor."

Her expression relaxed as she replied, "It's not much of a surprise. You're rank one, and I'm rank two. It makes sense we'd be neighbors."

"Well, when you put it like that, I can't argue," I said with a chuckle. "Oh, by the way, let me introduce you. Luna, this is Alicia, my… friend. Alicia, this is Luna."

"Hello, nice to meet you," Alicia said, offering a polite nod.

"Likewise," Luna replied, then added with a sly smile, "But you two look more like lovers than just friends."

I grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Alicia's face turned crimson, but she didn't deny it.

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"So, were you heading to the cafeteria?" I asked Luna.

"Yes," Luna replied simply.

"Us too. Let's go," I said.

"But first, we need to get Cedric and Kaela," Alicia reminded me.

"Ah, right. Sorry, Miss Luna, but we'll catch up with you later," I said apologetically.

"Okay," Luna nodded and walked off.

As soon as she was gone, Alicia pinched my side—hard.

"Ow, ow!" I winced. "What was that for?"

"Next time, watch your surroundings before pulling something like that!" she scolded, her tone sharp but laced with embarrassment.

"Okay, okay! Just let go already!"

"Hmph." She released me with a huff.

"Let's go to the second floor," she said, marching off toward the elevator without waiting for me.

I quickly caught up, stepping into the elevator beside her. When the doors opened on the second floor, Cedric and Kaela were already waiting for us.

"Great timing! Let's go," I said, motioning for Cedric and Kaela to join us.

The four of us strolled down the hall, exchanging light banter. Cedric, ever the laid-back charmer, nudged me with a smirk.

"Think we'll survive the first day?" he joked.

"If the cafeteria's as good as last night, I might," I shot back, earning a chuckle from him.

As we entered the cafeteria, the atmosphere was alive with energy. Students filled the room, the hum of chatter and clinking cutlery creating a lively backdrop. Long tables stretched across the space, lined with an impressive spread of food. Freshly baked bread, vibrant fruits, roasted meats, and steaming stews—it looked like a feast fit for nobility.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Wow," Cedric muttered, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. "It's livelier than yesterday."

Alicia and Kaela found us a table near the windows while Cedric and I made our way to the buffet. The sheer variety of dishes was overwhelming, and I couldn't resist piling my plate high with an assortment.

When we returned to the table, Luna approached, carrying her tray with effortless grace.

"Mind if I join?" she asked, her voice calm but inviting.

"Not at all," Alicia said warmly, though I noticed a fleeting tension in her smile.

Cedric and Kaela exchanged curious glances at the new addition. Sensing their curiosity, I gestured to Luna.

"This is Luna, rank two in the academy. Luna, meet Cedric and Kaela," I said.

"It's a pleasure," Luna said with a polite nod.

"Likewise," Cedric replied with his usual charm, while Kaela offered a shy smile.

Soon, everyone settled into easy conversation, the initial awkwardness fading. Luna took the seat beside me, her movements so poised they drew a few glances from nearby tables.

Her eyes flicked to my overflowing plate. "Quite the appetite, Arthur."

"What can I say? Good food deserves respect," I replied with a grin, earning a small laugh.

As we ate, Cedric leaned closer, lowering his voice. "So, which classes are you guys in? Kaela and I got placed in B-class."

"Oh? I'm in S-class," I said casually.

"Same here," Luna added, her voice calm but proud.

"Me too," Alicia chimed in.

"Great," I said with a nod, genuinely pleased that our group wouldn't be splitting up too much.

After breakfast, we headed toward our respective classrooms. Kaela and Cedric parted ways with us midway, leaving me with Luna and Alicia as we walked to the S-Class.

The S-Class building was situated further away, requiring a good ten-minute walk. By the time we reached, the halls were already buzzing with students finding their places.

I stepped into the classroom, followed closely by Luna and Alicia. The classroom was impressive. It was large and structured like an amphitheater. A podium stood at the front, and the desks and benches were arranged in a sloping fashion from the front to the back, providing an unobstructed view for everyone. The seating was divided into three columns and ten rows, with each bench accommodating two students.

A good number of students were already inside, their chatter filling the room. My eyes scanned the space, quickly picking out familiar faces. Alex and his sister Cassandra sat in the middle column on the first row. Behind them were Eveline, the saintess, and her ever-dutiful knight, Althea.

With a friendly smile, I approached their group. "Good morning, everyone. It's great to see you all in the same class."

Cassandra returned the sentiment with a polite smile. "Yes, it's nice to have familiar faces around."

"Well, let's catch up later. I should grab a seat before the teacher arrives," I said, glancing around for empty spots.

Since each bench had two seats, I gestured for Luna and Alicia to sit together while I moved toward the back.

The S-Class housed thirty students, all ranked in the academy's top thirty. About twenty of them were already present, though many were unfamiliar to me—extras, I supposed.

I settled on the last bench by the window, taking a moment to look around. At the front, the elven princess sat beside her cousin, their regal demeanor drawing subtle glances from others.

Scanning the room, I noticed a few more familiar faces. The elven princess was seated in the front row beside her cousin. Others from the top rankings began trickling in, filling the remaining seats.

Then, my gaze landed on one particularly striking figure— Emma Frost, the cold beauty of the Frost Duchy. Her silver-white hair shimmered in the morning light, her pale complexion like flawless porcelain. With her icy expression and distant gaze fixed outside the window, she radiated an untouchable aura.

As I glanced at my watch—8:24, with six minutes to spare—a new figure entered, and the room seemed to quiet slightly.

Nadia Mystic.

Nadia Mystic, the heir of the Mystic Duchy. Her expression was as cold and stern as ever, exuding an aura that seemed to reject anyone daring to approach her. Nadia was known for being one of the hardest characters to interact with, her aloofness making her a true enigma. Even the protagonist was never able to court her.

As she scanned the classroom for a seat, I expected her to settle somewhere far from everyone else, perhaps an empty row. But to my utter disbelief, her gaze landed on me.

Without hesitation, she strode toward the back and sat down… right next to me.

'The hell?' I thought, my mind reeling. 'Isn't she supposed to be a loner? Why is she sitting beside me?'.

Outwardly, I maintained a calm demeanor, but inside, I was anything but. This was definitely going to be an interesting day.