The Extra's Rise - Chapter 387

Chapter 387: Vryndall (1)
It was soon time for the field trip to Vryndall city. In the weeks prior, I’d spent some time with Professor Lumina, the Purelight specialist, discussing my Divine Miracle end of year project. She’d been surprisingly enthusiastic, offering rare encouragement and suggesting several ancient texts from the restricted section that might prove useful.

“A Divine Miracle is ambitious for someone who doesn’t exclusively specialize in Purelight,” she had said, her luminous eyes appraising me with newfound interest. “But your dual affinity might actually create something unique. The interplay between Purelight and Deepdark remains largely unexplored in academic circles.”

Beyond my project research, I’d devoted countless hours to training, pushing my abilities to their limits—only to discover a frustrating roadblock. I couldn’t advance further in mana rank or sword mastery, no matter how intensely I trained. My arts could still be refined marginally, but I was approaching the peak of what I could achieve with mere Sword Intent.

The realization was sobering. Without achieving Resonance, I would plateau after completing my Divine Miracle inscription and formalizing my CQC into a proper art. And that thought wasn’t good, especially with the memory of Valen’s test still fresh in my mind.

‘The Aspect wall again,’ Luna observed during one particularly frustrating training session. ‘You’re pushing against it directly, which is precisely why you can’t break through.’

‘Do you have a better suggestion?’ I asked, not bothering to hide my irritation.

‘Not yet,’ she admitted. ‘But brute force isn’t the answer. That much is clear.’

The morning of our departure arrived with little fanfare—another field trip in a long line of Mythos Academy traditions. Yet I couldn’t shake the knowledge of what awaited us in Vryndall. The city’s impending destruction, the deaths of students and faculty, Lucifer’s confrontation with the Umbravale Bishop—all of it loomed in my thoughts as I packed my essentials and headed to the assembly point.

The transportation arranged for our journey was impressive—a sleek white armored bus capable of accommodating all hundred students from our year plus the four accompanying professors. Its gleaming exterior belied the complex defensive enchantments worked into its structure, designed to repel everything from minor weather disturbances to coordinated magical attacks.

“Arthur!” Rachel called, waving me over to where she stood with the other Class A girls. “We saved you a seat.”

The seating arrangement within the bus was nominally random, but unsurprisingly, the elite students of Class A had managed to secure a section for themselves. I made my way down the central aisle, nodding to familiar faces while avoiding the speculative gazes of those still curious about my temporary fall from the top rank.

“Here,” Cecilia patted the space beside her with a possessive smile that didn’t quite reach her crimson eyes. “I made sure it remained available.”

“Through intimidation, no doubt,” Seraphina commented dryly from across the aisle, her silver hair immaculately styled despite the early hour.

“I merely explained the situation,” Cecilia replied with sugary sweetness. “No threats were necessary.”

Rose, seated behind Seraphina, caught my eye and gave a gentle smile. “They’ve been like this since we boarded,” she whispered as I settled in. “I think they’re nervous about the assignment possibilities.”

Clara Lopez, the final member of Class A’s female contingent, was already fast asleep in the seat behind Cecilia, her head resting against the window and soft snores occasionally escaping her lips. As the tenth-ranked student, Clara’s position in Class A was perpetually precarious, leading her to compensate with relentless training that often left her exhausted.

“Let her sleep,” Rose advised, noticing my glance toward Clara.

Professor Nero swept through the bus, his sharp gaze accounting for each student before he nodded to the driver. With a nearly imperceptible hum, the vehicle lifted slightly and began to move, accelerating smoothly as we left Mythos Academy behind.

“I’ve been researching Vryndall,” Seraphina announced once we were underway, producing a slender notebook filled with her precise handwriting. “It’s a fascinating strategic location, positioned at the convergence of three ancient ley lines.”

“Which makes it a target,” Cecilia added, her expression suddenly serious. “The Umbravale Covenant has attempted to seize it twice in the past century.”

A chill ran through me at her words, though I maintained a neutral expression. They had no idea how prescient that observation would prove to be.

“It’s also known for its unique architecture,” Rose contributed, always one to find beauty even in potentially dangerous situations. “The city was built in concentric circles, with each ring dedicated to a different element. I’m particularly interested in seeing the Floralight District, where they’ve cultivated bioluminescent plants to illuminate the entire area.”

The conversation continued as the landscape outside transformed from the familiar coastal regions surrounding Mythos Academy to the more rugged terrain of the Northern continent. Rachel, seated across from Cecilia, maintained a possessive hand on my arm for much of the journey, her sapphire eyes occasionally darting toward the crimson-eyed princess whenever she leaned too close to me.

Their silent competition might have been amusing under different circumstances, but my thoughts kept returning to the fate awaiting Vryndall. Was there anything I could do to change it?

‘You’re unusually quiet,’ Luna observed, returning to my consciousness after spending time in her own meditative state.

‘Just thinking about the assignment possibilities,’ I lied, unwilling to burden her with knowledge she couldn’t act upon.

‘Liar,’ she replied simply, but didn’t press further.

Vryndall was part of the Windward territory and thus closer to Mythos Academy as it bordered the Western continent. The journey took approximately four hours, including a brief stop at a Northern checkpoint where our documentation was verified by solemn-faced guards who seemed particularly interested in our professors’ credentials. Finally, as midday approached, the gleaming spires of Vryndall appeared on the horizon, rising from the valley like a crown of light.

“It’s beautiful,” Rachel murmured, and for once, her assessment seemed free of calculation or comparison.

Even forewarned of its impending destruction, I had to agree. Vryndall was genuinely stunning—a masterpiece of magical architecture where traditional Northern designs had been enhanced and elevated by centuries of arcane innovation. The concentric rings Rose had mentioned were clearly visible, each glowing with the particular hue of its elemental affinity.

Our bus proceeded through the main gates with minimal delay, the Mythos Academy insignia granting us automatic clearance into the city. As we wound through the streets toward our accommodations, citizens waved or nodded respectfully, well accustomed to visiting students from the prestigious academy.

“We’ll be staying at the Crystalline Haven,” Professor Nero announced as the bus finally came to a stop before an impressive structure of blue-white stone and enchanted glass. “One of Vryndall’s premier accommodations, arranged specifically for Mythos Academy students.”

The hotel lived up to its name—a haven of crystalline elegance where every surface seemed to capture and refract light in mesmerizing patterns. The lobby featured a massive central fountain where water flowed upward rather than down, forming complex geometric shapes before dissolving into a fine mist that renewed itself in an endless cycle.

“Room assignments have already been determined,” Professor Ashford called out over the excited chatter of students. “Please check the listings by the reception desk. You’ll have the remainder of today to familiarize yourselves with the city. Tonight’s banquet will begin promptly at seven, where we’ll discuss your assignments in detail.”

The mention of free time triggered an immediate rush toward the reception desk, but the Class A students held back, confident that their accommodations would be superior by default. We were directed to the uppermost floor, where Rose and I found ourselves assigned to adjacent suites with balconies overlooking the city’s central plaza.

“Convenient,” she commented with a soft smile as we located our rooms. “Perhaps we could watch the sunset from the balconies later?”

“If time permits,” I replied, conscious of Cecilia’s narrowed gaze from down the corridor, where she’d been assigned a suite opposite Seraphina’s.

After settling into our rooms and freshening up from the journey, most students scattered throughout the city, eager to explore before the evening’s formal proceedings. I spent my afternoon methodically mapping escape routes and defensive positions, mentally preparing for the attack I knew would come, all while maintaining the appearance of casual sightseeing.

The banquet that evening was held in the hotel’s grand ballroom, a circular space with a domed ceiling enchanted to reflect the night sky above Vryndall. Circular tables accommodated ten students each, with the professors seated at a slightly elevated table that overlooked the room. Unsurprisingly, Class A occupied a table near the front, with Lucifer at its head, his emerald eyes constantly scanning the room with casual vigilance yet filled with recognition.