The Extra's Rise - Chapter 411

Chapter 411: Prelude to Exchange Program (1)
The first day of the second semester felt like stepping into a distant memory. After eleven months in the Well of Miasma and weeks of readjustment, returning to Mythos Academy seemed almost surreal—a slice of normalcy in a life that had become anything but normal.

I found myself noticing details I’d once taken for granted: the sleek hyperloop station with its quantum-balanced suspension tracks, the precisely calibrated inertial dampeners that made the high-speed journey feel like floating, the elegant architecture of the third-year building with its adaptive smart-glass and self-regulating environmental systems.

When I reached Room 3-A, I paused momentarily at the threshold. Ten ergonomic desks arranged in a 5×2 formation awaited their occupants, each station equipped with the latest holographic interfaces and mana-sensitive learning aids. Several of my classmates were already present, their conversations halting as I entered.

Lucifer was the first to react, his piercing verdant eyes conducting a thorough assessment before he rose from his seat. The Academy’s current top-ranked student moved with his characteristic fluid grace.

“Nice to finally see you again, Arthur,” he said, extending his hand. The casual greeting couldn’t mask the intense curiosity in his gaze.

“Yeah, it’s been a while,” I replied with a smile, accepting the handshake. Through the brief contact, I could sense his mana signature—high Integration-rank, just like mine. I’d essentially caught up to him in raw power, despite his continued advancement during my absence.

Ren remained silent, his violet eyes methodically scanning me from head to toe. The usually taciturn prodigy was weighing something, though his expression revealed nothing of his thoughts.

Ian was more demonstrative, slinging an arm around my shoulders with a broad grin. “It’s been too long, Arthur! How could you just disappear like that?” The Prince of the South’s golden eyes shimmered with genuine warmth beneath his casual demeanor.

“Not my plan,” I replied, briefly meeting the gazes of the four girls who watched our reunion without intervening. Rachel wore a slight pout, clearly displeased at having to share my attention, while Rose observed with her characteristically tranquil smile.

“Arthur Nightingale.” The voice came from behind me, distinct in its unusual alertness.

I turned to find Clara approaching, her typically drowsy expression replaced by focused intensity. Eva’s daughter looked… awake. Completely awake. It was almost disconcerting.

“You shouldn’t have left like that,” she declared, punctuating her statement with a punch to my stomach.

The blow carried no real force—her specialization in Mind aspect meant her physical strikes were largely symbolic—but the gesture itself spoke volumes about her frustration.

“Sorry, Clara,” I offered sincerely. I’d promised to help her with her training before my abrupt departure. Through our brief contact, I sensed she’d reached mid-Integration rank—impressive progress, considering where she’d started.

In fact, looking around the room, I realized everyone had advanced significantly. The entire class had reached at least mid-Integration rank, with Ren, Lucifer, and myself at the high-Integration threshold. The competitive nature of Class 3-A had clearly driven everyone to push their limits.

“All forgiven,” Clara said with a dismissive wave, though her eyes told a different story. “Just don’t expect me to share my notes.”

The classroom’s ambient lighting shifted subtly, a signal that the session would soon begin. I moved toward my assigned seat—position two, befitting my current rank within the Academy hierarchy.

As I settled beside Lucifer in the front row, he leaned slightly closer, voice lowered for my ears alone.

“Your aura feels different,” he observed, the casual tone belied by the intensity of his gaze. “Not just stronger. Fundamentally altered.”

I offered a noncommittal shrug. “Eleven months is a long time.”

“Not long enough for what I’m sensing,” he countered, a hint of challenge in his voice. “The Sovereign’s Tournament should be interesting this year.”

Before I could respond, the classroom door slid open with a soft hydraulic hiss. The conversations immediately ceased as Professor Nero Astrellan entered.

“Good morning, Class 3-A,” Professor Astrellan greeted, his voice carrying effortlessly throughout the room despite its soft volume. “I trust you all had a productive winter break.”

His gaze swept across the room, lingering momentarily on each face before continuing.

“As you’ve all noticed, we have Arthur Nightingale returning to us as Rank 2,” he said, gesturing in my direction. “Of course, these rankings may shift significantly during the Sovereign’s Tournament at the year’s end.”

The holographic display shifted to reveal a detailed semester schedule.

“Now, regarding this semester’s practical evaluations,” he continued. “We’re implementing a significant change. Instead of the traditional Field Trip for our first practical assessment, we will be participating in an Exchange Program with Starcrest Academy on the Eastern continent. All one hundred third-year students will accompany the faculty to Hwaeryun, where Starcrest is located.”

An excited murmur rippled through the classroom. This was unexpected—and intriguing. In the original timeline, the Field Trip had been canceled entirely, not replaced with something more ambitious. The deviation sparked my curiosity.

‘I’ll get to see that prodigy again,’ I thought, recalling Seol-ah with her extraordinary talent and complicated future.

Professor Astrellan cleared his throat, recapturing our attention. “The second practical evaluation will involve missions of your choosing,” he explained, manipulating the holographic display to reveal a complex matrix of potential assignments. “The third will be your End of Year project, a self-directed study focused on your individual growth.”

His expression grew more serious. “And finally, the fourth—and most crucial—practical evaluation will be the End of Year Tournament, which will determine your final rankings and future opportunities.”

The display shifted again, showing our personalized schedules with color-coded subject tracks and specialized training modules.

“Your individual schedules have been tailored to your specific abilities and development needs,” he said. “Arthur, since you’re rejoining us mid-year, you’ve been granted extended time to select your End of Year project. Your deadline extends until after the Exchange Program’s completion.”

He deactivated the holographic display with a subtle gesture. “As is traditional on the first day of a new semester, there are no formal classes scheduled. You’re dismissed until tomorrow.”

The students rose, gathering their devices and engaging in animated conversations about the unexpected Exchange Program. I caught fragments of speculation about Starcrest Academy’s legendary training facilities and the Eastern continent’s unique cultivation methods.

‘What do you have in mind for your End of Year project?’ Luna inquired mentally as I collected my things.

‘Not entirely sure,’ I admitted privately. The project was meant to push my capabilities beyond their current boundaries, but after the Well of Miasma, I’d already explored the limits of what was possible at my current mana rank. Finding something that would genuinely challenge me would require careful consideration.

“Arthur.”

The voice was cool and precise—unmistakably Seraphina’s. I turned to find her standing beside my desk, her posture perfect as always. The subtle scent of honey drifted around her, a natural emanation of her unique mana signature.

“Go on a date with me,” she said directly, her ice-blue eyes reflecting the room’s ambient light like crystalline pools. Despite her typically detached demeanor, something expectant flickered in her gaze.

“Date?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“You went on dates with all three of them before going away, but not me,” she pointed out, her tone matter-of-fact.

I glanced toward the other three girls, who were suddenly very interested in their devices or the room’s architecture—anywhere but our conversation. Their deliberate avoidance told me everything I needed to know. They’d planned this.

“You’re right,” I acknowledged, turning back to Seraphina. “Where do you want to go?”

“I booked a place,” she replied, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. “Meet me at Warp Gate 13 in an hour. Pack swimming trunks.”

“Swimming?” I questioned, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. Despite her ice-based abilities and cool demeanor, Seraphina had always been drawn to water—a paradox that fascinated me.

She nodded once, definitively. “Swimming.” With that, she turned and walked away, her movements precise and graceful as always.

As I watched her leave, I caught Rachel’s eye. She gave me a small smile and a subtle nod of encouragement before returning to her conversation with Rose.

It seemed the balancing act between the four relationships would continue, more complex than ever after my extended absence. But first, I needed to find my swimming trunks—and prepare for whatever Seraphina had planned.