The Extra's Rise - Chapter 416

Chapter 416: Exchange Program (1)
It’s a curious thing how small changes can add up. Like pebbles thrown into a pond, decisions create ripples that transform into waves. My own actions had sent such ripples far and wide, subtle changes stacking into monumental deviations: Magnus Draykar’s presence at the Academy, my place as Rank 2, and the enhanced strength of every Class A student were merely the beginning. Each alteration reshaped the very world we inhabited.

The shift from Field Trip to Exchange Program marked another significant departure from the path I’d known—a path I could no longer rely on to predict events with any certainty.

And now we were headed to Starcrest Academy, nestled in the Eastern continent, perilously close to the heart of the Red Chalice cult and their hidden city of vampires. Both forces lurked beneath the surface, their influence vast and deeply entrenched. When the Vampire Monarch had reawakened years later as the Second Calamity—his power eclipsing even Magnus Draykar’s—the Eastern continent had crumbled swiftly.

The continent’s mightiest defenders had fought and fallen before the vampire forces, leading to staggering losses. Though the Eastern continent’s strength was spread across its territories, the swift and brutal assault left an indelible scar. Even Starcrest Academy, proud and storied, had been swept away in the chaos.

And we were walking straight into that territory.

The Vampire Monarch’s threat was temporarily contained—his full strength still out of reach as he bided his time in the shadows. It would be years before he reached his peak, during the days when Lucifer ascended to Immortal-rank, about five years hence, just as the Slatemark Empire would find itself torn by civil war.

Waiting for that day was not an option. If I allowed him to reach his full potential, the gap between us would be insurmountable. Worse still, the Red Chalice’s leader, also a Radiant-rank, stood ready to join him—a combined force that could bring any realm to its knees.

My path was clear: I had to strike before his strength fully returned. My goal was to reach Ascendant-rank and secure Archmage Charlotte’s support by conquering the Tower of Alchemy. Only then could I hope to challenge this ancient threat.

But that confrontation lay in the distant future. For now, the task was vigilance. Red Chalice thrived in secrecy, hidden from public view, carefully expanding influence while awaiting the resurgence of the vampires. They were the serpent lying coiled in the grass, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

My approach to the exchange program was straightforward: blend in, focus on training, and work toward reaching the Wall. Starcrest wasn’t where I planned to fight battles—it was where I would prepare for them.

At last, departure day arrived. We boarded the school bus alongside the third-year professors, and to everyone’s surprise, the Martial King himself decided to accompany us. His presence was a silent reassurance; as the strongest in the world, nothing short of a colossal threat could trouble us with him nearby.

As expected, the four young women who had claimed places in my heart swiftly claimed the back row with me. The three princesses—Cecilia, Rachel, and Seraphina—positioned themselves with the confidence of those born to royal privilege, while Rose, daughter of the Marquis Springhsaper, moved with the quiet grace that balanced her noble upbringing with her naturally serene demeanor.

Rachel found herself on the outer seat, while Cecilia and Seraphina settled on either side of me, each claiming a hand with familiar warmth. Rose sat beside Seraphina, her calm presence a counterpoint to the princesses’ more assertive natures. Her brown hair caught the light as she tilted her head, auburn eyes regarding the passing landscape with thoughtful appreciation.

It had been two years since my last visit to the Eastern Continent with Seraphina. The mist-laden landscapes of Mount Hua remained a vivid memory.

“Arthur,” Cecilia suddenly declared, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation, “you do realize our coming-of-age ceremonies are approaching soon, don’t you?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “All of yours?”

She nodded with a sigh that carried the weight of royal disappointment. “Since you didn’t come to mine last time, I had to dance with my brother. Can you imagine? A princess dancing with her brother instead of her chosen partner.”

“Your brother?” I echoed, looking around at the others.

Rachel sighed, her expression softened by a faint smile. “I had to dance with my father, and so did Seraphina,” she explained. “Two princesses, reduced to dancing with their fathers. All because you weren’t there, Arthur.”

“Abandoned on our most important day,” Seraphina added, her gentle voice carrying just enough reproach to make me wince.

“I danced with my father too,” Rose said quietly, her auburn eyes reflecting memories. “But my heart wasn’t in it.” Her smile spread slowly, warm and genuine. “Some dances are meant for someone specific.”

I nodded, feeling both honored and humbled by their devotion. “I’ll make it up to you this time.”

“Of course you will,” Rachel declared with the certainty of a royal decree. She crossed her arms, a smile playing at her lips. “After all, we didn’t give our hearts to anyone else for a reason. You belong to us.”

“To all of us,” Rose amended softly, her calm voice carrying unexpected authority. “Different as we may be, princesses and marquis’s daughter alike, we share this bond.”

The words settled around us with comfortable finality. Our time apart had deepened something between us, creating connections that needed no explanation.

Our route took us toward the massive teleportation portal at the Academy’s edge—a towering ring of ethereal light changing colors in silent pulses. Passing through felt like moving between worlds in the span of a heartbeat. When we emerged, we stood in Hwaeryun, a city that embodied the strength and elegance of the Eastern continent. Buildings with delicate carved archways stood alongside gleaming towers of glass and steel, tradition and innovation existing in perfect harmony.

At the Academy’s entrance waited an imposing figure who stood with unwavering dignity. He wore traditional robes accented with subtle armor—a reminder of both heritage and readiness for battle. This was Moyong Jeong, headmaster of Starcrest Academy and head of the ancient Moyong family—a man whose power was spoken of with reverence across the continent.

He acknowledged us with a measured nod. “Welcome to Starcrest Academy,” he intoned, his voice deep and measured. “We hope you find your time here challenging and rewarding.”

We returned his greeting with formal bows, respecting the customs of our hosts. He led us to what they called “the base”—a reserved section for visitors that balanced simplicity and refined comfort.

As we settled in, I noticed Seol-ah Moyong watching us with careful consideration. She approached with a perfect bow. “I’ll be your guide during the exchange. If there’s anything you need or want to know about Starcrest, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you,” I replied, meeting her gaze with appropriate courtesy.

As we finished arranging our belongings, Rose moved beside me, her presence calming as always. “The energy here flows differently,” she observed, her fingers lightly tracing patterns in the air. “Like tributaries joining a great river.”

I felt a surge of anticipation for what lay ahead—a chance to learn, to grow stronger, and perhaps most importantly, to understand more about the Eastern continent’s approach to power.