The Extra's Rise - Chapter 610

Chapter 610: Rivers and Roses

After Seraphina and I showered together, she changed into comfortable casual clothes that she’d stored in her spatial ring: soft gray leggings and a t-shirt that somehow managed to look elegant on her frame.

“I’ll see you later,” she said, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek before heading toward the door. Her ice-blue eyes held a contentment that spoke to our successful reconnection after months apart.

I glanced at my smartwatch—1:45 PM. Rose would be expecting me in fifteen minutes, which gave me just enough time to shower and change into something more appropriate for a date. Even if we were confined to the academy grounds, I wanted to make an effort.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself standing outside the main dining hall, scanning the area for familiar auburn hair. The academy’s central courtyard buzzed with activity as students settled back into semester routines, groups clustering around tables and benches to catch up on winter break adventures.

“Arthur!”

I turned at the sound of my name and immediately spotted Rose approaching from the direction of the dormitories. She’d changed out of her academy uniform as well, wearing a flowing sundress in deep forest green that complemented her warm brown eyes perfectly. Her auburn hair caught the afternoon light like burnished copper, and her smile was as bright as sunshine.

‘There’s something infectious about Rose’s energy,’ I reflected as she drew closer. Where Seraphina was serene lakes and hidden depths, Rachel was blazing fires and passionate intensity, and Cecilia was calculated storms and strategic brilliance, Rose was flowing water—adaptive, persistent, finding her way around obstacles with natural grace.

Rachel’s energy was more infectious without a doubt, but Rose’s calmness worked wonders at time.

“Sorry I’m a bit late,” she said, slightly breathless as she reached me. “I got caught up reviewing some documents that arrived this morning from Father’s company, and—”

I held up a hand to stop her, already recognizing the direction this conversation was heading. “Rose.”

“What?” She blinked up at me with innocent confusion, though I caught the slight flush in her cheeks that suggested she knew exactly what she was doing.

“We’re on a date,” I said firmly but gently. “Whatever business documents your father sent can wait.”

She opened her mouth, probably to protest that the quarterly necromancy market analysis was time-sensitive, so I did the only thing I could think of to derail her business-focused train of thought.

I leaned down and kissed her.

Rose made a small sound of surprise that quickly melted into appreciation as her hands came up to rest against my chest. When we separated a few moments later, her cheeks were definitely flushed, and her business-oriented urgency had evaporated entirely.

“You’re right,” she admitted with a sheepish smile. “I shouldn’t be talking about market projections and supply chain optimization on a date. That’s… not very romantic of me.”

‘That’s the understatement of the century,’ Luna observed with amusement. ‘Though I have to admit, watching you redirect a determined businesswoman with strategic kissing is rather entertaining.’

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate your dedication,” I said, offering Rose my arm as we began walking toward the academy’s garden district. “But we spent most of winter break discussing professional matters. Today, I want to focus on you—not Vakrt Corporation or necromancy market trends.”

Rose’s smile widened as she slipped her arm through mine, her touch warm and comfortable. “You know, that’s one of the things I love about you, Arthur. Most people see the Springshaper name and immediately start thinking about business opportunities or political advantages. You’ve never done that.”

We strolled through the academy’s meticulously maintained gardens, following winding paths lined with flowering bushes and ornamental trees. The restriction to academy grounds on the first day was annoying, but the campus was large enough to provide plenty of scenic walking routes.

“Tell me about your winter break,” I said as we found a secluded bench beneath a flowering cherry tree. “And I don’t want to hear about quarterly reports or market analysis. What did you do for yourself?”

Rose settled beside me with that fluid grace that reminded me of water finding its natural level. “Honestly? I spent a lot of time in the family greenhouse It’s therapeutic, you know—tending to plants.

‘That’s surprisingly fitting,’ I thought, my eyes going down to her covered abdomen as I remembered the cute rose tattoo she had.

“Like water,” I said aloud, earning a surprised look from her.

“What?”

“You’re like water,” I explained, reaching over to tuck a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “Persistent but adaptable. You don’t try to break down walls—you find ways around them, or through them, or you wait for them to erode naturally.”

Rose’s cheeks pinked at the observation. “That’s… actually a really nice way to put it. Most people just think I’m indecisive or non-confrontational.”

“They’re wrong,” I said firmly. “There’s nothing indecisive about choosing flexibility over rigidity. It takes a different kind of strength to be adaptable.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching other students enjoy the garden paths. I noticed several curious glances directed our way—being seen on what was obviously a romantic date with Rose Springshaper would definitely fuel the academy gossip mill—but I found I didn’t particularly care.

She deserves this attention, I thought, watching as Rose absently braided and unbraided a section of her hair. ‘I’ve been so focused on guild business and magical advancement that I’ve neglected the personal side of our relationship.’

“Arthur?” Rose’s voice was soft, hesitant.

“Hmm?”

“Can I ask you something that might sound a bit… insecure?”

I turned to give her my full attention. “Of course.”

She took a deep breath, as if gathering courage. “Do you ever feel like… like I’m the boring one? Among the four of us, I mean. Rachel is the future Saintess with incredible Purelight talent, Cecilia is the brilliant Crown Princess with genius chaotic spellcasting talent, Seraphina is mysterious and graceful and has this ethereal beauty that makes people stop and stare while also being a strong swordswoman. And then there’s me—the daughter who talks too much about her father’s business and is also a pretty talented mage.”

The vulnerability in her voice made my chest tighten. I shifted on the bench to face her more directly, taking her hands in mine.

“Rose, look at me.”

She met my gaze reluctantly, clearly expecting some polite reassurance that wouldn’t really address her concerns.

“You want to know what I love about you?” I said, keeping my voice gentle but firm. “You’re real. You’re grounded in ways that keep me anchored when everything else in my life becomes chaotic and political and overwhelming. When Rachel gets lost in saintly idealism, when Cecilia starts playing games within games, when Seraphina retreats into her ice princess facade—you’re still you. Steady, adaptable, genuine.”

Rose’s eyes widened slightly, as if my words were hitting deeper than she’d expected.

Tears gathered at the corners of Rose’s brown eyes, though she was smiling. “You really mean that?”

“Every word,” I confirmed, leaning forward to kiss her forehead gently. “You’re not the boring one, Rose. You’re the one who keeps me sane.”

She laughed, a sound like water over stones, and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “Now you’re going to make me cry on our date, and then I’ll look all blotchy and unappealing.”

“Impossible,” I said, earning another laugh and a swat on the arm.

‘This is what I love about Rose,’ I thought as we settled back into comfortable closeness on the bench. She doesn’t demand dramatic gestures or grand romantic displays. She just wants to be seen and appreciated for who she actually is.

All the girls did, in their own unique ways.

“So,” Rose said after a few minutes, her emotional equilibrium restored, “what should we do next? I mean, besides sitting here looking romantically scenic for the benefit of passing students.”

I glanced around the garden, considering our options. The academy grounds offered plenty of possibilities, even with the restriction against leaving campus.

“How do you feel about checking out the new greenhouse complex?” I suggested. “I heard they finished construction over the break, and they’re supposed to have some rare botanical specimens.”

Rose’s face lit up with genuine excitement. “Oh, that sounds perfect! I’ve been wanting to see their plant collection ever since I heard about it.”

I stood and offered Rose my hand, which she accepted with a grace that made the simple gesture feel like a small dance. “Come on then. Let’s go see what grows in the dark.”

As we walked hand-in-hand toward the greenhouse complex, I felt the familiar contentment that came from spending time with Rose.

In the end, like the other girls, I loved her with all my heart.