Extra To Protagonist

"We'll be visiting the Military Training Center today," Vivienne announced. "It's an important site where many of the city's elite soldiers, combat specialists, and enforcers receive even more training."

Now that was interesting.

Merlin leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping against his desk.

'In the original novel, there was no class trip to the military center…'

Which meant this was a deviation—something that wasn't supposed to happen.

Whether it was a minor change or a major shift, Merlin didn't know yet.

'I guess my presence did change a couple of things.'

Soon he would find out what exactly changed.

Vivienne glanced at her watch. "We leave in ten minutes. Everyone, grab your things and meet at the transport gates."

With that, she dismissed the class.

Merlin stood up slowly, his expression unreadable as he processed this new development.

—

Ten minutes later, the class gathered at the academy's transportation hub, where a large military transport vehicle was waiting for them.

The sleek black transport had the Military's emblem engraved on its side, and its reinforced frame suggested it was designed to withstand combat conditions.

Vivienne stood near the entrance, speaking with a uniformed officer while the students filed in one by one.

Nathaniel climbed in first, his movements stiff and awkward as he avoided eye contact with anyone.

Adrian followed, grinning as he lightly shoved Nathan's shoulder. "Relax, man. It's just a tour, not a battlefield."

Nathan mumbled something in response.

Merlin stepped in next, his gaze scanning the interior of the vehicle. The seats were arranged in two long rows, military-style, facing each other.

He took a seat near the back, leaning against the wall while the rest of the class filled in.

Liliana sat gracefully, adjusting her uniform. Ethan slumped into a seat across from her, arms crossed, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Seraphina, as expected, sat perfectly straight, her silver eyes watching their surroundings carefully.

Dorian and Elara took seats toward the front, both silent, both uninterested in small talk.

Once everyone was inside, the doors sealed shut, and the vehicle hummed to life.

Vivienne stepped in last, taking a seat near the front. "Alright, everyone. This will take about twenty minutes, so sit tight."

The transport lifted off the ground, hovering smoothly before shooting forward, merging into the city's aerial traffic lanes.

Merlin closed his eyes, his mind already running calculations.

'This trip wasn't in the novel. That means something is going to happen.'

The question was—

What exactly will it be?

—

The transport hummed softly as it sped through the aerial lanes, weaving between the towering mega buildings and sprawling corporate districts.

Below, the city was alive with movement—endless streams of autonomous vehicles, floating billboards, and military patrol drones maintaining order.

Merlin sat near the back of the transport, his posture relaxed, but his mind sharp and calculating.

This trip wasn't supposed to happen.

Which meant something was going to change.

He was still wondering about what exactly would happen to them.

His eyes flickered across the interior of the vehicle.

Nathaniel, sat stiffly near the front, his eyes fixed on the floor, deep in thought.

Adrian, ever the optimist, nudged him. "Dude, you look like we're being sent to a war zone."

Nathan sighed. "We're visiting a military center. Isn't that basically the same thing?"

Adrian chuckled. "Relax. What's the worst that could happen?"

Merlin resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

'Never ever say that shit again..'

Liliana, sitting across from them, smiled slightly. "I think it'll be interesting. It's not every day civilians get to tour the military's main training facility."

Ethan, beside her, let out a bored sigh. "Yeah, because watching soldiers jog in formation is so exciting."

Seraphina shot him a disapproving look. "This is an important experience. The military plays a crucial role in maintaining Eldoria's security."

Ethan didn't even look at her. "Yeah, yeah. Security, law, order, blah blah blah. Just wake me up if something actually happens."

Dorian, sitting further ahead, remained silent, his red eyes fixed on the window.

Elara, sat with a neutral expression, barely acknowledging the conversation.

Vivienne, sitting near the front, finally spoke up. "Alright, settle down. We're almost there."

The transport shifted course, lowering its altitude as a massive fortified structure came into view.

The Eldorian Military Training Center.

One of the most advanced combat facilities in Avalion.

Merlin's eyes narrowed.

'The home to powerful people.'

He just needed to be ready for them.

—

The transport landed smoothly on a designated platform, the doors hissing open as the students filed out.

The military center was massive—a sprawling complex of reinforced steel buildings, drone patrol stations, and advanced training arenas equipped with the latest combat technology.

Soldiers moved in organized formations, their uniforms pristine, their expressions unreadable.

Towering combat mechs stood in designated zones, their heavy frames lined with mana-infused plating.

This wasn't just a training center.

This was a preparation site for war.

Merlin's gaze flickered across the facility, analyzing every detail.

Then, his eyes landed on a group of military officers approaching them.

The man in the lead had short silver hair, piercing gray eyes, and a uniform lined with command insignias.

A high-ranking officer.

Vivienne stepped forward, greeting them with a polite smile. "Commander Alden, thank you for allowing us to visit."

Alden.

Merlin immediately recognized the name.

'He died a dreadful death in the novel as a commander.'

The commander gave a small nod, his gaze sweeping across the students with strict precision before resting momentarily on someone among the students.

'Who's he looking at..?'

Seraphina stood at full attention, her expression unreadable.

Alden's focus shifted back to Vivienne. "We're honored to host the academy's students. Follow me."

Without another word, he turned, leading them deeper into the facility.

Merlin followed with the rest of the class, but his mind was already working through possibilities.

Commander Alden walked ahead, his posture stiff, movements precise. His gray eyes scanned the students occasionally, assessing them with the same clinical sharpness he applied to his soldiers.

Merlin watched him carefully.

'Exactly as the author described him.'

He was as cold as he remembered from the novel. A man who valued order, discipline, and results above all else. Someone who saw weakness as a liability.

And someone who wouldn't have agreed to this visit unless there was a reason.

Vivienne followed beside him, maintaining her usual warm demeanor despite the heavy atmosphere. "Commander, if I may ask, what made the military extend an invitation to the academy?"

Alden didn't stop walking. "A shift in protocol. The government is strengthening its ties with the academy, ensuring that students are prepared for real-world applications of their skills."

Merlin's gaze remained sharp as he processed Commander Alden's words.

'A shift in protocol? Strengthening ties with the academy? What the fuck is he talking about?'

That wasn't part of the original novel.

In the original story, the academy and military operated separately—acknowledging each other but rarely overlapping.

The government had strict control over military personnel, while the academy focused on training independent combatants, researchers, and enforcers.

Yet now, they were being directly invited into a military training facility.

Something had changed.

And Merlin didn't like not knowing why. He wanted to know.

Alden led them through a wide corridor, passing by soldiers engaged in various training exercises.

Some were practicing in hand-to-hand combat rings, others were in firing ranges, testing out mana-infused weaponry.

"These are our standard training routines," Alden said, his voice measured and precise. "We emphasize discipline, physical enhancement, and magic integration for modern warfare."

Merlin scanned the facility as they walked.

The military presence here was stronger than he remembered. More soldiers. More security measures. More… preparation.

It felt less like a training facility and more like a base preparing for conflict.

His thoughts were interrupted as a massive reinforced door slid open ahead of them, revealing a large observation deck overlooking a combat arena.

Vivienne stepped forward, clasping her hands together with interest. "Oh? Are we going to see a demonstration?"

Alden nodded. "Yes. A controlled spar between one of our elite trainees and a selected student from the academy."

The classroom stirred at that.

'A sparring match? Between an academy student and an elite military trainee? Is he fucking stupid?'

Merlin's fingers tapped against his arm.

This wasn't in the novel either.

Vivienne chuckled embarrassingly. "Well, that's certainly an interesting addition to our visit…"

Alden's gray eyes scanned the students before settling on one person.

"You."

Nathaniel Varen.

Merlin's eyes narrowed slightly.

The entire room went quiet as Nathan stiffened, his dark blue eyes wide in shock.

Alden continued, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"You will represent the academy in this match."

Nathan swallowed, standing up straight. "I—understood, sir."

Merlin leaned back slightly, watching the scene unfold.

In the novel, Nathan would always accept a challenge, no matter what.

He wasn't the kind of protagonist to back down.

But this match…

This match was never supposed to happen.

Merlin's fingers curled into a fist.

'He's just going to be embarrassing us..No way he can win against any of them. Even if he is the protagonist.'