Path of the Extra

Instantly, Lumine, Yelena, Solomon, and Juliet looked at Freya in shock.

But Freya narrowed her eyes dangerously, her voice dropping to a tone that made their blood run cold.

"Tomorrow, after classes, you two will come here. I'll run a test trial. Fail to meet my expectations, and this reward will be cancelled. You'll be free to choose a single item from the academy vault."

If their expressions weren't tense before, Lumine and Yelena were definitely on edge now. They stiffly nodded.

Azriel's lips twitched as he felt Solomon's eager gaze on him.

The mention of the academy vault made Solomon glance at Azriel, his eyes practically screaming a single message.

Get a mana bomb!

Then, Freya shifted her attention toward Azriel.

"First of all, Cadet—no, Prince Azriel. On behalf of the Hero Academy, we are grateful to the Crimson Clan for lending us Master Amaya as a temporary instructor. Please send the Crimson King and Queen our thanks."

Azriel didn't say anything and nodded, a smile on his face.

Then, Freya began speaking about Azriel's reward.

"After considering what would be most beneficial for you right now, Cadet Azriel... we decided that another mission would be a good idea. In fact, this mission is extended to Cadet Lumine, Cadet Yelena, and a few other cadets."

At her words, Azriel smiled faintly.

'She had the same idea as me...'

Seeing his smile, Freya mirrored it for a brief moment before both quickly hid their expressions.

"In a month, an illegal auction will be held in the underground world. The mission difficulty is something we wouldn't expect even a third-year to handle on their own, but you don't need to worry about that. What you all are going for is experience while being undercover, with my personal protection and that of a few other capable instructors. The mission is simple: take down the major underground organizations present. If you wish to back out of this mission before the week prior, that is permitted."

At her words, Lumine and Yelena took a moment to absorb it before Yelena spoke up hesitantly.

"Headmistress... are we even allowed to go on missions? I thought that was something reserved for second years."

Even as a reward, was it something truly permitted by the higher-ups?

It was serious enough that Yelena knew the headmistress herself couldn't just authorize such a thing on her own.

Freya, however, nodded without changing expression.

"By tomorrow, another major change will take place in the academy. From now on, we will permit all cadets, no matter their year, to take on missions. Of course, to accept a mission, it must be approved by an appointed instructor. No mission will be allowed that exceeds anyone's capabilities. This mission is an exception, as I will personally be leading it. You are solely going for experience in how all of this works."

Then, Freya's eyes sharpened.

"Due to a chaotic start this year, the first-years haven't really experienced what it's like to be a student of the Hero Academy. The instructors have been too involved. But now that things are finally settling down, so too will the instructors' involvement. I assume you all know about the factions allowed to be formed at the academy?"

At her words, all three nodded.

"Join a well-known faction, or create your own and make it known. Complete missions, excel in tests, and pass your exams. All of these will help spread your name, and make the pillars of humanity take notice. Take advantage of everything we offer here, while remaining under the rule of the student council."

Silently, Lumine and Yelena absorbed every word from Freya.

"By tomorrow, the first faction meeting of this year will be held during lunchtime, if I heard correctly. If you haven't created or joined a faction by then, I suggest you do so quickly. As headmistress, I recommend it—because all three of you will only benefit from it."

Without hesitation, Azriel, Lumine, and Yelena nodded in agreement.

After saying all of that, Freya scanned each of their faces before closing her eyes and leaning back once again.

"So, do you cadets accept the rewards?"

Azriel, Yelena, and Lumine exchanged a glance before nodding to one another. They turned their attention to Freya and spoke in unison.

""We accept.""

*****

Even after everything, Freya still had more to say to Azriel, instructing him to stay behind as Lumine and Yelena left.

Now, it was just Azriel, Freya, Solomon, and Juliet remaining in the office.

Freya didn't make Azriel wait. She spoke in the same cold, steady voice as before.

"There's much to discuss. From being hunted by the underground world due to the Supreme Archon of Neo Genesis, catching the attention of an extremely dangerous organization called FreeWings, killing and torturing an academy instructor, and… if the rumors are true, there seems to be a rather interesting child in your dorm."

Azriel tugged at his collar slightly, shrugging with feigned indifference.

"They all just… happened. As for the instructor, I figured since I was the first to catch the one trying to mess with me, it was only fair to return the favor."

"By killing him?"

Azriel turned his gaze to Juliet, who was staring at him coldly.@@novelbin@@

"Would you have spared his life after knowing he was connected to FreeWings?"

Juliet exhaled sharply, her expression tightening.

"You wouldn't know, would you? Since you already killed him. Yes, he might have unlocked all the mana collars, but your life wasn't even remotely at risk—not with Solomon, Ranni, and countless other instructors overseeing the test."

"It doesn't matter if my life was at risk in that moment or not. What matters is that he messed with me. Even though we don't fully understand the intention behind unlocking those mana collars, it's obvious they were testing something—me, or perhaps all of us. I came to this academy knowing it was harsher than others. I wanted to be here, knowing my parents once attended this place. My sister is here too. But if something poses a threat to my life—or the lives of others—shouldn't that threat be eliminated? Or does the academy tolerate the deaths of its cadets?"

Juliet pressed her lips together, falling silent.

Freya's voice cut through the tension.

"You're right. That's why no punishment will be given for Drew's death. Enough about this. There's still much to discuss, but that can wait. The reason I asked you to stay is that I didn't want any other eyes to see what your actual reward will be."

Azriel raised an eyebrow, curious.

He hadn't expected a reward at all. Just going to the auction was more than enough. Perhaps he could claim something useful there as a reward while dismantling FreeWings.

Freya raised her right palm, and a white glow shimmered before dissipating to reveal a cube. Tossing it toward Azriel, he caught it with his right hand, inspecting it carefully.

It was a simple, smooth black cube that fit in the palm of his hand. Beyond its sleek appearance, however, there were no visible buttons or markings.

Confused, Azriel looked to Freya. Her lips curled into a faint smirk, and before he could ask, she answered.

"When the time comes, you'll understand what this Void Artifact is capable of."

Azriel blinked, lowering his gaze to the cube.

'A Void Artifact…'

For some reason, Freya didn't want anyone but those in the room to know she had given it to him.

After inspecting it further, Azriel nodded and placed the cube into his storage ring. Then, he looked back at Freya, his tone sincere.

"Thank you, Headmistress." Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Freya merely hummed in response, nodding her head.

"That's all. You may go now. Make sure the child in your dorm doesn't cause trouble or reveal what she is capable of. And Azriel…" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't waste your potential by lazing around."

For a moment, Azriel kept staring at her.

'So she knows what Iryndra can do...'

But how?

Iryndra had not used her affinity inside the academy.

He turned his gaze toward Solomon, who shook his head.

Meanwhile, at the mention of a child, Juliet looked confused and curious as she glanced between Azriel and Freya.

Looking at Freya suspiciously, he couldn't understand how she even got word of Iryndra if Solomon had said nothing. Iryndra hadn't left his dorm yet either.

Azriel had to rethink how capable a saint truly was, especially one like Freya.

In the end, Azriel could only sigh and nod once more before leaving the headmistress's office.

'Now that I'm free for the day, I should ask Amaya to train me...'

Surely she would be excited, and there was so much he could still learn, especially from someone like Amaya.

Ah, but thinking about her excitement at finally training him again...

Azriel felt goosebumps rise on his arms.

'I'm about to dig my own grave, aren't I?'