The Cursed Extra: Bloodline of Sacrifice

[POV: Caspian Arcwright]

The air crackled with energy, thick with tension and anticipation.

The Academy Entrance Exam wasn't just a test—it was a battlefield.

And judging by the sheer number of people crowding the teleportation gates, competition was going to be brutal.

"Oh, fuck it," Caspian muttered under his breath. "There are way too many people here."

Beside him, Lyrius stood with arms crossed, Calenthir Reyes, standing slightly ahead, maintained her usual composed expression.

Despite the strict rule barring parents from the exam site, a chaotic mix of retainers and lesser nobles swarmed the perimeter, shouting last-minute advice and encouragement.

"Can't believe they're this noisy when they're not even allowed past the checkpoint," Caspian said, exhaling sharply.

"There's always desperation in the air before an event like this," Lyrius replied. "For some of these people, this is their only shot at recognition."

Caspian shrugged and turned his gaze to the enormous teleportation gates.

There were thirty-two of them in total, each one leading to a different sector of the unknown dimension where the exam would take place.

This world was monitored by the Academy, and the perfect testing ground—one where participants wouldn't actually die.

Instead, they would feel real pain, and when their bodies could no longer sustain damage, they would be forcefully ejected back into the real world.

"A battlefield without actual death…" Caspian murmured.

Bloodmoon hummed in response.

The gates would scatter examinees across four vast landscapes, ensuring that no pre-formed groups could immediately band together.

The test would last an entire week, with the zones gradually shrinking, forcing confrontations as time progressed.

The Academy controlled this process, using powerful magic to manipulate the exam's boundaries.

A thin silver ring rested around Caspian's finger—a tracking device issued to all participants.

It would record kills, assists, and survival time, all of which contributed to final rankings.

His strategy was simple: he wouldn't use UNLEASH

His true strength—the ability to summon and control monsters—would remain hidden.

There was no reason to broadcast his trump card to the entire world, especially when the competition was being aired globally.

Academy wouldn't help him strengthen his unique ability, there was no need to flaunt them.

Meanwhile, Lyrius had turned his full attention to Calenthir, who stood quietly, surveying the crowd.

Caspian could see it in his eyes—the way he leaned ever so slightly toward her, the way his usually sharp demeanor softened.

"So, uh, Calenthir," Lyrius started,"You ready for the exam? Not that I'm worried about you or anything, but you know… just making sure."

Calenthir raised an eyebrow. "I'll be fine."

"Right, of course. I mean, obviously. You're strong. Not that I ever doubted that. Just—uh—good luck."

Caspian smirked, barely holding back a chuckle. "Lyrius, I didn't know you had a supportive side."

Lyrius shot him a glare. "Shut up."

As the first batch of participants stepped into the portals, the humming of magic intensified.

Caspian.strode forward.

"See you all on the other side," he said before stepping into the portal.

As the world blurred around him, he muttered to himself, "Just don't let me run into someone strong in early stages."

Bloodmoon's voice echoed in his mind, dripping with amusement.

{Oh, you just jinxed yourself.}

____________

[POV: Arianna Sylvalis]

The list of participants appeared on the pc display, Arianna leaned forward, fingers swiftly navigating the interface as she searched for one in particular.

Click.

The roster locked into place.

Her eyes scanned through it, and there it was—Caspian.

A satisfied smirk played on her lips. "Found you."

She stretched back in her chair, a confident glint in her eyes.

Betting was a reckless habit, but this time, it was calculated recklessness.

She had poured her entire monthly earnings into a wager—half on Vynesaa, the other half on Caspian.

Vynesaa's odds were standard, 15-to-1. A safe bet, considering her lineage and strength.

Caspian's odds? **1,000,000-to-1.**

Arianna chuckled to herself. "Either I'm a genius… or I've just thrown my money into a pit."

The live broadcast flickered as one of the hosts shouted, the urgency in their voice snapping her out of her thoughts.

<< Look! The prodigy of the Dragon Clan, Darian Vael, has found his first opponent! >>

Her gaze shot upward to the massive screen suspended in the air.

Her smirk vanished.

Jaw, meet floor.

"What?"

Her brain lagged. 'No, really. What?'

Had she misheard? Had the universe decided to play a cosmic joke on her?

No. There, on the crystal-clear display, standing across from one of the most terrifying prodigies in the entire exam—

Was Caspian.

________________

[POV: Eleana Arcwright]

The estate's grand hall, bathed in the soft glow of lamps, was silent save for the crackle of a television screen broadcasting the Academy Exam.

Eleana sat upright, idly swirling the glass of water in her hands.

Her one daughter, Aveline Arcwright, lounged beside her, only half paying attention to the program.

Meanwhile, her other daughter, Eirlys Arcwright, was engrossed in her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen as she played a game.

Neither of them expected anything unusual—just another year's competition, filled with nobles and their ambitions.

Then came the anchor's voice.

<< The prodigy of the Dragon Clan meets his first opponent!">>

Eleana lifted her gaze, her mind still half-occupied elsewhere.

White hair.

Crimson eyes.

Her fingers froze around the glass. The water within trembled ever so slightly.

Then—

"SHATTER,"

The glass slipped from her grip, shattering upon impact.

Aveline flinched at the sudden noise.

"Mother?" she started, but Eleana was already pushing past her, her eyes locked onto the screen.

Her breath quickened, her lips parting as if to say something—anything—but no words came.

She reached forward as though she could reach through the screen, fingers trembling.

Her chest tightened, a sensation she hadn't felt in "years".

"Hey… hey…" she whispered, as if afraid speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.

Eirlys, startled by her mother's reaction, turned toward the broadcast.

And froze.

"What?" Eleana's voice cracked as she turned toward her daughters, desperation clawing at her expression.

"Tell me you see it. Tell me I'm not—"

Eirlys's face paled, all color draining as she stared at the boy on the screen.

It was him