The Extra's Reincarnation

"What—?"

Rivaleno spoke, but the words died as he turned to see an imposing figure towering over him—the student had the unmistakable features of a giant-blooded warrior.

"If you guys want to fight, then fight me instead."

[Drothgar Jorundyr, 4th Year - Student Council Head Discipline Officer.]

The sheer force of Drothgar’s presence made the candidates fall silent, their attention drawn to his unique uniform.

Unlike the standard academy attire—a black blazer and cape with gold embellishments—Drothgar’s white cape with the student council symbol on the back shined with authority, its gold accents marking him as a member of the student council.

Rivaleno’s face twisted in frustration, his rage momentarily dampened by the interruption.

"Stay out of this!" he snapped, trying to wrench free from Drothgar’s iron grip.

"Attacking a candidate before the admission exam starts?…Tsk…That’s not how we do things at Aethel Academy."

Drothgar’s words hung in the air, thick with authority, and Rivaleno struggled again, but the giant student’s grip was immovable.

"You’re coming with me to the front," Drothgar said, his tone carrying no room for argument.

"I’ll need to keep an eye on you so the president doesn’t complain I missed all the troublemakers."

Before Rivaleno could protest, Drothgar lifted him effortlessly onto his shoulder.

WHOOSH!

Rivaleno’s legs kicked uselessly as they disappeared through the crowd with astonishing swiftness, leaving only a blur in their wake.

Julian stood up slowly, brushing dirt from his sleeve as he watched them vanish.

The surrounding candidates murmured, unsure if they should be impressed or terrified by what they’d just witnessed.

"Hey! You!"

A voice thundered back towards Julian.

He froze as he saw Drothgar standing once more at the front of the group; it seemed impossible that he had reached there already.

"Try not jumping over things next time," Drothgar called out, his voice projecting over the gathering.

"You might hurt someone!"

There was a moment of stunned silence before whispers and laughter rippled through the assembly.

Julian allowed himself a small sigh of relief, realizing he’d narrowly escaped both Rivaleno’s wrath and further embarrassment.

The crowd circle closed in on Julian once more and a loudspeaker crackled overhead.

"Welcome to Aethel Academy!"

"The principal regrets she couldn’t be here today. But rest assured, I’m more than capable of overseeing things in her place."

[4th Year - Student Council President: Javier Rowan Aureus]

The name sent a ripple through the crowd—a mixture of awe and apprehension. His presence was magnetic, drawing every eye as he took center stage.

"As you’ve already experienced, chaos has a way of finding us at Aethel Academy,"

Javier continued, glancing towards Julian.

"But if you’re hoping to succeed here, you’ll need to learn how to handle it."

His gaze swept over the gathered candidates with calculated precision.

"We begin with a three-hour theory exam," he said smoothly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

"It will test your knowledge on magical theorems and problem-solving abilities. If you think this crowd is large now, wait until you see who remains afterward."

Javier gestured behind him with a sweeping motion, directing the candidates’ attention to a towering monument in the distance.

The building loomed with an attached clock tower that dominated the skyline.

"Beyond this stage, you’ll head towards the Axis Block. It’s the massive central building right there, surrounded by others that reflect the academy’s ideals and philosophy."

The intricate architecture glistened in the sunlight, a testament to Aethel Academy’s grandeur and influence.

It was both inspiring and intimidating, much like Javier himself.

"There’ll be gates allowing over two hundred people through at a time. So those at the back won’t have any trouble getting in. Once inside, instructors will guide you into specific buildings for your tests. There’s no need to rush—move calmly and give space to those behind you."

His instructions were clear and decisive, even as they reached the farthest observers.

"So, let’s have everyone at the front start walking now," he finished. "And remember: orderly conduct is expected."

With remarkable coordination, the candidates began moving towards the Axis Block.

They formed neat lines that snaked across the grounds, their excitement still palpable but controlled in Javier’s authoritative direction.

***

[Julian’s POV]

FWANG!

[The following quest has been completed:]

[Don’t be late (Main Story 1#) - 50 SP]

[Cause a ruckus at the main grounds (Side Quest) - 1000 SP]

[1050 SP has been added to your wallet.]

I blinked, half expecting it to be a mistake.

I hadn’t meant for any of that to happen, and now I’d not only drawn attention but also made an enemy out of Rivaleno, the Prince of the Pyre Kingdom.

The thought of him going after me wasn’t just terrifying—it was downright reckless.

If I got into Aethel Academy, I might have one of the worst experiences ever because Rivaleno wasn’t only a ruthless bully; he was one of the main villains early in the Aethel saga.

I’d practically painted a target on my back.

Shuffle…shuffle…shuffle…

The lines moved forward with steady progress toward the Axis Block.

I couldn’t help but think of plans on how to avoid being pulverized by a flaming fist in the future.

As we moved, I started noticing others around me, each one keenly aware of their competition.

Some wore expressions of nervous, others barely concealed it with arrogance.

It struck me just how many characters were destined for prominent roles in this novel.

My eyes landed on a girl who stood out even among thousands. Her graceful features remained the same, just like the last time I had seen her.

Francine Evalina Aureus.

She was impossible to mistake, regardless of all the blondes within the crowd.

I don’t think there was anybody who wouldn’t notice her as the princess of this kingdom.

Just like in the novel, she was a person in a cycle of endless regression. For countless lives, she had pursued a singular purpose.

And now she was here again.

Hoping that in this life, this seemingly odd life that an anomaly would come by and one day share the same burden as her.

Of course, the person I was mentioning was Kaelen, because he, of all people, happened to have reincarnated at the right time after Francine’s previous regression.

However, more unsettling than seeing Francine herself was what it meant for her to also be competing.

I knew it was a guaranteed ticket for her to get into this academy, but if she were to recognize me as someone who seemed out-of-place, then my role as a mere extra would be ruined.

I tore my gaze away before she could notice my stare, unwilling to engage just yet with another person who might complicate things further.