The Extra's Rise

"Now, we have many events for the preliminary events," Nero said, his voice cutting through the classroom chatter with effortless authority. He stood at the front, posture rigid as always, but there was something different in his eyes today—a spark of what might have been excitement in a normal person, or at least mild interest in his case.

"After the preliminary events, the top twenty ranked students will enter the final event. The Crown Challenge." He paused, letting the name hang in the air. Several students shifted in their seats, exchanging glances. "This event will be explained later, don't worry about it now. Before that, you have to participate in two events from the choices I will give you."

He clicked on his tablet, the subtle movement of his finger triggering the academy's advanced projection system. A holographic display materialized in front of us, shimmering with light that organized itself into categories and descriptions. The quality was impeccable—no flickering, no distortion, just clean magical engineering at its finest.

"These are the available events, all team based," Nero explained, gesturing to the display with a precise sweep of his hand. "Choose any two you wish. Your performance in these events will determine your ranking going into the Crown Challenge. Choose wisely—not just events you think you can excel in, but ones that will showcase your abilities to the international audience."

The classroom hummed with whispers as students leaned forward to examine the options. I barely needed to look. The novel had detailed most of these events extensively, and I'd been planning my strategy for weeks.

Nero expanded the first listing with a flick of his fingers. "First option: Mana Fortress Defense. Teams of four will construct and defend magical fortresses while simultaneously attacking opponents' structures. The academy has developed specialized construction runes that will allow for impressive architectural manifestations without permanent damage to the grounds."

The hologram shifted to show a miniature fortress with glowing walls and defensive arrays. Several students made appreciative noises.

"Second: Dimensional Labyrinth. Teams navigate through a multi-dimensional maze where spaces fold and shift. You'll face combat, puzzles, and environmental hazards that will test your adaptability under pressure."

The projection transformed into a twisting corridor that seemed to bend back on itself impossibly, sections of it fading in and out of view.

"Third: Elemental Conquest. Teams compete to control elemental nodes scattered across a constructed landscape. Each captured node enhances your elemental affinity while weakening opponents'."

The hologram displayed floating orbs of different colors—red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, and white for air—with mana streams connecting them.

"Fourth: Tactical Siege. One team defends while another attacks, then roles reverse. Points awarded for both successful defense and efficient offense."

The display showed a fortress with defending teams on the battlements and attacking forces approaching with siege equipment.

"Fifth: Phantom Fleet Command. Naval warfare using mana constructs on the academy lake. Teams navigate and battle on conjured ships that respond to your mana manipulation."

The hologram displayed sleek vessels on churning waves, magical cannons firing bursts of colored light.

"Sixth: Ascension Tower Challenge. Teams race to climb a tower with shifting architecture and increasing difficulty. Each level presents new challenges requiring different skill combinations."

The projection showed a spiraling tower with sections that rotated and rearranged themselves, studded with traps and guardian constructs.

"Seventh: Boundary Breach. Alternating between defense and infiltration of warded territories. This tests both your ability to create security systems and to bypass them."

The hologram displayed a complex network of overlapping magical barriers surrounding a central artifact.

"Eighth: Miasma Purification Challenge. Navigate through simulated miasma zones, purifying corrupted areas and retrieving valuable materials. This event particularly tests your resilience and purification abilities."

The display showed swirling clouds of purple-black energy with pathways cutting through them.

"Ninth: Artifact Synthesis Race. Construct functioning magical artifacts within time constraints, then field-test them in practical applications."

The hologram showed workbenches with glowing materials and tools, surrounded by testing grounds.

"And tenth: Tactical Simulation. Command mana constructs representing military units in a large-scale battle simulation, competing to achieve strategic objectives."

The display showed miniature soldiers, cavalry, and magical units arranged in formation across a battlefield.

Rachel leaned over to me, her golden hair falling forward as she whispered, "Which ones are you thinking? Elemental Conquest looks perfect for my purification abilities."

I nodded absently, my eyes already scanning the signup sheet appearing on our personal tablets. I had already decided weeks ago.

I selected Boundary Breach and Tactical Simulation, tapping my selections before most students had even finished reading the descriptions. I knew from the novel that these two events would not only showcase my strategic thinking and adaptability but would also place me in direct competition with the other high-tier students I needed to measure myself against.

I noticed Lucifer making his selections with similar speed and confidence. Our eyes met briefly, and that same knowing smile played across his lips. He knew what I was doing—or thought he did. Ren, meanwhile, studied the options with uncharacteristic intensity, his violet eyes narrowed in concentration.

"You have until the end of the day to submit your selections," Nero announced, closing the holographic display with a gesture. His authoritative voice echoed in the suddenly quiet classroom. "Once chosen, you cannot change your events. Team assignments will be finalized by the end of the week. Each event has a limit of ten students, given on a first come first serve basis. You are dismissed for now."

As soon as Nero stepped out of the classroom, a sudden rush of movement caught my peripheral vision. In what could only be described as a coordinated attack disguised as casual interest, my desk was suddenly surrounded. Rose appeared on my right with elegant precision, Rachel materialized on my left with a bright smile, Cecilia leaned against the front of my desk with calculated nonchalance, and Seraphina somehow claimed the space directly behind me, her presence cool and unmistakable.

"What are you choosing?" the four of them asked in perfect unison, as if they'd rehearsed it—which, knowing them, they might have. Their gazes, initially fixed on me, rapidly shifted to each other, narrowing with silent territorial warnings. The temperature around my desk seemed to drop several degrees despite Rachel's natural warmth.

I leaned back in my chair, pretending not to notice the silent warfare happening over my head. "Boundary Breach and Tactical Simulation," I replied calmly, watching their reactions with carefully concealed amusement.

"Boundary Breach? Excellent choice," Rose nodded approvingly, her violet eyes calculating something far beyond the simple event selection. "The perfect blend of defensive and offensive magic application. I've selected it as well." She adjusted her perfectly straight tie with one hand, a gesture that somehow managed to bring her slightly closer to me while maintaining her composure.

"How fortunate," Cecilia drawled, her crimson eyes gleaming with sardonic humor. "I've also chosen Boundary Breach. What a remarkable coincidence that we've all selected the same event." Her golden hair cascaded over one shoulder as she leaned further onto my desk, claiming more territory with casual dominance. "Almost as if someone suggested it would be advantageous to form alliances early."

Rachel frowned, her sapphire eyes darkening slightly. "I've chosen Elemental Conquest and Miasma Purification," she said, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear. "My purification abilities will be essential for the miasma event." She placed a hand on my arm, the touch gentle but deliberate. "But I could reconsider my selections if you think we should partner in one of your events, Arthur. I want to make sure you're properly supported."

"Translation: she doesn't want you spending too much time with us without supervision," Cecilia stage-whispered, earning a glare from Rachel that could have purified miasma through sheer intensity.

Seraphina, still standing behind me, spoke without moving closer. Her voice carried the crisp clarity of mountain air. "I've selected Tactical Simulation," she stated simply. "The event allows for optimal application of strategic theory with minimal unnecessary physical contact." Her ice-blue eyes swept over the other three girls with clinical detachment. "Arthur's presence would be a logical advantage for any team."

"And here I thought you chose it because you genuinely enjoyed Arthur's company," Rose observed with calm precision. "How refreshing to know it's purely tactical."

Seraphina's expression remained unchanged, though the temperature around us seemed to drop another degree. "Enjoyment is irrelevant to optimal performance."

"I'm sure Arthur appreciates being referred to as 'optimal performance,'" Cecilia smirked, earning the half-elf's cool stare.

I cleared my throat, finally interrupting what was rapidly becoming a four-way tactical negotiation over my choice of events—and possibly my soul. "I've already submitted my choices. Boundary Breach and Tactical Simulation offer the best showcase for my particular skill set."