Help! I'm just an extra yet the Heroines and Villainesses want me!-Chapter 98: Team meeting (II)

The next hour was detailed logistics. Required equipment, backup supplies, emergency protocols, communication signals, and division of responsibilities. Kai half-listened while studying the other team members.

Derek was clearly the aggressive type who would want to prove himself. Lin seemed competent but quiet—possibly shy or just focused. Roland had the steady presence of someone reliable in crisis situations. The others were harder to read, though most seemed nervous about their first real dungeon expedition.

"—and that brings us to room assignments," Mira was saying. "We’ll be camping in the dungeon’s safe zones on levels one and two. It’s the standard four-person tent groups for better efficiency and safety. Kai, you’ll be with Derek, Roland, and Thomas."

Thomas was a lanky third-year who specialized in wind techniques and scouting. He nodded at Kai from across the table.

Derek looked less pleased. "Why am I stuck with the mysterious second-year?"

"Because I said so," Mira replied flatly. "Any other complaints?"

Derek subsided into grumbling.

"Seraphina, you’re with Lin, Sarah, and Emma," Mira continued, assigning the remaining groups.

After logistics came tactical discussion. Marcus had them work through hypothetical scenarios—what to do if they encountered unexpected monster types, how to retreat in an organized manner, procedures for injured team members.

Kai participated minimally, answering when directly asked but otherwise staying quiet. Several students kept glancing at him with expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism.

The meeting finally ended around nine. As students filed out, Derek deliberately approached Kai.

"I still think you’re full of shit about blocking that technique," he said bluntly. "But I guess we’ll find out during the expedition. If you can’t pull your weight, don’t expect the rest of us to carry you."

"I won’t need carrying."

"We’ll see." Derek left with a group of other combat specialists.

Seraphina appeared at Kai’s elbow. "Don’t mind Derek. He’s aggressive with everyone. He overcompensates because he’s only C-rank and wants to prove himself."

"I noticed."

"He’s going to challenge you to spar at some point during the expedition. Just be ready for it."

"Looking forward to it," Kai said dryly.

"Still... I can’t help but miss William." Seraphina said with a sigh earning a particularly rare gaze from Kai.

"Marry him already." Kai replied chuckling as Seraphina’s face blushed slightly and she used her elbow to hit Kai side forcing him to spit out.

"Ughk!"

They walked out together and found Master Henrik waiting in the hallway.

"A word with both of you," he said.

They followed him to his office. Henrik closed the door and gestured for them to sit.

"I wanted to brief you separately on an additional responsibility," he began. "Neither of you are just participants in this expedition. You’re also safety measures."

"What does that mean?" Seraphina asked.

"It means if something goes seriously wrong—if we encounter threats beyond the team’s capability, if students panic and break formation, if we accidentally trigger a floor guardian we can’t handle—you two are my backup plan." Henrik looked at them seriously. "Mira and Marcus are competent team leaders, but they’re still students. If the situation deteriorates beyond their ability to manage, I need people who can actually fight at a level that matters."

"But we’re also students?" Seraphina said slightly turning her head which earned a shake of Henrik’s head.

"You both are way more powerful than most of the students at the academy already, it doesn’t count." He replied

"You think something will go wrong," Kai observed.

"I think dungeons are unpredictable and students are overconfident. That combination creates risk." Henrik pulled out a small crystal. "This is a direct communication crystal linked to my personal channel. If either of you encounters a situation you can’t handle, crush it. I’ll receive the signal immediately and respond with appropriate force."

He handed the crystal to Seraphina, who pocketed it carefully.

"I’m not expecting disaster," Henrik continued. "The Thornvale Ruins are well-documented and relatively safe. But I’ve been leading expeditions for fifteen years, and the ones where I didn’t prepare for worst-case scenarios are the ones where students got hurt. So I prepare. Understood?"

"Understood," Seraphina said.

Kai nodded.

"Good. One more thing—don’t reveal your full capabilities unless absolutely necessary. Let the senior students think you’re moderately skilled. It’s good for their confidence and keeps them from becoming complacent." Henrik smiled slightly. "Though I suspect that ship has already sailed for you, Mr. Wraith, given what half the academy saw yesterday."

"Probably."

"Well, do your best. Dismissed."

They left his office and headed back toward the dormitories. The campus was quiet at this hour, most students already in their rooms or at the library studying.

"Two more days," Seraphina said. "Are you excited?"

"I’m prepared is all I could say."

"You know, you could try being enthusiastic about something less than William occasionally. It wouldn’t kill you."

"Wouldn’t it though?"

Seraphina laughed. "You’re ridiculous. See you on Thursday morning, Kai. Don’t be late."

She headed to her dormitory while Kai climbed the stairs to his empty room. He had two days to prepare equipment, two days until William was supposed to return, and two days before departing on a week-long expedition.

The timing was tight but manageable.

Kai spent Wednesday preparing his dungeon equipment methodically. Weapons, backup weapons, essence recovery supplies, basic camping gear, medical supplies, and various utility items that might prove useful in underground environments.

He also took time to train privately, running through combat forms and techniques he’d refined over multiple loops. The dungeon would be the first real test of his abilities in this iteration, and he wanted to be as sharp as possible.

Students continued staring at him whenever he passed through common areas. Several tried to approach with questions, but Kai avoided them through strategic timing and using alternate routes.

Marcus found him anyway during dinner.

"Kai! There you are!" Marcus sat down with his tray. "So, big expedition tomorrow. Are you nervous?"

"No."

"Right, because you’re mysteriously powerful and probably not worried about anything." Marcus took a bite of food. "William’s supposed to be back tomorrow too, right? You think he’ll be upset he missed you leaving?"

"He’ll survive."

"True. Though he’s going to be annoyed about missing all the excitement. First you reveal you can fight, then you get assigned to a dungeon expedition. He comes back to everyone talking about his mysterious roommate."

Kai considered that. William returning to academy gossip about Kai’s abilities would definitely create questions. Questions Kai would prefer to avoid answering.

"I’ll deal with that when I get back."

"Fair enough." Marcus finished his meal quickly. "Well, good luck tomorrow. Try not to make the rest of us look too bad when you inevitably do something impressive in the dungeon."

"I’ll try."

Marcus left and Kai finished his dinner alone. He returned to his room and did final equipment checks, ensuring everything was properly organized and accessible.

Thursday morning arrived cold and grey. Kai woke before dawn, dressed in practical dungeon gear, and gathered his pack. The expedition was meeting at the main gates at sunrise.

When he arrived, most of the team was already there, looking various degrees of awake. Seraphina was energetic as always, practically bouncing with excitement. Derek looked grim and focused. The others ranged from nervous to cautiously optimistic.

Master Henrik performed final equipment checks, ensuring everyone had required supplies and properly functioning communication crystals.

"Listen up," Henrik announced once everyone was assembled. "This is a real expedition with real dangers. Follow orders, stick to formation, and don’t do anything stupid. If everyone performs their role properly, we’ll have a successful week and return safely. Questions?"

No one spoke.

"Good. Carriages are waiting. Let’s move out."

They loaded into three large carriages designed for rough terrain travel. Kai found himself sharing space with Derek, Roland, Thomas, and three others including a quiet girl named Lin.

As the carriages pulled away from the academy gates, Kai noticed Derek staring at him with barely concealed hostility.

This was going to be an interesting week.

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