The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 183: Beneath Valon

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Class S dormitory, casting long golden streaks across Noel’s floor. Dressed in his training uniform, he was already stepping out of his room, a sheet of parchment folded in his hand.

The night before, after the meeting with Daemar and Rauk, the academy had posted new flyers—this time with specific instructions about the training location.

They were to report to the outer training grounds. There, a new building had been constructed over what used to be a sealed-off section of the academy’s ancient underground tunnels. According to the announcement, the tunnels had been completely renovated over the summer.

’So they actually went through with it,’ Noel thought as he walked. ’Remodeled tunnels, reinforced walls, upgraded magical insulation... seems like the academy really dropped a fortune on this.’

He pulled the parchment open again to reread the summary.

"Beneath the outer training grounds, the restructured underground facility will serve as the central training zone for Class S this semester. All students must report at 8:00 AM sharp."

"Status," Noel muttered.

A soft hum followed by a blue screen popped up before his eyes.

[Current Core Progress: 40.25% – Mana Core: Adept]

’Almost halfway of Adept... Not bad, but still a long road. If I focus during this semester, maybe I can push to sixty percent. Hunting monsters would be faster, sure—but I need the foundation too.’

He remembered what Rauk said the day before. The man was a former soldier, after all. His training style would likely be brutal. Noel’s sword and magic combination meant he’d have to work under both Rauk and Daemar.

’Fine. If I want to survive what’s coming... this is the path.’

Noir was curled up in a ball back in the room, dozing peacefully. She wouldn’t be joining today.

With a steady breath, Noel made his way toward the new facility, unaware of the familiar figure already waiting ahead.

As Noel rounded the final path toward the training grounds, he noticed a figure leaning casually against the outer wall of the newly built facility. The girl had short, messy red hair and hazel eyes, wearing the academy’s summer uniform.

She didn’t look familiar—at least, not at first glance.

"Pervert! Good morning."

Noel stopped mid-step. "...Could you not call me that? Especially here?"

Charlotte grinned. "So you’re not denying it?"

"That’s not what I meant..." he sighed, rubbing his temple.

She pushed off the wall, walking beside him. "Anyway, ready for our first official day of Class S?"

"You’re in Class S too?" Noel asked, arching a brow.

"Of course. Didn’t think I’d get in?" She gave him a smug look. "You saw me fight that scythe-obsessed elf girl, remember?"

"I did. But your main thing isn’t blessings?"

"Correct," she replied without pause. "But I also have a regular mana core. Blessings run on faith. Daggers run on grit—and I know how to fight like Garron, by reinforcing my body with mana."

Noel glanced at her sideways. "Impressive."

"Right?" she said, puffing out her chest with mock pride.

"...Very," Noel replied sarcastically.

They reached the new structure. The building was smooth and angular, made of dark stone infused with glowing runes. Two large metal doors stood open, and standing just outside was a familiar young man in a charcoal uniform.

"Morning, Noel. Morning, Charlotte," said Gareth Wren, the Class S dorm guide.

"Good morning," they replied in unison.

"You’re the last ones to arrive—on time, at least," Gareth noted. "Some others will be late. Elyra, Elena, Seraphina, and two seniors are caught up with new student coordination."

Noel blinked. "They’re missing the first day?"

"They don’t want to," Gareth shrugged. "Council work piled up thanks to the new arrivals. It’s chaos."

As they stepped inside, Noel looked around and counted heads. Thirty-three other students were already gathered—including Marcus’s group, Roberto, Dior, and of course, Selene, standing alone as always.

Roberto nudged up beside Noel and whispered, "Hey, should I tell Elyra and Elena you’re cheating already?"

Noel gave him a flat stare. "What? No. She’s a transfer from Elarith. She asked for help, that’s it."

Charlotte turned to Roberto with a bright smile. "Nice to meet you! I’m Charlotte!"

Even using her real name, the hair and eye color change kept her identity hidden. No one questioned it. She moved effortlessly through the crowd, even greeting Dior with a cheerful wave.

Noel watched her making the rounds.

’Well... this is what she wanted. A year to just be herself.’

The buzz inside the newly built facility was quickly cut short when two familiar figures entered through the main entrance.

Daemar, tall and poised, his violet eyes scanning the group with practiced discipline. Rauk, broader and with a posture that screamed ex-military, walked in just a step behind him. The moment the two stepped in, every conversation died.

Daemar spoke first, his voice calm but sharp. "Good. Most of you are here."

Rauk crossed his arms. "Let’s not waste time. This semester, we’ll be training differently. The academy’s made it clear—we’re no longer just students. You’re part of the future of this continent, and you need to be ready."

He gestured toward the reinforced walls around them. "You’re standing in what used to be the ancient tunnels under this academy. Two months ago, this place was crumbling. Now? It’s equipped with barrier runes, anti-collapse wards, and reinforced alloy-core stone. Safe and indestructible—for most of you, anyway."

A low wave of murmurs spread among the students.

Daemar stepped forward again. "Starting today, this facility will host daily sessions. You will be divided according to your core fighting style."

Rauk raised a hand. "If you’re a melee fighter—enhancing your body with mana or using close-range weapons—you train with me."

Daemar nodded. "If you’re a pure mage—long-range spellcasters, elementalists, or summoners—you’ll be with me."

Rauk then said, "If you’re like Thorne—using both spellwork and blades—you’ll alternate between both."

Roberto looked toward Noel and muttered, "Guess we’re doomed."

Noel didn’t reply. He was too focused on absorbing the information.

Rauk clapped once, loud and firm. "Line up and sort yourselves. Now."

Charlotte, Marcus, Garron, Roberto, and Noel moved to Rauk’s group without hesitation. Clara, Selene, and Laziel aligned with Daemar, along with several others.

The training area Rauk had claimed was vast—twice the size of a standard arena and outfitted with enchanted dummies, movable terrain, and weapon racks stacked with practice gear. It even had a simulated obstacle course coiled around the far edge.

"Start with formation drills," Rauk barked. "Warm up your body, then we go into partner combat."

Noel, standing near Marcus and Charlotte, stretched his shoulders. Roberto was already complaining.

"Do we have to stretch?" Roberto muttered. "I barely woke up."

"You’ll wish you stayed asleep when Rauk gets serious," Noel said dryly.

Charlotte was bouncing on her heels beside them, surprisingly energetic for someone in disguise. "Hey, partner me up with someone fun, okay?"

"You’ll probably get Garron," Marcus said. "He breaks people by smiling."

As expected, after ten minutes of warm-up routines, Rauk assigned sparring pairs.

"Marcus, Garron. Roberto, Dior. Charlotte, Thorne."

Noel blinked. "Me?"

Charlotte gave him a mock salute, daggers already twirling between her fingers. "Let’s have fun."

Noel sighed. ’Of course.’

Across the room, Daemar’s group was more structured. Spells were being cast in succession—ice barriers, fire bursts, precision lightning. Selene moved through her practice with mechanical grace, not even flinching as an arc of flame passed inches from her cheek.

Noel glanced around the room briefly. Despite the sweat and grumbling, everyone was focused. Maybe it was the new environment. Maybe it was the tension in the air—the feeling that things were shifting. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Noel stood at the edge of the ring with Revenant Fang in hand—its sleek black surface pulsing faintly, as if recognizing the tension in the air. Across from him, Charlotte spun her twin daggers with practiced ease, a smile on her lips and a spark in her hazel eyes.

"Don’t go easy on me just because I’m cute," Charlotte teased, bouncing lightly on her feet.

"I wasn’t planning to," Noel replied, his tone flat but calm.

Rauk stood just outside the ring, arms crossed. "Begin."

Charlotte vanished the moment the word dropped, her speed blurring as she dashed low to Noel’s side. He stepped back, rotating his blade with one hand and catching her off-angled strike with the flat side. Sparks danced as metal clashed against enchanted obsidian.

’She’s fast. Slippery, too.’

Charlotte flipped backward mid-air, landing on one hand and launching herself again in a corkscrew spin. Noel sidestepped, letting her pass by him with inches to spare, and twisted Revenant Fang downward. The blade cut toward her exposed back—but met empty air.

She had already shifted direction mid-landing, dragging a dagger across his coat with a grazing cut before springing back.

"Almost got you," she grinned.

Noel adjusted his grip and took a deep breath. Then he stepped forward.

One, two, three precise slashes—each meant to restrict movement rather than land a blow. Charlotte dodged the first two but had to deflect the third, her expression tightening as she was pushed back.

’She’s agile, but not invincible. Her offense relies on momentum and unpredictability. Break her rhythm...’

He feinted left, reversed mid-step and brought his blade upward.

Charlotte crossed her daggers in an "X" to block, the force of the blow sliding her across the ring floor. She skidded but stayed upright, panting lightly.

"Whoa... you’re serious."

"I said I wouldn’t go easy."

Rauk raised a hand. "Enough. Save your strength. That’s good for now."

Charlotte wiped sweat from her brow, walking over to Noel and offering a fist.

He tapped it with his own, Revenant Fang disappearing into his pouch.

"You’re pretty good with that thing," Charlotte said.

"You’re harder to hit than I expected."

The two left the ring together, nodding to Rauk as they rejoined the rest of the class.

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