The Useless Extra Knows It All....But Does He?-Chapter 396 - "Only a little!"
The morning sun cast long golden rays across the vast grounds of Arcadia Academy, bathing the towering structures and open courtyards in a warm glow that marked the beginning of another day filled with discipline and growth. The air still carried the faint chill of early dawn, yet the training fields had already begun to stir with movement as dedicated students pushed themselves before the formal lectures even began.
At the far end of one of the training grounds, a lone figure moved steadily across the stone path.
Luca ran.
His breathing had grown heavy, the steady rhythm of his footsteps echoing faintly against the reinforced surface beneath him. Sweat clung to his skin, tracing slow paths down the sides of his face and neck, his shirt damp from the intensity of repeated exertion.
Yet he did not slow.
Instead, he increased his pace once again, forcing his body forward despite the growing burn in his muscles. Each step landed with controlled precision, his breathing deep but measured as he pushed his limits little by little, refusing to allow complacency even after everything he had already experienced.
The quiet of the morning allowed him to focus solely on the rhythm of his movement.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Step.
Again.
And again.
After several more laps, Luca gradually slowed to a stop, bending slightly forward as he steadied his breathing. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand before straightening once more.
Without wasting time, he extended his hand toward the storage ring resting on his finger.
A faint shimmer of mana pulsed.
The familiar weight of his twin sabers appeared in his grasp.
The blades gleamed faintly under the morning light as Luca stepped forward into an open space of the training field, his posture shifting instantly from fatigue to focus.
He began moving through practiced forms.
His sabers cut clean arcs through the air, each strike deliberate and controlled. The movements were neither rushed nor careless; every motion carried intention, each step placed with careful balance as he refined the flow of his technique.
Horizontal strike.
Turn.
Reverse grip.
A downward diagonal slash followed by a swift shift of stance.
The sabers moved as extensions of his will, gliding through the air with quiet precision as faint traces of mana accompanied each motion.
Again.
And again.
He repeated the sequence, adjusting angles, correcting posture, smoothing transitions between attacks until every movement felt seamless.
The early sunlight caught the edge of the blades as he completed the final form, the faint hum of displaced air settling into silence.
After a final controlled motion, Luca lowered the sabers and allowed them to dissolve once more into the storage ring.
Then he sat down cross-legged upon the stone surface of the training ground, closing his eyes as his breathing gradually steadied.
Mana began circulating within him.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He guided the flow through his channels, drawing energy inward and releasing it outward in controlled cycles, allowing the rhythm to stabilize his core.
Time passed quietly.
The faint sounds of the academy awakening gradually grew around him, yet Luca remained focused, maintaining the steady flow of mana through his body.
After nearly half an hour, he finally opened his eyes.
A quiet breath escaped him as he muttered softly,
"I can feel my mana channels have expanded..."
His gaze lowered slightly as he flexed his fingers, sensing the subtle yet undeniable change within.
"I should be close to a breakthrough..."
His brows drew together faintly.
"...but I’m still not able to take that final step."
He remained seated for a moment longer before pushing himself back onto his feet.
A slow exhale left his lips as he shook his head lightly. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"There is no point in rushing it..."
The realization came without frustration.
Only patience.
Turning away from the training ground, Luca began walking along the familiar academy pathways, the morning light guiding his steps as he made his way back toward the dormitory building, his thoughts already drifting toward whatever the day ahead would bring.
The rest of the morning moved quickly, almost seamlessly blending one moment into the next.
After returning from the training grounds, Luca took a quick shower, letting the cool water wash away the lingering fatigue from his early exercises. Once dressed again in the familiar black academy uniform lined with golden trims, he made his way toward the classroom, joining the steady flow of students moving through the corridors as another day of lectures began.
The lessons progressed smoothly.
Much of the material discussed by the instructors covered foundational principles that Luca had already encountered during his previous experiences, allowing him to follow along with relative ease. While he paid attention where necessary, there were moments when the pace of the class allowed his thoughts to drift slightly, the familiarity of the topics making the hours pass more quickly than usual.
Beside him, Eric occasionally leaned closer, whispering idle remarks or passing light commentary about the lecture, causing Luca to suppress small smiles as the two quietly passed time in their usual manner without drawing attention from the instructor.
Before long, the final bell sounded.
Students began gathering their belongings, conversations resuming as the classroom slowly emptied into the busy corridors once again.
Luca left the building at an unhurried pace, walking across the academy grounds beneath the warm afternoon light. The day carried a calm rhythm, one that felt almost unfamiliar after everything that had taken place during the previous weeks.
Eventually, he returned to the dormitory.
Once inside his room, he changed into comfortable casual clothes and sat down on the edge of his bed, letting out a quiet breath as his thoughts returned once more to the conversation from the lakeside.
I did think about it...
His gaze lowered slightly, the decision settling gradually into place.
And I think it is better to give Lilliane some space...
To allow her to grow on her own.
He clasped his hands lightly together, his expression calm but thoughtful.
I don’t know if it will turn out to be the right decision...
A faint pause lingered.
But if she falls...
His eyes lifted slightly.
...I will still be there.
The resolve within him steadied.
But this path...
He exhaled softly.
...she must walk by herself.
After sitting quietly for a few moments, Luca reached toward the small communication crystal resting on the table beside his bed and picked it up, turning it lightly between his fingers before placing it carefully upon the soft fabric of the bed.
A faint pulse of mana spread from the crystal as it activated, threads of light gathering slowly above its surface.
Within seconds, the light shaped itself into a small, lively figure.
An excited little girl materialized in the holographic projection.
She looked no older than five or six years old, her golden hair falling in soft waves around her small face, her crimson eyes shining brightly with unmistakable joy the moment she saw him. Two tiny horns curved gently from the sides of her head, giving her an adorable yet slightly mischievous appearance that only added to her charm.
The moment the projection stabilized, she bounced happily in place, her tiny hands lifting in excitement.
"Papa! Papa!"
Her laughter rang brightly even through the projection.
"Heheh... you finally called Astra!"
A warm smile spread across Luca’s face almost instantly, the seriousness that usually lingered in his expression softening completely as he looked at her.
"Astra," he said gently, the simple act of saying her name carrying a quiet affection.
"You seem energetic as always."
"I am!" she replied proudly, puffing her small chest slightly as she spoke. "I was waiting and waiting... but papa didn’t call..."
Her lips puffed out slightly in a small pout before quickly dissolving into another excited smile.
"But it’s okay now because papa called!"
Luca chuckled quietly at her shifting expressions.
"And what have you been doing?" he asked, leaning slightly closer toward the projection.
Astra immediately began talking animatedly, her small hands moving as she explained everything with enthusiasm, occasionally getting distracted mid-sentence before continuing again.
"I practiced flying today!" she said excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "It was very hard at first... but I didn’t fall too many times!"
She hesitated briefly before adding in a smaller voice,
"...only a little."
Luca raised a brow slightly.
"Only a little?"
She nodded very seriously.
"Only a little!"
Then, after a short pause, she leaned closer toward the projection, her voice lowering as if sharing an important secret.
"Papa..."
Her crimson eyes shone brightly.
"When will you come pick Astra?"
The question came with innocent expectation.
Luca’s expression softened further.
"Soon," he replied gently.
"Very soon."
Her face immediately brightened.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Really."
Astra beamed happily, bouncing again as if that answer alone was enough to make her entire day better.
"Then Astra will become stronger before papa comes!" she declared proudly.
"I will show papa how strong I am!"
"I’m sure you will," Luca replied with a faint chuckle.
Their conversation continued for a little while longer, filled with simple, playful exchanges that felt light compared to everything else that had happened recently. Astra spoke excitedly about small things that felt immensely important to her, while Luca listened patiently, occasionally responding in ways that made her laugh even more.
Eventually, the glow of the projection began to fade as the communication neared its end.
"Bye papa!" Astra waved energetically. "Don’t forget to call again!"
"I won’t," Luca replied.
With that, the holographic image dissolved gently into scattered light, leaving the room quiet once more.
Luca picked up the communication crystal, about to set it aside—
When it pulsed again.
He paused.
Then activated it once more.
The mana within the crystal gathered quickly, forming a far more composed presence than before.
A mature, elegant figure appeared.
Long white hair flowed behind her like silk, her violet eyes calm yet impossibly deep, carrying a quiet authority that felt almost timeless. A delicate veil covered the lower half of her face, concealing her nose and lips, yet doing nothing to diminish the overwhelming aura she exuded.
Luca immediately stood up.
His posture straightened instinctively as he inclined his head respectfully.
"Master."
The Tower Master regarded him quietly for a moment, her gaze steady and unreadable.
Then she spoke.
"I need a favor from you."
