Path of the Extra

Both Azriel and Caleus sat on chairs, their wounds freshly treated by healers, the remnants of health potions still lingering on their tongues.

The duel had escalated far beyond what anyone anticipated, yet no one had the courage to intervene.

'To think I would actually manage to win...'

Azriel still felt like he was dreaming.

[Void Mind] had already deactivated, but he remembered every moment vividly, knowing he had been in control the entire time.

If he weren't at a banquet, under the scrutinizing gaze of every guest, he would have been jumping for joy at his victory.

But he couldn't afford to break his composure here.

The guests had lost interest in the two students now dueling in the middle of the ballroom, their battle paling in comparison to the clash between Azriel and Caleus.

These guests, hailing from high classes and corners of the world, had witnessed Azriel's remarkable return.

Rumors would soon spread like wildfire across Earth.

Conveniently, the banquet had a strict no-devices policy.

No footage existed of his performance today.

It was perfect—stories about Azriel would be twisted and turned, making it difficult for anyone to discern the truth from the embellishments.

"Seriously, what were you thinking..."

Azriel smiled awkwardly at Jasmine, who sat next to him with an exasperated look on her face.

Gulp-!

He swallowed hard, noticing the faint anger she was hiding behind her eyes.

"Well... I guess we did go a little overboard."

"Yes, a little. Definitely just a little."

Unfortunately, the more he spoke, the more anger Jasmine seemed to suppress.

She kept checking his already healed wounds as if they might reopen at any moment.

Health potions couldn't mend the tears in his black tuxedo, which Azriel found disappointing since it was probably extremely expensive.

Yet, most would view the scars on his tuxedo as badges of honor.

"Heh, you say 'fun,' but you fought like you were a ghost."

Turning to the person on his right, Azriel saw Caleus sipping red wine.

Next to Caleus was Celestina, who was eyeing him intently, whether she realized it or not.

Azriel shrugged.

"Maybe it didn't look like that to you, but I'm serious. I haven't felt my heart race like that in ages."

"Is that so..."

Caleus seemed satisfied with his response, grinning as he downed the rest of his wine.

'Where are Mom and Dad... and Uncle Ragnar?'

For some reason, they never returned to watch his duel. Perhaps it was for the best, knowing his mother.

'Dodged a bullet there, I guess.'

'...?'

Suddenly, he felt a piercing gaze from the other side of the ballroom, near the pianist. It was Solomon and Freya, both looking at him.

'I guess it's finally time, huh?'

Azriel stood up, drawing everyone's attention in the ballroom. Ignoring them, he was about to walk away when he felt a tug on his sleeve.

"Where are you going...?"

Looking down, he saw Jasmine still sitting, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Going to talk to Solomon and the headmistress for a bit."

"Oh..."

Jasmine nodded in understanding.

She wasn't aware of Azriel's connection with the headmistress, but she knew about Solomon saving him back in Europe.

Whenever Azriel attended a banquet or party, Solomon would also always talk with him.

"Just don't fight Saint Solomon..."

'Huh? Fight Solomon?'

Azriel looked confused but nodded and walked towards them.

Arriving at the table where Solomon and Freya were seated, Azriel took a seat, placing Freya on his right and Solomon on his left.

A pink, transparent dome-like barrier suddenly enveloped the table, drawing shocked stares from the onlookers.

"Sound barrier. No one will be able to read our lips," Freya explained, though Azriel already knew. He nodded anyway.

"I have to say, that was quite a fight you put up there! Didn't expect you to actually win," Solomon said, excitement evident in his voice.

"I got lucky."

Azriel shrugged.

"Anyway..."

Azriel turned his attention to Freya, who was looking back at him.

Her expression was so blank he almost suspected she might also have [Void Mind].

"Does this mean you're accepting my plan?"

For a few seconds, Freya didn't respond, her rose-colored eyes seeming to pierce into Azriel's soul.

Then...

"I am."

Azriel broke into a genuine smile for perhaps the first time today, oblivious to the effect it had on those sneaking glances at their table.

"I've already heard most of the details from Solomon, but what do you need me to do?" Freya asked.

"Not much, just two things actually."

'If she doesn't agree, it will become much harder to go through with the plan...'

Azriel suppressed a sigh at the thought.

"First, ensure that no matter what happens outside the void dungeon, the parties already inside aren't forced to cancel and return to the surface. I will personally handle any trouble inside the void dungeon."

The place they were headed after the entrance exam was called the void dungeon.

What better way to bond with classmates and grow stronger than to venture into one of the most dangerous places on Earth?

The void dungeon was one of the three great mysteries on Earth, appearing simultaneously with the first void rift.

To date, only 37 floors had been explored.

It was said that exploring all the floors and solving the other two great mysteries would reveal the origins of the void.

Of course, the students were only expected to explore the first five floors.

After that, they would typically be allowed to roam the city surrounding the void dungeon, which was also home to the Hero Academy.

Unfortunately, in the book Neo Genesis attacked, intending to eliminate the students in the void dungeon and those roaming the city.

Innocent people and students died as a result.

Fortunately, Solomon arrived before the worst could happen, preventing more deaths but canceling further dungeon exploration.

It was a tremendous shock for an organization hidden in the shadows for so long to openly attack one of the safest cities on Earth.

'Not this time, though...'

Azriel knew what was going to happen and planned to change the plot, ensuring Neo Genesis wouldn't get their way.

And how would he do that?

Simple.

Inform a trusted adult.

"Very well. I expected that."

Freya nodded, making Azriel feel relieved.

No one at this table would question how Azriel knew about the impending attack by Neo Genesis.

Each had their own reasons for supporting his plan.

Freya, for example, wanted to end the stagnant war between the void and humanity.

Allowing the students to continue exploring the dungeon and growing stronger was a step to achieve that.

"And the second?"

"My ranking after the entrance exam... I want it hidden until the end of the trip or, if possible, a lower ranking."

Freya narrowed her eyes in confusion as Solomon looked at him, both seemingly puzzled by his request.

"Why would you want to hide your ranking after everything you've done today?"

"!!"

It didn't take long for them to realize it.

"Confusion, huh... The rumors created today will seem false if you rank lower, making you a lower priority and underestimated. They'll focus more on the higher-ranking students without realizing a grade 3 intermediate is hiding among them until it's too late... ha!"

Solomon exclaimed, an amused smile on his face.

Azriel nodded.

While Solomon would deal with Neo Genesis on the surface, the lower-ranking members inside the void dungeon wouldn't expect a second grade 3 intermediate—Azriel Crimson.

Though it sucked to have his rank lowered, it was necessary to prevent a tragedy.

'It'll be interesting to see their shocked faces when I reveal myself...'

Perhaps it was a little fun to hide in the shadows once again.

Azriel looked towards Freya, waiting for her answer.

"...You will get whatever rank you earn in the entrance exam until the midterm exams."

Azriel smiled genuinely for the second time that day.