An Unordinary Extra

I stayed a few days longer after Seraphina's birthday, reluctant to part just yet. The time spent with her felt more precious now, like lingering in the glow of a setting sun you didn't want to see fade. She had changed again, though in ways only someone who knew her deeply could discern.

She was still stoic and cold, her demeanor as composed as a marble sculpture, but there was a newfound warmth beneath the surface. Before, that warmth had been born of her love for me and her release from the shadow of her insecurity toward Sun. But now, it radiated from a different source: the resolution of her feelings toward her father. The distance that had once defined their relationship was gone, replaced by an unspoken understanding and acceptance.

I had also finalized my deal with Mo Zenith. The result was now in my hands.

I turned the device over, studying its sleek black surface. It resembled an ordinary phone, but appearances were deceiving. This was no mundane piece of technology—it was a state-of-the-art encrypted device, designed for perfect security. Within it lay the Grade 6 art of Mount Hua Sect: Violet Mist Divine Art.

In this modern age, such devices were not just convenient but essential. Copying an art of such value and secrecy demanded nothing less. The device operated solely through my mana signature, its safeguards ensuring it would self-destruct instantly if tampered with. Five failed attempts to access it would trigger the same result, as would a command from me if it were lost. Its destruction capabilities were absolute—no one could retrieve the art once it was gone.

I slipped the device into my spatial ring, its weight symbolic rather than physical. Though it contained the greatest art of Mount Hua, I wasn't planning to learn it until I reached Ascendant-rank. The art required mastery of its four movements, but the fourth alone demanded Sword Unity—a level of weapon mastery that necessitated Radiant-rank.

'Grade 6 arts are no simple thing,' I thought. Even for someone like me, it would take six to seven years to master the first four movements of Violet Mist Divine Art. It was a monumental challenge, but one that fit my timeline. My immediate focus lay elsewhere, and for now, the device would remain safely stored.

As for the Creighton estate, I decided against returning just yet. The academy term was beginning soon, and Mythos Academy offered what I needed for the next stage of my journey. Specifically, I planned to delve into the Fuller method of seven-circle magic.

The Astareus method, proprietary to the Creighton family, would come later. It was a refinement, an extension of the Fuller method, but mastering it required an understanding of its predecessor first. Mythos Academy had the resources for this, and I intended to use them to their fullest.

Of course, understanding the Fuller method wasn't enough. If theoretical knowledge alone sufficed, the halls of power would be filled with scholars instead of mages. The method's complexity lay not just in its principles but in its execution—an unforgiving crucible that tested mana control, precision, and raw talent.

Simply put, most who studied the Fuller method found themselves blocked not by intellect but by capability. The knowledge existed tantalizingly close, like a fruit just out of reach, but the leap required to grasp it was beyond them.

'That won't be my fate,' I thought, resolve tightening in my chest. My path was clear, though steep, and each step would demand everything I had.

For now, though, I let the future settle into the back of my mind, content to linger in the present for just a moment longer. Mythos Academy awaited, with its challenges, its trials, and its promises of growth. And I intended to meet it all head-on.

Of course, my return to Mythos Academy wasn't without its complications. Before beginning my fourth year, there were terms to negotiate. I had spent the preceding weeks in Avalon City, enjoying a rare respite with my parents. It was a welcome pause, a chance to breathe before plunging back into the whirlwind of academy life.

When I arrived, my dorm room was as grand as ever—spacious, elegantly furnished, and situated in a prime location. It was a testament to my position as Rank 1 of Class 4-A, a subtle yet unmistakable reminder of my stature within the academy. Yet, the comfort of my surroundings did little to distract me from the task at hand. My next destination was clear: the office of the new Headmaster, Valerie von Lampez.

__________________________________________________________________________________

The absence of the previous Headmaster had left its mark on Mythos Academy. Once ranked 11th in the world and a Radiant-ranker, the former Headmaster's five-year absence had thrown the institution into a precarious position. Valerie von Lampez, who had recently ascended to Vice Headmaster, had stepped in to fill the void and taken on the mantle of leadership.

But even Valerie's competence couldn't change the fact that Mythos Academy was struggling. Prestige alone wasn't enough to shield it from the storms battering its gates. The Martial King, who had joined the academy to bolster its reputation, was now locked in a battle against the Vampire Monarch in the Eastern Continent. Meanwhile, Nero Astrellan, a mid Immortal-rank professor and a cornerstone of the academy's teaching staff, had been lost to the Red Chalice cult at the outbreak of the war.

The academy couldn't afford any further disruptions, and Arthur knew that. Which made his upcoming request all the more incendiary.

Valerie wasn't just annoyed when she heard about his plans to negotiate—she was livid. He knew she liked him; she always had. She had personally mentored him during his first year and helped him shape his Grade 6 art. But even her fondness for him wasn't enough to stop her from digging in her heels when she thought he was out of line.

"Come in," her voice rang out as he approached her office. The magnetic door slid open with a smooth hiss, revealing Valerie seated at her desk. Her sharp gaze locked onto him the moment he stepped inside, her expression cool and unreadable.

Arthur noticed her eyes narrow slightly as they swept over him. He could almost hear her thoughts. 'So close to Ascendant-rank already.' She'd undoubtedly heard the stories; everyone had. Arthur Nightingale wasn't merely a prodigy—he was a phenomenon. Even the academy's brightest stars, Lucifer Windward and Ren Kagu, didn't compare.

"Hello, Master," Arthur greeted her with proper respect, taking a seat across from her desk.

Valerie leaned back in her chair, the picture of composed authority. But Arthur could sense her irritation simmering beneath the surface. "What do you want, Arthur?" she asked bluntly, not bothering to hide her mood.

"I want to take fewer subjects, more time off from the academy, and another Grade 5 art," Arthur replied without hesitation. "Oh, and some elixirs."

The corners of Valerie's lips twitched—whether in annoyance or amusement, Arthur couldn't tell. "Instead of five subjects, you can choose three," she said, her tone clipped. "But if you do, you'll forfeit the chance to be valedictorian."

"Rachel's going to win it anyway," Arthur said with a shrug. Valerie didn't disagree, though she didn't say it aloud.

"You can take as much time off from the academy as you need," she continued, "but you must attend all exams, submit your assignments on time, participate in festivals and tournaments, and go on all field trips."

Arthur nodded. The terms were reasonable enough.

"Finally," she said, her voice sharp and unyielding, "we're not giving you a Grade 5 art."

Arthur's brow furrowed as he met her gaze. "Why not?"

"Because you don't need it," Valerie said bluntly. Her tone carried no room for argument. "You've already mastered more than anyone else at this academy. Another art would just be a distraction."

Her words hung in the air, firm and final. Valerie von Lampez was not a woman to be argued with lightly, and though Arthur didn't like her decision, he couldn't deny the logic behind it. Still, that didn't mean he would back down so easily.

"Then what else will you give me?" Arthur asked, leaning back in his chair with the ease of someone who knew precisely what he wanted. His gaze remained steady, meeting Valerie's sharp eyes with unspoken confidence.

"What do you want?" Valerie replied, her tone edged with both curiosity and exasperation.

"A pass to the Tower of Alchemy," Arthur said, his voice calm but purposeful.

Valerie raised an eyebrow, the faintest flicker of surprise crossing her face. "The Tower of Alchemy? Since when did you care about that?"

Arthur shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Can I get a pass?"

"All students who complete the required prerequisites can," Valerie said, her tone cautious. "But for you, I'll waive those. On one condition."

"What's the condition?" Arthur asked, his interest piqued.

"You'll need to take Alchemy 243," she said, her gaze narrowing. "It's a specialized course that builds on what you learned in the lower years."

"Is that a course I can take in my first semester?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Yes," Valerie said with a nod. "It's designed to prepare students for more advanced studies in the Tower."

Arthur considered her words for a moment before continuing. "Another thing. Remove the requirement for fighting courses."

Valerie's lips twitched into a knowing smirk. "Fine. It's not like you need them."

It was true. Arthur had long surpassed the need for such courses. His strength was already far beyond what they could offer, and both of them knew it.

"I still have access to the library, right?" he asked.

"The upper years' library," Valerie clarified. "It will have the seven-circle magic books you're after."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her certainty. "How did you know?"

Valerie leaned back in her chair, folding her arms as a small smile played on her lips. "It's obvious. I know you, Arthur. You're a monster—someone who devours knowledge, power, and opportunity to reach the peak. It's what you do. So go on. Continue devouring."

Her words hung in the air, both an acknowledgment of his ambition and a challenge to fulfill it. Arthur held her gaze for a moment longer, then nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Thank you, Master," he said simply.

Valerie's expression softened slightly, though the steel in her gaze remained. "Don't thank me. Just make sure you live up to everything you claim to be."

With that, the room fell silent, the negotiations complete. Yet beneath the surface, both of them knew this was only the beginning. The Tower of Alchemy, the upper years' library, the path to seven-circle magic—it was all part of Arthur's relentless ascent. And as Valerie watched him leave, she couldn't help but wonder just how high he would climb.