The Extra’s guide to Survival

I woke to the rough canvas of a tent roof, the world a hazy, disorienting blur. My throat felt raw, like sandpaper grating against dry earth. Panic tightened its icy grip around my chest as I struggled to piece together the fragmented memories of how I'd gotten here. A young servant girl, her face etched with a nervous energy that mirrored my own internal turmoil, noticed my stirring. "Oh, you're awake! Lady Linnea has been waiting for you."

Lady Linnea? The name resonated with a power that sent a shiver down my spine, a strange cocktail of awe and apprehension. "Lady Linnea?" I croaked, my voice a raspy whisper.

"Yes," the servant replied, her eyes widening slightly as if surprised I even knew the name. "Lady Linnea Veridian, daughter of Lord Valerius Veridian. Their family practically governs the Glaciem province. They control the vital trade routes through the treacherous Frostpeak Mountains and… well, let's just say they're incredibly important." She stumbled over her words, clearly intimidated by the mere mention of the Iceheart name. "Let's get you dressed. Your old clothes were…" she trailed off, gesturing to a pile of tattered rags in the corner, "…beyond repair."

She helped me into a simple yet elegant tunic of deep sapphire blue, soft against my skin. The fabric felt strangely luxurious after the rough, blood-soaked remnants I vaguely remembered wearing. Dark grey trousers, sturdy yet comfortable, replaced the shredded remains of my own. Finally, a pair of supple leather boots, laced to mid-calf, completed the ensemble. The clothes, while simple, felt miles better than what I had been wearing.

"Let me take you to her," the servant said, her voice hushed with reverence.

She led me through the bustling makeshift camp, the air thick with the scent of woodsmoke mingling with the sharp tang of medicinal herbs. Finally, we reached a larger tent, distinguished from the others by intricate frost patterns woven into the shimmering white fabric. Inside, a figure sat poised on a low stool, bathed in the soft, ethereal light filtering through the canvas. She was breathtaking. Skin as pale as freshly fallen snow, framed by hair the color of a winter moon. Her eyes, a startling, glacial blue, held a depth that seemed to pierce through me, reading the secrets hidden within my soul.

I bowed, my body still weak and protesting with every movement. "My Lady."

A small, almost hesitant smile softened the sharp angles of her face. "Hello. You may rise." Her voice was like the chime of ice crystals, delicate yet firm, carrying an undercurrent of undeniable authority. "I am Linnea Veridian, and you are…?"

"You can call me Kai."

"Kai," she repeated, the name sounding strangely exotic on her tongue. She tilted her head, studying me with an unnervingly intense gaze. "We found you barely alive on the reef at the river's edge. Your injuries… they were extensive."

A wave of dizziness washed over me as I tried to grasp at the fragmented memories of what had happened. Flashes of brutal violence, a searing, all-consuming pain, then blessed oblivion. I glanced down at my bandaged body, beneath which I could feel the tight, uncomfortable pull of countless scars. "Yes," I managed, my voice still weak and raspy. "May I ask what you've done to me?"

A young man emerged, his features kind framed by a cascade of shimmering blonde hair. A pair of marvelously warm brown eyes met mine,He offered a gentle nod in my direction. His presence radiated a quiet strength, a comforting warmth that seemed to ease the persistent ache in my bones. This was Caspian Riversong, the healer Linnea spoke of, the one who had painstakingly pulled me back from the precipice of death.

Linnea's expression turned serious once more, her voice laced with a hint of steel. "You were on the verge of death, Kai. The wounds… you shouldn't have lived. You owe Caspian your life, and by extension," her glacial gaze locked onto mine, "you owe me."

The bluntness of her words, though delivered with an almost unsettling calmness, left me reeling. I knew she was right. I was alive because of them. "Yes, Lady Linnea," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "What do you need from me?"

A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face. "Do you know of the Academy?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.

"Yes," I replied, the word catching in my throat. "I… I was on a journey there."

"As a noble," she explained, a hint of impatience creeping into her tone, "my servants won't be allowed past the Academy gates once we arrive. Therefore, I require a student to be my guardian. Someone to protect me within its walls." Her gaze intensified. "Be my guardian knight, Kai," she stated, her voice regaining its steely edge, "for the duration of my years at the Academy."

The Academy. A place of learning, of magic, of opportunity. Becoming Linnea Veridian guardian, despite the heavy weight of obligation, was a chance to escape the suffocating shadows of my past, a chance to forge a new path for myself. It was a lifeline I couldn't refuse. But a nagging doubt remained. "How… how do you know I'm fit to be your knight?" I asked, the question barely audible.

A ghost of a smile played on Linnea's lips. "When Caspia saved your life," she explained, her voice softening slightly, "he and I noticed your… potential. And," her glacial eyes bored into mine, "it's obvious you possess a remarkably strong will to live. That, Kai, is a valuable asset."

"I accept," I said, the words stronger and more resolute than I expected. And in that moment, my life took a sharp turn down a path I could never have foreseen, irrevocably bound to the fate of the enigmatic and powerful Lady Linnea Veridian.

"Return to your tent now. Supper will be served shortly, and we leave for the village at first light tomorrow." Lady Linnea said.

As I trudged back to the tent, the evening air felt cooler than it had earlier in the day, the fading light of the sun casting long shadows over the makeshift camp. My legs ached with every step, my body still feeling the weight of the battle against the dire wolf and the subsequent grueling journey. The path ahead was a muddled mixture of tired soldiers and bustling campfires, the smoke stinging my eyes and the sounds of camp life blurring together into a distant hum. My mind, though fatigued, churned restlessly. A guardian knight, huh? Linnea's words echoed in my head, that simple yet heavy offer. To be her protector at the Academy. It wasn't the future I had imagined for myself, but it was one that had been thrust upon me. I still wasn't sure if I had the skills or the strength to truly protect someone, but what choice did I have? She had saved my life. She had given me a purpose, even if it was born from obligation. The ground beneath my feet felt uneven, the wet earth giving way to occasional rocks that threatened to trip me. Each step seemed to pull at my tired muscles, reminding me that I was far from full strength. And the scars… They were still there. I reached the entrance of my tent, the flap hanging loosely, and stepped inside, the dim glow of lantern light illuminating the cramped space. It wasn't much—barely a patch of comfort—but it was mine for the moment. I sat down heavily on the bedroll, my thoughts still tangled, and felt an involuntary shiver run through me as I ran my fingers over the rough texture of my skin. The gash across my cheek, the one from the river, was still sore, still raw. My fingers brushed it lightly, and a sharp pain shot through my face. I winced, recoiling, but then continued to trace the scar. The sensation was almost too vivid, too real. It was a constant reminder of my failure at the river, a constant reminder that I was Malachi Darkfall, the villain's forgotten son. No. I'm not Malachi. Not anymore. I pulled away from the scar, my hand trembling slightly, and let out a breath. Now wasn't the time to dwell on that. Instead, I focused on something that was more within my control—the system. I glanced down at the translucent blue interface hovering just in front of me and muttered, "System." The screen flickered into existence, and my level appeared at the top left corner. Level: 11. My heart skipped a beat. I had leveled up again. Four levels since I last checked. A small, disbelieving laugh bubbled up from my throat. I might actually survive this. I quickly moved my eyes over the stats:

Level: 11

Strength: 7

Endurance: 8

Speed: 12

Luck: 10

Mana: 6

Intelligence: 7

Holy: -100

I let out a breath. Okay, these aren't terrible… My strength and endurance had improved, but the numbers still felt like they barely scratched the surface of what I needed. I wasn't exactly a powerhouse. Still, the increase in speed was promising. I could move faster now—probably faster than I ever could before. I glanced at the health bar, which was stubbornly stuck at 60%. Not quite at full strength yet. My chest tightened slightly at the sight of it. The road ahead still felt like a massive, insurmountable hill. But, the system had given me something to cling to, even if it was just a set of numbers. I had leveled up. I had gained strength. There was a small icon on the screen that I hadn't noticed before—Titles. My heart skipped a beat as I clicked it, the anticipation making my palms sweat.

Titles Attained

Title: Resilient Fighter / Passive

Title Details: Survive a life-or-death situation

Willpower raised.

I smiled bitterly. Resilient Fighter. It was a passive title, probably as common as they come. Survival was a necessity in this world, and given my recent experiences, I wasn't exactly surprised. It had come from surviving Draco's duel and the near-death encounter at the river. Still, the bonus to willpower wasn't something to ignore. I felt it, in my bones—the surge of determination that refused to let me give up.

I scrolled down, my eyes narrowing at the second title. It was a title I didn't expect to see:

Title: Linnea's Guardian Knight

Title Details: A true protector!

When Protecting/Saving someone from others, all skills/stats increased by 20%.

My breath caught in my throat. Linnea's Guardian Knight? The realization hit me like a bucket of cold water. This title was different. It wasn't just a passive boost—it was active. I could feel it, the surge of potential that this title offered. 20% increase in skills and stats when protecting someone… That could be a game changer. Especially with the Academy looming on the horizon. The responsibility of protecting someone like Linnea wasn't one to be taken lightly, but this title was a promise—a symbol of the bond that had formed between us, however unwillingly on my part.

This is the kind of title that could make or break me, I thought, letting the words hang in the air. It wasn't just a boon; it was a burden.

I lingered on the titles tab for a few more moments, then pulled my attention back to the stats. I had gained a lot, but I still felt like I was a far cry from where I needed to be. If I'm going to protect her… I'll need more than just a title. There was something else I hadn't checked yet—the abilities tab. Clicking it, I was greeted with the stark emptiness of an unfilled window. No abilities. No special traits. I swallowed the rising frustration. But I wasn't going to give up. I couldn't afford to. I let out a long, drawn-out sigh and closed the interface. The familiar weight of my body, the ache of my muscles, pulled me back into the present. I reached for the simple, meager supper that had been left for me. Some dried meat, a small loaf of bread, and a few pieces of fruit. As I ate, my mind raced with plans and strategies, the hunger in my stomach now subdued, but the gnawing sense of urgency never far behind. Tomorrow, the journey to the Academy begins. I have to be ready.

With one last glance at my health bar—still sitting at 60%—I settled in for the night, closing my eyes against the darkness, knowing full well that sleep would offer no comfort. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, its own battles. And if I wanted to survive, I'd need to be ready for anything.

I was no longer Malachi Darkfall. I was Kai now. Linnea's Guardian Knight.

And it was time to start living up to that title.