An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

Oliver Hestia, the Student Council President, sat stiff and grim by the fire. Noah Blake was at his side, his sharp eyes flicking around like a predator even in this unnatural silence. Between them sat Emily Ludwig.

Arthur's heartbeat stopped the moment his gaze fell on her.

Emily…

Before he even realized it, his body moved. His shadows surged, and he drifted across the camp like a phantom. In the blink of an eye, he landed right in front of them.

Gasps echoed.

"Enemy!!" someone shouted.

The entire group reacted instantly. Their nerves had been stretched thin for hours, and instinct ruled. Blades slashed, spears thrust, spells flared alive. Oliver lunged with his sword, Noah's spear shot forward like a lightning bolt, and Emily herself reflexively unleashed a sharp burst of light magic.

The attacks hit with explosive force, blasting the ground where Arthur stood. The air roared as dust and smoke swallowed the center of the camp.

Students rushed out of their tents at the commotion. The chaotic atmosphere thickened, their wide eyes locked on the rising dust.

"Who… who would dare sneak up like that?" someone whispered.

"Is he dead?" another muttered, clutching their staff tightly.

Every gaze stayed fixed on the smoke, waiting to see a corpse. After all, no one could survive the combined strike of Oliver, Noah, and Emily.

But then—

A silhouette emerged. Standing tall, calm, completely unscathed. The faint outline of a sword at his side gleamed, though his face was obscured by shadow.

The camp fell silent.

"…Impossible," Noah muttered, his spear lowering slightly.

Oliver's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "Who are you?"

Arthur stepped forward casually, sheathing his sword with a soft click. His voice cut through the tension, calm and steady.

"Relax. There's no need to be so cautious."

Murmurs spread. Everyone held their breath, waiting for an introduction.

But before Arthur could say another word—

"Brother!!"

Emily's voice rang out, high and filled with sudden joy. Her eyes widened as recognition hit instantly—not from his face, but from his voice. She ran forward without hesitation.

Oliver barked out in alarm, "Emily, wait! He could be dangerous!"

No one moved fast enough to stop her. Emily threw herself against Arthur, wrapping her arms around him tight.

"Brother, you're safe!!" Her voice cracked with emotion, her body trembling against his.

Oliver and Noah froze, exchanging looks of pure shock. "…Brother?"

Arthur exhaled slowly, his hand coming up to rest on Emily's back as she clung to him.

Emily tilted her head back, eyes wet, words spilling in a rush. "How are you? Are you hurt? How could you just sneak up like that? What if you had been injured?! What if—"

"Calm down. Calm down, sis. I'm fine," Arthur said firmly, though his lips curved faintly at her flurry of questions. "I'm not hurt. Not even close."

Emily bit her lip, then buried her face back against his chest, holding him tighter as if afraid he would disappear.

The tension in the camp shifted. Oliver finally stepped forward, his sword lowered but still in hand.

"Is it really you… Arthur?"

Arthur raised a hand casually, waving like he had just dropped in for a friendly visit. "Hey, cousin. I see you're doing fine."

Relief washed over Oliver's face, his shoulders loosening for the first time all night. "Thank the gods. You have no idea—Emily's been trying to run off alone to find you. If I hadn't stopped her, she'd have gone out there by herself."

Arthur let out a short laugh. "Ha~ha. That sounds like my sis. Reckless as ever."

Emily puffed up immediately, glaring at him. "Hey! You're calling me reckless? Give your elder sister some respect. You're ruining my reputation in front of my friends here."

Arthur grinned, unbothered.

Oliver chuckled softly at their exchange, but his eyes shifted to the side, settling on the two who had been silent up until now. Noah Blake stood tall, arms crossed, while Amara Harper lingered quietly, her gaze never leaving Arthur.

Noah stepped forward, extending his hand. "So, you're Emily's brother. She's been talking about you nonstop—about her genius younger brother this, her talented little brother that." He smirked faintly. "I was starting to think she was exaggerating. But you withstood all three of our attacks without a scratch. Guess she wasn't lying."

Arthur clasped Noah's hand firmly, his smile cool. "Ha~ha. It's nothing special. Just hard work."

Noah barked a laugh, squeezing his grip before letting go. "I like your attitude."

The heavy air of suspicion eased into something warmer, laughter bubbling up among the surrounding students. Some even whispered in awe about Arthur's calmness under the council's assault.

Only Amara remained silent. She hadn't taken her eyes off Arthur once, her stare sharp and assessing, almost as if she was trying to peel away his calm exterior and see what lay underneath.

Emily noticed immediately. "You're unusually quiet, Amara. What's wrong? Don't you like my brother?"

Amara scoffed, arms crossing under her chest. "What's there to like about him?" she said flatly, her tone carrying that usual arrogance.

Emily pouted and stepped in front of Arthur like a protective shield. "Hmph! What's there not to like? He's handsome, he's strong, he's a genius. Need me to keep going?"

Arthur quickly raised his hands, trying to stop her before she went on. "Alright, alright, calm down, sis. No matter how thick-skinned I am, if you keep talking like that, you'll embarrass me to death."

Emily puffed her cheeks, glaring at him but clearly pleased with herself. "Humph!"

The camp relaxed into soft laughter at their sibling banter.

Oliver shook his head with a wry smile. "Ha~ha. Watching you two, it's hard to tell who's the older sibling."

"What do you mean. I am older." Emily said her arms crossed.

"Yes~Yes. You are the older sibling" Oliver said raising his hand in surrender

"HA HA HA" The laughter broke at her antics.

The grave atmosphere from earlier lightened a little.

*********

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