Extra's Ascent

In the mystic society, clans majorly thrived on their mastery of the five primary elements, wielding them in myriad versatile forms.

Among them, some clans stood out—not just for their power but for the uniqueness of their abilities that goes beyond just elemental Art control or other exposed Art.

These clans possessed arts so distinct they were exclusive to their bloodlines, their skills passed down through generations as sacred legacies.

The Aldaman clan was one such group, a family defined by its extraordinary gift: Clairvoyance also known as the Clover eye.

However, history had not been kind to the Aldaman.

In the annals of Arthdal Chronicle, their name was little more than a footnote—a relic of a once-proud lineage now dwindled to obscurity.

Their numbers had thinned, their prestige eroded, and their exceptional Art, once celebrated, was reduced to legend.

Yet, from the ashes of their decline arose two figures who refused to be forgotten: Saldrich Aldaman and Dwayne Aldaman.

Saldrich Aldaman—who was she? A survivor. A fighter.

A genius whose indomitable will ensure her place among the greatest.

Starting from humble beginnings, she rose to stand alongside the other main characters, not as a shadow, but as their equal.

Her journey was one of grit and determination, mastering the unique Aldaman Art and using it to carve out her legacy.

Her brother, Aldrich Aldaman, had a different role to play.

Initially introduced as a source of her struggles, Aldrich was written to give Saldrich depth, to make her fight against adversity even more poignant.

His constant medical needs burdened her, compelling her to balance paying his fees with maintaining her dignity during her academy years.

Aldrich's main purpose was to eventually die and in his death, have Saldrich awaken to the full potential of the Clover eye.

And then there was Dwayne Aldaman—a prodigy, a menace, and a name that became synonymous with the Aldaman's resurgence.

Dwayne's genius revitalized his clan's forgotten legacy, earning him the title of the youngest LORD candidate in history.

Through his extraordinary feats, the Aldaman name found its way back to glory.

But our story for now centers on Aldrich, who, despite being an extra in the grander narrative, was beginning to uncover his own potential.

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"See that? The one silver clover shape in your pupil? That's proof of the Aldaman's unique Art—Clairvoyance," Saldrich explained, pointing to the bathroom mirror.

Aldrich stared at his reflection, his gaze locking onto the odd, clover-shaped pupils glowing with a faint blue-silver hue.

He already knew what they meant.

The first stage of Clairvoyance manifested as a single clover-shaped mark in each eye, its ethereal color a hallmark of the Aldaman bloodline.

"It's beautiful," Saldrich said, her voice tinged with excitement. "Dad's going to be thrilled when he finds out. And to add, this will give you a huge boost for the Eldora Institute's admissions exam!"

"It's great and all," Aldrich muttered, still studying his unusual pupils, "but how do I turn it off?"

He'd been trying to deactivate the ability for what felt like hours.

The shimmering clovers in his eyes refused to fade, no matter how hard he concentrated.

According to his clan's lore, Clairvoyance typically awakened during moments of extreme emotional distress—moments like the one he'd just experienced.

Seeing his long-dead parents in a vision and having to part with them again? It was enough to stir something deep within him, unlocking the dormant Art.

'So that's what that was,' Aldrich thought, replaying the emotional encounter in his mind.

"Turning it off is simple—at least in theory," Saldrich said. "You just need to redirect the mana flow back to your core and seal the exit. Once your mana stops circulating through your veins, Clairvoyance will shut down."

"Oh, great. If only I'd thought of that," Aldrich replied sarcastically. "Oh wait, I did. And I totally wouldn't be asking for help if it worked."

Saldrich rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll help you this once, but after this, you need to start training your core seriously. No excuses. Especially with the Eldora Institute exam coming up."

She moved behind him, her expression softening as she focused. "Close your eyes and hold your breath," she instructed.

Aldrich complied without question.

Saldrich took a deep breath, activating her own Clairvoyance.

Her pupils shifted, the black centers transforming into two shimmering clovers, granting her enhanced perception and the ability to see through the mana flowing in his veins, past the acupoints area and dispersing around.

That is one of the ability granted by the awakening of the second clover.

With her newly heightened vision, she could see the intricate flow of mana coursing through Aldrich's body, tracing the glowing pathways that connected his veins to the core near his heart.

She placed a hand gently on his back.

With a precise push, she sent a controlled surge of her own mana into his system.

The effect was immediate—Aldrich felt a sudden, forceful withdrawal from within, as though an invisible thread was being pulled taut.

The flow of mana retracted, returning to his core and sealing itself off.

"You can open your eyes now," Saldrich said, exhaling a breath of relief.

When Aldrich opened his eyes, the clover-shaped pupils were gone, replaced by his usual dark irises.

He blinked, feeling a sense of normalcy return.

"That's better," he said, nodding his head. "Thanks, Sal. I owe you one."

"Just don't make a habit of it," she replied with a smirk. "By the way, Fiona hasn't stopped by since admitting you here. I thought you'd want to know."

Aldrich's shoulders slumped slightly.

He'd been hoping to see Fiona again, to thank her for her kindness and perhaps spend more time with her.

But it seemed that wouldn't happen—at least not today.

"It's fine," he said, forcing a smile. "She probably has more important things to do."

Saldrich raised an eyebrow but chose not to press further. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" he assured her, shifting the topic. "When does the healer mystic get here? I'm itching to test out these eyes."

"You'll be discharged as soon as they finish patching you up," Saldrich said. "You're lucky they didn't keep you here longer."

Meeting his parents again, even in a vision, had given Aldrich a renewed sense of purpose. This life—his second chance—was not something he would take for granted.

"I can't wait," he muttered under his breath, determination shining in his eyes.