Extra's Ascent

Aldrich adjusted the baby carrier, ensuring it was securely fastened beneath his tailored uniform.

With practised care, he picked up the egg, placing it gently inside the carrier before heading toward the exit.

He moved through the silent hallway, his footsteps echoing slightly in the high-rise building.

Upon reaching the door, he stepped outside, taking in the view of the well-maintained pavement that led him through the dormitory grounds and out into the campus area.

The institute's educational buildings, tall and functional, stood focused on their purpose.

Entering one of these buildings, Aldrich walked into a massive hallway, bustling with students in the same uniform as his.

They hurried, eager to get to their classes.

"Aldrich! Aldrich!"

The familiar voice of someone calling his name broke through the rush.

Aldrich paused and turned around to find Trevor sprinting toward him, barely managing to catch his breath.

"I-Yu-"

Trevor's words were cut off by his laboured breathing.

He stood there, gasping, as though he had run the entire way from his dorm.

"Calm down, or you'll end up hurting yourself," Aldrich said with a knowing smirk.

The desperate gasps for air painted a clear picture—Trevor had overexerted himself just to make it here on time.

"I don't know why you're stressing yourself out. We're only five minutes late," Aldrich remarked nonchalantly, clearly unfazed by the minor delay.

"It's the first day of class," Trevor panted, "I want to make a good impression."

Aldrich raised an eyebrow. "For who? Take it from me, Trevor, nobody cares what time you get to class—not even the professors, who are probably still enjoying their morning coffee."

Trying too hard to make an impression was unnecessary, especially in a place like this.

The professors valued talent and performance far more than they do for punctuality.

So a punctual student without the talent to back it up is pretty much a blank page in the faces of the professors.

That is not to say they won't do their best to educate said student. But as everyone knows, an already talented triumphs educating a non talented anytime any day.

"Yeah, well, I guess I should take advice from someone in the special class, right?" Trevor shot back, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Aldrich was a member of the prestigious S class, a level above Trevor's A class.

Students from A class were still regarded highly, but not as exceptional as those from S class.

"A class? S class? I don't see much of a difference. We're all just students trying to make our way through this world," Aldrich responded casually, a slight hint of pride creeping into his tone.

Trevor's face twitched at the subtle mockery, but Aldrich knew it wasn't malicious.

It was just friendly banter.

"You S-class students and your inflated egos," Trevor grumbled. "You really don't think there's any difference?"

The distinction was obvious: A class was for exceptional students, while S class students were considered special—those with potential far beyond the term exceptional.

So when Aldrich downplayed the difference, it was a light jab at Trevor's pride.

Aldrich shrugged, unfazed. "You can keep fuming about it. I don't need to impress anyone today. Unlike you, I don't have to worry about my first-day record."

With that, Trevor, visibly frustrated, turned and quickened his pace, leaving Aldrich behind as he raced up the stairs to the fifth floor—his destination.

Aldrich, however, remained unhurried, strolling toward his destination—the sixth floor, where the curriculum for S-class students was taught.

He glanced around at the bustling campus as he walked, noting the differences between the floors: the entry-level floor, where club activities were held; the first floor, which catered to E class; the second for D class; the third for C class; and the fourth for B class.

At the top, the prestigious S class resided on the sixth floor.

"See you at the cafeteria!" Aldrich called out to Trevor, though he knew the message was likely lost in the rush, as Trevor had already vanished up the stairs.

Aldrich chuckled to himself, imagining what Trevor's reaction might have been.

He had more pressing matters to consider—like the fact that he had just made it into the S class at Eldora Institute.

The Eldora Institute was renowned as the peak of education in mystic Arts, and being a member of S class here was a ticket to a promising future.

It was a prestigious honour, but Aldrich knew it came with expectations.

The real challenge lay in maintaining his spot in the class.

He thought back to what could have boosted him to S class.

His thoughts drifted back to the third assessment, where he had impressed with his bowmanship, scoring high marks.

For the other two assessments? He couldn't say for sure how well he had done.

"My place in S class must be due to my mana rank," Aldrich mused, glancing down at the bracelet on his left wrist. He spoke to the air, calling out, "Student profile."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a blue, transparent interface appeared before him.

<< STUDENT PROFILE >>

• Name: Aldrich Aldaman

• Race: Human

• Class: S

• Mana Reserve: S

• Resource Points: 10,000 Credits

• Art:

Bloodline Art: Clairvoyance - The Clover Gaze [1st Clover] (Unique Type)

-Martial Art: Bow Art (A)

-Elemental Arts:

Primary Owned Element: Lightning (E)

Primary Held Element: Lightning (E), Fire (E), Water (E), Earth (E), Wind (E)

---

"Never ceases to amaze me," Aldrich muttered to himself as he marvelled at the stats.

The sheer absurdity of his profile still left him in awe.

These details were beyond remarkable, and they certainly justified his place in S class.

In fact, with these abilities, he stood out even among the few S-class students.

The door to his classroom appeared before him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Aldrich reached for the handle, giving it a firm push. The door creaked open, revealing the space within.

With quiet confidence, Aldrich stepped inside the classroom, his destination reached.

The day was just beginning, and with it, a new chapter in his life as a student at Eldora Institute was opening up.