I AM EXTRA IN A SHONEN MANGA

As Elder Ryozen's words faded, the sanctum's heavy silence was suddenly broken by a sharp voice:

"Who are they!!"

The rookies turned sharply. Standing near one of the tall pillars was a boy about 9 to 10 years old, arms crossed, eyes glaring with poorly-hidden arrogance.

Captain Kaedros' brow furrowed.

"Serin. You don't shout like that."

The boy just snorted.

"Hmph."

Kaedros gave the others a small gesture, half-apology, half-introduction.

"Pardon us, young Veinwalkers. This is Serin Velra… an acolyte, one of our trainees."

Serin's smirk widened.

"Heh. Old man, you're really planning to send these guys into their deaths?"

Kaen's eye twitched. The tone alone was enough to boil his blood.

"What? Do you think we'll die that easily?!"

Serin tilted his head, mocking.

"Trying to play the hero? You fools don't even know what's out there. The moment you face a real monster… you're corpses."

Kaen clenched his fists.

"You brat… we're going to defeat them!!"

Serin chuckled, waving a dismissive hand.

"Defeat? Sure, sure… keep dreaming."

Kaen's temper finally snapped.

"You—!! You damn brat!!"

But before he could charge forward, Khael's hand rested firmly on his shoulder.

"Calm down, Kaen."

Rael chuckled darkly from the side, his words dripping with disdain.

"Heh. This kid underestimates us, and this loudmouth here actually wants to fight him. What a combination of idiots."

"Hey!!" Kaen and Serin barked at the same time, glaring both at Rael and at each other.

Serin jabbed a finger toward Kaen.

"Don't lump me in with this loser!"

Kaen snapped back instantly.

"What? That's my line, brat!!"

Lira pressed a hand to her temple, sighing deeply.

Ceyla, on the other hand, was barely holding back a laugh, clearly entertained by the chaos.

Juno simply shook his head, exhaling.

Khael, expression unreadable, rubbed his temple.

(What a drag… already another headache.)

Finally, Captain Kaedros' voice thundered.

"Enough! Serin, stand down."

The boy clicked his tongue but stepped back, folding his arms again with a glare.

The air settled, though Kaen and Serin still exchanged fiery glares like two cats ready to pounce.

Elder Ryozen exhaled slowly and inclined his head.

"Pardon us… young heroes. Tempers run high within these walls, but it is not directed at you."

Khael shook his head lightly, his voice calm.

"It's okay… you can continue."

Elder Ryozen gave a grateful nod, then turned his weathered gaze toward the man in constellation-marked robes.

Wanderer-Seer Oryan's eyes, clouded yet piercing, shimmered faintly as he raised his staff. His voice carried like an echo from a place beyond sight:

"Jealousy will coil where light once bloomed,

turning brother against brother, friend against friend.

From its grasp no blade shall sever,

save for the one who wears scales beneath his heart.

A hidden knight, neither born of this land nor meant for its fate,

will bare his soul of storm and dragon flame.

If he reveals himself, the temple will be spared.

If he hides, all will wither under envy's crown."

A hush fell across the sanctum, the sacred fire flickering as if stirred by unseen winds.

Khael's expression didn't falter, but his thoughts churned.

(What does he mean by that? A hidden knight… is he referring to me? … Storm and dragon flame… Tsk. Jealousy—there's only one cursed lord tied to that word. Lady Sythen… Eclipse of Jealousy.)

Lira finally broke the silence, frowning.

"What do you mean by a hidden knight?"

Oryan lowered his staff, his features unreadable.

"I don't know. The stars revealed only the prophecy. Nothing more, nothing less."

Ceyla tilted her head, a playful smile masking the unease in her eyes.

"Neither born of this land… nor meant for its fate… huh. That sounds ominous to me."

Juno cleared his throat, arms crossing over his taishin robe.

"I second that. Doesn't exactly sound reassuring."

Rael scoffed, his tone sharp with dismissal.

"I don't believe in that superstitious nonsense. Prophecies are riddles dressed as truth."

Oryan's eyes softened with an almost knowing amusement.

"You never changed, young master Rael Eluron."

Rael looked away, his scowl deepening.

"Hmph…"

Kaen crossed his arms, puffing his chest.

"Who cares about that… we just have to beat whoever harms this village."

Khael chuckled, shaking his head.

"Hahaha… sometimes, Kaen, your words can be reassuring."

Kaen smirked proudly.

"Heh."

Ceyla tilted her head at Khael, teasing.

"You're reassured by that idiot's words?"

Kaen spun toward her.

"Hey! I'm not an idiot!"

Juno's calm voice cut in, deadpan.

"A little bit."

Kaen snapped around.

"Hey!"

Lira burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

Rael smirked and muttered under his breath.

"Heh… what a loser."

Khael laughed along with them, but soon his smile faded. He turned toward Elder Ryozen, his tone more serious.

"Elder, I have something to say."

Ryozen opened one eye, curious.

"Hm?"

Khael folded his arms.

"I feel like… there are two of them."

Everyone froze, eyes snapping toward him in confusion.

Oryan's voice echoed softly, his gaze heavy.

"What do you mean, young veinwalker?"

Khael spoke carefully, laying out his thoughts.

"Well, first of all… Veymorr, Eclipse of Wrath, wouldn't storm this village if he were alone. Not even with an army of voidborn. He knows he can't conquer a fortified temple without a comrade."

Captain Kaedros frowned, his hand brushing the hilt of his blade.

"So you mean… there is another one?"

Rael scoffed, eyes narrowing.

"Heh… what makes you so sure? From what the elder said, Veymorr nearly wiped out the entire village by himself."

Khael nodded slightly, unshaken.

"It's only hypothetical… but worth considering, no?"

Lira leaned forward, intrigued.

"Tell us more."

Khael turned back to Elder Ryozen.

"Elder… what if Veymorr didn't defeat your battalion by raw strength alone? What if his comrade was already working from the shadows—weakening your warriors, sowing doubt, maybe even twisting them against one another? Did you notice anything strange one month ago, before the battle?"

Ryozen's weathered face stiffened. He slowly sat straighter, as though remembering something.

"Now that you mention it… Captain Thevran once said… he saw his comrades turning into monsters… against their own will."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Khael's eyes darkened, his thoughts sharp as knives.

(As expected. Their strongest warriors were already compromised before Veymorr struck… Lady Sythen, Eclipse of Jealousy, was already working in the shadows.)

Everyone stared at Khael with wide eyes, shock painted across their faces everyone except Oryan, whose calm gaze lingered on him as though he already knew the truth of what this boy carried.

To be continue