Reborn as an Extra with the SSS-Divine Debt System and my Past Skills

The air around the training grounds rippled with tension. Dust swirled with every heavy footstep, with every clash of blade and magic.

Verus slid across the dirt, narrowly dodging Mira's sword as it carved a deep line into the ground.

He exhaled, palm snapping forward, and with a sudden burst of mana, a flame flared to life. The small fireball twisted in the air and shot straight toward Luna.

The girl didn't flinch. With a single flick of her fingers, the earth rose around her like a wall, swallowing the flame as though it had never existed.

The crowd gasped, some even cheering, but Verus's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That's cheating! Who even fights like that?"

He shouted, incredulous.

Luna's eyes were sharp as blades as she looked over the wall.

"Maybe I don't cheat. Maybe you're just weak."

She replied coldly.

Before Verus could retort, he felt killing intent behind him. His instincts screamed, and he spun around just in time to see Mira's sword glowing with mana, her swing already mid-arc.

"Damn it!"

Verus summoned his own mana in a rush, coating his body with the protective force. The blade collided with his guard in a violent crash of energy.

Sparks and light exploded outward, the ground cracking under their feet.

The shockwave tore through the training grounds, and Mira's weapon snapped in two with a sharp crack.

The broken blade spun through the air—straight toward Lucian, who had been standing at the edge of the spar.

"Lucian!"

Both Mira and Luna called out at once, their voices sharp with panic.

The crowd gasped, fear rippling through them, but Lucian merely lifted his hand.

With effortless calm, his fingers closed around the flat side of the flying sword, stopping it dead in midair. His dark eyes swept across the three fighters, and silence immediately fell over the training grounds.

"That is enough. You have all shown enough."

Lucian said, his voice even yet commanding. His hand slowly lowered, the broken blade caught between his fingers as if it weighed nothing.

He turned his gaze toward Verus.

"You have proven yourself capable enough to fight as a member of my elite team."

The words hung heavy in the air. For a moment, the only sound was the whistle of the wind cutting across the grounds. Then realization dawned on the onlookers.

This fight hadn't been just about testing Verus. It was for them—so that they could see the hero's ability with their own eyes, to crush the hostility festering among them.

A hush of shame spread across the villagers who had whispered against Verus earlier. One by one, they turned their faces away, unable to meet Lucian's gaze.

Mira lowered her head, biting her lip in frustration. Her pride had taken a blow, but even she couldn't deny what she'd seen.

"...He can handle himself just fine. I'll accept him as part of the team."

She admitted, her voice reluctant. She lifted her chin toward Lucian.

Luna's expression was darker, her jaw clenched as if every word dragged itself out of her throat.

"If that is your decision, Lucian... I won't protest. I'll accept him."

Her lips tightened, her voice bitter.

Lucian's gaze lingered on her for a moment, calm and unreadable.

"Good. Then make sure you get along with him, Luna. Verus will be working under you."

"What?"

She almost snapped, though she swallowed the rest, merely glaring at the hero standing nearby. Her posture radiated irritation, her body stiff like a drawn bowstring.

Berry shifted uncomfortably and stepped closer to Lucian.

"Lucian... maybe it's better if we put Verus on Mira's squad instead. You've seen Luna's attitude. It won't end well."

But Lucian only shook his head, a faint smile brushing his lips.

"No. I have my reasons for assigning him to Luna. Reasons I cannot share yet. Trust me."

Berry frowned, but he didn't push further.

Meanwhile, Verus looked miserable. He scratched the back of his neck, grimacing as Luna's glare bored into him. Finally, he stepped closer to Lucian, lowering his voice in complaint.

"Uh... do I really have to be with her squad? She doesn't like me. At all. I swear, her eyes look like she's planning how to kill me in my sleep."

Luna's head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing dangerously.

Verus paled slightly and quickly added.

"See? That's exactly what I mean!"

The villagers chuckled softly, but Lucian didn't laugh. He simply placed the broken blade on the nearby table and looked Verus in the eye.

"Give her some time. She will mellow out. Things will not always be like this."

"That's easy for you to say."

Verus muttered under his breath.

Lucian's lips quirked.

"Perhaps. But if you wish to survive in this world, Verus, you'll have to learn to stand beside those who don't like you. Trust me—you'll need her far more than you realize."

The words hung between them, heavy with a meaning Verus couldn't quite grasp yet.

The training grounds slowly emptied as the sparring ended, but even as the villagers dispersed, the tension between Luna and Verus lingered.

Mira walked past them, her face still tight with frustration, though her eyes softened just briefly when she looked at Lucian. Berry followed behind, silently shaking his head.

Lucian stood alone for a moment, gazing up at the pale sky. The match had gone as he expected. Verus had proven himself. The villagers' hostility had been subdued. And Luna... her irritation had been confirmed.

Exactly as planned.

______

Just outside the village, not too far beyond the walls, the patrol wolves suddenly stiffened.

Their ears twitched, hackles raised, and low growls rumbled from their throats as dark shadows slithered between the snow. With a sharp bark, the wolves lunged, teeth snapping at the intruders.

The shadows hissed and quickly retreated, melting back into the storm. But before the wolves could relax, a larger, more menacing shadow surged forward.

Its strike was swift and brutal, leaving one of the guard dogs whimpering, wounded in the snow. The monstrous shadow then vanished into the night, leaving behind a chilling warning.