Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents

Even though Alana Sol Astraea seemed to be hesitant and wonder, there was an undeniable truth about Delkira—that she was still a demonkind, and that every demonkind was absolutely hostile against the Goddess of Light and other divine deities.

That's why the long history of this conflict, even before the Founding Hero was anointed to his position, existed.

And that's also why this era was dubbed the Era of Eternal Conflict. It's a seemingly endless cycle of wars between good and evil, both of which leave no room for sympathy.

The history between the Goddess of Light and the Demon God was something that Alana should not concern herself with. In the end, as long as demonkind existed, they would remain a threat against humanity.

And even if humanity had its own dark side, it didn't mean that innocent people deserved the cruelty of evil.

With that said, as Alana seemed to have her epiphany, Delkira sensed that something changed with her vibe, inviting a smile as her lips curled up.

"I don't know why you seem out of it, but it seems you are fine now. I–"

Whoosh!

Bang!

Delkira could not finish her words as Alana's bloodied figure from a distance vanished, arriving midair in front of her with Seraphmire ready to shatter her down.

In a hair's breadth, Delkira managed to dodge.

Even then, in the standards of the average in general, Alana's prowess was more than impressive in its own right to the point that Delkira wondered if she was truly human.

'Well, Ryeon, her brother, was a monster too. I guess this generation of the Astraea Family seems fruitful in terms of monstrosity.' Delkira thought as she brushed the illusory dust that was caught by her uniform.

Her smile remained, and the excitement in it was genuine. Though there was still irritation in her heart since Alana wouldn't even converse like a nice friend, at least her act just now made Delkira feel anticipation in this fight.

"Senior, are you perhaps mad at me?" She asked with a playful voice.

Just when Delkira thought Alana would remain silent this time as well, the latter's voice finally echoed,

"No. I was just confused for a moment. But it seems unnecessary. Did I kill the mood? Worry not..."

Whoosh!

For the second time, Alana proceeded to go on the offensive with her fierce intensity, causing Delkira's lips to widen.

"I really am grateful that I came to meet you, senior. Teach me some things, would you? Hehe."

Delkira fought head-on as the echoes of their battle glued the audience to the screen.

Silence pervaded and thoughts halted. What their eyes witnessed was pure amusement, especially on the surface.

Those who were more than skilled, those who already had a name for themselves, found this battle incredibly stimulating. At the same time, many also realized that talents hid among the young generation and that the only thing they would need to prosper was the trigger.

Getting this spotlight was advantageous for Delkira, especially since humans valued skills as long as her identity remained secret. But if there's one thing, it's something she did not intend to keep forever since the arrival of the new Demon King was nigh.

And that her purpose to sow discord was the main reason she infiltrated the academy, or to say, was allowed by the Saintess of Light to further lessen the casualties.

The thinking of Saintess Lumen would indeed be questionable to the point that those opposed to her would say that she might be colluding with the demonkind. But exposing Delkira's nature amidst the crowd would not only invite needless deaths, it would also shatter humanity's notion that...

Demonkind only moves under the Demon King's orders.

In other words, many people couldn't dare to imagine that demonkind, especially those intelligent in their own way, which are somewhat on par or leagues above average humans, could autonomously move and be among them in broad daylight.

This begged the question...

Why couldn't Delkira just invade the human continent? Or just destroy its heart full of young talents?

Only a very few mortals in this world knew the answer.

To put it simply, the demonkind was not merely driven by the purpose of the annihilation of the human race.

"Entertain me more, senior! Hahaha!" Delkira laughed maniacally.

Her playful demeanor had disappeared, and the innocence in her eyes had long vanished. It was as though the person Alana, Maya, and the Imperial Princess had met some time ago was not the same anymore... It was like a shell that cracked and now revealed her true nature.

Slash!

Spurt!

However, Delkira's demeanor of seeming insanity changed into bewilderment as a slash managed to cut through her defense... Or that it seemed something chased her down.

"Wh-what...?"

"You were saying?"

At that moment, Alana murmured as she appeared in front of the perplexed Delkira. And when the latter was about to cast some magic to give her some distance or to counterattack, she felt that her existence seemed to have been snatched away from her...

Her identity was momentarily at a loss...

She couldn't use any mana to cast a spell...

Or to say, the magic she was about to unleash was dissipating the moment the thought of it even formed.

"...! You!"

One could say that this Talent was the very thing that Delkira and even the Saintess of Light, Lumen Sol Cindareth, were worried about—

[Talent: Severer of #######]

"Thank you for enlightenment... Junior(?)" Alana whispered as Seraphmire cut through the illusory body of Delkira, whose expression remained frozen still for a good few seconds before shattering into dust.

[Your Incomplete Talent: Severer of ####### has bloomed.]

[Alana Sol Astraea of Year II - Class Zenith has made a comeback against Delkira of Kang, the unanimous super rookie who made a name for herself in such a short span of time!]

With the announcement, cheers erupted across the arena.

With that, Alana became this year's Aladdan's Symbol.

*

The Hero Festival ended with a blast as celebrations left and right poured the bustling streets of the Capital City, Solana, of the Holy Empire.

The murmurs and smiles from those who personally witnessed the fight between the True Hero candidate and the one dubbed as a super rookie reverberated in at least every restaurant.

Praises, questions, desires... Everything that was mundane filled the serene night under the gaze of the celestial moon.

With that said, I, along with Beatrice and Yuridika, finally received a welcoming response from Saleana of the Aragon Household.

She would discuss this matter with Baron Thaleburne, who would certainly agree. After that, I would lend Clarissa of Cetera under the permission of her and her father, Professor Ragnar.

In the end, aside from this connection we formed through this matter, albeit not too deeply, our interests aligned.

"Let's see what you'll do from now on. Just so you know, I'm only doing this because I needed what you have stolen from me during that night." Saleana glanced at me from across the luxurious table for two.

"Stolen... That's a bit of a stretch, Miss Saleana. Whatever you call it, and whatever I do, you have no accountability. So don't worry." I said with a smile.

After that, we went back to the Dark Forest—to the own Lunar Region but now a nameless land under the new geography.

I didn't see the Imperial Princess, who had become healthy after I took something from her—something that would invite many questions for those surrounding her and hoping for her downfall.

I didn't see Maya, who was having a delightful night with the folks from the Lotus Serpent Guild.

And I didn't see Alana, the star of the night. But even if I didn't say it... Or that she didn't look for me, it seemed my presence was not warranted to be seen.

Or at least that's what I thought when we were about to depart, her figure was standing outside of Saleana's restaurant, with figures surrounding her and trying to communicate with her by saying the basic courtesy of her winning the Hero Tournament.

"Lugh..."

"..."

"How are you??"

Even without me saying it, Yuridika and Beatrice noticed that we needed space. They left for a moment... Or should I say, came back inside the restaurant to have their fill due to the incredibly delectable cuisine offered.

After the two of them left, we began to stroll around the bustling streets even with the eyes of the onlookers. It didn't stop me from associating myself with the True Hero candidate.

After all, perhaps this might be that one time where peace was something we had... And there was no telling what tomorrow would bring in a world filled with uncertainties.

"I heard some rumors that a certain girl is buying every Eastern cuisine she sees."

Alana chuckled at my words.

"I wonder who it is. Perhaps he shouldn't have let her taste his cooking."

"My bad. I'm only good with cuisines I'm familiar with."

"Even though you were from the empire?" Alana said.

The way she talked to me... I didn't know if she was aware of it...

But I'm getting goosebumps.