The Cursed Extra: Twin Souls Against the World

####

Author note (important update!):

Hey guys! If you've already read past Chapter 26, please know that Chapters 26 to 32 have been completely rewritten. This isn't just editing. I've changed the pacing, added key plot developments, removed a few old things, and restructured the character dynamics between Zayn and Xane.

If you're continuing from the old version, some things might not make full sense from here on.

So, I highly recommend going back and reading the updated version (Ch. 26–32).

Enjoy the chapter. I'm doing my best to give you the most satisfying experience possible.

######

....

After thinking for a long time, Xane said, [So you're saying that just like Liam did with domain fog, we can do the same with our chaotic fog?]

Zayn nodded. <Well, that's my theory, you know. I'm not 100 percent sure about this method.>

[Let me ask this. In Liam's case, all of this was possible because of his hex skill. What about us, though? Is there any hex art that can help us?]

Zayn continued scrolling through the mentor list and nodded his head. <Actually, there is the hex art of binding. This core hex art is more about binding creatures and monster taming stuff.>

<Though the other part of it involves summoning creatures from these extra worlds.>

Xane asked, [By the way, what are these extra worlds?]

Zayn paused for a bit and shook his head. <I don't know. There's no mention of that in the novel. In the novel, Liam focused on the core hex art of cursed weapons.>

<I think we'd have to meet a mentor who specializes in the summoning part to get those answers.>

Xane sighed. [Okay, I get your logic here. I mean, to summon creatures from extra worlds, we have to somehow connect to those worlds.]

[Now, I don't know if there is any chaotic-element world out there. But if there is such a world, and we somehow connect to it, then we could mimic Liam's method.]

Zayn nodded. <I think the same. There are many ifs, but what I can say for sure is that there are all kinds of extra worlds out there.>

<In the novel, there are summoners with different elements, and each of them summons creatures from their respective element. Since the basics of the real world are the same as the novel, I think this should also be true.>

[Well, this is the first good thing. Okay, so now we have to choose between Blacksmith and Summon.]

Zayn tilted his head. <Actually, there is another option: half-summoning.>

[Oh? What is that?]

<There is mention of this summoning in the novel. I don't know the inside details. It's just that while normal summoning focuses on bonding with limited creatures, half-summoning is more about partial summoning.>

Zayn suddenly shouted, <This is the guy!>

Xane looked at the Hex Master detail.

It was just a level-two Hex Master who specialized in the hex of binding.

What he found interesting was that this guy had a shadow element. Too bad he was from the cursed land of the Icy Desert. [So what's special about this Hex Master?]

Zayn double-tapped on the Hex Master, and more details popped up. <In the novel, most Hex Masters use temporary summoning outside battle mainly for support stuff.>

<But this Hex Master developed a way to partially summon a creature's parts and use them to attack. It's more about using the hex art offensively.>

Zayn suddenly cursed aloud. "Fck."

[What happened?]

Zayn pointed to the student slot. <Xane, someone just applied to this Hex Master. Now there's only one slot left. Tell me—should I apply to him or look for a normal summoner?>

Xane stared at the red cross next to the Hex Master.

What made him more tense was the Hex Master just below this guy suddenly getting two crosses and disappearing from the list.

There were so many things he was still confused about.

Zayn asked again, <Dude, we have to apply fast. Just one more and we're done for. There's no other Hex Master as good as him in half-summoning.>

Xane thought about the other two options and then nodded. [Okay, let's apply to him.]

The moment Xane said that, he saw Zayn's hand dancing across the Hex Masters.

Soon, another red cross appeared, and this Hex Master also disappeared from the list.

Zayn dropped the ID on the bench and rubbed his eyes. <Done. Now we just have to wait.>

Xane sighed in relief, but then asked in confusion, [Man, class just ended. Is it normal for everyone to choose a Hex Master so early?]

Zayn was about to answer when he heard a creaking sound.

He looked up and noticed he was so engrossed in the Hex Master selection that now only three people remained in the class.

Xane asked him in a confused tone, [Dude, the elf guy is in a wheelchair?]

Zayn just raised his eyebrows as he saw a female elf pushing the wheelchair with the male elf in it.

The female elf gave him an ugly look, but not caring about her, Zayn waved to the elf guy. "Oh, hello."

The elf stared at him and then motioned to the female. With that, both elves walked out of the classroom, leaving him alone.

Xane asked him in confusion, [What's up with your response? Who was that guy?]

Zayn rubbed his eyes. <He's the third prince from the House of Verdigris and also the only person in our class who's in a more tragic position than us.>

[Tragic? Is it because of his leg?]

<That's just one thing. But let's just say, like us, everyone from the House of Verdigris wants him dead. That's why they sent him this far away to a random academy.>

Xane joked, [Well, at least he got a beautiful maid with him.]

Zayn got up. <Yup, that's true… for now.>

Xane was stunned as he heard the last part. He changed his opinion. [Scrap that. His fate is more tragic than ours.]

Zayn just placed the ID in his pocket and stretched a bit. After sitting for so long, his body had gotten stiff.

Xane asked in confusion, [What happened? Don't you want to stay longer?]

Zayn rolled his eyes. <Dude, that's only going to attract unwanted attention. You know, gaining others' attention was the last thing we wanted.>

Xane mentally nodded. [True.]

Zayn walked into the empty corridor. The silence around made him pause for a bit.

Xane asked again, [Yeah, about the Hex Master selection thing. Was it normal?]

Zayn reached the elevator stairs. He noticed that, just like in the novel, after class, these stairs started going in the opposite direction.

He hopped onto the top stair and said to Xane, <Well, it's more like shooting your shot before others. I mean, the Hex Master could reject the application, so you've got to have ample time if that happens.>

Xane cursed. [How could I forget about that? Don't tell me our application is going to get rejected.]

As Xane said that, their ID started flashing.

Zayn placed his hand on the ID, and a green screen opened before their eyes.

{Congratulations. The Hex Master has accepted you as his children.}

Zayn smiled. <Well, that's not the case for us.>