The Extra is a Hero?

The cool evening air brushed against my face as I stepped out of the Supreme Hall. The sky was streaked with bands of gold and fading violet l that hour where the Academy finally quieted down, but the city beyond the walls began to wake.

I didn't wait long before I spotted him.

Alex was already waiting near the gate, pacing in small nervous circles with his hands stuffed into his pockets. When he noticed me, his face lit up like a lamp.

"Brother Michael!" he called out, waving. "You're early!"

I looked at my watch. "You're ten minutes early. I'm just on time."

He grinned sheepishly. "Habit from training. If you're on time, you're late."

I snorted. "Someone's been reading those cheap motivational quotes again."

He laughed. "Maybe."

I gave him a once-over — the kid had actually listened. Clean black shirt, neat trousers, hair tied back. Looked more like a rookie recruit than the scruffy student I'd seen a week ago.

"Not bad," I said, nodding in approval. "You clean up better than I expected."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "You make it sound like I usually look homeless."

"…Do you want me to answer honestly?"

He laughed again, louder this time. It felt good hearing it — light, genuine. After all the tension of the past few days, a simple laugh felt like a small victory.

"Alright," I said, turning toward the main avenue. "Let's go."

"Where to?"

"The cafeteria first," I said. "Then maybe somewhere else if we survive what's waiting there."

He blinked. "What's waiting there?"

"You'll see."

We walked side by side through the cobblestone path, the lamps flickering on as the sun dipped further. The chatter of students echoed faintly from the dorms. For a while, it almost felt… normal.

But I knew better. Normal never lasted long around me.

---

By the time we reached the cafeteria, the warm glow from inside spilled through the glass doors. The muffled hum of laughter and conversation greeted us — a rare sound these days.

I pushed open the door, and immediately, all eyes turned toward us.

At the long center table sat everyone — Lyra, Aurelia, Chris, Aiden, Leon, Mira, Selena, Elara… and, surprisingly, one more.

Sitting at the end of the table, lazily stirring a cup of coffee, was none other than Eric William.

Of course.

The heir of the William family looked completely at ease, one leg crossed over the other, his expression unreadable. His presence was like cold steel in a warm room — calm, but carrying a weight you couldn't ignore.

Maria was the first to notice me.

"Michael!" she waved cheerfully. "Finally! We were wondering when you'd show up!"

"Traffic," I deadpanned, then gestured to the person beside me. "Oh — this is Alex."

Alex gave an awkward half-wave. "Uh… hi, everyone. I'm Alex, Class C, first year. Nice to meet you all."

Lyra's eyebrows rose. "Class C, huh? Brave of you to hang around this trouble magnet."

"I heard that," I muttered.

Leon chuckled, gesturing toward the empty seats. "Come, sit."

As we took our spots, I leaned toward Leon, keeping my voice low. "Why is he here?"

I tilted my head slightly toward Eric, who raised his coffee cup in mock salute as if he'd heard.

Leon sighed. "I ran into him earlier. He asked where I was going. I said we were gathering here… and he just followed."

I gave him a flat look. "You didn't think that was worth mentioning?"

He shrugged. "Figured it'd be interesting."

"Interesting," I repeated dryly. "That's one word for it."

Still, I didn't complain further. If Eric wanted to drink coffee and act mysterious, fine. I had bigger things to deal with tonight.

After everyone settled down, I took a breath.

"Alright," I began. "Before we eat, there's something I need to share."

Immediately, the table went quiet. Lyra stopped mid-bite, Aurelia set down her cup, and even Eric's lazy stirring paused.

I laid it out plainly — everything that had happened since the accusation.

How I was framed.

How Alex had been bullied and used as bait.

How the instructors were who the ones meant to guide us but now they had sold themselves to the Belnic family.

And finally, how I find the evidence but not telling them about that the chairman of the Dawn Guild had help me to uncovered proof hard, undeniable evidence, I will keep that part with me , that is my hidden card so I will not say.

By the time I finished, the air around the table was thick.

Aiden slammed his fist against the table. "Those bastards!"

Chris's eyes darkened. "So it really was all a setup."

Mira whispered, "But… they're instructors. How could they stoop that low?"

Selena, always the calmest of us, folded her hands, her voice soft but steady. "It's not the first time the nobles have manipulated the system. But… this blatant? It's almost arrogant."

I nodded slightly. "Exactly. Which means whoever's behind this is confident enough not to fear being exposed."

Aurelia frowned. "So… what now? What are you planning to do with that evidence?"

I smiled — a small, sharp curve of the lips. "Use it."

The single word made everyone exchange uneasy glances. Even Leon leaned forward slightly, sensing something heavy behind it.

"Use it how?" Lyra asked, suspicion in her tone.

"You'll see soon," I said simply. "For now, let's just say… the Academy won't look the same after tomorrow."

There was a stunned silence.

Chris blinked. "You're insane."

"Maybe," I said, sipping the juice in front of me. "But sometimes insanity is the only way to fix rot."

Aiden leaned back, arms crossed, frowning deeply. "Still… I doubt this was all just the instructors. They don't have the guts or power to pull this off alone."

He wasn't wrong.

Before I could reply, a calm, almost bored voice cut through the tension.

"I know who it is."

All eyes turned toward the end of the table.

Eric.

He set his cup down gently, meeting everyone's gaze. His tone was matter-of-fact, but his eyes gleamed with something sharp.

"It's Magnus Daven," he said. "He's the one behind it."

The name dropped like a stone in water.

Even I felt my chest tighten.

'Magnus Daven — heir of the Daven Marquisate, one of the Academy's golden sons. Ruthless, cunning, and obsessed with power.

The Leader of the Noble Faction. The kind of person who'd burn a city just to see how bright it glowed.

It seems like after losing to me and Emily at Students Council Election and he want to expelled us but his first target is me.'

Aiden shot up from his seat, eyes blazing. "Don't tell me you accepted his offer!"

Chris stood beside him, fists clenched. "You were offered to join him, weren't you?"

Eric's expression didn't change. "Yes."

That one word sent sparks across the table.

Leon raised a hand. "Calm down—"

"Calm down?!" Aiden snapped. "He could've leaked everything to them! He knows our plans, Leon!"

Chris added, "We can't trust him! Not after this!"

Even the girls — usually more restrained — looked uneasy. Selena's eyes narrowed slightly, Aurelia's lips pressed thin, Lyra's expression hardened like a drawn blade.

The air thickened with hostility.

Leon turned to me, silent, eyes asking for help.

I met his gaze, then exhaled quietly.

"Aiden," I said evenly. "Sit down."

He hesitated, still glaring at Eric, but obeyed.

Everyone was watching me now — waiting to see where I stood.

I looked straight at Eric. "I don't think he'd work with someone to take me down."

That stunned the entire table.

Even Eric blinked, momentarily losing that cool composure of his.

"Brother…" Alex murmured beside me. "Are you sure?"

I nodded once. "I've known his kind before. The William family's pride may be cracked, but it's not rotten enough to kneel to someone like Magnus Daven."

Mira's voice was soft but curious. "You're saying… you trust him?"

"Trust?" I chuckled faintly. "Let's not exaggerate. I just don't believe he's that stupid."

Eric's smirk returned, slow and razor-edged. "Hah… you really do know me well."

He leaned back, the glint in his eyes turning sharper. "It's true. Magnus offered me an alliance two days ago. Promised influence, protection, access to noble resources if I helped him deal with you."

Lyra scoffed. "And you said no because… what? Morals?"

Eric looked amused.

"Please. I said no because I hate being anyone's pawn."

He sipped his coffee again, unbothered by the tension. "So yes, you're right. Magnus is pulling the strings behind those instructors. He's got his claws deep in the Belnic family, probably a few others too. If you're planning to hit him back, count me in."

That silenced the table.

Even Aiden was still glaring as he didn't respond immediately.

The idea of Eric joining us was almost as shocking as the corruption itself.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly.

"Well then," I said with a grin that probably looked more dangerous than friendly. "Looks like the fire's spreading."

Aurelia tilted her head. "Fire?"

I met her gaze, eyes gleaming faintly in the cafeteria light.

"Tomorrow," I said, the grin widening, "we set a fire in the Academy."

The words hung there — reckless, thrilling, and heavy with promise.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Lyra grinned back, fiery eyes blazing. "Finally."

Aiden sighed, shaking his head with a mix of fear and admiration. "You're going to get us all killed, you know that?"

"Probably," I said.

Chris groaned. "And I was hoping for a quiet semester…"

Leon chuckled softly. "There was never going to be one."

Even Selena smiled faintly, though concern still shadowed her eyes. "Then… let's make sure this fire burns the right things."

"Agreed," I said, pushing my chair back slightly. "We've got one night to prepare. Tomorrow… we change everything."

The table erupted in murmurs again plans, doubts, whispered excitement.

But amid the noise, I caught Eric's gaze once more. He smirked slightly, and for the first time, it didn't feel like mockery.

Maybe just maybe we weren't enemies anymore.

Or maybe we were just two people waiting to see who'd burn brighter.

(To be Continue)