The Extra's Reincarnation

"What do you need me to do?"

Merten, with a grunt of approval, pointed towards the damaged undercarriage. 

"See those cracked braces? They need replacing. And the suspension springs are shot. You'll need to remove the old ones and install the new ones I brought."

He gestured towards a pile of metal components beside the carriage.

"Should be a straightforward job for a lad with your skills."

argh...

Julian, despite his initial reluctance, seemed to take to the task with surprising enthusiasm. 

He crawled under the carriage and his small body disappeared into the shadows.

CLANG!...CLANG!...CLANG!...

Thirty minutes flew by in a hurry.

Merten had just finished his part of repairing the Axle and was satisfied with Julian's progress and decided to take a break.

"I'll be back in a bit, lad," he announced, sliding out from under the carriage. "Treat yourself to a food break after you finish those braces."

Julian, his brow furrowed in concentration, merely grunted in response. 

Merten chuckled and headed back towards his shop, leaving Julian to his work.

No sooner had Merten disappeared than two figures emerged.

Ezekiel and Nivel. They approached the carriage cautiously.

"Julian, why are you still here?"

"UCK!!!"

Julian, momentarily startled acidently bumped his head into the upper core of the carriage.

"Ouch..." as he glanced up from his work he saw Ezekiel and Mr. Nivel

"Oh, hey guys. Mr. Merten asked me to help with the repairs." He gestured towards the damaged undercarriage. "Just finishing up these braces."

"But... that man..." Nivel stammered, his gaze darting nervously towards Saint, who was deep in conversation with the driver a short distance away. "He... he makes me anxious."

Julian followed Nivel's gaze and shrugged. "Oh, him? He's an alright guy. I don't think he's evil."

However, Julian wasn't so sure. Even with his system's assistance, he couldn't fully analyze Benard.

The man's power was beyond comprehension he was a force that made Julian's instincts scream.

He knew, with certainty, that the man was incredibly strong, far stronger than anyone he had encountered before.

We're lucky he's not hostile, Julian thought, his grip tightening on his hammer. 

If he wanted to, he could wipe out this entire village without breaking a sweat. 

He shivered, remembering the chaotic energy he had sensed around Benard, an energy that spoke of immense power and unpredictable potential.

"We're going to grab some food," Nivel said, breaking through Julian's thoughts.

"We'll get you something if you'd like."

"I'm fine, Mr. Nivel," Julian replied, still slightly shaken by his assessment of Benard.

"Still full from earlier."

Before leaving, Nivel leaned closer and whispered, "I think someone's inside the carriage. The driver and that other man went to fetch food as well."

"See you, Julian!" Ezekiel waved, walking away.

Julian waved back, and Nivel, taking Ezekiel's hand, led him away from the carriage.

**

"...For now, just stay inside. I'll see if the problem is as bad as our driver seems to think."

Benard's words echoed in Audrey's ears as she settled back against the plush cushions. 

She found herself strangely restless as she waited a long while for the carriage to be repaired.

I just want to walk...

She was bored out of her mind lying down and waiting.

Then a muffled conversation drifted from outside, piquing her curiosity. 

She leaned closer to the window, careful not to be seen, and parted the curtains just enough to peek through. 

Two figures stood near the damaged carriage: a tall, imposing man and a young boy with bright blonde hair and inquisitive green eyes.

Audrey observed the boy with a critical eye. 

He was undeniably handsome, his features were more refined than any of the boys she had encountered at the lavish gatherings in Hybernia. 

But there was a certain air of arrogance about him, a self-assuredness that Audrey found irritating. 

He's probably one of those spoiled nobles, she thought, used to getting everything he wants.

As she continued her scrutiny, she suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her.

"...!" 

She froze up and her heart pounded in her chest. 

Had she been spotted? She glanced towards the source of the gaze and caught a glimpse of the tall man, his eyes widening in surprise before she quickly ducked out of sight.

"Did he see me?"

Audrey felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. 

And she began recalling the words of her father.

— Stay hidden from the boys from Aethel Audrey. They're all dangerous! I forbid you from making eye contact with any of them unless... they're from our country or continent, of course! 

But then her mother's counter-argument surfaced

— Your father just doesn't want any boy near you, sweetie. If you find someone you like, then you should chase after them.

Audrey frowned, remembering the entire thing. 

Could it be true? Are the males in this country truly dangerous?

She scoffed at the thought. 

Surely, not all of them could be.

Audrey loved listening to her father and mother, but didn't understand the concept of liking or loving someone.

TAP...TAP...TAP...

The sound of retreating footsteps and a cheerful farewell interrupted her thoughts once again. 

"See you, Julian!" the blonde boy called out.

Julian? Audrey repeated silently. That must be the boy fixing the carriage.

She carefully parted the curtains again, her gaze fixed on the figure beneath the carriage.

"That must be Julian," she murmured, observing the pair of small legs sticking out from under the damaged undercarriage.

He's quite short. She thought. Could he be a dwarf?

"I need a breather..." the boy mumbled.

Audrey couldn't hear what he was saying, but his voice sounded like a complaint, so she continued observing from above.

SLIDE!!!

Suddenly, the boy slid out from under the carriage and his head emerged into view.

"...!"

He was nothing like she had expected.

His hair was black as midnight and his eyes were crimson red.

Audrey realized her expectations for the blonde boy had been far too low.

Julian shattered them completely.

For his age, he was undeniably handsome, his features more refined than anyone she'd ever met.

And yet, she didn't know what she was feeling.

There was something in her chest

BDUMP!

He's not a dwarf... but a human?

BDUMP!

Her heart pounded even louder. 

He's... he's about my age.

BDUMP!

Frozen, almost paralyzed, she stared at the boy before her.