Path of the Extra

“Ugh, with this line, it’ll take ages to get some food…!”

With a grumble, Yelena slumped her shoulders in frustration. Lumine, wearing a bitter expression, rubbed his face as he looked at the long line of cadets crowding the cafeteria. It seemed today was one of those days when everyone decided to skip making their own meals and instead relied on the cafeteria, making it unbearably packed.

Yelena sighed.

“Lumine, let’s just skip lunch for now. Maybe it’ll be less crowded by the end of the hour.”

“…Yeah, let’s do that.”

Feeling disappointed, the two turned around and started walking down the hallway side by side.

“Neither Princess Celestina nor Prince Azriel has returned since they left on that mission,” Lumine said, concern evident in his voice as they passed by groups of cadets.

Yelena shot him a displeased look.

“This again… Haa, seriously, you worry too much. They’re royals, remember? Children of the great clans. It’s normal for them to be absent for long periods. Besides, they don’t even need to attend classes. They probably learned everything from private tutors when they were kids. The only reason they’re here is to build connections and stuff. They probably don’t even think about us for a second.”

“T-That’s a bit harsh, Yelena… I mean, I get it, but still, didn’t you say that Prince Azriel was a good person?”

At his words, Yelena’s expression softened slightly as she let out another sigh.

“…He is. After everything in the Void Realm, I can say he’s kind and considerate. But even then, getting involved with princes and princesses only leads to trouble. Even if you want to be friends, I think you should keep your distance, Lumine.”

“I… I mean to, but let’s be honest—we get into trouble even without any prince or princess around. Quite often, actually. At least, that’s what I’ve noticed.”

Yelena suddenly turned toward him and glared.

“That’s because of you! At least 99% of the time! And even then, the kind of trouble they get into is on a whole different level. We’re definitely not ready to handle things like that. I mean, Heptarchs, Saints, Great Kings—remember that three-headed giant dragon of doom? Or that weird giant octopus leg of hell? How are we supposed to deal with stuff like that when they do it on a daily basis!?”

“W-well…”

Lumine cast his gaze downward as they continued walking. In a way, Yelena was right. Princes and princesses lived in an entirely different world. Compared to them, Lumine and Yelena were just commoners. Maybe, after being involved with them so much recently, he had started getting too used to their presence.

But still…

Lumine clenched his fists, then suddenly looked at Yelena with a determined gaze and a bright, unwavering smile.

“If we want to become proper heroes, then we better get used to stuff like that, right, Yelena?”

“…!”

Looking at his face, Yelena averted her gaze and muttered quietly.

“…I-I suppose. Seriously, you’re too ambitious sometimes.”

Grumbling inwardly, Yelena pouted.

No matter what she told him, he would never listen!

“Ha! Look at this weirdo! All bark, no bite!”

A sudden commotion erupted, followed by bursts of laughter. Yelena and Lumine halted in their tracks, turning toward the source of the noise.

At one of the academy’s grand gardens—an open space adorned with flower beds, benches, and fountains meant for relaxation—there was anything but peace. Instead, a group of cadets had gathered, forming a circle around something or someone, their jeers echoing through the air.

Without hesitation, the two of them moved closer, but the crowd was too thick to see what was happening.

Lumine narrowed his eyes. Then, without warning, he gently took Yelena’s hand.

“Sorry.”

“Huh?”

Before she could process his words, he suddenly pulled her close.

‘H-Huh!???’

The next thing she knew, the ground beneath her feet had vanished. For a brief moment, she felt weightless—before realization struck her like a thunderbolt.

Instinctively, her arms had already wrapped around Lumine’s neck. It took her a second to comprehend that she was receiving the infamous princess-carry treatment.

“L-Lumine!?” Her voice shot up an octave.

“What are you doing!? Put me down! Now!”

Yelena’s face turned as red as a blazing inferno—like the ripest tomato in existence—while an overwhelming wave of embarrassment crashed over her.

‘There are people watching!’

“L-Let go! Lumine!”

“Hold on tight.”

“W-Wait, you idiot—!”

Despite her frantic protests, Lumine only gave her an apologetic glance before whispering another quick,

“Sorry.”

Then, in the most ridiculous display she had ever witnessed, he bent his knees slightly—before launching himself into the air.

Wind surged past them, tousling Yelena’s hair as they soared over the crowd. Her arms tightened instinctively around his neck, her heartbeat pounding against her ribs.

‘Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Why are all the boys in my life hateful idiots!?’

How could he treat a girl like this!?

No—did he even see her as a girl!?

Still fuming, her eyes remained clenched shut as she mentally shouted a storm of curses. But then, just as she was about to continue her internal tirade, she felt a shy breath of warmth near her ear.

Lumine’s voice, hesitant and quiet, sent a tingle down her spine.

“U-Um… Yelena… Can you let go… please?”

Instantly, Yelena jumped away, feeling the grass beneath her shoes as she landed. Her furious gaze snapped toward Lumine, eyes blazing with indignation.

“You can’t just pick me up like that! Be more considerate, bastard!”

“I-I did apologize…”

“Even then…!”

She was about to scold him further when she suddenly became aware of the dozens of eyes on them. As realization dawned, her face burned red once more—mirroring Lumine’s own mortified expression.

It felt like cold water had been splashed over them, shocking them into silence while their embarrassment only grew hotter.

Clearing her throat, Yelena forced a stiff smile, though the corner of her lips twitched uncontrollably.

“Sorry… Ignore us, please.”

“Come on, you love attention, right?” someone in the crowd scoffed. “Isn’t that why you became a Void Streamer? Well, here you have it!”

The gods seemed to grant them a moment of mercy—the commotion shifted, pulling everyone’s attention back to the real source of excitement.

“Haha, right? Why else would he have picked a fight with Prince Azriel on the first day?”

“You can’t even fight properly, can you? I’ve seen the recordings of your streams. All you do is use your weird affinity to kill. That’s how you must have ranked so high in the entrance exam, but in a real fight? You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Yelena furrowed her brows as Lumine’s expression darkened.

“Isn’t that…?”

“Yeah, it’s Vergil.” Lumine’s voice was serious now.

A group of cadets had surrounded Vergil, their words laced with mockery, but the boy merely looked at them with an unimpressed, lazy expression.

‘I don’t recognize their faces… They must be second or third years,’ Yelena thought.

“Let’s go help him.”

Lumine’s tone was resolute as he took a step forward. But before he could move any farther, Yelena’s hand shot out, gripping his right arm tightly. Her expression was just as serious.

“And do what? Beat them up?”

“Yes. Vergil is a member of our faction, Yelena. I won’t stand by and watch someone bully him.”

“I know, but… it’s Vergil. He’s strong, you know? Look at him—he doesn’t even seem fazed.”

And she was right.

Vergil merely scratched his head before letting out a slow, lazy yawn, covering his mouth with one hand.

“Are you four done?”

His uninterested tone made the cadets’ expressions simultaneously twist with irritation.

“This kid…”

“He’s really cocky.”

“And has no respect.”

Vergil blinked at their words before, suddenly, a crooked smile spread across his lips, catching them off guard.

“You know. I heard there was a 4v4 today in the second-year combat class. Did you four perhaps lose so miserably that you had to vent your frustrations on me?”

His smirk widened as he tilted his head.

“I mean, I get it. For weaklings like you, I suppose the best way to feel better is to find someone even weaker to pick on… Too bad you chose the wrong target.”

“..!”

Suddenly, Yelena’s [Instinct] flared—a sharp, primal warning of danger.

‘T-They’re going to fight here!? But this is a no-fight zone!’

The garden was one of the few places in the academy where combat was strictly forbidden. If they fought here, they would be punished severely.

But it seemed neither side cared.

Vergil’s smirk only widened, as if he was beginning to enjoy the situation, while the expressions of the four cadets twisted further with rage.

Tension crackled in the air.

Then—just before all hell could break loose—an icy voice cut through the tension, freezing every cadet in place.

“Cadet Vergil, Cadet Lumine, and Cadet Yelena. The three of you are being summoned by the Headmistress. Please follow me.”

Every head turned toward the source of the voice.

The four cadets who had been confronting Vergil paled instantly, their faces draining of color as they realized who was watching them.

‘…Instructor Ranni’