The Unlimited Ascension: Reborn as an Extra

16 July, Year 2502. The Human Empire. Vale City, Outer District.

Location: The Gate of Dimensional Link.

Outside the massive Dimensional Gate, swarms of people stood together, preparing to attempt the grueling trial.

Many individuals were actively searching for suitable recruits to form a balanced team. Most people would not dare to attempt the trial alone, especially after knowing how difficult it is to conquer the trial inside the Ascension Realm.

A short distance away, a luxurious black car halted its drive, parking carefully far away from the prying eyes of the massive crowd.

Both Alen and L opened the doors and stepped out onto the street.

”It seems Mr. Hero is afraid of attracting the unwanted attention of his fan club, hehe...”

Alen teased after stepping out, a playful smirk tugged on his face as he looked at him from the window.

Kalos narrowed his eyes, looking at Alen sharply through the open window of the car.

”Hey, little chicken. It seems you have grown quite a bit of fur since we first met. Should I just chop you up and turn you into a chicken soup?”

Alen wrapped his arms around his own chest protectively, acting dramatic.

”Oh, I feel so afraid now, Mr. Kalos. Please spare this ’humble’ chicken.”

Alen chuckled and stepped back. He then calmed down, dropped the playful act, and looked at Kalos with a genuine, serious expression.

”Thanks for dropping us off here, i really appreciate that. And I am warning you, don’t do anything fishy behind our backs to get close to Ava...”

”She just stepped out from some heavy trauma recently, so don’t you dare mess with her...” Alen warned, looking at him with cold eyes.

Kalos paused his glaring. He calmed down and swallowed back his rising anger, looking genuinely worried upon hearing that Ava had just been through a traumatic experience. He also guessed that it made sense, especially after seeing her looking cold and expressionless all the time and she also barely reveal any emotions.

’It seems I should not hastily approach her after all. I should find out what the root cause of her trauma is. It is good for both of us,’ Kalos thought to himself. He closed his eyes, massaged his temples, and nodded in agreement.

”Anyway, you two should go now before the crowd starts to notice my car... And all the best for your upcoming trial. Make sure to survive in there... It will be the biggest step on your path as an Awakener, so do your absolute best...”

Alen looked at him, feeling surprised at his sudden, genuine change of behavior. He didn’t think that arrogant asshole would actually be kind enough to care about their survival.

He nodded anyway.

L, who stood right behind Alen, stepped forward. He looked at Kalos with intense curiosity.

”Before we go, I wanted to ask a question. Why did you send those people to capture me?...”

L narrowed his violet eyes, looking at Kalos suspiciously.

”Did someone specifically send you to capture me?...”

Kalos looked back at him, feeling a sudden wave of guilt, and replied.

”Well, no... No one sent me to capture you... I just did it because I—it was nothing. It is just a waste of time to think about that stuff now. You should focus your energy on your trial instead of such trivial things. I will tell you the truth later, after you come back... Go now, before anyone finds us talking together and you get caught up in the crowds...”

He spoke awkwardly, scratching the back of his head to hide his shame.

Alen nodded to L, who also remained silent, deciding to let the matter go for now. Both of them turned around and walked toward the giant Dimensional Gate.

Kalos watched their retreating figures. Several people in the crowd tried to approach them to recruit them into a team, but the boys ignored the offers. They passed through the sea of people, as they stepped forward into the Dimensional Gate, and vanished from sight without looking back, as they stepped into their final trial for the Stage 1.

Kalos looked at the swirling energy of the gate through the tinted glass of his car.

He suddenly remembered that specific moment when L had practically insulted him in front of the massive crowd at the stadium during the tournament. L had pointed out his blinding arrogance at that time, which had hurt his pride.

He also remembered the intense moment when he found out that both of those kids were close to Ava, and that Ava was ready to kill anyone for hurting them. He had given up on his petty revenge the moment he first saw her. He knew he couldn’t beat her, as she was leagues stronger than him, but it was more than just fear.

The thought of revenge had vanished entirely from his mind after meeting her, like it had never even existed.

After his fateful meeting with Ava, he felt far more mature. The petty thoughts of shallow revenge and hurted pride were already gone from his mind.

”It seems I behaved quite childishly at that time. I was ready to hurt a kid just because of my bruised ego... It seems I really wasn’t any better of a person. I barely deserve to be called a hero...”

He looked at the car window, narrowing his eyes as he stared at his own faint reflection in the glass.

”It seems... I don’t deserve to stand beside her yet... Not when I am still such a childish and arrogant person who thinks about getting back at others over something so incredibly petty. I need to change my ways. I need to become a man worthy of her. Worthy of Ava.”

He clenched his fists firmly on the steering wheel. He started the car’s engine and drove away from the bustling gate, having firmly decided to improve himself.

The black luxury car drove away from the Outer District, accelerating toward the Inner District of Vale City once again.