The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

Instructor Edvoss continued without changing his pace.

”However, major evaluations take place at the end of each semester. While minor assessments happen monthly. Some tests follow the same structure as previous years, resemble earlier versions with minor adjustments, and some others are entirely new.”

”Anyway, they are unpredictable. Do not waste time trying to guess what will appear. The exam board enjoys variety, and they rarely recycle exact patterns.”

Then, a muted wave of nervousness passed from seat to seat. The whispering started immediately afterward.

”I thought we’d at least get some practice questions...”

”What if the exam is something impossible?”

”My cousin said last year they had to fight a Summoned Voidspawn.”

”That cannot be real.”

”What did you expect? This is Velthia. Anything is real.”

Ruvian listened carefully.

He understood the explanation well enough, yet the words carried a different meaning for him than they did for everyone else.

While Edvoss insisted the evaluations were unpredictable, Ruvian already knew the rough shape of them.

The novel had outlined the major tests with a clarity that the academy itself never provided. There were gaps and missing details, but the general direction was far from unknown.

To him, the so-called unpredictability felt more like a familiar script he had already seen, only with pieces that needed to be filled in.

And one of the earliest major tests was the Vazrun Island Test.

’Whatever the academy throws at us, I need to reach Class A as quickly as possible. The story has already shifted. With that naive protagonist gone, I cannot rely too much on the original timeline.’

The goal anchored his thoughts, but he refused to wander too far down that path. Losing focus now would only make him miss important information from Edvoss’s briefing.

He returned his attention to the front of the room and learned that Edvoss had concluded the segment.

”Anyway, if you prepare well, you will manage. If you do not, the results will reflect it. That is all you need to understand.” Edvoss said.

”You, boy. Any more questions?” He asked the scholar who had asked the previous question.

The pale scholar stiffened. His eyes widened as though the very idea of speaking again might shorten his lifespan.

He shook his head several times, nervously, and Edvoss simply accepted the gesture without further interest.

”Last one.”

The manaboard shifted to another visual.

{Dormitory & Living Conditions}

Edvoss allowed the implication to settle before elaborating.

”You all should already know that Class A has access to private rooms, personal training spaces, enhanced study halls, and broader dining privileges. Their facilities include mana-stabilized chambers for magic practice and environments designed to aid their development. While the rest, yeah, you can guess what it is.”

He rested his hand behind his back with an amused smile, signaling he had finished this portion.

”So, it’s very clear that here, in this academy, promotion improves your quality of life. Demotion reduces it. The academy expects this to motivate you. Therefore, if any of you dislike the living arrangements you receive, there is only one solution for that...”

He finally let out a smile on his face.

”Perform better.”

Every scholar in the class could feel the weight of his statement.

Then, Instructor Edvoss gestured vaguely at the list.

”In summary, your life here revolves around points. You should also know that, historically, Class E has the lowest graduation success rate in the academy.”

The statement lingered ominously in the air.

”So, adjust your expectations accordingly.”

Then, Instructor Edvoss exhaled sharply, as if moving on from a tiresome routine.

”Since today isn’t an actual lesson, we won’t be wasting time sitting here. Instead, we’ll head to the armory vault for your weapon selection. Know that this academy does not enforce a singular combat style.”

”Magic, swordsmanship, archery, or whatever else. You choose what suits you best. The academy provides the initial tools, but from there, it’s up to you to refine your skills.”

The class reacted immediately, and unlike before, the atmosphere buzzed with a livelier sort of energy.

”Weapon selection already? I thought that came later...”

”Wait... do we have to fight today? Please, God no.”

Some students leaned forward in excitement, practically vibrating. And a few looked overwhelmed, as though the idea of choosing a weapon felt heavy.

Instructor Edvoss glanced across the room, eyes scanning the scholars’ faces.

”Enough chatter. Let me remind you of something.”

All the scholars quieted down and listened.

”Like I said, not all of you will make it to graduation. Some will fail to accumulate enough merit points. However, knowledge is never wasted. Even if you fail to become a graduate of Velthia, what you learn here will still be valuable.”

”Some of you might end up as mercenaries, selling your skills to the highest bidder. Others might get scouted by an adventurer’s guild, settling for an average but livable career. That’s assuming, of course, you survive long enough to reach that point.”

”So, learn as much as you can. Even if you end up as nothing more than an average sellsword, it’s still better than dying ignorant.”

The cold logic in his voice left little room for optimism.

”So, before we go to select your weapon, I will announce your Circles for this year.” Edvoss said.

’Finally, it’s time for that.’

Ruvian found himself quietly hoping that Instructor Edvoss would be assigned as his Circle’s supervisor.

It was a simple preference, nothing more, and he would still accept it easily if the assignment turned out otherwise.

With that, Edvoss brought up the Circle Roster on the manaboard and started scanning through the names.

*****

Edvoss began reading through the roster.

Class E had 80 scholars in total, and the academy divided them into groups of 5.

Each circle would be placed under 1 instructor, which meant Class E alone would have 16 Circles.

It sounded straightforward enough, but the system carried more purpose than its simple structure suggested.

The Circles System was a relatively new addition to Velthia Academy. It entered effect only two years ago, introduced after several graduates pointed out a pattern the academy had been ignoring for far too long.

Every year, large numbers of new scholars arrive, full of ambition, and within weeks, many of them crumble under the pressure. They had the talent, but not the foundation to survive the transition.

The graduates argued that the academy needed something to soften that impact, something that would help fresh scholars find their footing before the chaos swallowed them whole.

The academy listened surprisingly, and the circles were their answer.

At first glance, it seemed like a simple social grouping of 5 scholars and 1 instructor. But the intention behind it actually ran deeper than just the surface.

A circle offered a place to return to when the academy felt too demanding. It gave scholars a small group where guidance came from an instructor who had the time to observe them properly.

More importantly, it allowed instructors to follow their scholars’ development with better accuracy than the old system ever managed.

And when someone began to fall behind, there was a structure in place to catch the issue early instead of letting it snowball into failure.

’It’s just like a homeroom system.’

Ruvian understood the logic behind it.

Then, after a while, his name finally came out.

===============

[Circle Name]: Polaris

[Supervisor]: Airin Rosvy

[Circle Members]:

1] Noelle Sorcalor

2) Griffer Noktz

3) Ruvian Castelor

4) Corwin Dunley

5) Melia Festora

===============

’So my circle is Polaris, huh? And my supervisor is... Airin Rosvy?’

Ruvian repeated the information in his mind, letting the names settle as he gathered his thoughts.

Airin Rosvy.

He searched his memory, turning the name over carefully, but nothing came into his mind. The novel had never mentioned her, not even in passing.

In the story he remembered, she simply did not exist. Which could only mean one thing. She must be irrelevant to the main narrative, just an unnamed background instructor.

Ruvian had expected this possibility.

After all, not every corner of the academy had been explored in detail.

The novel tended to follow the protagonist’s path, rarely straying from the people directly connected to Zian.

Anyone outside that circle, no matter their position, was effectively invisible.

Only Edvoss Sirion stood out from Class E’s staff. He was the single instructor given a name, a role, and a presence significant enough to be remembered.

The rest instructors of Class E, as far as the novel was concerned, were simply non-canon placeholders.

Ruvian sighed, accepting the realisation. It seemed he would have to learn about Airin Rosvy on his own.

After finishing the roster, Edvoss turned on his heel and said:

”That is all. If you forget your circle, check it through your insignia. Now, follow me. We are heading to the armory vault.”

With that all the scholars from Class E followed his trail.

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 38: First Day of Orientation (3)]