The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

[Ophelia’s POV]

Somewhere high above the island, far beyond where any of the scholars below would think to cast their gaze, Ophelia stood alone in the open sky.

Even if one of them happened to look her way, they would see nothing. Her presence was already veiled by [Invisibility] and [Concealment], leaving no trace of her existence behind.

Only the winds seemed aware of her presence, sweeping fiercely across the high altitude as they tugged at her clothes and sent her long white hair billowing behind her.

Ophelia had been watching the scholar below since early that morning.

At midnight, she had received a report from the other instructors. A scholar with a bounty on his head had begun moving across the island the very moment elimination between scholars was permitted.

His intention was not difficult to discern.

Knowing that others would come for him once morning arrived, he had chosen to strike first beneath the cover of darkness, thinning their numbers before they could gather against him.

It was a ruthless tactic, but undeniably clever.

More importantly, it showed that he understood both the nature of the island and the rules of the examination well enough to turn them to his advantage.

That alone had been enough to catch Ophelia’s interest.

Yet his strategy was not the only thing that intrigued her.

He had carried it out entirely alone.

To devise such a plan was one thing. To possess the strength and capability to execute it without the support of a squad was another matter entirely.

Even so, Ophelia remained doubtful of his chances.

According to the other instructors, nearly five squads were already converging on his position by morning. No matter how capable he had proven himself to be, facing so many scholars at once was an entirely different ordeal.

In her eyes, his elimination seemed inevitable.

But inevitable or not, what he had accomplished before reaching that point was already worthy of praise.

’Still... I’m curious to see how far he can go.’

After all, the scholar himself seemed remarkably confident. Even while surrounded by enemies, he had simply waited for them while seated upon a chair.

And so, Ophelia continued to watch.

Yet as the battle unfolded and eventually reached its conclusion, even she was left speechless.

Against all expectations, the scholar had won. With just himself, he had fought nearly twenty scholars and emerged victorious!

Ophelia did not know why the remaining squad had chosen not to join the fray, but after witnessing the outcome, she could only conclude that they had made the right decision.

Taking a huge breath, she then let it out before raising one hand and tapped the small communication device near her ear.

”Arveth, are you watching this?”

There was a brief silence from the other side, followed by the sound of someone taking a slow breath.

”Yes, I’m watching it,” Instructor Arveth Dros replied calmly, though there was a faint trace of shock beneath his voice. ”Though, I should probably tell you that the Control Room is in a bit of chaos right now.”

”I can imagine.”

Of course it was.

What had just happened was something that had never occurred in the records of any first-year examination.

A single scholar had faced nearly twenty others at once and defeated them, and what made it even more absurd was that the scholar responsible came from Class E.

Even Arveth himself had only learned that last part moments ago. Ophelia, however, still knew nothing about it.

But curiosity got the better of her, and so she asked. ”By the way, Arveth... which class is that scholar from, and what was his name again?”

This time, the silence lasted a little longer.

Ophelia raised an eyebrow.

”Arveth? What’s the matter?”

A quiet sigh came through the device. ”Nothing. I just don’t know how to say it. I have a feeling you’re not going to believe me.”

That only made her more curious.

With that level of combat ability, she had naturally assumed he belonged to Class A. Yet strangely enough, she could not remember his name among any of the notable scions assigned there.

”Just tell me.”

After another short pause, Arveth finally spoke, his tone turning grim.

”He’s from Class E.”

”Class E?”

”Yes.”

’....’

The wind swept past Ophelia as she remained silent, still processing what she had just heard. At the very least, she had expected him to belong to Class B, if not Class A.

Yet Class E had never once crossed her mind.

”His name? Tell me his name again.”

Arveth sighed, rubbing his head before answering. ”Haa... Ruvian. That scholar’s name is Ruvian Castelor.”

*****

[Julian’s POV]

For some inexplicable reason, Julian had received a notification informing him that the damned Ruvian Castelor had placed another bounty on his own head.

He already found the decision laughably stupid, but when he saw how many points the commoner had willingly poured into it, his expression slowly darkened.

’Where did that commoner even get that many points?’

Before Julian could dwell on the matter any further, his map suddenly changed. With Ruvian’s bounty surpassing the required threshold, everyone within his vicinity was now revealed.

Julian glanced at the map.

Around Ruvian, there were 5 squads.

His lips immediately curled into a smug smile.

’Hah... he’s as good as dead.’

It was somewhat disappointing that he would not get the chance to personally put that commoner in his place. Still, acquiring an {Executioner} Nature Card was far more important than wasting his time settling a petty grudge.

But just then, Julian noticed something strange. The twenty-five blue dots surrounding Ruvian had begun to disappear, thinning out from 25 to 21.

Julian merely scoffed at the sight.

He had no idea what was happening over there, but rather than feeling impressed, he could only pity whichever fools had somehow managed to get themselves eliminated.

’How pathetic.’

Twenty-five against one, yet four of them had already fallen?

’What the hell are they doing? If any of those four are from Class A, I swear I’ll curse them to death myself for bringing such disgrace to our class.’

Irritated, Julian closed the map and resumed his search for any remaining Dungeon Prototypes nearby. Yet despite searching for some time, he found nothing worth pursuing. There was one within reach, but someone had already challenged it.

Chime!

Then, without warning, another notification appeared before him.

[Scholar ’Ruvian Castelor’ has added another 2,000 Points to his bounty.]

[Current Bounty: 7,000 Points.]

Julian’s eyes widened.

Then, slowly, his brows knitted together as his entire expression twisted into a strange mixture of disgust, confusion, and barely restrained hatred.

’What the hell is this bastard doing now?’

Driven by curiosity and growing suspicion, Julian opened the map again. His teammates quickly did the same.

It was then that he noticed something was terribly wrong.

The twenty-one blue dots had dwindled to only seven. Then, within mere seconds, seven became five before two of them abruptly fled from the area.

Now, only three remained.

Julian’s expression stiffened as he stared at the three remaining dots.

Ruvian was still there.

Twenty-five scholars had surrounded that commoner, yet somehow, nearly all of them had been eliminated while Ruvian remained standing.

What utter nonsense was this?

A bitter feeling began to crawl through his chest.

He despised Ruvian, which made accepting the result all the more infuriating. Yet beneath that hatred was genuine disbelief.

There was simply no way a commoner from Class E could defeat twenty-five scholars by himself.

’That bastard...’

Julian’s jaw tightened.

Just how... how had everything turned out like this? What the hell happened over there?

However, before his anger could boil over, Julian suddenly sensed someone approaching. His teammates noticed it as well, and all of them immediately turned toward the presence.

Julian drew his sword without hesitation and pointed the blade toward the approaching figure.

”Loden?”

His eyebrow rose before his eyes narrowed warily as a young man soon emerged into view, walking toward them without the slightest hint of urgency.

There was an easygoing air about him, made more apparent by the dark grey hair falling over his forehead and the playful glint within his narrow eyes. He was also tall with a lean yet well-built frame.

”Well, what a pleasant surprise to find you here, Julian~”

Loden said with an amused smile. He casually raised both hands, showing that he had come without hostile intent.

Julian, however, did not lower his sword.

”You do realize the academy has already lifted the restriction on eliminating other scholars today, don’t you?”

Julian asked coldly, his gaze sharpening.

”So have you finally lost your sense of caution, Loden?” Julian sighed. ”Then again, you’re always like this. But I warn you, that carefree attitude of yours may cost you dearly today.”

Hearing Julian’s threat, Loden merely tilted his head before his smile grew wider. ”My, my~ there is no need to greet a classmate with such hostility, Julian. We are friends, aren’t we?”

Loden said lightly.

”Besides, if you truly intended to eliminate me, I doubt we would still be having this pleasant conversation, right?”

Julian’s brow twitched.

”You seem awfully confident for someone standing within reach of my sword.”

”Confidence?” Loden chuckled softly, shaking his head. ”No, no~ I simply came here with good intentions. Though I suppose hearing that from me does sound rather suspicious.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed further.

”Get to the point, you insolent fool.”

”Huh? Always so impatient,” Loden sighed, though the playful smile never left his face. ”Very well, I will stop wasting your precious time. I came because I happen to possess something you have been searching for.”

Julian’s expression immediately changed.

Loden noticed it, and the amusement in his eyes only deepened. He slowly lowered one hand toward his bracelet, making sure not to give Julian any reason to mistake the movement for an attack.

A moment later, mana flowed into the bracelet and its screen lit up.

A glowing image appeared above it.

It had the shape of a card.

Julian’s eyes immediately locked onto the words displayed across its surface.

{Card Reassignment}

His grip around the sword tightened.

There was no mistaking it.

This was exactly what he had been searching for.

Loden watched Julian’s reaction with clear satisfaction, then slowly lowered his raised hand. The corner of his lips curled upward into an almost devilish smile.

”So, Julian Rozenberg, I was wondering...”

Loden lightly tapped the glowing card with his finger.

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 301: How About We Trade Favors?]

Plot Points= 52,000 PP