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Path of the Extra

Chapter 34: Christmas Banquet [4] · Oct 15, 2026

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Chapter List (455)

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1 Chapter 1: Prologue 2026-10-15
2 Chapter 2: Azriel Crimson 2026-10-15
3 Chapter 3: The City of Love 2026-10-15
4 Chapter 4: Deathʼs Blossom 2026-10-15
5 Chapter 5: Ragnar Frost 2026-10-15
6 Chapter 6: Hope and Doubts 2026-10-15
7 Chapter 7: Solomon Dragonheart 2026-10-15
8 Chapter 8: 15 Minutes 2026-10-15
9 Chapter 9: The Crying Fog 2026-10-15
10 Chapter 10: Don’t go... 2026-10-15
11 Chapter 11: Treacherous 2026-10-15
12 Chapter 12: Prince Azriel 2026-10-15
13 Chapter 13: Crimson Blood 2026-10-15
14 Chapter 14: Happy Birthday 2026-10-15
15 Chapter 15: The Unworthy Prince 2026-10-15
16 Chapter 16: The Sacred Capitals 2026-10-15
17 Chapter 17: Jasmine Crimson 2026-10-15
18 Chapter 18: EASC 2026-10-15
19 Chapter 19: The Clown 2026-10-15
20 Chapter 20: The Sovereigns 2026-10-15
21 Chapter 21: Sibling Reunion 2026-10-15
22 Chapter 22: Denial and Acceptance 2026-10-15
23 Chapter 23: System 2026-10-15
24 Chapter 24: Aeliana Crimson 2026-10-15
25 Chapter 25: Crimson Reunion 2026-10-15
26 Chapter 26: Apostle of Death 2026-10-15
27 Chapter 27: White Haven [1] 2026-10-15
28 Chapter 28: White Haven [2] 2026-10-15
29 Chapter 29: White Haven [3] 2026-10-15
30 Chapter 30: White Haven [4] 2026-10-15
31 Chapter 31: Christmas Banquet [1] 2026-10-15
32 Chapter 32: Christmas Banquet [2] 2026-10-15
33 Chapter 33: Christmas Banquet [3] 2026-10-15
34 Chapter 34: Christmas Banquet [4] 2026-10-15
35 Chapter 35: Christmas Banquet [5] 2026-10-15
36 Chapter 36: Christmas Banquet [6] 2026-10-15
37 Chapter 37: Engagement [1] 2026-10-15
38 Chapter 38: Engagement [2] 2026-10-15
39 Chapter 39: Engagement [3] 2026-10-15
40 Chapter 40: Engagement [4] 2026-10-15
41 Chapter 41: Engagement [5] 2026-10-15
42 Chapter 42: White Christmas 2026-10-15
43 Chapter 43: Lumine Versille 2026-10-15
44 Chapter 44: Hero Academy 2026-10-15
45 Chapter 45: Entrance Exam [1] 2026-10-15
46 Chapter 46: Entrance Exam [2] 2026-10-15
47 Chapter 47: The Apex 2026-10-15
48 Chapter 48: Drunk Azriel 2026-10-15
49 Chapter 49: Cemetery 2026-10-15
50 Chapter 50: Two at the Top 2026-10-15

Chapter 34: Christmas Banquet [4]

”I should have known... you were trouble itself.”

Azriel suppressed a chuckle hearing his sister grumbling.

He was standing next to Celestina and Caleus, watching the room being readjusted for the duels.

Nol, meanwhile, was enjoying himself, talking to guests and indulging in the food.

Just like Azriel, Nol hadnʼt had many opportunities to leave the Crimson estate, and his curiosity about the world was evident.

Varied gazes were directed at Azriel, making him want to run away; it was extremely nerve-wracking, but necessary.

All that was left was this duel, and he would finally be done for the night.

ʼNo, thatʼs wrong...ʼ

He glanced at Freya and Solomon, who were talking to each other.

ʼIf after all of this, she still isnʼt on board, it will become troublesome.ʼ

Everything he had done was to convince Freya to agree to Azriel and Solomonʼs plan.

Even his lateness had been intentional—or rather, not entirely.

Azriel had planned to be late to the party, but it turned out Nol had genuinely struggled to wear his tuxedo and had refused help from the servants.

ʼStill, it worked in my favor... though Iʼm sure Mom will be mad.ʼ

For some reason, his parents had decided to leave the banquet with Ragnar.

ʼSpeaking of parents...ʼ

”The Nebula and Dusk clans didnʼt join us, Caelus?”

Azriel turned his attention to Caleus, who was staring at him intently, just as Celestina was.

”...They havenʼt. My parents and the Dusk clan have decided to cooperate with each other and deal with the sudden issues that have arisen in Europe over the past few months.”

Hearing his answer, Azriel nodded, his thoughts racing.

ʼTo think my survival changed so much in Europe...ʼ

”Can I ask you a question...?”

ʼHmm?ʼ

Azriel looked at Caleus, who had a complex expression on his face.

”Itʼs true that you were in the Void Realm all along for the past two years, right?”

”That is right,” Azriel nodded calmly.

”Then... what is your mana core level now?”

The people who were sneakily listening nearby strained their ears, and even Jasmine was looking at him curiously.

Not once had Azriel revealed his rank to her or his parents, nor did they ask.

ʼHe is curious, huh... not just him,ʼ

Azriel thought, feeling Celestinaʼs piercing stare from his side, almost making his cheek twitch.

ʼGood...ʼ

Azriel smiled.

”If you are that curious, why donʼt you find out for yourself?”

Caleus and everyone else looked at him, wide-eyed in surprise.

”You really have changed a lot...”

ʼOf course I have... the old Azriel died.ʼ

Surprised though he was, Caleus nodded firmly in the end.

”Very well, I shall be your partner. But be warned, I am a Grade 2 Intermediate already. Show me the you who survived the Void Realm on his own, Azriel Crimson.”

A fire was now burning in his violet eyes.

Jasmine didnʼt stop him or Azriel, knowing it was pointless.

Though she did look worried, it wasnʼt as if they would be fighting to the death.

The rules were simple: no affinities, no sword arts and no skills. The first one to be knocked unconscious or surrender would lose.

”I wish to fight you as well, but...”

Azriel heard a soft murmur and turned to see Celestina.

She pouted slightly, her eyes glistening with disappointment, and her cheeks flushed a gentle pink.

ʼA-argh! Dammit, how can she look so cute!ʼ

Azriel almost broke character.

ʼI can see why he fell for her... those eyes...ʼ

They were so bright and innocent!

Ragnar was right to say she had a line of boys willing to become her boyfriend.

She was just that beautiful!

One of the hardest parts of keeping his composure for Azriel was enduring the gazes of all these people who could be compared to goddesses in his previous world.

ʼCalm down...ʼ

Taking a deep breath inwardly, Azriel spoke to Celestina.

”It would be rude of me to fight a lady while she is wearing such a beautiful dress...”

”O-oh...”

Both Jasmine and Celestina looked wide-eyed at Azriel, who turned away, scratching his cheek.

”But...”

A soft smile appeared on his face as he looked back at her.

”Once we are both in the academy, I will have a duel with you whenever you want.”

Celestina didnʼt say anything, just stared at him.

ʼT-that didnʼt sound weird, did it...? Does she think of me as a creep now?ʼ

Azriel wondered, feeling a pang of anxiety.

ʼArgh! No point thinking about it; the duel is finally about to start...ʼ

Azriel and Caleus finally moved towards the center while everyone gazed at them in anticipation.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and curiosity.

The Crimson Prince against the Nebula Prince—this duel was already legendary before it even began.

*****

The guests formed a cautious circle around Azriel and Caleus, careful to give them ample space. No referee was needed for these duels.

They could begin whenever they chose.

Azriel summoned Void Eater, gripping it tightly in his right hand.

Across from him, Caleus twirled his silver spear with fluid grace, its long reach a stark contrast to the close-quarters lethality of Azrielʼs katana.

They stood still, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

ʼThis is insane...ʼ

Azriel could hardly believe he was here, facing off against a prince from one of the four great clans.

Every action heʼd taken today seemed utterly surreal.

No, not just today.

Ever since arriving in EASC, heʼd been living a reality that once existed only in his imagination.

He still hadnʼt adjusted to the fact that he was in a world heʼd once only read about.

The weight of every gaze on him felt surreal.

They didnʼt know... they didnʼt know how much they truly meant to Azriel.

No, not Azriel, but...

Leo.

The kid who had lost his family.

The only reason he had survived those dark days was because of these people, standing here now.

Not just them, but the protagonist—the one who inspired him to hold on.

They were one of the most important reasons he had made it through.

Since arriving in EASC and the Crimson Estate, one thought kept running through Azrielʼs mind:

What was he going to do now?

What was his goal?

Was a coffee shop really all he wanted?

ʼNo...ʼ

It wasnʼt.

He didnʼt want that.

This world might actually fill the hole inside him.

How could he just settle for a coffee shop?

But being a hero wasnʼt something he could become either.

Sure, he could join the academy, be a hero in name, but he would never be a true hero.

That wasnʼt who Azriel—or Leo—was.

He couldnʼt walk the path of a hero.

ʼI can never shine as bright as them...ʼ

He could never be as pure as them, have such resolve, such dreams, and...

ʼI am not worthy...ʼ

He wasnʼt worthy of being a hero.

So instead...

He would ensure they became even greater heroes, even if they resented him for it, even if their path became more dangerous.

He would do it all to help them reach their dreams, to shine as bright as stars.

Everyone around them watched the two with bated breath.

Azriel narrowed his eyes slightly at Caleus.

And then...

ʼ[Void Mind]ʼ

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