Path of the Extra

And now, on the very first day of the academy, a duel was about to take place.

Students filled the stands surrounding the arena, eager to witness the duel.

Among those heading toward the Celestial Arena was...

"Celestina..."

Yelena hurried over, her expression panicked as she approached Celestina, who was already at the highest stand, overlooking the arena.

Down below, Lumine stood at one end, with Kai facing him on the opposite side.

"Why are Lumine and Cadet Kai about to duel?"

Of course, Celestina knew who Kai was, but she didn't understand how this situation had escalated so quickly.

Word of a duel on the first day had spread like wildfire through the academy, and now she was here, seeing with her own eyes that Lumine was one of the participants.

Yelena hesitated before explaining.

"Cadet Kai approached us when we were on our way to train. He accused Lumine of cheating to gain his rank, claiming he used some sort of enhancement drug. And he said that Azriel was the one who told him."

Celestina looked at Yelena, a puzzled expression crossing her face.

"He specifically said Azriel told him that?"

Yelena nodded.

"Yes, but Lumine didn't believe him. They argued, and it led to this duel."

Both girls turned their attention back to the arena, where Lumine was glaring coldly at Kai, who responded with a mocking grin.

"Do you think it could have really been Azri—"

"It wasn't."

Celestina interrupted, her voice firm.

Even she was surprised by her own certainty, and Yelena's wide eyes mirrored her shock.

But then Celestina recalled everything Azriel had shown her, from the banquet to now.

'I think I'm starting to understand you more.'

"But..."

Yelena began, still unsure.

"Cadet Kai is lying about Azriel."

Celestina continued.

"If Azriel had an issue with Lumine and wanted to send a message, he would've done it himself. He wouldn't send someone else in his place."

Yelena looked doubtful for a moment, then sighed.

"Lumine asked me to trust him, and he trusts you. Even if he can be naive about some things, as his childhood friend, I know he has a good eye for people."

Celestina smiled at her words.

"...You know, saying things like that, with no intention of me hearing, is dangerous for my already fragile heart."

"...!"

Suddenly, both Celestina and Yelena turned as Azriel approached them, a slight smile on his face.

He wasn't alone—another student walked beside him.

'...He was with Azriel at the banquet.'

Her attention shifted back to Azriel as he stepped in front of her.

For a few seconds, he simply stared into her eyes, and she found herself unable to look away.

He was the first to break eye contact, glancing down at the arena where Lumine and Kai faced each other.

"...Thanks for trusting me."

Azriel said softly.

"Of course..."

Celestina replied, wondering what was going through his mind.

'Why does it feel like trusting him... meant a lot?'

Was she overthinking it?

She wasn't sure.

"Master... just say the word, and I'll turn that meathead into just meat."

The silver-haired boy said, glaring at Kai.

'Master?'

Celestina and Yelena exchanged surprised glances.

Neither had expected Azriel to be addressed like that, yet Azriel merely kept his gaze ahead.

"Calm down, Nol... taking his head won't change anything."

Nol continued to glare at Kai.

"It will for me. That disgraceful filth dares to utter your name with its tainted tongue—I should rip it off."

'...To be so angry on his behalf.'

Celestina was impressed by Nol's loyalty.

'But can he really do what he says?'

She didn't recall anyone named Nol being in the top 10, yet Azriel didn't seem to dismiss his words lightly either.

Azriel sighed.

"Even if you rip his head off, nothing will change... after all, he isn't the one with the brains."

Nol's glare shifted to confusion.

"What do you mean, Master?"

"He means that Cadet Kai is following someone else's orders."

Azriel nodded.

"Celestina's right. Someone told Kai to lie to Lumine using my name... Now, who could that person be?"

Using Azriel's name recklessly was dangerous, especially if discovered.

Outside the academy, such a slight could have serious consequences.

But within these walls, the instructors had to treat all students—regardless of their family backgrounds—equally, at least on the surface.

The instructors were likely watching this unfold from the shadows, prepared to intervene only if the duel became too dangerous.

"Whoever convinced Kai to use my name in the academy must be extremely bold."

Because once Kai stepped outside the academy grounds, no instructor would stop Azriel from exacting his revenge.

Someone had to be bold enough to reassure Kai that he could get away with it.

'The most likely candidates would be Jasmine or Caleus... but neither has a motive for this.'

Suddenly, Azriel began walking forward, drawing the attention of everyone around, including the students who had been watching Celestina and the others.

"Master?"

"Where are you going, Azriel?"

Azriel paused, but didn't turn around.

"Nothing much... just going to lure out whoever is responsible for this mess."

At first, he had come here for entertainment.

But after learning that someone had used his name to try and ruin the reputation he had been working to rebuild?

"This has become personal."

Azriel jumped down, landing in the center of the arena, right in front of everyone's eyes.

""!?""

*****

'To target me on the very first day with such tactics...'

Azriel couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration.

Unperturbed by the gazes of the gathered students, he continued his approach toward Lumine.

"Who is that...?"

"That's Prince Azriel Crimson..."

"Seriously...? So he's the apex, huh?"

"But why is he entering the arena...?"

"Don't tell me the apex himself is going to fight?!"

"What a first day this is turning out to be..."

As Azriel arrived in front of the stunned Lumine, he offered a small, reassuring smile and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a friendly pat.

"Thank you for trying to protect my name, Lumine."

Despite his shock, Lumine managed a smile in return and shook his head.

"We're friends, right? Besides, it isn't just for your name. He was insulting Yelena and me."

Lumine's gaze hardened as he glared at Kai.

Undoubtedly, if the duel were to happen, Lumine would emerge victorious, easily humiliating Kai in the process.

Azriel nodded in agreement.

"I understand, but I must apologize. This person is merely a pawn being used by someone else who's trying to get to me through you."

Lumine furrowed his brows, processing the information.

"...So no matter what I do, it won't change anything?"

"Exactly."

Lumine seemed to think calmly as he looked toward Kai now with a disinterested gaze.

There would be no point in destroying a mere foot soldier.

Instead, the focus should be on the mastermind behind the manipulation.

As if sensing the change in attitude from Lumine, Kai, who had been grinning stiffly at Azriel's appearance, felt that grin vanish from his face.

"What do you want me to do?"

Azriel's smile widened in response.

"Just leave everything to me. Instead..."

He pointed toward the stands where Yelena was seated.

"Go and reassure your childhood friend."

'Soon to be girlfriend.'

Azriel kept that last part to himself as Lumine nodded and started to leave.

The crowd of students looked on, puzzled and disappointed.

"Are they still going to duel or what?"

"Why is that guy leaving?"

"Not sure, but at least the apex isn't going anywhere."

He turned his attention back to Kai, who was scowling at him.

Azriel's smile evaporated in an instant.

""!!""

Suddenly, as if a switch had been flipped, the room fell into a suffocating silence, the air growing thick with tension.

Kai, catching the shift in the atmosphere, instinctively took a few steps back, his teeth clenched tightly.

"Huh?"

Only to feel his back press against something cold and hard.