Chereads / Academy's Extra:The APEX LEGACY / Chapter 23 - All Gathered

Chapter 23 - All Gathered

(5:00 pm)

Bzzt Bzzt

*Click

"I hate mornings."

That was the first coherent thought that came to mind as I resisted the urge to smash the alarm clock into oblivion, settling instead for a tap to silence it.

Dragging myself out of bed, after a simple stretch i moved towards the bathroom. The cold water of the shower welcomed me as I bath . The cool sting of the water jolting me awake, each drop chasing away the remnants of sleep clinging to my mind.

After dressing and having a simple breakfast which I made.I headed out towards the classroom. The world outside the dorms was already alive with activity. The sky hung low, painted with hues of dusk, as if the world itself wasn't quite ready for the day to begin. Cadets of different years and classes filled the grounds, their chatter and laughter blending with the crisp rustle of the morning breeze.

I weaved through the crowd, the familiar path to the classroom already etched into my mind.The walk to class was uneventful but somehow calming.

Entering the class instantly i was greeted by multiple stares.

'Haa, so much for being an extra,' I thought, forcing myself to ignore the attention as I moved to my desk. To be fair, it was a reasonable thought. As an avid reader, I knew what the role of an extra was supposed to be—just a background character, someone barely noticed, or maybe a stepping stone for the protagonist's growth. Perhaps, if unlucky, even a third-rate villain destined for a swift defeat.

But here I was, sharing the spotlight with the main cast.

'Oh well, it's not so bad,' I mused, settling into my seat. 'At least I'll have a front-row view of the changes I'm going to make to this story.'

Yes, I didn't plan to follow the original storyline. Not this time.

In the novel, there had been countless instances where pointless destruction could have been avoided. Powerful individuals, people who could've made a difference, were lost to senseless deaths, leaving humanity weaker and hollow from within. I wasn't going to let that happen.

And the demons? The so-called antagonists of this world? They were no better. In the novel, many of the major threats had thrived by blending into society or hiding in the shadows, growing stronger while humanity faltered.

Not this time.

Before the flower blooms, I will cut the stem.

"Yo," came a familiar voice from behind, Kevin.

"Hey," I replied, glancing back at him.

"Are you sure you're fine? You know, we did get a bit crazy in the combat duel," he asked, a hint of uncertainty slipping into his usually cheerful and mischievous tone.

Just as I opened my mouth to answer, two voices chimed in unison—one from my right and the other from directly in front of me.Both expressions incredulous.

""A bit?""

Kevin scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Um, okay, more than a bit. But you know, in the thrill of battle, sometimes we… overlook some small things."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, yes. Broken ribs, fractures, and major cuts—just some small things we can easily overlook. And yeah, I'm fine, so don't worry."

Kevin frowned slightly, clearly trying to decipher my tone. "I… can't tell if you're agreeing with me or mocking me."

Leon, who was lounging in his seat, grinned as he chimed in. "I think it's called sarcasm, Kevin. Pretty sure he's making fun of you."

"Not pretty sure," Aria added from the front clearly enjoying "Definitely sure."

"Hey, y-"

"You guys seem close" just as Kevin was retorting a soft voice interrupted him. The owner another member of the main cast and the daughter of the hero association president.

Kaya Hearts

Azure-blue hair cascaded down her back like a shimmering river under moonlight, each strand catching the light as if it were alive glowing giving an almost ethereal quality. The color of her eyes mirrored the same ethereal hue, sinking perfectly with her flowing locks.

Yet, it was the gaze in those eyes that truly captured attention—an unnatural calm rested within them, as if they had everything under their control. Her skin, pure and unblemished, held a porcelain-like quality, glowing faintly as though untouched by the harshness of the world.

"I agree " a serene voice also chimed in, turning to a bit towards right there she was sitting in the front.

Platinum-blonde hair cascaded down her back, shimmering as the sun's rays danced upon each strand, giving her an ethereal glow. Her cream-green eyes carried the very essence of nature itself, as though the forests, meadows, and rivers lived within their depths.

There was an undeniable grace in her every movement, a poise that spoke of ancient wisdom and boundless vitality. She was Elara Veilcrest - The Elven Princess —a symbol of beauty, strength, and deep connection to the natural world, also one of the twins blessed by nature.

The three girls sitting in the front were, without a doubt, the center of attention for the entire class. The boys seemed entranced, some even on the verge of literally drooling. It was almost embarrassing to witness.

Other blushing, some even tried to start a conversation with them but instantly rejected. The girls were casting jealous towards them, though some also held respect and admiration. Not that I could entirely blame them.

Even I, for a second, found myself mesmerized, though I'd like to think it was purely for appreciation. Beauty deserves to be admired, right? But there was another reason behind my gaze, one that set me apart from the others.

It's not every day you see characters you've only read about in books—living, breathing, and right in front of you.

"Oh, and if Aria is here, then… ah, there you are, my dear redhead"

Arnold Storms - The protagonist's rival and a young master overflowing with arrogance. His fiery red hair and eyes matched the inferno of his ego, a perfect fit for someone who believed his noble bloodline set him above the rest. An elitist to his core, spouting nonsense about heritage and ideals that would make anyone eyes roll.

But as much as I disliked his attitude, I couldn't deny the truth—Arnold was a powerhouse. A force to be reckoned with, his skill and raw talent were nothing short of remarkable. Even Leon, with all his strength and precision, would have to tread carefully in a fight against him. Arnold was the kind of person who'd make you hate him while grudgingly respecting his power. A frustratingly lethal combination.

Crossing my hands i watched as Arnold moved towards Aria.

"Lady Aria," he began, his voice dripping with an air of noble charm, "might I have the honor of inviting you to lunch today?"

"And why, would I do that?" said Aria without even glancing at him.

Undeterred Arnold continued as he smirked, leaning slightly against her desk. "Because it's not every day someone of my standing extends such an invitation. Surely, a few moments of your time isn't too much to ask?"

Aria finally lifted her gaze, her amethyst eyes sharp as a blade. "Your standing? You mean the one that inflates your ego to ridiculous proportions?

Arnold confident expression faltered for a second, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, Aria, your wit is as sharp as ever. But surely, you can appreciate the value of good company over a meal?"

Aria crossed her arms as she leaned back against her chair "Good company? I fail to see how sitting with you qualifies as such. I prefer my food without the seasoning of arrogance, thank you very much."

A low chuckle escaped him, masking the slight sting of her words. "You wound me, Aria. But I'm nothing if not persistent. Perhaps one day, you'll realize the merits of my offer."

"Perhaps. But for today, the answer remains no. Now, if you'll excuse me " with a dismissive wave of her hand she returned to talking with us.

"Annoying Bastard" she cursed under her breath.

Arnold straightened, brushing an imaginary speck off his academy coat, his smirk still intact. "Very well. Until next time, Aria."

He turned to leave but not before casting a long, lingering glance in our direction. His eyes carried a cold glint, sharp and deliberate, as they settled on Aria, who was now chatting with Leon.

There was something unnerving about that look—calculating, almost predatory. His gaze flicked between them, his jaw tightening ever so slightly before he finally walked away, his steps brisk but controlled.

It wasn't hard to guess what had unsettled him. Arnold's ego had always been as fragile as it was massive. Seeing Aria, the person he so often sought to impress, smiling and speaking so casually with Leon, must have stung.

I leaned back in my chair, my own gaze sharpening as I watched his retreating figure. 'Ah, there begins his jealous route,' I thought. Arnold's pride had always been his greatest weakness, and the jealousy simmering in his eyes was just another crack in his already unstable foundation.

'If you let that jealousy fester too much it will turn into something worse much worse.' i thought sighing to myself.

In the novel, Arnold had turned into a demon contractor, a decision that led to near-catastrophic consequences. His power surged beyond reason, and in a climactic battle, he nearly killed the main cast. His reasoning for making such a desperate choice? Aria didn't love him.

It had always struck me as absurd. To throw away everything—his status, his potential, his humanity—over unrequited love? But the novel had been frustratingly vague and even in visions there wasn't many things about main cast so the the true reasons behind his descent were unknown. The story hinted at a deeper, untold backstory, one that might have justified, or at least explained, his fall.

Perhaps there was pain beneath the arrogance, a wound festering beneath the layers of pride and elitism he wore like armor. Maybe his obsession with Aria wasn't just about love, but about validation, acceptance, or even a desperate attempt to defy the crushing expectations of his lineage.

But in the end, none of that mattered. Whether it was pain or pride that drove him to make the contract, Arnold's actions led to destruction, betrayal, and countless lives lost.

If he even so much as hinted at going down that same dark path here, I wouldn't hesitate. You are useful but if your cost is too much I will just replace you.

Snapping me out of my thoughts was Rebecca our class professor as she came in the classroom.