The Extra's Rise

Chapter 161 - 161: Prelude to End of the Year Festival (2)

The End of Year festival was rapidly approaching, and with it, the weight of expectations. Not from the Academy, not from the world, but from within. This wasn't just about winning a battle or proving my strength. It was about understanding myself—finally, truly knowing who I was beneath every scar and every whispered promise of destiny.

I needed to understand myself. My feelings, my desires—things I had spent too long ignoring, treating them as side quests in the grander scheme of survival. But that no longer worked. The closer I got to the battle with Lucifer, the more I realized I wasn't just fighting for strength. I was fighting to know. To finally admit that beneath the armor and the endless training, there was a heart yearning for clarity.

The first step was letting my feelings be known—at least, in some way.

"Alright," Cecilia said first, her arms crossed and her gaze unwavering as she faced me in the twilight. "I don't care if you win or not, Nightingale. The one whose side I want to stand on is yours." Her words, blunt and resolute, carried more weight than any promise made on a battlefield.

Rachel's breath hitched slightly beside me. "Cecilia…" she began, hesitation mingling with hope in her tone.

"I know, but I don't care," Cecilia cut her off, her voice firm as she added, "I trust Arthur." There was no condition, no hidden caveat—just an unwavering trust that resonated deep within me.

A warmth bloomed in my chest, not merely from the sincerity of her words, but from the clarity they brought. There was no hesitation, no "if you win, then…"—just a declaration of faith. Rachel's sapphire eyes locked onto mine as she continued, "Same for me. Since that day, when we fought the Abyssal Tide Serpent… I knew. I wanted to fight for you, Arthur. I want to be your Saintess. Win or lose, it doesn't matter to me—as long as I can be with you." Her voice was fragile and powerful at once, carrying the weight of shared battles and unspoken promises.

Something in me shifted then, as if the pieces of my internal puzzle were clicking into place. "That's enough for me," I said, smiling at them both, feeling the bonds of trust and affection fortify my resolve.

But there were still others I needed to see.

At the edge of the academy gardens, Seraphina stood watching the fading hues of dusk with an expression that was almost serene—almost. "You never call me out unless you have something important to say," she said before I could even open my mouth.

I chuckled. "Am I that predictable?"

"You're that calculated," she replied, turning to face me fully. Moonlight caught her silver hair, scattering reflections like whispers of ancient secrets. "What is it?"

I hesitated—not from doubt, but because Seraphina demanded words chosen with care. "I wanted to thank you," I said finally.

She blinked, her violet eyes