The Extra is a Genius!? - Chapter 381

Chapter 381: Chapter 381: Intuition
“So,” Charlotte began, resting her chin on her hand, “you really want us to travel all the way to the Thorne territory?”

Elyra nodded once, her braid swaying slightly as she leaned back. “Yes. I’m certain of it.”

Selene raised an eyebrow. “Certain? Based on what?”

“My intuition,” Elyra said simply. Her tone carried no hesitation, just calm conviction. “It’s the same feeling I had before coming back here. It told me something important was going to happen—and it did.” She gestured lightly toward the others. “This conversation, everything we’ve sorted out—it wasn’t random.”

Elena crossed her arms, her golden eyes thoughtful. “You think the same intuition is telling you something’s happening with Noel?”

“I don’t think,” Elyra corrected softly. “I know.”

Charlotte let out a small whistle. “And when Elyra’s intuition kicks in, something always goes down. Remember the last time she said that? The library burned down ten minutes later.”

Selene gave her a sharp look, unimpressed. “That’s not exactly reassuring.”

Elyra smirked faintly. “Point is, it’s never wrong. And this time, it’s telling me Noel’s involved. Something big is happening—or will happen soon.”

The silence that followed was heavy but focused.

Elena was the first to speak. “Then we go.”

Selene nodded. “Agreed.”

Charlotte grinned, eyes bright. “A road trip with four of Noel’s girlfriends? Sounds chaotic already.”

Elyra’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Maybe. But if my gut’s right, this trip won’t be just about visiting him.”

The café inside the dormitory was quiet that afternoon, the soft hum of mana lamps mixing with the faint clinking of porcelain cups. The four girls still sat at their corner table—the same one where Elyra had shared her intuition about Noel.

Charlotte swirled the last of her tea, leaning forward with a grin. “You know, Selene,” she said, voice light but teasing, “you’ve been talking more today than during the entire semester combined.”

Selene blinked, her expression calm but curious. “Is that… a bad thing?”

Charlotte chuckled. “No! Just unexpected. I mean, when we first met, you were all quiet stares and ice walls. And now you’re—well—almost chatty.”

Elyra smirked, sipping her drink. “She’s right. You’ve changed.”

Selene looked down for a moment, brushing a strand of blue hair behind her ear. “Maybe I have,” she admitted softly. “It’s because of Noel. Since he helped me, I’ve been… different. Like I don’t have to hide behind that cold façade anymore.”

Elena smiled faintly, resting her chin on her hand. “He has that effect on people. Makes them forget the walls they built.”

Charlotte leaned back in her chair, still smiling. “Well, I like this version of you. You’re easier to talk to now. Less scary, more… human.”

Selene rolled her eyes, though a small laugh escaped her. “I wasn’t that scary.”

Elyra’s tone turned slightly amused. “You froze an entire training dummy once because it looked at you wrong, Selene.”

That earned a quiet chuckle from everyone at the table—even Selene.

The warmth lingered for a few seconds before Elyra spoke again, her voice calm but certain. “We’ll leave in the morning. I’ll arrange for the Estermont carriage to be ready.”

Charlotte nodded, setting her cup down. “Fine by me. I’m just glad we’re going together.”

Selene looked toward the window, her reflection framed by the golden light outside. “Tomorrow, then,” she murmured.

Elyra followed her gaze, that faint tug of intuition tightening in her chest. “Yes,” she whispered, almost to herself. “Tomorrow.”

The morning air in Valon was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew and blooming mana-flowers from the gardens around the academy. The great gates stood open, and before them waited the Estermont carriage—a masterpiece of luxury and power, crafted from enchanted silverwood and trimmed in gold filigree. The family crest shimmered faintly on its side, a phoenix entwined with a star.

Elyra stood beside it, her long black braid swaying as she oversaw the preparations. Two guards from House Estermont finished checking the mana conduits beneath the wheels, while the driver—a seasoned retainer with perfectly pressed attire—adjusted the reins of the winged stallions.

Charlotte let out a long whistle as she approached with her small travel bag. “You weren’t kidding when you said we’d travel comfortably. I think this thing costs more than the whole dormitory café.”

Elyra smirked. “Probably does.”

Elena followed behind, her silver hair catching the early sunlight. “The least we can do is arrive in style,” she said dryly, climbing up first.

Selene was the last to appear, dressed simply but elegant as always, her wand sheathed at her waist. She paused for a brief moment, her cyan eyes sweeping the city walls. “It feels strange leaving again,” she murmured. “Every time I do, something changes.”

Elyra gave a faint nod. “Maybe that’s the point.”

The driver turned, bowing slightly. “Lady Estermont, the path to Thorne territory is clear. We can depart on your command.”

Elyra climbed aboard, taking the seat closest to the window. “Then let’s go.”

Charlotte grinned, pulling the curtains open for a better view. “Next stop—House Thorne. I hope Noel’s ready for us.”

As the carriage began to move, mana runes along its sides flared to life, propelling it smoothly through the air. The academy walls faded behind them, replaced by rolling plains and glimmering rivers.

Elyra rested her chin on her hand, eyes distant. ‘Hold on, Noel,’ she thought. ‘We’re on our way.’

– Noel POV –

The training courtyard behind the Thorne mansion was silent—eerily so. The midday sun cast long shadows across the cracked stone floor where generations of Thorne heirs had once trained.

Now, Noel stood there, Revenant Fang in hand. The cursed blade gleamed faintly under the light, its dark edge pulsing with restrained power. Opposite him, Albrecht Thorne stood tall, broad-shouldered, his long black sword resting easily against his shoulder. The air between them was heavy—years of distance and unspoken words condensed into a single moment.

Noel adjusted his stance, his expression calm but sharp. “So this is how you test me?” he asked quietly. “A duel?”

Albrecht’s tone was steady, unreadable. “I need to know if you’ll be useful for what’s coming.”

“Useful,” Noel repeated, his jaw tightening. “Not surprised that’s how you see me.”

Albrecht’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something—pride, maybe, or disappointment—passing through them. “You misunderstand. Strength defines worth in this world. You have potential, but I won’t trust potential until I see proof.”

Noel’s grip on Revenant Fang tightened. ‘Same as always… everything’s a transaction to him.’

Albrecht raised his blade, its black steel humming with mana. “Show me, Noel Thorne. Show me if you’re more than just words.”

Noel exhaled slowly. The world around him sharpened—every heartbeat, every breath aligning as the traits within him stirred to life.

[Trait: Harrowed Focus – Active.]

[Trait: Will of the Forgotten – Active.]

Sparks crackled around his hand as lightning flared along the edge of Revenant Fang.

He met his father’s gaze one last time. “You want proof?” he said coldly. “Fine.”