The Extra is a Genius!? - Chapter 427

Chapter 427: Chapter 427: Silent Reflection
The royal carriage rolled to a stop beneath the high archway of Valon Castle. Guards stood in perfect formation, spears crossed, as the doors opened and Noel stepped out first. Charlotte followed close behind, her cloak brushing against the white marble steps.

Inside, the corridors stretched ahead, lined with tall stained-glass windows that filtered the morning light into soft colors.

Seraphina waited near the base of the grand staircase, composed as always, her pale-pink hair shining faintly in the glow. She greeted them with a calm smile. “Welcome back to Valon.”

Noel nodded, offering a polite half-bow. “Feels like we were here a lifetime ago.”

Before Seraphina could reply, another voice came from the upper landing.

“Then it seems the kingdom survived that lifetime without you.”

Noel turned sharply. Dior stood at the top of the stairs, one hand resting on the railing, the other tucked casually in his pocket. The morning light caught his silver hair and sharp green eyes, giving him an almost ethereal look — ruined only by the faint smirk tugging at his lips.

He descended slowly, each step deliberate. When he reached the bottom, his gaze fixed on Noel. “How have you been?”

The question caught Noel off guard. He blinked, uncertain he’d heard correctly. “…Wait, you’re asking me that?”

A flicker of irritation passed across Dior’s face. “Is that really so strange?”

Charlotte bit back a smile, and even Seraphina arched an eyebrow, amused.

Noel’s mouth curved into a faint grin. “A little. Not exactly the kind of thing I expected from you.”

Dior’s eyes narrowed, his tone cooling again. “I can take the question back, if that makes you feel more comfortable.”

Noel laughed quietly. “No need. It’s just… surprising.”

Seraphina sighed, a trace of fond exasperation softening her composure. “Every time you two meet, I forget how quickly civility dies.”

Charlotte smiled faintly. “At least they’re talking.”

“Barely,” Seraphina murmured. Then, to Dior: “Father’s waiting in the solar room. Don’t keep him long.”

Dior gave a short nod, but his eyes lingered on Noel a moment longer — not with hostility this time. Then he turned, walking down the corridor ahead of them, the echo of his boots fading into the marble distance.

Seraphina gestured for Noel and Charlotte to follow. “Come on. I’ll take you to him.”

As they walked, Noel leaned slightly toward Charlotte and whispered, “Was it just me, or was he… polite?”

Charlotte smirked. “By Dior’s standards? That’s practically affection.”

Noel exhaled through his nose, a faint laugh escaping him. “Great. I’ll take it.”

The solar chamber of Valon Castle glowed faintly under the midday light, filtered through tall panes of crystal glass. The hum of mana channels filled the silence like distant breathing.

King Alveron IV stood near the table at the center of the room, still wearing his travel attire — dark uniform, cloak unfastened, and a few faint marks of ash from the journey that hadn’t yet been cleaned. His crimson eyes were sharp but calm as they met Noel’s.

“I trust your return trip wasn’t too harsh,” Alveron began, his deep voice steady. “You’ve earned the rest after what happened in Thorne territory.”

Noel inclined his head. “We managed. The damage could’ve been far worse if the soldiers hadn’t held the line.”

Alveron gave a brief nod. “Your family did what few could have done. The relic’s theft, however…” He paused, gaze narrowing. “That changes things.”

Charlotte looked toward Noel, but said nothing.

The king’s expression didn’t soften. “That crystal — your house’s treasure — you still don’t know what purpose it served, do you?”

Noel shook his head slowly. “No. My father believes it’s ancient, but even he never learned what it truly did. All we knew is that it was dangerous to touch.”

Alveron exhaled through his nose, fingers brushing across the edge of the table where faint runes flickered. “A dangerous artifact, stolen by someone who walked through your defenses as if they were paper. Whoever that man was… he’s no ordinary thief.”

Noel’s tone stayed careful. “No. He isn’t.”

The king studied him for a long moment — a silence filled with thought more than suspicion. “Nicolas von Aldros told me something,” he said finally. “He believes trouble seems to orbit you, Noel Thorne. Wherever you go, something happens — and somehow, you always survive it.”

Noel gave a tired, humorless smile. “I’ve heard that before. I don’t look for trouble, Your Majesty… it just keeps finding me.”

That drew the faintest ghost of amusement from Alveron. “Then perhaps the gods have a peculiar fondness for you.”

Charlotte’s eyes flicked between them, sensing the weight behind the king’s words.

After a brief silence, Alveron’s tone eased. “Nicolas is recovering well. He asked to see you when you arrived. He’s been staying here in the west wing — under Director Redna’s supervision.”

Noel blinked. “He’s awake?”

“He is,” Alveron confirmed, stepping aside. “You’ll find him by the window, as always. Go to him — he insisted you should see him yourself.”

Noel nodded, his chest tightening slightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Alveron gestured toward the door. “Go. He’s waiting.”

The corridors of Valon Castle stretched endlessly, lined with pale marble and golden trim that caught the light like a mirror. Seraphina walked ahead with effortless grace, while Noel and Charlotte followed a few steps behind.

Noel gave her a sidelong glance, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “The Imperial Princess herself, escorting us? I feel like I should bow or something.”

Seraphina didn’t even slow her pace. “You could. But I won’t wait for you to get up afterward.”

Charlotte chuckled softly beside him, the sound light but genuine.

Noel pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “So cold. I thought we were friends.”

Seraphina’s lips curved faintly. “Friends don’t make me travel across half the continent cleaning up their disasters.”

That made Charlotte laugh — a real one this time, brief but warm.

Noel sighed, though there was humor in his voice. “Fair enough.”

Seraphina’s gaze flicked back toward him, amusement glinting in her ice-gray eyes. “Speaking of fairness… I think it’s time I make you repay a little of that debt. I’ll be putting you to work in the Student Council next semester.”

Noel blinked. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not,” she replied smoothly. “After all the trouble you cause, I might as well make you useful.”

Charlotte covered her mouth, laughter escaping in quiet bursts.

Noel stiffened. “Wait— no, no, no. Please tell me this is a joke.”

Seraphina’s expression didn’t change. “It’s not.”

Charlotte leaned closer, still smiling. “You might as well give up, Noel. When she decides something, it’s over.”

Noel groaned dramatically. “Perfect. Just what I needed — more work from the most terrifying woman in the Empire.”

Seraphina let out a soft laugh. “Flattery won’t save you.”

For a moment, the hall felt lighter — the echoes of laughter mixing with the quiet hum of mana lamps. Noel glanced at Charlotte, catching the faint color that had returned to her face. ‘Good,’ he thought. ‘She’s smiling again.’

From the floor beneath him, a ripple of shadow moved. Noir stepped out soundlessly, padding beside them with glowing violet eyes.

‘You seem in better spirits,’ Noir murmured in his mind.

‘Can’t help it,’ Noel replied. ‘It’s been a long few days.’

‘Looking forward to seeing Nicolas?’

‘Yeah,’ he admitted. ‘It’s been weeks since Tharvaldur. The king said he’d take care of him… I just want to see how he’s doing.’

They turned a corner, and Seraphina slowed her pace before a tall door engraved with golden runes. “He’s in here. The healers say he’s stable.”

She hesitated briefly, then smiled faintly. “I’ll leave you two here. Try not to exhaust him. He’s been waiting to see you.”

Charlotte placed a hand over her chest. “If he’s well enough, maybe I can give him a blessing. Just to make sure.”

Noel shook his head slightly, voice gentle. “We’ll see. Don’t overdo it. If he’s still here, he’s probably being treated like royalty already.”

Charlotte smiled faintly. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” Noel said, grasping the handle. “He’s too stubborn to die.”

Noir’s tail flicked once. ‘Like someone else I know.’

Noel exhaled softly and pushed the door open — light spilling through tall windows ahead, where the shadow of a man waited by the glass.

The soft creak of the door gave way to still air — quiet, warm, and faintly perfumed with the scent of old paper and herbs. A wide window stretched across the far wall, spilling sunlight across a figure seated nearby.

Nicolas von Aldros sat with his hands resting loosely on the armrest, his gaze fixed beyond the glass — toward the distant silhouette of the academy. His expression was calm, but there was a depth in it, something between nostalgia and regret.

Standing near him was a tall woman with long violet hair that shimmered faintly under the light. Redna turned her head as Noel and Charlotte entered, her usual composed smile curving faintly.

“Noel,” she greeted softly. “Charlotte. It’s been a while.”

Noel inclined his head. “Director Redna.”

Charlotte bowed slightly. “It’s good to see you again.”

Redna’s eyes softened at the gesture, then shifted toward Nicolas. “He’s been staring out that window since morning. I think he missed the view.”

Nicolas chuckled quietly, the sound dry but warm. “You make me sound like an old man, Redna.”

She arched an elegant brow. “You are an old man.”

That earned a small smile from him — faint, but genuine.

Noel stepped closer, his voice low. “You look better than I expected.”

Nicolas finally turned from the window, his silver hair catching the light. His features were thinner, older, but his eyes — sharp and intelligent — still held the same spark. “It takes more than a broken core to kill me, Thorne.”

Noel smirked. “Yeah, I’ve been saying that to everyone.”

For a moment, the air between them eased.

Redna folded her arms, watching them both. “You two always had the same stubbornness.” Then she glanced toward Charlotte, her expression softening again. “You’re even more radiant than before, Saintess.”

Charlotte smiled faintly, though her tone was humble. “Thank you. I’m just… trying to help where I can.”

“I’m sure you are.” Redna’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she exhaled softly. “I should be going. It’s been too long since I stepped into Luceria’s halls — I’m certain the students have already made a mess of things without me.”

Nicolas turned his head slightly, his voice softer now. “You always did hate being away from work.”

Redna smiled, but there was something bittersweet in it. “And you always worked too much to notice.”

The silence that followed was gentle — not awkward, just heavy with the quiet weight of shared history.

She moved closer to him, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder. “Take care of yourself, Nicolas. Try not to overthink everything for once.”

He looked up at her with a tired but kind smile. “No promises.”

Her hand lingered a moment longer before she pulled away, turning toward the door. “Goodbye, then. Don’t make them worry too much.”

Nicolas didn’t answer — just lifted his hand in a faint gesture of farewell.

Redna nodded once, then slipped past Noel and Charlotte, the sound of her footsteps fading down the corridor until only the hum of mana and the distant wind remained.

Noel looked back at Nicolas. “You really missed it, huh?”

The older man didn’t turn — his gaze stayed on the far skyline where the towers of the academy gleamed faintly beneath the sun.

“I built that place to last,” Nicolas said quietly. “But some things you can’t teach in classrooms.”

Charlotte stood beside Noel, following his gaze toward the same horizon.

Noel crossed his arms loosely. “Still, it’s standing — and so are you. I’d say you taught us something right.”

Nicolas smiled faintly at that, though his eyes never left the view.