The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 194: A Stroll Through Valon

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: A Stroll Through Valon

The sun was beginning to dip past the walls of the academy as Noel closed the door to his room. The air inside was heavy and warm — summer in Valon had no mercy, and training in the underground chamber hadn’t helped.

Without hesitation, he peeled off his damp shirt and walked straight to take a short, cold shower, efficient and brisk.

Fifteen minutes. That’s all he had.

He dried off, pulled on a clean white shirt, and slipped into black trousers tailored to move freely. His Dimensional Pouch was clipped securely at his left side, as always. Revenant Fang rested quietly inside, and the Ashen Sigil glinted faintly on his finger.

’Just another stroll through the city, right? Doesn’t mean I can let my guard down. Not in this world.’

Noel exhaled slowly and murmured under his breath.

"Status."

A blue window blinked to life, visible only to him.

[Current Core Progress: 55.35% – Mana Core: Adept]

’Still halfway. That lightning spell pushed me a little, but it’s not enough yet.’

A second window appeared immediately after.

[New Mission]

Join the Saint in Investigating the Forgotten History of Our World

Reward: +2 Pages unlocked in "Diary of the Forgotten Son"

Noel raised an eyebrow.

’A mission that doesn’t revolve around killing something for once? And with Charlotte? ...Does this have to do with the god she worships? Or maybe the church’s deeper secrets. Either way... interesting.’

He gave one last glance around his room.

"Noir, I’m heading out. Back by nightfall."

The small creature stretched lazily atop the bookshelf, yawned, then hopped down to curl up near the shaded corner where the floor was cooler.

Noel adjusted his collar, ran a hand through his hair, and headed toward the academy’s main gate.

’Can’t make her wait. I think I already know where I want to take her first.’

The sun had dipped lower now, casting long golden shadows over the cobbled street in front of the academy’s main gate. Noel leaned casually against one of the pillars, flipping a silver coin between his fingers.

Twenty minutes had passed since they agreed to meet.

’She’s late. Though... she did say she needed to prepare. I guess that’s fair,’ he thought, eyes following the coin as it danced from hand to hand. ’Still, it’s already sunset. If we’re going to visit the library or the church, we’ll need to head there soon. They close in less than three hours.’

He sighed and glanced at the street — students and citizens walked past, unaware of his inner restlessness. The breeze carried the scent of summer flowers and the distant murmur of a bard playing in the plaza.

Ten more minutes passed.

Just as Noel started wondering if he should go look for her, he caught a glimpse of someone approaching from the corner of his eye. A girl with long crimson-red hair, glowing softly in the evening light, was walking toward him with graceful steps. Her hazel eyes locked onto his.

She was wearing a black summer dress — modest, yet undeniably elegant — accented by subtle silver embroidery and a few delicate accessories. The kind of outfit that caught the eye without screaming for attention.

"Hi," Charlotte greeted with a smile, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Have you been waiting long?"

"No. Just about ten minutes," Noel said with a slight shrug.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn’t it be more charming if you told me something like, ’I just got here too’?"

Noel tilted his head. "Why? You’re not a noble lady in a romance novel."

"...Tch."

He blinked. "Sorry. That was a joke."

Her lips curved into a sly smile. "You better be careful, or I’ll make you pay for that one."

Noel chuckled and offered his arm. "Shall we?"

"We shall."

The main street of Valon was alive with energy as the sun dipped further, bathing the town in hues of amber and rose. Lanterns had started to flicker on, adding warmth to the stone and wood buildings lining the road. Shops stayed open late in the summer, and their windows gleamed with displays of jewelry, robes, pastries, and enchanted trinkets.

Charlotte’s eyes sparkled as they walked, tugging Noel along every time she spotted a storefront that caught her attention.

"Let’s go in here. I saw a dress on the mannequin I like."

Noel followed her into the shop, quietly amused. Inside, cool air flowed from softly glowing crystals on the ceiling. The walls were lined with rows of finely crafted outfits — gowns, robes, traveling clothes, and formalwear — all enchanted lightly to maintain cleanliness and durability.

Charlotte disappeared behind a curtain, arms full of clothes she wanted to try.

Noel stood outside the fitting room, arms crossed. He glanced around, taking in the store’s refined atmosphere — polished wood, soft floral scent, and the quiet hum of gentle magic.

Moments later, the curtain pulled back.

Charlotte stepped out wearing a flowing deep-blue dress that hugged her waist and flared at the hips. The silver accents matched her eyes and contrasted with her red hair in a striking way.

"What do you think?" she asked, spinning once with a half-smile.

Noel nodded. "You look cute."

"Just cute?" She tilted her head, clearly fishing.

"A bit dangerous, too," he added after a beat.

That earned a smirk. "I’ll take that."

She returned to the fitting room to try on another. The cycle repeated two more times — different outfits, different moods — each time Charlotte stepped out, she watched Noel carefully, gauging his reactions with increasing interest.

Eventually, she emerged holding two outfits in hand.

"I’ll take these. Since a certain someone approved."

Noel chuckled. "You sure you’re not just spoiling yourself?"

"Oh, I am. But I don’t mind using you as an excuse."

Two hours had passed since they’d begun their walk, and the air was now cooler, brushed by the descending twilight. After exploring much of Valon — from its bustling artisan districts to the paths near the royal castle — the two had settled on a wooden bench in one of the city’s larger parks.

In Charlotte’s hand was a mint chocolate chip cone, the pale green ice cream sparkling with icy flecks. Noel had gone with vanilla, plain but reliable.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, watching children play tag among the trees and fountains. Crickets had begun to sing, and distant magical lanterns floated into the air like fireflies.

Noel took a slow lick from his cone, then glanced sideways. "Didn’t peg you for the toothpaste flavor type."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him. "It’s mint chocolate chip. And it’s delicious. Want to try?"

Noel shrugged. "Sure."

She extended the cone slightly, and he leaned in to take a bite. He paused, made a face, then leaned back.

"Tastes like minty regret."

Charlotte giggled. "Rude. Let me try yours, then."

He held out his cone, and she nibbled the edge carefully. Her eyes lit up.

"This is really good!"

"See?" Noel smirked. "Mine wins."

"You win nothing, pervert."

They both smiled, quietly watching the children again. Laughter and the splash of water from a nearby fountain filled the air.

Charlotte’s expression softened. Her fingers tightened slightly around her cone.

"Do you still think about what happened that day?" she asked, not looking at him.

Noel didn’t answer immediately.

"...Hard not to."

Charlotte nodded slowly. "You saved me, Noel. You saved the others too, even if... even if some of them couldn’t be saved."

"I couldn’t protect Erick," he muttered. His voice dropped. "He reminded me of someone I used to know. And I still failed him."

Charlotte looked down, then back at him.

"You did what no one else could have done," she said quietly. "And I saw what it cost you."

He turned his head to her — her expression was gentle, eyes glimmering with something unspoken.

"You held me that day," he said. "In the cemetery."

Charlotte smiled faintly. "You were crying. I couldn’t just leave."

Noel looked away again, the silence now heavier but not uncomfortable.

After a few moments, Charlotte stood and dusted off her skirt. "Come on. There’s one more place I want to visit tonight."

She held out her hand to him.

He took it, and she gently pulled him up. Instead of letting go, she slid her arm through his, holding it with casual confidence.

"We look like a couple, don’t we?" she said teasingly, a sideways glance flicking up to meet his.

"...We do," Noel replied simply.

That wasn’t the answer she expected.

Her cheeks turned pink, but with her red hair, it was hard to notice. She turned her face away quickly, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.