The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 195: The View From the Tower

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: The View From the Tower

Charlotte walked ahead, guiding Noel with a quiet sense of purpose. She didn’t say much at first—just glanced back occasionally to make sure he was still following. The sun was already descending, dyeing the sky a pale orange. They crossed from the heart of Valon to its outer districts, where the stone roads grew thinner, the houses closer together, and the presence of noble crests disappeared.

Noel took in the change of scenery with mild surprise. "Didn’t think we’d be coming all the way out here."

Charlotte smiled faintly. "Yesterday, when I was... interrupted by those men, I found something interesting. I thought this would be a good place to end our little date."

She led him down a narrow alley, then turned a corner. Before them stood a tall, cylindrical tower of smooth gray stone. It rose quietly above the surrounding buildings, somewhat hidden behind the silhouette of the nearby church. A modest sign beside the entrance read: Observatorium Sancta Lux.

"A tower?" Noel blinked.

"A viewing deck," she clarified. "It doesn’t have stairs. It works with mana. You’ll see."

Charlotte bought two tickets from a sleepy old man seated in a booth and handed one to Noel without a word. They stepped onto a circular platform made of polished brass. The moment the gate behind them shut, the platform began to rise with a soft hum of mana.

Noel raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t know something like this existed in Valon."

Charlotte gave him a smug glance. "Surprised?"

"Yeah, actually. I’ve been in Valon longer than you, and I had no idea this was here."

"Maybe you didn’t make time to explore properly," she teased. "Didn’t you already take Elena and Elyra on a few strolls around the city?"

"I did," Noel replied calmly. "It’s pretty normal for couples to go on dates, right?"

Charlotte blinked at him. "I guess so. Though I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had one."

"No?" He looked at her sideways. "You’re the Saint. I figured you’d have plenty of admirers."

"I did. But my grandfather, Orthran, was strict about boys. Said none of them were good enough." She laughed softly. "And in the Holy Capital, there weren’t many boys my age. The few that were... well, they weren’t interested."

"Huh. Makes sense."

"But now," she added, a bit too cheerfully, "I have more chances to find a boyfriend."

Noel gave her a sideways glance. "You sure? I’ve seen a lot of guys try to get close to you in the academy. Even yesterday in the street. You’re popular."

She pouted. "Well, I definitely learned not to go buy bread in dark alleys anymore, pervert."

"Hey, that again?" Noel chuckled, watching the golden rooftops shrink below as they ascended. "You’re never letting that one go, huh?"

The view was beginning to open up, revealing the whole western quarter of Valon. In the distance, the church bell rang solemnly.

Charlotte grinned, arms behind her back as she leaned a little closer. "You do know how you earned that nickname, right?"

Noel gave her a wary glance. "Traitor I get. But pervert? That one’s still up for debate."

"Oh, come on." She nudged his arm with her elbow. "First time I saw you, you came out of the boys’ dorm soaking wet, shirtless, water dripping down your hair, and then what did you do?"

"I calmly asked you not to scream," Noel said, deadpan. "Because someone was about to shout and wake up the entire orphanage."

"You put your hand over my mouth," she said, eyes wide in mock shock. "While you were shirtless. And dripping wet. And you pushed me against the wall."

"It wasn’t like that," he groaned. "You make it sound like some scandal."

"I was traumatized," she said with a grin, clutching her chest dramatically.

Noel rolled his eyes. "You were not traumatized. You wouldn’t stop calling me that after five minutes."

"Exactly. It’s a term of endearment now."

"Somehow that makes it worse."

They both laughed. A comfortable silence followed, filled only by the hum of the platform and the distant sounds of music wafting up from the streets below.

Charlotte tilted her head, looking at him sideways. "You know... for someone who acts so grumpy, you’re kind of easy to tease."

"And you’re getting too good at it," Noel muttered, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

With a final soft click, the platform reached the top.

"We’re here," Charlotte said softly, stepping off first as the full majesty of Valon spread out before them — rooftops glowing in the last golden hues of sunset, streetlamps flickering to life, and somewhere to the south, the faint echo of music playing through the evening air.

The wind was gentler at the top, brushing past with a soft, cooling touch as if the skies themselves welcomed them. The circular platform was wide and open, lined with a few benches and reinforced railings. From here, the entire capital of Valon stretched in every direction — rooftops gleaming gold and crimson, distant spires rising like needles toward the dusky sky, and the winding river cutting through the city like a ribbon of light.

Charlotte walked ahead, slowly, taking it all in.

"It’s beautiful," she whispered, stepping toward the edge.

Noel followed, glancing around. "Yeah... I didn’t know this place existed. Pretty hidden for such a tall tower."

"The church blocks the view from the main road," she said. "That’s why I never noticed it until yesterday."

She leaned forward against the railing, eyes scanning the horizon. For a moment, she looked at peace — her usual energy subdued, replaced by quiet wonder. Then, without warning, she leaned a little too far.

"Charlotte—!"

Before she could lose her balance, Noel was there — arms circling her waist, pulling her back with a sharp tug. They both stumbled, landing on the floor, knees hitting the stone with a soft thud.

Charlotte blinked, stunned.

Noel still had one arm wrapped protectively around her. "Are you insane? What the hell were you doing?"

"I... I don’t know," she murmured. "I just wanted to see the church from a better angle."

"You almost fell off the tower," he snapped, his voice sharper than intended. But then, softer, "You scared me."

A pause stretched between them — the air around them suddenly still.

Charlotte turned her face toward him. "Thanks, Noel."

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

Noel froze.

Before he could respond, Charlotte drew back slightly, her eyes meeting his. Her expression was serious now — no teasing, no games.

"I want to tell you something," she said.

They were still kneeling on the floor, the fading sunlight bathing them in amber light.

"That day you found me in the alley... when you were the one who said it," Charlotte murmured. "You looked at me and just blurted out ’the Saint’ — before anyone had told you, before I’d even said anything. I didn’t understand how you knew, and maybe I still don’t. But back then, when I got closer... I noticed something."

She hesitated for a second, voice soft.

"You have a scent. Not just one that says you’re good or kind... it’s something more. Something I can’t describe, no matter how hard I try. I still don’t know what it is exactly, but... I think it might be love."

Noel’s eyes widened, and his breath caught.

"I’m not experienced," Charlotte went on, voice calm but firm. "But I’ve got eleven months. Eleven months to make you fall for me. I just wanted you to know. And don’t worry — the other two already know how I feel."

Noel opened his mouth, then closed it again. His brain was scrambling for words, anything to say that wouldn’t make things worse.

"I... I see. I didn’t realize," he finally said. "Can I... have a bit more time?"

Charlotte smiled. "Of course. I told you — I’ve got eleven months."

Noel looked away, cheeks burning. "It’s just... surprising. I wasn’t expecting something like that today. I had a whole plan. I was going to take you to a few places but now it might feel... weird."

"Weird?" she echoed, tilting her head. "Oh no. Are you embarrassed, Noel?"

He groaned. Correct content is on NovelFire

Charlotte chuckled and stood up, offering him a hand. "Don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine. Let’s go wherever you want."

Noel took her hand and stood, still a bit stunned. He glanced at her, then looked away, flustered. View the correct content at NovelFire

"You might be fine," he muttered. "But I’m definitely not."