The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 196: A Curious Boy and the Saint

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: A Curious Boy and the Saint

Noel remained seated on the stone floor of the lookout, still trying to process what he had just heard. The evening breeze cooled his face but didn’t quite ease the quick thudding in his chest. Charlotte had already stood up, looking down at him with a gentle smile—half amused, half affectionate.

"So... shall we go where you wanted to go?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Noel looked away, clearing his throat. "Yeah. Let’s go."

Charlotte turned and walked toward the platform while he got up a bit awkwardly, brushing off his pants. They began their descent in silence. The platform moved smoothly, but to Noel, it felt like the whole world was moving faster than usual.

Charlotte didn’t stop watching him. Her hazel eyes gleamed under the soft glow of Valon’s lights, as if trying to read his thoughts.

Noel, on the other hand, avoided her gaze entirely. He focused on anything else—the rooftops, the support rails of the lift, even a lone night bird soaring overhead. His mind raced.

’Is this what it feels like?’ he thought. ’I kind of expected something eventually... Clara did say a few things... but this... this was direct.’

He remembered how Clara had tried to invite Charlotte on a tour around the city several times, always getting rejected. Then came the moment when Noel casually mentioned he’d be taking Charlotte himself—and she didn’t reject him. Clara had looked at him strangely after that, as if she was starting to suspect something.

’Did she already see this coming? Was I really the last one to notice?’

The embarrassment rose from his stomach like a warm, fizzy drink. Uninvited. He had two girlfriends already—Elena and Elyra—but this situation felt entirely different. Back on Earth, he’d never been the guy girls paid attention to. And now...

’Is this normal here? Having three? Four? And how is anyone supposed to survive that without imploding?’

He sighed and stared at the floor.

Charlotte let out a soft chuckle through her nose, clearly sensing the storm swirling inside him. Noel didn’t even dare ask what she found funny.

The platform reached the ground with a quiet magical hum. The doors slid open, revealing the streets of Valon once more. They were quieter now, the night fully settled.

Charlotte walked a few steps forward, then turned back toward him, her red hair fluttering slightly in the breeze.

"So, where exactly do you want to go now, Noel?"

He took a deep breath. The crisp night air helped steady him a bit.

"The library," he said at last. "Though I think it closes in about thirty minutes."

Charlotte blinked, then smiled. "Wow. So serious all of a sudden."

"I figured we could make it if we hurry," he added, rubbing the back of his neck.

She tilted her head, walking backward a few steps while facing him. "You really are full of surprises. First you called me ’the Saint’ before anyone else knew, then you acted all innocent like it was nothing."

"That was... an accident," Noel muttered.

"An accident?" Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "You stared straight at me and said it like you were reading from a prophecy. You scared me enough to drag you into an alley and interrogate you."

"Still can’t believe I pulled that off."

"You didn’t. I just let it slide because you looked too confused to be dangerous."

"I wasn’t confused, I was improvising."

Charlotte gave him a look. "While soaking wet, shirtless, and muttering to yourself in the church hallway?"

"That was a different day—"

"Still counts." She smirked. "That’s the moment you earned your title."

"’Pervert’ is harsh," Noel said, groaning. NovelFire

"Want me to go back to ’Traitor’?"

Noel crossed his arms. "I don’t like either, to be honest."

Charlotte shrugged with a playful smile. "Well, you’re still a traitorous pervert to me."

Noel sighed in defeat. "I walked right into that one, didn’t I?"

Charlotte laughed. "Every single time."

They made their way through the quiet streets of Valon. The night had settled in fully, and the shops were beginning to close. Warm lamplight spilled across cobblestone paths, and the occasional flicker of magical lanterns shimmered above.

Charlotte walked beside him, her hands behind her back, swaying lightly with each step. "So, why the sudden interest in the library? Isn’t it getting late for research?"

Noel gave a small shrug. "It’s been on my mind. I wanted to look into the origins of the faith here—how the religion started. And... I figured you’d know the most about it."

Charlotte blinked, surprised. "Is that why you invited me?"

"Well, yeah," Noel replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’re the Saint, after all. Makes sense to ask the expert. I thought it might be helpful."

A bright smile spread across Charlotte’s face. "That’s... actually really sweet. You’re curious about religion?"

"I’m curious about everything," Noel admitted. "Especially things that matter to the world I live in."

Without a word, Charlotte reached out and took his hand. Her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement. "Then let’s not waste time. We’ve got knowledge to uncover!"

’She’s way too excited about this,’ Noel thought, trying to keep up as she led him through the winding streets.

They arrived at the library just as the bell above the entrance gave a soft chime. The building stood tall, its gothic architecture grand and imposing. Stone statues lined the archways—figures Noel didn’t recognize, but who must have been important in Vaelterra’s history.

Inside, a librarian at the desk looked up with a gentle smile. "Welcome. Since tomorrow is a rest day, we’ll remain open one hour longer than usual tonight."

Charlotte clapped her hands. "Lucky! Come on, Noel!"

She practically dragged him inside. The interior was vast—high ceilings, endless shelves, and floating books drifting from one aisle to another. Hanging lanterns cast golden glows over every surface. Vines curled along certain sections of the walls, blending the magical with the natural.

’This world... still surprises me. Even after all this time,’ Noel thought as they walked deeper into the library.

Charlotte turned, walking backwards now. "So, what exactly do you want to start with?"

"I’d like to know how the faith began. What sparked it all."

Charlotte nodded with purpose. "Then follow me. We’re going to the religious history section!" Correct content is on NovelFire

Noel trailed behind her through the tall, maze-like shelves. It didn’t take long before he lost sight of her completely—she was smaller than him by nearly a head, and the shelves towered over both of them.

He turned a corner and found her already seated at a corner table, three thick books stacked beside her:

– "Elarin the First: The One Who Touched Mana"

– "Chronicles of the First Sanctuary"

– "From Flame to Faith: The Rise of Vaelterra’s Holy Doctrine"

Charlotte beamed up at him. "I hope you’re ready. Because this is going to be amazing."