The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 202: Sick Days and Silken Threats

Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Sick Days and Silken Threats

Morning came, just like always.

Light filtered through the curtains of Noel’s dorm room, casting a pale glow across the sheets. His eyes opened slowly—but he didn’t move.

"Ugh..." he groaned.

His limbs felt like iron. Every muscle in his body throbbed with dull heat. Even the act of breathing took more effort than it should have.

He dragged a hand across his forehead.

Too warm.

Way too warm.

’You’ve got to be kidding me. Does this actually happen? Has any reincarnated protagonist ever just... gotten sick in another world? Heh no shit, I’ve reincarnated as an Extra.’

He let his head fall back against the pillow.

’This is bullshit. My head feels like it’s going to explode, and every part of me hurts.’

He stayed like that for a while—still, sweating, staring at the ceiling. His room was too quiet. Then he turned his head and caught sight of the clock on the wall.

He was two hours ahead of schedule.

Must’ve woken up early from the fever. Great.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed movement.

Noir—the small shadow wolf pup—stood at the foot of the bed. Her black fur shimmered with streaks of deep violet as she tilted her head and then leapt onto the bed in one fluid jump.

"Morning, Noir," Noel said in a voice that barely sounded like his own.

Noir trotted across the mattress and licked his cheek, her body warm and soft. She let out a low, concerned whimper.

"I’m fine, don’t worry. Just a bit tired."

Noir stared at him for a few seconds, then melted back into the shadows beneath the bed with a soft ripple of magic.

Noel exhaled slowly.

He pushed himself upright with effort, swaying slightly as he stood. His shirt clung to his skin—completely soaked. He smelled like sleep, sweat, and suffering.

’Of course I’d get sick in the middle of summer. You’re one of a kind, Noel.’

He shuffled to the bathroom like a zombie and stood under a stream of cold water for several minutes, trying to shake off the heat gnawing at his skin. It helped. A little.

Once dried and dressed in a clean shirt, he changed the bed sheets with slow, robotic movements. He pulled out a spare set from the closet—thank the gods for academy-issued backups—and forced himself to finish the task before collapsing into the now-clean bed.

His body sank into the mattress. The chill of the sheets felt like heaven.

Sleep claimed him quickly.

The sun had barely cleared the academy when Elyra von Estermont sat before her mirror, braiding her dark hair with practiced ease. Her uniform—the council edition, of course—fit her perfectly: a sharp-cut grey jacket with dark crimson accents, her own touch of style in a sea of standardized nobility.

Her grey eyes met her reflection.

’I want to see him.’

The thought arrived with clarity. Noel had been distant lately—not cold, just busy. Between the training, Charlotte, and whatever else was chewing through his attention, her own time with him had thinned. And Elyra von Estermont was many things, but "passive" was never one of them.

Her braid done, she adjusted the collar of her jacket and sighed. "That boy better not be ignoring me."

A faint ripple of shadow flickered in the corner of the room.

Elyra turned. A smile broke across her face.

"Noir."

The little shadow wolf pup slipped from the darkness, her silky black-and-purple fur gleaming softly under the morning light. Without hesitation, she leapt into Elyra’s lap.

"You came to see mama?" Elyra asked, stroking her head. "Maybe you’ll have little siblings soon, hmm?"

Noir tilted her head and let out a tiny howl.

Elyra laughed. "So you like the idea too."

But despite the warm reception, something tugged at her. Noir was acting... off. Her instincts, finely honed and annoyingly accurate, whispered that something was wrong.

"You’re worried," she muttered.

Noir jumped down from her lap and padded toward the door.

"You want me to follow?"

The pup let out another soft howl, urgent this time.

Elyra stood. "Alright, alright. I’m coming."

She grabbed her jacket, slung it over one shoulder, and followed Noir through the dorm halls, her polished boots clicking confidently with every step.

She didn’t even have to ask where they were going.

There was only one person Noir cared about enough to act this way for.

And he owed her time anyway.

The world was quiet. Noel had drifted into a half-sleep, his body finally giving in to exhaustion. The room was dim, filled with the soft rustle of curtains and the occasional creak of old wood.

Click.

Noel’s eyes snapped open at the sound of his door unlocking.

Only one person had the spare key—though, technically, he had never made one. She had simply... taken the liberty of crafting a copy herself.

"Of course," he muttered, throat dry.

The door swung open, and there she was.

Elyra von Estermont stepped inside, her uniform pristine and tailored to perfection—gray fabric with dark red accents, hugging her frame like it was born for her. Her long, black braid rested neatly over her shoulder, and her grey eyes swept the room in one glance.

Then they landed on him.

Flat in bed, shirtless, pale, and sweating.

Her expression softened, but only slightly.

"You look like shit."

"Thanks. You always know what to say to make a guy feel better," Noel croaked.

She closed the door behind her with a quiet click and walked straight toward him, her boots light against the wooden floor.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I’m fine. Just a little fever, nothing serious."

"You know my intuition never fails me, right?"

Noel sighed. "Yeah. Doesn’t mean I can’t pretend it’s fine."

"No. You can’t."

He tried to sit up, wincing as his muscles resisted the motion.

"Don’t." Elyra pushed him back down gently by the shoulder. "Stay down. You’re burning up."

"I’ll be fine—"

"I’m not asking."

Noel blinked. That tone. He knew it well.

She turned to his desk and began writing a quick letter.

"I’m going to inform Daemar that you won’t be attending training today."

He groaned. "I can still—"

"No. You’re staying here. With me, Seraphina will take care that I don’t be needed today."

"...Right."

He narrowed his eyes, but she smirked.

"I’m calling Clair to come check on you," she added.

"What? That’s not necessary—"

"It is. My future husband has to be in perfect condition at all times."

She walked back to him and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

"I’ll be back soon, darling."

And with a graceful turn, she left the room to deliver the letter herself.

Noel stared at the ceiling.

’Guess I don’t get a say in anything today.’

He exhaled slowly.