The Useless Extra Knows It All....But Does He?
Chapter 38 - The Visitor’s Noise

Chapter 38: Chapter 38 - The Visitor’s Noise

The great hall of the Sanctum of Dawn was quiet—save for the faint rustle of robes and the distant echo of chanting from the outer sanctuaries. Golden light filtered through stained glass windows, painting the marble floor with hues of crimson and violet.

Incense drifted lazily through the air, mingling with the cool scent of polished stone and sanctified oil.

At the far end of the chamber, seated upon a raised dais beneath the statue of the Goddess, was a young woman cloaked in white and lavender.

Her silver-lavender hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading in gentle waves past her shoulders. A delicate circlet rested on her brow, inscribed with runes that glowed faintly under divine light.

Despite her youthful features, her gaze was distant. Heavy. Like someone carrying the weight of too many prayers... and too few answers.

Before her knelt a robed man, head bowed, his voice hushed but steady.

"—the corrupted priest was indeed Emeron, once assigned to the Western outreach before his disappearance. The incident occurred within the Arcadia Dungeon, under the academy’s jurisdiction."

He hesitated slightly before continuing, "Reports confirm the presence of a blood crystal... corrupted by demonic influence. There were casualties, but the students managed to eliminate him before a larger outbreak."

A long silence followed.

The woman’s pale violet eyes narrowed. Her voice, soft as silk but edged with authority, filled the chamber.

"...A priest of the Goddess turned by demonic power. Within the Academy."

The man didn’t respond.

She exhaled, the sound tinged with sorrow. "This matter involves the Holy Kingdom. We cannot remain distant."

The man finally raised his eyes. "Indeed, Saintess. The Council is already drafting a formal inquiry."

She shifted slightly on her seat, her gaze turning toward the high window, where sunlight glinted off the golden wings of the Goddess’s statue.

"...How long until I’m cleared to enter the Academy?"

The question hung in the air like a blade.

The man lowered his gaze again, hesitant. "One more month, Saintess. That is the earliest the Academy is prepared to process your entry."

A pause.

Then the Saintess spoke again, this time quieter. But her words carried the weight of iron.

"Tell them to hasten the process."

She finally turned her eyes fully toward him—cool, serene, and yet unshakably determined.

"There’s no telling how deep this corruption goes. And I will not wait idly while it spreads."

The robed man bowed low, his voice deferential.

"As you command.....Saintess"

****

Sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of the academy infirmary, bathing the whitewashed room in a gentle glow. The crisp scent of healing herbs and mana-soaked bandages still lingered in the air, but most of the patients within were no longer groaning or asleep—they were laughing. Smiling. Healing.

Luca lay back against his pillow, arms crossed behind his head, eyes half-closed as he thought to himself.

We’re mostly healed now. The wounds, at least the ones on our bodies, have begun to fade. But because of the incident’s scale, they’re keeping us here for three more days.

Honestly, I’m not complaining. Peace and free meals? Beats training drills.

But that peace didn’t last long.

Because the doors opened—

And a horde of girls burst into the room.

Dozens of them. Glittering eyes. Overflowing enthusiasm.

And all of them headed in one direction.

"Aiden-samaaa!"

"Aiden-senpai, I brought fruit!"

"Do you need water? A blanket? A kiss??"

Luca didn’t even have time to blink before Aiden was swarmed. He was still lying on his bed—stoic, confused—but now buried under a mountain of gifts, handwritten letters, flower baskets, and too many sparkles to count.

It was absurd.

Luca couldn’t help but stare in stunned amusement.

But the best part?

Lilliane.

She stood a little away, eyes twitching, clutching a small bouquet in her arms. Her lips were smiling—barely—but her aura? That was a different story.

Murderous.

She looked like she was deciding who to burn first. And yet, she was still trying to keep up her image in front of Aiden.

One of the girls leaned in too close, dabbing at Aiden’s forehead with a cloth.

That did it.

"AHEM."

Lilliane strode forward, posture elegant, smile fixed—but her magic aura was leaking out like a slow fog.

"I believe our dear Aiden needs rest, ladies. You wouldn’t want to exhaust him... would you?"

Half the room went quiet.

The other half shivered.

The girls exchanged nervous glances, and one by one, began backing away—mumbling apologies and retreating like a flock of scared deer.

Aiden blinked. "Oh. Thanks."

Lilliane turned, flipping her hair casually. "Of course. I’m just... looking out for you."

Luca barely held in a snort. That was way more entertaining than any comedy play I’ve ever seen.

He wiped a tear from his eye.

Still trying to act composed for his sake, huh? Brave girl.

Just as the chaos died down, the door opened again—this time quietly.

A single figure stepped in.

Eric.

He gave a small wave. "Yo."

He greeted everyone with a bow and said " I heard everything , Thank you all, for saving me"

Everyone nodded at him, and didn’t say much.

Eric walked over and sat beside Luca’s bed.

Luca gave him a half-grin. "Hey. Glad to see you in one piece."

Eric rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... Sorry for the trouble."

"You don’t need to thank me," Luca said, shaking his head. "We’re just glad you’re safe. But... what exactly happened to you? How’d you end up alone like that?"

Eric blinked.

Then gave a sheepish laugh. "Ahh, well... I kinda got separated from my team during the dungeon shift. Lost track of time. The place was a mess."

"And after that?"

He shrugged, eyes darting slightly to the side.

"Dunno. Everything’s kinda fuzzy. I just remember waking up and the boss was already down."

That’s... suspicious. Luca noted the slight hesitation, but didn’t press.

"Alright. Don’t push yourself. You’re lucky to get out unscathed."

Eric smiled faintly. "Heh. You guys did the hard part. Thanks again."

After a little more small talk, Eric stood and waved. "I’ll leave you guys to your rest. See you around."

He walked out without another word.

Luca stared after him for a moment longer.

That felt... off.

But with everything going on, he let it go.

As Eric left, the room finally quieted.

Luca leaned back into his bed, a tired breath slipping through his lips.

Well... that should be the last visitor. Not like I have a long list of people dying to check on me.

He glanced around.

Vincent was still there—sitting silently, as usual—but surrounded by a handful of respectful third-years who had come to visit him, not Luca. The man seemed strangely popular despite having the personality of a glacier.

Still, Luca was content. For the first time in days, the ward was peaceful.

So of course—

BANG!

The door slammed open like it had been kicked off its hinges.

Every conversation in the room stopped. All heads turned.

And in she walked.

Flaming red hair.

Fiery violet eyes.

A storm wearing boots.

Aurelia.

Luca blinked.

She must be here to visit her brother, right?

But instead of heading toward Kyle’s bed—

She marched straight toward him.

And before he could so much as blink again, she leaned down beside his bed and grinned.

"How are you, my fiancé?"

A drop of sweat rolled down Luca’s temple.

"...I-I’m doing fine."

Then his brain caught up with his mouth.

"...Wait. Fiancé?!"

Aurelia tilted her head and smirked. "Of course you are. You’re the man I chose, aren’t you?"

Luca opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

Around him, the entire room was silent. Conversations had halted. Even Kyle’s pudding cup had frozen mid-air.

Every pair of eyes—Vincent, Elowen, Selena, Aiden, Lilliane, even Professor Seraphina—was now firmly locked onto him.

Luca’s soul quietly screamed.

Why. Me.

He forced a strained laugh. "Ahaha... uh, I think there’s a misunderstanding—"

"I even heard you had a major role in defeating that corrupted professor," she added proudly, cutting him off.

"Y-Yeah, I guess, but—"

At that moment, Kyle broke in, dramatically raising his hand like a child trying to get attention in class.

"Hey, Sis! Don’t I get a ’How are you?’ too?"

Aurelia glanced at him. "You look fine anyway."

"...What?"

"You don’t need pampering. You’re annoying."

"H-Hey!" Kyle’s voice cracked in betrayal. "Now that you’ve got a brother-in-law, you’re abandoning your real brother?!"

His heartbreak was short-lived. Because the next second—

WHAM.

A boot landed squarely on his rear.

"Shut up," she muttered.

Kyle lay on the bed like a squashed tomato, muttering, "...This betrayal will not be forgotten..."

Meanwhile, Aurelia turned her attention back to Luca, who was still frozen under the weight of public attention and dread.

She pulled a small, shining vial from her pouch and placed it in his hand.

A potion.

Clear. Crystalline.

Mana brimming like a star.

"Take this," she said casually. "Should heal the rest of your injuries. Also... remember."

Her eyes glinted like gold struck by fire.

"You have five days to say yes."

And with that—

She turned on her heel and marched out of the room, not sparing a single glance back.

Silence.

Luca sat there, blinking at the doorway she vanished through.

Then at the potion in his hand.

Then at the many faces staring at him.

Some were confused. Some jealous. Some wide-eyed with disbelief.

"...Fuck."

He muttered it too softly for anyone to hear, but it was clear from the expression on his face.

And then he looked back at the potion.

Wait a second...

This wasn’t just a potion.

This was "Everlight Elixir"—a legendary-tier healing potion. The kind that could revive someone moments from death.

His eyes widened.

She... wasn’t joking?

He glanced toward Kyle, who was rubbing his rear.

Wait. This isn’t just a gag anymore, is it...?

She’s serious.

And just like that, three days passed.

Without any major events, the tension faded. Injuries healed. The pain dulled.

But beneath it all, the memory remained.

Of Emeron.

Of the blood crystal.

Of those who didn’t return.

Today—on the fourth morning—they were all being discharged from the infirmary.

But before they could return to their normal lives—

Today... was the memorial ceremony.

For the six who had fallen.