The Useless Extra Knows It All....But Does He?
Chapter 53 - The Gratitude for Kindness

Chapter 53: Chapter 53 - The Gratitude for Kindness

Night had fallen over the Academy, draping the stone walls in silence. The soft flicker of arcane lanterns lined the walls, casting long shadows that danced gently across the chamber. Outside the windows, the sky stretched endlessly—ink black and scattered with stars, a quiet canvas above a world still turning.

Inside, the two of them sat in near silence.

"Can I ask you something, Master?" Luca’s voice broke through gently, as if afraid to disturb the stillness.

The Tower Master turned her gaze toward him and gave a slight nod.

He hesitated for a moment, the distant hum of mana crystals the only sound between them, before asking, "Have you... met Selena since the dungeon incident?"

Almost immediately, he followed up, "Apologies if I stepped over a line. I didn’t mean to pry. But... you’ve been so good to me ever since we met. Maybe more than anyone else ever has. And, well... I overheard Ms. Selena speaking with the Mage Tower’s representative. I didn’t mean to listen in—it just happened."

He scratched the side of his head awkwardly, then opened one eye to sneak a glance at her expression.

I meant every word, he thought to himself.

She had shown me kindness without expecting anything in return. A quiet, unwavering sort of kindness. Perhaps more than I had received in my entire life.

He had nothing to offer her. No strength. No rare gifts. She didn’t need anything from him.

But this—this small thing—maybe I could do that much. Just... close the distance between mother and daughter.

The script? Let it go to hell.

Everything’s so messed up already. That damn story only ever led to loss and ruin anyway.

So what if things change?

_{fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)}

This world was always destined to fall apart.

If that’s the case, then what butterfly effect am I so scared of?

A cold breeze slipped in through the slightly cracked window, rustling the sheer curtains and brushing softly against his skin. Luca blinked.

Yeah. That’s right. Why should I care about the script anymore?

I should think more about it

As he processed that realization, the room fell into a deeper quiet.

The Tower Master hadn’t responded. Luca looked up.

Moonlight filtered in through the arched windows, painting her face in silver hues. Her expression, usually calm and composed—untouchable—was unreadable. But this time...She just... didn’t know what to say.

It was the first time since he met her that she looked genuinely lost for words.

Finally, with visible effort, she spoke.

"I haven’t met her yet," she said. Her voice was quiet. Measured. "Things are... complicated between us."

Luca raised a hand gently and shook his head. "You don’t have to explain or share anything, Master," he said softly. "If and when you ever feel like telling me... I’ll be here. I’ll listen."

The Tower Master blinked slowly, and for a second, the tension in her face eased. A faint warmth appeared in her eyes. She reached out and gently patted Luca’s head.

The touch was soft. Almost... motherly.

Luca smiled slightly. The lanterns behind them flickered once, as if catching their breath.

"Uhm, Master, if I may... if it feels awkward to go alone, why don’t I come with you? If I’m there, maybe Ms. Selena won’t get into an argument with you right away. Maybe it’ll be easier to talk."

His tone was awkward, unsure—but sincere.

And something in that made the Tower Master’s lips curve, ever so slightly.

The Tower Master gave a small nod of agreement.

Luca’s face brightened at her response, a soft smile spreading across his lips.

"Do you know where we could meet?" she asked, her voice low but expectant.

Luca looked up at the moonlit sky for a moment, thoughtfully. The stars were reflected faintly in his eyes. Then he spoke.

"Let’s meet by the old fountain in the west garden," he said. "The atmosphere there is... peaceful at night. And not many people wander around that area after hours, so it should be good."

She nodded once, already weaving the mana in her palm. With practiced grace, she shaped the energy into a small bird—its wings crystalline, its body glowing faintly like a creature made from stardust and glass.

The magical bird fluttered once, chirped softly, and then vanished into the night sky—off to deliver its message.

Then, without a word, she reached out and gently took Luca’s hand.

Before he could process what was happening, the world blurred.

The wind roared past his ears. A rush of cold air kissed his cheeks as the stars above stretched into luminous trails. In the blink of an eye—less than a second—they were gone from the Dorm buildings.

And then—

Stillness.

They landed at the base of the garden fountain, surrounded by moonlit stone and the scent of night-blooming flowers. The old marble basin trickled with soft water, glinting in the silver light.

Luca staggered slightly as his feet hit solid ground again, heart racing. He exhaled deeply and held his chest for a moment.

The Tower Master chuckled faintly beside him but said nothing.

Now they waited.

The garden was still. A few petals floated lazily in the fountain’s pool. Fireflies glimmered in the bushes like fallen stars, and the occasional chirp of night creatures echoed in the distance.

Luca tucked his hands into his sleeves and glanced once at the Tower Master, who stood with a composed, unreadable expression as always—but somehow... she seemed more human tonight.

***

I let out a soft sigh as I stepped out of the warm bath, a towel still around my neck. My muscles, worn from training, finally felt light. The routine always helped keep me grounded.

Dry. Lotion. Tie the hair loosely. Pajamas on.

Another day coming to an end, the same way it always does.

Morning practice sessions—sometimes with Aiden, sometimes with Kyle—followed by lectures, then afternoon practicals or solo sessions in the courtyard. After that, an hour or two of theory with textbooks sprawled on my desk. Then, finally, this—night.

A life of discipline.

It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t meant to be. But it was mine.

I was just about to slip under the covers when I heard it—a faint fluttering of wings. My gaze flicked toward the open window. A bird made of translucent light hovered there, its wings beating softly, scattering shimmering fragments of mana with every movement.

A magic transmission.

"Hm?" I stepped closer, drying my hands with the towel. "A communication from... my mother?"

The moment I let the bird land on my hand, its beak opened, and her voice—calm and cool as always—flowed into the quiet room.

She wanted to meet.

Tonight.

At the fountain in the west garden.

I stood still for a moment after the message faded, blinking once. Then a dry chuckle escaped me.

"...Now?" I murmured. "A whole week after the dungeon incident?"

I turned away, already heading for the wardrobe again. The pajamas came off with a sigh of annoyance. I began pulling on proper clothes again, bit by bit.

Meeting me at this hour, after all this time, huh?

What is it this time? Guilt? Curiosity? Some half-hearted explanation?

Acting like she cares all of a sudden...

I fastened the final buckle of my boot and tied my coat loosely over my blouse. The cool air of the night brushed against my skin as I stepped outside, not even bothering to tame the irritation rising in my chest.

The west garden was quiet as expected. The moonlight made the stone paths glow faintly silver, and the old fountain came into view through the trimmed hedges.

She was already there.

And so was... someone else?

My footsteps slowed as my eyes landed on the second figure standing beside her.

That familiar dark violet hair.

Luca Valentine.

What’s he doing here?