Transmigrating as an Extra, But the Heroine Has Regressed?!
Chapter 90: A Quiet Resolve.

Chapter 90: A Quiet Resolve.

Rows upon rows of first-year students stood in straight lines, stretching across the ground zero.

Despite the warm light of the day, the students were busy talking with each other.

The murmuring of nervous students, the occasional cough, the quiet rustle of parchment as someone double-checked their notes or reviewed a last-minute plan—it all blended into a dull hum that buzzed just beneath the surface of silence.

Some tighten their fists in determination. Others glanced sideways at the stronger, more confident figures among them—people like Elysia, Jin, Cecelia, and Edwin—wondering whether they stood a chance in the upcoming midterm examination.

Professor Sylvia, who had just finished her long explanation of the exam structure, stepped away from the front of the gathering.

She didn’t look back, trusting that what she had said would soon sink into the hearts of the students.

At the back of the formation, standing a little apart from the others, was Kael.

His arms were folded across his chest, and his eyes were watching and calculating.

He didn’t mingle with the others or speak a word.

Then, a presence cut through the background noise.

Edwin stepped forward from the front row, walking confidently across the polished tiles.

The sun caught the edge of his shoulder plate and the silver trim of his cloak, making them gleam.

The moment he moved, the crowd quieted, like someone had drawn a curtain of silence over the gathering.

He stopped at the center, where Sylvia had stood moments before, and scanned the students slowly. His eyes moved over the crowd, pausing only briefly at familiar faces.

He nodded faintly to Jin, who stood a few feet away with his hands in his pockets. He met Elysia’s gaze next—a quiet acknowledgment passed between them, though neither spoke.

Cecelia, standing a few steps behind Elysia, gave a small tilt of her chin in his direction.

Then Edwin raised a hand, commanding attention.

And with a voice that was clear, steady, and filled with natural authority, he spoke.

"Those who have already decided to form the groups for the midterm trial," he announced, his tone leaving no room for hesitation, "please come forward now."

The crowd stirred. Some students looked at one another with uncertain eyes. Others immediately began stepping forward, confident and prepared.

Group by group, students began breaking formation, walking out from their rows toward the front as instructed. Some came in trios, others in pairs, and a few even in larger squads.

"I am with your group.."

"Elysia, i am into your group.."

Kael, still watching from the back, remained unmoved.

His eyes followed the procession with a detached intensity. He wasn’t part of any group. Not by accident, but by choice.

Because he already knew—this exam wasn’t about proving strength in numbers. For him, it would be different.

There was a beat of silence. Then murmurs rose again, and the movement began.

Students shifted, some whispering frantically, others glancing around, trying to find partners if they hadn’t already. A few confidently walked forward in pre-arranged formations.

Edwin stood with five others—fellow swordsmen and a support-type mage who complemented his combat-heavy approach.

All of them carried themselves with the calm certainty of those who had trained for this moment.

"I will take the north sector," Edwin declared, stepping forward confidently. His voice was steady and calm, but it carried strength, causing the nearby students to quiet down immediately.

"I’ve studied the terrain," he continued, lifting a rolled parchment that appeared to be a hand-drawn map.

"The cliffs in that region are narrow but elevated. It’s the perfect place for scouting and fast elimination."

He glanced toward a few students nearby, likely his team. "We’ll start from the eastern cliff edge, sweep along the ridges, and loop back to the arena’s central zone by the second day. Stay sharp—those rocks can hide both monsters and traps."

His leadership and planning left a strong impression. It was no surprise—Edwin was the second top swordsman of the first year.

Then, stepping up next was Elysia. Unlike Edwin’s military-like tone, hers was more direct and no-nonsense.

"My team will head west," she said, her voice crisp and clear.

A few students whispered upon hearing the name. The Frostwood was known for its chilling atmosphere and the dense mana fog that clung to the trees.

"My group has two frontliners for protection, one healer for support, and three ranged mages.

We’ll hunt mana beasts and use the fog as cover. I know how those beasts behave in cold environments."

She paused, her gaze flicking briefly toward Edwin—not with hostility, but as if acknowledging his decision before turning her attention back to the crowd.

Then came Cecelia, whose presence immediately lightened the mood. Her gentle smile and warm tone made many feel calmer, even in the face of the upcoming trial.

"I’ll take the south path," she said with a cheerful nod.

Students murmured with admiration. Cecelia’s team seemed more focused on exploration and support, but with her strong purification magic, they’d be a formidable force even against corrupted monsters.

Everyone could feel it now—the midterm trial wasn’t just about surviving. It was about proving themselves in front of everyone.

And still, Kael stood quietly in the back, watching it all unfold.

And that was exactly how he wanted it.

Lastly, Jin, the sharp-eyed strategist, stepped forward with his team of seven. He gave a simple nod and said, "We’re heading east. I don’t know what is there but we will clear any path."

After the main groups were formed and all the strong, well-connected students had found their teams, only a few were left behind.

Scattered across the field were solo students and small, leftover groups—those who either chose to work alone or simply weren’t picked by anyone else.

Some stood awkwardly, hoping to be called in at the last moment. Others crossed their arms, pretending not to care.

But all of them shared the same silent truth: they didn’t fit in.

Among them stood Kael.

He stood quietly near the edge of the gathering, arms by his side, eyes calm but distant. A few students glanced at him, then quickly looked away. But that didn’t stop the whispers.

"Wait... is he really going solo?"

"He’s nuts. The instructors said there are mutated mana beasts this year."

"Doesn’t he, like... not even use magic?"

Kael heard every word, but he didn’t react.

He didn’t need to.

He had already decided—long before this moment—that he would go alone.