Chronicles of Forgotten Extra

As the first ray of sunlight peeked through the grand white curtains a boy with black hair stirred in his sleep.

His crimson eyes snapped open.

His expressions twisted slightly.

"Fucking nightmare".

He cursed. Grand lines for the first word spoken in the morning.

He looked around himself for a brief moment. He saw the little white crow sleeping in a small fluffy cradle.

She's fine.

He thought as he slowly got up.

After the cold shower yesterday, Alden went straight to sleep.

Which raised the question — how does anyone sleep after a cold shower?

But the answer was simple.

If your body was tired enough, you could even sleep within a pool of molten lava.

He did try to speak to Kyun before sleeping but she still didn't respond.

I really need to find a bird therapist for Kyun's post traumatic session.

Alden sighed.

He didn't really know how to console her. She was just an infant.

And for a loner in two lives like Alden… consoling was the hardest thing to do. He didn't even know where to begin.

He thought she would snap out of it given enough time. And honestly there was nothing else he could do.

He walked towards the cradle holding the baby crow and ran his fingers through her feathers, careful not to wake her.

He smiled.

You are my only family, Kyun.

So, don't dare to be reckless again.

He really wanted to scold her when she jumped to attack Caera back in the dungeon. But in a corner of his heart… he felt warm.

In this cold world she was the only family he had left. And he wasn't going to let her suffer because of his weakness.

I'll get strong… so you won't ever have to fight again.

He didn't want her to fight anyone. He just wanted her to enjoy her birdly life and maybe… even grow just strong enough to defend herself.

She wasn't some tool… she was his family.

With those thoughts, he walked towards the bathroom to freshen up. He had classes to attend after all.

As he went through his morning routine, he couldn't help but pause as he looked at his reflection.

What the—

He noticed a change.

When did I get even more handsome?

After freshening up and a few more narcissistic remarks, he slipped into his academy uniform—the same black uniform worn by the top ten students of the year, with a red tie to signify his standing.

It fit him well.

Kyun had woken up in the meantime. Instead of perching on Alden's shoulder like usual… She sat in the shadowy corner like some edgy assassin wannabe.

Is she perhaps in her emo phase?

Alden couldn't help but question.

"Kyun, I'm going to class. Don't stir up too much trouble, okay?"

The bird looked at him for a moment before nodding one time.

"Kyu" Even her chirp sounded like: don't tell me what to do, mortal.

Yep. Definitely emo phase.

Perhaps the dungeon incident had shaken her up a bit too much… or is it because of something else.

Alden couldn't help but shake his head.

He could have taken her with him but honestly, he didn't have the intention to do so. She wasn't a being to be taken lightly… even with her feather-like weight.

"Send me a message if you need something, okay?" With those last words Alden left the room.

By message he meant the usual mental transmission.

He could hear her and even feel her emotions within a ten kilometres radius around him.

__

With a soft ding the lift arrived at ground floor—the common lobby stretched before him.

Grand, polished and utterly empty—just like the lives of those who walked through it.

Why did they even build this massive lobby for only ten students?

Alden could never understand.

Nobody was present there. He was early today.

Alden didn't wait for anyone. He wasn't in the mood for company. He wanted peace for. At least as long as it lasted.

He walked across the academy grounds alone. He could see many students walking towards their classes.

Some walked alone. Some walked with their friends.

Alden didn't care.

As he entered the classroom, most of the seats were still empty.

Perfect.

He took his usual spot in the back and settled in, staring out the window.

Let's hope today passes without incident.

__

Zephyr walked out of his dorm, making his way towards the class building.

His expression was neutral. He was tired of this monotonous academy life. It simply didn't have the thrill he seeked.

It was all so… predictable.

If not for his father's order, he wouldn't have even enrolled here.

The students here were weak—most of them didn't even seem worth his time.

And the truly strong ones?

They avoided him like the plague.

Zephyr's fists clenched involuntarily.

He had even challenged some second-year students, but they'd all ignored him as if they couldn't even be bothered.

He couldn't understand what was the point of people like that? Strong but uninterested in testing their limits.

He felt disgusted by the weak but even more so by those who were strong but lacked any real guts.

But he had found a new target recently.

Alden Draven.

No. Not Draven anymore.

Only Alden.

The boy who had once fought him in the academy entrance exam.

Zephyr could see it. The strength. The potential. It had only grown since then.

Zephyr had seen Alden stopping the attack of that useless prince yesterday. The attack— that even sent shivers down his spine was neutralised just like that.

At that time the aura Alden gave out was something that made even Zephyr freeze for a moment.

His instincts, honed through years of martial training screamed at him: This guy is dangerous.

And that made it even more interesting.

I need to fight him.

Alden wasn't some weakling to be avoided or underestimated. He was someone worth fighting.

Someone worth testing.

Zephyr entered the classroom, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Alden.

I hope you won't disappoint me.

__