Reincarnated as an Extra: I had an Ascension Tower

The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden light across the academy grounds. It was noon, and Lucian stood in his room, meticulously packing his luggage.

His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.

'The ranking is just as I expected,' he mused, checking the leaderboard displayed on his interface as he walked down the hallway.

Ranking Results:

1. Alex Solstic

2. Oliver Drakos

3. Keal Vexari

4. Elena Sylphar

5. Zara Zenthara

6. Lucian Eryndral

...

10. Lyra Mythera

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Six of the top ten students hailed from the prestigious Seven Great Families.

It was expected, given their bloodlines and training.

The single dormitory for the top ten students loomed ahead. As Lucian approached, the distant sound of shouting echoed through the corridors.

"You've got to be kidding me!" a frustrated voice bellowed.

Lucian turned the corner to see none other than Oliver Drakos, the second ranker, pacing angrily outside his room.

Oliver was the epitome of sheer will and hard work, a prodigy who could rival Alex Solstic despite lacking the latter's innate advantages.

But Lucian knew the truth. At this stage, Oliver was a hotheaded jerk—a bully, even. Still, he admired the boy's eventual growth.

'He's one of the best-written characters in the story,' Lucian thought, his fan-like admiration clashing with his current wariness of the volatile teenager.

Not wanting to get involved in whatever tantrum Oliver was throwing, Lucian quietly slipped past, making his way to his own room.

The dormitory was a testament to luxury.

The room was spacious, adorned with high-end furniture, a private bathroom, and a small training area.

He wasted no time unpacking his belongings, arranging them with practiced precision.

Once his room was set up, Lucian collapsed onto the soft bed, exhaustion finally catching up to him.

It was then that the familiar, glowing interface of the Ascension System materialized before him, hovering in midair.

[Ascension Tower – Accessible]

Lucian's eyes widened, and then he smirked. "About damn time," he muttered.

He had been waiting for this moment ever since the exams ended.

The Tower was his true path to growth, the place where he could gain the edge he needed before the chaos of the story began.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he allowed the anticipation to wash over him.

***

Lucian materialized in an otherworldly valley.

The air hummed with mana so dense that each breath felt invigorating yet suffocating.

Ahead, a river coursed through the valley, its waters glimmering with a soft, iridescent light.

It wasn't just water—it was pure harmony, the essence of balance between mana, spirit, and body.

[Quest Initiated: Bath in the River of Harmony]

[Description: Strengthen your body by bathing in the River of Harmony]

[Objective: Stay immersed in the river for at least 1 hour.]

Lucian's eyes narrowed as he studied the river.

At first glance, it looked calm, but the surging mana within the water made it clear this would be anything but a simple task.

"This… isn't going to be pleasant," he muttered, stepping closer to the riverbank.

he could feel the oppressive pressure emanating from the river.

He removed his jacket and boots, stepping barefoot into the grass near the river.

His mana core pulsed faintly, sensing the harmony within the water.

"No pain, no gain," he whispered to himself, steeling his resolve before plunging his foot into the river.

The moment his skin touched the water, an overwhelming force surged through his body.

A searing sensation crawled up his leg, like fire racing through his veins.

Lucian stumbled, barely able to keep his footing as he stepped further into the river.

The pressure only grew more intense as he waded in up to his waist.

It wasn't just the pain—it was the sheer weight of the mana, pressing against his body from every direction.

"It's… trying to tear me apart," Lucian grunted, his voice strained.

The river's energy wasn't just attacking his body—it was probing his weaknesses, forcing him to confront every imperfection in his mana flow, every imbalance in his form.

He dropped to his knees, water rushing up to his chest.

His body trembled violently as the river seemed to ripple with intent, testing his limits.

[Warning: Mana Imbalance Detected]

Lucian gritted his teeth as the system's notification flashed before him.

The river wasn't just testing his endurance, it was forcing him to harmonize the chaotic mana within his own core.

"Focus… steady your breathing…" he muttered, closing his eyes.

The pain didn't subside, but Lucian forced himself to adapt.

He began circulating his mana, aligning it with the rhythm of the river's flow.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours.

Every second was a battle, his body on the brink of collapse. But as time passed, Lucian began to notice a subtle change.

The searing pain dulled, replaced by a soothing warmth that spread through his limbs.

The river was healing him, strengthening him, forging his body into a vessel capable of withstanding greater power.

[Progress: 40 minutes elapsed]

Lucian opened his eyes, his breathing steady.

He could feel the changes within him—his mana core spinning more smoothly, his body resonating with the flow of the river.

But the hardest part was yet to come.

The river's energy began to intensify, swirling around him in a vortex. It was as if the river itself was challenging him, testing whether he was truly worthy of its blessings.

"Here it comes," Lucian growled, planting his feet firmly on the riverbed. His mana surged in response, intertwining with the river's flow.

The final moments were a blur of pain and determination.

Lucian's body felt as if it would shatter under the pressure, but he refused to yield.

When the hour finally passed, the river's energy receded, leaving him standing in the calm, glowing waters.

[Quest Completed: Bath in the River of Harmony]

[Reward: Enhanced Physical Constitution and Mana Harmony]

As Lucian dragged himself out of the river, collapsing onto the grass, a new notification appeared.

[All trials on the first floor of the Ascension Tower have been completed]

[Congratulations! You have advanced to Early Adept]

[The second floor is currently inaccessible. You are not yet ready to enter]

Lucian blinked at the notifications, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Finally... Early Adept," he muttered.

The weight of the river's trial had been immense, but the rewards were undeniable. His body felt stronger, his mana smoother, his spirit more unified.

***

After coming back, he barely managed to remove his jacket before collapsing onto the bed.

"The first floor... is done," he whispered, his eyes growing heavy. The next challenge lay ahead, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of rest.

Then Lucian said "Status".