Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents

The semi-finals of the Hero Tournament—as the last phase of the Hero Festival—began with the last two participants from the young heroes of the second year.

Delkira was against a young man she couldn't bother to remember the name of. And based on what she had shown so far, the audience anticipated that she would win without a problem, which exactly what happened as she secured an overwhelming victory.

"You— H-how?" Her opponent asked before losing consciousness upon facing an offensive magic—the kind that wouldn't be suspicious in the face of the crowd.

Delkira shrugged and said with a smile, "Maybe I'm just stronger? Who knows?"

After that, it was a battle between the two geniuses of this generation as judged by many—the True Hero candidate from the Astraea Family, and the sole disciple of the Infinitum Tower Master.

It was the highest anticipated match as it involved two students said to be the center behind the salvation of many lives during the tragedy on Ranaya Island, something that could have been worse.

*

"I can't believe what my eyes are seeing. These many renowned figures attended this event for the sake of watching them. Who do you think will win, Young Master?" Beatrice asked.

Looking at the massive rectangular area being encapsulated by a spherical barrier to protect the audience, Alana Sol Astraea and Maya Hel Infinitum faced each other.

Of course, with the latter's personality, a wide smile was evidently creeping on her lips.

Although I was already aware of who would win, reading the original story and seeing it with my own eyes would be a different experience.

"I don't know, but it'll be an interesting fight."

"I agree." Yuridika succinctly said, keenly observing the two individuals in the arena, who were scrutinizing each other.

After a while, the duel between Alana and Maya kicked off with the referee's signal. And without wasting any second, Alana lunged forward holding Seraphmire—the golden twin-headed scythe bathed in divinity—aiming to knock Maya either out of the arena or her consciousness.

Maya smirked, anticipating the seemingly decisive rush to quickly finish the duel. This prompted her to cast [Swallowing Void (Physical)], which caused the entire arena to tremble and disassemble itself as an enormous mouth from nothingness appeared behind her.

With countless teeth as if it were an entity from an unknown cosmos, all of the arena vanished, and only the ground remained. Maya's magical control allowed her to limit the power of this [Talent].

At the same time, the Witch's Hat on her other hand gradually and unusually had gotten bigger, which she then used as her little [footing].

Being thrown off-balance for a moment, Alana jumped into space as several golden magic circles appeared on her foot... And that's when she didn't anticipate it.

The disassembled arena—tiles and rocks—that was swallowed by a void giant was expelled from its stomach with such a terrifying power.

"Not so fast babe," Maya smirked, cancelling the [Swallowing Void] to cast another magic.

[Gravity Pillar]

That's when something from the sky cracked, and an immaterial force of gravity slammed itself towards Alana, who could not find a proper footing while being bombarded by ashen rocks.

WHOOSH!

BANG!

Since the arena had gone into pieces and dust, the ground was now considered outside, which meant that whoever set foot down below would be disqualified—at least if that assumption was correct.

But Alana didn't want to risk it. That's why she maintained herself midair. With the intense pressure pressing her, rendering her unable to properly use something that would not require tremendous backlash, Alana decided to split the Seraphmire and used [Sun Door].

Even throughout the weeks they had been training together, it was the first time Maya saw this. But if there's one she had learned, Alana was not exactly immune to magic—and that the divinity she possessed at this point was vulnerable to any anti-divinity properties.

"Not this time."

[Swallowing Void (Immaterial)]

The same [Talent] she utilized during their first encounter due to the matters of Bishop Jacob... A monstrous ability that could devour anything immaterial in the surroundings including one's holy power and mana, which could make any divine weapon turn into simply an ordinary weapon.

"..."

Sensing the fluctuations from Seraphmire's divinity, temporarily losing its status as a divine weapon, Alana hesitated to use the [Talent: Severer of #######], especially in front of many people and the fact that many members of the Seven Hero Bloodlines—no matter if they were just vassals or of direct blood—were watching right now after she was probed by the Seven Family Heads with how she could bypass Seraphmire's prerequisite conditions to use Culling Light with her present Soul Order, resulting to Caelen's death...

Seeing her hesitant face as Alana resisted the Gravity Pillar, Maya seemed to understand what was running through her sparring partner's mind.

"Pfft. To whom are you living for? Seriously. You're being pathetic."

Even if Alana was used to Maya's dirty mouth, she couldn't help but twitch at her provocation. Yet it made her think, albeit momentarily.

< "Is there still something you haven't shown me yet?" >

What's more, Ranaya—who was attached to her soul due to the effect of one of her mysterious talents—chimed in with utmost curiosity.

< "Just watch." >

Alana muttered in her head with conviction.

It was then that a familiar sight transpired, causing the golden glow in Alana's eyes, body, and weapon to turn into ashen white—a representation of something else that was not divinity nor anti-divinity.

"That's what I'm talking about. Entertain me." Maya chuckled, but her eyes were filled with excitement.

After all, it wouldn't be easy for the True Hero candidate this time.

*

Witnessing the display of the manifestation of Alana's Talent: [Severer of #######], Delkira and Saintess Lumen, the polar opposites of good and evil, made eye contact with each other.

They recalled the conversation they had when they met due to Adelle's foolish whims. And it's a discussion separated from the possibilities behind Lugh's existence alone.

- "You are wary of the late True Hero's sister, aren't you? No. I should say that your Goddess, together with the other deities, is on guard. Am I right, Lumen?"

- "Can you show me the memories of the last Demon King during his fight against Ryeon?"

Ryeon Sol Astraea—Alana's brother's name.

- "Pfft. You are a funny one. Why should I do that? Whether or not Ryeon's sister is more talented or perhaps someone who could even be compared to the Founding Hero, it's not my concern as a demonkind. Well, in a way, it's always been our concern, so why should I make your life easier? But it's quite a first for you folks of light, yes? Good luck."

"..."

As their conversation overlapped in their minds, Delkira mocked the Saintess from afar by giving her a middle finger.

*

After some time, the battle reached its conclusion with Alana as the victor. But the difference this time was that it was not an easy fight, as her body was battered with bruises and open wounds.

Maya, on the other hand, was knocked out to oblivion. Yet a smile lingered on her lips as though she had just an epiphany throughout the fight.

"I can't grasp Alana's Talent. It feels ancient and unorthodox... What could its origin be? I mean..." Yuridika looked at me as we exited the arena.

The subsequent fights were the semi-finalists from both third and fourth year classes. However, seeing Saleana Aragon, the purpose of my visit, leaving early to go somewhere, I led the way outside.

Reaching the vast and bustling streets outside the academy, Saleana, being escorted by two formidable knights donning armor engraved with the emblem of a dragon, visited one of the attractions to eat the empire's famous cuisine.

After all, food was everything.

That's when I sensed the two knights standing in front of me, Beatrice and Yuridika. They felt that they were being followed even if the crowd was considerable.

It was not merely an assumption but something honed through experience.

Well, showing such a clear intent was the quick way to get her attention.

"Who are you?" A burly knight asked.

"Answer properly or you'll regret it." The other knight warned.

Meanwhile, as this restaurant, though it was not exclusive for nobility, was too expensive, there were barely any people apart from the hardworking staff.

In addition, its owner was Saleana herself.

"I'm someone who knew Miss Saleana."

Seated some distance away, as my voice reached her, Saleana chuckled and said, "I don't think I entertain marriage proposals from a nobody. I find this insulting. Get them out of my-"

"Clarissa of Cetera."

The moment those words came out of my mouth, Saleana flinched. She recalled that very name with interesting talents... Someone who was considered a product during the Sunken Deep Auction.

"You... Are you perhaps?"

"Young Miss, do you know this man?" One of the knights tried to reassure.

Turning her head, Saleana saw me, as well as the two women behind me. That's when she recalled the man from the auction who was also surrounded by two women with the same build and figure.

Meeting her gaze, as I silently waited, Saleana finally acknowledged our presence.

"Yes, let them in. For the two of you, wait outside for a moment."