The Extra's Reincarnation

I closed my eyes without responding, listening to the soft squeak of wheels as he returned to his own space.

'That will never happen.'

As the curtain swished closed between us I closed my eyes for a moment and considered the time that had passed.

"Wait, what day is it?"

I muttered out loud and turned to the nearest calendar.

[Monday…]

Right…

Three days. I'd been unconscious for three days.

The original novel the one I'd memorized so carefully from the book had specific events unfolding during the three weeks at the academy.

Critical plot points that shaped relationships and set trajectories for the entire story.

"Shit, shit, shit," I hissed, throwing aside the thin infirmary blanket and swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

My vision swam momentarily, but I forced myself to focus.

If I'd been out for three days, then today would be...

"The confession," I whispered, my heart racing.

"Marcel's confession to Elenore."

In the original novel, Marcel Dorn had confessed his feelings to Elenore exactly four days after the start of classes.

It was a pivotal scene that she had rejected him, setting off a chain of events that eventually led to his spiral into darkness and eventual alliance with the Black hearts.

But with Kaelen's defeat at Uzan's hands there was a major deviation from the original plot and I mean… who knew how other events might have changed?

What if Kaelen hadn't been there to intervene as he did in the original story?

I needed to check. Now.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I pushed myself to my feet.

The room tilted alarmingly, but I steadied myself against the bedside table.

My uniform lay folded on a chair nearby, still bearing the tears and bloodstains from my fight with Uzan.

I dressed quickly, wincing as I pulled the shirt over my heavily bandaged torso. The uniform hung open, the buttons too damaged to fasten properly, but I didn't care.

"Where do you think you're going?" A stern voice came from the doorway. The head nurse, a formidable woman with steel-gray hair, stood with her arms crossed.

"Class," I managed, trying to sound normal despite the pain making my voice tight.

"Important... lecture today."

"Absolutely not," she declared, advancing into the room.

"You've sustained multiple fractures and internal bleeding. You need at least another two days of rest."

"Sorry," I said, not meaning it at all as I edged toward the door. "Can't miss this one."

Before she could reach me, I darted past her—or at least attempted what my injured body could manage as a dart—and out into the corridor.

"Come back here at once!" she called after me, but I was already staggering down the hallway, one hand pressed against the wall for support.

***

Julian staggered through the hallways of Aethel Academy, each step sending fresh waves of pain through his battered body.

The infirmary was located in the academy's east wing, quite a distance from the first-year classrooms.

Under normal circumstances, the journey would have taken him five minutes at most, but in his current condition, it felt like traversing the entire continent.

Bandages wrapped tightly around his torso peeked through his tattered uniform that hung open, the fabric too damaged to button properly.

His face didn't suffer much consequence as his body did but there were shadows under his eyes from days of unconsciousness.

As he made his way toward Class 1-C he knew It was the start of roll call, when students were expected to be in their assigned rooms before heading off to their specialized subjects for the day.

For once, Julian was grateful for the academy's strict scheduling.

'Finally I'm here…'

He paused outside the classroom door, taking a moment to catch his breath.

The simple act of walking had left him light-headed and nauseous, but he pushed the discomfort aside.

He needed to see Elenore, to confirm that she was safe, that Marcel's confession had gone as it should have.

With a deep breath Julian pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"…!"

"…"

The classroom fell instantly silent as every head turned toward him.

Dozens of eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in fascination as they took in his appearance.

"Is that Julian?"

"Holy shit, he's actually walking!"

"I heard he and Uzan nearly killed each other."

"Look at those bandages… how is he even standing?"

Julian stood in the doorway, bandaged and bruised, his uniform hanging open to reveal more bandages beneath.

The whispers spread through the classroom like wildfire, growing louder with each passing second.

Several students rose from their seats for a better view, pointing and staring without bothering to hide their curiosity.

"He's got to be some kind of monster to recover this quickly."

"I heard the medical staff say his ribs were completely shattered."

"Maybe he's not human. Did you see how he matched Uzan blow for blow?"

"Those abs though! even with the bandages you can tell he's ripped."

Julian ignored the comments, his eyes searching the room for Elenore.

When he didn't immediately spot her, a knot of anxiety tightened in his chest.

Ehem…

Professor Halstead, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair who taught general magical theory, stood at the front of the classroom with his attendance sheet forgotten in his hands.

"Mr. Uzziel," he said, finding his voice at last.

"I... We weren't expecting you back so soon. The infirmary sent word that you would be absent for at least another week."

"I needed to check if Elenore was here," Julian said, his voice strained yet determined.

"I have something important to discuss with her."

The professor's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Miss Elenore? I'm afraid she—"

"I'm right here."

"…!"

Julian froze at the soft voice directly behind him.

The proximity sent a jolt through his already pain-wracked body.

He turned around slowly, each movement felt purposeful to minimize the agony in his ribs, and found himself face to face with Elenore.

She stood in the doorway he'd just entered through, completely unharmed.

Her porcelain features looked composed and serene as well as her soft brown hair that cascaded in perfect waves over her shoulders, and her deep golden eyes that regarded him with curiousity.

Julian's mind went blank.

The relief of seeing her safe collided with the shock of her sudden appearance, leaving him staring wordlessly with his mouth slightly agape.

Even his bandaged appearance contrasted sharply with her pristine uniform and flawless complexion, making him aware of how he looks.

Then a collective gasp rippled through the classroom, followed immediately by a wave of excited whispers.

"Is he confessing to her?"

"Julian and Elenore? No way!"

"Did you see his face? He's totally into her!"

"The quiet ones are always the most romantic!"

Julian's cheeks flushed as he realized how the scene must appear—him rushing to class despite severe injuries, asking specifically for Elenore, then freezing in apparent awe at the sight of her. The perfect setup for a dramatic confession.

"I—" he started, but his voice caught in his throat.

Elenore tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes, I..." Julian struggled to form a coherent sentence as the classroom's attention bore down on him like a physical weight. "Could we talk somewhere private?"

The whispers intensified, and someone in the back of the room let out a low whistle.

"Mr. Uzziel," Professor Halstead intervened, clearly trying to regain control of his increasingly chaotic classroom.

"Perhaps this could wait until after roll call? We're already behind schedule."

"Ah… sorry, Professor," Julian said, straightening himself despite the pain that shot through his ribs.

"Please continue with roll call. You can mark me present for today."

Professor Halstead's eyebrows rose even higher, but he nodded.

"Very well, Mr. Uzziel. Please take your seat."

Julian made his way to his desk, and he could feel the weight of every stare in the room.

Elenore moved to her seat as well right next to Julian, her expression still unreadable.

The professor cleared his throat and returned to his attendance sheet, determined to restore order to the classroom.

"Now then, where was I? Ah, yes. Veracruz, Samantha?"

…

…

…

"And with that, class is dismissed. Please proceed to your respective subjects," Professor Halstead announced, closing his ledger with a definitive snap.

"And Mr. Uzziel, I strongly suggest you return to the infirmary immediately after this... conversation of yours."

The students rose from their seats, gathering their materials with unusual slowness.

Their eyes darted between Julian and Elenore, hungry for any hint of drama or romance.

A few lingered near the door, pretending to organize their bags while straining to overhear whatever might be said.

"Today, if you please," Professor Halstead added firmly, gesturing toward the exit.

With reluctant sighs and disappointed murmurs, the last of the students filed out, leaving Julian and Elenore alone in the suddenly quiet classroom.

"He's got guts, I'll give him that," a voice drifted in from the hallway.

"Coming to class looking like that just to talk to her?" another replied.

"Either he's crazy or he's in love."

"Maybe both," a third voice added with a laugh before the sounds faded away.