The Extra's Reincarnation

"I'm impressed," Riggs said, lowering his blade.

"Releasing soul energy into reality and then creating a projectile slash is extremely difficult. Most practitioners spend decades mastering the technique, yet you perform like a child could do it from birth."

Julian remained silent, unsure how to respond to the praise without revealing too much.

"You're full of surprises, Julian," Riggs continued, dispelling the energy from his blade with a casual flick of his wrist.

"Soul arts at your level, combined with your speed and analytical mind... these aren't skills one acquires through casual training."

He approached Julian slowly, his expression thoughtful.

"The question is, where did you learn them? And why are you so determined to hide your abilities?"

Julian tensed, his mind racing for a plausible explanation.

"I've always been a quick study," he offered, keeping his voice neutral. "And as for hiding my abilities, I prefer to be underestimated. It's usually to my advantage."

Riggs studied Julian for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing the truth of his words. Then, surprisingly, he chuckled.

"Underestimated, indeed. A clever strategy… But sometimes, Julian, hiding your light denies the world what it needs most especially in difficult times."

He gestured to the practice weapons rack, signaling that their session was concluded.

Julian followed suit, placing his practice blade back among the others, feeling the tension gradually leaving his muscles.

"You have remarkable potential," Riggs continued as they moved toward the center of the room.

"If you were to major in Combat Arts, I could see you following a path similar to one I offered years ago, perhaps even as successor to the Aurean Army's Vice Commander seat."

Julian froze, his hand still outstretched toward the rack.

"Vice Commander?" he repeated, turning to stare at Riggs.

"That's... that's a royal appointment. Why would you even suggest something like that for a first-year student you barely know?"

"Because I recognize what I see in you. It's the same potential I saw in Alonso when he was your age. He became the leader he was meant to be." Riggs's expression remained calm, almost nostalgic.

"Saint Alonso?" Julian's voice cracked slightly. "You offered him the same position?"

"Indeed. When I was appointed Commander decades ago, I selected him as my Vice. He was much like you, talented but reluctant to embrace his potential."

Julian's mind raced with the implications. Saint Alonso was a legend, his name spoken with reverence throughout Aurean.

To be compared to him by someone of Riggs's standing was both flattering and terrifying.

"I... I appreciate the offer, sir," Julian managed, his throat suddenly dry.

"But I don't need that kind of responsibility. I'm just trying to get through my studies."

Riggs waved his hand dismissively.

"You can do as you please. I won't force someone who doesn't want the role. Alonso was just like you at first anyway, he refused it outright. But eventually, he accepted it a few years later." His eyes gleamed with quiet pride.

"Now he's the commanding leader of the Royal Aurean Army."

Julian shook his head, feeling a flutter of panic rising in his chest.

"It most likely won't be that way for me. I plan on going elsewhere after I graduate. My path lies... elsewhere."

"That's fine," Riggs said with a surprising lack of disappointment.

"The future is yours to shape as you see fit." He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small, crystalline device.

"In any case, I'll transfer your merits to your student card as promised. Fifty points for an excellent display of skill."

The device glowed briefly as Riggs tapped it against Julian's student card.

The transaction complete, he tucked the device away and turned toward the exit.

"See you later-"

"Wait," Julian called out as Riggs reached for the door.

"You didn't just want to spar with me to find out how strong I truly was, did you? There was another reason."

Riggs paused, a slow smile spreading across his face as he turned back.

"You saw through me, did you? Sharp as I suspected." He moved back toward Julian, his expression growing more serious.

"Tell me, have you heard of the Barrier of Restriction?"

Julian nodded carefully. "My mother explained it to me once. It's the perfect invisible layered barrier that keeps the demon realm from ever being opened to us."

"Correct," Riggs confirmed, his voice dropping to a lower register.

"And after many long centuries of it standing strong, there's concerning news about it being weakened."

Julian's eyes widened, genuine surprise mixing with a deeper concern that he tried to conceal. "Weakened? How is that possible? I thought it was impenetrable."

His mind raced with the implications. In the original timeline, the barrier wasn't supposed to weaken until Kaelen became an Imperial Knight—years from now. This was another significant deviation, another change in the world's trajectory that he hadn't anticipated.

"We don't know the exact cause yet," Riggs admitted, running a hand through his graying hair. "But the signs are unmistakable. Small breaches have been detected along the eastern quadrant, and there have been reports of... incidents."

Julian swallowed hard, his mind conjuring images of what might slip through such breaches.

'If the barrier was weakening now, it wasn't just arch-demons they needed to worry about, apostles could potentially make their way through as well. Beings of such power that even the strongest mages would struggle against them.'

"This is... concerning," Julian said, his voice steady despite the alarm bells ringing in his head.

"More than concerning," Riggs agreed grimly.

"I've fought many demons that found their way through the barrier in my time. But what we're facing now could be unlike anything we've seen in generations."

Julian noticed the subtle shift in Riggs's posture, the tightening around his eyes that spoke of personal experience with the horrors that lay beyond the barrier. This wasn't theoretical for him—it was visceral, remembered pain.

"Is that why you're testing students? Looking for those who might help if things... escalate?" Julian asked, connecting the dots.

Riggs' expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his weathered features.

"Perceptive. But no, I wasn't testing you purely for your strength." He paced a few steps, hands clasped behind his back.

"I needed to confirm two things: whether you were holding back in your regular classes in which you clearly were and whether I should be concerned about this era's potential."

Julian tilted his head slightly.

"Concerned? About our potential?"

"There's been talk," Riggs said, his voice taking on a contemplative tone, "that this generation lacks the talent of those who came before. Many instructors believe you're all... overexaggerated. Bright, certainly, but not exceptional."

"And you wanted to see if that was true?" Julian asked, beginning to understand.

Riggs nodded, stopping his pacing to face Julian directly.

"The generation before yours—the one that included Alonso and many others who now serve as pillars of other kingdoms… they were truly extraordinary. We called them the Golden Generation. Their combined strength helped fortify borders and advance magical understanding beyond what anyone thought possible."

"For a while, I feared that talent was diminishing, that perhaps the world's mana was becoming diluted, or that something fundamental had changed in how magic manifests in the younger generations."

"And now? After our match?"

"Now I know that exceptional individuals still emerge. Your abilities are one of one, Julian. Perhaps even beyond what I witnessed in Alonso at your age."

"I'm just one student," Julian countered, uncomfortable with the weight of expectation settling on his shoulders.

"You can't judge an entire generation based on me."

"True," Riggs acknowledged with a nod.

"But you're not the only promising student I've observed. That Modan boy has tremendous potential, despite his arrogance. And there are others like Elenore with her healing gifts, Kaelen with his swordsmanship talent. Even those first year student council members show promise that would have been noteworthy in any era."

"What I've seen in you today has convinced me that this world is in good hands. The next generation may be different from the last, but not lesser."

Julian stood speechless, caught off guard by the unexpected vote of confidence.

"Don't waste it," Riggs said, his voice suddenly serious again.

"Whatever path you choose, whether it's the royal army or something else entirely. Don't squander what you've been given."

With that, he turned and strode toward the door, his steps purposeful and measured.

"Sir…" Julian called after him, "about the barrier—"

"We'll speak of it another time," Riggs interrupted without turning back.

"For now, focus on your studies. And perhaps consider challenging yourself a bit more in your classes."

The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving Julian alone in the training room.

[Quest Complete!]

[MAIN STORY QUEST LOG - A TEST OF WILL]

[Description: You have successfully sparred with Riggs Bourne, demonstrating your abilities while maintaining your cover.]

[Objective: Spar with Riggs Bourne] - [Complete!]

[Calculating Rewards…]

[Rewards Calculated!]

[Base Reward: 250 SP]

[Bonus: Impressed a Legendary Figure: 500 SP]

[Total: 750 SP]