The Likely Rise of an Extra

The argument between the two teachers intensified.

Miss Reina crossed her arms, her voice dripping filled with sarcasm.

"How noble of you, Trina. Always putting your students first, even if it means wasting everyone else's time."

"Don't act like you're doing this for your students!" Trina snapped.

"You're just trying to save face after showing up late."

"Late?!"

Reina gasped, clutching her chest dramatically.

"I was delayed by important paperwork. Unlike you, I actually do my job."

The gym grew louder as students from both classes began to murmur, most of them were just enjoying the drama.

Before the argument could devolve into a full-blown shouting match, the gym's intercom crackled to life.

"Ahem! Attention, students. Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Classes 1-C and 1-D will share the simulation room for today's test."

Both teachers froze mid-argument, their faces snapping toward the intercom like synchronized swimmers.

The male voice continued.

"Please cooperate. Failure to do so will result in serious punishment."

There was a long, awkward pause after that.

"Well," Trina said, smiling sweetly.

"Looks like we have to share."

Reina's eye twitched.

"It would seem so."

◇◇◇

A man in a black suit entered the simulation room, his presence commanding attention.

His golden blonde hair and stubbled chin gave him a distinguished appearance as he talked with both Miss Reina and Trina.

There was an undeniable air of authority about him, and it was clear he was giving the two teachers a lecture, probably about how to not embarrass themselves in front of the students.

Kiel's gaze shifted to Clara, studying her for a moment before his eyes went back to the man.

"So he was the one behind the intercom huh. He seems pretty important. Any idea who he is?"

Zach asked, curious.

Kiel, already knowing who the man was, replied.

"I think he's the chairman of the board."

"Wait, seriously? Wow that explains a lot,"

Zach was clearly impressed.

"But what is he doing here?"

"No idea."

Kiel glanced at Clara once more.

Her eyes were shut, and her expression was a mix of concentration and discontent, as though she wasn't fully engaged with the conversation around her.

'Figures,' Kiel's eyes went back to the man.

◇◇◇

A while later, the two teachers returned after seeing the man off.

Reina stepped forward and addressed the class.

"Apologies for the delay, students. We'll begin the test now,"

She said with a reassuring tone.

"Yes, class 1-C and class 1-D will be cooperating for this test." Trina added.

Miss Reina's expression turned serious as she began addressing the class.

"This test is more than just an assessment. It's your chance to prove yourself—not just to me, but to everyone. How you perform will shape your future here."

She let the words sink in.

"Failing this test will affect your standing, your team placements, and the opportunities you get. It's a wake-up call you can't ignore."

Her gaze sharpened.

"Your performance matters—don't take it lightly."

Trina spoke up.

"From now on, you'll be ranked based on your performance, and that ranking will stay until the next test. Your rank will determine the perks you receive at this academy

—including the food at the cafeteria."

A wave of murmurs swept through the class.

"But don't stress too much,"

Trina continued attempting to calm the students.

"Even if you don't do well in the physicals, there's still the written test. So, don't let it get to you, okay?"

Some students sighed in relief, but not Kiel.

Even if he failed the physical test, there was no way he'd pass the written exam.

He was new to this world and had no clue about the school curriculum.

He let out a deep sigh, one that caught Zach's attention.

"Let's get started," Reina said with a snap of her fingers.

Suddenly, large black metal crate-like boxes shot up from the ground, they were around seven feet tall and four feet wide.

The unexpected movement startled the students, with a few of them even stumbling backward.

FWOOSH!

The crates opened revealing large humanoid looking robots inside them.

"Your objective is simple,"

Trina announced.

"Destroy a single automaton. However, you'll need to work together with your teammate to accomplish this task."

"That should be easy enough,"

Reina added confidently.

"Keep in mind," Trina continued.

"Your grades will be based on individual performance, regardless of whether your team defeats the automaton or not."

A hand shot up in the back.

"Yes, you in the back… Leon, right?"

Trina signaled to the boy.

"Leon?" Kiel muttered to himself, raising an eyebrow.

"Leon?!" He couldn't contain his shock.

In Primus Novus, Leon Calester was described as a master of invisibility—not because of any cool magic or gadget.

But because his plain looks were so aggressively unremarkable that people's brains just edited him out of existence.

Plain black hair.

Dull gray eyes.

He looked so painfully ordinary it was almost offensive.

And this guy is the main character of Primus Novus.

Kiel had actually tried to spot him in the crowd earlier, but it was like trying to find a specific grain of rice in a sack of bland, flavorless white rice.

"Sorry I just wanted to make sure I understood everything," said Leon.

"We're supposed to work as a team to destroy an automaton, but we're each being graded on how well we do individually?"

"Exactly," Trina said with a nod.

"Think of it this way: just because your teammate performs well doesn't mean you'll get a good grade. We're watching how you contribute to the team's success, not just the outcome."

Leon scratched his head awkwardly. "So basically, if I slack off and let my teammate do all the work, I fail, even if we win?"

"Precisely,"

Reina chimed in with a smirk.

"But don't worry. If you both slack off, the automaton will just handle the failing part for you."

Leon let out a nervous laugh, his questions already answered.

"That's it?" Came the voice of a student sounding disappointed.

"Guess I was worried for nothing!" another chimed in.

"Piece of cake!" someone else shouted.

But Kiel knew better.

Having read this novel before, he recognized that these weren't just ordinary automatons.

That made him more restless.

"Okay, we'll begin assigning the teams," Miss Trina announced.

"We'll make it so that each student from Class 1-C is paired with someone from Class 1-D, so it's a two-person team kind of thing."

"Okay, line up according to your seat numbers," she instructed.

◇◇◇

"Well, this seems to be a problem," Miss Reina said.

"Looks like we have an extra one."

Kiel was the only one standing alone.

"Just my luck," he sighed.

While the teachers scrambled to figure out what to do, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Um, I don't have a partner either,"

Kiel turned to see none other than Harlett standing there, looking all innocent.

Where had she been this whole time?

Kiel hadn't seen her since he'd followed her from the bathroom, only for her to vanish mysteriously.

He'd convinced himself she'd just blended into the crowd, but deep down, he knew he'd been making excuses for her absence.

"And where have you been, Miss Harlett?"

Miss Reina asked, her tone dry as she gave her an unimpressed look.

Harlett offered an innocent smile, brushing her hair back casually.

"Sorry, Miss Reina. I got... lost on the way back from the bathroom."

Kiel's brow twitched.

Lost? Really?

Reina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but she didn't push further.

"Fine. You'll partner with Kiel since both of you are without a teammate."

Harlett gave a bright grin and turned to Kiel

"Looks like we're partners. Let's do our best!"

"Yeah, sure. Just try not to disappear mid test alright?"

Harlett chuckled, "Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't dream of it."

Harlett was then given the rundown of the rules for the test.

Miss Reina clapped her hands to draw attention back to her.

"Alright, everyone! Take your positions. The test will begin shortly."

Everyone was finally paired up.

Zach and Leon were partners, as expected.

Levi and Emi were also together.

Shiro was paired with a quiet female background character.

Same goes for Clara.

"Perfect, this is how the story goes" Kiel said under his breath.

"Hm?" Harlett was confused on why he was talking to himself.

◇◇◇

Kiel and Harlett were led to their designated area where a single automaton was standing motionless.

The automaton was humanoid in shape, its silver body covered in faintly glowing sigils.

Its eyes were dark and lifeless.

He glanced at Harlett, who was humming to herself as if this were a stroll in the park.

'How is she so calm,' Kiel thought

Harlett tilted her head. "Something wrong?."

Before Kiel could respond, a loud vpice echoed through the room.

"Begin!"

Reina announced over the intercom.

The automaton sparked to life, its eyes glowing red as it took heavy steps forward with a loud metallic clank.

The sounds of its feet echoed throughout the room.

Kiel immediately dropped into a defensive stance, his mind racing.

Without magic, his survival hinged on his quick thinking—and whatever Harlett was capable of.

Harlett, however, didn't seem the slightest bit concerned.

She stood there, one hand on her hip, as the automaton lunged straight for her.

"Harlett, move!" Kiel shouted, diving to the side.

But Harlett didn't even flinch.

She just stood there, watching the automaton charge at her.

Her face was calm, almost bored looking.

"Are you crazy?!" Kiel yelled as the automaton's massive fist crashed into her.

BOOM!

The room exploded with a deafening sound, and a shockwave tore through the air.

The wind from the shockwave was so strong that it forced Kiel to shield his face.

His heart started beating faster.

He was afraid the worst had already happened.

"This thing's pretty slow, huh?"

Kiel blinked in disbelief.

The dust began settling; that's when he saw her.

Completely unharmed, standing behind the automaton like nothing had happened.

"How did—"

"Hey, Kiel, how about you—" She was cut off as the automaton spun around, its long arm swinging at her with full force.

But she vanished before the strike could land.

"What the... where is she?"

Kiel scanned the room, but she wasn't there anymore.

"That's rude, you know? Interrupting someone like that."

"Above?"

Kiel's head snapped up, and his breath caught in his throat.

Harlett hovered for a in the air, her body wrapped in a bright gold glow that pulsed like electricity.

For a moment, everything seemed to stop.

The light wasn't just a glow—it burned with intensity, heavy with power, as if the entire room was bowing to her.

She spun in the air, then dove straight down at the automaton.

Swoosh. BOOM!

Her punch connected with an earth-shattering sound.

The impact unleashed a shockwave so powerful it cracked the floor beneath the automaton.

The wave forced Kiel to shield his face again.

When he finally looked up, the automaton just stood there completely motionless.

Harlett landed gracefully, her glowing aura dimmed a little as her eyes returned to normal.

"Oh wow, you're pretty sturdy for an automaton," she said.

Kiel stood there, completely stunned.

He knew the automaton was tough to beat, but this?

"What– what was that just now?" his voice was shaking with disbelief.

Harlett turned to him, a smug grin on her face.

Her faintly glowing presence made her confidence radiate even more.

"Not as helpless as you thought I was, huh, Sir Kiel?"

"Huh? Uh, y-yeah…" Kiel stammered.

What the heck? Harlett was strong—really strong.

He remembered that only some of the main cast could take down the automatons easily.

Specifically Levi and Clara.

But this?

'She's almost as strong as Levi is right now,' he thought, eyes wide.

'And she's a duelist?' Kiel thought, his mind racing.

______________________________________

In this world, magic users were split into two groups: Artesors and Aegesors—or as the common folk called them, mages and duelists.

Artesors used the mana stored in their bodies and, with the help of their sigil, could manifest it into powerful attacks.

They can wield any kind of ability as long as it is being released.

Aegesors, on the other hand, absorbed mana through their sigil from the air to strengthen their bodies, enhance their weapons, and heighten their senses.

Some Aegesor abilities even alter the user's appearance when used.

They can wield any ability as long as it affects their own body or weapon.

Then there were the highly rare ones called Anomalies—the jack of all trades, master of none.

They had traits of both mages and duelists, able to absorb and release mana, but never as effectively as the other two.

The amount of power mages and duelists can use depends on how much mana they have or how much mana they can absorb.

Talent, experience, and training also mattered.

_____________________________________

The automaton suddenly whirred to life again, its body glowing as the runes across its surface lit up brighter than before.

"Aww, it didn't stay down?" Harlett said with a pout, looking disappointed.

'Figured it wouldn't go down so easily'

He knew this machine too well.

Harlett's display of power might have been impressive, but it wasn't enough to put it out of commission for good.

Now that it was back on its feet, the real challenge was about to begin.

◇◇◇

It's been 2 minutes since the test started.

Kiel's eyes locked on the automaton as it stood there motionless.

He couldn't rely solely on Harlett.

If he didn't contribute, he'd fail the test.

The ground trembled as the automaton's red eyes blazed to life again.

Its massive metal frame stomped forward with crushing force.

Harlett had already landed over a dozen hits, but the machine still wouldn't stay down.

'It's adapting.'