The Unrecorded Extra

As soon as Nuria said that, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation myself.

"Let's enjoy the show, everyone!"

Beep–!

The screen was turned off and left only with a black screen.

On the arena, someone was standing on the platform at the center of the arena, his voice echoing throughout the massive space.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Neophyte Nexus!"

The host began, his voice filled with excitement.

"Today, we witness the clash of the greenhorn–the new students and the sophomore–the second-year students, in a 1v1 battle that will surely leave you on the edge of your seats."

Cheers and applauses erupted again from the crowd, this time accompanied by whistlings.

"As you all know, the Neophyte Nexus is an opportunity for our new students to showcase their skills and prove themselves worthy of their place in this prestigious academy. And for our second-year students, it's a chance to show just how far they've come and how much they've grown since their own Neophyte Nexus event."

I watched as the second-year students across from me in their black and blue uniforms stood up, their faces filled with determination and pride.

"So, without further ado, let's get this event started! I present to you, the Neophyte Nexus!"

The host gestured grandly to the arena floor where he stood.

The air was filled with the vibrant sounds of the academy's anthem, as the instruments and melodies swirled together in perfect harmony. The second-year students and some of the new students stood up and sang the academy's anthem solemnly.

As for me, I just sat in my seat because I didn't know the lyrics.

Come to think of it, there was another piece of paper inside the package, maybe that was the lyrics I was supposed to remember and sing right now.

After that, the host was back even with more excitement in his voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, that was our academy's majestic anthem! A big round of applause for the student who graced us with their vocals!"

The crowd erupted in applause and whistles.

"Allow me to give you an overview of the Neophyte Nexus proceedings," the host said.

"Today, we have eight matches scheduled, with each match lasting for 30 minutes. A random number will be selected, and if your ranking matches that number, you'll have the opportunity to challenge and pick a senior to fight against."

The host took a brief pause, scanning the crowd's expressions. Seeing many confused faces among the new students, he continued.

"Let's start by picking a random number, shall we?"

The screen flickered on, shuffling numbers until it stopped at '70'.

"The number is 70!" the host announced.

He checked his Nova Watch and then said, "Rank 70, Josh Sanford, please come to the stage!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

While the rank 70 students walked somewhat proudly to the arena, the host announced again that he would keep shuffling and picking numbers until there were 10 contestants.

After a while, another 6 numbers were announced. Those numbers were picked in this order; '332', '27', '1404', '4', '2', and '1'.

The number 17 was Seo Yeong-Ha. Leonardo Miguel was number 4. The numbers 2 and 1 were Lux Virtus and Ember Crimson.

"And… here is our last number!!"

As the numbers were shuffled on the screen, everyone wore an expectant expression. When it finally stopped, my heart skipped a beat.

"911!! Zio Varrez, please come to the stage!"

'Oh…'

Don't get me wrong, while I was happy to have been picked, the thought of performing in front of everyone made me anxious.

Nonetheless, I saw it as an opportunity to gain bonus merit on the first day, which could help me learn techniques and become stronger earlier than I had anticipated, I wish…

Unfortunately, I did not write about the other five fights since my focus was solely on Lux, Leonardo, and Seo Yeong-Ha's fights. So, I was thinking…

Would this unwritten part have an impact on the story or not? I guess if I just stay low in my own fight, it would go according to the story, right? But, if I was to stay low and choose a lower number than me, I wouldn't get much merit from doing that.

'Oh well…anything for changing the ending…'

Despite my uncertainty, I made my way to the arena, where Lux greeted me with a wide grin.

"Zio Varrez!"

"Lux. Hey."

"It's good to see you again!"

"Haha… Yeah."

We talked about things that I considered necessary like how was life, and how was life, or how was life…just kidding, it was Lux who drove the conversation, I was on the passive side.

While we talked, the first match of Neophyte Nexus started. It was between the rank 70 of the first year against the rank 90 of the second year, I guess he was playing safe to pick the number lower than him.

But, I thought that if he wanted, he could just go for rank 50. Our second-year seniors were not that good…maybe.

Looking at both fighters on the arena stage, I used my Clairvoyance to get their information though it wasn't that much. Only the name, gender, and race. Both of them used a sword, but their stances were different.

Narrowing my eyes, I could more or less guess that the first year would emerge victorious based on the way he held his sword and his stance. But, a battle wasn't only determined by only that, the technique and experience also played a part.

Eight minutes later, the result was just as I expected, the first year won against his senior. It was not an easy victory though, but still, a win is a win.

The next battle was the rank 332… she lost to the rank 400 of the second year.

Next, number 27, was a girl with straight chestnut hair that fell down to her shoulders, her dark green eyes were glaring in the direction where the second-year students were seated. Her grin was visible on her face while her pale white hands were on her hips, doing a little stretch.

She was Seo Yeong-Ha. Although, her appearance was not what I expected her to be. She looked too 'soft' and 'clean' for someone who liked to fight and studied hard in martial art.

But, well, though I must admit that she was prettier than I expected.

"Student Seo Yeong-Ha. Please choose your weapon from this box first, then nominate a number ranging from 1 to 100," said the host.

Seo Yeong-Ha shook her head.

"My martial art only needs my fist and feet."

"Hoho. Of course, of course. Then, who will you nominate for Neohpyte Nexus?"

Taking the mic from the host's hand, Seo Yeong-Ha shouted confidently. Her voice echoed in the building.

"Rank 14!"

"Second-year students, rank 14, Baek Jin! Please come to the stage!"

Baek Jin was Seo Yeong-Ha's childhood friend and her classmate in her uncle's martial art school. He was a genius in martial art thanks to his trait [Martial Aptitude] that made him could learn any martial arts moves as if nothing.

Sword art, fist art, palm art, etc. he could learn then master in a short time which usually needed years or even decades for most martial artists to master.

He was an overpowered character, even stronger than the protagonist. But even so, he wouldn't make it past 25 years old.

The reason why Seo Yeong-Ha choose him was that she was a very competitive person. After so many years together, from playing to learning martial art together, she was always inferior to him in many aspects. Eventually, she considered Baek Jin as a rival.

"Haa…"

My sigh was left unnoticed by Lux who sat beside me.

"Zio? What are you thinking?"

"Hmm? Nothing. I just feel bored, it'd be a long time before my turn…"

"Oh! So you're eager to fight too? I never noticed you to be that kind of person, honestly."

"Is it because I was talking to a cat?" I smirked.

"Uhh…"

Lux scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

And that was how you did it, everyone. That was how you ended a conversation!

Looking back at the stage, a teenager around my age–maybe one year older than me was standing on the stage face to face with Seo Yeong-Ha. Both of them didn't use any weapon but their bare hands.

'Baek Jin…'

His name rang in my head. As far as I remember, he was supposed to be a villain in the future due to a brainwashing ability. Because of that, Lux had to kill him, and when he did, the conflict between him and Seo Yeong-Ha would come to the surface.

It was one of the events that marked the downfall of the story, where everything became uncontrollable, and everything that Lux had built up from the start was falling apart. The demon invasion, the heroes-villains war, and Lux's relationship decline, that all was happening at once at the same time.

Knowing that information, I considered Baek Jin as a key to preventing or at least lessening the damage in the third catastrophe.

'Either I kill him or find the culprit that will brainwash him…'

By this far, I had found four keys that would lead me to a better ending.

Jin, Bell, Specter, and Baek Jin.

'As soon as this is finished, I will make a plan and alternatives immediately…'

But before that, let's watch Seo Yeong-Ha vs Baek Jin fight first, shall we? Personally, I was curious about their martial arts, maybe I could learn it too?

Both of them were standing still on the stage, and when I looked carefully, they seemed like they were talking. I wonder what were they talking about…