The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 – The Orientation Begins

The day had finally arrived.

The grand auditorium of Zenith Academy buzzed with anticipation, its marble floors echoing the footsteps of countless first-year cadets as they poured into the massive hall.

Polished crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow over the red velvet seats arranged in precise rows. Holographic banners of the academy’s crest—a majestic phoenix engulfed in gold and azure flames—danced in the air.

Excited chatter and hushed whispers filled the space as a sea of first-year students settled into their seats, all proudly adorned in their brand-new uniforms.

The boys wore black blazers with crimson linings, silver buttons running down the front, and white slacks that contrasted sharply with the deep hues. Each had a silver insignia of the Zenith Phoenix stitched proudly over the heart.

The girls’ uniforms echoed the same colors—a black blazer with crimson linings, paired with tailored black skirts or trousers according to their preferences, and white blouses beneath. The same phoenix insignia gleamed proudly on every chest.

They looked like an army of ambition—nervous, eager, and ready to etch their names into history.

Then... the room shifted.

A palpable hush fell over the auditorium as four figures entered together.

Alden von Crestvale, his brown hair glinting under the lights, walked with the grace of a noble and the confidence of a lion. His black blazer hugged his athletic frame, his brown eyes scanning the room with practiced indifference.

Next to him was Ethan Williams, heir to House Williams and the prophesied hero, whose posture screamed nobility. His calm, collected expression and crisp uniform made him look like he had walked straight off a movie poster.

Beside them were Princess Charlotte Evans Avaloria and Seraphina Starlight. Charlotte’s white hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulder, her uniform perfectly pressed, boots clicking with each step.

Seraphina’s long blue hair shimmered softly, her grey eyes seemingly distant yet keenly aware. She looked like a dream—untouchable and mysterious.

The four of them looked like stars.

Literal stars.

Whispers exploded across the rows:

"Princess Charlotte looks so beautiful..."

"Look at Ethan... he’s even more handsome in person."

"Are these four movie stars or what ?!"

The crowd instinctively parted like the sea for royalty. The cadets didn’t even question it—it was a natural reflex to make way. And yet, the four didn’t spare a single glance. They walked as if the auditorium were empty, wrapped in their own bubble, chuckling and trading jokes.

"I swear, Alden," Charlotte was saying, flicking her white hair, "if you had tripped down those steps like last time, I would’ve paid good money to see that."

"Please," Alden shot back, smirking. "I land like a cat. Graceful and deadly."

"More like a drunk raccoon," Seraphina murmured without looking up.

Ethan chuckled as Alden mock-glared. The banter continued, oblivious to the awe-struck cadets they passed.

As if the beauty parade wasn’t enough, the doors opened once more.

Elven royalty had arrived.

Princess Elaria of the Elven Empire entered, flanked by two elven students—one male and the other female—dressed in polished ceremonial armor. Her eyes sparkled with arrogance and smugness, and her blond hair was braided in elegant patterns.

She wore the Zenith uniform like it had been crafted for her alone. The red and black contrasted perfectly against her fair, almost ethereal skin.

Students were left speechless.

And then, as if the heavens had planned it, another wave followed.

The Fairy Princess, Aurelia Lumina, with her short, glowing green curls and mischievous eyes, practically glided in. Her brother followed behind, taller and more stoic, his expression unreadable.

After that, another striking entry came.

Lilith Noctis Bloodrose entered moments later with her maid, Isadora Vale.

Lilith was hauntingly beautiful. Pale skin like porcelain, jet-black hair tied in a tight bun, and crimson eyes that could pierce through souls. She moved like a shadow—her uniform pristine, her presence cold and commanding. Isadora followed behind with quiet elegance, scanning the room like a hawk.

Whispers turned into full-blown gossip at this point.

"That’s Lilith Noctis... fuck, she looks like she could eat me alive... but the strange part is I want to get eaten by her."

"Dude, she gives me chills. Beautiful, but terrifying."

As if to top it all off, from the main gates strode in the Holy Kingdom’s pride and arrogance entered—

Elias Dawncrest.

With his immaculate blond hair and smug smile, Elias oozed arrogance with every step. His uniform looked custom-fitted to perfection. Maria and Stela, the saintess candidates, walked beside him in matching grace, each with a quiet confidence that spoke volumes.

The auditorium, now completely filled, buzzed like a hive of anticipation and tension. Almost every main character had arrived. Every prodigy. Every monster in disguise.

As the elite took their seats, Alden leaned toward Ethan.

"Hey, were you able to contact Alex?"

Ethan, who had been relaxed until that moment, suddenly stiffened. His gaze became distant—like a memory had clawed its way to the surface.

The conversation with the goddess came into his mind.’No no... I’m being too paranoid,’ he thought.

’I’ll observe Alex first. Then decide whether he should be an ally... or an enemy.’

Coming out of his thoughts, he said, "...I’ve been trying since this morning," he finally replied. "But he’s not picking up."

Charlotte raised a brow. "That guy is really something, isn’t he? I saw him during the entrance exam. He was actually holding his own against you two. Which... baffled me, honestly."

Alden burst out laughing. "Yeah, I knew he was strong, but he really held his own. And even outsmarted you, my dear cousin."

Charlotte scoffed. "I didn’t know about that Advanced (Peak)-rank monster, alright?"

"Oh please, don’t blame the innocent Ossirath for your defeat."

"It wasn’t a defeat!"

"Sure. It was an adorable defeat," Alden said, chuckling.

Ethan interrupted their squabble with a grin. "Guys, enough. We’re in public."

Charlotte folded her arms, cheeks puffing slightly in mock annoyance. Seraphina, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought.

"Sera?" Ethan nudged her. "What are you thinking?"

She blinked, as if pulled from a deep pool. "Nothing... just wondering who the ’Apex’ of our year is."

Seraphina continued. "I know it’s not me. I saw my rank before the exam ended."

Alden smirked. "Oh? Then what was it?"

She returned the smirk with one of her own. "Higher than yours, meathead."

That earned laughter from Charlotte and Ethan.

"Hey!" Alden pouted. "What is this? Pick on Alden day?"

"Every day is pick on Alden day," Charlotte replied, ruffling his hair.

"I will end you. Gently. Lovingly. But end you."

"I’m quaking."

"I am your elder by two days!"

"You’re a smug idiot. Got it."

Ethan laughed. "Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m the Apex. I was Rank 2 before I fought that Peak-ranked monster. After that... didn’t bother to check. I was more focused on saving you guys. Thanks to that silver-haired idiot."

They all chuckled.

Then Ethan suddenly paused, thinking about something.

"...Guys. What if Alex was the Apex?"

Silence.

Complete, stunned silence.

Then Alden burst out laughing. "Come on, guys! I mean, sure, he earned a lot of points from those vampires and the captured candidates that Char and Sera told us about. But me? Being outranked? Nah."

The other three just stared at him.

"...What?" Alden asked. "You guys seriously think it’s possible?"

Charlotte tapped her chin. "As idiotic as Alden is, we can’t rule it out. If that guy is the Apex, then the power structure is about to implode. The nobles won’t accept it. A commoner at the top? There will be chaos."

Ethan nodded solemnly. "You’re right. Most of the nobles are obsessed with bloodlines and status. It’s disgusting."

"Okay, okay!" Alden threw up his hands. "Let’s not jump to conclusions. He’s strong, sure, but Apex? That’s a stretch."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you’re consoling yourself. Jealous, Alden?"

"What?! No!"

"Sure you’re not."

"Not even a little."

"You sound defensive."

"I’m not—and I’m surely more handsome than that bastard!" Alden yelled.

Charlotte giggled. "If he really is the Apex... things are about to get really interesting."

All four of them shared a look.

Then, as if synchronized by fate, they all nodded.

A grin formed on each of their faces.

Not out of malice—

But out of excitement.

They wanted to see what would happen.

They wanted to see Alex Dragonheart thrown into the spotlight and how would he handle the situation.

They wanted to see him suffer even a little bit after everything he did to them on the deserted isle.

They wanted entertainment.

And then—

Clack. Clack.

Footsteps echoed from the stage.

A figure stepped forward.

All heads turned.

Her long white hair shimmered under the enchanted lights. Her presence alone silenced the entire hall.

With a confident stride and piercing eyes, Alicia von Crestvale—Alden’s elder sister, another renowned prodigy, and the Student Council President of Zenith Academy—stood proudly before them.

Several of the male cadets found themselves breathless without even realizing it.

One guy whispered, ’I think I just saw my future wife,’and got smacked by his actual girlfriend."

Then the lights shifted. All chatter ceased.

Alicia von Crestvale stood at the center, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the hall.