The Extra's Rise-Chapter 136: Prelude to Spring Break (1)

Seraphina and I made our way back to the Academy, the weight of our mission hanging somewhere between satisfaction and exhaustion. The sprawling halls of Mythos Academy felt oddly welcoming, like a reassuring pat on the back after a hard-fought battle. We made our way to Professor Nero’s office, where his ever-imposing figure waited for us, arms crossed as if trying to decide whether to congratulate or scold us.

"Seraphina. Arthur," Nero greeted us, his voice carrying the usual mix of sternness and approval. "You both receive an A for this mission. The reason is simple. While you managed to outsmart and eliminate your target, you put yourselves in far too much danger. Remember, we were monitoring everything through the safety artifact, and quite frankly, Arthur, the risks you took were reckless at best."

I stood there silently, my mind replaying the fight. I couldn’t argue with him. I had, after all, deliberately walked into Arkell’s trap to force myself to grow. It had worked—but at a cost.

Nero sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Regardless, the mission was successful, and your performance was exceptional. Fastest completion time again. So, congratulations. But heed this: skill without caution leads to disaster. Especially you, Arthur."

"Thank you, Professor," Seraphina and I said in unison, bowing slightly before turning to leave.

"Seraphina, you may go. Arthur, stay behind," Nero added, his gaze fixing on me.

Seraphina hesitated, her silver hair shimmering under the artificial lights as she glanced at me. I nodded for her to go ahead, and she left with a final, unreadable look.

"Yes, Professor?" I asked as I turned back to face him.

Nero leaned against his desk, studying me like a particularly perplexing equation. "Arthur, why did you put yourself in so much danger?" he asked, his voice quieter now, tinged with something that might have been concern.

"I needed to," I replied honestly. "Without it, my White Star wouldn’t have formed."

Nero’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he looked genuinely taken aback. "Truly..." he muttered, almost to himself. "You’ve become an anomaly. Both a White Star and a Black Star. The only one in recorded history."

He shook his head, a flicker of something between pride and worry crossing his face. "Alright, you may go," he said at last, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.

I bowed slightly and exited the room. As I walked back to my dorm, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out and answered, the glowing screen illuminating my face in the dim corridor.

"Hello?" I said.

"Arthur Nightingale, this is Benjamin," came the familiar, gravelly voice. "I’m here to deliver your products. I cannot bring them to Mythos Academy island, so please meet me in Maven City at 6 p.m., at Hotel Vesalies."

"Understood," I replied. "Thank you."

I hung up and stared at my phone for a moment. The excitement bubbled in my chest like carbonated water. The culmination of months of preparation—the Skull, the Skeleton, the Staff, the Source—was finally in my grasp. And with it, the dream of creating my Lich grew closer to reality.

I returned to my room, the anticipation making it impossible to sit still. When the time came, I changed into something sharper—a navy jacket with faint silver embroidery, because I suspected a high-end hotel wouldn’t take kindly to the casual outfits I usually wore. A quick warp gate trip later, I found myself in Maven City.

The city hadn’t changed since the last time I visited with Rachel and Cecilia, its futuristic skyline glittering against the twilight. Sleek, towering buildings of steel and glass reflected the ever-present electric glow of the streets below. Self-driving cars zipped silently along magnetic tracks, while drones hummed overhead like mechanical fireflies. The hum of activity filled the air, blending the old-world charm of cobbled alleys with the neon aesthetic of modern technology.

I quickly searched for Hotel Vesalies on my phone. A quick blink of the holographic map showed me it was the most luxurious hotel in Maven City. Of course it was.

When I arrived, the hotel was exactly what you’d expect for a place like this. A sprawling, monolithic structure of glass and gold, its façade shimmered with shifting lights that displayed abstract designs—a subtle flex of wealth and advanced technology. The doormen, dressed in tailored suits, greeted me with professional smiles, though their sharp eyes betrayed their curiosity about someone my age walking in alone.

The lobby was a spectacle. Polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of crystal chandeliers overhead. Guests milled about, their conversations a low murmur that mingled with the soft notes of an automated piano. Artificial vines climbed the walls, their bioluminescent leaves pulsing gently, creating an ambiance that was both modern and organic.

"Reservation, sir?" the receptionist asked as I approached the desk.

"I’m meeting someone. Benjamin," I said.

The receptionist’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a brief flicker of recognition in her eyes. She typed something into her terminal. "Ah, yes. Mr. Benjamin is waiting for you in the Azure Lounge on the thirty-fourth floor."

A short elevator ride later, I stepped into the lounge. The room was dimly lit, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. Benjamin stood near the window, flanked by two assistants. The moment he saw me, he smiled—a sharp, professional expression.

"Arthur," he said, extending a hand. "I trust the journey wasn’t too taxing?"

"Not at all," I replied, shaking his hand. My eyes drifted to the items on the table behind him, wrapped in five protective cases.

"Shall we?" he gestured toward the table, his voice tinged with excitement.

My heart thundered as I stepped forward, each beat syncing with the weight of my ambition. The air in the lounge felt electric, charged with the sheer potential of what lay before me. Benjamin, ever the professional, stood tall beside the table, his assistants flanking him like silent sentinels.

"This," Benjamin began, gesturing to the first protective case, "contains the remnants of the Basilisk Heart. Its raw power, even in fragments, is something to be handled with the utmost care. Please, place it in your spatial ring."

I stepped closer, the glow of the case illuminating the intricate web of mana surrounding it. Even through the containment seals, I could feel it—a faint, rhythmic pulse, like a heartbeat frozen in time. Tapping my spatial ring against the case, I stored it safely. The weight disappeared, but the sense of responsibility it carried didn’t.

"Next," Benjamin said, motioning to a long, sleek staff resting in a display cradle, "we have the Evernight Staff. An Ancient-grade artifact, as you know, and one that will serve as the anchor for your Lich’s growth and awareness. It’s a marvel of craftsmanship, but the bond to this artifact won’t be yours to forge—it’ll belong to your Lich."

The staff was breathtaking. Midnight black with veins of faintly glowing silver that seemed to shift as I looked at it, it exuded an aura of quiet authority. Its surface shimmered subtly, as though it knew it was destined for greatness. I tapped my spatial ring again, and the Evernight Staff joined the Basilisk Heart.

Benjamin’s lips curved into a faint smile, but his expression remained serious. "And now," he said, stepping aside, "we come to the core components. The Skeleton. The Skull. The Source."

His assistants moved forward, revealing the final three cases. Each one was pristine, its contents displayed with reverence. The first case held the Skeleton—a latticework of dark, polished bone from the eight-star Blood Wyvern. It shimmered faintly under the room’s ambient light, every bone etched with delicate, glowing runes that hinted at the mana-programming inscribed within.

"The Skeleton," Benjamin began, his voice almost reverent, "is now primed for the integration process. The runes you see are the foundational programming, aligned with the parameters you specified. But remember, it will be up to you to connect it to the rest."

I nodded, my fingers tingling with anticipation as I stored it.

The second case revealed the Skull, and even with the seals in place, its presence felt oppressive. The Arch Lich’s skull was more than bone—it was a remnant of malevolent will, its surface carved with ancient inscriptions that radiated an ominous energy. It wasn’t just a relic; it was a statement.

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"Be cautious with this," Benjamin warned. "The Skull’s sheer power could overwhelm an unprepared necromancer. But in your hands, it will serve as the Mind Aspect, the foundation of your Lich’s intelligence."

I carefully stored the Skull, feeling the faintest chill as it disappeared into my ring.

"And finally," Benjamin said, moving to the last case, "we have the Source. The Basilisk Heart. What remains of it after the modifications has been stabilized and partially programmed, but its full potential remains intact—despite the limiters we applied."

The Source glowed faintly, its dark green surface pulsating with a power that felt both ancient and alive. It was mesmerizing, the kind of artifact that could consume a person if they stared too long. I could feel the echoes of its history—a creature of legend, its strength distilled into this single, pulsing core.

Benjamin gave a small, satisfied nod as I stored the Source, completing the triad of components. His assistants stepped back, their task complete.

"The basic programming is finished," Benjamin said, folding his hands behind his back. "What remains is your responsibility. This Lich will, as agreed, operate as an eight-star entity—but you’ll be suppressing its strength with the Ancient-grade artifact you possess to ensure it matches your current capabilities. A necessary precaution, given your mana rank."

"Understood," I said, my voice calm despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through me.

"However," Benjamin added, his tone heavier now, "a word of caution. Do not attempt the final mana programming or integration until you’ve reached White-rank. The mana reserves required for the process are immense, far beyond what you currently possess. Attempting it prematurely could render the entire endeavor unstable—or worse, fatal."

I nodded, absorbing his words. The exhilaration of having the components in my possession warred with the sobering reality of the task ahead. This wasn’t just a technical challenge; it was a trial of patience, precision, and sheer willpower.

Benjamin extended his hand once more, a rare smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanor. "Congratulations, Arthur. You’re now one step closer to achieving something truly extraordinary."

I shook his hand firmly. "Thank you. For everything."

As I turned to leave, my spatial ring now holding the keys to what could very well define my future, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The Lich wasn’t just a project. It was a milestone—a declaration that I wouldn’t just survive in this world, but carve my place into its history.

And now, the real work began.