The Extra's Rise-Chapter 154: Prelude to Tower of Magic Conference (2)

I found myself in Professor Gravemore’s dimly lit lab two weeks later, holding the final draft of my research paper like it was a time bomb. However, I wasn’t alone. To my left, Cecilia Slatemark lounged in her chair with the confidence of someone who had already won, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. On my right, Rose Springshaper sat with perfect posture, her calm demeanor betraying nothing but quiet determination.

Both of them, to my surprise, were also submitting research papers for the Tower of Magic.

"Why are you here, of all places?" I whispered to Cecilia, keeping one eye on Professor Gravemore, who was engrossed in a pile of documents on his desk.

She smirked, tilting her head in that infuriating way she did whenever she knew something I didn’t. "Because it’s fun. And I get to visit the Tower of Magic again."

That smirk told me there was more to her reasoning, but I decided against prying. Cecilia was like a locked safe: pressing too hard only made it more impossible to crack.

Rose, ever the diplomat, simply gave me a small, encouraging smile. "It’s a good opportunity," she said softly, as though that explained everything.

Professor Gravemore finally stirred from his stack of papers, his dark mana-infused eyes scanning the room like a hawk surveying its prey. He reached out and took Cecilia’s paper first, flipping through it with the sort of care one might show to a particularly delicate explosive.

For a moment, the lab was silent save for the rustle of pages. Cecilia, of course, looked entirely at ease, leaning back in her chair as though she were in her family’s palace rather than a necromancy professor’s lab. Meanwhile, I tried not to let my nerves show.

Gravemore finished reading and placed the paper down, his brow furrowing slightly. "Most of this paper is going over my head," he admitted, rubbing his temples.

I blinked in shock. Professor Gravemore was a man who could casually discuss the intricacies of merging multiple mana streams for complex undead programming. If Cecilia’s paper was too advanced for him…

"But," he continued, "those researchers at the Tower of Magic will eat this up. Well done. Accepted."

Cecilia didn’t even react, as though Gravemore’s words were merely confirming something she already knew. "Thank you, Professor," she said with a smile that was as graceful as it was smug.

Next, Gravemore took Rose’s paper. She sat up straighter, her focus sharpening as his eyes darted over her work. He muttered to himself occasionally, tapping a finger on the desk. After several minutes, he nodded.

"This is good," he said, glancing at her, "but it could be better. Here—" He slid the paper back to her and began pointing out areas where she could make improvements, from clarifying certain diagrams to tightening her explanations of mana density fluctuations.

Rose nodded, absorbing his critique without a hint of defensiveness. "Thank you, Professor," she said, her voice calm but purposeful.

Finally, it was my turn. Gravemore reached for my paper, and I felt my pulse quicken. My hands, usually steady, trembled slightly as I handed it over.

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"Relax," Cecilia murmured, leaning closer. Before I could pull away, she grabbed my hand under the table. Her grip was firm, her touch unexpectedly warm. "Don’t be nervous, dumbass," she added in a whisper, her tone teasing but not unkind.

I exhaled slowly, trying to let the tension drain from my body. Still, it was hard to shake the nervous energy buzzing in my veins. For some reason, I always felt on edge when my work was being judged—despite the fact that my work almost always turned out perfect.

Gravemore began reading, his expression inscrutable. The seconds stretched into minutes, each one heavier than the last. Cecilia’s hand was still on mine, but I barely registered it. My thoughts were spiraling. What if I missed a critical detail? What if he found an error in my mana flow diagrams? What if—

"Perfect work," Gravemore said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. He set the paper down with a decisive thud. "No changes needed."

I blinked, my brain taking a moment to process his words. "Perfect?" I repeated, half in disbelief.

Gravemore gave me a rare, approving nod. "Yes, Arthur. Perfect. Your work is well thought out, clearly explained, and innovative. This paper alone could put you on the map in necromantic research. Excellent job."

For a moment, I just sat there, stunned. Then, a wide grin spread across my face, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Cecilia let go of my hand, leaning back in her chair with a triumphant smirk.

"See? Told you," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

Rose offered a more understated congratulations, her smile warm. "Well done, Arthur."

"Thank you," I said, my voice steady now. "Both of you."

"We didn’t do anything," Cecilia replied with a shrug, her crimson eyes glinting. "You’re a genius. Let your brilliance shine."

For once, her words carried no teasing or sarcasm—just a quiet sincerity that caught me off guard.

’Let my brilliance shine, huh,’ I thought, turning her words over in my mind. They weren’t just words; they carried weight. Kindness wasn’t something I often associated with Cecilia, but here she was, encouraging me in her own peculiar way. I felt a strange warmth in my chest, one I wasn’t quite sure how to process.

Soon, preparations for the Tower of Magic Conference were well underway. I spent my days finalizing details for the presentation, cross-referencing notes, and occasionally pestering Professor Gravemore about the finer points of presenting in front of an audience of researchers. It wasn’t until I ran into Rachel in the Ophelia lounge that I realized not everyone shared my excitement for the Conference.

"The Tower of Magic?" Rachel’s pout was so pronounced, I almost laughed. "I would’ve done research too if it weren’t being held there."

"Isn’t that a bit dramatic?" I asked, suppressing a grin.

"It’s not dramatic," she retorted, crossing her arms. "It’s about principle. Do you know how many times the Tower of Magic has tried to poach people from my family? It’s insulting."

"Maybe they just want the best?" I offered innocently, earning myself a glare that could have melted steel.

"Don’t you start," she said, wagging a finger at me. "I’m proud of you, Arthur. I really am. But I won’t set foot in that place unless it’s to wage war on behalf of the Creighton family."

"I’ll remember that the next time I need reinforcements," I teased.

She rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. "Just don’t let those Tower people corrupt you. You’re too good for that place."

Later, as I packed up my notes and materials, Seraphina caught me in the hallway. She stood as composed as ever, her silver hair catching the light in a way that made her seem almost ethereal.

"You’re leaving soon?" she asked.

"In a few days," I confirmed.

She nodded thoughtfully. "Good luck, Arthur. The Tower of Magic is an important place. Make an impression."

Her words, though sparse, carried the weight of her sincerity. I knew that coming from her, this was high praise.

"Thanks, Sera," I said, using the nickname that still caught her off guard. She blinked but said nothing, merely inclining her head before walking away.

And then, the day came.

Professor Gravemore gathered Cecilia, Rose, and me in front of the warp gate. We were the only three from the junior section representing Mythos Academy this time around, as the other students were assigned to different batches or categories.

"You all ready?" Gravemore asked, his deep voice cutting through the hum of the warp gate.

Cecilia adjusted the strap of her bag, her usual air of confidence radiating from her like a shield. "Always."

Rose gave a soft nod, her calm demeanor as steady as ever. "Yes, Professor."

I glanced at the two of them before stepping forward. "Let’s do this."