The Vengeful Extra's Ascension-Chapter 237: Checkup!

The path leading away from Zephyr Academy felt shorter than Albedo remembered, or maybe it was because he was walking much faster out of excitement.

The Academy gates loomed behind him, white stone and polished sigils standing as they always had, pristine, disciplined, restrained. For most students, it was a place of ambition, rivalry, growth.

For Albedo, it had become something else entirely.

A waypoint.

He adjusted the strap of his coat as he crossed the final threshold, the faint hum of the Academy’s warding barrier sliding over his skin one last time before releasing him.

The moment he stepped beyond it, the ambient mana shifted subtly, less refined, less structured, but warmer in its own way. It was just normal, civilian level mana.

He exhaled without realizing he had been holding his breath. No crushing presence or

watchful monarchs.

Just... the Human Kingdom.

The streets beyond the Academy were active but calm. Merchants hawked their wares, students passed by in small clusters, laughter drifting lazily through the air. Mana-lamps glowed faintly despite the daylight, embedded into stone posts and archways with elegant efficiency.

Albedo walked past all of it with an ease that would have surprised his past self.

His mind was quiet in a way it hadn’t been in months.

Nocturna lingered at the edges of his thoughts, lessons unspoken, techniques half-formed, philosophies waiting to be refined, but they no longer pressed in. They waited patiently, like tools laid neatly on a table for later use.

Right now, there was only one destination that mattered.

Home.

The Neverwinter residence stood nestled in a quieter district, far from the Academy’s bustle. The house looked the same as before, well maintained, various subtle enchantments, but with some ivy climbing along one side where Gwen insisted it made the place "feel alive," and wide windows that let in sunlight during the day and moonlight at night.

The moment the house came into view, something in Albedo’s chest loosened.

He picked up his pace. Not running but walking with long, eager strides, boots crunching softly against the gravel path. Havoc and Ruin remained dormant, their presence subdued, respectful, as if even they understood this space was not meant for war.

Albedo reached the front door and didn’t bother knocking.

He opened it.

"Gwen!"

The door had barely swung inward before a blur of silver and white collided with him at full force.

"ALBEEEEDOOOO!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The impact hit his midsection like a small, very determined meteor.

Albedo staggered back half a step out of sheer surprise, then laughed as he instinctively caught her, arms wrapping around a familiar, far-too-small frame as Gwen buried her face into his chest.

"I missed you!" she declared loudly, voice muffled by his coat, "You were gone forever!"

"Months," Albedo corrected gently, even as his arms tightened around her, "Not forever."

She pulled back just enough to glare up at him, emerald eyes blazing with righteous accusation.

"That’s forever."

He smirked. "Fair point."

Gwen’s silver hair was slightly longer than when he’d left, tied back in a loose ribbon that had clearly come undone halfway through the day. She looked healthier, stronger, even, cheeks flushed with excitement rather than worry.

Albedo felt something warm and solid settle into place inside him.

This was Home!

Behind Gwen, a familiar presence approached with measured steps.

"My, my," Seraphyne’s voice purred lightly, accented consonants curling like silk. "If I did not know better, I would say the house itself just became significantly louder."

Albedo lifted his gaze.

Duchess Seraphyne Bloodvale stood in the doorway to the sitting room, crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. She wore a fitted black dress trimmed with deep red, long gloves pulled past her elbows, posture relaxed but elegant as ever.

Her smile, sharp, playful, unmistakably fond, deepened when their eyes met.

"Welcome back, mon cher," she said. "I trust the Demon King did not attempt to keep you?"

Albedo snorted softly, "Only indirectly."

Seraphyne laughed, a low, musical sound. "How rude of him."

Gwen finally released Albedo, though she stayed close, one hand still gripping the fabric of his coat as if afraid he might vanish again.

"You’re really back?" she asked, quieter now. "Like... really really?"

Albedo crouched down in front of her, meeting her eyes properly.

"I’m back," he said simply. "And I’m not going anywhere for a while."

Her shoulders visibly relaxed. Then she threw her arms around his neck again, tighter this time.

"I didn’t like it when you were gone," she admitted softly. "But I studied every day when you were gone,"

His smile softened instantly.

"Did you?"

She nodded eagerly. "Seraphyne helped, and Diona trained too, before she went out."

Albedo blinked. "Diona?"

"Yes," Seraphyne replied smoothly, moving closer. "She left earlier with Lucian. To have fun and catch up,"

Albedo straightened slowly, processing that.

"Lucian took her out?"

Seraphyne tilted her head, crimson lips curling knowingly. "Relax. Supervised. Mostly."

Albedo sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I trust him. Mostly."

Gwen giggled.

Seraphyne watched the exchange with an unreadable expression, then turned and gestured inward.

"Come," she said. "You look like a man who has forgotten what peace feels like. Sit. Eat. Exist like a civilized being again."

Albedo chuckled and followed her inside, Gwen practically dragging him along by the hand.

The house felt exactly as it should, very warm.

The scent of brewed tea and freshly baked bread lingered in the air. The sitting room was bathed in afternoon light, furniture arranged comfortably rather than impressively. Books lay stacked in corners, some opened and left face-down where Gwen had clearly abandoned them mid-reading.

Albedo removed his coat and set it aside, settling onto the couch as Gwen climbed up beside him without asking.

"So," she said expectantly, swinging her legs. "Did you fight demons?"

"Yes."

"Strong ones?"

"Yes."

"Did you win?"

He smirked. "Sometimes."

Seraphyne arched a brow. "How modest."

Gwen leaned closer, whispering loudly, "He always does that."

Albedo laughed, the sound coming easily now.

"And you?" he asked, turning serious as he looked at Gwen. "Tell me how you’ve been. Really."

She hesitated just a fraction of a second—long enough that he noticed.

Then she straightened.

"I’m good," she said, "Just studying and waiting for you to come back,"

Seraphyne coughed delicately into her hand and that caused Albedo to raise an eyebrow.

"Maybe I caused a bit of trouble, but with Big Sis Seraphyne here, everything was fine," Gwen said.

Albedo looked at Seraphyne, who just shrugged, and he decided to trust her.

Albedo pulled Gwen into his side gently, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"I missed you," he said quietly. "Every day."

She smiled, leaning into him without hesitation.

"I know," she said. "I felt it."