The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 78: Silence After Dark

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Silence After Dark

The academy’s announcement board was once again surrounded by murmurs. No ceremony. No prior warning. Just a new parchment nailed cleanly in place, no crest, no signature—only the weight of the words written in firm, decisive strokes:

ATTENTION TO ALL STUDENTS

Effective immediately, curfew regulations have changed.

All students must remain within their dormitories after sundown.

Campus movement at night is strictly prohibited.

Classes will continue as scheduled.

— By direct order of Headmaster Nicolas Von Aldros

Noel stood at the edge of the crowd, silent. Some students read it a third time, searching for hidden meaning, some reason behind the sudden rule. There was none.

’No announcement from the student council either... This came straight from the Headmaster. That’s not normal.’

is gaze shifted slightly lower—just beneath the parchment. And there it was.

Noel Thorne – Class S

The same line that had been removed weeks ago. Quietly reinstated.

’Guess the Headmaster wants me back in Class S. Probably to keep an eye on me... Not that I’m complaining. The facilities are better and safer.’

The morning frost still lingered in the air, his breath visible in thin, white puffs. He adjusted the collar of his coat.

’And this is worse than I thought. I knew Dior losing would have consequences—but not this kind.’

Without a word, he stepped away from the group, his footsteps soft against the cold marble floor.

The dormitory was quiet.

Outside, the sky remained a dull, oppressive gray, layered with clouds thick with snow. The enchanted glass of the window filtered the light into something colder, flatter. Noel sat at his desk, a blank scroll laid out in front of him, pen in hand.

He didn’t write immediately. He just stared.

After a few long seconds, he finally dipped the pen in ink and began.

Elyra,

How’s your mom?

How are you?

Don’t give me the "I’m fine" crap if you’re not.

Just... don’t forget to take care of yourself while you’re busy fixing everything around you, as usual.

Things here are off.

They’ve put a curfew in place—no one can leave their dorm after dark.

No explanation. Not even Seraphina knew it was coming. It came straight from the Headmaster.

Also... students are disappearing. Some of the ones who helped during the attack. Civilians too.

No one’s talking about it. But it’s happening.

If I find anything, I’ll let you know.

— Noel

He folded the parchment and sealed it with a small imprint of wax—not a family crest, just his name.

Outside the window, a pigeon perched on the railing, waiting.

Noel opened the glass panel. The cold swept in instantly, brushing against his face. Without hesitation, he held out the scroll.

The pigeon took it gently in its beak, claws tightening as it flapped once, twice, then took off into the sky.

He watched it go, a faint exhale escaping his lips.

"About a week," he murmured. "If nothing happens on the way."

He closed the window, then stood up and grabbed his coat again, fastening the collar as he moved.

Noel had no destination in mind. He walked through the eastern wing’s quiet corridors, letting his thoughts wander with each step. The winter air had seeped into the very walls; even the stones felt cold to the touch.

"Hey, Noel," came a familiar voice.

He turned to see Marcus approaching, flanked by Garron... and Laziel, trailing slightly behind them. The latter looked distant, unfocused.

"Did you see the notice they posted a few hours ago?" Marcus asked. "Do you know what it’s about?"

"You don’t know?" Noel raised an eyebrow, then gestured for them to come closer. "Well... I guess it makes sense. Come here."

The three of them leaned in, and Noel lowered his voice.

"It looks like students have gone missing. Civilians too. Nobody’s talking about it, but it’s happening."

Garron’s brow furrowed.

"And we’re just doing nothing about it? Are we seriously going to let this slide?"

Noel didn’t answer immediately. He just watched them.

"Come on, Noel," Marcus added, frustration flickering in his tone. "We can’t sit still. Someone has to act."

’There it is—main character syndrome,’ Noel thought dryly. ’Poor Marcus. I wish it were that simple.’

"He’s right," Garron said. "We need to start investigating. Now."

"If you find anything, let me know," Noel said calmly. "I’d appreciate it."

Marcus tilted his head mockingly.

"Wow, the mysterious Noel Thorne actually asking for help? That’s new."

"Definitely new," Garron chuckled.

"Right, Laziel?" Marcus added with a grin. "Hey, Laziel—"

They all turned.

Laziel was still standing there, but his eyes were unfocused, lost in some far-off place. He hadn’t reacted at all.

Noel studied him carefully.

"You okay? You look pale. Even more than usual."

"He’s right," Marcus said, frowning. "You don’t look good."

Without waiting, Marcus placed a hand on Laziel’s shoulder.

"Later, Noel. We’re taking him to the infirmary."

Noel watched them go, a faint crease forming between his brows.

Something was wrong with Laziel.

And he didn’t like it.

Noel found Elena near the council records room, where the scent of old paper clung to the air and silence wrapped around every shelf. She stood beside a long table, several folders spread open in front of her.

"Found anything useful?"

Elena shook her head, not even looking up at first.

"I’ve been digging through everything I could find. Nothing. The victims from the academy... it’s like they vanished without a trace."

Noel leaned against the edge of the table, arms crossed.

"Hmm. We know your friend disappeared. And a few other students. But the civilian part... that doesn’t fit the equation."

"Yeah," Elena muttered, her eyes narrowing. "Why would civilians be involved at all?"

"Civilians. Students. None of it makes sense." Noel tapped his fingers slowly against the table. "How would anyone even move between targets? I doubt a killer has easy access inside the academy."

"I think the answer’s obvious, isn’t it?"

"Sorry," Noel said, snapping out of it. "I was thinking out loud."

And then, something clicked.

A sudden stillness.

His mind raced backward, connecting a chain he hadn’t seen until now.

’Why didn’t I think of this before?’

"It has to be someone," he said slowly, eyes sharp, "who can move freely. In and out. No questions asked."

Elena turned to look at him fully now, catching the shift in his expression.

Something had changed.

Noel didn’t waste another second.

The moment the idea took form, he turned on his heel and bolted out of the archive room.

’If you don’t want to be seen leaving the academy... where would you move?’

His boots echoed against the stone floor as he picked up speed, coat fluttering behind him.

’Exactly. Underneath. Through the tunnels. I know because I’ve done it too... hehe.’

Behind him, a sharp voice called out.

"Where are you running off to so fast?! Wait!"

Elena sprinted after him, barely keeping pace as they turned a corner.

Noel glanced over his shoulder. "If you’re going to follow me, then come on. You’ll help me search."

Elena shot him a look, slightly breathless but focused.

"I’m not following you just because! I want to help."

Noel smirked, eyes already locked on the path ahead.

Good.

The tunnels beneath the academy stretched endlessly, ancient stone winding in disorienting patterns—chambers, turns, dead ends. They had been walking for over two hours.

Noel led the way with a torch in hand, the pale flame casting shifting shadows along the damp walls.

"They’re bigger than I thought," he muttered. "Way bigger."

Elena’s voice came from behind him, steady but cautious.

"These tunnels... they don’t just belong to the academy, do they?"

Noel shook his head.

"No. I think they stretch under the whole city. Probably all of Valon."

That thought brought a heavy silence with it.

Then he stopped.

"Hold up."

To their left, part of the wall had collapsed, revealing a narrow side passage half-concealed by rubble. At the far end, something caught the torchlight.

A thick, frayed rope—darkened by old stains.

They approached slowly, alert.

Elena crouched near it, eyes narrowing.

"Blood."

Noel knelt as well. The rope was wrapped tightly around a rusted metal pipe. Dust and stone partially buried it, but the dark stains were clear.

"Whoever was tied here didn’t die here," he said quietly. "But they bled. Enough to leave a trace."

Elena ran her hand near the floor, careful not to touch the rope.

"It’s dried. It is atleast a few days old and doesn’t look recent."

Noel pulled a clean strip of cloth from his pouch, wrapped the rope carefully, and stored it in his side bag.

Elena raised an eyebrow.

"What are you going to do with that?"

"Thinking of showing it to the Headmaster. If anyone can get something from it—or knows who can—it’s him."

She nodded, but her eyes were already scanning the rest of the tunnel.

"We’re back at zero," Elena said quietly, rising to her feet.

Noel remained crouched for a moment longer, eyes fixed on the rope’s imprint in the dust.

"Not zero," he murmured. "But we’re running out of time."

He stood and turned back the way they’d come.

’If these tunnels really run beneath all of Valon, then whoever’s using them can disappear whenever they want.’

’And they sure did...’