The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 90: Aftermath [200 PS Bonus]

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Aftermath [200 PS Bonus]

’I think I’ve seen this ceiling more times than I should have.’

The infirmary was just as he remembered it. White stone walls. Soft, floating lights. The sharp scent of healing herbs and mana-soaked gauze. His usual bed. His usual exhaustion.

Somehow, this place had started to feel like a second dorm.

Footsteps approached.

"Hey, Noel," a familiar voice said dryly. "What did you tell me less than a month ago?"

He turned his head slowly, blinking through the haze. The nurse stood by his bed, arms crossed.

"I said... I’d take care of myself and try not to give you more work."

"Good. So your brain still functions," she muttered. "Honestly, I don’t know how you’re still alive. Who in their right mind drinks something that toxic?"

Noel blinked. "Toxic? What are you talking about?"

She stared at him for a beat. Then rolled her eyes.

"Let’s just leave it at that."

"Thanks," he said. Then frowned slightly. "Uh... sorry, what was your name again?"

She raised an eyebrow. "After months of dropping by like this, now you ask?"

There was a pause.

Then she sighed. "Clair. My name’s Clair."

Noel gave a tired smile. "Thanks, Clair."

She shook her head. "You know, you really should take better care of yourself. You’re still young."

"I’d love to. Truly."

Clair adjusted the blankets over him, then gestured toward the nightstand.

"By the way, you’ve been unconscious for five days. That girl hasn’t left your side. And you’ve got a letter."

Noel followed her gaze and saw a sealed envelope resting neatly beside a glass of water.

Clair stretched her back with a groan. "My shift’s over. Get some real rest, and try not to make me work overtime again."

"Yeah, sure. See you later."

"No." She turned halfway at the door. "I don’t like ’see you later.’"

Noel smirked. "Then... until next time, Clair?"

She let out a short huff.

Then walked out, closing the door gently behind her.

Noel turned his head and noticed someone slumped over the edge of his bed.

Elena.

Her platinum hair spilled over the blanket, smooth and untied. One pointed ear peeked out through the strands. She was resting her head on the mattress beside him, breathing softly, completely asleep.

She looked peaceful.

Comfortable.

’She’s been here the whole time?’

’I’m not waking her. First... the letter.’

He shifted carefully, reaching for the envelope on the nightstand with his right arm.

Pain flared instantly.

"FUCK!!!" he hissed through gritted teeth.

The sound jolted Elena awake.

She blinked rapidly, confused—then her amber eyes locked onto him.

"Noel!" she gasped.

"Sorry," he muttered. "Didn’t mean to wake you—"

Before he could finish, she launched forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Wait—ow—hey! I’m happy to be alive too, but I’ve got open wounds and fractured ribs—give me a second!"

She pulled back instantly, flustered. "Sorry! I-I got excited!"

Then the words came out in a flood.

"Are you okay? How do you feel? Is your body still in pain? Do you have a fever? What about your arm? Do you need help—?"

Noel let out a long breath. "Can you do two thing for me?"

Elena froze. "Yes?"

"First calm down. And second... hand me the letter."

"Oh. Right. Of course!" She grabbed it from the table. "Here."

"Thanks. Uh, actually... could you open it for me? My hand’s still useless."

Without hesitation, she opened the envelope and unfolded the paper.

"It’s from Elyra."

She cleared her throat and began to read aloud:

"I didn’t expect to get a letter from the cold and enigmatic Noel.

No—kidding aside, thank you. It helped more than you know.

My mother’s condition hasn’t changed. Still high fever. Still those red marks spreading across her body.

And not just her.

Most of the northern region is affected now. Estermont and Iskandar territory are the worst hit.

Anyway, I’ll be back in a week. The final exams won’t take themselves."

Elena slowly lowered the paper.

Noel stared at the ceiling.

"...Shit."

Elena blinked, noticing the shift in Noel’s expression.

"What’s wrong?"

"Elyra is coming back in a few days."

"And that’s bad?"

"No... quite the opposite. What’s bad is the final exams that come with her."

Elena let out a soft laugh. "Let me guess... you haven’t studied?"

"Nope."

"Do you want help?"

Noel slowly turned to face her. "You’d help me study? I should warn you... I’m below average when it comes to theory. And that’s being generous."

"Don’t worry," she said with a warm smile. "I always rank first in theory. You can trust me."

Noel nodded, grateful. "Thanks."

"Oh, by the way," Elena suddenly added. "They told me to inform the director as soon as you woke up. I’ll go call him now."

She stood up from the chair and stepped out lightly, leaving the door slightly ajar.

The room fell silent.

For the first time since he’d opened his eyes, Noel was alone.

He looked around, then muttered under his breath, "Status."

A faint ding echoed in his mind.

In front of him, a glowing blue window materialized—just like it had the moment he lost consciousness, though he hadn’t been able to see it back then.

[You have slain Kaelith Drosen, The Butcher]

[+20% Core Progress]

[Current Core Progress: 96.33% – Mana Core: Novice]

[Mission Complete: Save the students and uncover the truth]

[Act II Completed – Congratulations!]

[New rewards available]

[Claim now?]

[Good luck in the next Act.]

"’Good luck in the next Act,’" Noel said mockingly. "Go fuck yourself, system. Stuff your ’good luck’ right up your ass."

He exhaled a long breath, trying to calm his pounding heart.

"Seriously, 20%? I’m telling you, this system’s a rat. How can I not be pissed? I just killed a damn demon—almost Ascendant rank. Ascendant, not Adept. A-S-C-E-N-D-A-N-T. Suck on that!"

He shook his head in disbelief, flopping back against the pillow.

"I swear, it makes you want to scream and never shit again. But...

His eyes narrowed.

"...at least I’m one step away from Adept."

Then his gaze locked onto the part that truly mattered:

[New Rewards Available]

"Claim, claim, claim," he whispered with greedy anticipation. "Please let it be something good this time. Like an OP armor set. Or even better—a gun. In a world of magic and swords, now that would be sick. Imagine..."

The window updated.

[Reward claimed: Egg of ???]

"...Are you fucking kidding me?"

His face went blank.

"A damn egg? After all that? An egg?!"

He stared at it for a moment, frozen, then narrowed his eyes.

"...Wait. Wait, wait, wait. This could be like one of those cliché novels. And this story is a cliché, let’s not lie to ourselves. So that means... it’s probably a dragon, right? Or maybe a phoenix? Something crazy, at least."

The glowing egg materialized next to the window. A faint system note blinked beneath it.

[Temperature insufficient]

Noel blinked once. Then twice.

"...You’ve got to be shitting me."