The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist
Chapter 91 : A picture of misunderstanding (1)

Chapter 91: Chapter 91 : A picture of misunderstanding (1)

Alex lay comfortably on his bed, propped up by a couple of pillows.

Sunlight streamed through the smart-tinted windows, casting a mellow golden hue over the polished chrome fixtures and glowing med-monitors.

His fingers swiped lazily through his translucent status window.

He didn’t notice the soft hiss of the door sliding open behind him.

Nor did he notice the pair of amused eyes silently watching him from across the room.

It wasn’t until he heard a soft chuckle.

A faint sound.

So soft, so controlled, it might’ve been nothing at all—if not for the sudden prickle on the back of his neck.

A subtle shift in the air. The kind that only happened when someone powerful entered the space.

His breath hitched.

He turned slowly, the system window fading from view in an instant.

Alex blinked, surprised. "...How long have you been standing there?"

There she was.

Alicia von Crestvale stood there with an elegant posture, arms crossed, her long

White hair cascading like moonlight down her shoulders. She had a faint smirk playing on her lips.

She was wearing simple, elegant casuals—dark trousers and a light, fitted blouse .

Her eyes locked on him.

Watching.

"I don’t know, Mr. Dragonheart," she said teasingly, "Why don’t you tell me? You were so busy talking to yourself that I doubt you noticed anything at all."

Alex scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "Right... sorry about that. Just had... a lot on my mind to think about."

She stepped forward gracefully, her boots making barely a sound against the floor.

"Don’t worry, I won’t pry into your fantasies," she said, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smirk. "Though next time, maybe lock the door if you’re going to be so absorbed while talking to yourself."

"Hey! It wasn’t like that!" Alex said quickly, face turning slightly red. "And for the record, it was strategic thinking—future plans."

"Of course," Alicia nodded mock-seriously, her tone teasing. "So, mr.strategist, how’s your condition?"

Alex relaxed a bit. "Better. Dr. Wizz said I can be discharged tomorrow."

"That’s good." Her tone softened. "I was a little worried. That reckless move you pulled... you nearly destroyed your own body."

Alex shrugged lightly, his signature smirk returning. "Well, as you can see, I’m still alive and kicking."

Alicia smiled at that, then walked closer to the bed. Her teasing demeanor gave way to something more serious as she sat down on the edge of his bed, facing him directly.

"You know," she began, her voice more composed, "In all my years at Zenith Academy, I’ve seen countless sword arts, martial techniques, and combat styles. Some graceful, some brutal.

But not once have I seen someone at Advanced (Low) Rank land a serious blow on a Master (Mid) Rank."

She paused, looking him in the eye.

"And regrettably... that Master-rank individual was me."

Alex winced slightly, unsure if he should feel guilty or proud.

Alicia continued, "So let me ask you something. You don’t have to answer, but I’d like to know... As far as I recall, you were just a Novice-(low) rank four months ago. How the hell did you advance through the ranks that freakishly fast?"

Her green eyes sparkled—not with suspicion, but with unfiltered curiosity. Like a researcher staring at an anomaly. Or perhaps... a girl genuinely intrigued.

Alex smirked,He leaned forward slightly, his expression turning mock-serious.

"You really wanna know, Prez?"

Alicia nodded, intrigued.

"Listen, Alicia—" he said with rare gravity.

Her eyes widened slightly at the sudden use of her name, and she leaned in.

"You just have to keep doing it," he said seriously. "No matter how hard it gets."

"...Huh? Do what."

’Where is he going with this?’ she wondered

Alex’s expression became even more serious. But inside, he was cracking up, barely holding back a laugh while remembering a bald caped figure in the annals of his previous life.

"It took me four months to get this strong," he said, his tone deepening. "Through sheer discipline. Relentless training."

Then, with dramatic flair, he raised a finger.

"One hundred push-ups."

He raised another.

"One hundred sit-ups."

Then another.

"One hundred squats."

Then, as if narrating a legend, he declared: "And a ten kilometer run. Every. Single. Day."

He leaned back. "Of course, I ate healthy meals too."

Alicia stared at him, completely still. Her expression slowly shifted from curious to confused... to vaguely horrified. Finally, it settled on something resembling someone watching a lunatic perform interpretive dance.

"...Seriously?"

"Majide— I mean seriously," Alex replied, putting on his best poker face.

Alicia’s eyebrow twitched. Then her fist shot forward and landed squarely in his gut.

"GUHHH—!"

Alex bent forward as the air left his lungs, wheezing.

"I swear..." Alicia said, flustered and irritated, "If you didn’t want to tell me, you could’ve just said so instead of wasting my time with that nonsense!"

"I was telling the truth!" Alex gasped between coughs.

Alicia raised her fist again.

"Okay, okay!" Alex held up both hands quickly. "I’ll answer truthfully!"

She crossed her arms, waiting.

With a smug grin, he declared, "I’m a genius. That’s all."

"...I swear to the stars above..." Alicia looked skyward, clearly reevaluating her life choices. But when she found no better explanation, she just sighed. "You’re impossible."

Alex grinned proudly.

"...Fine. Forget it," she said, shaking her head. "But at least tell me this—where did you learn that ridiculous sword art? The one that lets you injure someone stronger than you while nearly tearing you apart in the process."

At that, Alex’s expression shifted. His gaze turned distant, serious.

"You really wanna know?" he asked solemnly.

"Yes," Alicia said firmly.

Alex nodded. "It was a starless night... I was drinking alone at a bar... when suddenly—an old man appeared. He looked at me and said, ’You! Handsome, genius boy! I see potential in you! Potential so divine it could make the gods kneel!’—"

Suddenly, a blade was at his neck.

He blinked, looking up to see Alicia looming over him, a sword in hand, a vein bulging on her otherwise beautiful face.

"Did that really happen, Mr. Dragonheart?"

Alex’s smile froze. Sweat beaded on his forehead. "Oh wait... I think that was a dream! Yeah! A dream! Must’ve gotten the details mixed up. Crazy, huh?"

"...Really."

"Really," he nodded frantically.

Alicia narrowed her eyes. "Tell the truth. And if you even think about lying again, my blade might just slip."

"Weren’t you the one who said I only have to answer if I want to?" Alex argued weakly.

"Oh, I don’t know, maybe a silver-haired blabbermouth annoyed me so much I want to rip the truth out of him now."

Alex looked thoughtful for a moment and said, "That’s... a fair point."

Just as Alicia raised her fist again, Alex blurted, "A ghost! A ghost taught me in the Capital’s forest!"

Alicia froze. "...A ghost?"

"Yes!" Alex nodded. "A spooky old ghost! Wise. Mysterious, who tried to kill me. With flowing robes and all that!"

Alicia’s expression turned red with anger again as she raised her arm for another strike—but the door hissed open at that exact moment, drawing her attention.

"Alex, what’s going on here—" A voice came.

Alicia turned toward the door, sword still in hand.

Alex saw the opportunity and made a break for it—trying to pry the sword from Alicia’s grip.

Big mistake.

Her grip was far stronger than expected, and instead of freeing the blade, the sudden tug pulled her off balance—sending her toppling forward.

"Wha—!"

"Wait—!"

With a soft thud, Alicia landed on top of him, faces inches apart, her soft hair tickling his cheek, the warmth of her breath brushing his lips. Her chest pressed lightly against him, and both of them froze.

Their eyes locked.

Red tinted both their cheeks.

It was an awkward, electric silence.

Then—

"Oh my, my... what do we have here?"

The voice rang from the door—playful, laced with amusement.

"I didn’t realize I was interrupting such a private moment."

Both Alex and Alicia turned their heads simultaneously to see who it was.

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A/N:-

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