The Extra's Rise
Chapter 612 - 612: Peaceful Interlude

The weeks following my visit to Professor Gravemore passed in what could only be described as blissful normalcy—a concept that had become increasingly foreign during my time at Mythos Academy. For once, the administration seemed more concerned with keeping their students alive than forging them in the crucible of mortal peril, and I found myself genuinely enjoying the change of pace.

Our assigned mission had been a perfect example of this new, cautious approach. Instead of infiltrating hostile territories or confrontations high-level threats, Class 4-A had been tasked with investigating reports of minor magical disturbances in a peaceful farming community. The "disturbances" had turned out to be some beasts, a few seven-stars too, but nothing we couldn't deal with.

'Hardly the stuff of legend,' I'd thought at the time, but the simplicity had been refreshing. We'd spent two days negotiating a relocation agreement that satisfied both the sprites and the farmers, filed our reports, and returned to campus without a single life-threatening encounter.

'Remember when your missions used to involve near-death experiences and international incidents?' Luna had commented with amusement. 'This is positively mundane by comparison.'

The change had been welcomed by everyone except perhaps Lucifer, who seemed slightly restless without regular opportunities to demonstrate his heroic tendencies. But even he had adapted to the calmer pace, spending more time with Deia and Seol-ah and less time unconsciously attracting catastrophic events.

My academic workload had been similarly manageable. With Professor Gravemore's confirmation that Valeria could serve as my end-of-year project, I'd found myself with considerably more free time than anticipated. The documentation and theoretical analysis were progressing steadily, but the heavy lifting was already complete.

This unexpected leisure had allowed me to focus on aspects of academy life I'd often neglected in favor of survival: actually attending social events, participating in casual study groups, and most importantly, nurturing my relationships without the constant pressure of impending doom.

The scheduling arrangement between Rachel, Cecilia, Seraphina, and Rose had evolved into something remarkably civilized over the weeks. What had once felt like careful diplomatic negotiations now flowed with natural rhythm. Each of them had found ways to claim time with me that played to their individual strengths and preferences.

Rachel favored spontaneous encounters—appearing at my room with hot chocolate and gossip, dragging me to academy events that showcased her social butterfly nature, or simply sprawling across my bed while I worked on assignments, providing commentary that ranged from helpful to hilariously distracting.

'She's like having a beautiful, extremely affectionate puppy,' I'd reflected during one such visit, watching as she practiced light magic while humming cheerfully to herself. 'If puppies could level mountains and were destined to become the world's greatest healer.'

Cecilia preferred more structured time together—formal dinner dates in the Maven City's upscale restaurant, strategic walks through areas where being seen together would reinforce certain political messages, or intense discussions about continental politics that somehow always ended with us making out on my couch.

'Her mind is terrifying and attractive in equal measure,' I'd noted after she'd casually outlined a plan to manipulate grain prices across three continents to benefit both our territories. 'I'm never sure if I should be impressed or concerned.'

Seraphina maintained her preference for quiet, intimate moments. She'd appear at my door with books of poetry, suggest meditative walks through the academy's more secluded gardens, or simply sit in comfortable silence while we both worked on our respective projects. Her presence was like having a piece of winter moonlight as a companion—beautiful, calming, and somehow essential.

'She's the only person I've ever met who can make not talking feel like the most meaningful conversation in the world,' I'd realized during one of our silent study sessions.

Rose brought an easy warmth to our time together that felt effortlessly natural. She'd cook for me using ingredients from her family's specialized herb gardens, share fascinating stories about botany that somehow made magic sound like the most nurturing force in the world, or accompany me to greenhouse visits where her expertise made everything more interesting.

'She's the only one who makes me feel completely normal,' I'd thought while watching her explain the proper care techniques for a carnivorous funeral lily.

Classes themselves had taken on an almost leisurely pace. Professor Nero and other professors continued to push us academically, but the life-or-death urgency that had characterized previous semesters was notably absent. We studied advanced combat techniques without immediately being thrown into situations where we'd need them to survive. We learned complex magical theory without the pressure of having to apply it under mortal duress.

The Sovereign's Tournament preparations had also proceeded smoothly. With rankings updated to reflect our winter break advancement, I'd maintained my position at the top while Lucifer held steady at second. The tournament structure remained unchanged—Lucifer and I would receive byes through the first round, while the other twelve students would compete for advancement.

Jin and Ian had both proven to be excellent study partners, their different continental perspectives providing valuable insights during our Advanced Politics and Strategy courses. Even the typically reserved princes seemed to be enjoying the reduced pressure of the semester.

'This is what academy life should be like,' I'd reflected during a particularly animated discussion about trade route optimization. 'Challenging but not lethal. Competitive but not cutthroat.'

But all peaceful interludes must eventually end, and as winter gave way to early spring, the approach of spring break brought with it a return to more serious responsibilities.

The message from Reika had arrived three days before break officially began, written in her characteristically efficient style:

Arthur— Multiple situations requiring Guild Master attention have developed during your absence. Recommend immediate return to Avalon upon commencement of spring break. Non-urgent matters have been handled, but strategic decisions await your input. Also, the sword Cecilia provided has been received and distributed appropriately. Thank you. —Reika

'Back to being a guild master rather than just a student,' I'd realized with mixed feelings. The peaceful semester had been wonderful, but I'd always known it was temporary.

Ouroboros had been operating largely independently during my academy focus, with Elias handling day-to-day operations and the senior members managing routine contracts. Spring break would provide an opportunity to assess how well the organization functioned without my constant involvement.

The last few days of classes passed quickly, filled with final assignments and the usual pre-break social activities. My relationships with the four girls required careful coordination to ensure everyone received appropriate attention before the separation, but the established rhythm made the process smoother than it might have been.

'One more night,' I thought as I packed for the trip to Avalon. The spatial storage ring made the process trivial, but I found myself taking time to organize everything carefully, as if the ritual of preparation helped transition my mindset from student to guild master.

'Ready for a return to real responsibility?' Luna asked as I sealed the last of my belongings in the ring.

'As ready as anyone can be,' I replied, taking a final look around my room. 'It's been nice having a break from life-or-death decision making.'

'Well, enjoy it while it lasts,' she said with amusement. 'Something tells me that peaceful interludes are going to become increasingly rare as you continue advancing.'

She wasn't wrong. But for now, I was grateful for the weeks of normalcy I'd been granted. Tomorrow would bring a return to the complexities of guild leadership, territorial management, and whatever situations had developed in my absence.

Tonight, however, I was still just a student preparing for spring break. And that was enough.