An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

As we entered the Elemental Magic Assessment venue, my steps faltered, and I found myself momentarily dazed by the sight before me. I wasn't alone—Cedric and every other male present seemed equally entranced.

At the center of the room stood our examiner: A breathtaking young-looking elf stood confidently, her allure impossible to ignore. Long, golden blonde hair framed her delicate, gorgeous face, with sultry brown eyes and full, tempting lips that seemed to beckon attention. Her wizard robe, slitted daringly high, showcased her creamy thighs and the curve of her hips with every movement.

Beneath, a scanty top barely contained her full, perky breasts, leaving her smooth belly exposed, glistening slightly under the light. Her short, snug bottoms clung to her hips, accentuating their roundness, while her plump, shapely legs and short boots completed the picture of provocative elegance. Every step and subtle sway of her body exuded seductive confidence, a captivating blend of beauty and temptation.

"I want those thighs to clamp my head," I muttered under my breath before realizing I'd spoken aloud.

"Me too," Cedric said absentmindedly beside me.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

A sharp "Tch, men," came from Kaela, who rolled her eyes and walked ahead, snapping us both out of our daze.

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I quickly followed her lead.

"Wait for a while," the elf said with a faint smile, her voice soft but commanding. "We'll let a few more candidates arrive, then I'll explain the assessment details."

Everyone nodded in unison, though most were still clearly distracted.

While I waited, fragments of her identity teased at the edge of my memory. A face and body like hers couldn't belong to just another background character. And then it hit me like a thunderbolt.

Elena Moon. The grand archmage. A noble of the Everveil Kingdom.

She wasn't just any elf; she was the elf. With an unparalleled affinity for spirits, she stood at the pinnacle of summoning magic. Her contract with the legendary wind spirit queen, Sylph, was the stuff of legends, solidifying her reputation as a peerless mage. Among those who wielded wind magic, she was undisputed. If she ever claimed to be second-best, it would only be to make others feel less worthless.

Her reasons for being at the academy were equally intriguing. As the youngest child of a powerful noble family, she had no shot at inheritance. Rather than being sold off in some political marriage like a prized trinket, she carved her own path, choosing to teach. The academy, of course, leapt at the chance to employ a talent of her caliber.

Yet, despite her brilliance and beauty, Elena was never a main heroine in the game. She was a side heroine. A tantalizingly unattainable figure who shared several intimate moments with the protagonist during his academy days. For Elena, their relationship could never go public. Her pride, position, and elven heritage shackled her. And for Alex? Well, why would he complain? He got to fuck with a breathtakingly gorgeous elf, completely free of strings and responsibility. It was a win-win for him.

But there was more to his hesitance—her age.

She looked like she was in her twenties, a flawless example of youthful allure. But in human years, she was over a hundred. Young for an elf, sure, but it was enough to give Alex pause. Even he wasn't completely immune to how alien she was, no matter how beautiful.

It was almost as if she could read my thoughts. Her gaze shifted toward me, sharp as a dagger, her golden eyes narrowing dangerously.

My breath hitched, and cold sweat trickled down my spine. 'How the hell is her intuition this terrifying?'

Elena's piercing gaze was soon distracted as another group of candidates shuffled into the room, bringing the total to around thirty.

"Alright, this will suffice for now," she said, her tone commanding attention. "Let me explain the details of your test."

Her words were clipped and professional, yet the air around her carried a subtle tension that made everyone stand straighter.

"This test is divided into three parts: Elemental Affinity, Mana Channeling, and lastly, Elemental Spell Casting." She gestured with a flick of her wrist as though outlining the steps in the air.

"We'll begin with your affinity. Watch closely." With a dramatic flourish, she pulled a cloth away from the center table, revealing a transparent orb gleaming faintly in the light. It seemed almost alive, humming softly with latent power.

"Each of you will come forward, one by one, and place your hand on the orb. Channel your mana into it. The orb will reveal your elemental affinity and your mana reserves. If you can successfully channel mana into the orb, you'll automatically pass the second part of the test—mana channeling."

Her golden eyes scanned the room, resting briefly on each candidate before pointing to the front row. "You, first," she said, motioning to a nervous girl.

The girl stepped forward hesitantly, her hand trembling slightly as she placed it on the orb. A faint yellow glow pulsed from within.

"Fire affinity, elementary," Elena noted without emotion, scribbling it down on a parchment. "Next."

Another candidate stepped up.

"Earth, novice."

"Fire, low intermediate."

"Water, elementary."

The line of students continued, their results a mix of common elements and mostly unimpressive levels.

Then, Cedric's turn came. He swaggered forward with practiced confidence, placing his hand firmly on the orb. A pale green light flickered to life.

"Air, novice," Elena announced, jotting it down.

And then it was my turn.

I stepped forward, my heart steady as I approached the orb. Its glassy surface shimmered faintly, cool to the touch as I laid my hand on it. For a moment, I stilled, focusing inward.

The energy within me stirred like a slumbering beast. I felt it gather at my core, a deep, pulsing rhythm that resonated with the orb. Slowly, I began channeling it into my palm, directing the flow with precision and ease.

The crystal came alive under my touch, vibrating faintly as it absorbed my mana. I deliberately held back, releasing only light and fire mana while suppressing my other affinities. For most, controlling mana with this level of precision would be impossible, but for me, with my absolute mastery, it was effortless.

The orb began to glow brilliantly, a swirling mix of golden light and crimson fire that lit up the room. Whispers broke out among the candidates, their awe and curiosity palpable.

Gasps rippled through the room. Whispers followed, their words a mix of awe and disbelief.

"Light affinity…" one voice murmured.

"And fire too! Dual affinity…" another added, the weight of the discovery hanging thick in the air.

Elena's eyebrows rose slightly—a rare reaction, subtle yet noticeable.

"Dual affinity: light and fire. Master mage," she said, her voice steady, but there was a flicker of intrigue in her eyes. She paused briefly, her gaze lingering on me before writing it down.

Her words sent another ripple through the crowd. Dual affinity was rare enough, but light affinity? That was a gift few ever possessed.

I allowed myself a small, satisfied smirk, glancing at the stunned faces around me. The shock in their eyes was intoxicating. 'That should give them something to talk about.'

Elena, however, doesn't seem to be impressed by that. "Stop smirking and move along. There are still candidates waiting," she said, her voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade.

"Ah—yes. My apologies," I replied, forcing myself to stifle the grin as I stepped back into the group. My moment of triumph was over, but it was enough. I'd given them plenty to think about.

Kaela was next. She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand on the orb.

Nothing.

The orb remained dark, unresponsive. She tried again, her brow furrowing in frustration, but the result didn't change.

Elena glanced at Kaela, her expression detached and clinical. "Failed. No mage potential. Mana level: Intermediate."

Kaela remained calm, her composure unshaken. She wasn't here to prove herself as a mage—she was a warrior, through and through. This test was nothing more than a formality, a mandatory process she had to endure.

The result wasn't surprising. Beastmen functioned on an entirely different power system. While they did possess mana, its purpose was singular: to enhance their physical abilities. Unlike mages, they couldn't channel mana externally or shape it into spells. Their mana wasn't for bending the elements but for reinforcing their bodies, granting them unmatched strength and agility on the battlefield.

I watched her as she stepped back into the group, her movements steady, her expression unreadable. There wasn't an ounce of disappointment in her stance—if anything, she seemed indifferent, as though the result was beneath her concern.