An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

After the announcement, our group of six made its way toward the Academy's exit. The crowd was thinning, with most candidates who were confident of their selection dispersing to celebrate as the assessment ended. Just as we neared the grand gates, a commotion erupted behind us.

Curious murmurs rose like ripples in a pond. Turning back, we saw a cluster of candidates—mostly commoners—gathering around someone. Their excited chatter hinted at admiration, bordering on idol worship. Nobles, of course, wouldn't lower themselves to such displays.

From the heart of the bustling crowd came a sweet, melodious voice, clear and commanding despite its polite tone.

"Can you please let us pass? We have somewhere else to be."

The words, though phrased as a request, carried an unmistakable authority. The noise hushed instantly, and the crowd parted like the sea, forming a path for the speaker.

That's when I finally saw him.

Alex Stale, the chosen hero of this world, stepped forward. His presence was magnetic, his confidence radiating like the sun. He stood tall, his blond hair shimmering under the light, tousled in that perfect, effortless way that only protagonists seemed to achieve. His sharp, angular features were striking, as if carved by the gods themselves. His golden eyes shone with a mysterious allure, piercing and captivating, drawing attention from everyone around him.

He was, by all accounts, ridiculously handsome—exactly what one would expect from the protagonist of an eroge game. After all, in such games, a charming face is often the most critical asset.

However, my attention wasn't on him. It was on the ladies accompanying him.

By his side was his sister, Cassandra Stale, a stark contrast in demeanor but equally mesmerizing. She moved with a fluid grace that seemed almost otherworldly, her form-fitting attire daringly cut to accentuate every curve. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, framing a flawless face that seemed designed to invoke both innocence and temptation. Her large, dark eyes sparkled with intrigue, adding a dangerous allure to her already striking appearance.

And then there was Eveline Vale, the saintess. She appeared even more radiant than when I first met her at the Ludwig estate. Her luminous white hair framed her delicate features like a halo, and her piercing blue eyes glowed with benevolence. Her pastel gown, with its soft hues and elegant, layered hem, gave her a divine aura. A semi-sheer hooded cloak rested on her shoulders, fastened by an ornate silver brooch.

Of course, the saintess could never be without her knight. Her personal knight, Althea Hart, followed closely behind, her cold, stoic presence forming a stark contrast to Eveline's warmth. Althea's petite frame belied her commanding demeanor, and her short, silvery hair framed a face as sharp and stern as her gaze. Her grey eyes carried an intensity that could silence even the rowdiest crowd. Her outfit was both practical and daring, designed for mobility but revealing much of her smooth, fair skin. She wore a fitted, sleeveless tunic that ended mid-thigh, the dark fabric hugging her slender figure. High leather boots reached just above her knees, leaving her smooth thighs bare, while a pair of fingerless gloves covered her hands.

As I observed the group, Saintess's eyes landed on me. Her expression softened with recognition, and a graceful smile spread across her lips. She stepped forward, her presence radiating warmth.

"Mr. Arthur, it's a pleasure to see you again," she said, her voice melodic. "We met at the Ludwig mansion. Do you remember?"

I nodded, offering her a polite smile. "How could I forget someone as stunning as you?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Eveline's cheeks flushed lightly, but before she could reply, Cassandra approached, her curiosity evident.

"Who are your friends, Lady Eveline?" Cassandra asked, her tone polite but tinged with interest.

Eveline turned to her, smiling. "This is the young man I mentioned—Mr. Arthur Ludwig, heir to the Ludwig Duchy."

She gestured toward the blond-haired boy standing beside Cassandra. "And this is Alex Stale. He recently awakened as a Hero."

At the mention of his title, Alex straightened, his pride practically radiating from him. Eveline ignored his reaction and continued, motioning to Cassandra.

And this is Cassandra Stale, Alex's sister. They'll be joining the Academy this year as well."

I took the chance to step in, offering a friendly smile as I addressed Eveline. "You can drop the formalities, Lady Eveline. We're going to be fellow students soon, so no need for the 'Mr.' thing."

Eveline raised an elegant eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smile. "If that's the case, then you should drop the honorifics too. Just call me Eveline."

"Deal," I replied with a chuckle, meeting her gaze with a grin. "Eveline it is."

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Alex stiffening. His glare was sharp, almost comically so, as he watched me converse casually with the saintess. The air around him seemed to bristle with unspoken annoyance, his heroic pride clearly bruised.

I fought the urge to smirk. Was it my ease with Eveline, or was he just not used to sharing the spotlight? Either way, his irritation only made the moment more amusing.

I ignored his glares and extended a hand toward Cassandra with a friendly smile. "Hello. You can call me Arthur. Nice to meet you"

Cassandra shook my hand, her gaze lingering on me longer than necessary. "Oh~ So you're the one who killed a demon even before awakening," she said, her voice tinged with fascination.

"Hah~ Well, I had some help," I replied modestly.

"That's exactly what I was saying to the saintess!" Alex chimed in, his voice rising slightly. "How could an unawakened person possibly defeat a nether demon?"

Why is he so worked up about this? I wondered, raising a brow.

Lira, standing beside me, decided to cut in. "Don't be modest, young master. Even without our assistance, you completely dominated that demon."

Cassandra's expression grew more intrigued, while Alex's grew gloomier.

Hey, why are you looking at me like that? I haven't even done anything yet! I thought, trying to suppress a sigh. The tension in the air was palpable, but all I could do was brace myself for whatever came next.

As we continued our conversation, Alicia, who had been patiently standing at the back and listening, finally spoke up.

"Hello, everyone. It's great that you're all getting acquainted, but would you mind moving elsewhere? My legs are starting to hurt," Alicia said with a playful tone, breaking the flow.

Eveline glanced at her, puzzled by the interruption.

"She's my friend, Alicia Raven," I explained, gesturing toward her, "and this is her brother, Cedric Raven. We were heading to her place."

Eveline's expression softened as she extended a hand. "Oh, hello. Nice to meet you."

Alicia accepted the handshake with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you too. The invitation to my place extends to you as well."

"Some other time," Eveline replied, her tone warm but firm. "I need to return to the church to prepare for moving into the dormitory."

"Oh~ you seem pretty confident about being selected," Alicia teased lightly.

"Of course," Eveline said with a small laugh, and the two shared a moment of mutual amusement.

"Too bad you can't join us this time. Till we meet again," Alicia said, waving cheerfully.

Just as they finished, Alex took a step forward, his signature smug expression in full display. Extending a hand toward Alicia, he said, "Hello, Miss Alicia. I'm Alex. I'm free now—would you like the honor of accommodating the Hero?"

Smugness radiated from him, as if expecting Alicia to be floored by his presence.

Alicia, however, didn't even blink. "No," she said bluntly, turning away without another word. She clasped my hand and began walking toward the academy gates, her grip firm and her stride confident.

My maids followed behind me closely.

"Next time, make sure to come to my place!" Alicia called out cheerfully, waving at Eveline and Cassandra as we departed.

I glanced back briefly. Alex stood frozen, his outstretched hand hanging awkwardly in the air. His expression was priceless—embarrassed and stunned. For the first time since awakening as a Hero, someone had completely ignored him.

"Ha… ha… sorry about that," Cedric mumbled, trying to break the tension as he followed his sister. "My sister doesn't get along well with strangers."

The awkward silence that followed was palpable.

"We should also leave, Saintess," Althea, Eveline's knight, suggested, her voice calm but firm.

"Yes, let's go," Eveline said with a nod, turning toward Cassandra. "Goodbye for now. I'll see you soon."

"Bye, Eveline," Cassandra replied softly as she watched them leave.

After they departed, Cassandra turned to her brother. "Let's head back, Alex."

Without commenting on the earlier incident, she began walking toward their carriage. Alex followed in silence, his usual bravado noticeably absent. For once, the Hero had been left in someone else's shadow.