An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

The girl sitting behind Arthur was Luna Harper, one of the female leads—the so-called mage prodigy of their generation. Though not a noble, her status rivaled that of any aristocrat. As the granddaughter of the Water Mage Tower Master, her name carried weight and respect.

And right now, Luna was fuming.

From the moment she was a child, she had always been first—praised and admired. Every accomplishment inflated her ego, every victory solidified her superiority.

But now?

Now she had been beaten.

By him.

Arthur Ludwig.

And not just in one test—but in all three.

When he leaned back, smugly brushing his hand through his hair and saying, "Well, it's not my fault I'm a genius," it was the final blow to her pride.

Her nails dug into her palms as she stared daggers into the back of his head. She had never been second to anyone.

Before she could retort, a soft chime echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the ceremony. Luna leaned back in her seat, her eyes never leaving Arthur, her irritation palpable.

Arthur, catching the heat of her gaze, smirked to himself.

This is going to be fun.

Sounds and music echoed through the vast space, signaling that the long-awaited ceremony was about to begin.

In the far corner of the arena, the academy orchestra tuned their instruments. The gentle hum of strings blended with the light trill of flutes, creating a serene prelude. The soft murmur of the audience gradually faded into silence, anticipation thick in the air.

Then, with a deep, rhythmic beat of drums, the atmosphere shifted.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

All eyes turned toward the stage.

From above, a figure descended—not walked, but floatedgracefully. Her movements were fluid, almost ethereal, as if the air itself bent to her will. She touched down softly on the stage, her presence commanding, yet warm.

With a radiant smile, she greeted the crowd. "Hello, everyone!"

Her voice, enhanced by mana, resonated through the arena, clear and vibrant.

"You might already know me," she continued, her tone cheerful and inviting, "but allow me to introduce myself once again. I am Ariana Quinn, the principal of Arcane Academy."

Her gaze swept across the sea of students, each one captivated by her aura. Her words, imbued with a subtle touch of magic, echoed effortlessly, reaching every corner of the vast coliseum.

"Welcome, new students of Arcane Academy!" Principal Ariana's voice rang out with authority, commanding attention as if she had stepped from the heart of a thunderstorm. Her presence was magnetic, drawing every gaze to the stage.

"As you step through the doors of this institution," she continued, her tone a perfect blend of warmth and resolve, "you are embarking on a journey unlike any other. A journey that will test your limits, shape your character, and unlock the boundless potential within you."

Her eyes scanned the sea of eager, fresh-faced students, each one brimming with dreams and ambitions.

"Embrace the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead," Ariana urged, her words reverberating through the grand hall like a spellbinding incantation.

The air buzzed with anticipation, the weight of her words settling over the crowd like a charge of energy.

"You have chosen a path filled with endless possibilities," she continued, her voice steady and inspiring. "Here, your talents will be honed, your limits pushed, and your futures forged."

A brief pause. Then, with a smile that carried both encouragement and a hint of challenge, she added, "The only question that remains is—are you ready to rise to the occasion?"

The arena erupted, voices uniting in a thunderous response,

"YES!"

However, her next words took an unexpected turn, injecting a wave of uncertainty through the crowd.

"Trust me, most of you here won't graduate into the roles you've envisioned for yourselves," she declared bluntly, her voice slicing through the hopeful buzz. The abruptness of her statement left the students—and even some of the staff—momentarily stunned.

A murmur spread across the seated crowd. Bewildered glances were exchanged, the air thick with confusion and unease.

Sensing their apprehension, Principal Ariana's lips curled into a faint smile, though it held no warmth. "Don't misunderstand me," she continued, her tone steady but laced with a warning. "I'm not saying this to discourage you. I say it to prepare you."

Her eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the audience as if weighing their worth. "Life rarely goes as planned. You'll face trials that will push you to the edge. Moments that will make you question everything and consider giving up."

As she spoke, a subtle shift in the atmosphere became palpable. She released a controlled wave of mana—just enough to make the students feel the weight of her presence. A silent reminder of the authority she wielded and the power she commanded.

"Learn to adapt. Learn to survive. And above all, learn to be strong." Her words carried the weight of experience, each syllable landing like a blow. "At Arcane Academy, we do not measure right or wrong in talent—only results. You are the future of this world, its warriors, scholars, and protectors. And one day, you will face the demons that threaten our existence."

The hall grew tense, the gravity of her statement settling over the students like a heavy blanket.

Her gaze locked onto them, cold and unwavering. "Dream big. Work relentlessly. And never underestimate your potential," she said, her tone shifting ever so slightly to one of encouragement, though it carried the unmistakable edge of expectation.

"Each of you possesses a unique gift. We are here to guide you, to mold you, and to witness what you become."

The tension in the room was palpable as her words sank in. Some students sat upright, steeling themselves for the challenge, while others shifted nervously in their seats, unsure of what lay ahead.

Principal Ariana's lips curled into an unsettling grin, one that sent a chill down the spines of the ordinary students—a grin that seemed to promise both opportunity and peril.

"Welcome to Arcane Academy," she concluded. "Your journey begins now."

The words hung in the air like a forewarning, a stark reminder that their time at the academy would be one of immense opportunity—and unforgiving challenge.