Extra's Descent

"Happy Birthday, Amelia."

The moment Amelia entered the lecture room, friends, and classmates gathered and surprised her, popping a confetti.

"...."

Amelia blinked her eyes, surprised.

Her gaze lingered towards the man, who idly sat quietly in his seat, separated from the crowd.

It was Brandon, who seemed to be

Then, returned her attention back to the students who flocked around her.

She gave them a smile of appreciation.

"Thank you."

Each classmate greeted her, some giving her gifts. Eventually, the classroom settled and Amelia returned to her seat, right beside Belle.

Belle seemed like she wanted to say something. Amelia, knowing what it was, spoke.

"No, he didn't greet me."

"What? Yes, yes?"

Belle blinked her eyes, pretending as if she wasn't thinking that at all.

"I didn't—"

"You're thinking about it."

Amelia sighed.

"I told you, Belle. It's over between us. I'm probably blocked on his phone…."

"Huh? That's too much, let me speak to him."

Belle was just about to stand up, when the door opened, and the instructor, Elliot entered the lecture room, walking towards the podium.

Eventually, Belle sat back down, and the room fell silent.

Elliot settled his bag down and checked his phone first.

Approaching the board, he began to write something down.

Brrt….

At that moment, Amelia's phone buzzed.

Staring at the message sent to her, her lips curled up to a sweet smile, a blush spreading across her features.

She couldn't hold back from the joy she felt.

She was excited for the events that would unfold today.

***

"I understand your desire for credentials, but, to be honest, there's no reason for your attendance here. You're much more accomplished than all of the instructors in this academy."

Brandon blinked his eyes, hearing those words from Bellion after being called to go to his office.

"Tell me, are you still learning anything? The academy is practically way below your priority list, no?"

"Yes, I'm still learning. There's a lot of things I lack that need refining."

"Since when were you a perfectionist?"

"...."

Bellion brows raised, realizing what he just said. Of course, Bellion wasn't blind to notice it.

Brandon's obsession with perfection, to never leave a single detail unchecked, all started after his initial return.

This was further focused after Evelyn's death.

In Bellion's eyes, all of Brandon's accomplishments in a mere two months was borderline insanity.

"Kuhum. So, why do you insist on staying here? If it's credentials, you're more than qualified enough for the Imperial Army. If it's connections, I think you've made enough of them."

"The Summit."

"Yes?"

Bellion blinked his eyes.

"I need to be there."

"What for? The whole world practically knows who you are."

Indeed, that was the Summit's purpose. For the students who had already shown exceptional skills to get their name out there.

"To aim higher."

"...."

Brandon wanted the world to bend to his will. To expand his network over the horizon.

"You…."

He was way in over his head.

Sure, he may be exceptional compared to the students in Imperial Academy, maybe even some of the instructors themselves.

But amongst the top of the world, he was at the very bottom of the food–chain.

Even Bellion could defeat him with a mere snap of his finger.

However, Bellion could see it in his eyes.

Brandon was serious.

A smile tugged at Bellion's lips.

"I was planning on choosing you to attend anyway,"

"Then?"

"But after the summit, I'll have to force your graduation."

"But…."

"No buts. Your skills are being wasted here. You have already proven yourself. What you need at the moment is experience."

"I…."

"An Academy's purpose is to foster individuals. To help them reach new heights they could never reach before."

Brandon wasn't the first case of a student who was forcefully graduated in their early years.

Bellion could name a few on the top of his head.

"Do you know why Lucian Frost had only attended two years worth of academy?"

"Two years?"

While he was aware of Lucian's accomplishments, he wasn't well versed in his younger years.

There was a pause as Bellion let the weight of his words settle.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"He was deemed too valuable to keep within the academy walls."

Bellion continued.

"So he was sent out, given real experience. Real battles. He had no choice but to grow fast."

Brandon's grip on the arm of his chair tightened.

"To be clear, Brandon, this isn't about pushing you out. This is about opening the doors you've earned."

"No, I understand that. I was honestly just here for the credentials."

"And you'll be given that. A push to rise the ranks of the Imperial Army. Or join the top guilds itself. The choice is yours."

Bellion could see it clearly.

He was standing right before him.

The second coming of Lucian Frost.

"But let me ask. I've heard about your contributions to the Constantine faction. What exactly is your purpose besides assisting your girlfriend?"

"Ex–girlfriend."

Brandon corrected him.

"Oh? A pity."

"How so?"

Bellion coughed then. Whatever quarrel they had as a couple was none of his business.

"Nothing, anyway, why?"

"To push her into becoming the next Grand Marshal."

"You're contradicting yourself."

Bellion leaned forward, noticing the change in Brandon's expression.

"What do you have in mind?"

Brandon scoffed and shifted the topic.

"I knew you could see right through me."

***

"Happy Birthday, Miss Constantine."

Amelia, who had just left the library, suddenly halted as someone greeted her.

Turning around, a man stood and handed her a gift.

It was Elliot.

"T-Thank you, but there's no nee—"

"Please, accept it, I insist."

Having no choice, Amelia accepted the gift and thanked him once more.

"Enjoy your day."

Elliot smiled, then left shortly after.

Amelia blinked her eyes and stared at the gift.

It had been like this for the past two months. It was clear to her that Elliot harbored feelings for her.

In fact, there had been several men who tried approaching her, even confessing to her after the break–up happened.

However, she quickly rejected them, telling them she wasn't ready for a committed relationship yet.

In any case, Amelia shook her head and stored the gift in her bag.

"La~ La~"

She galloped across the hallway.

Her heart lifted as she left the academy, and soon, found herself in the address Belle had sent her.

It was a fancy restaurant.

"Oh?"

Belle had outdone herself, it seemed.

"Surprise!"

Her friends cheered the moment she stepped inside.

Ray, Artoria, Amy, Raven, even Rachel was there, followed by several others, all gathered and dressed up for the occasion.

There were also Imperial Army officers, who were members of her faction.

Although she expected a surprise, Amelia was momentarily stunned.

"Everyone…."

Amelia blinked, a smile tugging at her lips as Belle pulled her into a hug.

"We wanted to make today special for you. Hope you're hungry. Hehe~"

The table before them was set with expensive silverware, delicate plates, and crystal glasses.

A bouquet of lilies sat in the center, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

Ray pulled out a chair for her, and she settled in, feeling both touched and a little overwhelmed by the effort they'd put in.

As they all sat down, a waiter approached with menus.

"You can order anything you want. Tonight, it's on us," Artoria said, smirking. "So don't even think about checking the prices."

Belle nudged her with a playful grin.

"Don't hold back, okay?"

Amelia chuckled, her cheeks warming.

"You all really didn't have to go this far."

The table burst into chatter as everyone began to discuss their choices.

Amelia scanned the menu. The selection was more than lavish.

As they waited for their orders, Belle raised her glass, drawing everyone's attention.

"To Amelia!"

They all lifted their glasses and murmured words of agreement. "To Amelia!"

"To all of you…."

Amelia couldn't help but smile. She practically felt like crying tears of joy.

Last year was hard.

Really hard.

She didn't even have the energy to celebrate her own birthday last year.

But today?

She was brimming with joy.

"Thank you…. for this."

Their food arrived in grand fashion, steaming dishes laid out across the table as laughter and stories flowed freely.

Belle ordered a dish she could barely pronounce, while Ray bragged about his selection of the rarest steak on the menu.

Rachel leaned over, nodding toward a towering chocolate dessert they'd ordered to share.

"This one's got your name written all over it, Amelia."

Amelia took a small forkful, savoring the rich, velvety chocolate melting on her tongue.

"It's incredible~!"

"Haha!"

They all laughed as she grabbed another bite.

Amelia practically couldn't catch a break. They were all continuously entertaining her.

And she, too, was entertained.

She didn't need to look around to find 'him'.

Because she knew he would never come.

But Amelia didn't care.

"Ah, I tried inviting 'him'."

Belle noticed the change in her expression, and continued.

"....But he said he was busy. Honestly, what's wrong with him?"

Belle felt disconnected with Brandon throughout the past two months.

It was like he was living in his own world.

Amelia shook her head, then smiled, noticing the change in the atmosphere.

"It's fine. I don't care."

***

Indeed, Brandon was, in fact, busy.

Today was practically the busiest he had ever been.

There was so much he needed to do.

The moment his lectures ended, he was already checking his phone.

Notifications piled up from business partners, managers, and even a few celebrities.

It started with a meeting regarding the Elemental Amulet distribution.

Jain Victoria had sent over detailed reports that needed immediate approval.

Brandon skimmed the numbers, nodded, and signed the documents, barely catching his breath.

From there, he moved on to a video call with the marketing team.

"We're pushing the new campaign launch next week," the marketing lead said. "Are you good with the budget increase?"

Brandon nodded, already thinking about the next task on his list.

"Approved. Make sure the social media ads hit the target demographic."

He hung up, only to be bombarded by his assistant with a stack of contracts.

"Mr. Locke, we need you to review the partnerships with VN Entertainment. They're pushing for an extended contract for Rose Oriana's upcoming film."

"Alright, bring it over."

He flipped through the papers, eyes scanning clauses and terms.

"Fine, let them extend it, but add a clause for exclusive sponsorship rights."

The assistant nodded, jotting down notes before whisking the paperwork away.

Next, a call from his PR team.

—Mr. Locke!

As the hours ticked by, he was juggling everything—contracts, marketing approvals, event coordination.

At one point, he found himself on a call with a rising celebrity looking to promote their upcoming album.

"Yes, yes. Please send it over to VN Entertainment."

Another deal in the bag.

By evening, he had shifted his attention to an overseas contract for exporting the Elemental Amulet.

However, Brandon denied the requests.

He didn't plan on exporting the Elemental Amulets at all.

At the moment, it was strictly for Imperial Army uses.

The negotiation continued, back and forth, until the overseas company surrendered.

"Haaa…."

Satisfied, Brandon noted the time.

It was nearly midnight.

But the work wasn't done.

Just as he thought he could wind down, an urgent email from Zed popped up, detailing an issue with a rival company attempting to undercut one of their major contracts.

Brandon sighed, pulling up the document and drafting a counter-proposal in response.

He sent it off, leaning back in his chair as the exhaustion finally caught up to him.

"Haaa….."

He had tried to do everything as fast as he could.

After all, he had no choice. He couldn't clear his schedule.

But finally, he was free from all work related business.

He finally had time.

For her.