Extra in a Romance Fantasy

8 – Marked by Maga

“Your achievements have noticeably improved recently, Eldridge.”

As usual, after receiving the lecture and leaving the classroom, Professor Patrick, specializing in magic, called Rachel over.

It was a somewhat unexpected compliment.

Especially considering that the person giving the compliment was Professor Patrick.

Most magic professors, who were mostly outstanding wizards and scholars, had personalities that suited their inclinations. Among them, Professor Patrick was particularly known for being strict.

Or rather, it might be more accurate to say he had high standards.

At least, as far as Rachel knew, Professor Patrick wasn’t someone who complimented just anyone.

“Thank you.”

It was sudden, but Rachel expressed her gratitude smoothly, knowing that Professor Patrick wasn’t someone to speak empty words.

“Your theoretical grades were always good, and your practical skills were quite exceptional. The recent changes in Eldridge are quite surprising, as if you’ve become a different person.”

While his expression remained unchanged, Professor Patrick sent a rare glint of interest in his eyes towards Rachel.

“Anyway, it’s undoubtedly a positive development. Keep striving for more.”

Leaving those words behind, Professor Patrick left the classroom.

It was only then that Rachel confronted the surprise she had been holding back.

Patrick Reminis, a genius wizard who had become a high-ranking official in the Maga Tower before reaching the age of thirty.

To receive praise from the professor who spared no effort to stand out in the eyes of all magic students was an unimaginable event.

Regardless of the circumstances, receiving praise was a good thing.

She walked out of the classroom with slightly lighter steps than usual.

The destination of her steps was the now-unused club building, the headquarters of the “History Research Club.”

As she approached, Rachel had to consciously slow down her footsteps, which seemed to want to accelerate on their own.

And so, when she reached the club room, there was a senior member waiting.

“Hello.”

“Hello. You’re early today.”

“Yes, well…”

A black-haired man with an awkward demeanor greets with a nod.

The moment Rachel sees his face, she feels a flutter of excitement.

She carefully takes her seat at the table, concealing any outward signs.

“……”

“……”

And the dim room falls into a quiet lull without any particular conversation.

It was always like this when she was alone with him since joining the historical research club.

Yet, the stillness, the silence, didn’t feel unpleasant.

Rather, it was almost enjoyable.

Subtly, Rachel’s gaze shifts towards the man.

He reads a book with a face that hints at boredom.

Perhaps a book wedged somewhere in the dimness.

Without any significant change, he simply turns the pages slowly, but Rachel doesn’t feel a hint of boredom. No, beyond that, she wants to keep watching that sight.

It seemed to have changed recently.

Rachel knew. If she had changed, it was probably because of that man.

Since meeting him, since he saved her in the dungeon, everything changed.

Even the events right after the practical training.

“Come back.”

After being discharged, her father’s first words through the family’s messenger, Sujeonggu.

“……”

She expected it. She anticipated hearing such words.

However, what she expected and what she actually heard were two different things.

Her daughter was injured, almost died, and yet there was no sign of concern.

Rachel reconfirms how her father sees her.

Normally, she would leave without a proper response at this point, accepting and returning to the family.

But…

“I don’t want to.”

Today, what came out of Rachel’s mouth was a word of refusal.

“…What did you say.”

The eyebrows of the patriarch behind Sujeonggu twisted.

The expression on her face was imposing, yet Rachel didn’t falter any longer.

“I said no.”

“…”

The count sat in rare silence, at a loss for words.

However, that silence didn’t last long.

“If you don’t come back, I’ll cut off all support.”

The fees for the Academy were expensive. The dormitory where she stayed was no different.

As a noble, Rachel couldn’t receive any exemptions, and without her family’s support, she couldn’t afford that kind of money on her own.

Therefore, the count’s choice seemed valid.

But…

“Please do so.”

“What?”

“I said, do as you please.”

Rachel didn’t crumble.

“However, if that happens, I can’t guarantee what I might do.”

“…What nonsense is this?”

At the count’s inquiry, Rachel brought a beautiful smile to her lips.

“If the support from my family is cut off, what else can I do? I’ll act out in my own way… It might not look good in people’s eyes.”

“…”

“Then my reputation will suffer… Scheduled consultations will be canceled altogether. No one would want to bring filth into their homes, right?”

“If you really─”

“And you must know, Count, that my evaluation doesn’t solely rest on me. It’ll affect the family too.”

“…”

Like many nobles, the Eldridge Count was particularly concerned about reputation.

Driven by a compulsive nature to bolster the family’s status and increase its influence, the Count could never condone such behavior.

Unable to say anything, the Count, with eyes contorted in disbelief, soon unilaterally terminated the communication.

That’s how Rachel rebelled against her parents for the first time in her life.

For the first time, she shouted that her life was her own.

And the change didn’t stop there. She became passionate about everything, and her personality brightened.

Perhaps it was due to that change that Professor Patrick might praise her.

All those changes were thanks to that man.

He found himself indebted to a favor that wouldn’t be easily repaid.

Of course, not all situations had been resolved yet.

Although her father had temporarily stepped back, it was clear that it wasn’t the end.

He would likely try to summon her using different means and fear controlling her.

While she might find a way to endure during her time at the academy, the moment her academy period ended, she would be unable to escape his clutches.

So, she had to find a solution before that.

A way to escape from Eldrid’s shadow.

She would need to develop skills to escape the family’s pressure or join a group that could protect her from the family.

Certainly, it wouldn’t be an easy path. But Rachel had no intention of giving up.

She would fight, move forward, and achieve complete freedom.

And when that time came…

“…?”

Whether he sensed the gaze directed at him or not, the man looked up from his book.

Meeting his puzzled gaze, Rachel smiled brightly.

***

Lately, there had been a lot on Yeong’s mind.

For example, Rachel joining the club.

Even if I rescued Rachel through my own actions, I never expected her to join the Historical Research Society.

Of course, just because we were in the same club didn’t mean our interactions had explosively increased, but it felt like my academy life was slowly veering in an unintended direction, making me uneasy.

Then came an unexpected event one day.

“Wade Heblon.”

“…Yes?”

Professor Wurtz, the combat instructor, called me out unexpectedly.

Considering his usual behavior, it seemed unlikely that he would engage in private conversations, even with family. I wondered what business he could have with me, looking at him with eyes filled with curiosity, but he remained silent, gazing at me with unwavering eyes.

Suddenly, he approached and lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Expectations.”

He uttered incomprehensible words while giving me a mysterious look.

It was a behavior that I couldn’t possibly understand, but Urt paid no attention to my reaction and left without a word.

“…”

I honestly couldn’t predict what intentions that guy had. It seemed like he might have some favor towards me based on his words and actions, but… honestly, was that even possible?

The reason behind it was beyond my imagination, but regardless of the reason, gaining Urt’s favor was quite a significant issue.

While it might be something every student longs for – to gain a professor’s favor at the prestigious Ferdinand Academy – I, to be honest, found it rather… well, not sweet at all. I knew well enough not to get on the good side of a professor.

If I were to accept some proposal, like going to a dungeon over the weekend, my academy life would be over. That would lead me straight to becoming a graduate student.

“I can’t become a graduate student.”

Becoming a graduate student was out of the question. So, I needed to lower Urt Professor’s evaluation of me.

It would be appropriate to manipulate my grades within the range of receiving a scholarship.

And I should steer my academy life, which had slightly deviated, back to its original course.

Rachel’s affair was already in the past. Now, it would no longer interfere with my future, and I wouldn’t get involved with the characters in the novel.

With such determination, I stepped out into the battlefield and the buildings.

***

No matter how much I thought about it, there was a jinx in my life.

I was keenly realizing that fact at this very moment.

“Well, I’ll leave it to you….”

A girl with a small stature, more fitting to be called a girl than a woman, bowed politely.

Objectively, the sight of a girl with outstanding looks politely bowing would generally be a pleasant scene. However, my taste was bitterly disappointed as I beheld it.

Well, that was because I had never planned to get involved with her.