The Extra's Harem In Dead End Game

Chapter 121: A Step Toward Strength

Click-clack, click-clack.

"We've arrived, young master."

The carriage that left the cathedral came to a stop in the middle of the central square.

"Thank you. I'll be back soon."

I got off the carriage.

My gaze fell upon a bench near the statue of the praying saintess.

That was the place we had agreed to meet.

I walked towards it with a steady pace.

The crowd was quite large.

I spotted the person I was supposed to meet among them.

I had planned to meet one person, but seeing two made me chuckle as I approached.

"Hey."

"Ah, you've arrived, senior!"

As always, Annette was polite.

On the other hand, Kamian just lazily nodded his head.

Is he not an easy man despite being the protagonist?

I smirked to myself.

"I was supposed to meet him, so why are you here?"

"I thought maybe I could be of help..."

Annette turned away, her cheeks reddening.

It was too obvious to miss.

She must have come out because she was worried about Kamian.

"Well, it's fine. It doesn't really matter if there's one more person."

"Thank you, senior."

"Eh, you don't need to thank me for anything."

My gaze shifted to Kamian.

'You want to become stronger? But with your current methods, it's impossible.'

The words that had brought Kamian here.

His falling grades had left him in a state of anxiousness, making him susceptible to provocation—a convenient fact.

"Can I really become stronger?"

Kamian asked, looking at me directly.

After the incident in the underground space, his evaluation of me must have shot up significantly.

That's why he came all this way after hearing just a few words.

"See for yourself and judge. You'll surely feel something."

"Then let's go."

I turned and walked back towards the carriage.

---------

'Lower District...?'

As Max entered the Lower District without hesitation, Kamian's expression turned to one of confusion.

Even as the second son of a fallen baronet, a noble is still a noble.

He had never set foot in the Lower District before.

But although he had never been there, he wasn't ignorant of what sort of place the Lower District was.

It's literally where the lower class of society lives.

Is there a way to become stronger in such a place?

It didn't make sense.

"What are you doing? Not coming?"

Kamian closed his mouth just as he was about to speak.

He decided to trust.

"What, you're here too?"

"I was called by my father."

Elaine responded with a somewhat sullen expression.

It was because of the incident during the archery assessment.

She had been teased by Max and had done something out of character only to feel utterly embarrassed.

She had kicked her blankets in frustration in her room that day.

Ever since then, whenever she saw Max, she was reminded of that incident and tended to avoid him slightly.

"I see. Well, thanks for coming anyway."

Max laughed lightly.

"No... it's nothing..."

It's not something worth mentioning.

Elaine turned her gaze away, looking embarrassed.

"Could it be Senior Elaine?"

"Yes, that's me. But who are you?"

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Annette Laiel, a first-year. I've heard a lot about your great name, senior. Please take care of me."

Annette bowed deeply.

Even if they had never met before, as an academy student, one couldn't be unaware of Elaine's name.

A second-year student who consistently took the top rank.

A prodigious magical talent rumored to be worthy of the title of a grand mage.

A model student with impeccable conduct.

In many ways, a senior worth looking up to.

"So you're junior Annette. What brings you here?"

"Just... observing."

"Oh, I see."

Elaine gave Max a look that said it was obvious he had invited them.

Today was certainly an important day at the fencing hall with her father, but whether it was worth spreading around the neighborhood was highly questionable.

Yet here he was, having brought not one but two people.

"Is that person also here to observe?"

Kamian flinched.

"Yes, senior. I'm Kamian Croycher, a first-year."

"I'm Elaine, a second-year. Thank you both for coming such a long way to grace this place with your presence."

"What are you talking about?"

The first meeting flowed with a warm atmosphere.

Turk laughed heartily as if pleased with what he saw.

"On this meaningful day, the fencing hall is bustling, which feels good. It's not polite to keep you waiting, so shall we start right away?"

"Anytime is fine. I'm fully prepared."

Confidence overflowed on Max's face.

"Understood. Then let's start immediately."

The two, taking their stances with swords in hand.

'A real sword... This is serious.'

Kamian thought, realizing it was a real sword and not a wooden one.

The situation suggested a sparring match.

To spar with real swords meant live combat practice.

Injuries were common, and in severe cases, one could suffer grave injuries or even lose their life.

It's because the blade has no eyes.

Therefore, the academy only allows real sword sparring in special cases.

The purpose of sparring is to become stronger, not to harm someone.

'Could it be that this person's combat skills... have been honed this way?'