The Extra's Rise

Chapter 373 - 373: Martial King (1)

The morning arrived too soon, daylight filtering through the curtains and gently pulling me from sleep. For a moment, I remained still, acutely aware of the four women who had somehow managed to arrange themselves around me during the night. Cecilia's golden hair was spread across my chest, Rachel curled against my right side, Seraphina had claimed my left arm, and Rose had nestled against my shoulder. Their peaceful expressions made the prospect of leaving all the more difficult.

I carefully extracted myself, a maneuver requiring dexterity and patience, and slipped away to prepare for the day ahead. By the time I emerged from the shower, they were awake, the dreamlike quality of the night before replaced by the stark reality of my imminent departure.

"What time are you meeting the Martial King?" Rachel asked, attempting to keep her tone casual as she smoothed her rumpled clothing.

"Ten o'clock at the Imperial Grand Hotel," I replied, checking my packed bag one final time. "He was very specific about the location. Apparently, he maintains a private suite there whenever he's in the city."

Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "The Imperial Grand? That's practically a fortress with room service. The security systems there are designed to accommodate visiting dignitaries and royalty." She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "At least we know you'll be safe before he attempts to kill you with training."

"How reassuring," I deadpanned, but returned her smile.

Breakfast was a subdued affair compared to the previous day's feast. My mother had prepared something simple but hearty—"training fuel," she called it—while my father reviewed the details of my transportation and accommodations with the precision of someone attempting to control what little he could.

"The car will be waiting downstairs at nine-thirty," he said, passing me a sleek black card. "This gives you access to the emergency fund if needed. I've also arranged for your regular allowance to be transferred weekly."

"Dad, I'll be fine," I assured him. "The Martial King is providing room and board. I probably won't have time to spend money anyway."

He nodded, his expression betraying the concern he was trying to hide. "Just in case. The world can be unpredictable."

If only he knew just how unpredictable it would become.

Aria, surprisingly, had been up early to join us for breakfast. She picked at her food, uncharacteristically quiet until she suddenly blurted out, "You'd better not come back all mysterious and cryptic. I hate it when people train with masters and return speaking in riddles."

I laughed, grateful for the break in tension. "I promise to maintain my charming straightforwardness."

"Debatable if that's charming," she muttered, but I caught the slight tremble in her voice. For all her bravado, my sister was going to miss me.

As nine-thirty approached, we gathered in the penthouse foyer. My bag—packed with the essentials and a few items the girls had insisted I take along—waited by the door. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken emotions.

My mother broke first, stepping forward to embrace me tightly. "Be careful," she whispered. "And come back to us in one piece."

"I will," I promised, returning her hug. "It's just training, Mom. Not war."

My father clasped my shoulder, his grip firm. "Listen to what he teaches you. The Martial King doesn't take students lightly. This opportunity..." He paused,

"Good." He nodded once, decisively. "Because from this moment forward, your old life is on hold. Here, you are not a student of Mythos Academy. Here, you are simply Arthur Nightingale, a young man with potential who knows very little. Are you prepared for that reality?"

I thought of the people I'd just left behind—the family who had raised me in this world, the women who had claimed pieces of my heart, the responsibilities I'd temporarily set aside. All of it waiting for my return.

"I am," I replied with quiet certainty.

Magnus allowed himself a small smile. "Then let us begin."