The Extra's Reincarnation

"Acquainted… Is that what we're calling it now?"

Ezekiel's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Would you prefer 'childhood nuisance'?"

The casual back-and-forth between them was like watching two veteran swordsmen testing each other with blades—familiar, measured, yet carrying the weight of years of shared history.

Rean's face had gone pale at this point, even though no one knew of Julian they didn't have the slightest idea of how these two had ever met.

He tugged at Tylo's sleeve with growing urgency, his voice dropping to a terrified whisper.

"Tylo... do you realize who he is?"

Tylo nodded quietly, his own complexion ashen as the full implications crashed over them like a tidal wave.

"Ezekiel Ventus," Rean continued, his voice trembling.

"The same Ezekiel Ventus who took down fifteen applicants single-handedly during the combat portion of the admission exam."

"They say he didn't even break a sweat," Tylo murmured, his eyes wide as dinner plates.

"Just stood there while everyone else collapsed around him."

The whispers between them grew more frantic as their gazes darted between Julian and Ezekiel.

"I can hear you, you know," Ezekiel called over his shoulder, causing both roommates to freeze like startled rabbits.

Julian chuckled, shaking his head at their reaction.

"Don't mind him. His bark is worse than his bite."

"That's rich coming from you," Ezekiel countered, turning back to face Julian fully.

"Ten years... and you haven't changed a bit."

"Of course who wouldn't want to change perfection?"

Ezekiel snorted, clearly unconvinced.

"Whatever you say."

He glanced at the sky, noting the position of the sun.

"I need to head to the student council room for a meeting. When you get the time, let's catch up properly."

"Sure," Julian said, and he meant it.

As Ezekiel turned to leave, his white cape catching the last rays of sunlight, he paused for a moment.

"Let's spar sometime as well. If you back out, then it's clear who's stronger."

Julian shrugged and headed toward the dorms.

____

[Julian's POV]

I collapsed onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling of our dormitory room. The mattress was surprisingly comfortable—far better than what I'd expected from student housing.

Meeting Ezekiel again had thrown me off balance. I hadn't expected to face him so soon, though I should have known better.

The academy was massive, but the main characters always found ways to intersect me without having to try.

It was the nature of stories, after all—connections forming whether you wanted them or not.

Rean and Tylo were still staring at me like I'd sprouted wings. They'd been unnervingly quiet since our encounter with Ezekiel, sitting on their respective beds and occasionally exchanging meaningful glances.

"So," Rean finally ventured, his voice low as if afraid someone might overhear, "you're friends with Ezekiel Ventus."

It wasn't a question, but I nodded anyway. "We grew up together."

"And you didn't think to mention this?" Tylo asked, incredulous.

I shrugged, folding my arms behind my head. "You never asked."

This elicited a groan from both of them.

"Never asked?" Rean sputtered. "Who asks if someone is childhood friends with one of the most powerful first-years in the academy?"

"Apparently not you," I replied with a smirk.

Tylo threw his pillow at me, which I caught without looking. "You're impossible."

I laughed, tossing the pillow back. "Look, it's not a big deal. We haven't seen each other in years."

"Not a big deal?" Rean's voice rose an octave. "Do you have any idea what this means? People will think we're... connected."

"And that's bad because...?"

"Because," Tylo explained slowly, as if to a child, "being connected means expectations. And expectations mean pressure. And pressure means—"

"Alright, I get it," I cut him off, rolling my eyes. "But trust me, Ezekiel won't be bothering us. He's got his own path to follow."

And that was the truth. According to the original story, Ezekiel remained largely separate from the main plot until much later.

His role as student council assistant kept him busy with administrative duties for the first term, only pulling him into the central conflict when the Demonic Order and the Blackhearts made their first move against the academy.

For now, at least, I could count on our paths diverging naturally.

The story had its own momentum, and I was determined to stay in the background where I belonged.

"Julian, we're heading to the dining hall," Tylo announced, adjusting his academy uniform.

"Coming with?"

"I'll pass. I'm gonna take a nap soon,"

"Suit yourself," Rean shrugged.

"Don't blame us if all the good stuff's gone by the time you decide to eat."

"Whatever,"

Once Rean and Tylo left, I stretched out fully on my bed, savoring the momentary silence.

Their constant bewilderment at my connection to Ezekiel had been entertaining at first, but now I just needed space to think.

"Are you just going to lie there all evening?" Vykekard's voice came from the bedside table where I'd placed him.

"Maybe," I replied, not bothering to move. "It's been a long day."

"Hmph! When I was your age—"

"You were probably already conquering kingdoms and slaying dragons, I know."

"Actually, I was studying. As you should be."

I sighed, sitting up reluctantly. He had a point, even if I didn't want to admit it.

The first act of the novel was about to begin, and I needed to be prepared.

All the villains that are to come and that are already here are just like a falling waterfall waiting to drop onto someone.

FWANG!

A bright light flashed before my eyes.

[The First Main Story Quest Has Been Created!]

[Act I: Stalkers Syndrome]

[Description: Marcel Dorn, a manipulative second-year student, is targeting Elenore, the kind-hearted Saintess of your year. He is using his influence and charm to isolate and control her, creating a toxic atmosphere within Aethel Academy. To complete Act I and earn crucial Story Points (SP), you must intervene and contribute to Elenore's salvation.

[This contribution can take many forms:]

[Assistance: Guide the main character Kaelen Nazara, a fellow first-year, in his efforts to expose Marcel's actions and protect Elenore. Your knowledge and insights are crucial to his success.]

[Direct Intervention (Bonus SP): While Kaelen may be destined to play a role, the System recognizes the potential for significant narrative disruption and reward if you choose to take a more direct role. Intervening personally to save Elenore, exposing Marcel yourself, or otherwise altering the intended course of events will yield a substantial SP bonus.]

[Quest Failure Condition:] Elenore's Departure: If Elenore, due to Marcel Dorn's escalating harassment and your failure to intervene effectively, chooses to leave Aethel Academy, the quest will be considered a failure. This will result in significant plot disruptions and unforeseen consequences, altering the course of the story you once knew.

[WARNING: Temporal Plot Integrity]

The System operates on the principles of plot flow and temporal integrity. Sharing information or acting outside of the established timeline can disrupt these principles, leading to unforeseen consequences.

Premature Information Disclosure: Revealing information that characters are not yet meant to know, or acting on knowledge of future events, will result in a penalty. The severity of the penalty will be determined by the significance of the disruption caused.

[This may include, but is not limited to:]

-SP deduction.

-Temporary debuffs.

-Altered character relationships.

-Unforeseen plot twists.

[Remember, your actions have consequences. While remaining in the shadows may be your preferred approach, the System acknowledges the potential for you to shape the plot in unexpected ways. Choose wisely.]

The system message hung in the air before me, glowing faintly blue against the dimming light of the dormitory.

I read it twice, then a third time, and a fourth time absorbing every word and implication.

"Temporal Plot Integrity," I muttered, leaning back against the wall.

The concept was clearer now than it had ever been. The system wasn't simply allowing me to observe—it was offering a framework for limited intervention.

I could pull strings from the shadows, nudge events in certain directions, but I couldn't completely derail the narrative.

So, in a sense, I can influence events, but not to the point where characters become dependent on me.

I can't be the one to save everyone, and I can't start spouting knowledge I shouldn't have.

It made perfect sense, really. If I were to start reciting lines from Act III or describing events that hadn't happened yet, then I'd of course have to suffer consequences equivalent to that matter.

And of course if that happens, then characters would question how I knew such things, which probably would result in the story collapsing.

But I can follow the script of Act I within these rules.

As long as I'm careful not to reveal information that shouldn't be known yet, there shouldn't be any problems.

And even though it was the start of the novel, I remembered how this particular act played out.

Marcel Dorn, a charismatic second-year student with powerful connections, became obsessed with Elenore, the gentle Saintess whose healing abilities had already made her beloved among the first-years.

His pursuit started innocently enough, handing her gifts, compliments, offers of protection and many more things.

But after she rejected all of his advances, he instantly devolved into possessive behavior, isolation tactics, and eventually threats.

He was an absolute lunatic and a perfect introduction to the darker side of Aethel Academy.