Reborn As An Extra In My Own Novel-Chapter 72: Carapace Rider [1]

[You have earned the Celestial Code: Rain Of Chaos]

[The stars celebrate your birth]

’A... Celestial code? The stars? What’s that?’ Frieren wondered, the term the system had spoken was something she had never heard of before.

Was it a title? Or perhaps some kind of recognition from the stars or gods?

She sighed. Now wasn’t the moment to dwell on such thoughts.

The group had started moving into the fourth floor, which resembled a large open hall.

They were all shaking in fear, both because of her, walking behind the group, and the drifter that lay ahead.

"Something is approaching." At her words, the entire band of students braced themselves, shifting their stance. After all, they were still cadets of Noctis.

"Do you think it’s a drifter?" Anica asked, standing next to Frieren.

"No... It’s human."

Creak... Creak creak.

"So that’s our second creepy monster... Isabella Abraham." Frieren’s words made Anica’s face twist slightly before settling into a firm frown.

Stepping in front of Frieren, she gestured with her hands. "Go on, I’ll handle this."

Frieren raised an eyebrow. "You know that’s the only way forward, right?"

Anica turned to her, and the two locked eyes for a moment. "Uhmm... Then go around the side."

Frieren glanced at the group, then at the red mana seeping from the shadows ahead, before nodding. "Be careful."

Anica nodded back and summoned her wooden staff, only this time, the top held a half-moon crystal.

"You can come out, sister."

A loud, crazed laugh echoed through the room as Isabella’s figure emerged. "I can’t believe you were this stupid, sister. Do you really think, you..."

Before Isabella could finish, a massive orb of flames crashed into her, slamming her against the wall and sending debris flying.

"We... No, I have a lot to discuss with you, Isa."

"Damn witch."

******

Not long after Frieren and Anica had parted ways, the group found themselves before the towering door that marked the office of the head of the administrative department.

Frieren gulped. She might have acted bold in front of the students, but she too was afraid.

She also wanted to run and flee, but if she didn’t step ahead, no one else would.

Frieren knew the only path onward was up the stairs, not down, because none of them were ready to face the mana beasts below, and she wasn’t even certain she could find her way back.

Her eyes scanned the students. She turned to her spirit, then walked ahead of the group and slowly pushed open the colossal door, which had vines sprouting from it.

’This is it. The den of the sequence five drifter.’

"Everyone, brace yourselves." Her voice was firm, and strangely soothing. "Even if you’re scared, even if the beast behind this door makes you tremble... trust and believe in me, because as long as I’m here, none of you will fall."

This was a vow made by a royal. No matter how unhinged she was or how much the students feared her, it was still a royal’s vow, one that shouldn’t be trifled with.

The students nodded and stepped into the room.

Normally, an administrator’s office was about the size of a classroom, but what lay beyond the door was a massive underground Greek colosseum.

The walls were dusty brown and barely kept up, and the spectator area was deserted and oddly haunting.

"Princess, are we in the right place?"

Frieren turned to one of the students and gave a nod. "Yes... but..."

Frieren felt sweat gather on her temples. This was where the boss monster was supposed to be,.because even if the others couldn’t sense it, she could...

The unmistakable sensation of being hunted.

Frieren’s eyes grew wide as she quickly raised her hands, forming a magic circle within them. "Raise your shields."

Both the male and few female tanks lifted their shields, while those who used magic as a form of defense raised theirs as well.

The moment the shields went up, a massive dragon-like creature appeared before them, unleashing a blast of flames in their direction.

"Hahaha." Frieren forced a laugh. "Just my luck... An advanced Mollusk Rider: A Carapace Rider."

****

(At the same time, Anica’s clash with Isabella)

"So, big sis, how’ve you been?" Isabella said with a grin.

Anica shook her pink hair, her wizard hat tilting to the side. "You haven’t changed. Oh wait, I guess you have, considering how wrecked you look."

Isabella scowled. "Don’t be like that, sis. I just wanted to be like you, you know?" she added. "Strong, pretty, admired by everyone... Man, I could go on forever."

"Isabella..."

Without even letting Anica finish, she went on. "Do you know why I hated you most? It wasn’t because you were great at everything or because Dad loved you, an adopted child more... It was because of your damn indifferent attitude."

Isabella tried to read her sister’s face, but even with all her jabs, she still couldn’t. "I did love you, sis. I really did."

She bit down on her lip so hard blood dripped onto the floor. "But every time I tried to work hard to become like you..."

Her eyes dropped to the floor. "...every time I thought I was catching up, you, who barely tried, ended up ahead again. Why? Tell me why?"

"Isa..."

Isabella raised her gaze to meet Anica’s, but even then, her face didn’t shift.

Anica paused a moment, then said, "...Isa, does it look like I care?"

"Huh?" Isabella’s eyes widened in shock. "But...?"

"But what?" Anica slowly rose into the sky. "Do you think I should hand over my success just because I was born better than you? Should I hold myself back just because you’re immature?"

Without even lifting her staff, spears of light gathered around her. "Grow out of your childish shoes, Isa... I do care about you... but you’ve got no right to whine."

Isabella opened her mouth to argue, but Anica cut in. "Do you realize there are people out there who envy your talent? People who wish they had even half of it? And you, who not only had it but also had a loving family that gave you everything, dare to complain? That’s just ungrateful and downright foolish."

She pointed her staff forward, and the spears, once idle, followed her will. "I hope you survive this, little sis."

Isabella let out a bitter chuckle, she already knew what was awaiting her. "Fucker."

****

(Back at the administrative department head’s office)

"Cyrus, strike first." The giant wolf behind the group leapt forward, sending clouds of dust flying in every direction. "All students, follow my lead."

As she spoke, a halo formed above her head.

This was a special ability only a select few in the royal house could master, and she was one of the rare ones this generation blessed with the gift.

The halo of the serpent god whom the royal family worshipped granted the user not only the power to double their own and their followers’ strength but also to boost their companions’ vestige rank.

As soon as the golden halo appeared and her dark golden eyes began glowing, many students couldn’t help but be astonished.

"So that’s the serpent’s halo... the one only the princess inherited."

"She wasn’t bluffing. If we trust her, we might make it."

"Looks like Reo died for nothing."

"He was the fool who challenged the royal family."

Frieren shut herself off from the students’ praise as the symbol of a cross flickered in her eyes. "Now, will you all become my swords?"

The students’ determination soared, and each one who believed in her and her lineage began shining with golden light.

"This is the blessing of the stars," one student murmured.

"Now fight for me."

Without another word, the students rushed at the massive beast, supporting Cyrus in the battle.

The princess, watching their charge, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

It was time for her to begin her own preparations... She had to push both her spirit form and Visionary ability to the limit.

And since Kai had given her a countermeasure, she felt sure she could take it on.

Because with that trump card, not even a mid-tier A-rank could stand in her way.