The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 109: Iskandar

The sun had barely cleared the distant mountains when Noel stepped out of the grand front hall of the Estermont estate. The marble beneath his boots was still cold from the night air, and a thin layer of morning mist lingered over the vast courtyard.

A sleek dark red carriage awaited him near the front gate, its frame marked with elegant Estermont sigils in black and gold. Two powerful gray stallions stood ready, reins held by a tall, stoic butler already seated on the driver’s bench.

Beside the carriage stood Elyra and her father, Lord Caeron.

Noel approached, dressed in his navy travel coat, sword sheathed at his side. Noir padded silently beside him.

"Good morning," Noel greeted.

"Good morning," Elyra replied, her voice calm.

Caeron’s sharp gaze swept over Noel, taking in the scene.

"You’re not bringing anything else?" he asked, brow slightly raised. "It’s a few days’ ride, even with a carriage. And I see only your sword, that dog... and a small pouch."

Noel gave a faint smile. "No need to worry. The pouch can hold up to one hundred kilograms. I’ve packed winter clothing, food, and enough water for the entire journey. And the dog’s name is Noir—she’s a wolf, actually."

Caeron’s expression softened, just a fraction. "I see. That makes sense... And my apologies, little one. No insult was intended."

At this, Noir wagged her tail once, as if accepting the apology.

Noel nodded. "Well... it’s time for me to go."

"Wait," Elyra said quickly.

Before he could react, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him—tight, warm, sudden.

Noel blinked. "What’s this for?"

"To recharge your energy," she whispered.

"I see..."

While Elyra’s head rested against his shoulder, Caeron looked Noel dead in the eyes. Slowly, deliberately, he raised one finger and drew it across his throat.

Noel suppressed a sigh. ’Seriously... again?’

Elyra finally released him, her gaze steady but affectionate, and stepped back beside her father.

"Well then," Noel said softly. "See you soon."

Elyra lifted a hand, waving him off.

With a final nod, Noel climbed into the dark red carriage. The door shut behind him with a soft click.

The wheels began to turn, and the road ahead opened wide.

The carriage rolled steadily over the winding roads of Estermont, its crimson frame gleaming faintly under the rising sun. Inside, the cabin was warm and well-cushioned, lined with dark velvet and gold accents.

Noel sat with one arm resting on the side panel, gazing out the window as forests and hills drifted past. Across from him, Noir lay sprawled on the seat, head resting against his leg. Her breathing was soft, rhythmic.

He reached down and stroked her fur absently.

’Hmm... the system did say you grow along with me. I guess as I rank up, you’ll keep growing too.’

Noir’s ears twitched. She lifted her head slightly and let out a soft bark—as if answering.

Noel smiled faintly. ’I see... well, get ready to grow a lot, Noir. This is going to be the hardest thing I’ve faced so far. Even more than fighting the red-haired one... and Lereus.’

The wolf pup pressed closer to his side, her warmth a small comfort against the uncertainty ahead.

The rhythm of the carriage wheels and the gentle swaying lulled the cabin into a peaceful silence. But Noel’s thoughts remained sharp, focused.

Each passing mile brought him closer to a land gripped by fear—and to a task no one else had dared attempt.

’One step at a time.’

Two days passed in steady rhythm—rolling wheels, shifting skies, endless stretches of road winding northward through the valleys of Iskandar.

Noel spent most of the time in meditation, legs crossed in the carriage’s wide seat, eyes closed. The flow of mana through his body was calm but relentless—a river channeled through narrow banks.

Noir dozed nearby, occasionally stretching or nuzzling against his foot. The bond between them had grown deeper in the quiet hours.

When the second day’s sun dipped toward the horizon, Noel finally opened his eyes. A soft breath escaped him.

"Status."

A pale blue screen flickered into view before him:

[Current Core Progress: 96.43% – Mana Core: Novice]

He frowned slightly.

’Hmm. Only +0.10% after two full days of meditation. Seems like you haven’t grown much either, Noir.’

The small wolf, now awake, looked up at him. Her head tilted, ears perked. Then she gave a small huff, almost indignant.

Noel chuckled. ’I get it, I get it. We’ll both grow soon enough.’

He shifted in his seat and pulled the curtain back. Outside, the road had narrowed into a rougher path. The dense forests of Estermont had given way to steep, winding mountain trails. The peaks of Iskandar loomed in the distance, their jagged silhouettes capped in snow. Frost clung to the sparse trees along the roadside, and thin sheets of ice shimmered in the ditches.

As they descended toward a narrow valley, a village came into view—a cluster of wooden houses huddled beneath the shadow of the cliffs. But something felt off.

As they drew closer, the signs became clear: an enormous white tent stood near the center, ringed with guards. People in makeshift stretchers were being carried toward it. Others huddled in the streets, faces pale and drawn.

Noel’s eyes narrowed.

’Damn... the sickness has already reached this far.’

He leaned forward. "Stop for a moment."

Without question, the butler guiding the carriage pulled the reins. The vehicle slowed to a halt.

Noel rose, grabbed his cloak, and stepped out into the cool afternoon air—Noir padding silently beside him.

Ahead, a line of guards moved between villagers and the quarantine tent.

’Let’s see what’s really going on.’

The cold hit him the moment he stepped down from the carriage.

A sharp mountain wind swept through the narrow streets of the village, carrying the bite of snow and ice. Thin layers of frost coated the wooden beams of houses and the edges of the cobblestone road. Villagers moved through the streets bundled in thick furs, their faces pale and drawn.

At the heart of the settlement stood a large white tent—its canvas flapping under the wind. Around it, makeshift barriers of wood and rope had been set up, and armed guards in heavy cloaks directed stretcher-bearers as they carried the sick inside.

Noir walked silently at Noel’s side, her ears twitching as she observed the scene.

Noel approached one of the guards—a towering man who looked more like a barbarian than a soldier, with thick furs draped over his shoulders and a massive axe strapped to his back.

"Excuse me. What’s happening here?"

The man turned, his expression hard. But when he noticed the dark red carriage of House Estermont behind Noel, recognition flickered in his eyes. He straightened slightly.

"My lord," the guard said, voice rough from the cold. "A sickness has been spreading through the village for months now. No one knows where it started—only that it’s getting worse. Whole families are falling ill."

"I see..." Noel’s eyes swept over the scene. "Where does the village get its drinking water?"

The guard frowned. "From the well. It’s in the center of town—everyone uses it."

Noel’s gaze sharpened.

"Close the well," he said. "That’s the source. The sickness spreads through contaminated food or drink."

The guard hesitated. "Are you certain? I know you come from House Estermont, but this is not something I can decide alone."

Noel met his eyes evenly. "Trust me. I have an audience with Lady Iskandar soon. I know exactly what I’m dealing with."

The guard looked conflicted. "Even if I agreed... the people would have no water."

Noel reached into his dimensional pouch. One after another, he began placing sealed glass bottles onto the snowy ground—water, dozens of bottles, appearing as if from nowhere.

"Use this water instead. It’s clean."

The guard watched in astonishment as the pile grew larger.

"...I see. Then we will do as you say."

Noel gave a curt nod. "Good. I won’t take more of your time."

He turned back toward the carriage, Noir trotting at his heels.

The cold wind bit harder now—but Noel barely noticed. His thoughts were racing ahead.

The carriage rumbled back into motion, wheels crunching softly over the frozen path as they left the village behind.

Inside the cabin, the air was warmer—barely. Noel pulled his cloak tighter and leaned back in his seat. Noir hopped up beside him, curling into a ball against his leg for warmth.

Through the window, the jagged peaks of Iskandar rose higher with each passing mile. Snow dusted the branches of sparse mountain trees, and icy winds carved their way through the narrow valleys. The deeper they went, the more isolated the land became.

Noel watched the white blur of the world beyond the glass.

’Seems like I’ve really changed,’ he thought, fingers absently stroking Noir’s fur. ’Back then... I wouldn’t have cared what happened to others.’

He glanced down at her. Noir shifted in her sleep, pressing closer.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. ’Now... I do.’

The mountains loomed ahead, taller and colder.

And somewhere beyond them—a cure waited to be found.

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