The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 533: Toward the Center

The fifth day passed quietly.

Not in the way battles went quiet—sharp and waiting—but in the way the sea did when it finally decided to behave. The Estermont ship cut through calm waters with steady confidence, its hull barely shuddering as it carried them forward. Everything about it felt intentional: polished wood, clean lines, soft lighting even below deck. A luxury vessel, through and through. It stood in stark contrast to the state of the people riding it.

Marcus had not woken yet.

He lay in one of the private cabins near the center of the ship, breathing evenly, color returned just enough to his face to prove he was still there. Clara remained at his side almost constantly, seated close enough that her knee touched the bedframe, one hand resting lightly near his arm as if letting go might tempt fate. She spoke to him sometimes—quiet, ordinary things—but mostly she watched and waited.

Charlotte was awake, though only barely present.

The Blessing had saved Marcus, but it had taken its price from her. She moved slowly, slept often, and tired after the smallest effort. Noel checked on her whenever he could, adjusting blankets, bringing water, staying nearby without hovering. He did not comment on it. He simply made sure she was not alone.

The urgency had bled out of the air.

Not gone—never gone—but distant enough that breathing felt easier again. The Second Pillar was dead. The island was behind them. Whatever waited ahead had not reached out yet.

For now, that was enough.

The restaurant deck sat high along the ship’s midsection, wide windows opening to the sea on both sides. Noel sat at one of the tables near the railing, fingers loosely curled around a mug he had already forgotten to drink from. Elyra sat across from him, posture relaxed in a way that would have been impossible a week ago, boots kicked lightly against the chair beneath the table. Elena sat beside her, shoulders angled toward the window, pointed ears twitching occasionally as the ship creaked and cut through the water.

"We’re making good time," Elyra said, glancing toward the horizon. "If the winds hold, we’ll reach the middle island sooner than planned."

Noel nodded once. "The crew knows what they’re doing."

"Of course they do," she replied lightly. "It’s my ship."

Elena smiled faintly at that, eyes following the line where sea met sky. "It feels strange," she said. "Being able to sit like this. Eat. Talk."

"After everything?" Elyra asked.

"Yes," Elena answered. "After everything."

Noel did not look away from the window. The island ahead was still out of sight, but he could feel its pull in the back of his thoughts, a quiet certainty rather than a threat.

’We’ll reach the first island soon. I hope I don’t have to do anything crazy like face a pillar so soon. I’m still recovering.’ he thought.

Plates clinked softly as food was set down, the quiet murmur of the restaurant deck filling the space between waves and wood. The smell alone felt grounding—warm bread, roasted meat, something sweet drifting in from the galley. It was the first proper meal any of them had sat down to without looking over their shoulders every few seconds.

Garron and Laziel appeared together at the entrance, Garron ducking instinctively despite the ceiling being more than high enough. He spotted the table immediately and waved once before pulling out a chair and dropping into it with a heavy thud. Laziel slid into the seat beside him, moving with far less ceremony.

Garron exhaled hard and ran a hand through his hair. "I still don’t get it," he said, staring at his plate like it might answer him. "Roberto being the First Pillar. All that time he spent with us—what was it, then? Did we mean nothing to him?" His jaw tightened. "Or worse... did he really fake being our friend the whole time?"

Noel didn’t answer.

Neither did Elyra or Elena. The moment hung there, heavier than the cutlery in their hands.

Laziel chewed slowly, then swallowed. "Don’t think about it that way, Garron," he said. "There’s no point trying to find meaning in something that doesn’t have one."

Garron blinked. "What?"

Laziel muttered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, "So many muscles, and still no head..."

Garron turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "You wanna repeat that?"

Noel snorted before he could stop himself. Elyra covered her mouth, shoulders shaking, while Elena looked away toward the window, clearly failing to hide her smile.

Laziel froze.

He looked from Garron’s expression to the others’ reactions and immediately paled. "I—I was joking," he said quickly, lifting both hands. "Mostly. Please don’t hit me."

Garron stared at him for a long second.

Then he burst out laughing, loud and sudden, the sound cutting through the room. "You’re lucky you’re funny," he said, shaking his head.

Laziel relaxed by degrees, then frowned. "Hey. What are you laughing at?"

Elena leaned in slightly, her voice gentle. "Don’t worry, Laziel. I’m sure you’ll find someone soon."

His eyes lit up. "Really?" He straightened. "You don’t happen to have a friend who’s into someone like me, do you?"

Elyra tilted her head, actually thinking about it. "Hmm. Honestly?" She shrugged. "No. But... maybe someone in the student council?"

Noel added calmly, "It’ll happen eventually."

Laziel turned to him slowly.

His look was flat. Cold enough to make Garron raise an eyebrow.

"I don’t need advice from you, Noel," Laziel said. "It doesn’t help."

The table went quiet for half a heartbeat.

Then Garron leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Yeah, that’s fair."

The afternoon stretched on without urgency.

The Estermont ship kept its steady course, sails full and controlled, the sound of water breaking against the hull settling into a constant, almost hypnotic rhythm. Below deck, the crew moved with quiet efficiency, voices low, footsteps measured. Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt wrong.

Noel leaned against the railing on the upper deck, the breeze cool against his face. From here, the sea looked endless again, as if the battles behind them had never happened at all. If he focused hard enough, he could almost believe it.

Almost.

Behind him, Garron had claimed a bench and was stretched out across it, arms folded behind his head. Laziel sat nearby, legs dangling over the side, tossing small crumbs to the gulls that followed the ship at a respectful distance.

"This thing really is ridiculous," Garron said, knocking his knuckles against the polished wood beside him. "I mean, look at this. I’ve slept on dungeon floors that were less comfortable than this bench."

"It’s a luxury vessel," Laziel replied. "It’s literally designed so rich people don’t suffer."

"Seems excessive."

"That’s the point."

Elena stood closer to the mast, eyes half-closed as she let the wind run past her ears, fingers brushing the faint hum of natural mana that lingered around the ship. "The sea feels calmer here," she said quietly.

Elyra joined Noel at the railing, resting her forearms against it. "We’re still far enough out that the currents haven’t changed yet," she said. "Once they do, you’ll feel it." She glanced sideways at him. "So will the ship."

Noel nodded.

This was her domain as much as it was her family’s.

A door creaked open behind them.

Clara stepped out onto the deck, moving carefully, one hand braced against the frame. She scanned the space until she found Noel, then walked over, stopping just beside him.

"Marcus hasn’t woken up yet," she said softly. "But his breathing’s steady. Charlotte’s still resting too."

"Thanks," Noel replied. "Let me know if anything changes."

She nodded once and stayed there, leaning lightly against the railing beside him. Neither of them spoke for a moment.

The ship sailed on.

Noel let his gaze drift over the water, the sunlight scattering in fractured patterns across the waves. The danger hadn’t vanished. He knew that. Whatever waited ahead hadn’t revealed itself yet.