The Extra's Reincarnation-Chapter 79: Before My Eyes (3)

When Meredith’s words reached her ears, she looked at her again only to see that she was serious.

-No way... he actually did that all for me...

Kyra gasped and even had her hand flying to her mouth. It was an unbelievable thing to have thought of since they both knew there could only be one winner.

Even in her mind she may have wished she could’ve won, but was still she was relieved to have participated after everything that had happened. Kyra had not only grown as a mage, but she also grew as a person.

"Julian? But he... he protected me. He risked his life to save me! How does that make any sense…"

"Exactly, Julian was given the objective to eliminate you, yet he chose to protect you instead. Even when it put him at great personal risk."

Meredith nodded with a serious expression. She felt quite proud of Julian’s actions, yet she never expected in her lifetime to see someone as pure as him disregard rules that were meant to be followed.

She couldn’t tell if it was his ignorance that led him to do such a thing, or if it was his own sense of justice that propelled him forward.

Either way, it was a risky move, one that could have easily backfired.

But Julian, in his naivete, had somehow managed to turn the situation in his favor.

Kyra’s mind was a complete mess after hearing Meredith’s words, she processed this information remembering all those moments... Julian shielding her from attacks, trying to heal her wounds, encouraging her not to give up, everything she could think of about him took on a new meaning.

"But why?" why would he do that?" Kyra whispered, more to herself than to Meredith.

Meredith’s eyes softened.

"That, my dear, is something you’ll have to ask Julian yourself one day. But I think it speaks volumes about his character, don’t you?"

Kyra nodded slowly with a sincere smile.

She felt a warmth spreading through her chest as she thought about Julian’s actions.

Despite everything, he had chosen to protect her, to encourage her, even at the cost of his own success in the challenge.

No matter how many times she could think about what he could’ve done, she realized he was a good person at heart and hoped that one day she could thank him personally for what he has done.

___

[Julian’s POV]

I stood there, my arms empty where Kyra had been moments before.

The shock of her sudden withdrawal left me in shock.

I was unsure how to process what had just happened. But I didn’t have long to dwell on it.

"Well, well," Cullen’s mocking voice rang out from above. "Looks like your little damsel in distress decided to save herself. How pathetic."

I looked up to see Cullen standing on the edge of the roof with a cruel smirk widdening on his lips.

His water spear was still in hand, shining menacingly in the dim light.

"And now it’s just you and me, loser," he sneered. "No one left to protect. No one left to save."

I felt a familiar coldness creeping into my chest, that same emptiness that had consumed me in my past life. It would be so easy to give in to it, to let it swallow me whole.

But then I remembered Kyra’s final words, her smile as she thanked me. Even in withdrawing, she had found some measure of strength, some sense of purpose, If she could find her way through tough times like this, then I’d be damned if I couldn’t figure out what I want to do now.

"You’re wrong, there’s still someone left to save."

Cullen’s eyebrows raised in mock curiosity.

"Oh? And who might that be?"

I met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Myself."

With those words, I felt something shift within me. The pain in my body, the weight of my past, the fear of failure - they were all still there.

But alongside them, I found my resolve to keep going.

The will to keep fighting, not for anyone else, but for my own sake.

Cullen’s smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual arrogance.

"Big words for someone who can barely stand, let’s see if you can back them up!"

Just as he was about to leap to the building I was in, I saw a shadow creep up from behind him.

SHING!

A blade made of wind stabbed straight through Cullen’s chest.

"Unfortunately, you won’t be doing any of that."

Marcus’s body came into view and I knew that there was no way he would lose to Tiberius.

***

Julian watched in shock as Marcus’ wind blade pierced through Cullen’s chest.

Cullen’s eyes widened in surprise and pain as he staggered backward, there were golden pixels already starting to swirl around his body.

"You... how did you..."

Cullen gasped, but he never finished his sentence. In a flash of light, he dissolved into golden particles and vanished.

[Cullen Von Dexter #0,024 - Has Been Eliminated.]

Marcus stood on the edge of the rooftop where Cullen had been standing moments before.

His eyes were fixed on Julian’s injured body.

"I suppose I should thank you for wearing him down,"

Marcus said, his tone casual but with an underlying edge.

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"Though I have to say, I’m surprised to see you in such a state. I thought you were stronger than this."

Julian struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain that still coursed through his body. He eyed Marcus warily, unsure of his intentions.

"What happened to Tiberius?" Julian asked, trying to buy time as he assessed his options.

Marcus shrugged nonchanlantly as if their battle meant nothing.

"Let’s just say he won’t be joining us in the final round. Now, it’s just you and me, Julian. As it should be."

Julian tensed, preparing for an attack. But to his surprise, Marcus made no move to engage him.

"You know, I’ve been watching you closely throughout all the challenges and I’ve came to realise that you’re... different. You don’t fight like the others and you don’t think like them either."

Julian remained silent, unsure where Marcus was going with this.

"At first, I thought you were just another obstacle to overcome," Marcus said.

"But now, I’m not so sure. Tell me, Julian, what are you really after? Why are you here?"

The question caught Julian off guard. For a moment, he considered lying, giving some vague answer about proving himself or seeking glory. But something in Marcus’s gaze told him that wouldn’t suffice.

"I’m here... because I want to live. To have a future that’s my own."

"That’s something a beggar on the streets would say, by any chance you’re not a beggar from the streets, right?"

Marcus stroked his chin, staring Julian straight in the eyes, frankly Julian had almost taken his words into offence, mentioning the very words that represented his childhood. However, Julian let it slide, realizing the pointlessness to argue on topics of the past.

"We all come from somewhere... What matters is where we’re going, not where we’ve been."

Julian met Marcus’s gaze steadily as he spoke, he looked like someone who had something to lose now.

"Are you really 5 years old?"

Marcus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of respect passing across his face.

Julian paused, considering his words carefully.

"Ah… I’m not sure what you’re talking about, do you think I’m some kind of old guy?"

"You speak like one-"

SWAM!

Marcus opened his mouth to respond, but before he could finish his words, the world around them began to shimmer and distort.

The crumbling cityscape wavered like a mirage, dissolving into a swirl of golden light.

Julian felt a familiar pulling sensation in his gut, and suddenly, they were no longer standing in the ruins.

In the blink of an eye, they found themselves back in Ziverard Zagata’s Hall.

Before them stood Lady Meredith, her black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight.

Her piercing black eyes swept over both boys, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Welcome back, Julian Ryker Uzziel and Marcus Renfield," Meredith’s voice rang out, clear and melodious.

"Congratulations on making it to the final stage of the Royal Blade Challenge."

Julian and Marcus exchanged a quick glance, both still processing the sudden change in their surroundings. The tension between them was palpable, but for now, their attention was focused on Meredith.

"You two have proven yourselves to be exceptional candidates," Meredith continued. "Your skills, your determination, and most importantly, your judgment have set you apart from the rest."

"The final challenge will begin at the stroke of midnight, until then, you will have time to rest, recover, and prepare yourselves. The rules of the final challenge will be explained in detail before it begins."

With a graceful wave of her hand, Meredith summoned a group of servants. They appeared as if from thin air, carrying trays laden with an assortment of delectable foods and refreshing drinks.

"Please, eat and regain your strength," Meredith said, gesturing to the lavish spread. "You’ll need it for what’s to come."

As the servants set out the food on a nearby table, Julian couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer variety and abundance. There were golden-crusted meat pies steaming with savory aromas, platters of fresh fruits glistening with dew, and delicate pastries dusted with powdered sugar.

GRRRR...

Julian’s stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since before the challenge began.