The Extra's Rise-Chapter 117: Nimran (12)

"Also, I’m impressed you managed to get your hands on a Basilisk Heart," Rachel said, her tone half-curious, half-amazed. Her eyes sparkled with genuine admiration as she leaned back slightly in her chair. "That’s a truly remarkable Source for a Lich. Honestly, it’s priceless. Most necromancers would sell their soul—metaphorically or literally—for one."

"Thanks," I replied, keeping my voice even, though her praise was oddly satisfying.

Her fingers tapped thoughtfully against the edge of her plate. "You’re planning to make it evolve into an Arch Lich, aren’t you? That must be my father’s doing. He wouldn’t hand over something like that without a bigger picture in mind."

I fought to keep my expression neutral, though internally, I was floored. ’She’s terrifyingly sharp,’ I thought. Rachel’s mind was like a finely tuned blade, slicing through any pretense I could conjure.

"You’re not going to interrogate me about the Basilisk Heart?" I asked, leaning forward slightly. It felt odd, her not probing further.

She smiled—a soft, radiant thing that made her look every bit the saint her title suggested. "You told me because you trust me, right? Thank you for that, Arthur. It means more than you know."

The sudden sincerity in her voice caught me off guard, but before I could respond, her smile widened into something almost teasing. "Besides, I’m a bit biased toward you, you see."

I raised an eyebrow, unable to resist a smirk. "A very un-Saintess thing to say."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she glanced away, suddenly flustered. "I would rather care for you than be a Saintess," she mumbled, her words barely audible, but enough to hit me like a thunderclap.

I blinked, my brain scrambling to process her words. Had she just—?

Rachel seemed to realize what she’d said at the exact moment I did. Her face turned crimson as she shot up from her seat, practically stumbling over her words. "A-anyway! I’ll see you tomorrow. Let me know if you need help with the White Star, now that you’ve already formed the Black Star. Goodnight!"

And with that, she hurried out of the room, leaving a trail of warmth in her wake.

’You’re lucky she’s as good as she is,’ Luna’s voice echoed in my mind, her tone somewhere between amused and exasperated.

’I know,’ I admitted, my thoughts still lingering on Rachel’s words. There was a quiet kind of joy in knowing that someone as brilliant and kind as Rachel cared that deeply. It was grounding. And humbling.

I leaned back in my chair, the room suddenly feeling warmer than before. The temperature-controlled air in the mansion wasn’t doing much to cool the heat in my cheeks—or hers, for that matter.

Still, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of Cecilia. She was usually omnipresent in some capacity, like a force of nature you couldn’t ignore, but today… nowhere.

Shrugging it off for now, I spent some time chatting with Rose. Her calm, down-to-earth personality was a good counterbalance to the whirlwind that was Rachel. Afterward, I retreated to my room, determined to dive back into my studies.

Tomorrow would be a day of exploration with Rachel, and then the looming presentations would demand their due. But for now, I needed to focus. The Black Star had been formed, and the White Star awaited its turn.

__________________________________________________________________________________

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the mansion, painting the dining hall with a soft golden glow. The gentle hum of activity surrounded me as I finished the last bite of breakfast. Across from me, Rachel sat with her usual bright energy, her golden hair catching the light like a halo.

Rachel’s smiled, her enthusiasm almost contagious. "Let’s leave right after breakfast. We’ll start with the market district.

"As we were about to leave, a familiar voice called out behind us. "Arthur. Rachel."

I turned to see Cecilia strolling toward us, her crimson hair trailing behind her like a ribbon of fire. Her sharp, confident smile was firmly in place. "Going somewhere interesting?" she asked, though her tone made it clear she already knew the answer.Rachel’s smile froze, and I could feel the shift in the air. "Just exploring the city," she said curtly.

Cecilia’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Mind if I join? I’ve finished my presentation too, so I have the whole day free."

Rachel opened her mouth, likely to protest, but I cut in smoothly. "Sure, why not? The more, the merrier."

Cecilia’s smile turned into a smirk. "Lovely. I’ll grab my things."

Rachel shot me a pointed look as Cecilia walked off, but I only shrugged.

Before we could even start heading out, Seraphina appeared at the top of the staircase. She descended with her usual quiet grace, her silver hair shimmering as it caught the light. "Are you all heading into the city?" she asked, her voice calm but curious."We are," I replied. "Why, interested in coming along?"

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I think I will. I’ve finished my presentation, so it seems like a good way to spend the day."

Rachel sighed, though she quickly masked it with a polite smile. "Alright, then. Let’s get going."

The four of us stepped out into the streets of Nimran, the temperature-controlled air cool and refreshing. The city bustled with life, a vibrant mix of people weaving through futuristic architecture and traditional stone buildings. Hovering vehicles glided silently above us, while the hum of mana-powered machines filled the background.

Rachel led the way, her pace brisk and purposeful. "We’ll start at the market district," she announced. "There’s a stall I want to check out."

The market district was a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. Stalls selling everything from glowing mana crystals to intricate jewelry lined the streets, their owners shouting to draw attention to their wares. The air was rich with the scent of spices and sizzling food, and the soft glow of enchanted lanterns added a touch of magic to the scene.

Rachel immediately darted toward a stall displaying colorful enchanted pendants. Cecilia followed at a more leisurely pace. Seraphina and I trailed behind, the former quietly observing her surroundings.

"You’ve been here before?" I asked her as we walked.

"No," she replied, her gaze scanning the crowd. "But it has… a certain charm."

Rachel’s voice cut through the noise as she haggled with the vendor, her competitive streak on full display. Cecilia stood beside her, watching with mild amusement.

Seraphina and I stopped at a stall selling small sculptures. "This city feels alive," I remarked, more to myself than anyone else.

Seraphina nodded. "It does. There’s a sense of history here, beneath all the noise and bustle. It’s almost... grounding."

I glanced at her, surprised by the introspection. "Grounding, huh? That’s one way to put it."

Rachel returned to us, a triumphant smile on her face as she displayed her purchase—a pendant shaped like a star, glowing faintly with mana. "Look at this!" she exclaimed, holding it up. "It’s supposed to enhance focus during spellcasting."

Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "A bit basic, isn’t it?"

Rachel shot her a glare. "It’s practical."

"Practical can still be boring," Cecilia teased, her tone light but pointed.

Seraphina stepped between them, her calm presence diffusing the tension. "Where to next?" she asked, her voice cutting through the bickering.

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Rachel sighed. "Fine. Let’s grab some food. There are supposed to be amazing street vendors around here."

The food stalls didn’t disappoint. Rachel insisted on trying everything, dragging me along to sample skewers of grilled meat and pastries. Cecilia surprised us by being the most adventurous eater, while Seraphina stuck to simpler options, her preferences as composed as she was.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the city in hues of orange and gold, we found ourselves at a quiet park on the edge of the market district. The hum of the city faded into the background as we sat on a stone bench, catching our breath.

"This wasn’t so bad," Cecilia admitted, leaning back and closing her eyes.

Rachel smirked. "See? I told you it’d be fun."

Seraphina remained silent, her gaze fixed on the horizon as the last light of day faded. I leaned back as well, letting the quiet settle over us. For once, the weight of my responsibilities felt distant, and I allowed myself to simply be in the moment.