The Extra's Transcension-Chapter 91: Return [4]

*****

Until one day... your mother disappeared.

You blamed your father for not taking care of her.

Those two thoughts clung to Lyrium like shadows, heavy and unyielding. Alicia had already left, and now he was alone again, tucked under his blankets, the quiet of the room pressing in.

"So... in this timeline,"

He muttered to himself, voice barely above a whisper, "my father... Lyrium’s father... didn’t disappear. But Lilian... my mother... she did."

Even though Lilian wasn’t technically his real mother, he had already grown attached to her in the original timeline.

Even if they hadn’t spoken much, even if he carried memories from the original Lyrium, he still remembered how she had treated him, and how much he cared for her.

The loss left a hollow ache in his chest.

He had never met the original Lyrium’s father, so speaking to him now felt awkward, unnatural.

The thought only added to the weight pressing on him.

Lyrium yawned, rubbing his eyes.

"Well... I’ll think about it tomorrow. It’s... time for... good nightwaaaaa..."

And with that, he finally drifted into sleep, the soft darkness of the room wrapping around him.

*****

"Mate, you there?!"

Ren’s voice rang sharply through the door, followed by a series of impatient knocks.

"Don’t just sit in there hiding! Remember what Alicia said, classes start today, and if you’re late, I swear I’ll drag you myself!"

Lyrium groaned, rolling over on his bed and tugging the blankets over his head for a moment.

"Ugh... I know, Ren. I heard Alicia’s yesterday’s lecture loud and clear. I’m not dead, you know!"

"Not dead?!"

Ren’s voice rose, dripping with mock horror.

"Mate, after yesterday’s stunt, I half-expected the floor to be a crater with your name on it. And now you’re just lounging in bed like nothing happened?!"

Lyrium swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing his temple where the swelling still throbbed.

"It’s not lounging, okay? I’m... recuperating. Strategically preparing myself for the horrors of early morning classes. That’s... smart, actually."

Ren snorted from outside the door.

"Strategically preparing? Is that what we’re calling it now? You’re literally lying there, staring at the ceiling. You’re already late if you don’t move, genius."

Lyrium flopped onto his stomach again with a dramatic groan.

"Fine, fine... geez. I’m getting up, I’m coming out. Just... give me a few more seconds to... I don’t know... negotiate with the pain in my head."

Ren’s laughter echoed through the corridor.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Don’t forget to brush your teeth while you’re at it, Mr. Strategic Recuperation. Wouldn’t want the rest of the academy to pass out from your breath before class even starts!"

"Ren!"

Lyrium shouted, waving a hand.

"You’re cruel sometimes!"

"Only when it’s necessary,"

Ren called back with a grin.

After brushing his teeth, Lyrium carefully straightened his bed, making sure everything was in order before slipping into the school uniform.

He paused in front of the mirror, tilting his head slightly as he studied his reflection.

His red, bloodshot eyes still burned faintly from yesterday’s incident.

His white, almost silvery crimson hair framed a face that somehow still looked sharp despite the bruises.

His body was slightly slim but muscular, standing at an average height of just over 180 cm.

He ran a hand down his uniform, frowning slightly.

"Huh... the entire timeline’s changed, and somehow this guy is still good-looking. Heh. Lucky me. But... I definitely don’t want my rank to suddenly shift because of a timeline reset. That would be... awkward."

A loud shout cut through his thoughts, echoing against the walls.

"Dude!!"

Ren’s voice boomed from somewhere outside the door.

Lyrium flinched, almost dropping his tie.

"I’m coming, I’m coming! Geez, chill! No need to announce my impending doom like a herald!"

He adjusted his collar one last time, took a deep breath, and squared his shoulders.

"Alright... timeline or not, day one of class in the reseted timeline isn’t going to beat me. Let’s see how everyone’s... changed today."

As soon as Lyrium stepped out of his room, he ran straight into Ren, who was leaning casually against the wall, his face lively as ever.

"Bruh, what were you even doing in there? You a princess or something? Gotta spend forever getting ready?"

Ren teased, smirking.

"Bruh, seriously... it wasn’t even ten minutes!"

Lyrium shot back, adjusting his bag strap as they began walking together down the corridor.

Their banter echoed off the walls until a calm, cutting voice interrupted.

"It’s thirty minutes we’ve been waiting," said Margaret, standing with her arms crossed, her tone precise and sharp.

Lyrium froze for a moment before his gaze flicked to the others.

Beside Margaret, Lily chuckled softly, giving him a playful hi with a wave, while Silas stood slightly back, arms relaxed, wearing a calm, almost knowing smile.

’The hell... I was handling yesterday’s mess fine,’ Lyrium thought,

’But now knowing their personalities and backstories have shifted because of the timeline... it’s weird. I feel awkward talking to them.’

Silas finally spoke, his voice easy but carrying a hint of nostalgia.

"Well, it looks like the whole childhood friend gang is here. Haven’t had a reunion like this in a long time, have we?"

"Literally,"

Ren said, laughing.

Lyrium swallowed, running a hand through his hair nervously. "W-Well... let’s go then,"

He stammered.

And with that, the five of them began walking together toward the academy hall, heading for their first class of the day.

*****

The moment the five of them stepped into the classroom, the entire room seemed to shift.

Conversations stuttered, pencils paused mid-air, and eyes darted toward the doorway.

Margaret’s cold, composed figure led the line, followed by Lyrium with his striking white-crimson hair and sharp red eyes.

Silas walked just behind, exuding a calm, effortless charm, while Ren trailed with his wild red hair and untamed energy.

And Lily, cheerful and radiant, brought a brightness that made heads turn immediately.

A low murmur spread across the room like wildfire.

"Is that... Margaret? The Ice Beauty herself?" whispered one girl, eyes wide.

"Yeah, she’s so intimidating... I heard she doesn’t even smile at anyone,"

Another student added, voice trembling slightly.

"And... is that Lyrium? The White Milk?"

Someone else whispered, nudging their friend.

"His hair... it’s like someone melted snow and poured it over his head!"

A boy in the back muttered, almost to himself,

"Damn... and his eyes... they’re red. Like fire."

"He’s so tall too... and his build! I mean, I thought Silas was the ’handsome calm guy’ but Lyrium’s... he’s different,"

A girl said, leaning closer to her friend.

"I mean... Lyrium? Did you see him in the Obelisk Trial? He was literally perfect, like a stunning view you can’t look away from!"

One girl gushed, eyes sparkling.

"And in the physical assessment... he’s insane! So strong, so precise... no wonder he’s rank 1."

Another girl chimed in, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"I know, right?! And don’t even get me started on the rest of them. Margaret, Margaret! The Ice Beauty herself... so cold, so untouchable. She literally commands attention without even trying."

And there was Ren.

His long, vibrant red hair caught the attention of several students who didn’t even know what to say.

"Wait... is that Ren? That red hair... is it real?!"

"I swear he looks like some character from one of those old hero stories," whispered another, fanning herself dramatically.

"And Lily..." a boy whispered, voice hushed,

"she’s so... bright? Like she’s glowing. How does one person even look that cheerful and... perfect?"

The whispers escalated into full-blown chatter, a chaotic hum of awe, jealousy, and curiosity.

"Do you think they all know each other?"

’Bruh what do you mean we all knwo each other, we’re literally walking together.’ Lyrium thought.

"Yeah... they’re walking together. Childhood friends, I think."

Lyrium thoughts continued, ’What how did they know?, Isn’t this too predictable? Plothole?!’

"Childhood friends?! That’s... insane! Margaret actually talking to Lyrium?"

"And Lily just waved at him... and he actually waved back?"

"Silas looks... scary calm. Like nothing bothers him, ever. How is someone that handsome also smart?"

Lyrium, walking beside Margaret, felt his cheeks heat up slightly under the barrage of stares and whispers. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

’The fuck... I thought I could handle this, but knowing their personalities shifted in this timeline makes it ten times weirder. Everyone’s staring like we’re some kind of exhibit.’

Ren, seemingly oblivious to the chaos, smirked.

"Looks like we got a fan club already, huh?"

Margaret, unbothered as ever, gave a tiny nod, her icy gaze sweeping across the students.

Lily waved again, smiling, and even Silas allowed a faint, knowing grin.

The group continued toward their seats, each whisper and stare following them, the commotion echoing in their wake.

Ren slid into the seat to Lyrium’s right, nudging him playfully, while Silas took the seat just behind him, calm and composed as ever.

Lily settled beside Silas, her cheerful energy bouncing quietly, and Margaret planted herself on Lyrium’s left, icy and unbothered.

Lyrium sank into his seat with a long exhale, rubbing his face.

"Haaaa... ohh, dude... I’m fcking tired with all of this."

Silas chuckled softly, the sound calm and measured.

"Looks like someone underestimated the power of attention."

Before Lyrium could reply, the classroom door squeaked, and a girl stepped forward, her presence immediately drawing the five of their attention.

"L-Lyrium..."

She stammered.

Lyrium blinked, squinting at her.

"Huh?"

All five of them turned to look at the girl.

She had long, flowing purple hair, emerald eyes that seemed to pierce through the noise, and a delicate, almost divine composure that made her stand out immediately.

She clutched a folded paper in both hands, trembling slightly.

"W-Will... you... go out with me?!"

She blurted, thrusting the paper toward Lyrium.

Lyrium, already exhausted, stared at her blankly.

His brain froze for a second.

"Wuuut...?"

The four others reacted instantly.

Ren’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with disbelief. Silas’s calm facade faltered just slightly, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips.

Lily’s hand flew to her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle, while Margaret’s eyes widened imperceptibly, her composure cracking for the briefest moment.

It took Lyrium a few seconds to process the situation fully.

Then realization hit him like a lightning bolt.

"WHATTT!!?"

He finally shouted, his voice echoing across the classroom, loud enough to draw every curious gaze toward them.

The room fell into stunned silence for a heartbeat... before chaos slowly started to bubble around them.

*****