The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Chapter 173 : Broken Trust and Relation’s

Meanwhile, inside Zenith Academy, seven days had passed in the blink of an eye since the attack on the capital and the kidnapping incident.

The entire continent was still reeling from the news. Whispers and urgent discussions filled political halls, taverns, and even private homes.

What had happened in the Empire of Avaloria was something no one could have anticipated.

Every nation, regardless of distance or political stance, was now on high alert — as if an invisible shadow had fallen over the world.

Armies were mobilizing, borders reinforced, and patrols doubled. Even the calmest leaders had begun making preparations, fearing that what happened in Avaloria could happen to them next.

Within the pristine walls of Zenith Academy, life appeared to move on. Students went to classes, trained, and laughed in the courtyards — but beneath the surface, the air was tense.

Conversations often trailed into hushed tones, glances were exchanged more often than greetings, and every bit of news was treated like gold.

The most popular topic of discussion? The sudden rise of a new apex among the first years — Ethan Williams.

It had all started when Ethan had openly challenged Alex Dragonheart to a duel, an event the entire first-year batch was buzzing about.

The match had been hyped as the showdown. Yet when the day came, Alex didn’t show up... and to everyone’s surprise, neither did Ethan. The entire academy was left hanging, curiosity gnawing at them.

Still, Ethan was seen around campus in the days following. Alex, however, was nowhere to be found.

Eventually, the administration declared the match a draw, and the excitement faded into murmurs of confusion.

That confusion didn’t last long. Three days later, a different kind of news shook the academy to its core.

The story spread like wildfire — the "heroes" of the first years had been kidnapped. Details trickled in, claiming Ethan alone had rescued countless citizens and all of his friends during the attack.

But there was one person he couldn’t save. Alex.

The report came with confirmation from Carter Brown, a respected hunter, and quickly made its way across the world.

The public devoured the tale — Ethan Williams, the lone hero who had faced impossible odds.

His bravery was praised in headlines, stories, and academy gossip alike. Statues weren’t being built yet, but the admiration was almost tangible.

Before long, Ethan was officially declared the new apex of the first years.

A week passed. The day began like any other... at least for most.

Ethan walked through the grand, sunlit corridors of Zenith Academy toward Classroom 1-A.

The sound of his boots on the polished floor echoed faintly, accompanied by the quiet hum of conversation that died down wherever he passed.

Hundreds of eyes turned to him. Some were warm with admiration, some sharp with envy, and others clouded with suspicion.

Praise me, envy me, doubt me... it doesn’t matter anymore.

He ignored them all, his expression calm but distant. Eventually, he reached the familiar sliding door to Class 1-A.

Pausing for a moment, he closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath — steadying himself for what was to come.

The door slid open with a soft whoosh.

Dozens of gazes locked onto him instantly. The weight of their attention was nothing new, but today it felt heavier than usual.

He didn’t acknowledge any of them, stepping inside with measured strides toward his seat.

That’s when he saw her.

A blue-haired girl sitting at their usual spot, an empty seat beside her — Seraphina. She tilted her head slightly and offered him a small smile.

It wasn’t her real smile.

It was careful. Fragile. As if she was silently saying, Don’t worry... you don’t have to go through it all alone.

But Ethan had seen her real smile before — the one that reached her eyes and carried warmth. This one didn’t even come close.

She’s faking it... maybe even she loathes me now.

A broken smirk tugged at his lips as he averted his gaze.

Before he could sit somewhere else, Seraphina reached out and firmly took his hand, guiding him into the seat beside her.

"Thank you... for at least being here for me, Sera," Ethan murmured under his breath.

Seraphina opened her mouth as if to respond, but the words didn’t come. An image flashed in her mind — a sight she wished she could erase.

Something she couldn’t bear to imagine again. Her fingers tightened slightly on her lap.

Finally, in a low, almost trembling voice, she whispered, "No... I was never not there when he needed me. You know... I’m just as guilty as you. So... don’t beat yourself up too much."

Ethan didn’t reply. But for a brief moment, the heaviness in his chest eased — just slightly.

---

Then suddenly, both Ethan and Seraphina’s attention shifted forward, their eyes instinctively falling on two empty seats.

Alden’s seat — untouched, perfectly in place as if he had never been part of the class.

Even after returning to the academy, Alden had not attended a single lesson.

The only thing anyone managed to learn was that he had locked himself in a training room, refusing all visitors.

Rumor had it he had personally asked Professor Alistar to take him in as a disciple.

On the rare occasion they crossed paths in the academy corridors, he treated Ethan like a complete stranger — cold eyes, no words, no acknowledgment.

Charlotte, on the other hand, did attend classes — but she sat alone, in the back row by the window.

The exact seat Alex used to occupy. She never spoke to anyone, her gaze fixed outside as if waiting for someone who would never come.

Ava’s seat was right beside her, but it remained empty all week — Ava hadn’t come to class at all.

Draven was no different. The moment he had stepped foot in the academy after the incident, he disappeared without a trace.

The bonds that had once tied them all together had frayed into silence. Not a word was exchanged between them for an entire week.

The door to the classroom slid open with a soft, deliberate sound.

A collective murmur rose, and countless gazes followed the newcomer.

A tall, graceful figure with long blond hair and sharp amber eyes, delicate features — the kind of beauty that made conversations pause mid-sentence — entered the room.

It was Elaria Moonshade Lareth’Thalas.

The Elven Princess.

Her usual haughty expression was in place, her steps elegant yet dripping with the silent proclamation that the world beneath her feet was hers to walk upon. She moved through the classroom as if it were a royal banquet.

And then, halfway down, she stopped — right beside Ethan.

Her lips curved into a mischievous smirk.

"That new uniform looks nice on you," she said, her tone dripping with playful malice.

"Must be nice to get the title without putting in any effort. I’m really envious of you. But... it’s a shame, isn’t it? After all, you didn’t get to fight the one who earned it."

Ethan’s breath hitched. He knew exactly what she meant — the Apex title. He had been given it without defeating the one who had truly earned it. Not like him, but like Alex.

He opened his mouth to form a retort... but nothing came out. His lips parted, then closed again, the words evaporating before they reached his tongue.

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. She could endure many things — but not some outsider mocking him without knowing what they had gone through.

She rose from her seat.

"Mind your own business," she said sharply. "You don’t know anything. And for your information, he never wanted the Apex title."

Elaria’s smirk widened.

"Oh? Looks like the hero can’t even fight his own verbal battles if his girlfriend has to stand up for him."

Seraphina froze, color rushing to her cheeks.

Ethan, however, remained silent, his gaze unmoving.

Elaria turned her sharp, amber eyes on Seraphina again.

"If your little boyfriend here didn’t want the title, then why didn’t he refuse it when it was given to him?"

This time Seraphina’s breath hitched. She glanced at Ethan — still silent, still unmoving. Her lips parted, but no answer came.

Elaria took satisfaction in that silence and was about to continue walking when a new voice cut through the tension.

"He didn’t deny the title because he was worthy of it... unlike some people who get jealous of others’ talents. Just like you."

A vein bulged faintly on Elaria’s temple as she slowly turned her head to face the speaker.

It was Maria Lunehart — the Saintess candidate.

Elaria’s smirk returned.

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