The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Chapter 176 : Waking up for a second time for some reason

After hearing her mother’s words, Alicia froze in disbelief.

Serena’s casual tone still lingered in the air, but the meaning behind her words struck Alicia like a thunderbolt.

Silver-haired kid.

Alicia’s eyes widened, her chest tightening. As far as she knew, there was only one silver-haired boy she had ever met. Only one person that description fit.

For a moment, her lips parted, but no words came out. She stood there, too stunned to speak, her mind racing at lightning speed.

Seeing her daughter’s expression, Serena’s lips curved into a victorious smile.

"What happened? Cat got your tongue?"

Alicia snapped out of her daze, her heartbeat accelerating. She stepped out from behind Reynard’s tall figure, her voice trembling with urgency.

"Mom... are you talking about the one I think you’re talking about?"

Serena tilted her head, her expression infuriatingly calm. Her lips curled into a playful smirk.

"That depends. Who do you think I’m talking about?"

Alicia’s brows furrowed, her eyes narrowing.

"You already know who."

Serena’s smirk widened.

"And who is that?"

Alicia’s fists clenched in frustration, her patience thinning.

"Him."

Serena chuckled softly, pretending to be oblivious.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why don’t you say his name out loud? I think your father would also like to hear it."

Meanwhile, Reynard was silent, but his thoughts churned rapidly.

’Wait... my daughter seems to be showing interest in a boy? And not just any boy... but a commoner?’

His jaw tightened slightly, his eyes flickering between Serena and Alicia.

Alicia, now visibly frustrated, stamped her foot lightly against the polished floor.

"Fine! Don’t tell me. I’ll find out on my own!"

Her sapphire-green gaze shifted toward Elric, who had been standing quietly by the door the entire time.

Alicia had always seen him as more than just the head butler — to her, Elric was like a grandfather. He had spoiled her, scolded her, and cared for her since she was little.

Pouting, she tugged on his sleeve.

"Grandpa Elric... take me to the person she’s talking about."

Elric couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips. Her expression — puffed cheeks and sparkling eyes — reminded him of when she was just a child sneaking sweets from the kitchen.

Glancing at Serena for confirmation, he received a subtle nod.

Elric smiled warmly and gestured toward the door.

"This way, My Lady."

Alicia’s breath quickened with every step as she followed him through the quiet corridors of Crestvale Manor.

Her thoughts spiraled in a storm of disbelief and dread.

’It can’t be him, right? Alden confirmed it himself... he said there was no way Alex could survive against a Grandmaster. Not alone. It should be impossible...’

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as they stopped before a large, luxurious room.

Elric placed a hand on the ornate door handle and opened it with a respectful bow.

"This way, My Lady."

Alicia stepped inside, her breathing shallow. The room was filled with the steady hum of magical devices. Tubes glowed with faint mana, crystals flickered softly, and monitoring arrays projected readings in the air.

At the center of it all was a grand bed, surrounded by an array of intricate medical instruments.

Lying upon that bed... was a silver-haired boy.

Her eyes widened instantly.

The sight of him struck her harder than any blow could.

Alex Dragonheart.

The boy she knew all too well.

Her hands trembled at her sides, memories flooding in like an unstoppable tide.

The day she first heard the rumor about Evelyn and Alex sharing a kiss — she had been furious, angrier than she had ever been in her life.

That silver-haired bastard had dared to get close to Evelyn of all people.

She had been so pissed that she started actively looking for opportunities to make him suffer.

That was why, when Ethan came to her asking for permission to challenge Alex to a duel, she hadn’t even hesitated.

She had given Ethan the green light without asking a single question.

But when Alden requested her permission to leave the Academy for a short trip — to visit Alex’s sister on her birthday — she hadn’t thought twice about approving it.

Because she knew.

She knew that Alex only had his sister. She was his one and only family.

And even that... she had tried to use as leverage to make Alex indebted to her.

---

But later that day, Alicia overheard the devastating news. Her brother, Alex, and the others had been kidnapped.

Her chest tightened as guilt wrapped around her like chains.

’I was the one who gave them permission to leave the Academy... without following the proper procedures...’

And when the official report arrived — declaring that Alex was dead — the weight of it crushed her completely.

She found herself unable to eat for days. Her nights were no better, plagued by nightmares where she saw Alex’s body broken, lying helpless on the ground, calling for aid as everyone turned their backs on him.

She would jolt awake, drenched in cold sweat, her hands trembling.

So now, as she stood in front of his bed, seeing him breathing peacefully — alive — a wave of relief washed over her entire being.

Her knees weakened as if a burden she hadn’t even realized she carried had finally been lifted.

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