Novel's Extra: The Lost Heir of Dragon Queen-Chapter 45: I’LL Challenge Him

"To ensure your focus on this challenge, the academy has adjusted your schedules. There will be only two classes each day. Beyond that, you are expected to dedicate your time and energy to preparing for and completing missions."

His gaze hardened, and his voice dropped slightly.

"This is not just an exercise. It is a test of your resolve, your strength, and your place as future champions of this world. Rise to the challenge, or step aside for those who will."

The hall was silent again, but this time it was filled with tension, ambition, and the unspoken promise of a fierce competition ahead..

As the professor concluded his speech, the hall buzzed with the murmurs of students discussing strategies and speculating about the upcoming S-rank mission.

Kael, however, remained in his seat, unbothered by the chatter.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his notes, hoping to recall the details about the reward associated with the mission.

His brow furrowed slightly as he scanned the screen.

The rewards for the mission flashed in his memory, albeit faintly:

_________________

1.{ Access to Carol Island’s Rare Resources}

2. {Advancement in Rank}

—For every team member who participates, this mission serves as a direct evaluation for advancement.

Success on Carol Island could earn you promotion to the elite tier of adventurers and secure your status as S-rank professionals, recognized across the continent.

4. {Direct Academy Benefits}

Additionally, the academy will reward the four participating teams with tangible benefits. These include:

—A generous grant of 10,000 coins per team, enough to fund future missions or investments.

—Access to exclusive training facilities, including high-level sparring dungeons and restricted magical libraries.

—Unique enchanted equipment crafted by the academy’s finest artisans, tailored specifically for each team member.

________________

Kael’s lips curved into a faint smile.

These were rewards worth fighting.

As students began to disperse from the hall.

Kael stands up slipping his phone into his pocket.

Then suddenly a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Kael."

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Kael turned, his eyes meeting Lumia’s.

"What do you want?"

Lumia hesitated for a fraction of a second, her fingers tightening at her sides before she spoke.

"I wanted to apologize."

Kael raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable but his tone edged with skepticism.

"Apologize? For what?"

"For what I said earlier," Lumia replied, her voice calm but strained.

"I may have been harsh. It wasn’t my intention to disrespect you in front of everyone."

Kael decided to play along well to be honest he also didn’t like the behaviour of lumia treating him like this he was frustrated.

Kael let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head.

"Harsh, huh? That’s putting it lightly. You acted like I was some kid messing around when all I did was mind my own business."

Her calm facade cracked slightly, and she took a step closer, her voice sharper now.

"Do you think I don’t respect you? Is that what you think, Kael? That I just look down on you?"

Kael’s jaw tightened, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Respect? You’ve got a funny way of showing it, Lumia. You talked to me like I was some liability you had to manage. There were others students also who were making noises but you target me "

Her fists clenched at her sides, her voice trembling slightly as she shot back,

"I didn’t mean it that way. You took it out of context."

"No, I didn’t," Kael replied coolly, his voice steady but cutting.

"You don’t get to tell me how to feel about the way you talk down to me. If you have something to say, say it without treating me like one of your subjects."

Lumia’s face flushed, a mix of anger and frustration bubbling beneath her composed exterior.

"I’m trying to make amends, Kael. Don’t twist this into something it’s not."

"Make amends?" Kael echoed, his voice low but carrying an edge that made her flinch.

"Then maybe start by not assuming you’re always right. Or that everyone should fall in line because you’re the princess and the president."

A tense silence hung between them, broken only by the faint murmur of students outside the hall.

From the shadows behind Kael, Ren leaned toward Marcus, whispering, "This is getting heated. Should we step in?"

Marcus shook his head, his eyes flicking between Kael and Lumia. "Not yet. Let’s see how this plays out."

Lumia exhaled sharply, her tone softening, though her pride still bristled.

"I didn’t mean to order you around. I just... I was frustrated."

"Frustrated about what?" Kael asked, his voice finally losing some of its sharpness.

Her gaze faltered for a moment before she straightened.

"It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry for how I handled it. That’s all I wanted to say."

Kael regarded her for a long moment before letting out a slow breath.

"Fine. Apology accepted."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, Ren and Marcus falling in step behind him.

Lumia stood alone in the hall, her chest tight and her mind spinning. Why couldn’t I just leave it alone? Why does every interaction with him feel so raw, so... personal?

She closed her eyes, frustration mingling with something far more vulnerable. Why does he get under my skin like this?

________

(POV : Adria shirone)

As the professor concluded his speech, Adria Shirone sat in his seat, gripping the armrest tightly, his mind racing.

The announcement of the S-rank mission had sparked an unrelenting desire within him: he had to win this.

He had the best team—a handpicked group of prodigies, honed and polished to perfection.

With them, victory was not a dream but a certainty.

But there was one thing.

That guy.

Kael.

Adria couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that surrounded Kael.

Something about him was... different. Not just his extraordinary strength or something deeper.

The way Kael carried himself, the confidence radiating from him, his quiet demeanor—it all screamed of someone who didn’t belong in the background.

"I’ll have to bear him," Adria muttered to himself, his jaw tightening.

"For me to secure first place, I need to crush him."

He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes momentarily to focus.

Adria knew what he had to do.

His mind conjured the image of himself standing victorious, his team heralded as the best.

A faint smirk crossed his lips.

"Let’s go," Adria whispered to himself.

"Let’s tell him head-on that he will be facing me. Let’s give this guy the challenge of his life....