The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 170: Not Just a Saint

The courtyard was quiet that morning.

Warm sunlight filtered through the trees, their leaves now full and green with the coming of summer. The stone path radiated gentle heat, and a soft breeze carried the scent of herbs from the garden beds. Birds chirped lazily from the rooftop.

Charlotte sat alone on a bench beneath the archway, dressed in a simple cream blouse and a light skirt that moved slightly with the wind. Her Sancta Veil was gone. Pink hair framed her face freely, and her amber eyes followed a pair of pigeons wandering near the fountain.

Noel approached from the side path, sleeves rolled up, hands in his pockets.

"You’re not wearing the veil," he said.

"I don’t need it here," Charlotte replied, not looking at him.

He stopped beside the bench, then sat down beside her.

"...Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the academy?"

Charlotte’s tone stayed casual. "I didn’t think you needed to know."

"It’s kind of important to know if the Saint is going to show up at the academy," Noel muttered, then glanced at her again. "Though... I guess no one would recognize you with that."

She gave a faint smile. "That’s the idea."

"How long?"

"Just one year," she said. "Orthran allowed it. After what happened, the church needs time to rebuild. So until I turn eighteen... I get to be a normal student. At least for a while."

Noel didn’t reply immediately.

A part of him still thought it was risky. But another part... felt oddly relieved.

Noel leaned back on the bench, eyes on the clear sky. "So... what’s the situation now? With the church, I mean."

Charlotte clasped her hands over her knees, posture relaxed. "It’s changing. When we leave on the ship, new people will start arriving. Clerics, instructors, some from Valor, others from Elarith or the western isles."

"Outsiders?" Noel asked, surprised.

She nodded. "They’ll help rebuild. But it’s not just physical. The church is rewriting its structure. From now on, no one joins by name alone. There’ll be a series of trials. And once a month, the Pope will perform a blessing—if the person’s clean, it confirms it."

"And if they’re not?"

"They won’t be accepted," Charlotte said simply.

Noel looked at her for a moment, then exhaled. "So now they’re trying to make sure this never happens again."

"That’s the idea."

"Seems... strict."

"It has to be." Her voice was calm, but firm. "They let monsters in. They looked the other way for too long. We can’t afford that anymore."

Noel stayed quiet.

He could still see the expression on Erick’s face in his last moments.

He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Makes sense."

They sat in silence for a while. The wind rustled the leaves, and the occasional burst of laughter from the children inside the orphanage broke the quiet.

Then Noel asked, "Is this what you want?"

Charlotte blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Going to the academy," he clarified. "Living like a student. Away from all this."

She looked down at her hands, thoughtful. "Yes. I want to go."

She paused, then added, "Being a saint just means I have more affinity than most to give blessings. That’s all. It’s not some divine role. It’s my power... and my curse."

Noel gave her a long look. "I told you not to use blessings on me."

Charlotte smiled, eyes narrowing playfully. "I know. I remember."

She turned her head toward him, grin still present. "But you didn’t do what I asked either."

Noel tilted his head. "What?"

"I told you not to sacrifice yourself for me," she said softly.

He didn’t look away. "I’d do it again."

That answer caught her off guard. She stared at him, lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

After a moment, she stood up.

"...Do you want to take a walk?"

They walked through the back garden of the orphanage, past rows of herbs and fading spring flowers, their steps slow and unhurried. The stone path curved gently between the hedges, and the distant sound of children playing echoed faintly behind them.

Charlotte hummed quietly to herself, hands clasped behind her back. Her mood had shifted—lighter now, brighter. The serious expression she’d worn before was gone, replaced by that innocent, playful energy that always seemed to catch people off guard.

"So," she said with a smile, glancing sideways at Noel, "tell me what this academy of yours is like. Will I be bored to death?"

"Probably," Noel replied flatly.

Charlotte pouted. "That’s not very encouraging."

He smirked. "You’ll be fine. The Imperial Academy of Valor is massive. Divided by classes, ranked by ability. There’s training grounds, libraries, and enough drama to keep you entertained for months."

"Sounds chaotic."

"It is," he said. "But you’ll manage. I’m part of the student council now, so technically I’ll be one of the people keeping it from falling apart."

Her eyes widened. "You? Council? So I’ll have someone to report to?"

"No, not really," Noel replied. "I’m technically part of the student council, but I don’t actually do anything. They gave me the position just to keep me on paper."

She tilted her head. "That sounds... suspiciously convenient."

"It is," he said. "And I’m fine with that."

She spun around once, arms out. "Then maybe... maybe I can finally live the life I always wanted."

Noel watched her, quiet for a moment.

"...Even if it’s just for a while," he said.

Charlotte looked back at him. Her smile didn’t fade.

"Sometimes, a little while is more than enough."

They wandered past the garden and into the open path that led to the outer edge of the orphanage grounds. Trees lined the fence, their leaves shifting gently with the warm breeze.

Charlotte walked a little ahead now, arms swinging freely at her sides.

"So," she said, not turning around, "what is it like living there?"

Noel stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Busy. Loud. Half the students think too much of themselves, and the other half are just trying to survive."

Charlotte laughed softly. "Sounds familiar."

"But it’s not all bad," he continued. "There are good people. You’ll meet some of them. And if you keep your head down, most won’t even know who you are."

She slowed her pace, letting him catch up.

"You think I’ll fit in?" she asked, quieter this time.

He nodded. "Knowing you, with that personality... you’ll probably end up being the center of attention."

Charlotte smirked and looked at him sideways. "Oh? And what about you? Are you all alone there, Mr. Mysterious Council Member?"

Noel shrugged. "Not really. I’ve got a couple of friends. And... a few girls I get along with."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, voice playful. "Girls?"

Noel blinked once, then looked away. "Yeah."

She hummed dramatically. "Hmm... sounds like someone’s been busy."

Noel sighed. "Don’t start."

Charlotte laughed, spinning lightly on her heel as they walked. The mood had shifted again—lighter, warmer, like it used to be.

"So," she said, voice teasing, "are any of those girls your girlfriend?"

Noel didn’t even hesitate. "Yeah."

Her eyes widened just a little. "Oh? Interesting."

She smiled, genuinely this time.

"Make sure to introduce me when we get to the academy, alright?"

Noel gave a faint nod. "Sure."

Charlotte turned her gaze back to the path ahead. "I’ll be watching closely, you know."

He rolled his eyes. "Mhm."

They kept walking, side by side, as the wind picked up slightly—warm and full of promise.

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