The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 177: Boys, Blushes and Bullshit Part 2

The dormitory of Class S was unusually quiet for a midday return. Noel pushed open the door to the common lounge, expecting the usual emptiness—and stopped.

Sitting on one of the couches, arms behind his head and legs up on the table like he owned the place, was Roberto.

"...You?"

Roberto grinned. "Yo."

Noel blinked. "What the hell are you doing here? You’re not in Class S."

"Correction," Roberto said proudly, standing up and spreading his arms. "I wasn’t. But apparently, my written scores were just high enough. They had some openings after the last semester, so here I am."

Noel crossed his arms, still trying to process it. "...You sure someone didn’t mess up the list?"

"Very funny," Roberto rolled his eyes. "I’m here fair and square. Guess I had a lucky day during exams."

Noel stared at him for a moment, then let out a small chuckle.

’Well, having him around for the Class S training camp might actually be good. The more people I trust here, the better.’

The two left the dorms and made their way toward the cafeteria. The halls were livelier than usual—first-years moving in, upperclassmen showing off, teachers shouting orders from across courtyards.

Everything felt alive again.

They reached the cafeteria, grabbed their trays, and took a spot near the windows. Roberto immediately dug into his food like a man who hadn’t eaten in days.

"So?" he asked, mouth half full. "How was your vacation? Or, wait—was it some secret noble thing again?"

Noel leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "More like a death trap." free𝑤ebnovel.com

Roberto blinked. "What?"

Noel gave him a short version. About the Holy Capital, the orphanage, how he helped stop something far worse from happening.

He didn’t go into deep details. No blood, no names.

But enough.

Roberto listened carefully, slowly setting down his fork.

"Damn," he said after a long pause. "You’ve really been through hell."

Noel nodded once. "Yeah."

Roberto exhaled, then smiled a little. "Still, I’m glad you’re back, man. Honestly, it was weird not having you around. Thought you got expelled or something."

Noel smirked. "Nope. Still here. Still annoying people."

’He was my first real friend in this world,’ Noel thought. ’And the only one who didn’t ask anything of me when I first got here.’

Roberto stabbed a piece of meat with unnecessary force. "So, serious question."

Noel raised an eyebrow. "Here we go."

"Are you still single, or did someone finally tame you?"

Noel shrugged with a slight smirk. "Not exactly."

Roberto looked up. "Wait... what?"

"I’m with Elyra. And I’m planning to confess to Elena soon."

The fork dropped from Roberto’s hand and clattered on the tray.

"WHAT!?"

Heads turned.

Noel leaned forward, voice low and sharp. "Lower your damn voice."

Roberto blinked and whispered loudly, "What do you mean ’lower your voice’? Do you even realize what you just said?!"

Noel stared at him flatly. "Yes, Roberto. I do."

"Elyra?! You mean Elyra von Estermont?! As in—the Estermonts? Second most powerful family in Valor after the imperial one?! And Elena?! One of the highest-ranking elven nobles in the Elarith continent?!"

Noel picked up a piece of bread and took a bite.

"...Thanks for the reminder."

Before Roberto could spiral any further, a familiar voice interrupted from behind them.

"Well, look who’s finally eating something that wasn’t burned in a student oven."

Both turned to see Marcus approaching the table, a relaxed smile tugging at his mouth.

"Marcus!" Roberto stood up and gave him a quick handshake. "Damn, it’s been what—two months?"

"More or less," Marcus said, pulling up a chair without asking.

"Good to see you, man," Roberto grinned, then jabbed a thumb toward Noel. "You believe this guy? Just casually drops that he’s dating Elyra and about to confess to Elena."

Marcus sat down with zero surprise. "Yeah. I know."

Roberto blinked. "Wait... you knew?"

"I did."

"...And you’re okay with it?!"

Marcus shrugged. "It’s Noel. Honestly, it checks out."

Roberto groaned, rubbing his forehead. "I thought we were all single like me..."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Oh. No, not for long."

Roberto stared. "...What?"

Marcus leaned back in his chair, voice steady.

"I’ve decided. I want to ask Clara out. Soon."

Roberto blinked rapidly. "Wait, what?"

Marcus nodded. "After everything that’s happened lately... the attacks, the near-deaths, the chaos. I realized I don’t want to keep waiting around."

Noel smirked. "So you’re finally making your move."

"I am," Marcus said simply. "I want it to be clear how I feel about her."

Roberto looked between the two of them like they had just grown wings. "You’ve got to be kidding me. You too?!"

Marcus laughed. "Guess that means you’re on your own now."

Noel raised his glass slightly. "Welcome to the party, Marcus. And sorry, Roberto... looks like you’re the last one standing."

Roberto slumped forward dramatically. "This is a betrayal. Absolute betrayal."

The sun was already starting to dip through the wide cafeteria windows, casting long golden streaks across their table.

Roberto leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and scowling like a kicked puppy. "You know... I thought we were a squad. Brothers in arms. Single kings, rising through the ranks together."

Noel smirked. "That ship sailed a while ago."

Marcus nodded. "We still got your back, man. Just maybe not for romantic advice."

Roberto pointed a finger at both of them. "You’re the worst. I was supposed to be the charming one."

"You are," Noel said dryly. "Charmingly alone."

Roberto groaned. "You guys are impossible."

Marcus gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Look at the bright side. You’ll have more time to focus on training during the camp. No distractions."

Noel raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe you’ll fall for someone in Class S. Who knows? The semester’s just starting."

Roberto narrowed his eyes. "You two better hope I don’t. If I get a girlfriend before you manage to lock down both yours, I’ll never let you live it down."

Marcus chuckled. "That’s fair."

Noel leaned back, arms behind his head. "We’ll see who finishes first."

Roberto shook his head, staring at the ceiling as if asking the heavens for patience.

"...This is bullshit."

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