Transmigrating as an Extra, But the Heroine Has Regressed?!-Chapter 331: Edwin in the Arena!

Her tail swayed shyly.

"And… he saved me."

The beast mother closed her eyes.

For a long moment, she said nothing.

Her claws slowly loosened, the violent mana around her fading like a dying storm.

Inside her mind, countless thoughts clashed—fear, pride, suspicion, and something far more painful.

(My daughter stood at the edge of death… and this human spared her.)

(If he were like the others… she would not be standing here.)

When the beast mother finally opened her eyes again, the rage that once burned within them had cooled into something sharper and heavier—judgment.

"…If you are hurt," the beast mother said quietly, "I will tear this dungeon apart."

The beast girl froze.

Her breath caught.

She turned quickly toward Kael, fear flashing across her face as if she were afraid his answer might ruin everything.

Kael did not hesitate.

He nodded once.

"I understand."

No excuses.

The beast mother studied him closely. She searched his expression for arrogance, for greed, for the selfish hunger she had seen in so many humans before.

She found none.

Only resolve.

The beast mother stepped back.

"Go," she said.

Then she paused.

"But remember this, human."

Her gaze sharpened, pressure radiating outward like an invisible blade.

"If you betray her trust, there will be nowhere in this world you can hide."

Kael met her gaze calmly.

"I won't betray her," he replied.

The beast girl's face lit up instantly.

Joy burst through her embarrassment.

Her ears flicked upward, tail swaying wildly as she bowed deeply to her mother.

"Thank you!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with happiness.

She straightened and turned to Kael, golden eyes shining with excitement and determination.

"I won't slow you down," she said eagerly. "I promise."

Kael allowed himself a small smile.

It was faint.

"Then let's clear this dungeon."

They turned and began walking away from the mansion-like structure hidden within the dungeon's depths.

But just before they disappeared into the shadowed corridor—

The beast mother noticed something.

Kael's aura.

At first, it was faint—barely noticeable, like a shadow overlapping another shadow. But as he walked, something shifted within him.

A dark presence stirred.

The air around him seemed to bend slightly, as if rejecting his existence. The stone beneath his feet faintly cracked, reacting instinctively.

The beast mother's breath hitched.

Cold sweat dripped down her back.

"…That boy," she whispered to herself, claws tightening involuntarily.

"That boy is not normal."

For the first time in years—

Fear crawled into her heart.

They exited the mansion and entered another stretch of the dungeon.

The environment shifted again. The walls here were wider, carved with ancient markings half-eroded by time.

Dim light pulsed faintly from crystal veins embedded deep within the stone.

Kael walked ahead.

The beast girl followed closely behind.

After a few minutes of silence, Kael spoke.

"Since you live here," he said calmly, "tell me something."

She tilted her head.

"Yes?"

"How many strong demons are in this dungeon?"

Her steps slowed.

She thought for a moment.

"…Many," she admitted. "But not all of them roam freely."

Kael glanced back.

"Explain."

She nodded.

"There are layers," she said. "Lower demons gather in swarms. Stronger ones claim territories. Some sleep. Some wait."

She hesitated.

"…There are at least three demon commanders I know of."

Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.

"And above them?"

"…Something watches," she said quietly. "Even my mother avoids it."

Kael exhaled slowly.

"That's enough," he said. "We'll adapt as we go."

She nodded, gripping her claws tightly.

Ahead—

Growls echoed.

Demons approached.

Kael raised his sword.

"Stay close," he said.

Meanwhile,

At the academy.

The training grounds were filled with students, instructors, and spectators gathered in a wide circular arena. Mana barriers shimmered faintly around the edges, ensuring safety.

Today's event was special.

A friendly duel.

On one side—

Edwin.

Arcadia Academy's pride.

Sword resting at his side.

On the other—

Three students from the Beast Art Academy.

Their toppers.

One stood in the center—a tall mage with dark robes and sharp eyes.

To his left, another mage, staff glowing faintly with mana.

Behind them, a healer, already chanting softly, preparing support spells.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

"Three versus one?"

"Is that fair?"

The beast art academy mage smirked.

"Don't hold back," he said confidently. "Arcadia is always said to be the top. Let's see if that's true."

Edwin's expression didn't change.

"Begin," the instructor announced.

The moment the signal fell—

Mana erupted.

The first mage raised his staff instantly.

"Lightning Bind!"

Crackling chains of lightning shot toward Edwin.

The second mage followed.

"Frost Spear!"

A volley of icy projectiles streaked through the air.

Behind them, the healer raised his hands.

"Enhancement—Mana Flow!"

The two mages felt their mana surge.

Edwin stepped forward.

His sword hummed softly.

White-blue mana flowed into the blade, coating it in a gentle glow.

The crowd gasped.

"So calm…"

Edwin moved.

He didn't run.

He walked.

Lightning chains wrapped around him—

And shattered.

Frost spears collided—

And split apart.

Edwin raised his sword.

"Ruin Form," he said quietly.

Mana condensed.

"Valor Burst."

He swung.

A crescent of white-blue energy exploded outward, tearing through the battlefield. The ground cracked. The air screamed.

The two mages were blasted backward, crashing hard into the barrier.

The healer barely managed to shield himself.

"…What?" one mage gasped.

(Arcadia is always the top…) one of them thought bitterly.

Edwin didn't pause.

He spun his sword.

"Blazing Spiral."

Fire twisted around the blade, spiraling violently as Edwin charged.

He vanished—

Then appeared before them.

A flaming vortex erupted.

The remaining defenses shattered.

The healer fell unconscious.

The mages collapsed moments later.

Then—

Cheers erupted.

Edwin lowered his sword, mana fading.

He exhaled softly.

Another victory.

The moment the healer collapsed to the ground, unconscious and unable to continue, the atmosphere in the arena changed.

The cheers from earlier slowly faded into murmurs.

The two remaining mages from the Beast Art Academy pushed themselves back to their feet.

Dust clung to their robes, and their breathing was heavier now, but their eyes burned with renewed focus.

"So the healer's down," the first mage said, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "We ahve no more support."

The second mage clenched his staff tightly.

"…Then we fight seriously."

Across from them, Edwin stood still.

His sword was lowered, the white-blue glow around it dimmed but not gone. He didn't look tired.

But for the first time, his gaze sharpened.

"You're still standing," Edwin said calmly. "Good."

The words were not mocking.

They were sincere.

The two mages exchanged a quick glance.

(He's acknowledging us…) the first mage thought.

(So this is Arcadia's best.)

The instructor raised a hand.

"The duel continues!"

The moment the signal dropped, both mages moved at once.

"Dual Casting Formation!" the first mage shouted.

Mana surged.

The second mage slammed his staff into the ground, magical circles blooming beneath his feet.

"Earth Wall—Layered!"

Thick slabs of stone erupted, overlapping and rotating, creating a moving fortress between them and Edwin.

At the same time, the first mage lifted both hands.

"Compressed Wind Blades!"

Dozens of invisible blades screamed through the air, bending around the stone walls, attacking from unpredictable angles.

Edwin's eyes narrowed slightly.

"So they're coordinating now," he murmured.

He stepped back, sword flashing.

Clang—clang—clang!

Wind blades struck his sword again and again, each impact sending vibrations up his arm. He deflected most of them, but one sliced across his shoulder, tearing fabric and drawing a thin line of blood.

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the audience.

"He's bleeding!"

"Those mages are no joke!"

Edwin clicked his tongue softly.

"…Well played."

He raised his sword again.

The earth wall shifted suddenly.

Cracks formed.

"Now!" the second mage shouted.

"Gravitation Pulse!"

The ground beneath Edwin distorted, gravity multiplying instantly. His body sank several inches into the arena floor, stone cracking around his boots.

Edwin felt his legs strain.

(Heavy…)

But he didn't panic.

He adjusted his stance, planting his sword into the ground for balance.

"Ruin Form," he said quietly.

Mana surged through his arms.

With a sharp pull, he tore himself free from the gravity field, stone exploding outward as he leapt forward.

The first mage's eyes widened.

"He broke through?!"

"Don't stop!" the second mage shouted. "Chain it!"

They raised their staffs together.

"Flame Torrent!"

"Lightning Arc!"

Fire and lightning intertwined midair, forming a roaring spiral of destruction that tore across the arena toward Edwin.

Heat washed over the spectators.

The barrier shimmered violently.

Edwin crossed his sword in front of him.

"Valor Burst."

He slashed forward.

White-blue energy collided with the elemental spiral.

BOOM!

The explosion rocked the arena.

Smoke, fire, and crackling lightning engulfed the center of the battlefield, obscuring everything from view.

For a moment—

No one could see Edwin.

The two mages held their breath.

"…Did we get him?" the first mage whispered.

The smoke parted.

Edwin emerged.

His uniform was torn. His breathing was heavier now. Small burns marked his arms, and lightning residue crackled faintly around his shoulders.

But he was still standing.

The crowd erupted again—this time louder.

"So he's human after all," the second mage muttered.

Edwin rolled his shoulder once, loosening the stiffness.

"That attack," he said honestly, "was good."

The first mage clenched his teeth.

"Don't praise us like you've already won!