The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

Letting his eyes drift across the hall, Ruvian studied the faces of the Class A scholars one by one. It was in the middle of that restless observation that three familiar figures entered his view.

’Calyra, Rosalin, and Silvena. So they are all here. If that’s the case... then Julian and Loden should be in the other hall.’

Before he could think more about it, a loud clap suddenly echoed in the hall. The sound was sharp and clear, making many students straighten up at once.

Delila was already standing at the front.

She looked at both Class A and Class E quietly, her eyes moving from one side to the other as if she was checking everyone.

"Today’s lesson will be a little different," she said calmly. "It will be a special chance for Class A and Class E to learn from each other in a real situation."

The words spread through the room gently, sounding harmless at first. Anyone who did not think too much would believe it was simply a fair and thoughtful plan.

But Ruvian understood that it was only a well-polished sentence, made to make it sound acceptable.

Delila continued. "This morning, we will begin rotational mock duels. The format is simple. Three scholars from Class E will face one scholar from Class A."

"This arrangement will keep the match challenging for both sides while making sure the duels stay within reasonable limits."

Several heads from Class E turned slightly when they heard it, and their posture showed a small bit of relief as if a three-against-one match sounded, at the very least, something they could manage.

Some of the more naive ones even straightened up at those words, taking it as a fair decision, almost generous, without fully understanding what it truly meant.

However, Ruvian did not.

Despite the numbers favouring the Class E, in actual combat, it can also be a liability if there’s no teamwork.

And more than that...

’It would be such naive thinking to believe that it would be enough to defeat a Class A scholar.’

Delila continued. "There will be a sign-up board projected behind me," she went on, as a faint blue light beamed to life in the air.

A lightscreen hovered quietly near her shoulder, listing empty brackets and placeholder names waiting to be filled.

"Those who wish to volunteer may come forward. If the number of volunteers is not balanced, we will complete the rotation with random selection."

Still, this was not a genuine call for volunteers.

Class E was being given the opportunity to step forward on their own, yet refusal was never truly an option for them.

If too few of them volunteered, Delila would simply fill the remaining spots by force of selection.

In short, participation was inevitable.

The only thing they were allowed to choose was whether they would walk to the front with their heads held high, or be dragged there by the system itself.

Whispers spread almost instantly, weaving through the ranks as they tried to calculate their chances.

"Three against one... that’s good odds, right? So, should we do it?" One scholar said, nudging his friend.

"Against Class A? Nah, I’m good. You can go for it."

"Hey, what’s the big deal? Maybe there’s a chance that they’ll trip?"

"On what, our hopes?"

But later, those who had been joking moments ago began to feel uncomfortable, their earlier bravado disappearing under the weight of reality.

To be fair, Ruvian already knew how this pattern would unfold; it was predictable, entirely so.

The brave would leap in out of misplaced optimism.

The proud would enter because of their pride.

And the unlucky one would follow by, dragged into the spotlight by the cruelty of randomness.

Ruvian dejectedly sighed.

’Also, Delila isn’t doing this for their growth. One of the reasons is that she’s doing it to reinforce the hierarchy between Class A and Class E.’

It was none other than putting Class E in their place and polishing Class A’s confidence.

’Call it whatever it is... but this isn’t training.’

Then, as the lightscreen hovered in place behind Delila, a presence finally came forward among the scholars, but it wasn’t a volunteer from Class E.

Next, one by one, 7 members of Class A stepped forward to add their names to the list, their expressions calm and free of any anxiety, 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

This exercise, for them, would not be a test of survival but an hour spent sharpening an already polished blade.

Feeling dissatisfied with the number of participants, Delila walked towards the Class A scholars.

"I do wonder, why are the rest of you holding back? Don’t you all want to improve and make good use of every opportunity provided?"

However, despite speaking in a general sense, she was clearly aiming those words at a few specific figures, her eyes locked onto them.

Calyra Arcanis, Silvena D’Elvoire, and Rosalin Varion.

Yet Calyra remained perfectly still, her expression devoid of even the slightest reaction. It was not that she refused to answer the question, but rather that she did not even acknowledge it was directed at her.

Ruvian watched her in silence, slightly amused.

Then, a scholar from Class A stepped forward.

"We don’t mean it in that way, Instructor Delila. Some of us prefer to learn from the sidelines. And I think some of Class E, as well. If all of us from Class A participated, I don’t think there would be enough numbers for Class E to balance the match."

His words were tidy, respectful, and entirely on point.

"I see... I guess that’s a valid point." Delila nodded, smoothing the wrinkle in her expression.

Although that was the explanation offered by the scholar... everyone knew that wasn’t the whole truth.

In reality, they were simply waiting for Calyra.

If Calyra chooses not to participate, some of them won’t either. Because to move without her was to move alone, and no one wanted to do that. (+30PP)

Class A was divided into factions, and most of its members belonged to Calyra’s side.

Delila’s smile slightly wavered before she turned away. This time toward another edge of the hall, toward the girl lounging near the rear column.

Her hair, a shade of deep emerald, cascaded softly around her face.

"Silvena D’Elvoire," Delila called, "you usually have sharper instincts than this, don’t you? Surely you don’t intend to miss an opportunity to demonstrate to them what you can do?"

Examining her nails, Silvena took her sweet time, deciding whether the conversation deserved her attention.

She blew lightly across her fingertips, then finally glanced up.

"This is why I don’t like any assistant taking charge of a lecture."

"....What?"

A thin laugh slipped from Delila.

Silvena continued. "An opportunity, you say?"

"Sorry, Instructor Delila, but I must admit, it doesn’t quite feel like one." Silvena stepped forward, shrugging her shoulders.

"The thing is, I always believed the point of combat practice is for refinement, but if one already knows how to win... where exactly is the refinement in overwhelming the inexperienced?"

Silvena dramatically sighed. "What can I do? I can’t help it but feel that this joint-training session is just plain foolishness dressed up as a learning exercise."

Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, a smug little smile formed on her face.

"Since this is voluntary, I’ll not participate in this session and will simply observe, if it pleases you. I find the imbalance of your training more interesting from this angle."

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[Chapter 69: A Lesson About Hierarchy]

Plot Points= 11630

A/N: A few characters’ illustrations are finally out on my Discord and on this book’s main page ;)