The Extra is a Genius!? Chapter 601: After Manacode

With one hand pressed against the dark stone, he propelled himself upward, succeeding in placing one foot beneath him until the frailty in his limbs vividly recalled the toll of his recent breakthrough. The surroundings didn't whirl, yet they seemed subtly lagged at the borders, like his perceptions had reawakened swifter than his vitality. His mana lingered, more profound and substantial now, though his frame hadn't entirely synchronized with the transformation.

Selene hovered nearby, positioned so that even a minor tilt in his direction would have her ready to support him first.

Daemar advanced ahead of the rest. His typical poise persisted, yet it bore subtle fissures now, faint lines revealing his underlying thrill. His gaze swept across Noel with the fervor of an academic confronting a phenomenon he'd lectured on for years without anticipating a firsthand encounter. 'How are you feeling? This stands as a remarkable feat. Do you sense greater power? Does the world appear altered to you? Attempt to weave a spell.'

Noel regarded him briefly. For motives he couldn't entirely pinpoint, witnessing Daemar rattle off those words so rapidly struck him as nearly amusing. The instructor had always maintained restraint, the kind who bottled his responses even within the academy's halls. Observing him now, brimming with open enthusiasm, seemed odd enough that Noel almost grinned through his weariness. 'Calm down, Director. I'm feeling quite drained at the moment.'

Marcus, Garron, and Laziel observed the interaction with differing levels of astonishment. Marcus remained more subdued than his companions, but the intensity in his stare spoke volumes. He'd just seen Noel advance yet again, and already a portion of him sensed the gap expanding once more.

Before Daemar could press further with inquiries, Garron interjected from the flank. 'Excellent. That settles any debate.' He crouched, scooped Noel up in both arms as though the choice was final, and hoisted him onto one shoulder with such effortless strength that the scene turned comically absurd right away.

Selene halted. Her facial expression clearly indicated strong disapproval. Regrettably, she lacked a viable alternative. Noel proved too burdensome for her to transport similarly, and expending mana on such frivolity in this locale would prove foolish should another beast emerge close by.

Laziel observed as Garron shifted Noel's position on his shoulder and released a measured exhale. 'This hardly boosts assurance for the decisive confrontation.'

Noel twisted his head a bit from his dangling spot and replied in a deadpan tone, 'Indeed, I hope not. I'd feel deeply let down if all my hard work ended up pointless.'

Selene's features grew taut without delay. Noel caught it and let out a sigh. 'I'm only kidding.'

That did little to soothe for roughly two seconds. Then Garron huffed, Marcus averted his gaze with a subtle head shake, and Daemar's face relaxed marginally as the party started departing the basin. In their wake, the slain chimera lay unmoving where it had collapsed, and the empty valley reverted to quietness. The peak had delivered to Noel his sought prize, leaving no cause to remain.

The ascent from the basin proceeded more silently than their earlier plunge. Garron bore Noel with no strain, one arm firmly securing his legs while the other stayed available. Marcus proceeded slightly in front, surveying the crests from routine rather than anticipation.

Laziel maintained vigilance more conspicuously, his eyes flicking repeatedly to the nearby rocks as though bracing for another threat to slither forth now that Noel had expended much of his vigor. Selene stuck near Garron's flank, her attention reverting to Noel at regular intervals, gauging if he was genuinely mending or merely masking his state more adeptly than the others could discern.

Daemar shattered the quiet first. 'Precisely what does it resemble?' he inquired, his tone steadier now though the inquisitiveness endured. 'Manacode, that is. Is it merely an increase in volume, or has the framework shifted as well?'

Noel paused momentarily before responding. 'It's altered. Beyond mere potency. Weightier. Thicker.' He furrowed his brow lightly, hunting for apt descriptions. 'My mana no longer feels familiar. It's still under my control, but...' He trailed off briefly. 'I'm still acclimating.'

'And your awareness?'

'Keener in certain aspects. Yet I'm not at ease with it still.'

That held the honesty. He sensed an evolution within himself surpassing basic capacity, but his physique and faculties hadn't wholly adapted to the fresh condition. All elements were present. All functioned. None felt entirely instinctive yet.

Marcus peered back over his shoulder. 'Could Roberto have reached that tier as well?'

The query lingered in the chilly alpine breeze. 'Conceivable.' That lone term sufficed to heighten the party's strain. 'Should he have,' Noel went on, 'then no further solitary training remains. This marked my concluding milestone.'

Garron repositioned Noel's load on his shoulder. 'Thus the ultimate clash approaches.'

'Correct. Imminently so. I'll summon the group shortly. We'll assemble every one of them.'

Laziel clearly disliked the phrasing, his fingers clenching faintly at his hip. 'That's... reassuring.'

Noel eyed him from his carried vantage. 'It wasn't intended as such.'

Garron emitted a brief nasal chuckle, yet the strain didn't fully dissipate.

Selene uttered no words. She continued observing Noel in quiet, and the extended she did so, the more convinced she grew that he withheld something. Not regarding Manacode proper. Another matter. An event during his lapse of consciousness. She detected it in the brief hesitations prior to his replies, in how his stare sometimes wandered a fraction longer than appropriate. Yet this wasn't the occasion to challenge him. Not amid the group, not under their ears.

At length, the trail broadened sufficiently for the exit site to appear, the elevated ledge awaiting wordlessly under the dimming heavens. None paused or dawdled. The assembly headed directly for it, and soon after, the peaks faded into the past. Upon the shift's completion, Valon greeted their return with cordiality.

The contrast struck at once. The frigid weight of the heights dissolved, supplanted by even atmosphere, sleek surfaces, gentle illumination, and the subdued noises of an occupied dwelling. Deeper within the estate, fabric rustled, a portal swung open and shut gently, and a servant hushed her tone while traversing the corridor.

Garron lowered Noel once they stood fully indoors, and Selene positioned herself near enough that should his legs buckle anew, she'd intervene prior to his fall. Noel balanced himself sans protest.

'Appreciate it,' he expressed to Garron, Marcus, Laziel, and Daemar.

They acknowledged with nods, then departed the residence to pursue their individual readiness.

Noel directed his focus to the primary lounge.

All were present. Elena perched by the pane with Nicolas cradled against her, the child drowsing halfway on her torso. Elyra reclined on the extended couch with Elyria bundled snugly to her, one palm steadying the infant with the innate poise she applied to all endeavors. Charlotte occupied a spot close by with Cloe, the tiniest among the trio, her tiny visage angled toward her mother's comforting heat.

Charlotte was the initial to raise her eyes completely. 'You've returned,' she murmured gently.

'Yes.'

Elyra examined him mutely for an instant beyond the others. 'Did you achieve it?'

'I succeeded.'

That response ought to have calmed the space, but Selene hadn't ventured distant from him. She lingered proximate, her demeanor composed outwardly yet insufficiently to deceive him. From his awakening in the basin, she'd scrutinized him overly intently, and Noel had registered each instance. Thus, prior to any other posing the evident follow-up, he interjected.

'I encountered Noctis as well.'

The chamber fell motionless. Selene's face pivoted to him foremost, astonishment piercing her composure nearly at once. Elena lifted her gaze from Nicolas. Charlotte aligned herself upright with Cloe held. Even Elyra's silver gaze intensified. 'What?' Selene queried.

Noel settled into the closest seat with a softer breath than planned. He remained fatigued, still orienting, but this wasn't a secret he wished to withhold from them. 'During my blackout, I wasn't merely absent. I arrived elsewhere. An odd realm. And Noctis appeared there.'

Charlotte batted her lids once. 'Noctis... the identical Noctis from our prior meeting?'

'Affirmative.'

Selene kept her stare fixed on him wordlessly, anticipating elaboration. Noel's countenance gentled a touch upon locking eyes with her. 'I'm sharing because you've seemed troubled since my revival. So ease up. I'm alright.'

The straightforwardness rendered Selene silent briefly before her rigidity softened. 'Thank you,' she replied.

Noel offered a minor inclination and proceeded, rendering the account straightforward. That it transcended an ordinary vision, that Noctis had manifested, that dialogue had occurred, and that the encounter carried a conclusive weight he couldn't dismiss. The trio attended sans interruption, each reacting with personal shock. Upon conclusion, the ensuing hush proved milder than the mountain's.

'It served as a fitting adieu,' he concluded, his sight straying momentarily to the young ones before refocusing on the gathering. 'I merely hope to uphold the vow I gave then.'