The Extra is a Genius!? Chapter 603: Noir’s Last Evolution

Noel remained by himself in his chamber, completing the final arrangements. Various items had already been stored within his Dimensional Pouch, including healing supplies, communication devices, backup weapons, and some personal essentials he chose to keep on hand rather than leave with others. His actions flowed with steady precision. He was no stranger to preparing for perilous journeys.

His thoughts weren't fixed on the pouch at the moment. The women would insist on joining him. He was certain of that. There was virtually no way he'd persuade them to stay at the estate with the little ones, no matter how logical his plea might seem. Elena, Elyra, Charlotte, Selene. Not one of them would sit idly by as the climactic confrontation raged on without them.

Noel tucked yet another object into the pouch and let out a measured breath.

Suddenly, the system interface materialized in front of him.

[Noir has completed her evolution.]

His gaze intensified instantly. Moments later, the shadow at his back shifted, and Noir emerged from it in her usual wolf pup guise, her dark fur gleaming softly in the room's gentle glow, with subtle purple lines tracing her tiny form. Noel pivoted to face her, and a faint warmth brushed against his cheek right away. 'Welcome back. How are you feeling?'

Noir settled onto the floor and met his eyes. Yet she offered no reply.

Noel blinked. He paused for another beat, then reached out via their mental link. 'Are you okay, Noir?'

Still, silence lingered. No thoughts flowed into his consciousness. No cheeky retort came through. Just emptiness. A slight furrow creased his forehead.

Then Noir transformed. Her form unraveled from the familiar wolf pup silhouette, elongating and ascending before reshaping in a manner that rooted Noel in place. The black coat turned to sleek skin. Her outline extended and stabilized into a petite human figure, barely exceeding a child's height, with locks cascading in ebony hues tipped with violet. As she raised her head completely, her eyes shone with that same striking purple.

Noel gaped.

'Hello, dad.'

He stayed motionless for a full heartbeat. Then he fished a coat from the Dimensional Pouch and draped it over her shoulders just in time to prevent it from falling.

Noir advanced without pause and embraced him. Noel hugged her back promptly. After a short interval, he eased away slightly to examine her once more. 'Want to go astonish the rest?'

Noir dipped her head in agreement. She sensed utterly like her true self. Merely housed in a new vessel now.

Noel guided them into the lounge area, Noir trailing just behind, the large coat enveloping her diminutive build. Elyra and Elena were busy with their own departure setups, one reviewing the last few objects spread across the table while the other fiddled with a bag's fastener. Nicolas and Elyria were absent, the young pair already escorted by the servants to be supervised as the household wound down prior to setting off.

The two women glanced up as Noel appeared. Their attention drifted to the shape following him. Elyra reacted swiftly, her silver gaze focusing briefly before comprehension dawned without delay. Elena, however, displayed only bewilderment.

Noel noticed and, for motives that weren't entirely grown-up, chose to exploit the confusion. 'Elena, Elyra,' he stated evenly, 'this is my daughter I neglected to mention earlier.'

Elena stiffened. Her stare darted from Noel to the child behind him, then returned to Noel. 'Your what?' she uttered, voice laced with dismay. 'Noel, who's that kid? You didn't abduct a young girl, right? That's absurd. You're only eighteen. You can't just stroll in with another kid!'

Elyra eyed Noir once more, then Noel, and a subtle smile tugged at her lips. 'I didn't think you could pull that off, Noir.'

Elena halted. Her features shifted abruptly as she truly studied the girl in the coat. '...Noir?'

Noir offered a tiny inclination of her head. 'Hello. I'm back.'

That broke through to Elena. The astonishment on her face dissolved into near-tears of sheer affection. 'I never saw this coming,' she murmured gently. 'So this is one of your new abilities?'

'Among others,' Noir answered. 'Ever since dad attained Manacode, my power grew as well. This is just one fresh capability I've discovered.'

Elyra's eyes sparkled right away. 'That opens up chances to outfit you correctly. And go on shopping trips.'

Noir's violet gaze ignited with eager curiosity. Noel caught it and felt a subtle glow spread across his expression. Above all, he was relieved she had reappeared before their venture began.

'Ready to go, Noir?'

She locked eyes with him firmly. 'Yes. Completely prepared.'

Selene and Charlotte entered shortly thereafter. Upon crossing the threshold, both hesitated, their sights shifting from Noel to Elyra and Elena, and at last to the unknown girl clad in the baggy coat.

Selene grasped it first. Her azure eyes tightened for a mere instant before awareness took hold. 'Noir?'

Charlotte, in contrast, appeared utterly perplexed. She blinked repeatedly, her focus bouncing between Noir and the group, as if anticipating an explanation for the strange girl's casual presence in the center of the space.

Elena stood tall at once, like she'd anticipated this very scenario. 'You see?' she declared, gesturing toward Charlotte. 'My response was the typical one. Elyra and Selene are the oddities. They either possess sharper senses or are far too accustomed to this family's wild antics.'

Elyra released a soft chuckle. 'Noel's prank landed well. Don't gripe excessively.'

Charlotte continued to seem stunned. Then Noir nodded faintly at her, which eased things a bit, but not entirely.

Noel allowed the scene to calm before sweeping his view over the quartet.

Their faces conveyed plenty. Not a single one intended to linger while the others confronted Roberto. Even so, more from routine than expectation, he inquired. 'So... you're all set on not staying put?'

The four responded in unison. 'No.'

Noel shut his eyes momentarily and breathed out via his nostrils. 'Yeah. Figured as much.'

That elicited the slightest shift from Selene and Elyra, but they voiced no opposition. Noel then directed his attention to Charlotte. 'Where's the children?'

'In the primary kids' quarters,' she said. 'All three. The servants are settling them down for rest.'

'Got it. Appreciate it.' He scanned the four once again, then the passage leading away from the room. 'I'll return shortly.'

He spun and departed the lounge by himself. The residence lay hushed as he proceeded, cozier than the peaks beyond, gentler than the trials looming outside its confines. His footfalls bore him along the hall to the chamber where his offspring were being readied for slumber, and for a fleeting span, the realm seemed kind enough to set aside the impending storm.