Previously on The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne...
Nolan decides to return home after obtaining the two-world teleportation spell. Despite Orrun's offer to make him a professor at the Tower of Silence, Nolan refuses, valuing his freedom. Orrun then grants him an honorary token as a sign of respect. Before leaving, Nolan requests Orrun keep the teleportation spell secret to prevent future chaos and gifts him a mana-boosting potion.
The Tower of Silence's backyard offered a vast expanse, yet during daylight hours when students typically frequented it, the area remained deserted save for a lone girl seated cross-legged, eyes shut in concentration. This young elf, characterized by her petite frame and endearing round face, spoke with strained effort, "I must succeed..." Her placid countenance contorted, betraying an agonizing struggle before finally relaxing. With a drawn-out sigh, she opened her eyes. "Still failed," the words were a whisper of disappointment. She had been attempting to ascend to the novice mage rank, but every effort proved futile. A surge of frustration threatened to overwhelm her, yet she swiftly suppressed it. Maintaining focus was paramount; losing it would only invite further delay and jeopardize her aspiration for greater strength. Sylvia drew a deep breath, poised for another attempt, when a laid-back voice sliced through the quiet from behind her. "Having some trouble?" Startled, Sylvia spun around to find Nolan, a gentle smile gracing his features, as if he had materialized from thin air. "Brother Nolan?" she gasped, surprised. She scrambled to her feet, but Nolan swiftly intervened with a magical gesture, compelling her to remain seated. "Just sit," he instructed evenly. He approached and settled cross-legged before her. "Tell me – what's proving difficult?" Nolan inquired. Sylvia paused briefly before confiding, "I can't grasp how to channel mana into my body." Attaining the novice mage level necessitated the mastery of internal mana control to cast elementary spells. Sylvia's numerous attempts had consistently ended in failure. Her master had offered little solace, stating only, "You must discover it yourself. No one can assist you – not even I. Every individual possesses a unique method for managing their internal mana." Nolan stroked his chin, nodding in understanding. "It's quite straightforward, actually," he stated with a subtle smile. "Listen to my explanation, and then find your own way. Understood?" Sylvia's eyes brightened. She sat upright, placing her palms firmly on her thighs, her gaze fixed on Nolan with earnest concentration. Nolan cleared his throat and began his explanation, "Imagine mana as the water in a river, and your body as the riverbed. You are the one directing that water's flow. Guide it through your being just as a river guides its current." "Water is mana, and the river is the body… Directing mana like a river guides its water?" Sylvia echoed softly. In that instant, her eyes widened, illuminated by a sudden realization, as if struck by an epiphany. Closing her eyes, she meticulously followed Nolan's guidance. Seconds ticked by with no apparent change. Then, five minutes later, a remarkable transformation occurred. A faint, controlled azure luminescence began to emanate from Sylvia's form. Nolan observed with a simple smile and a slight nod. "This girl is truly a genius," he murmured. A millennium prior, the analogy of the body as a river was unknown. In the future, however, it would evolve into the most accessible and effective method for aspiring mages striving to reach the novice stage. Nolan refrained from interrupting, content to quietly observe her progress. A typical mage required four to five hours to achieve the novice breakthrough. Given Sylvia's evident talent, Nolan was curious about her actual timescale for success. Yet, before a full minute elapsed after this thought crossed his mind, Sylvia's eyes snapped open. Her face radiated pure joy. "Brother Nolan, I did it!" she exclaimed, immediately launching herself towards him, arms encircling his neck in a tight embrace. Nolan, momentarily taken aback by her sudden affection, did not protest. He simply patted her head, offering warm praise. "Incredible! Your talent is exceptional!" Nolan's assessment of Sylvia's abilities required an upward revision. This young elf wasn't merely talented; she possessed extraordinary, unparalleled gifts. Historically, no one had ever surmounted the novice level in under a minute. Even Nolan's third elder sister, Sharon, had required ten minutes, and the buxom Jisha was reputed to have achieved it in just under seven. Sylvia, however, had accomplished it in less than sixty seconds. Now, Nolan felt utterly confident that Sylvia would one day reach the Beyond the World level independently, a stark departure from the original timeline he remembered. "Oh, right!" Sylvia released Nolan, her expression alight with excitement. "I must inform my master! She will be overjoyed!" But as she prepared to rise, Nolan gently restrained her. Sylvia paused, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What is it, Brother Nolan?" Nolan offered a smile, releasing her arm and softly patting her head. "I must leave now."
Sylvia's eyes widened drastically in utter shock.
"G-Go? Where might you be going?" she stammered.
Nolan paused briefly, a calm expression returning to his face. "Back to the place I hail from. Truthfully, I am not a native of this era; I originate from the future."
Sylvia's astonishment intensified, her jaw slackening and her gaze becoming unfocused.
"I understand it's difficult to accept, but it is the absolute truth. Therefore, I must depart now," Nolan continued in a gentle tone, lightly pinching her cheek.
Initially, Nolan had merely viewed Sylvia as a casual acquaintance. However, as their interactions increased, a genuine fondness began to develop within him.
It's important to note that this deepening 'fondness' wasn't romantic in nature. He genuinely perceived Sylvia as a friend, akin to a younger sister.
While Sylvia could be somewhat bothersome in the future, in this current time, she remained pure and unblemished, much like a fresh canvas.
It took Sylvia a moment to fully comprehend his revelation. She took a deep, steadying breath before inquiring earnestly, "Is what you are telling me the honest truth? You truly do not belong to this time?"
Nolan offered a firm nod. "Precisely. I am from the future—specifically, a millennium from your present."
A moment of silence passed before Sylvia gave a slight nod. "I see. I believe you."
Nolan felt a surge of surprise. He had anticipated that the young woman would dismiss his words as a jest.
Yet, Sylvia accepted his statement without the slightest hesitation.
"My allotted time here is concluding. I must return immediately."
Nolan rose to his feet, subsequently assisting Sylvia in standing as well.
Sylvia's expression was visibly downcast and sorrowful. Since her admission to the academy, Nolan had been the sole individual with whom she had genuinely connected.
He was, in essence, her only confidant. The others ostracized her, treating her as an inconvenience simply due to her elven heritage.
Nolan gently ruffled her hair and offered words of encouragement, "Take good care of yourself. And you know, in the future you inhabit, you will ascend to become the most luminous figure this world has ever known. Your renown will echo across the entirety of the continent."
Sylvia tilted her head upwards, the corners of her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Abruptly, she launched herself into his embrace, holding him tightly. Then, in a voice thick with emotion and a slight tremor, she inquired, "Will we ever meet again?"
