Path of the Extra

There are a total of 527 students in the first year of the Hero Academy.

In the second year, that number drops to 203—a decrease of more than half.

And in the third and final year...

98.

Once again, more than half of the current third-year students have dropped out.

This means that, in total, the Hero Academy has 828 students across all three years.

There are reasons why more than half of the students drop out each year.

Some realize that being a hero isn't their true dream, some find they aren't cut out for it, and some get expelled.

But for the majority, the reason is fear.

Fear of death, fear of void creatures, or fear of villains.

Of course, this doesn't mean that only 828 students across all three years are aiming to become heroes.

There are other academies in Asia and throughout the world.

But the Hero Academy in Asia is the most renowned...

For one obvious reason.

The students here must face their fears head-on to become heroes.

Currently, outside the academy gates, Azriel stood with his class and Instructor Ranni, watching the other first-year classes board the buses.

Today was the day... they would enter the Void Dungeon.

Perhaps it was better to say that Azriel was standing at the very back of the class, unnoticed by anyone, while Instructor Ranni was checking to see if everyone was present.

It wasn't that he was avoiding them; Azriel simply found it peaceful to watch from a distance, enjoying the moment without any eyes on him.

What amused him the most was that more than half of his class was talking to Celestina, Lumine, and Yelena.

It seemed that on the day he was absent due to Jasmine, the barriers between the top students in his class had started to dissolve.

They were all smiling and laughing, listening to Lumine, who appeared a bit embarrassed.

A smile unconsciously crept onto Azriel's face as he watched them.

Speaking of yesterday, when he skipped class, he had, for the first time since arriving in this world, managed to sleep for eight hours without having any nightmares.

'I can see why Nathan used to make such a fuss about lap pillows...'

They were indeed a cure for everything.

Though he wasn't planning to ask for another lap pillow from his sister anytime soon.

"Glad to see you made it, Cadet Azriel... I thought you might have chickened out, given your absence yesterday," Instructor Ranni's voice reached his ears, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He turned to see her standing next to him, also gazing at the students.

Azriel looked away uncomfortably.

"...I didn't chicken out, I just... overslept."

Instructor Ranni chuckled softly at his words.

"Well, as long as you just overslept, it's fine. There's still time before everything begins... If you need to talk about anything, I'm here."

A grateful smile appeared on Azriel's face as he shook his head.

"Thank you, Instructor Ranni, but really, there's no need to worry. I've already steeled my mind for what's to come."

"...I see," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Don't you feel like all of this is unfair? You... these students, all of you are kids, yet you're forced to train and fight because we adults are too weak to handle it ourselves. Instead of enjoying your youth, you're forced to face these horrors, all because most of us are too afraid."

Azriel turned his gaze toward her, noticing the melancholic expression on her face as she watched the students enjoying themselves.

"Instructor Ranni... you're facing these horrors too, as are countless other adults. It's true that some adults are afraid to fight, but I don't see it as unfair. Becoming a hero is a choice. Perhaps some here were dealt an unfair hand, but in the end, everyone here is willing to be a hero, not forced to."

It felt like he might be a little wrong, but the core truth remained: most heroes choose this path, fully aware that without them, humanity would fall.

Becoming a pillar of humanity wasn't something forced upon these students.

Instructor Ranni hummed in response.

"Perhaps you're right... Still, I wonder when the day will come when children can just... be children."

"That day will come."

Azriel said softly.

"But the first step to achieving that is winning the battle ahead."

Instructor Ranni laughed quietly.

"You're certainly confident in your words, Cadet Azriel..."

One of the buses filled up and departed, while another arrived.

Instructor Ranni started walking toward it, likely to speak with the driver.

"You should join your classmates and have fun with them, Cadet," she said, leaving those words behind as she walked away.

Azriel watched her go.

"...I'm good. I'd rather be an observer for today."

After about 10 minutes, Instructor Ranni ordered her class to board the bus.

The bus wasn't like the ones Azriel remembered from his previous world—it looked more modern, if he had to pick a word.

It wasn't flying or hovering in the air, but it still had wheels. The bus had tinted black windows and a sleek black body kit, with the interior being a stark snow-white.

As they walked toward the bus, Azriel's classmates finally began to notice his presence.

"Ah, Azriel, you made it!"

Lumine shouted, his voice carrying over the noise.

Unfortunately, Lumine couldn't catch up with him as he was pushed inside with the others.

Azriel could only awkwardly wave back, mouthing "later" as they were herded onto the bus.

Instructor Ranni, still outside, was glaring at them, making it clear she didn't want to wait any longer.

Though the classmates had grown more comfortable around Celestina, Lumine, and Yelena, they still kept a few steps further away from Azriel.

He sighed inwardly, not blaming them.

It wasn't like he had been the most social person, nor had he done anything to improve his reputation since entering the academy.

Instead, he'd made a mess of things on the first day, souring his standing with them.

As Azriel was about to be one of the last to enter the bus, a sudden commotion erupted among the other classes who were still waiting.

"It's really her..."

"Why is she here?"

"Will she join us?"

Furrowing his brows, he turned around and noticed a student walking toward them from the academy gates.

'They're right... What the hell is she doing here?'

His face darkened as he looked over at Instructor Ranni, meeting her gaze.

"...It seems the headmistress wanted to take some extra precautions for the students' safety. That's why she's here... as a guide."

'Freya...'

He should have seen this coming.

This must be her way of getting back at him for outsmarting her before.

Azriel turned around, coming face to face with their "guide."

"I thought we already had enough quality sibling time, my dear sister."

Jasmine chuckled.

"My little brother, there's never enough quality sibling time."

'She's enjoying this...'

His mood soured even more.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Jasmine, but naturally, he was worried about his sister being here when the attack happened.

Though she should be able to handle herself, he still couldn't help but worry and silently curse Freya.

Jasmine didn't say anything more to Azriel. Instead, she greeted Instructor Ranni and boarded the bus.

'I should have never overslept...'

In the end, he could only curse himself for what happened yesterday.