The Extra Wants Control

Earlier that day...

"I hope you don't get lost in your work, Vera," Seraphina said, her voice laced with concern.

Vera chuckled, a hint of defiance lacing her tone. "But he's a kind person, Seraphina. And I'm doing nothing wrong by being with him."

Seraphina's expression softened. "Be that as it may, you are a Holy Daughter, Vera. You are under a sacred oath. Nothing romantic can happen between you and this boy. This is your path. So play whatever games you want, but don't take it too far."

Vera nodded solemnly, her fists clenching unconsciously beneath the table. 'I hate being the Holy Daughter,' she thought bitterly. 'I just want to be like any other normal girl out there. I want a family of my own someday.'

"Okay, glad you understand, baby sis," Seraphina replied, "Now, chin up. You know I only want what's best for you."

A smile played on Seraphina's lips, unseen by Vera. 'Heh… I knew it,' she thought. 'Just as I suspected, mentioning the oath would only fuel her rebellion. And Azrael, being a human Blessed… that makes him the perfect target. Vera will use this "justification" to get closer to him. Humans don't like being bound by restrictions and especially when emotions are heavy and easily overpower logic.

But that's what I want anyway. That way, she becomes his leash, our forever connection to him.'

Seraphina's thoughts shifted as she switched gears. 'Aside from that little plan,' she mused, 'things have gotten a bit… messy lately. I lost contact with that agent I placed on that girl… what was her name again? Never mind, it doesn't matter. Then there's this Null organization. I saw the aftermath of their work – a flattened area reeking of human bloodbath.

Are they that bold? Unafraid of retaliation? Or perhaps blinded by arrogance?'

A flicker of amusement crossed Seraphina's face. 'Those numbered individuals… that was the Gorgon organization, wasn't it? The one I placed the agent with to keep an eye on that woman… what's her name again…? I can't remember. Well, losing a few pawns is no great loss. But I do need to get to that academy and see what they're up to.

I should also give the chance to that boy to 'capture' me."

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[Azrael POV]

Confusion gnawed at me as I watched Neveah furrow his brow. He was the picture of calm, the unflappable stoic during even the most stressful situations like this morning's scolding from Aqua. So why the sudden frown at Eliana's announcement? Was there something about the Siegfried Forest that worried him? It didn't make sense.

"Hey, Azrael," Vera chimed in, oblivious to my internal turmoil. "Do you think they'll drop us off individually or in groups?"

"Individual strength is usually their focus," I replied.

"Splitting us up, then," Vera mused. "Adds another layer of… intrigue. But friendly fire becomes a real concern. Essentially a combat assessment with real stakes."

I nodded. I felt something was wrong with her but I couldn't tell what it was. Hopefully she'll open up.

Then, with a blinding flash of light, the world dissolved around us. I reappeared, blinking away the afterimages, in a thick, dark forest. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. Gone was the familiar buzz of academy life, replaced by a chilling sense of isolation.

Survival mode kicked in. Food, water, shelter – those were the immediate priorities. I needed to establish a base of operations, a safe haven from the unknown dangers that lurked in the shadows. From there, I could find Vera and, hopefully, other students we could ally with.

Zehn's human alliance, as Vera suggested, could be a valuable asset. We could integrate them slowly, building our own force within the academy. I wouldn't just take over; I'd offer Zehn a respected position, a chance to be part of something bigger.

The forest floor was a treacherous path, the branches slick with moisture. Climbing offered a better vantage point, a skill honed during countless wilderness training sessions with my father. This was what I was built for, this test of resourcefulness and resilience.

As I navigated the dense foliage, I curved streaks on barks, leaving them as markers for Vera. She'd likely do the same, creating a silent conversation in the heart of this unsettling forest.

Mom, Dad, I thought, a surge of determination coursing through me. Be proud. I was strong, faster, more adaptable than any human my age. And I was growing stronger every day. Revenge fueled me, a burning ember within my chest. I wouldn't let this forest, or anything else, stop me.

I'd survive.

*************

[Axl POV]

No record of that smug vampire, Neveah, anywhere. It shouldn't have been this hard to find out who he is.

Then a surge of heat, a primal anger, echoed within my core. Blessed, that's right. I, Axl, wasn't just some student. I was a scion of the mighty fire dragons, chosen by the very Goddess. And the prince, no less! Best blood, best potential, destined for greatness.

Why the self-doubt then? Why hold back against that pale, brooding leech who constantly irked me? Shame burned in my throat, hotter than any dragonfire. Every action, every put-down, every time ignored, played on a loop in my mind. He wasn't just mocking me – he was mocking dragons, mocking our entire legacy.

A cruel smile twisted my lips. Accidents, the teachers had said. Accidents happen during survival tests, right? Especially in a monster-infested forest like Siegfried. A little "mishap" wouldn't raise too many eyebrows.

The thrill of vengeance coursed through me. You wait, Neveah. This Siegfried test will be your last. You'll pay for your arrogance, for daring to mock a prince. Your blood will stain the forest floor, a fitting tribute to the dragons you so easily disrespected.

*********

[Eliana POV]

Six days. Stuck in this glorified babysitting gig when I was on the verge of a breakthrough. My frustration gnawed at me like a starving beast. This whole charade of being a "teacher" at this academy was starting to wear thin.

But patience, they say, is a virtue. Even for someone as impatient as me. By the time I get back, those bastards in the dungeon should be ripe for the picking. My little mental conditioning technique would have had its full effect, turning them into mindless puppets ready to spill any secret, denounce any loyalty, for the sake of pleasing their new master – me.

Sure, they wouldn't last long after that. Their minds, twisted and broken, would eventually self-destruct. But who cares about a few fried brains when they get you the information you need? They be nothing but glorified puppets.

But how would Mom react to this new… "direct" approach? She always preached subtlety, the art of the long game. But this situation called for brute force, and I wasn't exactly wired for subtlety. Hopefully, she'd understand. After all, I was getting results, wasn't I?

***********

[Kim Pov]

Neveah. The name itself sends shivers down my spine, even though he hasn't done a single thing to warrant it. No snide remarks, no arrogant displays of power – yet something about him screams "wrong." It's a primal instinct, a whisper in the back of my mind that Matriarch Kali's warning only amplified.

"Be wary of that child," she'd said, her ancient eyes glinting with a wisdom born from centuries. "There are those who can cloak themselves in darkness, appearing harmless while harboring wicked intent."

The fact that Neveah's background is a complete mystery adds fuel to the fire of my suspicion. A nobody, a blank slate, yet he can hold his own against Blessed like Axl? It strains credulity. He's either an exceptional vampire hiding an extraordinary lineage, or... something else entirely. An imposter, perhaps?

A pawn sent by one of our enemies to infiltrate the academy, sow discord among the students, and disrupt our training?

The teleportation left me disoriented, the damp chill of the Siegfried Forest clinging to me like a shroud. But the unease gnawing at me had nothing to do with the environment. It was Neveah. My gaze scanned the unfamiliar landscape, searching for any sign of him, any clue that might reveal his true nature.

This "survival test" is suddenly more than just about staying alive. It's become a personal mission. I'll navigate this treacherous forest, I'll hunt, I'll fend off monsters, but most importantly, I'll uncover the truth about Neveah.

***********

[Astrid POV]

I was pushing my limits. Six stars, maybe even a breakthrough – this Siegfried Forest was proving to be a brutal training ground, but just what I needed. The air crackled with unseen energy as I channeled my mana, pushing past the familiar barrier towards a new level of power.

Lara, Axl, Azrael – They were already six stars, flaunting their power like undeserved trophies. I gritted my teeth. I'd surpass them, all of them. Kim, at least, was decent competition, but even at six stars, I had a good feeling I could take her.

Then there was Neveah. The vampire. He was a complete mystery, a closed book. Haven't seen him fight, haven't even crossed paths properly, but there's a hidden strength there, an undeniable talent. Befriending him could be a strategic move. These other Blessed… well, let's just say their sense of "ally" wouldn't extend to protecting a mere dwarf like me.

Survival of the fittest, that's their motto. And trust me, I'm no stranger to that game.

But a nagging unease gnawed at the back of my mind. "Those people," as I called them in my head – the hidden organization I belonged to – their silence was deafening. They'd dropped me in this mess and gone silent. A shiver danced down my spine. Something doesn't feel right lm