The bus trailed down the empty roads shaking and rattling, stopping a few times for aboarders.
It was relatively late out,
the day of the eclipse, a rare event that happened only a couple of years.
[When the eclipse begins, come to its very beginning]
That was the note that was left for me when I came into this world three months ago.
An orphan with no connections nor money. I desperately built myself up from practically nothing.
That was who I was a simple no-name extra.
I deduced that "it" isn't referring to the eclipse, but rather something else entirely.
I could only assume it hopefully meant the novel or the protagonist otherwise my trip would be for nothing.
"Hah..."
I let out an exasperated sigh as I saw that my stop was next.
I readied myself for what I'd find at the forest.
'I wonder what it'll be. Maybe a cheat-like ability or an op weapon?'
The sudden halt of the bus snapped me out of my thoughts, and I began making my way down the desolate streets.
There were only a few people wondering around, simply because it was too late for most.
The eclipse was also about to end so most people already headed inside.
'The Vilhelm Dukedom, the origin of the protagonist. It feels kinda surreal walking around here.'
I began making my way to my destination, a small spot in a forest near the Vilhem estate.
The protagonist trained there day and night desperate to get stronger, but right now he's off meeting a new heroine.
'Lucky bastard, he got three girls at the end. I even thought Arianna would join the harem, but she didn't.'
Then I saw in the distance, the entrance to the protagonist's training area,
a small tombstone with the words Mary lightly carved into it.
'A cruel reminder of his weakness, what a damn masochist.'
I paused for a moment lingering on the tombstone, but then I saw it.
In the corner of my eye, I saw something–No, someone jumping across the trees.
My hand reached out towards the dashing silhouette and crushed seemingly nothingness with my hand.
[Space Magic: Collapsing Space]
The tree top completely collapsing in on itself and fell to the floor leaving a thud that echoed through the forest.
"Who are you?"
"Lucas Shadowstorm, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
In his hands, he held a silver handgun that glistened in the moonlight, a relatively uncommon weapon.
"You seem quite interested in my dear weapon, only a madman would use a gun, right?"
I looked around, and there was more of him circling around me.
'Annoying.'
He had a devilish smile across his face and deep black hair with brown eyes.
He was charming, handsome even, but his features were nothing out of the ordinary.
I channeled mana throughout my body as mana began fluctuating around my body blowing against my grey hair completely devoid of color.
'I can probably escape pretty easily.'
The mana writhing and turning around me was just for show as my main idea was to teleport out of here immediately if I saw danger.
Another voice cut through the illusion of men surrounding me.
"Are you like us?"
"Care to elaborate?"
"Do you know of The Shadow Prince's Ascent?"
I paused for a moment and then I realized it...
I'm not the only extra in this novel. There was more like me.
"Judging by that reaction, I'll assume that's a yes."
Lucas lowered his silver gun, and the illusions began to fade around me.
I was met with the sight of another youth, he had light-brown hair and flame-like eyes that shone with determination.
A bright golden sword shone in his hands mirroring those very eyes of his.
"So, what now?"
I asked as the mana around me began to calm to a still.
"I've never quite seen mana do that."
Lucas remarked from the side whilst fiddling with the gun in his hands.
"How about introductions? The name's Cale Feliehn."
"What the fuck... You guys are both nobles!?"
They both paused for a moment blankly staring at me.
"I'm a goddamn commoner; I spent a good portion of my paycheck just to get here!"
"..."
"I've worked at a nearby coffee shop for three fucking months! Just to fund my magic studies, and on top of that I'm an orphan!"
"Damn, you've had it rough. I thought it was bad when my chefs took too long with the food."
Lucas added only increasing my anger towards this unfair world.
'Golden spooned bastards.'
Cale looked at me with a sense of pity in his eyes before he said
"I can donate or something..."
"Fuck you"
Cale looked away for a moment before putting his hand up to his mouth pretending to cough.
"Cough... why don't we talk about our skills?"
Lucas amused by the idea opted to go first.
"I'm a gunner, my aims pretty good and I specialize in Illusion Magic and deception."
Whilst saying this Lucas flushed cards across his hands and performed small tricks.
'Does he just carry that around?'
I looked at Lucas in confusion as he continued his tricks before Cale began speaking
"I'm a swordsman, I mainly use Fire and Light Magic."
He reminded me of someone, Lumen Vilhelm, the Hero.
Wielding the legendary Spear of Arceon, showering the battlefield in pure gold, and the protagonist's rival.
The two of them suddenly looked at me as if waiting for something.
"Uh, I'm Lucien Polstrey; I'm a mage that specializes in Space Magic."
They seemed rather deterred when I said I used Space Magic.
"I could only assume you all also possess Unique Skills or Gifts."
Cale said whilst explaining he held two and Lucas added he also had two.
"Hah, I have three."
I guess it was to make up for the difference in status, but I held one Unique Skill and two Gifts.
Lucas and Cale looked at me for a couple of moments before Cale looked up at the sky.
"The eclipse is over... and it's getting quite late."
"Me and Cale are here visiting the Vilhelm family cause somebody got engaged~"
"Shut up"
The two bantered whilst walking back to the estate, but then they suddenly paused and looked back at me.
"Aren't you coming Lucien?"
"Yeah, Lucien don't keep us waiting now."
I began walking towards them, and I noticed the corners of my mouth were slightly curling upwards.
'It's been a while, huh.'
I came to a sudden realization as we walked, and I couldn't help but ask Cale
"So, how's being engaged to the Belle Vilhelm?"
"Must be exciting marrying the protagonist's sister."
"It's an arranged marriage, you idiots."
Laughter filled the forest as we finally reached it, the Vilhelm Duchy.
A massive and lavish estate filled my view as Lucas looked back at me.
"Surreal, huh? Get used to not being the only extra around."
Lucas said while putting his arms behind his back.
"Yeah, I still can't get over the fact I'm in this novel. Especially, when I come here so often."
"To visit, Belle~"
Cale smacked Lucas on the head almost instantly as if it were instinct.
'Yeah, I can get used to this.'