It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 173

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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500 Years as Just an Extra,

The Original Story Still Won’t Begin

Episode 173

The sound of clashing metal continuously echoed through the Imperial Palace’s training ground.

Amidst the swirling bluish aura, the brown-haired man was calmly defending against the attacks flying toward him with a composed expression.

Clang!

With a loud noise, two swords clashed together.

Just as his opponent’s sword was gradually beginning to overpower him, the man slightly pulled back his body and smoothly rotated his wrist.

Bang!

Using the repulsion of aura to deflect the sword, the man extended his arm, and his sword tip stopped precisely one finger’s width away from his opponent’s chest.

“Your skills have improved again, Your Highness the Prince.”

“Thank you for going easy on me, Vice Commander.”

“Not at all. This is clearly my defeat.”

At the Vice Commander’s grinning attitude, he sheathed his sword without any particular response.

‘Is he treating me like a fool again?’

That was because the Vice Commander hadn’t used his aura in the final moment.

Nominally, it would be to preserve the Prince’s dignity. However, the Prince knew well that this consideration was nothing more than thorough pretense.

“By the way, have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

“Grand Duke Retis has come to the Imperial Capital. There are rumors spreading that he’ll attend the New Year banquet.”

“…It’s been a while since I’ve seen his face.”

The last time they met was around last summer, wasn’t it?

After the war with Melantia Kingdom ended, they had only exchanged brief greetings in passing at the banquet held to celebrate the victory.

Officially, that is.

“Seeing how much Your Highness the Prince has grown, the Grand Duke will surely be pleased.”

“How wonderful.”

Kalior dismissed his words with a cold voice.

He was getting sick of the Vice Commander’s flattery that subtly praised him.

Though he always acted respectfully on the surface, Kalior had long known that the Vice Commander was one of the First Imperial Consort’s people.

His volunteering to be a sparring partner was ultimately just a means to keep him in check.

Whenever things got a bit serious, he would naturally admit defeat like before, so proper training could never take place.

‘Doing that for two years is no ordinary feat either.’

Though it was a despicable scheme designed to hinder his growth, he was pretending not to know and going along with the Vice Commander’s deception.

Anyway, there were only a handful of opponents in this Imperial Palace that he couldn’t defeat. And the Vice Commander wasn’t among them.

“I’ll head in first. I plan to train alone for a while, so I’ll see you again after the banquet.”

“Understood. You’ve worked hard today as well.”

After nodding to the Vice Commander who gave a military salute, Kalior headed toward his palace.

The area where the Imperial Consort Palace and Prince Palace were gathered had quite a bustling atmosphere. It was because they were busy preparing to receive guests as the New Year banquet approached.

However, the area near the Second Prince’s Palace was unusually quiet.

For Kalior, the New Year banquet was nothing more than a cumbersome and bothersome event. Unlike other Imperial Family members, he had no intention of separately inviting nobles to enjoy the banquet, nor did he have suitable people to invite.

“Have you returned, Your Highness?”

“Was there anything unusual?”

“There wasn’t anything particularly special, but there is one letter that arrived for Your Highness.”

“A letter? From whom?”

Instead of answering, the elderly attendant took out an envelope from his chest and respectfully offered it with both hands.

‘…So it was true that he came to the Imperial Capital.’

Not answering the Prince’s question and suddenly offering something with bare hands was greatly against etiquette.

But Kalior knew well why the attendant before him was acting this way. It meant that a specific sender had made contact.

“I will wash up and rest for a while. Don’t let anyone in until I give word.”

“Understood.”

Kalior went up to the third floor, carefully examined his surroundings, then entered his room.

Though no one would dare intrude here in broad daylight, it had become a habit after accumulating experiences over time.

Rustle.

As soon as Kalior unfolded the letter and read the first sentence, he couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

-Since there’s no news of your death, I suppose you’re doing fine.

A greeting that was beyond affectionate and even felt murderous.

Having received letters like this every time, it now even felt somewhat endearing.

-I plan to stay in the Imperial Capital for a while. Make sure to come find me.

-It would be best if you dress up nicely for the banquet.

“Dress up nicely?”

This content didn’t suit the letter’s sender at all…? Kalior tilted his head in confusion.

If it were simply an invitation to attend, that would be one thing, but what could be the real intention behind writing something like this?

‘He wouldn’t suddenly want to show off our friendship.’

Though there had been no official announcement, the relationship between the Retis Family House and Kalior was a fact known to any noble in the Imperial Capital.

Not only did Grand Duchess Dowager Iolene cherish him like her own grandson in official settings, but Termion had even been seen teaching him swordsmanship. Naturally, other nobles had no choice but to take notice.

“…I don’t know.”

He must have something in mind. Since he was someone who always wrote only the essential matters, it surely wasn’t a joke.

Despite his outwardly blunt and intimidating atmosphere, Termion had a warm and gentle personality, at least toward his own people.

Though he had been startled when called Master for some reason.

‘I’ll find out when I go.’

Just as Kalior was about to put the letter away without much thought, he noticed writing on the back of the letter.

Unlike the large, rough handwriting on the front, this was round and elegant handwriting.

-The second dance is yours, Kal.

“What is this…”

After being bewildered by the content that came out of nowhere, Kalior’s eyes widened.

There was only one person in the world who called him Kal.

Moreover, though he hadn’t noticed at first glance, it was handwriting he remembered seeing somewhere.

“Ha.”

He let out a hollow laugh and slumped onto the sofa.

“…It’s going to be a damn long week.”

In a frame hanging on one wall, a young girl with bright green eyes smiling radiantly caught his gaze.

“One-two-three, two-two-three, and a half step to the side.”

“Ah!”

Crunch.

At her disciple’s mistake of stepping on her foot yet again, Ailesia burst into laughter.

“Don’t think with your head, match your body to the rhythm.”

“Aaaah… I’m sorry.”

Was this the twelfth time? Elenora looked almost on the verge of bursting into tears as she clutched her head.

“Teacher, is your foot okay?”

“That’s why I’m wearing soft slippers. Don’t worry and let’s start from the beginning again.”

“…Could we rest for just 10 minutes?”

“Should we have some tea for a moment instead?”

“I’ll prepare it right away!”

“Oh my.”

As Sheryl quickly darted into the tea room from beside them, Elenora let out a deep sigh and slumped onto the sofa.

Elenora had been immersed in dance practice in preparation for the New Year banquet.

It was fine that Ailesia had taken on the male part to teach her directly.

The problem was that Elenora seemed to have no talent for dancing, to the point where one might wonder if she was physically clumsy.

“How was it, Kiril? Your impression as an audience member?”

“…How is she supposed to be a top-tier Aura Expert?”

“Hey! Are you going to keep doing that? You can’t even cheer me on!”

“What did I say wrong?”

Kiril opened the notebook he was holding and showed it to Elenora.

“You keep making mistakes at the same spots. Swordsmanship and dancing both use the body the same way, so what’s the reason?”

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t be struggling like this!”

“Don’t get excited and look carefully. From the first to third times, your gaze was unstable, and after fixing that, your arms started shaking. From the seventh time on, your waist became too stiff.”

“…Huh?”

“So here, like this…”

So that’s what he had been scribbling about – Kiril had apparently checked every point where Elenora made mistakes while watching her movements.

‘This is quite unique.’

Unlike Sheryl who specialized in physical activities, Kiril was the type who was thoroughly armed with theory.

In terms of skill, he was just barely at the 6th tier level, but his research achievements were apparently at Upper Mage level.

They said that weapons invented by Kiril had been deployed to the advance base and were being used in actual combat.

“I prepared some milk tea and chocolate cookies. Please have them before they get cold.”

“Let me see.”

Ailesia took a sip of the tea, blinked her eyes, then patted Sheryl’s head.

“Your skills are improving day by day?”

“I learned diligently from Sister Hilda. She really made me cry, you know?”

“That sounds like Hilda.”

Sheryl had officially become Elenora’s dedicated maid. Since Hilda, who was a court lady, couldn’t attend to every minor task each time, they had been looking for a suitable candidate anyway.

“Did you bake the cookies yourself too?”

“No? I got them from the kitchen?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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