It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 71

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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 071

“A trip… you say?”

Termion’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

What could it mean for an adult man and woman to travel together alone?

No matter how ignorant he was about romantic relationships, he knew that much.

But his agitation lasted only a moment. The place where he pushed away his faint expectation was instead filled by wariness that suddenly surged up.

“…What are you scheming now?”

“How harsh. As if I’m some kind of villain.”

“At least villains have clear objectives. I should be able to make sense of your actions somehow.”

“Ahaha, does it show?”

Of course it does. The Ailesia he knew wouldn’t say something like this without reason.

“You promised as a condition for following the monster subjugation. That you’d tell me the secret of the Gardbale Mountains.”

“What does that have to do with a trip?”

“Didn’t you say you’d grant me one favor last time?”

“A favor… Ah.”

It was about repaying her for saving his life. Certainly, Ailesia had asked him to make time for her later back then too.

“It’s killing two birds with one stone. Wouldn’t it be better to examine the actual site rather than just explaining with words?”

“Can’t you explain the whole context from the beginning? Don’t startle people unnecessarily.”

“What’s wrong with starting with the conclusion? And why are you startled anyway?”

Someone who seemed unlikely to be this way was surprisingly impatient when it came to such matters.

It was fortunate he was the only one who heard it; if Iolene or Elenora had been nearby, there would have been another uproar.

Termion, who let out a sigh of relief for no reason, asked as if something had suddenly occurred to him.

“Then how about going with someone other than me?”

“What, do you dislike it that much?”

When did you say you’d do anything, and why are you suddenly being difficult? Ailesia glared at him with a deliberately sulky look.

“…It’s not that I dislike it, but I don’t think I’d be much help.”

For some reason, Termion answered in a slightly deflated voice. Ailesia raised her eyebrows at seeing him suddenly become dejected.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s a phenomenon related to magic, so what would I understand by going? It would be better to recruit Lord Dayford or one of the other senior knights instead.”

It wasn’t wrong. Termion even had some inferiority complex about the fact that he had no magical aptitude.

The Tigel Knight Order was the only group in the entire Southern Continent that used both aura and magic simultaneously.

The mana cultivation method created by the founder of House Retis made this strange combination possible. Thanks to this, the Tigel Knight Order gained the reputation of being the strongest in the Empire in both individual martial prowess and unit combat power.

“One of the reasons my position in the family is weak is that I can’t use magic at all.”

“…Is that so?”

Of course, Ailesia, who had read the original work, already knew this fact.

He was a once-in-a-generation genius as an aura user, but his magical ability was so poor that calling it the worst would be insufficient.

When practicing Retis’s mana cultivation method, it was normal to enter 1st Circle Magic within two years at the latest.

However, even now, nearly ten years into his training, Termion couldn’t even manage the most basic mana control.

“I’ve learned all the basic theory. But what use is knowledge I can’t even apply in practice? Besides, I’m not the only Aura Master in Retis.”

“You’re the strongest among the knights though.”

“That’s still only half-complete. In a serious duel, I couldn’t beat Sir Senberg, let alone Lord Dayford.”

“Even using pure aura alone?”

“I might be able to cut the Chief Steward’s sleeve once or twice.”

What? I knew that old man wasn’t ordinary, but he’s beyond imagination?

…That’s not what’s important right now.

First, mental care for this boy with rock-bottom self-esteem was urgent. She had a different reason for wanting to take Termion in the first place.

“You seem to be misunderstanding something, but why would I need a mage?”

“Pardon?”

“Is there a mage in Retis more skilled than me? Would bringing one be helpful?”

“That’s….”

“Let me make this clear.”

Ailesia stretched out her arm and pointed directly at Termion with her finger.

“I want to go with you.”

“….”

“Not someone else, but you, Grand Duke—I want to go with you.”

She had no intention of disguising this feeling with something like fan sentiment.

This was merely the remnant of an unforgotten attachment.

As she grew closer to Termion, it was inevitable that her aunt from long ago kept coming to mind.

‘I don’t want to forcibly deny it. I should just accept it.’

Even so, it was ambiguous to dismiss this feeling as mere vicarious satisfaction.

Termion was only Elenora’s uncle, after all—someone with no direct connection to herself.

Ailesia had simply come to love this world and the people of Retis more than she’d expected. So she wanted to treat them preciously accordingly.

“If that weren’t the case, why would I have bothered making a request?”

“…What’s the reason?”

“Hm?”

“The reason you want to go with me.”

The expectation that had subsided quietly raised its head again.

An emotion without form or purpose was desperately waiting for her answer.

Perhaps, immersed in the vague hope that the next words might change him a little.

“Because you’re the most manageable and comfortable? Is that too much?”

“Pardon?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never thought about it.”

“Then….”

“Ah, just come with me! When such a kind and super pretty girl is asking, why do you keep questioning the reasons!”

“…Hahaha.”

Laughter naturally leaked from his mouth that had been hanging open blankly. His chest felt somewhat relieved too.

It was truly an answer befitting her. Perhaps it was the words he most wanted to hear.

‘Maybe a reason isn’t necessary.’

Those words touched his heart like comfort that it was okay even if someone didn’t particularly need or depend on him.

“You look good when you smile. Try to smile more often from now on.”

“That too… I’ll try. Though I’m not sure if it’ll work out.”

“Try hard. It’s a national loss if you go around frowning all the time with that face.”

“What kind of-“

Just as he was about to retort asking what nonsense that was, Ailesia’s hand caught his eye.

Her folded fingers looked subtly unnatural. It looked exactly like she was holding something.

“…What is that?”

“What?”

“What you have in your hand.”

“Oh? This?”

A gold ring with a diamond about the size of a fingernail embedded in it.

The Magic Tower Master that Ailesia said she’d encountered by chance on the terrace.

His expression that had looked quite relieved even as he passed by.

Termion, who naturally grasped the situation, suddenly had fire flash in his eyes.

“…Don’t tell me that man proposed to you?”

“Well, that is to say…?”

Ailesia, who was clearly flustered, even avoided his gaze with an awkward smile.

“Let’s see how well you can pull it off.”

Laughter? Effort?

With a thousand fires raging in his chest like this, she wanted him to go around smiling? If she wished it, it wasn’t impossible.

“Just what kind of conversation did you have with the Magic Tower Master, and for how long?”

Barely suppressing the aura that threatened to burst from his shoulders, he smiled as brightly as he could manage.

On the second day of the Imperial Palace banquet, only the heads of each family house or their representatives, plus one companion, could attend.

This was because after the New Year prayer ceremony hosted by the Imperial House, a grand assembly attended by all nobles would continue until late evening.

The day after spending a leisurely day thanks to only Termion and Iolene attending the banquet.

“Did you dress warmly?”

“Yes! The coat Teacher gave me!”

“…Aren’t you a bit too fond of just that outfit?”

“But this coat is the prettiest!”

Of course it should be pretty. It was a masterpiece among masterpieces that took over 20 years of effort to create.

Elenora, sitting in the chair and swinging her legs, was adorable as always today. Beside her, Hilda was standing by with gloves, a scarf, and a hat ready.

“Teacher, aren’t you going to wear that dress from the other day? It was so, so pretty.”

“Since we’ll be walking around outside, I should wear different clothes, right?”

Ailesia wore an active blouse and long skirt with a cape coat that reached down to her ankles.

It was a splendid outfit lined with gray leather and decorated with pure white fur over a beige base. At first glance, it resembled the robes that mages wore.

“My, it suits you so well.”

“Does it look alright?”

“Other noble young ladies wouldn’t even dare to walk past Teacher, would they?”

Hilda praised Ailesia’s appearance with a voice mixed with envy and admiration.

“Wow! Elly has a coat too! Teacher has a coat too!”

Perhaps because they were wearing the same type of clothing, an excited Elenora began spinning around Ailesia.

Her large eyes were busy constantly comparing her own clothes with her teacher’s.

“That’s right? We’re wearing matching outfits with Elly?”

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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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