Game's Extra

The crowd had dispersed, leaving the academy gym eerily quiet. Ava remained on the stage, her expression distant and unfocused. She didn't move for several moments, as if rooted to the spot. Finally, with a shaky breath, she stood up and began walking toward the gym exit. Her steps were steady, but her mind was elsewhere.

She ignored the lingering students who tried to approach her, her usually sharp gaze softened in an uncharacteristic daze. Her heart raced, her thoughts swirling in confusion.

By the time Ava arrived at her family's grand mansion, the golden hues of the setting sun bathed the estate in a warm glow. The gates opened automatically as she stepped through, but she barely noticed the serene beauty of her surroundings. Her feet moved on autopilot, carrying her through the front door and into the house.

In the living room, her father sat comfortably on an ornate couch, sipping tea and flipping through a financial report. He glanced up when Ava entered, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly in surprise.

"You're back already?" he asked, setting down his teacup. "It's only been thirty minutes since your departure. What happened?"

Ava didn't respond. She walked past him without a word, her boots clicking softly against the polished floor as she made her way to the stairs.

"Ava?" her father called again, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm tired," she muttered, her tone barely audible.

Her father watched her ascend the stairs, his brow furrowing. "Tired? That's unusual..." he murmured to himself. After a moment of contemplation, he shrugged and picked up his teacup again. "Teenagers," he sighed, dismissing her strange behavior.

Ava reached her room and closed the door behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, her head tilting back as she exhaled heavily. Her cheeks felt warm, and her heart wouldn't stop pounding.

Shaking her head in frustration, she walked over to her bed and collapsed onto it face-first. For a moment, she lay still, clutching her pillow. Then, as if on instinct, she reached for the stuffed teddy bear that always sat on her bedside table. Hugging it tightly, she rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling.

Her face turned crimson as the image of Aiden flashed through her mind. His calm expression, his sharp movements during the match, the way he had stood his ground against her… It was all too much.

"What is wrong with me?" she whispered, burying her face into the teddy bear. Her heart thumped wildly, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about him.

Meanwhile, Aiden had left the gym and made his way to the forest near the academy. The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves, and the faint sounds of birds filled the air. He found a secluded clearing and paused, his eyes scanning the area to ensure no one was around.

From his quantum watch, Aiden retrieved the Forest King's tusk—a massive piece of material now condensed into a compact cube. He held it in his hand, marveling at its weight and density.

"Let's see what you're capable of," Aiden muttered. Activating his Overhaul ability, he focused on the cube. It began to glow faintly as its molecular structure shifted and reformed. Within seconds, the tusk had transformed into a sleek, razor-sharp sword.

Aiden activated his Harden skill, infusing the blade with additional density and strength. He approached a nearby tree and swung the sword in a wide arc. The blade cut cleanly through the trunk, the upper half of the tree crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

"What the…" Aiden stared at the sword in disbelief. "This is insane. It's so… powerful."

He spent the next hour experimenting. He reshaped the tusk into a spear and tested its piercing capabilities, leaving gaping holes in trees. He created axes, hammers, and daggers, testing each weapon with enthusiasm. By the end, he was drenched in sweat but thoroughly satisfied.

"This material is amazing," he muttered, returning the tusk to its cube form and storing it in his watch. "Definitely worth the effort."

As Aiden walked back toward the academy, he passed through the park near the dormitories. The lampposts cast a warm, inviting light, and the faint sound of chatter filled the air. Sitting on a bench beneath a tree was Elena, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight.

"Aiden?" she called out, her soft voice breaking through the quiet.

Aiden turned, surprised to see her. "Oh, Elena. What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," she replied, standing up. "Were you at the gym again?"

"Yeah," Aiden admitted with a small chuckle. "And then I went to the forest to test something. What about you?"

Elena smiled faintly. "Just getting some fresh air. It's been a long day."

There was a brief pause before Elena's cheeks turned pink. She looked down, twirling a strand of her hair. "By the way… thank you again for saving me the other day. I don't think I've said it properly."

Aiden waved his hand dismissively. "You don't need to thank me. I just did what anyone would do."

"Not anyone," Elena said softly, meeting his eyes. "You went out of your way to help me. It means a lot."

Aiden scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly awkward. "Well, you're welcome."

Elena hesitated for a moment, then cleared her throat. "Are you heading back to your dorm now?"

"Yeah," Aiden replied. "I was just going to take a shower and get some rest."

"Actually," Elena began, her voice tinged with nervousness, "would you like to join me for dinner? I was planning to eat out, and… it'd be nice to have some company."

Aiden looked surprised. "Dinner? Thanks, but I don't think I can. I don't exactly have the money for eating out right now."

Elena frowned slightly. "Don't be silly. I'll pay. Consider it my way of saying thanks."

Aiden hesitated, unsure how to respond. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Alright, I'll join you. Just let me take a shower and change first. I was at the gym earlier, so I'm kind of a mess."

Elena's smile brightened. "That's fine. I'll wait for you here."

With a nod, Aiden headed toward his dorm, leaving Elena to sit back on the bench with a small, satisfied smile on her face.