The Extra Who Shouldn’t Exist

Selena rubbed her forehead, her slender fingers massaging her temples as if trying to ease away a pounding headache.

Alex leaned back against the wall with his usual smug grin.

"Come on, it's not that big of a deal. I just came here to visit you… and to convey some important information about the antidote we successfully created for the corruption."

Selena narrowed her eyes but didn't press further.

"Fine. Come with me."

The two entered her private office.

The room was elegant yet practical—bookshelves lined with academy records, a crystal screen flickering with student data, and a large wooden desk that looked expensive as hell.

Both sat opposite each other: Selena crossing her legs with a calm, authoritative air, while Alex lounged casually like he owned the place.

Selena tapped her desk with her nail.

"I heard you fired four of the board members again. This time from our pharmaceutical company."

Alex smirked, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.

"Well yeah, I did. They're just not the kind of people I can work with."

Selena raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a faint smirk.

"Oh? And what kind of people can you work with then?"

Alex leaned forward, eyes glinting mischievously.

"The kind that worship me and take orders without question. After all, I'm the reason they're out of debt now. They should be on their knees thanking me, not second-guessing me."

Selena chuckled softly, but Alex's expression hardened as he added:

"And besides… those rats were secretly seeking information to sell to other industries about our new products. I can't take that risk again, now can I?"

Selena's smirk widened, pride glimmering in her eyes.

"Excellent work, as always."

Alex reached into his storage ring and produced a vial filled with shimmering golden liquid. It pulsed faintly with power, as though alive. He placed it on her desk.

"All the tests are complete. The antidote works perfectly. The only things that remain are the launch and security. And I'm leaving those to you, Selena."

SMACK!

Selena smacked him on the head.

"Careful, brat. I'm still your teacher. How many times do I have to remind you of that?"

Alex rubbed his head with a grimace.

"Okay, okay! No need for violence."

Selena sighed, shoulders dropping.

"Can't you just handle this yourself? I'm already buried with student affairs."

Alex shook his head with a mock-serious tone.

"Sorry, partner. I've done my 50% of the work. Now it's your turn."

Selena clicked her tongue.

"Stingy."

Alex grinned smugly.

"Yes, I am."

Her mouth twitched at that.

She leaned back in her chair, arms folding.

"You know, I've been hearing rumors lately. About you. That alias you've been using… oh yeah—Lucifer Morningstar. What's next? You want them to believe you're the devil himself, back from the dead?"

Alex's cheeks immediately turned red.

"Stop it!"

Selena smirked mischievously, continuing without mercy.

"After that dungeon you cleared—the one no one wanted to touch because its rank was unmeasurable—what did they call you?

Ah yes, the Conqueror of the Unknown. And another one… The Devil of the Nightfall."

Alex groaned, covering his face.

"Those damn bastards keep giving me cringe nicknames! Would you stop? It's embarrassing. And you're not a child."

Selena leaned forward, smirking like a mischievous fox.

"Yes, I am."

Alex's mouth twitched violently.

"You know… that old hag—"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Alex coughed, correcting himself.

"I mean, Master, also keeps telling me embarrassing stories about your childhood. Should I share the latest one she told me?"

Selena's cheeks turned pink instantly.

"She didn't…"

Alex grinned wickedly.

"Oh, she did. Apparently, until you were fifteen, you didn't like wearing your—"

Selena's aura flared dangerously.

"I dare you to finish that sentence."

Alex gulped hard, his breath hitching as sweat beaded his forehead.

"And I just… forgot what she said afterward."

Selena smirked, aura fading.

"Yeah, keep it that way. It'll help you keep breathing."

Alex raised a hand in mock salute.

"Duly noted."

Selena changed the subject.

"So where's that mask you always wear?"

Alex shrugged.

"Didn't feel like wearing it today. Besides, I just came here to visit you."

Selena gave a faint smile.

"I'm glad you restrained yourself from killing and causing a commotion in the test."

Alex clenched his fists under the table, his eyes shadowing for a moment.

"Yeah… it was hard. But I managed to keep it all in."

Selena leaned back with a sigh.

"But now you've increased my workload. Everyone will start asking who took first place. We can't keep them in the dark forever."

Alex smirked faintly.

"They'll know when the time is right."

Selena studied him for a moment, then softened her tone.

"How's Lily?"

The playful mask on Alex's face fell. His shoulders sagged, and his tired eyes looked down at the desk.

"Don't ask."

Alex leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply as though the weight of six months had just been dumped on the table.

"She made me buy her a factory that manufactures chocolate and other sweets… and then opened a sweet shop under her name.

She laughed like a maniac, waving around candies and cakes yelling 'It's mine! All mine!'"

Selena blinked, trying to hold back her reaction, but Alex wasn't done.

"And then, another day, she bought four luxury cars. When I saw the bill, my soul almost left my body! I told her—why the hell does she need cars when she's underage and already has the one Charlotte gifted her? You know what she told me?"

Alex threw his hands up dramatically.

"She said she liked their design and colors."

Selena's lips twitched, but Alex powered on with a scowl.

"The next day she sold all of them because she said she was tired of them and donated every credit to an orphanage!

She buys jewelry almost every damn day and then gives it away to poor kids on a whim. And whenever I try to cut back her allowance—"

Alex's eye twitched violently.

"Instead, she cuts back mine and takes more than half of it! Because of her, I live like a beggar despite having money now!"

Selena couldn't hold it in anymore. She slapped her desk and burst out laughing, her laughter echoing in the office.

"Pffft—Hahahaha! Just how much did you spoil her in six months?!"

Alex crossed his arms, pouting like a sulking child.

"It wasn't me… it was old hag Alyssa who spoiled her!"

Selena wiped tears from the corners of her eyes, still chuckling.

"Why don't you scold her then? You're her big brother—have some backbone."

Alex sighed deeply, rubbing his face with both hands.

"She makes those puppy-dog eyes."

Selena smirked.

"The same eyes you make when you scam others?"

"Yes, exactly like that!" Alex groaned. "And I just… can't bring myself to say anything. And then there's your mother—she beats me up whenever Lily cries. She's the reason Lily turned into a spoiled little brat!"

Selena raised her hands innocently.

"Hey, not my fault. I warned you when you left her with my mother during your expeditions."

Alex clicked his tongue.

"Tch. What's done is done."

Selena leaned forward, her smirk softening into reassurance.

"Don't worry about the money. Once your antidote hits the market, there won't be a man alive richer than you. You'll also make the other companies and properties debt-free."

Alex tilted his head, a sly grin tugging at his lips.

"Richer than us."

Selena gave him a rare, warm smile.

"Yes. Us."

She stood, brushing down her outfit.

"Now, go back to the guild. There's too much work piling up, especially since our super rookie Lucifer Morningstar is making waves across the empire by clearing rifts and dungeons no one else dares touch."

Alex chuckled.

"Well, it's not like I want to. That old hag just throws me into one even when I don't want to go."

Selena smirked knowingly.

"Been there."

Alex stretched, rising to his feet.

"Alright, time for me to go back. I've also got someone else I need to meet."

"Bye," Selena said, waving him off casually.

Alex left, closing the door behind him. Selena's smile faded into a thoughtful expression. Alone in the silence, she whispered:

"Who the hell possesses an aura like that at the age of sixteen… ah, no… seventeen soon."

She ran a hand through her hair, sighing.

"His growth rate is terrifying. What a monster."

---

Meanwhile.

Alex stepped out into the corridor, pulling out a sleek black mask shaped like a grinning skeleton. Its sharp jawlines and intricate carvings gave it a chilling, regal air—contrasting sharply against his jet-black hair and glowing amethyst eyes.

He slid it on. In that moment, he looked less like a boy and more like a reaper stalking the halls of Zenith. Students passing by instinctively stepped aside, unease prickling their skin.

His boots echoed against the marble floor as he made his way toward the Student Council office. But then—

His gaze caught on two familiar figures walking down the opposite corridor.

Ava, the brown-haired girl, strolling casually.

And beside her—Lilia, chatting happily, completely oblivious to the tension brewing in the air.

Alex's steps faltered for a moment. His fists clenched at his side.

The system's voice slithered into his mind.

[Host, that snake bitch—]

'Yeah, I know that bitch… I know she's the one who leaked Ethan's whereabouts that night at the hospital through Ophelia.

She fed the cult the perfect opportunity to ambush him, as if she was already lying in wait for the perfect chance to strike.'

[Are you going to let her go whe—]

Alex cut it off coldly.

'Do I look like I'll let her go? Everything will be repaid in blood. Just wait and you will see.'

His aura rippled faintly, but he suppressed it, forcing his feet to keep moving. He passed them without a word, the mask hiding his expression.

But just as he was a few steps ahead—

"Stop."

The voice was firm, commanding.

Alex turned slowly. Ava now stood in front of him, blocking his path, her brown eyes locked onto his amethyst ones through the skeletal mask.

"Take off your mask."

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A/N:

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