The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The hero , The heir and The extra

Alex turned around slowly, sensing the familiar energy signatures before even seeing the faces. His eyes landed on two figures striding toward him with undeniable presence.

Walking towards him with matching confident strides were none other than Alden von Crestvale and Ethan Williams.

Alden had that same smug grin he always wore, the kind that made you want to wipe it off with a well-placed slap—or sword strike. Ethan, however, was different.

His gaze was full of curiosity, the kind that made Alex feel like a rare specimen under a microscope.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the mighty Alex Dragonheart," Alden drawled, the smirk practically tattooed onto his face.

Alex returned the expression with a smirk of his own. "Well, look who it is. Isn't this the guy whose record I broke at the simulation arena?"

Alden's grin twitched. "And I broke it back the next day!"

"Exactly," Alex replied with a calm nod. "That shows how petty you are."

Before Alden could snap back, Ethan burst into a fit of laughter so loud and sudden it startled a couple of nearby candidates. "Looks like in the world of narcissism, you've finally met your match, Alden."

Alden rolled his eyes. "Don't encourage him."

"Can't help it," Ethan said, still grinning. "You guys have the same energy. If you were any more alike, you'd probably start a rival fashion brand."

"Don't give him ideas," Alex said, pretending to be horrified.

The trio chuckled, and for a moment, the tension faded into casual camaraderie.

Ethan extended a hand. "Ethan Williams. Heir to House Williams and bearer of all the church's favorite bedtime stories."

Alex took it with a firm shake. "Alex Dragonheart. A commoner. Occasional narcissist. Full-time handsome guy."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like a commoner at all."

Alex tilted his head and smirked. "What can I say? I'm just that handsome."

A chuckle slipped out of Ethan again.

Alex says "I've heard about you too. Especially the part where you show up in the prophecy. Something about you cleansing the world of darkness?"

Ethan groaned, clearly having heard that line too many times. " That thing again."

Ethan sighed dramatically. "Try hearing that from every priest and paladin everytime you come across them. I'm one dramatic monologue away from screaming into the void."

"You mean you haven't already?" Alden quipped.

Ethan smirked. "Don't tempt me."

Their laughter echoed through the arena grounds.

After a moment, Ethan gave Alex a sideways glance. "So… I wonder if you're as skilled as Mr. Smugface here claims." He pointed directly at Alden.

Alden sputtered. "I did not—!"

Alex cut in smoothly. "I could say the same about you."

Ethan blinked. "Did you just throw shade at the hero?"

"More like opened an umbrella," Alex replied.

Ethan burst into laughter so loud it echoed off the the surrounding's. "You're a riot! Just like I heard. Alex Dragonheart, huh? You're something else."

"Born that way," Alex said with a wink.

Ethan sobered a little, though the grin stayed. "You know… I was born skilled. But not because of the prophecy. I'm gonna prove to the world I'm more than someone's destiny. I'll walk my own path—not one the Church paved for me."

Alex crossed his arms. "You even talk like a hero."

Both of them burst into laughter, Alden groaning audibly.

"Seriously, you two are getting along like long-lost brothers. Did I miss the memo?"

Alex patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Alden. You're still the third wheel to our dynamic duo."

"Excuse me?" Alden said with mock offense. "I'm the main wheel. The chariot itself!"

"More like the training wheels," Ethan said under his breath.

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