An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

As the group continued their conversation, Cedric's eyes flicked towards the new faces at the table. Curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "Are these your new friends?"

"Yeah, they're our classmates," Arthur replied casually, then proceeded to introduce everyone around the table.

The conversation flowed smoothly, and despite Nadia's initial reserved nature, she began to open up more. She was still conservative, but it was a step in the right direction. Everyone was getting along well over their meal, sharing laughs and stories.

After the meal, Cedric leaned back in his chair, eyeing the time. "So, Arthur, what are your plans after this? We still have some time until dawn."

Arthur considered it for a moment, then replied, "I was thinking of heading to the library."

"What?" Cedric raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I thought we were supposed to have some fun ."

"Yeah, Arthur," Alicia chimed in, a playful pout on her lips. "We won't have this much free time from tomorrow."

Arthur shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I really need to get something done at the library. You guys can go out and have fun. I promise I'll join you next time."

Before they could argue further, Arthur stood up and made his way out of the cafeteria, leaving them no room for protest.

"Huh~" Arthur exhaled, relieved once he was out of earshot. "Thank God I got out of that. If I'd given them the chance to argue, there's no way I'd be able to visit the library."

As he walked down the hallway, Sol's voice echoed in his mind. "Why are you so eager to go to the library, leaving all those girls behind? You had such a good opportunity to get close to them." "Why are you in such a hurry to head to the library, leaving the company of girls? You had a perfect chance to get closer to them," Sol grumbled, tugging on my hair in frustration.

Arthur winced at the thought as Sol's voice seemed to physically tug at his hair. "Ow… ow… it hurts," Arthur muttered, rubbing his scalp.

"That's the whole point of doing it," Sol said with an almost smug tone. Discover exclusive tales on empire

"Okay, okay. Let me explain myself before you start pulling my hair out," Arthur said, half amused, half exasperated.

"Spill it," Sol urged, his voice growing more insistent.

Arthur sighed, shaking his head. "Well, I'm going to the library because there's something important I need to get."

"What's so important there? Can't it wait until tomorrow?" Sol asked, his curiosity piqued.

Arthur paused for a moment before responding, his voice low but certain. "It's a unique skill. If I don't get it today, Alex will likely find it tomorrow."

"A unique skill? In the library?" Sol's voice had a hint of intrigue, his interest clearly piqued.

"Yeah," Arthur nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. "It's tied to Immanuel Cromwell, one of the greatest researchers in history. He dedicated his life to studying lost ancient languages. His knowledge of the native tongues of various races earned him a unique skill called 'Linguist's gift.' Later in life, he became a teacher at the academy, and before he passed, he left his inheritance in the library, meant for the fated one to claim." Arthur's lips twisted into a smirk. "Though Alex is supposed to be the fated one, but honestly, who cares?"

Sol's curiosity piqued even more. "So, what does this skill, Linguist's gift, do?"

Arthur's grin widened. "It lets you understand any language—any language at all."

"That's it?" Sol sounded unimpressed. "Doesn't seem that impressive."

Arthur's eyes twinkled with amusement. "It might seem simple at first, but think about it. With this skill, you could understand any language—lost runes, the language of dragons, ancient tongues, all of them. It's not just about understanding speech; it's about unlocking hidden knowledge."

Sol's eyes widened slightly, his voice laced with fascination. "Woah, when you put it that way, it sounds a lot more impressive. So, do you know where this inheritance is hidden?"

Arthur's expression grew thoughtful as he explained, "It's an enchanted book he left behind. I know the general idea of where it is, but I can't remember the exact location. I guess I'll have to do some searching."

He stopped in front of the grand entrance of the library, the massive doors looming before them.

Arthur entered the library, and his breath caught for a moment. The space was colossal, much larger than the Ludwig mansion's library, which he had always considered massive. Rows upon rows of towering shelves stretched toward the distant ceiling, illuminated by a soft, magical glow that seemed to hover near each book. Several floors were connected by elegant spiral staircases, their steps seemingly carved from polished marble.

Students bustled about, some carrying stacks of books that almost reached their chins, others seated at long tables, pouring over tomes with deep concentration. Despite the large crowd, the room was eerily silent, the quiet broken only by the faint rustle of pages turning.

Arthur strode toward the reception desk, where a beautiful librarian sat with her legs crossed, her eyes glued to a bright pink book. The title, Love Across Dimensions, was clearly visible on its cover. She didn't even look up until he cleared his throat.

"Ah, a new face," she said with a warm smile, putting the book aside. "ID, please."

Arthur handed her his ID card, and she waved her hand over it. A faint glow confirmed his authorization, and she gestured him onward. "Enjoy your time."

Without any delay Arthur headed toward the back section, where the shelves were more sparsely populated and the atmosphere even quieter. Dust motes floated lazily in the beams of magical light that lit the space, and the faint scent of aged parchment filled the air.

He navigated through the aisles, scanning the spines of the books until he reached the section he was looking for. His eyes darted from title to title, fingers brushing over the edges of leather-bound tomes and metal-clasped manuscripts, until finally, he found it.

The book was unusual—its cover a deep black with faintly glowing silver runes that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles. A crimson jewel was embedded in the center, pulsing faintly, as though alive. The title, The Wordsmith, was etched in gold.

Arthur's anticipation grew as he carefully opened the book, but the moment he did, the world around him seemed to dissolve.

Arthur found himself in a vast, empty space that stretched endlessly in every direction. The ground beneath his feet was smooth, like obsidian glass, reflecting a faint, ethereal glow. The sky above was an endless void, speckled with stars that shimmered in colors he had never seen before.

"What is happening? Where am I? Nothing like this happened in the game," Arthur muttered, his voice echoing in the emptiness. "In the game, Alex got the skill by just opening the book. So what is happening here?"

As he tried to make sense of the situation, a voice broke the silence—deep and wise, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Welcome, young one. You might be confused about where you are," the voice said.

Arthur turned sharply to see an old man with long white hair and a beard standing before him, his eyes twinkling with kindness. His robes were ornate, embroidered with arcane symbols, and he carried a staff that seemed to hum with ancient power.

"Immanuel Cromwell?" Arthur asked, cutting to the chase.

The old man's smile widened. "Ah, so you know me. That makes things easier to explain."

"How can I not know you. Books written by you are the part of curriculum. But how are you still alive?" Arthur pressed.

"Would you let me finish first?" Immanuel said with a chuckle. "No, I am not alive. What you see is merely a fragment of my consciousness, left behind to choose a worthy successor."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"You opened the book containing my essence, activating this space. To inherit my unique skill, The Linguist's gift, and the treasures I amassed in my lifetime, you must pass a test," Immanuel explained.

"And if I fail?"

"You will lose all memory of this encounter and return to the library as though nothing happened," Immanuel replied.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Arthur considered for a moment. "Well, there's no loss even if I fail. Fine, I'm ready. What's the test?"

Immanuel raised his staff, and the empty void shifted. Around Arthur, six glowing pillars materialized in a circle. Atop each pillar floated a glowing orb.

"The test is simple: solve the riddles contained within these six pillars. Each riddle will test a different aspect of your intelligence—logic, creativity, observation, memory, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence," Immanuel said.

Arthur nodded cautiously. "What happens if I answer wrong?"

"You will lose a small fragment of your mana. Too many wrong answers, and the test will end prematurely," Immanuel explained.

'Well, there is nothing for me to loose' Arthur thought.

Arthur sighed. "All right. Let's get this over with."