An Extra’s POV
chapter-762

"E-eh…?"

Lucielle appeared dumbfounded by Rey's question.

"The truth is… I also wanted to see you. Your knowledge and versatility in Magic is necessary for the mission I want to accomplish in the Dragon Empire. It would really be helpful if you came with me."

"F-for real…?"

Most people would shake in fear once they heard that they were being nominated to infiltrate the territory of the enemy, but not Lucielle.

Yes, she was trembling, but it wasn't out of fear at all.

The pink hues on her cheek, her wide eyes filled with both excitement and shock, and the loud squeals that burst from her mouth were enough to let anyone know that she felt the furthest thing from fear.

Instead, she was overjoyed. "For real." Rey said to her. "I take it that you're interested."

"Yes! Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" She dashed to Rey, nearly pressing her voluptuous chest on him as she went for a hug. Thankfully for him, he was an expert at Spatial Magic, so he easily created sufficient distance between the two of them.

"Haaa… in any case, it's safe to say that you impressed me with your presentation today." He began, observing how Lucielle's bright beam became even more blinding.

"I also have a lot to learn regarding Magic, and so I look forward to that long talk that you proposed we have regarding Magic. I really want to share ideas with you and also pick your brains regarding some thoughts I have."

"Mmmmmmmm!!!" Lucielle did her best to be quiet, but the more she held it in, the redder her face got, and the louder her squeals became.

She even began fidgeting on the spot.

Rey ignored all of this, however, and proceeded with his talk.

"However, all of that will have to be postponed until after we return from the Academy."

"A-Academy…?"

"Ahh… I guess I didn't inform you yet." Rey lightly slapped his head, instantly correcting himself. "The place we're heading to is the Dragon Academy of the Empire."

Literal heat began to rise from Lucielle's head as she heard all of this.

Stars manifested from her eyes, and after holding her scream in for so long, she finally hit her limit and let her voice loose.

"REEEEEEEYYYYY!!! YOU'RE THE BEEEEESSTTT!!!"

Once again, she rushed to hug him, but using Spatial Layering, he was able to prevent any such interaction between the two of them.

"Well… I'm glad to see you excited about all of this."

"I'm more than excited! I finally get to satisfy my curiosity and learn Magic from the Dragons' perspective. The reason we've been lagging behind them isn't merely due to our difference in stats, but also information. If I can get access to their Magic and study how they activate it, then isn't it possible that I—no, we—we can grow stronger? Think about the possibilities! We could…"

As Lucielle rambled on about her passion, Rey watched her with a soft smile on his face while going over the more realistic and practical reasons why he was letting someone like Lucielle tag along with him.

It was for nothing more than the Chamber Of Ancients.

'I'm not confident that I'll be able to figure out or manipulate the Ancient Magic that will lead us home. Adrien has made it clear that he also hasn't figured that part out yet, which means she's our best bet.'

Since it was Lucielle's field of expertise, if there was anyone with the ability to tweak the Magic to send them to Earth, it had to be her.

'I still don't think it's a good idea to tell her about the whole plan yet, though.'

He didn't know how the Grand Mage of the Alliance would react to being complicit in sending their Summoned Otherworlders back to where they came from, but he had a feeling her reaction wouldn't be good.

At least, until he got a full handle of the situation and understood Lucielle enough to trust her with the plan, Rey planned to be silent about that bit.

'My second option would have been Feralia, since she's also the most powerful among the Elves. She also has expertise in runes, but considering Lucielle is far more skilled in Magic, and has proven herself to be more versatile… I think she's the best pick.

Plus, since she was the one mostly responsible for the Otherworlder Summon, she remained the most optimal choice.

'And it's a good thing I don't have to convince her to tag along.'

"So when are we leaving again?" Lucielle popped right in front of Rey, her wide smile and bulging eyes appearing super creepy despite her pretty face.

"Dude…" Rey took a few steps back, not out of shock, but just to avoid contact with her. Thankfully, she didn't approach him any further.

"Three days." He responded.

"Three days, huh? That's enough time to prepare, then…"

"As for your disguise as a Dragon—"

"Don't worry about that. I've got it covered!" Lucielle grinned with delight, giving a thumbs up.

'Is she getting over-excited about this whole thing? It's not that I don't trust her, but disguise is very important if we are to properly blend in.'

"Are you certain?" The Grand Mage nodded, giving Rey a rather serious smile. It was one that brimmed with maturity—something even she was capable of at times.

"Yeah! Trust me."

Despite still being skeptical, Rey decided to take her at her word. Besides, this was yet another avenue for him to be surprised by her.

"Alright then. I suppose this concludes our meeting."

"Yeah. You should get back to talking with Alicia about lovey-dovey stuff." She teased with a rather big smile.

"That's now what we talk about!"

"Didn't you tell her you weren't taking any girl on your adventure this time? I wonder how you'll explain yourself to her…"

"Ah, that's true—hold on, stop making this worse!"

Rey didn't know why and how Lucielle became so adept at teasing him like this, but it wasn't a particularly bad feeling.

Perhaps this was something that had developed over time, or it was simply a result of their just-concluded meeting, but Rey found that he and the Grand Mage now spoke freely with each other.

—Almost as if they were friends.

"In any case… bye."

"Don't you need me to—"

"I'll show myself out!" Rey yelled out, and in a single flash of light, he vanished from Lucielle's mystical domain.

She watched as he did this, amazed once again by his overall prowess—particularly in Magic.

"Rey Skylar… what an interesting man."

She never would have expected the ordinary-looking boy from back then to become such a monumental success as a Mage.

'Could this be the one I've been searching for? The one that can lead me to the Zenith—to transcendence?' She didn't know yet.

Rey never displayed any phenomenal insight or affinity regarding Magic, unlike Adonis, which was why she didn't really notice him. He was always one of the background characters, but all of that had now changed.

'It's selfish of me to desire all of this, I know, but… I can't help it, can I?' Clasping her hands on her face, she gave a euphoric smile and sent her gaze up high.

'Haaa… what bliss!'