Extra To Protagonist-Chapter 36: Explanation

'Already a second star…?'

Merlin's body collapsed like a ragdoll, landing flat on the grass.

'For fuck's sake…'

He rolled onto his back, staring blankly at the sky above.

—

[Training Boss Completed!]

[Rewards]

• +3 Strength

• +2 Agility

• +2 Intelligence

• +Choose One New Affinity

[Please select an affinity:]

• Lightning

• Blood

• Darkness

• Fire

—

Before Merlin could even process his choices, another bright panel flashed in front of his face.

—

[Reward for Achieving the Second Star.]

• 1 Active Skill (Not Choosable)

'Not choosable?!'

—

[Stride Unlocked.]

[Description: The Blessings of the Messenger flow through the user. Upon activation, the user's speed and agility surge beyond mortal limits, allowing them to move with impossible fluidity. Acceleration doubles, and the user can shift directions mid-dash as if gliding on the wind. While active, footsteps become soundless, and presence is slightly obscured, making it harder for enemies to react.]

[Duration: 20 seconds]

[Cooldown: 10 seconds]

—

'What the hell..? Isn't this way too overpowered?!'

Merlin blinked at the screen, his mind struggling to keep up. Not only did he just get a free skill—which he didn't even get to choose—but the affinities he could select from were all insanely powerful.

Before he could think any further, the world around him faded into darkness.

—

When his vision returned, he was back in his room, lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"…Blessings of the Messenger?"

He had no idea what that meant, but one thing was clear—this skill was broken.

Still, no point in overthinking it.

Merlin sat up and focused on the other notification still lingering in his interface.

[Choose an Affinity.]

His eyes scanned the options. Every single one was powerful, but one of them fit his combat style perfectly.

'Lightning.'

[Lightning Affinity Unlocked!]

A sharp jolt ran through his body.

Merlin stretched out his fingers, and a tiny spark crackled at his fingertips. It buzzed with energy, sending small static waves across his hand before vanishing.

He grinned. "Oh yeah. This is gonna be fun."

Yawning, he collapsed back onto his bed, letting exhaustion finally take over.

—

[ Status Window ]

Name: Merlin Everhart

Age: 14

Class: Mage, Swordsman

Affinities: Space (1), Wind (2), Time (1), Water (1), Lightning (1)

Class: Ascendant

Talent: (12-Stars)

Stars: ★ ★

[ Attributes ]

Strength: ★ ★ ★

Agility: ★ ★

Vitality: ★

Endurance: ★

Intelligence: ★ ★

Free Stat Points: 2

—

[Skills]

[Active Skills]

• Trickster's Reflex

• Courier's Mark

• Stride

• Strike

[Passive Skills]

• Endless Flow

• Keen Insight

—

'Can't believe I reached two stars this fast…and my stats are lowkey insane..'

Merlin clenched his fists, feeling his magic hum beneath his skin.

Some people spent years just trying to reach their second star. Yet, here he was, achieving it in days.

Then again… he wasn't exactly normal.

His eyes fluttered shut, and within seconds, he passed out from sheer exhaustion.

—

Merlin woke up to his alarm, groggily sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He threw on his usual outfit, ran a quick hand through his messy hair, and was ready to leave in seconds.

Then—

A throat cleared behind him.

He froze.

'…Oh no.'

Slowly, he turned around, only to see Victoria standing in the doorway.

His sister looked half-awake, fresh out of the bathroom, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand.

Her eyes narrowed.

"I told you we were gonna talk today."

Merlin swallowed.

'…Shit.'

Victoria slowly sipped her coffee, eyes never leaving him.

"Sit."

Merlin sighed, already accepting defeat.

Merlin sank into the couch, tapping his fingers against his knee as Victoria sat across from him, her coffee steaming in her hands.

Her eyes bore into him, a mix of irritation and expectation clear on her face.

She took a slow sip.

Then another.

Merlin shifted uncomfortably. "…So?"

Victoria set her mug down with a quiet clink. "So… when were you going to tell me?"

Merlin blinked. "Tell you what?"

Victoria's eye twitched. "Don't play dumb."

"Victoria, you're gonna have to be a bit more specific," he said, leaning back.

"I have a long list of things I should probably tell you, and I need to know which one you're mad about today."

Victoria crossed her arms. "Let's start with the fact that you have three affinities."

'Oh. That.'

Merlin exhaled through his nose. "…Yeah?"

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "Yeah? That's it? Just 'yeah'?"

He shrugged. "I mean, it's not a secret. The whole world knows now, probably after the Battle Royale."

"Yeah, they know." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "But when exactly were you going to tell me?"

Merlin scratched his cheek. "…I figured you'd hear about it eventually?"

Victoria inhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Merlin. You have multiple affinities."

"I am aware."

"Space, wind, and water…right?"

"Yep."

"That's already way more than what nearly everyone has…having multiple affinities is rarely ever a thing…"

"Uh-huh."

She leaned forward more, voice dropping. "You don't think that's worth mentioning to your older sister?"

Merlin opened his mouth—then closed it.

'Okay. Fair point.'

"Would it help if I said 'I love you'?"

"Not even a little."

Merlin grinned. "Damn. Worth a shot."

Victoria groaned, rubbing her temples. "Unbelievable. You're running around with multiple affinities, and I'm just supposed to be okay with the fact that I found out at the same time as half the damn world?"

Merlin exhaled, leaning his head against the couch. "Look, I did hide it from you but it was better that way…it's not that big of a deal anyways.."

Victoria stared at him. "Not a big deal?"

"Okay, it's kind of a big deal."

Victoria crossed her arms. "Merlin. Do you understand how many people would kill to have just one of those affinities?"

"I mean, yeah, but—"

"And do you realize that every big family, every faction, and every organization is watching you like a damn hawk right now?"

Merlin hesitated. "…That part, yeah."

Victoria exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "You're lucky the academy's keeping you safe."

Merlin grimaced. "Yeah, lucky. That's exactly how I'd describe being personally watched by the crazy professors in the academy."

Victoria smirked. "Aw, do they make you nervous?"

"They torture me with the brutal training…"

"Yeah, but you get better every time, don't you?"

"That is not the point."

Victoria chuckled, sipping her coffee. "Relax, idiot. I'm not mad, just… frustrated."

Merlin frowned. "Why?"

She sighed, setting her cup down. "Because I'm your sister, Merlin. I don't give a shit about what the academy thinks, or what those families are whispering. I just…" She crossed her arms. "I want to know what's happening with you."

Merlin blinked.

His fingers tightened slightly against his knee.

For a brief moment, guilt settled in his chest.

He… hadn't really thought about how Victoria felt in all this. She wasn't part of the academy. She wasn't there every day watching him grow stronger.

She just had to hear about it secondhand, like some random bystander.

"…Yeah," he muttered. "I get that."

Victoria huffed. "Damn right you do."

Merlin sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright. Fine. You want me to keep you updated on big things?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You mean there's more?"

Merlin froze. 'Ah. Shit.'

Victoria's eyes narrowed.

"Merlin."

"…No?"

"Merlin."

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"…Maybe?"

Victoria leaned forward, gaze sharp. "Spit it out."

Merlin licked his lips, trying to think of a way to change the subject—

"Fine!" he blurted, hands raised in surrender. "I have more affinities, okay?!"

Victoria froze.

"…What."

Merlin shifted under her stare. "…I got lightning affinity. It just randomly awakened for me, I don't know how"

Victoria just kept repeating her word.

"…What."

Merlin coughed. "Yeah, uh. Surprise?"

Victoria sighed violently, pressing a hand against her forehead. "Merlin, I swear to god—"

"Look, it just happened last night!" Merlin defended. "I was gonna tell you—"

Victoria pointed a finger at him. "Oh, now you were gonna tell me?"

"Yes! I mean, technically, I just did—"

Victoria threw a pillow at his face.

"Ow! Hey!"

"That's for making me find out twice just randomly and not telling me straight up!"

Merlin groaned, pulling the pillow off his head. "Look, does it really matter that much? I mean, it's just—"

Victoria threw a second pillow.

"It matters because I'm your sister, dumbass!" she snapped. "And because you're collecting affinities like they're snacks at a festival! They aren't goddamn snacks, Merlin!"

Merlin sputtered. "That is—okay, that's fair."

Victoria sighed, rubbing her face. "God, at this rate, you're gonna tell me you have time affinity next."

Merlin laughed nervously scratching his cheeks as he started to slowly stand up. "Haha… yeah. That'd be crazy, right?"

Victoria's head snapped up immediately.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"…Merlin?"

Merlin moved in a swift motion towards. "Alright! Great talk, Vic! Love you! Gotta go to school now, bye!"

"MERLIN."

He ran away before she could strangle him. Making his way down the apartment instantly.

'God damn it, at least she didn't kill me…Morgana probably will kill me today countless times either way…'

Merlin clutched his neck remembering his own decapitated head as he walked towards the street to get a taxi.