The Cursed Extra: Bloodline of Sacrifice

Chapter 100 The New Journey [Volume 1 Finale]

[POV: Lyrius Ryder]

The glow of the holographic screen flickered in the room.

The voice of a news anchor—

> "The Academy Entrance Exam of the Year will begin in just one week.<

A banner scrolled across the screen, flashing the names of this year's notable contenders.

> "For the first time in Academy history, an unprecedented number of prodigies will be taking the exam. These are names destined for greatness—"

The screen shifted, displaying portraits of the elite.

> "Vynesaa El'Leather, the princess of the Elven Kingdom."

"Oliver Atticus, the third prince of the Human Empire."

"Seraphina Veyra, the second princess of the Mermaid Kingdom."

"Darian Vael, heir of the Dragon Clan.<

The anchor continued, but Lyrius Ryder had stopped listening.

His gaze was frozen on one name.

Oliver Atticus.

His fingers curled into a fist, nails digging into his palm.

"Oliver Atticus."

His mother's child.

His half-brother.

A slow exhale escaped him, filled with quiet intensity.

I'll be the one to defeat you.

Knock-Knock

A sharp knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Lyrius, have you packed your things yet?"

The voice was unmistakable. Calenthir Reyes.

Lyrius turned, his brown eyes catching the faint glow of the screen as it flickered off.

He opened the door to see Calenthir leaning against the frame, arms crossed.

"You're late." Lyrius muttered.

Calenthir smirked, stepping inside. "Most students have already left for the Neutral Continent. I came to check on you." He paused, then added, "And you, Caspian, and I are traveling together. My mother agreed."

Lyrius's expression darkened slightly at the mention of "your mother."

"...Right."

He turned away, grabbing his packed belongings.

The screen, still faintly glowing in standby mode, crackled as the news anchor's voice continued in the background.

> "The entrance exam's top scorers will be personally awarded by King Thoroldir Atticus and Queen Vitaliana Atticus."

Lyrius froze mid-step.

Vitaliana.

His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag, breath slowing.

'Mother... that bitch.'

A heavy silence filled the room.

Calenthir didn't comment, but his gaze flickered toward Lyrius, studying the shift in his demeanor.

Lyrius let out a quiet breath and slung the bag over his shoulder.

"Fianna."

Her mother's voice cut through her concentration.

Lady Rosalind stood at the doorway, arms crossed, eyes filled with the quiet authority of a noblewoman who was used to getting what she wanted.

"Yes, Mother?" Fianna responded, extinguishing the flames with a flick of her wrist.

"You're leaving in an hour. At least rest for a bit before your journey."

"I will."

Her mother studied her for a moment before stepping further inside.

"You know we are aligned with Galvia Duchy's school this year," she said. "Their students lack strong talent, which is why you are leading them. This is an opportunity for our house to display its strength. Make us proud."

The weight of expectation was nothing new.

It had pressed down on her shoulders for as long as she could remember.

The same noble duties, the same obsession with prestige and status.

Always about the Redmond name, always about proving herself as their 'perfect' daughter.

Fianna forced a smile. "Of course, Mother."

Rosalind nodded in approval before leaving the room.

As soon as the door shut, Fianna let out a slow breath, her hands clenching into fists.

*Make us proud.*

As if she was nothing more than a tool for the family's ambition.

She wasn't their pawn.

And yet, here she was, marching toward yet another battle to uphold their reputation.

She leaned against the window, staring at the sky darkening with the coming evening.

There was something unsettling in her chest—a tightness, an unshakable weight.

It had been there for a while now, an instinctive pull she couldn't explain.

Something was coming.

Or maybe... 'someone.'

Her fingers grazed the glass as a name surfaced in her mind, unbidden.

'Caspian.'

Her heart clenched at the thought.

It had been years.

And yet, even now, his presence still haunted her like an echo that refused to fade.

Why?

Why couldn't she let go?

Why was he still in her thoughts?

Fianna closed her eyes, forcing herself to take a steadying breath.

'If he was alive... wouldn't he have called me? Just once?'

He had promised—'I will never forget you.'

Liar.

Her nails dug into her palm.

'If you're alive, Caspian, then I hate you.'

For leaving. For disappearing. For making her question everything.

But deep down, beneath the anger, beneath the ache of abandonment, a dangerous whisper curled through her thoughts.

'If you are alive... I will make sure you never leave me again.'