An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

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The murmurs among the students grew louder, excitement and jealousy bubbling through the group.

Instructor Harris clapped his hands sharply, redirecting everyone's focus. "Now, let's not get too distracted," he said, though the amused smile tugging at his lips betrayed his own intrigue. "Those of you still without companions, take your time and choose wisely. Remember, bonding with a magical beast is about mutual understanding and respect."

With that, the group turned their attention back to the other beasts, though many cast lingering glances at me and my newfound companion. As the thunderbird nestled comfortably on my shoulder, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger story.

....

Instructor Harris stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Today, we'll dive into a concept you'll be exploring throughout the academic year," he announced, walking over to a small wooden box resting on a table nearby. He opened it with practiced ease, lifting out a polished, intricate necklace adorned with glowing runes—a faint hum of energy radiated from it.

"This," he said, holding the object aloft, "is a Synchronous Amulet."

With a swift motion, he retrieved a chain from the box and hung it around his neck, then continued, "Beast Bonds are more than mere companionship," he continued, his tone taking on an almost reverent quality. "They are partnerships that amplify strengths and compensate for weaknesses. And when a bond deepens, tools like the Synchronous Amulet allow you to channel a portion of your companion's abilities directly into yourself."

The group murmured in hushed excitement. For me, this was confirmation of something I'd always found intriguing—the sheer depth of Beast Mastery and the symbiotic relationship between humans and their magical companions.

"Now, let's demonstrate," Harris said, his eyes scanning the group before landing on the confident girl with the Wind Eagle.

"You, with the Wind Eagle. Step forward."

The girl moved with poise, her head held high as she approached. Her companion—a sleek, majestic eagle with wings that shimmered faintly in the sunlight—perched on her shoulder, its sharp gaze surveying the crowd.

"Introduce yourself, please," Harris said.

"My name is Lila," the girl replied, her voice calm and self-assured.

"Lila," Harris said with a nod, "your bond with your Wind Eagle is impressive. Now, I want you to focus on that connection. Close your eyes if needed and feel the energy that links you and your companion. Let it flow."

Lila closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath. As she did, a faint, shimmering aura began to envelop both her and the Wind Eagle perched on her shoulder. The air around them seemed to respond, stirring gently as if in sync with their connection. Even the leaves of nearby plants rustled faintly, drawn into the mystical rhythm.

"Excellent," Instructor Harris remarked, his voice calm but encouraging. "Now, watch closely."

He removed the Synchronous Amulet from around his neck and approached Lila. Carefully, he placed the glowing pendant around her neck. "Channel your mana into it," he instructed.

Lila nodded and concentrated, her hands resting lightly on the amulet. As she channeled her mana, the pendant began to emit a soft, pulsating glow. The aura around her and the Wind Eagle intensified, forming a visible, ethereal link between the two. The eagle ruffled its feathers, responding to the surge of energy.

"Good. Now, focus on a specific aspect of your Wind Eagle that you want to enhance," the instructor continued. "Think of its speed, agility, or perception, and channel that intention through the amulet."

Lila's brows furrowed in concentration, and the shimmering link between her and the eagle seemed to pulse with intent. The energy surrounding them grew steadier, more focused.

"Now, open your eyes and tell us what has changed," Harris prompted, stepping back to give her space.

Lila's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly for a brief moment. She blinked, visibly startled. "I-I can… see far away," she stammered, her voice tinged with amazement.

"How far?" Instructor Harris asked, his curiosity piqued.

Lila turned her head, scanning the room with sharp, precise movements. "A lot… I can see a worm crawling under the leaves of that plant in the far corner," she said, pointing to a distant pot.

The students murmured in awe at her newfound ability.

"Good. Now, stop channeling your mana," Harris instructed. Lila complied, and the glow of the pendant faded as the energy between her and the eagle diminished. Harris stepped forward and removed the amulet from her neck.

"This," he said, holding the amulet up for everyone to see, "is an example of skill sharing. Through the Synchronous Amulet, you can temporarily amplify or borrow abilities from your companion. It's a fundamental technique for advanced Beast Mastery."

Before he could continue, the greenhouse door swung open with a loud creak, drawing everyone's attention. Two figures strode inside—Damien Morningstar and his underling, Lionel Green.

The room fell silent as the unexpected guests entered, their commanding presence raising a palpable tension.

Instructor Harris's expression darkened. His tone carried unmistakable irritation as he addressed the pair. "What am I supposed to make of this behavior, Student Damien?"

"I apologize for this intrusion, Professor," Lionel interjected, his tone nonchalant. "Master Damien wants to learn beast taming". Lionel said in arrogant tone.

The revelation was met with stunned silence, leaving everyone surprised by this unexpected turn of events.

"Hah~ I forget there are people like them too," I muttered under my breath, watching the duo enter with an air of self-importance.

'Allow me to present Damien Morningstar, the second son of the illustrious Morningstar Duchy. An arrogant man through and through, who revels in his noble lineage.'

[Is he a villain then?] Sol's voice chimed in, interrupting my internal musings.

'Villain? Hardly. Stepping stone would be the better term. While his arrogance and disdain for anyone beneath his status earn him plenty of scorn, he doesn't actively harm anyone. It's his attitude that rubs the faculty and students the wrong way.'

[And the boy beside him?]n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

'Ah, him. Lionel Green. Unlike Damien, he's no noble. Comes from a merchant family constantly trying to compete with the Raven family. A futile endeavor, honestly. The Ravens aren't just merchants; they're a Marquess household. Lionel's family's big hope is to gain favor with the Morningstars, which explains why he clings to Damien like a shadow.'

I was about to elaborate further when the professor's voice cut through my train of thought.

"Learning... what? Beast Mastery?" Instructor Harris's tone carried thinly veiled sarcasm as he addressed Damien. "If I'm not mistaken, you're a third-year student. This class is for first years. Wouldn't it be more fitting for you to join your own year's sessions?"

"Fundamentals," Lionel interjected, his voice polished but obsequious. "Master Damien seeks to establish a solid foundation."

"I find that difficult to accept," the professor countered, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If you're truly interested in joining a first-year course, the appropriate procedure is to consult the headmaster—"

"It's already been arranged." Damien's voice, rich with confidence, cut in as he produced a letter and handed it to the professor.

Instructor Harris unfolded the parchment, his eyes scanning its contents. He sighed audibly, his shoulders sagging just slightly. "It seems we have no choice, then." Folding the letter neatly, he tucked it into his pocket. His gaze lingered on Damien, his expression a mixture of exasperation and resignation.

"Student Damien, you are, of course, welcome to partake in this class," the instructor finally said, though his tone lacked enthusiasm. His eyes shifted to Lionel. "And your name?"

"Lionel Green, Professor," Lionel responded smoothly, his demeanor exuding practiced politeness.

"Very well. Both of you may observe or participate, but I expect you to respect the flow of the class," the professor concluded, clapping his hands together to shift the attention back to the lesson.

Damien and Lionel joined the group, their movements laced with an air of superiority. As his gaze swept over the beasts gathered before us, Damien's lips curled in faint disdain. "An intriguing assembly of beasts," he remarked dryly.

Instructor Harris nodded, his tone measured. "Indeed. Each of these creatures possesses unique abilities and traits that make them valuable for learning."

Damien leaned casually against a wooden beam, arms crossed in a calculated display of indifference. "Low-level beasts, though," he said with a hint of boredom. "Doesn't the academy house anything more... formidable?"

The instructor hesitated for a moment before responding, "Regrettably, our current collection consists of lower-ranked creatures, suitable for beginners. If student Damien desires a higher-ranked beast, he would need to provide one himself."

Damien's eyes narrowed. "Is this how you address me? The son of a duke?" His tone was full of arrogance.

As if on cue, a student inadvertently brushed against him while passing by, causing Damien to stiffen. "You!? Keep your filthy hands off me, you commoner!" He snarled, immediately pulling out a handkerchief to delicately clean the sleeve where the student had touched him, as though the mere contact was beneath him.

"Sorry... sorry," the other student stammered, his face turning crimson as he quickly backed away, clearly intimidated by Damien's outburst.

Instructor Harris stepped forward, his voice firm. "What's going on here?"

Damien straightened, brushing off his sleeve. "It's nothing," he muttered, though his irritation was clear.

The instructor gave him a pointed look before turning to the class. "Let's focus on the lesson, please," he said, signaling for the disruption to end.