Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 62: [61] The Art of the Spear

-Rainer Astoria-

Arkan had truly proven himself within just a week. A territory that once resembled a ghost town was now alive with activity. People bustled about, tents sprang up, and the sounds of hammers and hoes echoed through the air. Farmers tilled their land, fishermen busily repaired their boats, and miners began digging deep into the earth. All of this unfolded in such a short span, and I couldn’t help but admire Arkan’s ability to drive such rapid change.

But deep inside, I couldn’t ignore the worry gnawing at me. How could he pour so much gold into this? Even if the results were starting to show, wasn’t this too risky? What exactly was he planning?

Arkan wasn’t like other nobles. He didn’t share the arrogance of imperial aristocrats who saw themselves as gods among men. But that didn’t mean he was humble. No, Arkan had an unusual way of thinking. He wasn’t boastful, but there was a clear ambition behind his actions. He wasn’t building all of this solely for his people—there was something bigger driving him, something I couldn’t fully grasp yet.

"Rainer, you’re overthinking again," I muttered to myself as I stood by the training grounds, watching farmers labor in the fields.

I exhaled deeply. Regardless of my concerns, I’d already promised to stay by his side for the next two years. To witness his growth—and mine. I’d gained much from working under him. Beyond the clear direction and fair wages, Arkan often gave me peculiar advice that, surprisingly, turned out to be useful.

For example, he once suggested I try switching my sword for a spear.

"A sword limits you, Rainer," he had said, his face unusually serious. "If you only stick to the sword, you’ll confine yourself to a single way of fighting. The spear, on the other hand—it’s versatile. Range, strength, and adaptability. It can do so much more in many situations."

At the time, I just nodded, brushing off his advice. A spear? That was the weapon of common foot soldiers. Even the lower-ranked imperial guards carried spears as their primary arms. Meanwhile, a sword—especially a longsword—was a symbol of nobility, strength, and honor. It was the weapon of my family, the Astorias. Why would I lower myself to use such a basic weapon?

Yet somehow, his words lingered in the back of my mind. Arkan might be odd, but he never spoke carelessly. Every word he uttered had intent and purpose. So, with lingering doubt, I decided to give it a try. Borrowing a spear from one of the mercenaries working in this territory, I started training.

At first, the spear felt clumsy in my hands. Its length made my movements sluggish, and I struggled to control its tip. But as I kept practicing, memories of someone from my past came to mind—someone I’d once admired as one of the best spear wielders I’d ever seen.

I began to mimic their movements in my mind, recalling how they spun the spear with lightning speed and struck with unerring precision. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Bit by bit, I began to understand the beauty of the spear. This wasn’t just a long, heavy stick—it was a form of art. The spear became an extension of my body, like the sword, but with far greater reach. Each spin, each thrust, and each arc felt like an elegant dance, a rhythm that resonated through my entire being.

By the riverside one afternoon, I practiced, blending my knowledge of swordsmanship with this newfound weapon. My body moved in fluid motions, sweeping the spear through the air as if painting strokes on an invisible canvas. The river’s still surface reflected my silhouette, revealing a calm yet determined presence.

Arkan was right. The spear wasn’t just a mere tool; it was a powerful weapon that brought flexibility and strength no sword could match. That didn’t mean I would abandon my sword, of course. The sword remained part of who I was. But the spear... the spear introduced me to a broader perspective. One I’d never considered before.

That evening, as I returned to the manor, Arkan stood on the upper balcony, gazing down at me with his usual knowing smirk.

"So, what’s the verdict?" he called down.

In response, I raised the spear in my hand, letting its sharp tip glint under the moonlight. "I see what you meant."

He chuckled lightly and gave a small wave. "Good. You’ve just expanded your chances of survival."

I stared back at him, sensing that behind his words lay something deeper. Somehow, I knew Arkan wasn’t just talking about weapons. He was speaking about life itself.

-Arkan Lawrence-

Seeing Rainer gradually adapt to the spear gave me a small sense of relief. If he could continue to develop his potential, he would eventually reach the heights he was destined to in the original story. Rainer wasn’t just physically strong; he had a spirit capable of inspiring those around him. Yet, in the original novel, one of the greatest barriers to his growth was his blind pride in the sword.

I remembered vividly a scene from volume three—one of the story’s most dramatic moments. At that time, Rainer faced off against a notorious criminal, a former knight captain of a kingdom ruined by war. This man, known as the "Silver Executioner," was an incredibly tough opponent. Not only was he physically formidable, but his years of battle experience made him nearly impossible to defeat.

Rainer, still bound by his loyalty to his sword, found himself trapped in a duel against the criminal. It was an intense scene. Rainer tried everything to match his opponent, but the gap in experience and skill relentlessly pushed him into a corner.

"Is this all you’ve got?" the criminal mocked with a sinister laugh. "You’re not even worthy of calling yourself a knight. That sword of yours is a disgrace!"

Those words were more than insults—they were a brutal blow to Rainer’s pride. As a user of Force and a descendant of the Astoria family, such jeers were an unforgivable affront. But the truth was undeniable. His sword—his pride and symbol of status—was shattered in the heat of the duel.

Weaponless and on the brink of death, Rainer teetered on the edge of despair. Then, in a moment of desperation, his eyes landed on a spear lying beside the fallen body of a mercenary from the earlier battle.

Though the spear was unfamiliar to him, Rainer had no other choice. Using the last remnants of his strength, he grasped the spear and adapted his fighting style within seconds.

And that changed everything.

Despite his inexperience, Rainer exhibited an extraordinary natural talent with the spear. Every movement started to flow, as if the weapon had always been part of him. In a duel brimming with tension, he turned the tables on the criminal. The spear’s tip danced through the air, parrying each incoming blow, and eventually landed a decisive, fatal strike.

That scene marked a critical turning point in Rainer’s story. It was in that moment he realized his true gift was not with the sword, but the spear. From then on, the spear became his primary weapon, and his skills surged, eventually establishing him as one of the strongest Force users in the world.

However, in this rewritten version of events, I didn’t want him to reach that epiphany only after hitting rock bottom. If I could intervene and help him realize his potential earlier, it would give him more time to grow and refine his talents.

Rainer was the key to many things in this world. If he became stronger sooner, the odds of surviving the massive crisis five years from now would improve dramatically.

I sighed, glancing out at the training yard where Rainer practiced with his spear. His movements were becoming smoother, though traces of stiffness remained. He had a long road ahead of him, but this was a promising start.

"Good," I muttered with a small smile. "At least one part of this plan is going as expected."

###

While Rainer worked on developing his skills, I knew it was time for me to focus on building my own strength. I had leaned heavily on the advantages of modern knowledge, but knowledge alone was meaningless without the right human resources to implement it.

This world operated on different rules. Here, magic existed, and what I knew as modern chemistry was shrouded in mystery and often dismissed as something of low value.

In this world, chemistry was referred to as alchemy. But alchemy here diverged significantly from its scientific counterpart in the 21st century. Much of alchemy in this world revolved around abstract concepts, like turning lead into gold or brewing potions that enhanced the body—things that felt more like fairy tales than science. In truth, if applied correctly, modern chemistry could ignite a revolution in this world.

That’s why I needed the right people to help me realize this vision.

According to the original story, there was an alchemy professor at the Imperial Magic Academy. He was someone overlooked and underappreciated within the academy because his field was deemed too useless compared to more prominent branches of magic, like elemental manipulation or healing spells.

Ironically, this man had enormous potential in critical thinking and experimentation, but the lack of support left him stuck. In fact, according to the original story, the alchemy department would be shut down in two years, leaving its remaining instructors adrift.

I was confident that someone like him wouldn’t reject an opportunity if I offered it.

Sitting at my desk, I carefully drafted a letter to send to him, ensuring my words would pique his interest enough to accept my proposal.

Letter Contents:

To Faustus Rugenstein, Alchemy Instructor of the Imperial Magic Academy,

I am Arkan Lawrence, a recently appointed noble entrusted with managing the western coastal region of the Kingdom of Vryndoria. I have heard of your expertise in alchemy and am deeply impressed by your dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, even when the world seems unprepared to fully realize the potential of your field.

I am writing to offer you an opportunity. In my domain, I am undertaking various projects aimed at improving the lives of my people. I believe that with your knowledge and skills, we can create something that not only transforms this region but also impacts the world.

Of course, I understand this decision may not be an easy one. To this end, I am willing to provide you with facilities, the freedom to experiment, and appropriate recognition for your contributions. You will not be restricted by the narrow views or biases against alchemy you may have encountered at the academy. Here, you can create without limitations.

I hope you will consider this offer and respond as soon as possible. Should you accept, I will arrange for an escort to ensure your safe and comfortable journey to my territory.

Sincerely,

Arkan Lawrence

After carefully finishing the letter, I sealed it and handed it to a trusted courier with instructions to deliver it to the Imperial Magic Academy.

-Third Person POV-

At the Imperial Magic Academy, Faustus Rugenstein sat in his dimly lit chamber, surrounded by old alchemical equipment and thick tomes that few dared to touch aside from himself. His graying hair reflected his age, while the gloom in his eyes mirrored years of disillusionment with the academic world.

When a courier knocked on his door and handed him a letter, Faustus opened it with mild curiosity. As he read its contents, his eyes gradually widened. This offer... it was something he had never imagined.

"Granted freedom... without restrictions..." he muttered, rereading that particular phrase.

His hands tightened around the letter, holding onto it as if it were a lifeline. For the first time in years, he felt that perhaps, just perhaps, his knowledge might have value to someone.

-Arkan Lawrence-

I knew this was a risky move. But if he truly accepted the offer, I wouldn’t just gain an alchemist—I’d gain a foundation for introducing modern technology to this world.

Of course, there were still many considerations to address, but one thing was certain: I wouldn’t let such potential go to waste.