The Extra's Rise-Chapter 570: Coffee With Clara

Professor Nero concluded his curriculum overview by explaining the new evaluation system. "Like previous years, fourth-year coursework is individually adapted to each student’s unique abilities and development needs. While I will serve as your primary coordinator, you’ll work with multiple specialized faculty members."

Our tablets lit up, showing individual schedules. My own curriculum: advanced Deepdark theory, Purelight applications, six-circle magic development, and enhanced aura manipulation.

"Additionally," Professor Nero continued, "you will be evaluated through three practical missions throughout the first semester. These missions will directly impact your rankings, while written examinations will affect grades but not rankings."

After fielding questions about the new system, Professor Nero did something unexpected—he set down his materials and regarded the class with what might have been approval.

"Normally, I would begin immediately with advanced theoretical applications," he said, his tone shifting to something slightly more relaxed. "However, given the significant changes to our class composition and the Academy’s recognition that integration is crucial for optimal performance, today will be designated as an adjustment period."

A murmur of interest rippled through the classroom. Professor Nero was not known for deviating from academic schedules without compelling reasons.

"The administration has determined that allowing time for social integration among existing and transfer students will ultimately benefit everyone’s academic performance," he continued. "Therefore, there are no formal classes today. You are encouraged to use this time to familiarize yourselves with the Academy’s facilities and, more importantly, to establish working relationships with your new classmates."

The announcement was met with obvious relief from several students, though I noticed that some—particularly Seol-ah and Aria—seemed to be using the opportunity to observe their new environment with analytical interest.

"I expect everyone to report to tomorrow’s session prepared to engage with material that will challenge even your considerable abilities," Professor Nero added with a slight smile that suggested he was looking forward to that challenge. "Dismissed."

As students began gathering their belongings and engaging in tentative conversations, I found myself considering how best to use this unexpected free time. The opportunity to understand the new class dynamics was valuable, but I also needed to assess how the transfer students might affect the delicate balance of relationships that had developed over the previous three years.

"Arthur," a soft voice said behind me, interrupting my strategic considerations.

I turned to find Clara Lopez approaching with her characteristic unhurried manner. Her navy blue hair was slightly disheveled, as if she had just woken up, and her violet eyes held that perpetually drowsy expression that had become her trademark. Despite her appearance, I knew Clara possessed sharp intelligence and observational skills that rivaled anyone in the class. novelbuddy.cσ๓

"Clara," I replied with genuine warmth. "How was your summer break?"

"Sleepy," she said with a small smile that suggested this was both literal truth and gentle humor. "But productive. I spent most of it researching advanced sleep magic applications."

That was so perfectly Clara that I couldn’t help but smile in return. She had always managed to find ways to make her natural inclination toward rest into an academic advantage.

"Actually," she continued, "I was wondering if you’d like to get coffee? It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper conversation, and..." She paused, glancing around at the bustling classroom. "It might be nice to catch up somewhere quieter."

The invitation was unexpected but welcome. Clara and I had always maintained a comfortable friendship, though our interactions had been limited during the previous year due to my increasing involvement with guild responsibilities and the complex dynamics of my relationships with Rose, Rachel, Cecilia, and Seraphina.

"I’d like that," I said sincerely. "Which coffee shop?"

"The one near the botanical gardens," she confirmed. "They have those comfortable window seats, and it’s usually quiet this time of day."

We made our way out of the classroom together, passing clusters of students who were already beginning to form conversation groups. I noticed Seol-ah engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion with Ren about eastern political developments, while Aria was introducing herself to Rachel and Cecilia with the kind of diplomatic charm that suggested noble training.

The Academy’s hyperloop system transported us efficiently to the botanical district, where the coffee shop Clara had chosen occupied a prime location overlooking carefully maintained gardens that showcased magical flora from around the world. The establishment was a favorite among students and faculty who preferred a more tranquil environment for study or conversation.

The interior was designed to complement the natural beauty visible through its large windows—warm wood furnishings, comfortable seating arrangements, and the subtle aroma of expertly prepared coffee blends that sourced beans enhanced through magical cultivation techniques.

Clara led us to a corner table beside a window that offered an excellent view of the gardens, settling into her chair with the kind of graceful efficiency that suggested this was a familiar routine. She ordered something called a "dream latte" that apparently contained mild relaxation enchantments, while I opted for a more traditional espresso.

"So," she said once our drinks arrived, her violet eyes focusing on me with surprising intensity despite her generally drowsy demeanor, "how are you really doing?"

The question was more direct than I had expected from Clara, whose conversational style typically involved gentle meandering rather than pointed inquiry.

"What do you mean?" I asked, though I suspected I knew where this was heading.

"Arthur," she said with the patient tone of someone who was accustomed to cutting through social pleasantries, "you’re dating four of the most remarkable women in our year, you’re running a Gold-rank guild, you’re involved in political negotiations that affect entire continents, and you’re somehow maintaining top academic standing. That’s a lot for anyone to handle."

I sipped my espresso while considering how to respond. Clara’s observation was accurate, but her concern seemed genuine rather than judgmental.

"I manage," I said finally. "It’s challenging, but not impossible."

"Managing and thriving are different things," she pointed out gently. "When was the last time you just... relaxed? Did something purely for enjoyment rather than obligation or advancement?"

The question caught me off guard because I couldn’t immediately provide a satisfactory answer. My recent activities had indeed been driven by responsibility, strategy, or the needs of others. Even my time with Rose, Rachel, Cecilia, and Seraphina, while personally fulfilling, carried emotional weight and relationship maintenance requirements.

"That’s what I thought," Clara said, interpreting my silence correctly. "You know, there’s something to be said for the value of unstructured time."

"Is that your professional opinion as someone who has made an art form of relaxation?" I asked with gentle teasing.

Her smile was surprisingly bright. "Actually, yes. My research into sleep magic has taught me a lot about the importance of mental rest and recovery. You can’t maintain peak performance indefinitely without allowing time for genuine restoration."

As if to demonstrate her point, she settled deeper into her chair and gazed out at the botanical gardens with obvious contentment. The sight was so characteristic of Clara that I found myself relaxing despite my habitual tendency toward constant planning and analysis.

"Tell me about your guild work," she said after a comfortable silence. "Not the political implications or strategic advantages—just what you actually enjoy about it."

The question forced me to consider my activities from a different perspective. "I like the problem-solving aspects," I said slowly. "Taking complex situations and finding solutions that benefit everyone involved. And I like working with people who are genuinely committed to making things better."

"That sounds fulfilling," Clara observed. "What about the parts you don’t like?"

"The politics," I admitted without hesitation. "The constant need to consider how every action affects multiple relationships and alliances. Sometimes I miss being able to make decisions based purely on what seems right rather than what’s strategically optimal."

Clara nodded with understanding that suggested she had given considerable thought to such matters. "Have you considered that maybe the strategic approach and the right approach don’t have to be mutually exclusive?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she said, pausing to sip her dream latte, "you seem to assume that doing what’s right is somehow less sophisticated than doing what’s politically advantageous. But what if your instincts about what’s right are actually more accurate than complex political calculations?"

The observation was surprisingly insightful, and it touched on doubts I hadn’t fully articulated even to myself. How often had I second-guessed moral intuitions in favor of strategic thinking?

"You might be onto something," I said thoughtfully.

"I usually am," she replied with mock arrogance that was entirely undermined by her sleepy expression. "It’s one of the advantages of spending so much time in a relaxed mental state. You notice things that people miss when they’re constantly analyzing and planning."

We continued talking as the afternoon progressed, our conversation meandering through topics ranging from academic challenges to personal observations about our classmates. Clara’s perspective was refreshingly uncomplicated—she seemed genuinely interested in understanding people and situations without immediately categorizing them in terms of advantage or disadvantage.

"What do you think of the transfer students?" I asked as we watched other students moving through the gardens outside.

"Seol-ah is incredibly focused," Clara said without hesitation. "Almost unnaturally so. I suspect she’s carrying more responsibility than most people our age should have to handle."

"And the others?"

"Aria has the kind of confidence that comes from never doubting your place in the world. That can be either wonderful or problematic depending on how she uses it." She paused thoughtfully. "Ava is harder to read, but I get the impression she’s been through things that most of us haven’t experienced. And Deia..."

"What about Deia?"

Clara’s expression grew more serious. "Deia is trying very hard to prove something, but I’m not sure she knows what it is yet. There’s a lot of pain there, but also tremendous determination."

She took another sip of her dream latte before continuing. "Actually, speaking of training experiences, I spent some time at the Tower of Magic during one of the breaks. My mother basically threw me there to ’develop my potential properly.’" She said the last part with mild amusement rather than resentment.

"Really? That’s interesting. How was it?"

"Sleepy," she replied with characteristic honesty. "But I did train with Cecilia for a while. She’s quite intense when she’s focused on magical theory."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Cecilia never mentioned training with you at the Tower."

Clara let out a small yawn, covering her mouth politely. "Doesn’t surprise me. It wasn’t particularly memorable training, I’m sure. I spent most of it trying not to fall asleep during the theoretical sessions." She shrugged with complete indifference, as if the fact that one of our classmates had omitted mentioning their shared training was entirely unremarkable.

Her assessments were remarkably perceptive for someone who gave the impression of being perpetually half-asleep. I found myself wondering how much Clara observed that the rest of us missed while we were focused on more obvious concerns.

"You’re very good at reading people," I observed.

"It’s easier when you’re not worried about how they might affect your own plans," she replied with characteristic directness. "Most people are too busy thinking about themselves to really see others clearly."

As the afternoon light began to shift toward evening, we eventually made our way back toward the dormitories, our conversation having provided exactly the kind of mental rest that Clara had suggested I needed. For a few hours, I had been able to simply enjoy the company of a friend without considering strategic implications or relationship management.