Transmigrating as an Extra, But the Heroine Has Regressed?!-Chapter 338: One plate of Food is not enough!

Kael lay still for a long time.

Cold stone pressed against his back, and the faint hum of the dungeon gate echoed beside him like a wounded beast struggling to breathe.

His fingers twitched first.

Then his chest rose in a shallow breath.

"...I’m alive," he whispered hoarsely.

Every part of his body hurt. Not the sharp pain of fresh wounds, but the deep, exhausting ache of someone who had pushed far beyond their limits and been broken for it.

His mana felt hollow, like an emptied well scraped clean.

Kael turned his head slowly.

The dungeon gate loomed beside him—cracked, scorched, and partially collapsed. The symbols carved into its surface flickered weakly, some already fading away.

Level Thirty.

His jaw tightened.

"Level thirty...," he murmured. "I will come back."

Kael forced his arms under him and pushed.

He looked around.

No Yumi.

No white-eyed Saber.

No trace of the battle beyond the shattered gate.

"...So it is only me?" he said softly.

The realization hit harder than any strike.

His fingers curled slowly.

He reached over his shoulder and pulled his bag down, opening it with numb hands. He checked once. Then again. Then a third time, slower.

Empty.

No dried meat.

No emergency supply.

"The one week’s food...," he muttered with a bitter smile, "...finished in three days."

He exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

"How interesting."

His gaze returned to the dungeon gate.

His chest tightened.

"The beast girl...," he whispered. "I will come help you as fast as I can."

Kael closed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and picked up his sword. The blade was chipped, its edge dulled and cracked from repeated clashes with overwhelming power—but it was still his.

And that was enough.

Without looking back again, Kael turned away from the dungeon and began walking.

Images replayed over and over—Yumi’s bloodied form, the white-eyed Saber kneeling, the red-eyed Saber raising her sword as the dungeon collapsed.

"...Rank S," Kael muttered. "No... beyond that."

The novel.

He remembered now.

Not clearly—but enough.

There were things the novel never explained.

And Level Thirty was one of them.

By the time Arcadia Academy came into view, the sun was already lowering, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and gold.

The towering gates of the academy stood open, mana barriers shimmering faintly above them.

Kael stepped through the gates.

The moment he did, noise crashed over him like a wave.

Cheers.

Shouts.

Excited yelling.

He stopped.

To his right, at Ground One, a large crowd had gathered. Second-year students stood in clusters, shouting encouragement and challenges.

Several figures were already fighting on the field, mana flaring brightly as spells and skills collided.

Some wore the insignia of the Big Hall Academy.

Some wore Arcadia’s crest.

"...So it’s happening," Kael muttered.

He didn’t need to ask.

He already knew.

The inter-academy clash.

Just like in the novel.

He watched for a few seconds—long enough to see a second-year Arcadia student knock an opponent back with a burst of mana, the crowd erupting into cheers.

Kael turned away.

He walked on, passing through the academy grounds, his presence mostly unnoticed among the excitement—until a few familiar faces spotted him.

"Hey—Kael!"

He paused.

A group of classmates stared at him in shock as he approached the dormitory building.

Their eyes widened as they took in his appearance—dust-stained clothes, bloodied bandages, exhausted posture.

"Where have you been?" one of them asked quickly. "Professor Sylvia and Cecelia were searching for you everywhere!"

Kael stopped in front of his dorm door.

"...Uhuh," he replied vaguely.

"They might be waiting at the library," another added. "Or at the Ice and Fire Chamber. You should go there right now."

Kael nodded.

"Okay," he said.

Then he opened his dorm door, stepped inside—

And slammed it shut.

BOOM.

The sound echoed down the hallway.

The students flinched.

"...What is wrong with him?" one of them gasped.

Inside the dormitory, Kael leaned against the door for a moment, eyes closed, breathing deeply.

The room was quiet.

He pushed himself away from the door and moved quickly.

He didn’t waste time resting.

Instead, he went straight to his trunk and opened it, dumping everything onto the bed.

Gold coins.

Silver coins.

Mana crystals.

Old reward tokens.

He gathered them all, counting quickly.

Once.

Twice.

Then slower.

His expression became ugly.

"...Not enough."

Even after collecting everything he had, the pile looked pitifully small.

Barely enough for basic supplies.

Certainly not enough for high-grade potions.

Not enough for dungeon preparation.

Kael clenched his jaw.

"...Of course."

He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, staring at the coins.

Level Thirty.

Rank S Saber.

Yumi.

The white-eyed Saber.

He needed strength.

Resources.

Time.

And he had none of those.

A single name surfaced in his mind.

(Selena.)

Kael’s fingers tightened slowly.

Kael had no luxury to wait.

"...Looks like I have no choice," he muttered.

He stood, collecting the coins back into his pouch, then re-strapped his sword carefully despite the damage.

Before leaving, he glanced at the small mirror near his desk.

A tired face stared back.

Eyes sharper than before.

Darker.

"...This time," he said quietly to his reflection, "I won’t lose anyone."

Without wasting even a second more, Kael tightened the straps of his worn bag, secured his chipped sword at his waist, and gathered every last coin he owned into a single pouch.

The metal clinked dully—far too light for what he needed to do.

Still, it was all he had.

He stepped back into the academy corridors, moving fast, ignoring the curious looks cast his way. His body still ached, but his mind was sharp, focused on one thing only.

"Selena... Selena...!"

His voice echoed near the second-year academic block, drawing a few startled glances from passing students.

"Selena!"

A moment later, hurried footsteps approached.

"Huh... Kael?"

A familiar voice called out in surprise.

Selena emerged from between two tall shelves near the entrance of the block.

Her eyes widened slightly as she took in his appearance—dust-stained clothes, tired posture, and that sharp, dangerous look in his eyes.

"It’s been long, Kael," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you learning from my magic book again? Or did you come to ask for another one?"

She smiled lightly, half-teasing.

Kael let out a short laugh.

"Haha... silly, no," he replied, waving his hand dismissively.

Her smile faded just a little as she noticed his urgency.

"Well then?" she asked. "You don’t usually shout my name like that unless something’s wrong."

Kael leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"I have an urgent request," he said seriously. "The kind that can’t wait."

Selena’s expression sharpened instantly.

Before she could reply—

BANG!

The door to the academic block slammed open with violent force.

The sudden noise made nearby students flinch and scatter.

"Well, well," a loud, mocking voice rang out, dripping with arrogance. "Who the hell is hitting on my girl again?"

Kael sighed inwardly.

(Here we go again.)

He turned slowly.

Standing at the entrance was Darius, a second-year student known far too well around Arcadia Academy.

But this time—

He wasn’t alone.

Nine other students stood behind him, blocking the entrance completely. Each one wore the second-year crest. Some cracked their knuckles. Others smirked, eyes roaming over Kael like predators sizing up prey.

Selena stepped forward instantly, placing herself slightly in front of Kael.

"What the hell are you to me?" she shouted. "Get lost, Darius!"

Darius chuckled.

"Ouch," he said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "Still cold as ever, Selena."

His gaze shifted to Kael.

"...But you," he continued, eyes narrowing, "you’ve got some nerve showing your face here again."

Kael met his gaze calmly.

Just tired annoyance.

Selena clenched her fists.

"Don’t you dare touch him," she warned. "This has nothing to do with you."

Darius laughed louder.

"Nine against one," he said, spreading his arms slightly. "Correction—nine against two."

One of his friends leaned in and whispered, "He looks half-dead anyway."

Another added, "Easy points."

Kael exhaled slowly.

He stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Selena’s shoulder.

"Selena," he said quietly, "it’s okay."

She turned sharply.

"No, it’s not," she hissed. "You’re injured. Look at you."

Kael gave a small smile.

"...I’ve fought worse than you."

That caught Darius’s attention.

"Oh?" Darius raised an eyebrow. "You think you’re impressive now?"

He stepped closer.

"You’re a first-year," he sneered. "You should know your place."

Kael tilted his head slightly.

"My place?" he repeated.

Then—

He took one step forward.

Enough that the students closest to him stiffened unconsciously.

"Darius," Kael said evenly, "I really don’t have time for this."

Darius’s smile twitched.

"Oh, I insist," he replied. "You embarrassed me last time. You think I forgot?"

Selena snapped.

"That was your fault!"

Darius ignored her.

"You see, Kael," he continued, cracking his neck, "I brought friends this time."

The nine students stepped forward in unison, forming a loose semicircle around Kael and Selena.

Mana flickered faintly around them.

Selena’s heart pounded.

She glanced at Kael, fear creeping into her eyes despite her brave front.