The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne

Chapter 542: Sparring

”What do you mean?” Rafine asked shyly, turning her face away.

Nolan opened his arms, looking at her with a teasing smile.

”Don’t you want to hug me? We haven’t seen each other in a long time, right?”

Rafine’s eyes widened, her heart pounding faster.

”You... you...” She pointed at Nolan with a trembling finger.

She never expected him to say something so shameless.

A hug? Did he really think it was something that could be done so easily?

Seeing her reaction, Nolan let out a long sigh. Under Rafine’s shocked gaze, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

Her body stiffened at once. Her mouth fell open, and her breathing turned uneven.

”Why are you embarrassed?” Nolan said casually. ”Hugging between men and women is common in my hometown.”

His words eased the tension in her body. Moreover, Nolan’s tall frame and broad chest felt warm and... comforting.

’Wait a minute! What am I doing!? How could I let him hug me like this? Hometown tradition? What nonsense! This man must be trying to take advantage of me!’

Her face as red as an apple, she pushed Nolan away, turned around, and ran inside.

Watching her leave, Nolan only smiled and shook his head.

To be honest, he had acted on impulse. Even he didn’t understand why.

Yet deep down, he seemed to miss her. That feeling was clearly wrong—because before his reincarnation, there was already someone he loved.

’Hah... this is the first time I’ve lost control of myself,’ he whispered helplessly. ’Next time, I can’t let it happen again. Otherwise, it’ll be dangerous.’

***

Four days passed quickly. Since Nolan’s arrival in Virella, the atmosphere in the mansion had grown livelier.

He also brought many business and town-planning ideas, which greatly helped Elina, who had been stuck in a rut.

Trade volume increased as the felling of old trees for sale in their raw state officially began.

Given the high quality of the trees in the Calvorn Forest, their price was naturally high.

It was a pity the factory had not yet been completed. Otherwise, the town of Virella would have earned many times more than by selling raw materials alone.

Even so, Nolan reassured Elina that it wasn’t a problem. Factory construction would take time, so it was better to keep the town’s economy moving.

After all, everyone needed food to survive.

Winter had officially ended, giving way to a beautiful spring the people of the empire had long awaited.

”Huff...”

At the center of the training ground, Luvistar exhaled deeply, then dashed toward the four one-meter-tall dummies in front of him.

Slash!

With a single swing, all four were split in half. He sheathed his sword and nodded in satisfaction.

”Not bad. Four dummies in one strike. That means my strength has increased,” he muttered.

These dummies were no ordinary objects. They were magic dummies, designed to measure strength through a single slash.

Previously, he could only split two dummies with a single strike. Now, he could cut down four—an extraordinary improvement.

Clap!

”Congratulations, General. Your strength has increased significantly compared to before.”

A voice suddenly came from behind, startling him.

He turned around and saw Nolan smiling at him.

”Your Highness,” Luvistar greeted respectfully. ”Did my training disturb you? If so, I apologize.”

”No, you misunderstand,” Nolan chuckled, waving his left hand. Stepping closer, he said, ”I was just taking a leisurely walk and happened to see you training. By the way, I heard you don’t have a sparring partner. How about fighting me?”

Luvistar was stunned. He stared at Nolan in disbelief before asking hesitantly, ”Fight you? Are you certain, Your Highness?”

Nolan was just a lazy prince who didn’t seem special—at least, that was what Luvistar used to think.

However, he knew Nolan possessed hidden, extraordinary power.

Even so, when it came to swordsmanship, Luvistar wasn’t sure Nolan was skilled or even knew how to hold a sword properly.

Noticing his hesitation, Nolan merely smiled and said nothing.

He walked to the wooden sword rack and took two blades.

Tossing one to Luvistar, Nolan swung the sword in his left hand, then pointed it toward him.

”Don’t hesitate. Let’s fight,” Nolan said casually. ”The rules are simple. Avoid vital points like the head and neck. You can only attack the middle and lower areas, such as the legs. And remember—sensitive areas are off-limits. Understood?”

Despite his doubts, Luvistar did not dare argue. He nodded slightly.

”Then prepare yourself, Your Highness. I won’t hold back,” Luvistar said seriously, raising his sword to chest level.

Meanwhile, Rafine, who was strolling along the hallway near the training ground, froze at the sight before her.

”They... Nolan and General Luvistar?” Her eyes widened. ”What’s going on? Are they in conflict? No... that can’t be right.”

No matter how much she speculated, she couldn’t find a reasonable answer.

Rather than overthinking it, she decided to take a closer look.

Whoosh!

Luvistar lunged toward Nolan. Planting his feet firmly, he swung his sword swiftly at Nolan’s shoulder.

If it landed, the impact would leave a bruise for at least three days.

Just as Luvistar was certain the strike would connect, Nolan suddenly raised his sword and blocked it.

Thack!

The two wooden swords collided with considerable force. Luvistar was startled, but his mind reacted at once.

He pulled back his sword, twisted his body, and swung again, this time at Nolan’s waist.

Thack!

Once again, Nolan blocked it with ease, leaving Luvistar stunned.

He quickly retreated three steps, maintaining his stance.

’I underestimated him,’ Luvistar murmured with a smile. ’This prince is clearly hiding his true combat strength.’

Now he understood how Elina had reached her current position.

It must all have been Nolan’s doing. Even so, he couldn’t understand why His Majesty still hadn’t noticed.

Or was he deliberately pretending not to know?

Given his intelligence, that seemed like a reasonable explanation.

”Come on, General. Come,” Nolan challenged.

Luvistar wasn’t displeased. With a smirk, he straightened his posture and replied, ”As you command, Your Highness.”

...

”Ugh... I’m so tired,” Elina complained, stretching her stiff body.

She glanced at the pile of documents on the table and sighed in relief. Fortunately, everything had been resolved smoothly.

As she was about to rise from her chair, a servant suddenly rushed in, his face pale with panic.

”Princess, His Highness Nolan and General Luvistar are fighting!”