The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

Returning to her place beside the pillar, Silvena rested one shoulder against the cold stone. The entire exchange had been nothing more than an idle conversation to her.

Ruvian watched her with a smirk.

’Haha, so much for moderation... she really didn’t need to do all that.’

Delila’s expression, even though it looked the same, started to change slightly beneath the surface of professional courtesy.

A sharper tense appeared behind her smile, she was trying very hard not to appear annoyed in front of the whole scholars.

Her voice, when it came, was bright and airy again.

”Fine. I believe we’ve waited long enough.”

A few Class E scholars flinched when they heard that.

Right after that, another clear voice cut in.

”I’ll participate.”

’Hm?’

Turning his head, from the opposite end of the hall, where Class A scholars stood in varying degrees of disinterest... he saw a woman step forward with grace, eyes burning with confidence.

Her red hair was tied in a high, disciplined ponytail that swayed gently as she walked. Without hesitation, she simply moved.

Delila’s entire demeanour shifted the moment she recognised her.

She gave a triumphant smile.

”Oh, Lady Rosalin, of course. I should have guessed. At least someone among your peers understands what pride and responsibility look like.”

However, despite the compliment, Rosalin made no comment. She simply placed her name onto the projection and calmly stepped back without a glance at anyone.

Ruvian’s eyes followed her movement.

’As I thought. She would step up.’

Rosalin was the type of woman who was incapable of wasting an opportunity to prove herself competent in public view.

With her addition, the number on the board shifted again, blinking softly as it adjusted itself.

8 participants from Class A.

Which means... 24 participants were needed from Class E.

Ruvian watched the screen as the murmurs began to spread in panic.

’24 out of 40. With no one volunteering, I guess this will end up the same as in the novel.’

Finally, after a while, the Class E began to move, submitting their names. Ruvian also followed suit from behind.

But then, he suddenly stopped.

In the low-humming silence of the hall, his actions stood out clearly.

Everyone noticed it, even Delila, who had already returned to her console, looked up sharply at the interruption.

A slight frown ghosted her lips.

”Is there a problem, scholar?” she asked Ruvian, her tone clipped with impatience masquerading as concern.

Even the other Class E scholars, who had already submitted their names, glanced back toward him, confused.

Delila’s brow twitched. ”Please submit your name if you intend to participate.”

”Instructor Delila...”

Ruvian began, his voice even and controlled.

”Before I do that, may I ask something first?” (+30PP)

Delila’s fingers paused above the console.

”If it’s relevant. Yes, you may.”

Ruvian continued. ”Any training session at the academy, especially one involving practical combat, should have outlined parameters. Merits and demerits scoring structures. Am I correct?”

The hall became quieter.

Both Class E and Class A scholars had started to lift their heads at the question, and some toward Ruvian.

Ruvian continued, eyes still on Delila.

”I just find it strange...”

”That we’ve been asked to volunteer for a live combat trial, but no mention has been made of what’s actually at stake. Surely there must be some form of reward for participation. Some tangible benefit? Am I right, Instructor?”

Delila’s smile did not return, but her gaze was piercing deep at Ruvian with blazing irritation.

”Yes, you’re correct. There will be merit points for participating.”

’Lies.’

For a moment, the room relaxed. Some even looked relieved, but Ruvian was still watching her closely.

Ruvian’s voice dropped even more.

”Is that all you have to say?”

Delila slightly flinched.

”What about the outcome?”

Delila blinked again. ”Outcome?” she repeated.

”Yes. Participation is one thing. But in a duel, someone wins. Someone loses. What happened to those who lost?”

That’s when all attention moved to him.

Everyone knew that Velthia Academy was built on a meritocratic system.

Points, in this academy, were everything.

Currency. Power. Status.

Gaining them would advance you. While losing them would put you down.

Truth be told, she doesn’t really know whether this test has merits or demerits. After all, it’s not an official one. And she doesn’t know about that either, because this was not her idea, she was just an assistant.

Biting her lips, Delila offered a measured, polished shrug.

”There may be some minor deductions based on performance. But that is a standard part of the curriculum. Nothing unexpected about it.”

Ruvian inwardly sighed. ’Haa... another lie.’

Then, he continued.

”So, you mean to say that those selected from Class E, many of whom have never even cast a proper spell in live conditions, will not only be pitted against seasoned Class A combatants, but also risk losing merit points if they fail?” (+50PP)

The air in the room pulled tighter.

Many scholars murmured something among themselves.

From the edge of the room, Calyra tilted her head. She was calm as ever, neither impressed nor disapproving. But her attention, at least, had turned.

Even Rosalin, arms crossed behind her back, gave the barest flick of an eyebrow and widened her eyes.

While Silvena only smiled, slightly amused.

Delila’s composure fractured for a second.

”These decisions,” she finally said, voice weakened than before, ”are part of the broader curriculum structure, which you, as a first-year, do not have clearance to question it.”

She proposed a clean deflection, though it wasn’t a good one.

Ruvian couldn’t help but quietly laugh, amused by the absurdity of her answer.

’Is she for real?’

Now, he remembered why he doesn’t like Instructor Delila. She didn’t have the right attitude to lead Class A scholars.

Finally, Ruvian’s voice broke through the tension, heavy with concreted certainty.

”No, Instructor Delila...”

”...I believe we do.”

[You have received +150 Plot Points!]

”If the scholars are expected to risk performance scores in a combat scenario, then transparency ceases to be optional.”

Delila’s smile remained in place, but her fingers pressed slightly together behind her back.

[-500PP Omniscient Review]

Ruvian continued. ”And as for declining, I seem to recall that the Academy’s Rule Codex, in section thirteen, allows scholars to abstain from sessions that lack instructional equity, particularly when the risk of long-term assessment penalties is involved.”

”Don’t you think the Chancellor’s council would fine it... interesting, if one class were penalised for a session arranged primarily as a morale exercise for the other?”

Now, the silence between them was no longer polite.

Delila exhaled slowly, her voice grew fiercer.

”You... all of you were already granted a concession—three of your classmates for every one of mine. That’s no small advantage!”

Ruvian gave a small, contemplative nod.

”Ah, yes. I acknowledged the gesture. However, if fairness is what you intended, then allow me to offer a suggestion.” (+20PP)

He glanced back at the hall, surveying, then returned to face her.

”There are 8 duels scheduled, right?”

”If Class E wins 2, we accept a demerit for each loss. However, if we have fewer wins than that, no demerits will be distributed. Because at that point, it becomes a question of whether your so-called advantage was ever an advantage at all.” (+20PP)

Delila inhaled, about to speak, but then held back.

Suddenly, she realised that she was being cornered.

If she accepted the offer, she would be admitting the imbalance.

However, if she rejected it, she would confirm that the match was never intended to be fair, and her supposed concession had been nothing more than a one-sided arrangement.

Once that became clear, the outcome of the duels would no longer matter. Class E would lose every match and still walk away with the sympathy from Class A who saw the strings.

”That...’ she said carefully.

”...is not how fairness works.”

Ruvian couldn’t help it anymore, his smile growing more devious.

”Oh? Really?”

”Then, neither is yours, instructor.” (+50PP)

”So, perhaps let us meet in the middle of two unfair things and call it balance.”

”Unless you would prefer we file a formal petition instead. Though, I’m sure the faculty would be willing to evaluate the fairness of today’s joint session combat assessment... especially one that was arranged with no prior notice and no oversight.” (+20PP)

”...”

After a long silence, Delila finally spoke.

”Very well.”

Clicking her tongue, she turned her gaze away from Ruvian, her face showing the expression of defeat.

”I’ll accept your proposal.” (+150PP)

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 70: Our Fairness Is A Lie]

Plot Points= 11620