Episode 13: Genre Misunderstanding: An Extra's Survival Story

Episode 13: How to Handle Abilities

Haim Warhess, a top-ranking third-year student, was seriously injured and transported to the infirmary.

Flam and Portus, who were supposed to duel that day to determine who would be superior for the month, canceled their match.

Abel, the root cause of it all, was sitting at his desk the next day, waiting for the professor.

You think he was waiting to be scolded or warned about injuring another student in a duel?

No way. This is the Continental Academy. It’s a rough world where ability users from various nations constantly clash, injure each other, and carry on.

Just yesterday alone, more than twenty students sparred under the excuse that vacation was over and it was time to warm up again.

As long as you don’t die, it’s fine. There are staff with healing abilities on standby, so there’s nothing to worry about.

What if someone harbors malice and bullies others? Other ability users aren’t fools — they won’t just sit back and watch someone tarnish the “honor of an ability user.”

The rights and societal prestige granted to ability users are immense. Ignoring someone who throws dirt on that is no different from tying a noose around your own neck.

So to put it plainly, the problem isn’t the sparring. The problem is being weak, the problem is lacking talent.

Too cruel? The world outside is even crueler. This might be a sparring match here, but out there, it’s war.

If your nation’s ability users are weak, other nations could invade with theirs at the forefront. To prevent such a future, you have to sweat and bleed here.

“Welcome, new students.”

That’s why the Continental Academy is infamous for its brutal curriculum.

“I’ll be in charge of teaching Ability Operation Theory…”

The professor, scanning the lecture hall with a stiff tone, flinched and paused.

A male student with a massive build was sitting right in the front row, looking at him with sparkling eyes.

If this wasn’t a classroom but a dark alley, the professor might’ve instinctively used his ability already.

That’s how overwhelming the presence was. It wasn’t just about physical size. It was the kind of pressure only other ability users could sense — enough to sound internal alarms.

“…Ahem. I’m Professor Ben, and I’ll be teaching Ability Operation Theory.”

He took attendance and exchanged brief greetings. Even then, that student’s eyes kept shining.

New students always get nervous when a strict professor shows up. Once the lecture starts right after the brief intro, most shrink back.

But thinking about it, this one really seemed different — something about him stood out. Professor Ben looked away for now.

“Finally.”

Abel smiled. He felt like he was going crazy with excitement. Finally, the true ability-user genre was starting.

There were things he could never learn or realize on his own, but now he could finally fill those gaps.

He was going to absorb everything this place had to offer and make a name for himself as an ability user in this brutal world where only the strong survive.

“You there, the male student. What’s your name?”

“Abel Rotensilt, sir.”

“Alright, Abel. Can I ask you for a small favor?”

Could it be that the professor recognized his passion? Was he going to offer a demonstration duel during the first class?

Abel’s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm, but then Professor Benn pointed to the back of the room and continued.

“You’re blocking the students behind you. Could you move to another seat?”

He’d let his passion get ahead of him and forgot about those behind him.

Indeed, four students behind him were craning their necks side to side, struggling to see the front.

Learning is a right for all students. No one has the right to take that away — not even someone with memories from a past life.

“Understood, Professor!”

Abel moved to a seat in the back. Thanks to that, the students behind him were able to relax a little, visibly relieved.

“Good. Let’s resume. You all can control your abilities to some extent, right? But just controlling them isn’t enough — the ability to operate them in any situation is far more important…”

Suddenly, Professor Ben paused again, feeling a presence from the back of the room.

It was that student Abel again.

Even after moving to the back, his aura hadn’t diminished at all — if anything, it felt even stronger than when he sat in front.

Was it due to a burning passion for learning? Or perhaps a deep hunger for power? He couldn’t say for sure.

But one thing was clear:

From the moment he saw him, he could sense it instinctively.

Among this year’s freshman class, Abel was one of the hidden dragons — a rising star.

He would not be surprised if that name came up frequently during faculty meetings from now on.

***

“Huuuuuh…”

It’s hard. Way too hard. And this is just the first lecture. Her very first class as a freshman.

Seria clutched her head. Her neatly arranged hair became a mess, but she didn’t have the time or mental energy to care.

She had realized it when she saw the power measurement results.

The Continental Academy was clearly too much for her.

In truth, she’d known it all along — ever since she stood before the evaluators.

Since the moment she awakened her ability, she knew that this power wasn’t a gift — it was a burden.

Still, she had tried her best, wanting to repay the kindness of those who had accepted and loved her.

Her efforts led to decent results, and in the end, she managed to enter the academy.

But now, at the very beginning, faced with the harsh reality that this place was no joke, her confidence plummeted.

She tried to overcome it.

She told herself the power measurement was just that — a measurement. It would be fine.

Once the semester started, she planned to study hard and train earnestly.

Maybe she couldn’t reach the top, but she at least wanted to aim for the middle ranks.

‘But if even the theory is this difficult from the start… I’m doomed!’

Ability Operation Theory.

Even the name of the class had sounded ominous — and unfortunately, it was spot-on.

“This is your output when using abilities, and that’s the difference in application…”

It was all completely baffling to Seria, who had only ever known how to use her powers in a straightforward way.

She glanced around her, and that only made her feel worse.

Most students looked like they understood at least some of what was being taught.

The thought that she was the only one falling behind killed her confidence.

The harder the content became, the smaller her determination grew.

What Seria didn’t know was that many of the students around her came from powerful and prestigious families in their home countries.

They were nobles, and as such, had much more exposure to things like abilities.

Whether it was family, relatives, or even mentors brought in from outside — their starting point had been vastly different.

In fact, if you looked closely, even the commoner students were struggling just as much as she was.

But Seria didn’t have the time or perspective to notice that.

‘…I wonder how Abel is doing.’

She suddenly thought of Abel — the one who had cheered her on — and naturally started looking for him.

He had been sitting in the front row at the start of class, but had to move to the back because of his height.

It wasn’t exactly unfortunate — being tall like that had its own charm.

In fact, Seria had noticed that a few girls had been sneaking glances at Abel before class began.

“Some say that when it comes to using abilities, mastery of operation is even more important than raw output. Now then, let’s talk about how to use your powers precisely in critical moments…”

The back seats naturally absorbed less of the professor’s influence.

Some students were barely paying attention, while others were nodding off, unable to fight the drowsiness of the morning.

The back of the lecture hall was a little chaotic — yet in the midst of it, Abel was furiously taking notes.

His eyes were full of determination, as if he wouldn’t let a single word from Professor Ben slip away.

“Alright. Up to this point — does anyone have any questions?”

“Yes, Professor. I have a question.”

“Good, Abel. What are you curious about?”

“Well, I actually have a few things, but to start with…”

He wasn’t just taking notes — he was actively engaging.

He asked questions about parts he didn’t understand, tried to grasp difficult concepts, and kept digging deeper whenever new curiosities arose.

“Give it a rest, will you?”

A student behind Seria grumbled in annoyance.

They probably thought Abel’s questions were cutting into what should’ve been their break.

For just a moment, Seria felt resentment toward that student.

“Give it a rest”? What was wrong with such an admirable display of focus?

“You’ve got quite the passion for this subject, Abel.

I’d love to talk with you more, but if we go any longer, I can’t give the class their break.

Alright, everyone — let’s take 20 minutes.”

Professor Ben was the first to leave the classroom.

Students jumped from their seats, celebrating their temporary freedom.

But Seria just sat there, watching Abel in the back row.

He was tall, kind-hearted, supportive of others, and put everything he had into what needed to be done.

At first, she’d simply thought of him as a nice person. But now… he looked a little different to her.

“…Ah.”

Had she stared too long?

Maybe he felt her gaze, because Abel started looking around — and then their eyes met.

Seria flinched and quickly lowered her head.

She hadn’t done anything wrong, but her heart pounded and her face turned hot.

Did he notice?

He probably did.

Would he say something?

She desperately hoped not.

Maybe it was just her imagination…

“Miss Seria.”

“Ah, Lord Abel! I mean, um, well…”

I wasn’t trying to stare at you!

I just happened to look your way, and then I kept looking, and—

So what happened was—

“I think you and I are thinking the same thing.”

“…Huh?”

She was still frantically trying to find an explanation, when Abel suddenly spoke first.

And what he said was something Seria couldn’t quite understand in that moment.

“After a lecture like that, we should probably try it in practice, don’t you think?”

“U-Uh, what?”

“Twenty minutes should be enough. Shall we head out?”

She understood what he meant: he wanted to practice ability control.

And yet — even though she knew that — why did it sound like something completely different?

Seria stared at Abel, dumbfounded, and before she realized it, she nodded her head.

“Ah, Caligo. Want to come too?”

“Why me?”

“Because Miss Seria is coming too.”

“What are you waiting for, then? Let’s go.”

Unfortunately, it seemed it wouldn’t just be the two of them.

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