Help! I'm just an extra yet the Heroines and Villainesses want me! Chapter 87: Lucky Break

Dinner that evening was an elaborate affair with all the staying noble families invited to join. The grand dining hall had been set up to accommodate nearly forty people, with House Cross at the head and the various visiting families arranged by political importance.

William found himself seated between Elara Vexmore and the middle child of the Aldric, whose na he had already forgotten. Seraphine was further down the table, looking distinctly unhappy about the seating arrangents.

The al progressed with the usual noble family small talk. Trade discussions, political observations about the capital, carefully neutral comnts about various military campaigns. William ate and participated minimally, letting the adults dominate the conversation.

"Master William," the Aldric daughter beside him said during a lull in the broader discussion. "I was impressed by your fire control during the match. Do you have a primary elental focus or do you maintain equal developnt across all affinities?"

"I focus on practical application rather than theoretical balance," William said, which sounded intelligent while saying absolutely nothing useful.

"How diplomatic," she said with a practiced smile. "My father says versatility is valuable but mastery of a single elent often proves more effective in actual combat. What’s your perspective?"

William recognized this as an attempt to draw him into extended conversation. Before he could formulate a response, Elara cut in smoothly.

"I would imagine at the Inter-Academy level, versatility matters more than pure mastery. The competition tests adaptability as much as raw power." She looked at William. "Your multi-elent approach seems suited for that kind of environnt."

"It has advantages," William agreed, grateful for the intervention.

The Aldric daughter looked slightly annoyed at being interrupted but maintained her pleasant expression. "I suppose that makes sense. Though I’ve heard the competition can be quite dangerous. Several students are injured seriously every year."

"That’s the nature of high-level cultivation tournants," Elara said. "My cousin competed three years ago and said the individual combat events were particularly brutal."

"How did they place?" William asked.

"Seventh in their event. Respectably middle of the pack." Elara took a sip of wine. "Though they said the real danger ca from the team competitions, not the individual matches."

William filed that information away. Kai had ntioned dying during team events in several loops.

The dinner continued with various nobles attempting to engage William in conversation. So were subtle like Elara, others were blatantly obvious like the Aldric family trying to promote their daughters.

Lord Aldric himself leaned forward at one point. "Master William, my family is hosting a gathering next month at our estate. We would be honored if you’d attend as our guest. Several influential families will be present, and it would be an excellent opportunity for you to expand your social connections before the competition."

"That’s generous, Lord Aldric. I’ll need to check my academy schedule, but I appreciate the invitation."

"Of course, of course. No pressure. Though I should ntion that several academy graduates will also be attending, including so who competed in past Inter-Academy tournants. They could offer valuable insights into what you’ll be facing."

It was a well-constructed pitch. Frad as helpful rather than obviously political, offering tangible benefits while also creating obligation.

"I’ll definitely consider it," William said neutrally.

His mother caught his eye from the head of the table and gave an almost imperceptible nod of approval. He was handling this correctly.

After dinner, the nobles gathered in various parlors for drinks and continued socializing. William found himself cornered by Lady Ashford again, this ti without Mira’s presence as a buffer.

"Master William, I wanted to continue our earlier conversation," she said, guiding him slightly away from the main group. "About your partnership with my daughter."

"Lady Mira is an excellent teammate."

"So you’ve said. But I’m curious about the nature of that partnership." Lady Ashford’s eyes were sharp. "Mira writes ho regularly, and she ntions you quite frequently. More than she ntions her other teammates."

’You’ve ntioned it his more than once already ’

William kept his expression carefully neutral. "We’ve worked together on several projects and training exercises. It’s natural we would develop a working relationship."

"A working relationship. Yes." Lady Ashford smiled. "Mira also ntioned you’ve spent ti together outside of formal team activities. als together, study sessions and casual conversations."

"The team mbers socialize regularly. It helps with coordination during actual competitions."

"Of course. Though Mira seems to value her ti with you particularly highly." She paused deliberately. "As her mother, I’m curious whether you share that sentint."

This was dangerous territory. Lady Ashford was fishing for information about his feelings toward Mira while simultaneously evaluating him for potential marriage arrangents.

"I value all my teammates," William said carefully. "Lady Mira’s skills and personality make her easy to work with. I respect her greatly."

"Respect. How asured." Lady Ashford’s tone suggested she’d noticed his careful word choice. "Well, I’m glad my daughter has found reliable partners at the academy. Strong relationships ford during cultivation training often last a lifeti."

She moved away before William could respond, leaving him with the distinct impression that he had been tested sohow.

"She’s pushing hard for a marriage arrangent," Elara said, appearing at his elbow. "I recognize that conversation style. My mother uses the sa approach when she’s evaluating potential family connections."

"Is everyone here evaluating for marriage?"

"Yes, obviously. You’re eighteen, from a major house and you showed impressive combat capability, you also apparently have good relationships at the academy. You’re pri material for family alliances." Elara sounded amused rather than judgntal. "Welco to being a valuable political asset. It’s exhausting."

"You seem to handle it well."

"I’ve had more practice. My mother’s been parading through these gatherings since I was fifteen." She gestured toward where Lady Vexmore was deep in conversation with Duchess Arabella. "Though at least she’s subtle about it. So families are almost aggressive."

As if to prove her point, one of the Aldric daughters approached with determined intent.

"Master William, would you like to take a walk through the gardens? The evening air is lovely and I’d enjoy continuing our conversation from dinner."

It was phrased as a question but felt like a command. Before William could figure out how to politely decline, Seraphine materialized from sowhere and latched onto his arm.

"Sorry, but William promised to show his academy training techniques," his sister said with false brightness. "We were just about to head to the training grounds. Right, William?"

"Right," William agreed imdiately, grateful for the rescue.

The Aldric daughter looked frustrated but maintained her composure. "Another ti then."

Seraphine pulled William away quickly, navigating through the gathered nobles toward an exit.

"You looked like you needed saving," she said once they were in a quieter corridor.

"I did. Thank you."

"Those girls are so obvious. They don’t actually care about you, they just want to attach themselves to House Cross." Seraphine’s grip on his arm tightened slightly. "It’s annoying watching them pretend."

"That’s how noble family politics work."

"I know, but I still don’t like it." She led him toward the actual training grounds. "Co on, you promised to show so techniques anyway. Might as well make it real instead of just an excuse."

William spent the next hour teaching Seraphine basic essence control exercises while she absorbed everything with surprising focus. She had decent natural talent and genuine interest, which made the instruction actually enjoyable.

"You’re good at this," William observed while watching her successfully channel fire essence into a practice crystal.

"I’ve been practicing in secret. Mother doesn’t think I’m ready for serious training yet, but I’ve been reading the theory books and practicing basic techniques when no one’s watching." Seraphine concentrated on maintaining the essence flow. "I want to be ready when I attend the academy in a few years."

"You’ll do well there."

"I hope so. I want to make the Inter-Academy team like you did." She looked up at him. "Maybe we could even be on the team together if the timing works out."

"Maybe."

They continued training until a servant appeared to inform them that the nobles were beginning to retire for the evening. William and Seraphine made their way back to the manor, where Duchess Arabella intercepted them.

"Seraphine, bed. Now. It’s past your usual ti." She waited until Seraphine left reluctantly before turning to William. "Lady Vexmore requested a brief eting with you tomorrow morning before her departure. Lord Aldric wants to speak with you as well. Lady Ashford has already cornered three tis about marriage arrangents between you and Mira."

"This is getting troubleso."

"Well it’s what happens when you prove yourself valuable. Every family wants to secure connections before you beco too important to approach easily." His mother’s expression was calculating. "You’re handling it well so far. Tomorrow, be polite with Vexmore and Aldric, don’t promise anything but just try to establish good relationship. The Ashford situation is more delicate because you actually interact with Mira regularly at the academy."

"What do you want to do about that?"

"Nothing, for now. Let Lady Ashford make her assumptions. It gives us flexibility later." She moved toward the stairs. "Get so rest. Tomorrow will be another long day of political navigation."

William made his way to his room, exhausted in ways that had nothing to do with physical exertion. He changed and collapsed into bed, staring at the ceiling while processing everything.

He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, knowing tomorrow would be more of the sa trouble.

"Just one more day of this"

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