Chapter 33: The hero , The heir and The extra

Alex turned around slowly, sensing the familiar energy signatures before even seeing the faces. His eyes landed on two figures striding toward him with undeniable presence.

Walking towards him with matching confident strides were none other than Alden von Crestvale and Ethan Williams.

Alden had that same smug grin he always wore, the kind that made you want to wipe it off with a well-placed slap—or sword strike. Ethan, however, was different.

His gaze was full of curiosity, the kind that made Alex feel like a rare specimen under a microscope.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the mighty Alex Dragonheart,” Alden drawled, the smirk practically tattooed onto his face.

Alex returned the expression with a smirk of his own. “Well, look who it is. Isn’t this the guy whose record I broke at the simulation arena?”

Alden’s grin twitched. “And I broke it back the next day!”

“Exactly,” Alex replied with a calm nod. “That shows how petty you are.”

Before Alden could snap back, Ethan burst into a fit of laughter so loud and sudden it startled a couple of nearby candidates. “Looks like in the world of narcissism, you’ve finally met your match, Alden.”

Alden rolled his eyes. “Don’t encourage him.”

“Can’t help it,” Ethan said, still grinning. “You guys have the same energy. If you were any more alike, you’d probably start a rival fashion brand.”

“Don’t give him ideas,” Alex said, pretending to be horrified.

The trio chuckled, and for a moment, the tension faded into casual camaraderie.

Ethan extended a hand. “Ethan Williams. Heir to House Williams and bearer of all the church’s favorite bedtime stories.”

Alex took it with a firm shake. “Alex Dragonheart. A commoner. Occasional narcissist. Full-time handsome guy.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look like a commoner at all.”

Alex tilted his head and smirked. “What can I say? I’m just that handsome.”

A chuckle slipped out of Ethan again.

Alex says “I’ve heard about you too. Especially the part where you show up in the prophecy. Something about you cleansing the world of darkness?”

Ethan groaned, clearly having heard that line too many times. ” That thing again.”

Ethan sighed dramatically. “Try hearing that from every priest and paladin everytime you come across them. I’m one dramatic monologue away from screaming into the void.”

“You mean you haven’t already?” Alden quipped.

Ethan smirked. “Don’t tempt me.”

Their laughter echoed through the arena grounds.

After a moment, Ethan gave Alex a sideways glance. “So… I wonder if you’re as skilled as Mr. Smugface here claims.” He pointed directly at Alden.

Alden sputtered. “I did not—!”

Alex cut in smoothly. “I could say the same about you.”

Ethan blinked. “Did you just throw shade at the hero?”

“More like opened an umbrella,” Alex replied.

Ethan burst into laughter so loud it echoed off the the surrounding’s. “You’re a riot! Just like I heard. Alex Dragonheart, huh? You’re something else.”

“Born that way,” Alex said with a wink.

Ethan sobered a little, though the grin stayed. “You know… I was born skilled. But not because of the prophecy. I’m gonna prove to the world I’m more than someone’s destiny. I’ll walk my own path—not one the Church paved for me.”

Alex crossed his arms. “You even talk like a hero.”

Both of them burst into laughter, Alden groaning audibly.

“Seriously, you two are getting along like long-lost brothers. Did I miss the memo?”

Alex patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Alden. You’re still the third wheel to our dynamic duo.”

“Excuse me?” Alden said with mock offense. “I’m the main wheel. The chariot itself!”

“More like the training wheels,” Ethan said under his breath.

“I heard that!”

Once their laughter died down, Alex leaned in with a more serious tone. “Alright. Jokes aside. Let’s make a bet.”

Both boys straightened.

“Whoever from the three of us gets the top spot in the entrance exam can ask the other two to do one thing. Anything. No questions asked.”

Alden grinned. “I’m in.”

Ethan rubbed his chin. “One favor, huh? Interesting. I’m in.”

They bumped fists together, the deal sealed.

None of them even considered the possibility that other powerful candidates from different countries could stand in their way. Except Alex, who inwardly chuckled. Got them.

Alden puffed out his chest. “Looks like we have a deal. You guys are gonna be my sidekicks for an entire semester.”

Both Alex and Ethan stared at him like he was selling candy to toddlers while dressed as a clown.

“We’ll see about that,” Ethan said, fire in his voice. “Because when it comes to this generation—I’m the strongest.”

Alex’s smirk froze. That line. That exact line.

Where have I heard that before…?

Then it clicked. Wannabe Gojo Satoru, Alex thought, fighting the urge to burst out laughing. He schooled his expression and replied coolly.

[ Author : Respect to gojo satoru 🙌 ]

“Looks like Mr. Hero here has never been defeated by someone his age.”

Ethan tilted his head proudly. “Never.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “Tell me, Mr. Ethan… do you bleed?”

Ethan’s lips quirked. “From someone my age? Never.”

“You will,” Alex said ominously.

[ Author : Respect to batman 🙌 ]

There was a pause. Then Ethan pointed at him. “Okay, that was cool. I’m stealing that line.”

Before things could escalate into a battle of epic one-liners, an announcement echoed through the arena: “All examinees, please gather at Gate Alpha. The Zenith Entrance Examination begins in twenty minutes.”

Ethan turned around with a grin. “Time to prove who’s bluffing.”

“Can’t wait,” Alden added, shooting a wink at Alex.

They walked away, but Alex stood there for a moment, hands on his hips, chest out.

“I really nailed it, didn’t I?” he said aloud. “Batman would be so proud of me.”

He began laughing—loudly. Loud enough for nearby candidates to edge away from him slowly, whispering, “He’s crazy.”

Still giggling, Alex wiped a tear from his eye. But the amusement faded as a chill crawled down his spine.

Someone’s watching me.

As the crowd moved. He felt it. That sensation again. Someone—or rather, multiple people—were watching him.

He turned.

Three figures stood a short distance away, observing him.

The first was Elias from the Holy Church. His eyes were sharp and cold, practically boring holes through Alex’s skull.

Then on another side stood Seraphina Starlight. Her gaze was calm but unreadable.

And then… Princess Charlotte of the Avaloria Empire. Regal, elegant, and aloof, her eyes locked with Alex’s for a moment—neutral, but curious.

What’s with the three of them? Alex wondered. Did I say something? Or is it just my overwhelming handsomeness?

He sighed dramatically. “Being me is such a burden.”

He ignores them and adjust’s his collar, grinning toward the future.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep