The Retired Hero is an Extra

No matter his internal thoughts, Jash retained his sense of self and calm as his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Jash's attention shifted abruptly to his mother's face, catching the small smile and her twitching lips.

'So she's the one who wrongly influenced Ziva,' Jash concluded without second thought.

His mother always liked to watch drama and misunderstanding was one of her favorite tropes, so there was no mistaking it.

She was the one who prompted Ziva into acting that way.

'Even her neck is reddening from the sheer embarrassment,' Jash noted and cast an angry glance at his mother.

'Just how do you even get the time to watch those trashy dramas!' he thought in anger, cursing the very dramas he too enjoyed.

Of course, he still maintained public decency and kept his mouth shut, unaware of the cause of the sudden pull.

'We are still in the banquet hall... Is it concluding?' Jash guessed, feeling relieved that it finally got over.

His gaze unconsciously drifted to the Emperor and Avon, before finally on Amael.

'His plans really got hitched,' Jash mused, glad that Amael won instead of Avon, just like the novel.

Although most events did occur according to what he knew, it also wasn't a confirmation if the world was really the novel or just similar to it.

'No matter, I will figure it out soon,' he concluded, knowing the Academy Entrance Test was the arc where everything began.

Soon, his attention returned to the embarrassed Ziva, his lips twitching as he barely stifled his laughter at her sight.

'Just how did Mom even make her do something so... mortifying?' Jash wondered, intrigued by his mother's cunning.

However, he didn't get the time to mull over it anymore as the Emperor began his final speech.

'Damn, so boring,' Jash thought, not wanting to listen to it. Sadly, he had no choice but to pay attention.

"Esteemed Guests and Honored Companions," the Emperor began, glancing over all the guests present.

It didn't matter whether they were eating, drinking, chatting, or enjoying the evening, everyone turned to look in the Emperor's direction.

"While the splendid banquet draws to a close, it is just another beginning for the young ones to partake in the Academy," he added, appearing regal.

His words filled those with downcast appearances with hope as they looked on with awe, respect and hope at the Emperor.

Some even hoped to become an enigmatic figure like the Emperor in the future, and it was as if he could read their thoughts.

He continued with a smile, "I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. The upcoming generation of hunters truly deserves its name."

'How slick,' Jash thought, barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

He was well aware that most of the ones who struggled against the illusion would most likely fail if they participated in the Entrance Test.

'No way they can pass something way more difficult,' he mused, aware of the ramped-up difficulty of the Entrance Test.

Just like him, Amael was of the same mind, but he didn't let the slightest of his emotions show, maintaining a calm and kind facade.

Oblivious to the two anomalies' thoughts, the Emperor glanced at Jash subtly before focusing on Amael.

'He definitely looked my way!' Jash thought in displeasure, compared to the ones around him who wore excited impressions.

It seemed just one glance of the Emperor was more than enough to make them happy.

"Tonight, we have celebrated not only the achievements of the Imperial Family, but also other talented ones."

As if his words weren't enough, he glanced at everyone who participated in the Forest of Deceit, call it a test or event, it didn't matter to him.

Although his attempt to flaunt the Imperial Family had fallen short, it successfully reinforced alliances and showcased his humility.

As an Emperor, he was always alert, looking for the silver lining instead of finding faults in everything.

Taking advantage of Amael being the clear winner, he could even incite great relish in other kids to work harder.

After all, the reward he gave would make even some titled nobles drool in jealousy, wanting to take it for themselves.

If not for Amael being the son of a Duke, they were ready to pounce on him like the greedy hyenas they were.

Some even regretted why their child couldn't be as exemplary as Amael, or at least have a satisfactory performance.

Taking note of the atmosphere in the banquet hall, the Emperor continued, "Your presence here is a testament to the unity, harmony, and strength of our great Empire."

"Each of you contributes to the prosperity and grandeur of our empire," he added, "And for that, I am profoundly grateful."

His words stirred various emotions in the listener as their chests swelled with pride and their noses raised skyward.

Yet Jash could only grumble inwardly about how slick the Emperor was.

'He can really pull that crappy speech in front of so many people as if it is true,' he criticized, annoyed by the sweet-talk.

As if the Emperor also knew his thoughts, he swiftly concluded his speech on a good note.

"Let us depart with hope that our collective vision and unwavering commitment will continue to guide us toward a future of unparalleled greatness."

Hearing his final statement, many attendees had eyes filled with blazing motivation to achieve anything and everything for the Empire.

"May the Holy Goddess of Light bless our path forward!"

The Emperor prayed, lowering his head slightly and the atmosphere suddenly turned fervent inside the hall.

Everyone followed suit, lowering their heads and said together, "May the Holy Goddess of Light bless our path forward!"

'Seriously? How crazy,' Amael thought, his goal to oppose the Goddess of Light being too tough to bear.

Unlike him, Jash couldn't care less.

He had no concept of Gods or Goddesses, his past life made it clear that no such beings existed.

'Even if they do exist, they aren't like her,' he mused, knowing the kind of Goddess she was and the protagonist's journey.

In essence, his standard of Gods was far different from this world.

Only a being detached from the mortal and immortal, mundane and special, weak and strong, physical and ethereal, corporeal and incorporeal...

'There's no way such a being exists,' he told himself, choosing to focus on the present rather than thinking about the unreachable.

Looking at the dispersing crowd with some leaving the banquet hall at the dead of the night, he nodded gleefully.

However, he didn't let go of his calm expression.

'Phew, she's back to normal,' Jash secretly heaved a sigh of relief as his eyes fell on Ziva's figure.

She appeared the same as earlier, before his mother gave her some sort of messed up idea and got her to act like that.

"Let's leave as well," Sera said, her voice cutting through his thoughts.

"Alright Mom," Jash nodded, looking at Ziva walk alongside them from the corner of his eye.

'Did Aunt Evelia ask Mom to take care of her?' he wondered in curiosity, but it didn't matter as it was a good thing for him.

As the three reached the doors after a silent walk, they found Evelia waiting for them.

She smiled at Sera, her intent and meaning indecipherable to Jash and Ziva, but Jash did have a wild guess though.

'No way...! Did she try to force us together?' Jash thought but immediately denied it, feeling a chill go down his spine.

While their mothers talked, the two appeared like lost ducklings awaiting their mother duck's instructions.

"We'll take our leave," Evelia said, causing Jash's eyes to twinkle with mischief.

'Finally...' he thought in relief. The two mothers' seemingly never ending gossip had finally ended, after all.