The Retired Hero is an Extra

After getting ignored by Ziva, Jash followed her out until a staff member took them to the portal that would send them back to Adonia.

'So damn tiring, I can rest now, right?' he thought as he found a car nearby, much to his relief.

The driver opened the door for Jash, who sat inside and closed his eyes and waited for the car to start.

'Hm?' he opened his eyes in confusion as he did not hear the door closing or the car starting.

"Miss Ziva, I am ordered to bring the both of you back to the Ramille estate in the capital, Lady Evelia is there as well."

"Alright." Ziva nodded and entered the car, turning to face the outside, not even sparing Jash a glance.

Though confused, the driver quietly went to drive after feeling an intense glare on his back.

'Just what in the world is mom planning?' Jash wondered, irked by getting ignored for no reason whatsoever.

He thought the ride would be relaxing and relieving, but it just made him sit straight as he continued to mull over the possibilities.

The drive towards the Ramille Estate in the city of Adonia was deathly silent with only Ziva being truly relaxed as she enjoyed the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Arriving, the driver stopped the car at the main gates and was about to exit and open their doors, but Jash couldn't bear it any longer, getting off instantly.

The driver could only politely open Ziva's door as she walked in with a knowing glance at the surroundings, having been here in the past.

Ahead of her, Jash had already entered the living room and saw the Ramille and Arne families sitting there.

Brandon and her elder brother were absent, as the graduation ceremony was yet to commence.

While their grandparents weren't there because they got busy after making time to attend the Entrance Test in their busy schedule.

"Oh, here he is," Caera intoned when she saw Jash coming in.

She lifted her head, looking behind Jash for Ziva, and ignored her brother as if she hadn't seen him.

'My day is just bad,' Jash concluded after seeing Caera purposefully act distant and how her expression brightened at the sight of Ziva.

'She's even waving enthusiastically to her? You lost to her, you idiot,' Jash chided mentally, not wanting to get involved.

He was all for teasing them, but getting involved with drama with them? That was out of the question.

'There's no way I wanna get in those messes again,' Jash quickly shook his head at those emerging memories, burying them deep within.

He would much rather prefer going all out and get in his current state than getting in between the drama caused by two girls.

'The latter is far too dangerous,' Jash almost shivered at the thought, suppressing it with a small smile instead.

"Congratulations on winning," Caera spoke first, saying it to Ziva rather than Jash.

"Thank you," Ziva replied politely before getting pulled across by Caera and her mother.

"Congratulations on winning, Jash," Caera added curtly before turning her head.

Jash forced a smile as his lips twitched, and he uttered, "Thanks."

'At least she's not demotivated,' he thought, knowing how most reacted after losing the Rank 1.

After all, every examinee considered themselves the best and believed they were powerful enough to stand beside the powerful hunters.

While many only hoped for it to raise the name of their families or to depict themselves as a proud member of nobility or some other shit.

"Jash," Sera called out, her tone pleasant yet serious, "Congratulations on winning to the two of you."

"Thanks, mom." Jash was a bit surprised by his mother's serious tone, but replied nonetheless.

"Thanks," Ziva replied with a small smile before turning to her mother.

"Do you mind sitting here for a moment?" Sera implored, and Jash did not mind, sitting down on one of the empty sofas.

"Can you tell me what happened for you to go all out? And how did you use that sword technique after only seeing it once?"

Sera asked all at once, worried about her son, but also wanting to let him grow strong, not wanting to hold him back.

"Oh, well, ahem, I-I b-bet on myself, ahem," Jash answered, averting his gaze before turning back with a natural smile.

While Sera was dumbfounded to hear his bet, all conversations ceased as Jash felt the gaze of Evelia, Caera and Ziva narrow in on him.

Still, he said proudly, "Regarding the sword technique, I practiced it and even talked about it with dad, just not letting him know until I could master it."

Jash shrugged, "I haven't mastered it, by the way. It was only because my sword mastery had reached Intermediate that I could imitate the sword move."

"Oh, that's my son–." Carcel boastfully declared before getting a look from Sera and immediately shutting up.

"What bet? And how much?" Sera asked, anxious about Jash getting into wrong habits.

"Not much," Jash said vaguely, trying to get out of it.

"How much?"

Hearing it the second time from his mother, Jash could only answer truthfully, "1 million, all of my Solaris Marks..."

Silence.

That was what followed his answer before the clacking of teeth echoed from opposite him, "Tell me you didn't...'

"I did, mom, see," Jash said, showing her the balance of 37.5 million from his bank account.

"You...!" Sera barely controlled her urge to hit Jash as Carcel held her back, trying to calm her down.

"Sera, I think we should talk about this later. He just won–," Carcel tried but only failed.

"Quiet, Carcel," she turned to Jash, "Now, tell me why did you bet all of it?"

'This is different,' Jash thought, feeling the warmth of family, he expected for his mother to get angry about injuring himself or showing off.

But here she was, being unexpectedly strict about preventing Jash from falling into the addiction of gambling.

In all his new life, he had never seen his mother go overboard about anything concerning him.

"I just did it because I felt confident about winning," Jash gave the model answer that any gambler would give when asked why they did it.

"Jash, never ever repeat that. That's a sign of getting into a gambling addiction," Sera chided him softly.

Even though her tone was soft, her facial expressions were serious, making Jash nod and agree with her, feeling the weight of her concern.

Seeing the heating atmosphere, Carcel chose to intervene before the matter escalated, "Jash, go to your room and rest."

Sera stopped speaking, understanding her husband's underlying concern with a simple gesture and chose to quieten herself.

"Okay," Jash replied and stood up to return to his room.

'Sorry, mom, but I will have to make such bets for the goal of a peaceful life,' Jash apologized silently in his heart.

Though it soon turned to cursing, 'If only that darned protagonist was useful or Amael got me enough money.'

Jash knew that very well that he was one of those people who would do what felt right for their goals as long as the consequences were within reach.

He was even planning to exploit the loopholes inside the Academy, if need be.

So the matter of him betting everything on himself wasn't over, and won't be over anytime soon.