Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 32: Lyra's Choice

Lyra Nightengale.

Both a side character and a villainess.

A future villainess to be more precise.

She was saved by Emeric when she was lost in a forest near their territory when they were kids. He also protected her several times on other cliche occasions. By the time they entered school, she was already in love with him. (Though, I think it was a puppy love at first.)

But later she learned that the person she loved had another person in his heart. She learned Emeric loved Aria, just like she loved him.

But she didn't give up and continued pursuing him though she didn't openly express her feelings nor confess her love.

And now, just like in the novel, she is going to pick up a spear, so she can show Emeric her strength and worthiness of his affection. She believes that by becoming skilled in spear, she can prove herself to him and win his heart.

But...

Her unrequited love for Emeric fuels a growing bitterness and resentment within her. As she sees him continue to pine for Aria, she becomes increasingly jealous and vengeful, determined to make him see her in a new light. She also starts to hate her friend Aria who rejects Emeric again and again, and Aurelius whom Emeric sees the reason of Aria's rejections.

Despite her outward appearance of grace and elegance, Lyra's heart will be consumed by darkness. She will willing to go to any lengths to achieve her goals, even if it means betraying those closest to her.

As she delves deeper into her training and her quest for Emeric's affection, Lyra becomes more ruthless and manipulative. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even if it means destroying everything in her path.

In the eyes of many, Lyra will still appear as the sweet and innocent girl she once was, but underneath that façade will lie a cunning and dangerous adversary. She will become a force to be reckoned with, and those who underestimate her do so at their own peril.

And, I and the other readers were also completely caught off guard when her future true nature was revealed alongside with her sad backstory.

But many readers still believed she was a villain and needed to be killed.

While I pitied her and thought she deserved a better fate. Better than that. But I couldn't do anything as I was just a reader.

But...

Now, things are different.

I can change her fate.

But if I do that, I will be changing the whole arc of 300 chapters!

...

...

Should I do it?

Wait, can I do it?

Can I change her fate?

Since she loves Emeric like a fool, it will be definitely hard.

But, it's not impossible.

Sigh...

It's a difficult decision to make, especially considering the impact it could have on the story's trajectory. Changing Lyra's fate would indeed alter the course of the narrative, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences and outcomes. And I will be losing my only power - knowing the future.

...

______ ____

Lyra watched as her two friends chose their weapons. She already knew what they were gonna choose anyway. And now it was her turn.

Honestly speaking, she didn't practice any weapon before. She had only watched her friends practicing from time to time.

'Should I choose the same weapon as him? Then, maybe I can spend more time with him by asking him to teach me...' She thought as her gaze locked onto spears. 'I am sure he will start to like me more when I master spearmanship like him.'

She didn't notice she was already standing before Spears while deep in thought.

But, she was still hesitating.

'But, my ability isn't suitable for spearmanship...' She muttered inwardly. 'Will I be able to learn it?'

'Um... I shouldn't be negative. I will learn!'

After making her decision, she extended her hands to a nearby spear. However, just as she was about to pick it up, another hand came over and took it before her.

"Huh?" She was startled as she looked at her right side in surprise.

"Why are you, a girl, choosing a weapon which doesn't suit you?" The figure beside her spoke. "I won't recommend you to choose a spear. Instead... why don't you try this?"

Then he handed her another weapon.

She took the weapon from his hands unconsciously.

"You will thank me after you try it for even a bit." He said to her. Suddenly, he leaned toward her and whispered. "'He' will also like it."

Lyra's heart skipped a beat as she listened to the mysterious figure's words. There was a glint of confidence in his gaze as if he knew something she didn't.

And before she could say anything, he disappeared like a ghost.

'...What was that?' Lyra thought. 'Why did he speak to me? And... does he also know about my feelings for 'him'?...Umm... How embarrassing! How did he know?!'

'But...'

'I'm getting a strange feeling just from wielding this weapon...'

'What was its name?'

'Reaper?'

'Moon Sword?'

While Lyra was struggling to remember the weapon's name, another figure approached her.

"Oh, you chose a scythe, Lyra?" The figure spoke in a friendly tone. "I also finished choosing. Let's go together."

"Ah, A-Aria?" Lyra

stammered, feeling a mix of surprise and embarrassment at being caught off guard. "Y-Yes, I... chose this."

Aria smiled warmly, oblivious to Lyra's inner turmoil. "It suits you," she remarked, her gaze flickering towards the scythe in Lyra's hand. "It's unique and elegant, just like you."

Lyra's cheeks flushed at the compliment, a mixture of gratitude and unease swirling within her. "T-thank you."

As they made their way back to the training area, Lyra couldn't help but steal glances at Aria. Despite her jealousy for Aria, she couldn't deny the genuine friendship and warmth Aria extended to her.

"Oh, you guys finished as well?" A familiar voice spoke as they returned to the lesson area.

"Yes." Aria's earlier friendly tone immediately shifted to an indifferent one.

"Oh, you chose a sword after all." Emeric smiled as he looked at Aria. Then he shifted his focus to Lyra.

"And, you...."