I AM EXTRA IN A SHONEN MANGA

The Veinwalker Academy Arena buzzed like a hive before a storm.

Thousands of students filled the stone terraces under the artificial sky dome, where Echo-lights shimmered like shifting constellations. The center field, a vast arena of reinforced tiles crackled faintly with Shinrei wards, ready to contain explosive Echo Arts.

But this wasn't just a student event.

This was evaluation day.

And the legends had gathered to watch.

At the topmost platform, seated on a wide crescent podium under the crimson Veinwalker banner, stood the elite:

Kurosawa Zeke, a walking furnace with magma pulsing beneath his coat. His single eye watched with cold, unblinking focus.

Amane Hoshigaki, the Bloom user whose gentle smile masked poisons more lethal than any blade.

Gorou Kanzaki, bald and immense, his stone-like skin glowing faintly with inscriptions of Buddhist scripture.

Raiden Kurogami, slouched in his chair like a half-bored storm god, arms crossed, thunder flickering across his fingertips.

Yui Fushiguro, just watching

Kaito Yagami, the Wave user, leaned against the railing, arms folded, expression unreadable behind his sea-glass eyes.

And above them all—standing quietly, dressed in black and silver robes—was Master Isen, the Keiryuu.

Golden hair.

Blue eyes that saw everything.

The Honored One.

Khael Corzedar adjusted his collar as he stepped into the arena with the rest of the students. He scanned the elevated platform briefly and felt his spine tighten.

(I'm nervous, the Eclipse Vanguards are watching.)

(And Master Isen… no. The monster is here too.)

Khael breathed out slowly, suppressing the shiver crawling up his back.

The world he once read about fiction, panels, illustrations—it had all become terrifyingly real.

(One misstep and they'll label you unworthy. Or worse—dangerous.)

The arena gates opened again.

Kaen Suro walked in next, hands in his pockets, eyes serious. There were no cheers. No jeers this time either.

Just silence.

Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind.

"I heard… that's the guy who fought a Voidborn…"

"Isn't he the cursed one?"

"He survived. That's more than most."

At the far end of the arena, the Crimson Veinwalkers stood in formation—dozens of them, red-badged and disciplined.

Except for one.

A man with shaggy hair, slouching posture, and a bamboo toothpick lazily stuck between

his lips.

Makinji Kenj.

Former Eclipse Vanguard. Now Crimson, not by demotion in rank but because he asked to be left alone.

Lazy. Uninterested. But undeniably powerful.

He scratched the back of his neck and yawned.

"Tch… too early for all this," he muttered, voice slow and groggy. "Kids better not explode themselves. Gotta clean up after."

..

Down in the field, Sensei Shun Asamaru raised his hand.

His Echo blade gleamed faintly on his hip.

"Students," he announced, "you stand before not just your peers—but the future."

"Today's mock battles will help determine your compatibility, potential, and most importantly—your resolve."

He turned slightly, addressing the high platform behind him.

"Our observers will be forming recommendation squads based on what they see here today. Fight well—but remember: your true battle starts once you leave this arena."

Khael rolled his shoulder.

(So it begins.)

(This is the moment the manga's arcs shift from academy life to the real world.)

(Where the world begins to notice Kaen… and others.)

He glanced sideways.

Across the arena, Ceyla Nox stood with arms crossed, eyes narrowed. Her storm aura flickered subtly behind her like a warning.

And just beyond, Juno Arkai, the affinity-less prodigy, tightened the straps on his gloves.

Ready.

Waiting.

Sensei Shun raised a glowing orb, radiant with pulsing Echo script.

The names glowed brightly in midair.

"First match—Kaen Suro vs. Andromeda Ban!"

The crowd immediately erupted into laughter, gasps, and murmurs.

Khael's eyes widened.

(This is it… This is what happened in the manga too. Damn… this is where Kaen Suro gets recognized for his power. His first real step.)

On the other side of the field, a cocky voice cut through the chatter.

"Hah! Lucky!"

Andromeda Ban stepped forward with a confident strut, hand resting on his Echo belt. His long coat whipped behind him as he cracked his knuckles with flair.

By his side, his Echo Pet, Junjun, morphed down into a small dog-like beast, tail wagging, sharp eyes gleaming.

"Right, Junjun?"

"Arf!"

Ban pumped a fist toward the crowd.

"I know, I know—easy win!"

A few students laughed. Others cheered mockingly.

Kaen Suro stood silently, walking to the center of the arena with a calm—but tense—expression.

From the observation deck, Raiden Kurogami yawned.

"Heh… this'll be fun."

Amane Hoshigaki tilted her head, lips curled in a soft smile. "I wonder if he go rampage again."

Zeke crossed his arms, eye narrowing slightly. "He better keep it sealed… or I'll end it myself."

Back in the arena, Sensei Shun's voice rang out like a blade against stone.

"This is a ranked Echo mock battle. Sub-lethal use of arts only. Pet summons allowed. Echo suppression barriers active."

His gaze flicked to Kaen, then to Ban.

"Begin when ready."

Ban tossed his jacket aside, revealing gauntlets inscribed with fire runes.

"Hope you're ready, sparkless."

Kaen clenched his fists.

"I'm not here to entertain you."

Ban smirked, raising a hand.

"JunJun, Go Wild!"

The dog-beast howled and grew into its mid-size form fangs long, back arched with Echo energy crackling around its limbs.

It charged.

Kaen braced.

….

From the stands, Khael's eyes narrowed.

(This was the moment. In the manga… Junjun pinned Kaen for a moment, then—bam. The fire bloomed. Not just regular fire. The real fire. His fire.)

(C'mon, Kaen… ignite it.)

In the stands too, a girl with braided blonde hair leaned over the railing.

"Lucky for Ban, huh? Right, Shigeo?"

Saya Kurenai, Affinity: Bloom (Blight Variant). Known for her sharp eyes and sharper words.

The boy beside her didn't move much—hood up, slouched posture, eyes half-lidded with apathy.

Shigeo Motome. Affinity Lightning. Nicknamed "Static" for his energy level—or lack thereof.

He exhaled, bored.

"What a complicated world…"

Saya rolled her eyes.

"Don't get philosophical, you brick. It's just a dogfight."

On the lower tier of seats, Daru Venn squinted, clutching a notebook to his chest.

"Shouldn't they have balanced this match better? That dog's got mid-tier Echo enhancements already…"

Behind him, Rael Eluron, arms crossed, said nothing—just watched Kaen with narrowed eyes.

In the higher gallery, among the ranks of Veinwalkers:

Gorou Kanzaki placed a hand over his prayer beads.

"Let the storm of battle pass… and let the worthy rise."

Amane Hoshigaki leaned closer to the edge, eyes glowing with that dangerous curiosity again.

"Come on, Kaen… show us the spark."

Zeke scoffed.

"Spark? He's about to be mulch."

Only Raiden Kurogami yawned, unbothered.

"Wait for it."

In the field—

JunJun leapt.

Kaen's eyes snapped up, fire flickering in his gaze but not yet ignited.

He dodged. Rolled. Slid.

But the beast was relentless.

A second charge.

A tackle.

Kaen flew backward, grunting as he hit the arena floor.

Khael, watching from the shadows at the corner pillar, murmured:

(It's about to happen… The trigger… Ban's next mistake will wake the fire.)

..

Arena Grounds – Veinwalker Academy

The stone beneath Kaen cracked as he hit the floor, coughing out dust and pain. His ribs screamed. JunJun growled, its paws searing scorch marks into the ground as it prowled forward.

Ban laughed.

"That rumor about you killing a Voidborn?"

"Has to be crap. I mean, look at you. Weak. Slow. All bark, no Echo."

Kaen gritted his teeth.

"Don't underestimate me…"

"You'll see. One day I'll be—"

"An Eclipse Vanguard?" Ban interrupted, bursting into a theatrical laugh.

"You? Please."

"If I were you, I'd head back to your hometown and start a garden or something. Plant some vegetables. At least then, you'd matter."

Kaen's breath caught. His vision blurred—not from tears, but from rage.

Ban stepped forward, grinning like a wolf circling its prey.

"You'll never matter. Not you. Not some orphan street rat who—"

Something snapped.

Kaen lunged.

His fist, clenched tight, ignited—flames curling up his arm like a dragon waking from its slumber.

"SHUT UP!"

His punch landed square on Ban's jaw.

The sound echoed across the arena like thunder.

BOOM.

Ban flew backward, crashing into the far arena wall.

JunJun yelped

Silence.

Shock spread through the crowd like a ripple.

Students stood, jaws dropped.

Daru Venn dropped his notebook.

Saya Kurenai whispered, "Was that… fire?"

Rael Eluron narrowed his eyes, interest sparking for the first time.

Only Sensei Shun, Eclipse Vanguards and Master Isen remained calm—expectant.

Khael, still watching from the side, crossed his arms.

(There it is. The spark. The first real flame.)

Ban groaned, struggling to stand.

Kaen stood in the center of the arena—fist still smoking, flames flickering faintly at his knuckles.

His chest heaved.

His eyes burned—not just with fire, but with will.

For a moment, the arena stood frozen in stunned silence.

Then—

A soft chuckle.

"Hahah… Well, would you look at that," Raiden Kurogami smirked from his spot on the raised platform, his arms folded behind his head. "The kid's got fire after all."

Lightning danced faintly across his shoulders—excited.

"Tch." Zeke Kurosawa's expression was unreadable, his magma-colored eyes locked on Kaen.

"It was just one hit. Don't get sentimental."

"One hit strong enough to send Ban flying," Amane Hoshigaki said lightly, twirling a toxic-pink flower in her hand. Her tone was sweet. Her smile wasn't.

"Interesting…"

"Praise be," Gorou Kanzaki murmured beside them, palms together in a gentle prayer.

"The fire of justice has not left the youth."

"He used Shinrei under pressure. Instinctual Echo reaction," Yui Fushiguro said softly, her dark cloak fluttering as she leaned forward. Shade clung to her words. "That's rare."

The Crimson Veinwalkers nearby muttered among themselves—some impressed, others skeptical.

One of them, Makinji Kenj, yawned from his seat on the steps, a half-eaten rice ball in hand.

"Too flashy. I'd rather nap."

Then he paused. "Still… That fire had something extra in it."

But the clearest reaction came from the highest seat.

Master Isen.

He stood silently, robes of black and silver fluttering gently in the breeze—though no wind blew.

His blue eyes fixed on Kaen like calm oceans staring at a storm.

And then—he smiled.

"So this is the boy," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else.

Raiden turned his head slightly. "You sensed it too, Master?"

"Oh, I did." Isen's tone was warm, but his gaze was sharp.

"Not just fire. Not just power."

"Resolve."

Zeke grunted. "He still needs control. And discipline."

"So did we all," Isen replied without looking at him.

Meanwhile, in the stands, the students buzzed like awakened bees.

"Did you see that? Kaen actually burned him!"

"He's just lucky—Ban wasn't ready!"

But one figure remained completely still.

Khael Corzedar.

Leaning quietly near the outer fence, arms crossed.

(This is it.)

(This is the moment Kaen Suro stops being a joke…)

(And starts becoming the monster the world will either kneel to—or fear.)

To be continue