Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start

Two hours later.

In the serene garden next to Alex's villa, the tranquil air was broken only by the soft purring of Lionara, Alex's lion-beast companion. Alex ran his fingers through her thick, golden fur, his expression calm yet introspective, unlike the rage and coldness from two hours ago. Lionara growled softly in contentment, her eyes half-closed as Alex leaned back against her.

'I finally won.' She purred inwardly as she had won, but what did she ask in reward? Well, it was clear from what Alex was doing right now—she had asked for a long petting session with Alex.

Yes, she was the same being who would always scoff at Nyxia for asking for cakes as rewards instead of something that could help her grow, but right now, she was wasting such an opportunity herself without care.

'I will ask for something that could make me stronger next time,' was what she told herself since she could always win another match with other beasts.

It was the first time in a while that she had won, yet she was already getting arrogant, thinking that she could just do the same next time. She forgot how she had rubbed her victory on Nyxia's face and that Nyxia had challenged her to another match.

Right now, she just needed to enjoy her time, so she just kept purring and rubbing her head on Alex as he caressed her fur.

It was then that the sound of approaching footsteps from the mansion was heard, breaking the quiet. A man in an impeccably tailored black suit appeared, his movements silent but deliberate. It was James, Alex's butler, and his shadow. With his black hair tied in a man-bun and his gray eyes filled with respect, James knelt on one knee.

"How did it go?" Alex asked without looking at him, his fingers still stroking Lionara's mane.

"Just as you instructed, my lord," James replied. "I personally handed over the body to the golden goblins. They accepted it without question."

Alex nodded faintly, saying nothing for a moment. He had already had a talk with the gold golbin emperor—Zyrrak's father. The emperor was aware of everything as Alex had updated him, so it was only natural that no questions would be asked.

'Hmm...' Alex hummed inwardly as his gaze remained on Lionara, though his mind was clearly elsewhere. After a pause, he spoke again, his voice low and calculating. "Where is he?"

James understood without further clarification. "He is in the mansion, my lord, trying to sort some things out—he will join you shortly."

Alex hummed in acknowledgment, but suddenly he raised a brow in interest as if sensing something. His hand moved swiftly, pulling a triangular device from his storage ring—a communication device. He poured mana into it, causing the device to brighten and emit a faint hum.

The next moment, a voice resonated from the device, clear and confident. "Everything is proceeding as you predicted. Their operations have been called off indefinitely."

Alex smirked slightly, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "And the other two?" he asked, his tone sharp.

The voice responded, "No movements. They're waiting for further orders."

Alex closed his eyes, a fleeting image of two fourth-year teachers flashing through his mind.

'They can still be used...' He nodded inwardly before stopping the mana supply, cutting off the call. Lowering the device, Alex leaned back against Lionara, his hand resting on her head.

He again went into deep contemplation, thinking about the girls who were responsible for all of this.

'There's no need for needless killing,' he thought as he recalled how angry the other council members were and how they wanted to kill the girls, but Alex just made them get kicked out of the academy.

'They were greedy, but that doesn't warrant death,' he mused as the image of the girl who was first to break into tears appeared in his head, making him chuckle inwardly. 'She deserves a reward as well.'

That girl—the one whose words were the starting point of the tables getting turned—was his underling, and she was ordered to make it look like she was just a desperate student, which she did masterfully.

Alex kept thinking about everything that went down, stroking Lionara's fur and waving at James, who, nodding his head, walked back into the mansion, leaving Alex alone with Lionara as the garden was again enveloped in tranquility.

The peace didn't last long. The sound of hurried footsteps came from behind, accompanied by a familiar voice calling his name.

"Alex!"

Turning toward the voice, Alex's expression shifted to a rare, genuine smile as Zyrrak emerged from the villa, his movements hesitant and his eyes filled with apprehension.

"Come, sit," Alex said, gesturing to the spot beside him.

Zyrrak hesitated, his gaze lingering nervously on Lionara, but he eventually complied, sitting cautiously on the soft grass.

"I… don't understand," Zyrrak began, his voice unsteady. "What happened? I don't remember anything after leaving the stadium."

Alex's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "You don't remember because you weren't supposed to. Let me explain."

The scene shifted, Alex's words pulling Zyrrak back to the moment he had walked out of the stadium.

Zyrrak trudged forward, his head low and his spirit shattered. The jeers of the crowd still echoed in his ears as two academy patrol members flanked him, escorting him to the prison. His resignation to his fate left him oblivious to the subtle glances the guards exchanged.

As they reached a quieter part of the academy grounds, one of the patrol members suddenly struck Zyrrak's neck. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The second guard pulled out a communication device, speaking into it with urgency. "It's done."

Before he could say more, the ground before them twisted and distorted into a shadowy black portal. From its depths, the lifeless body of a golden goblin was flung out, landing heavily on the ground.

The patrol members quickly shoved Zyrrak's body into the portal. But as they turned to inspect the goblin's body, unease crept into their expressions.

"This… isn't right," one muttered. "Why isn't it burnt?"

Reaching for the communication device again, he asked, "What's happening? This isn't what we were told."

The voice on the other end replied coldly, "You don't need to worry about it."

Before the patrol member could respond, the shadowy portal rippled violently. James emerged from the darkness, clad in a sleek, all-black assassin outfit. His movements were swift and decisive. With two quick strikes, both patrol members were unconscious, crumpling to the ground beside Zyrrak.
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James retrieved the communication device, his expression unreadable. Placing a glowing red crystal on the ground beside the patrol members, he stepped back into the portal, his form swallowed by the shadows.

Moments later, the crystal turned a deep crimson and detonated in a fiery explosion, the blast echoing through the academy grounds and marking the chaos that would follow.

Zyrrak listened in stunned silence, his hands trembling slightly as Alex finished recounting the events.

"So… I'm dead to everyone now?" Zyrrak finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Alex confirmed, his tone matter-of-fact. "To the world, Zyrrak no longer exists. That was the only way to keep you safe."

Zyrrak looked down, his mind racing with questions, doubts, and fears. Yet, deep inside, a small part of him felt an unfamiliar sense of gratitude—for the first time in what felt like forever, someone had taken extraordinary measures to protect him.