An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

As the minutes ticked by, I caught her gaze and said softly, "Anya, you should trust your instincts more. They're stronger than you think."

As I waited for the potion to finish brewing, Sol's voice echoed in my mind, laced with curiosity and suspicion.

"What's with you? Why are you so friendly to this girl? Do you know something about her? Is she one of those 'significant characters' or whatever you call them?"

I leaned casually on the table, keeping an eye on the simmering cauldron. 'I have my suspicions, but I'm not sure yet,' I replied mentally.

"Then how do you plan to be sure?" Sol pressed.

'By checking her status window,' I thought back.

"And what exactly are you waiting for? Do it already!" she urged impatiently.

'I would have, if you hadn't decided to interrupt me right now,' I shot back, my mental tone exasperated.

With that, I activated Observer's Gaze, directing my attention toward Anya. She was completely absorbed in monitoring the potion, her delicate hands adjusting the flame with precision.

When her Status Window appeared before me, I immediately understood. My hunch had been correct—she was exactly who I thought she might be.

Status Window

[Name: Anya]

[Age: 16]

[Race: Human]

[Class: Mystic Brewer (Unique)]n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Nature: Timid, Low Self-Esteem, Curious, Kind-Hearted

Attributes:

Strength: 4 (Below Average)

Dexterity: 6 (Average)

Intelligence: 12 (High)

Wisdom: 10 (Above Average)

Endurance: 5 (Below Average)

Charisma: 3 (Low)

Luck: 6 (Average)

Magic Attributes:

Primary Affinity: Alchemical Essence: Passive connection to the latent magical properties of ingredients.

Secondary Affinity: Nature: Slight resonance with the natural world, enhancing her understanding of plants and their uses.

Skills:

Brewmaster's Touch (Innate):

Instinctively identifies ingredient properties and combinations.

Significantly boosts potion quality and effectiveness.

Blood of the Alchemist (Hereditary):

Increases the success rate of complex alchemical processes. Enjoy exclusive content from empire

Enhances magical infusion in potions, unlocking effects others cannot replicate.

Beginner Alchemical Crafting:

Basic understanding of common potion-making techniques.

Innate talent compensates for lack of experience.

Intuitive Ingredient Perception: Senses the quality, compatibility, and hidden potential of ingredients by touch or proximity.

I stared at her profile for a moment longer, her innate potential and skills all but confirming my thoughts. "She's the one. I want her," I murmured aloud, more to myself than anyone else.

Sol's voice came back almost immediately, sharp with intrigue. "Who is she? Mind cluing me in, or should I just dig through your mind myself?"

Her words snapped me out of my thoughts. "There's no need for that," I said, shaking my head.

"Good. Now spill."

I sighed, leaning slightly over the bubbling cauldron before narrating to her. 'You already know her name—Anya. But what you don't know is that she has a family name, too.'

"Family name? Isn't she a commoner?" Sol interjected, her tone skeptical.

'She is, at least on the surface. But her lineage goes back centuries, to a time when her family was prominent in the world of alchemy,' I explained.

"Prominent? Go on," she urged.

'Centuries ago, there was a family renowned for their mastery of potion-making—the Caelith family. Their unique hereditary skill, Blood of the Alchemist, made potion-making as natural to them as breathing. With this gift, they ruled the world of alchemy, hailed as unrivaled masters.'

"So what happened? Why has such a legacy been reduced to... well, this?" Sol's voice was laced with curiosity.

'Pride,' I replied simply. 'They grew complacent and arrogant in their unchallenged position. And you know the saying—"When a storm strikes, the tallest tree is the first to fall." That's exactly what happened.'

I paused for a moment, watching the potion swirl as I continued. 'Their enemies came for them. Not one, but many—some seeking their secret recipes, others their treasures, and some just wanting to eliminate the competition. The relentless attacks wiped out most of the family. They tried to fight back, but the odds were stacked against them.'

"And the survivors?" Sol pressed.

'The remaining members scattered, disguising themselves among commoners, hiding their identities. Over the generations, the bloodline diluted, and their history faded into obscurity. But Anya here… she's the first in centuries to awaken Blood of the Alchemist. Not only that—she also possesses the legendary skill Brewmaster's Touch, a skill said to have belonged only to the first patriarch of the Caelith family.'

There was a pause before Sol finally spoke, her voice tinged with skepticism. "And there's no mention of this family in the history books?"

I chuckled darkly. 'History is written by the victors, Sol. The ones who destroyed the Caelith family didn't just erase them—they claimed their discoveries and inventions as their own.'

"Hah! Humans are treacherous creatures," Sol muttered, her disdain clear.

I smirked faintly. 'You're not wrong.'

After a moment, Sol's curiosity shifted. "So, what's the deal with this girl? What role did she play in game plot?"

'At first, nothing.' I shrugged. 'She didn't even appear during the first two years of the academy arc. That's why I wasn't entirely sure about her at first. But now, seeing her timid personality, I understand why she stayed in the background.'

"And then?" Sol prompted.

'By the third year, she becomes a phenomenon—a genius in potion-making. The potions she crafted were 50% more effective than anything on the market. She discovered new recipes, modified existing ones, and created entirely new breakthroughs. She became a critical figure in the story… but only after she overcame her insecurities.'

Sol let out a low hum of understanding. "So, a hidden gem. And you plan to polish her until she shines, I take it?"

I smiled faintly, glancing at Anya, who was still diligently watching over the potion. 'Exactly.'

As Sol and I continued our inner conversation, a sweet and pleasant aroma began wafting from the cauldron in front of me. The scent quickly spread throughout the classroom, enveloping everyone in its calming embrace. I found myself inhaling deeply; the vapor seemed to soothe my mind and relax my nerves.

The soft murmur of the classroom came to an abrupt halt. Heads turned, and soon, every eye was on our table. Anya, burdened by the sudden attention, tried to shrink behind me, her shoulders hunched as if she could disappear into thin air.