The Retired Hero is an Extra

***

Since the moment Jash fainted on his birthday, Cornelius had kept a close eye on him as he failed to detect any abnormality after the fleeting sinister presence.

However, doubts lingered in his mind throughout the week.

To solve them, he checked on Jash both when he was sleeping and during the day.

Of course, Jash remained unaware of everything transpiring around him, reassuring Cornelius about his grandson's health.

Though the only anomaly he found was Jash walking in a daze every now and then or him mumbling to himself.

It was pretty strange, but not to a degree that would worry him, as he really couldn't find any irregularity in Jash's body.

'It might be some aftereffects like PTSD,' concluded Cornelius. But he still checked up on Jash without anyone knowing for the entire week.

Currently, he remained afloat in the sky, observing Jash's awakening while being on the lookout for dangers.

After all, one can never be too safe.

As the awakening process began, a small smile couldn't help but grace his lips.

'He really is a genius,' Cornelius mused, sensing the mana in the awakening chambers excitedly creeping closer to Jash's form.

It made him recall how Jash had tried to figure out Andrew's mana technique while being examined.

Albeit, he remained unaware that Jash was momentarily tranced by his past life's knowledge about the law of light instead of comprehending the mana technique.

Yet his smile grew wider as he thought to himself, 'It was a good decision to make him sign the secrecy contract.'

When Andrew had visited, Cornelius made sure to keep a close eye on the process and ended up forcing the priest into a secrecy contract.

The contract wasn't just a piece of paper, though. It was a Mana Contract.

It could have severe penalties for the one breaking the contract, from dropping in ranks or even crippling one's usage of mana itself.

Naturally, it had its limitation of not being able to add a death clause.

The worst it could do was make the individual suffer unbearable pain and turn them into an idiot unable to do anything.

However, that was enough for most people.

After all, who would want to lose their strength after experiencing such a life?

No one.

That's why Cornelius felt his heart at ease at the moment.

If word about Jash's crazy talent leaked, it wouldn't be good as many leeches and pests would appear.

Something he didn't wish to see anytime soon.

'Even if the other races are living harmoniously within the Solarnelle Empire, who knows how long that will remain the case?'

'The other nobles and even the imperial family are also not something to be taken lightly...'

Worries couldn't help but flash his mind as the talent of his 3 grandchildren was too monstrous, and that wasn't good for a single generation.

The only relief being the abnormal talents in the newer generation weren't few and far between.

However, all of his worries turned into astonishment and excitement as time continued to pass and Jash continued to persist.

In place of worry, a thrill took root in his mind as a wide grin erupted on his face.

'Close to mine? Surpass it!' Cornelius couldn't help but hope for his grandson to surpass him.

As if his earlier worries had never existed, he continued to cheer for his grandson as his record broke.

Yet his smile only widened, if that was even possible.

To his astounding excitement, his body leaked out a wave of mana which was reeled in by him in less than half a second.

The sudden wave of mana alarmed the guards as they immediately started looking for the source.

Uncaring of the dutiful guards, Cornelius had a single thought in his mind: 'Break that 5-hour mark, son!'

His excitement was palpable at the moment yet it all came to an end at 4 hour 59 minutes.

'One minute! Just one more minute and...!' thought Cornelius, lamenting the missed opportunity.

'Even if you broke my record, it isn't really the world record...'

The moment the thought popped up in his mind, a sad smile erupted on his lips before a flash of complicated emotions appeared in his eyes.

Luckily, no one was there as he immediately concealed them and vanished from place.

A weird mix of grief, reluctance, regret and acceptance laced his tone as he mumbled to himself, "I wonder how different everything would be if only..."

***

Unaware of his father overseeing Jash's awakening, Carcel couldn't help but keep a strong front for Jash and Sera.

He had already noticed Caera's supportive front and smiled at her actions. 'Good girl! She really cares for Jash.'

After ensuring everything in the room was in place, he nodded and announced, "Jash, you may begin awakening now."

A resolute look appeared on Jash, surprising his parents and Caera for the second time yet he began the process before they could express their surprise.

Carcel's grip on Sera's waist tightened involuntarily, causing her to look at him with a helpless smile.

'He really can act, huh?' Sera thought as she shifted closer to him, allowing him to feel her body next to his.

If not for Caera's presence, Sera would have no doubt snuggled next to him with no gap between their bodies.

Fortunately, such a scene remained for their private time as she sought comfort in her husband while he sought comfort in her.

Their relationship was truly harmonious, but it was relatively strange for nobles to show such passion towards their partners.

However, the two of them didn't really care and their children were already used to it.

It would have been a different matter entirely if they knew about Cornelius perceiving everything.

Meanwhile, Caera looked as fired up as she was on her own awakening.

'Lazy Panda, you better do good or...' Caera threatened Jash inwardly but didn't complete the thought, afraid she might jinx it.

Luckily, nothing went wrong with Jash's awakening as he successfully established his Mana Core.

Despite his Mana Core Formation process being different, they didn't really care as it was a personal process and differed slightly for every person, no matter how much they knew the theory.

So, it didn't raise any flags for Jash, saving him from the hassle to explain. Well, he didn't even know such an event would happen.

'You hoped for a normal awakening and look at you!! You already surpassed me, lazy brother!' Caera thought with mild amusement as a smile crossed her cherry lips and her blue eyes twinkled in excitement.

She really didn't have any negative feelings for Jash, only feeling interested and happy about the result.

Seeing this, her parents couldn't help but think, 'Our daughter is truly an angel!'

And they weren't wrong in thinking so.

Alas, that was the only respite for the couple amidst their worry over Jash's condition and the pain he must be suffering.

Yet they stood stupefied with their eyes and mouth wide open as Jash broke the record of awakening with his grave determination.

The moment stood still for the trio despite their concern regarding Jash's worsening condition, as time closed to 5 hours, yet it stopped exactly one minute before.

However, looking at the stumbling Jash, they immediately darted to hold him.

***