The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist

The Zenith Academy cafeteria was alive with its usual midday chaos—students talking over each other, trays clattering, and the aroma of sizzling meals wafting through the air. Among the noise, a particular table stood out, mostly due to the energy radiating from the group seated there.

Seraphina, Alden, Ethan, Charlotte, and Ava were happily enjoying their lunch. Their plates were stacked with Academy-tier delicacies—grilled mana-infused steak, golden rice, and floating fruit cubes that sparkled faintly with magical residue. It was a peaceful moment in their academy lives.

Henry sat at the end of the table, however, looking like a condemned man on death row. He clutched his spoon like it was a weapon and hadn’t touched his food.

His face was pale, his eyes darting around as if expecting a dragon to drop from the ceiling at any moment.

Ava noticed and leaned in with concern. "Are you okay, Henry? You look like you’re about to faint."

"I’m f-fine!" Henry squeaked, forcing a smile that looked more like a wince. "Just, you know... it’s hard to relax when I’m sitting with a bunch of actual stars."

Ethan chuckled as he reached for a piece of fruit. "Come on, don’t be so dramatic. We’re just students, same as you."

Alden leaned back in his chair, still chewing on a piece of steak. "Man, I gotta say—this lunch hits different when someone else is footing the bill."

"Right?" Ethan grinned. "Feels even better when that someone is Alex."

Henry blinked. "Wait... seriously? He’s paying for all this?!"

"Yup," Alden chimed in with a bright smile. "Every single bite. I even took an extra dessert!"