The Extra is a Genius!?

The soft clatter of cutlery and the low hum of morning conversation filled the academy cafeteria. Sunlight spilled through the tall, enchanted windows, casting warm light over the rows of students beginning their day. Elena sat at one of the side tables, a tray in front of her mostly untouched—just a piece of bread and a cup of steaming herbal tea.

Her two closest friends, Mira and Tessa, sat on either side of her. Mira, the more talkative of the two, tapped her spoon restlessly against her bowl of oatmeal.

"Do you really think she’s alright?" she asked, her voice hushed but pressing. "It’s been a week, Elena."

Elena stirred her tea, watching the steam curl upward before answering.

"Let’s not assume the worst. There’s still no evidence of anything bad happening," she said, her tone calm but tight around the edges. "We can’t jump to conclusions."

Tessa, always the skeptic, leaned in slightly. "But isn’t it strange? No one’s heard from her. No letter, no magic transmission, nothing. If she left on her own, she would’ve said something."

Elena nodded slowly, eyes on the swirling liquid. "I know. I’ve thought about it too. But panicking won’t help. Right now, we can only hope that wherever she is... she’s safe."

Mira tilted her head, glancing around before whispering, "You really think she’ll come back?"

Elena’s amber eyes lifted from her tea, calm but resolute.

"I do. She’s strong. Smarter than most people give her credit for. I believe she’ll return."

"Okay, let’s change the topic. So?" one of them asked, setting down her spoon. "Is there any boy who’s caught your eye lately?"