Chapter 219: SKY ISLAND EXPLORE - The Extra is a Hero?

CHAPTER 219: SKY ISLAND EXPLORE

Chapter 215: Sky Island Explore

"It’s... it’s floating," Alex whispered, peering over the railing of the dock.

He gripped the banister so hard his knuckles turned white. Below us, thousands of feet down, the cloud layer formed a rolling white ocean.

Occasional gaps revealed the miniature, patchwork quilt of the continent far below.

"Physics shouldn’t allow this."

"It’s not physics, Alex," Gideon murmured, his green eyes wide and reflecting the sunlight. He crouched down, examining the material of the dock itself.

"It’s runic suspension. Look at the grain of the wood. It’s infused with Levitational Sap. The entire island is a giant, living artifact."

I adjusted my bag, taking in the sight of the city proper.

Sky Island wasn’t just a military base or a sanctuary; it was a playground for the elite, a utopia constructed by the Council of Elders to show the world what humanity could achieve when mana was limitless.

The city built upon it was a fusion of nature and impossible technology.

Towers of white stone spiraled upward, connected by bridges of solid light.

Parks were filled with trees that I knew only grew in high-mana zones.

And in the center, dominating the skyline, was a massive structure with a dome of pure gold. The Hero Honour Hall.

The ship docked at a floating pier.

____________

The transition from the industrial smog of Rolune to the pristine atmosphere of Sky Island was jarring in the most beautiful way possible.

As we stepped off the Celestial Wind onto the floating docks, the air didn’t just smell clean; it smelled expensive.

It carried the scent of ozone, crushed mint, and high-grade mana crystals sublimating in the sun.

"It’s... it’s floating," Alex whispered, peering over the railing of the dock.

He gripped the banister so hard his knuckles turned white.

Below us, thousands of feet down, the cloud layer formed a rolling white ocean.

Occasional gaps revealed the miniature, patchwork quilt of the continent far below.

"Physics shouldn’t allow this."

"It’s not physics, Alex," Gideon murmured, his green eyes wide and reflecting the sunlight. He crouched down, examining the material of the dock itself.

"It’s runic suspension. Look at the grain of the wood. It’s infused with Levitational Sap. The entire island is a giant, living artifact."

I adjusted my bag, taking in the sight of the city proper. Sky Island wasn’t just a military base or a sanctuary; it was a playground for the elite, a utopia constructed by the Council of Elders to show the world what humanity could achieve when mana was limitless.

The architecture was a blinding fusion of white marble, gold filigree, and translucent crystal. Towers spiraled upward like drill bits piercing the heavens, connected by bridges made of solid light that hummed with a low, comforting vibration.

There were no shadows here, or at least, none that lingered. The placement of the buildings and the refractive properties of the crystal spires ensured that natural light reached every corner of the streets.

"Welcome to Sky Island," Evelyn said as we disembarked. "This is neutral territory. No fighting. No duels. You represent the Academy. Behave."

Before we could say anything, we heared Alastor voices .

"Alright, listen up!" Alastor’s voice boomed, cutting through the awe of the students.

"We’re checking into the Grand Hotel. It’s five blocks down the Crystal Avenue. Don’t wander off, don’t touch anything that glows red, and for the love of the gods, don’t fall off the edge. The cleanup paperwork is a nightmare."

Our group—Team Anomaly—huddled together, looking like a pack of stray dogs who had accidentally wandered into a royal banquet.

"Chief," Alex whispered to me, "Is it true a glass of water here costs fifty Ren?"

"Probably a hundred if I remember correctly," I said, patting his shoulder. "Don’t worry about it. Expenses are on the Academy... So drink it with out a worry."

As we walked down Crystal Avenue, the s

Lheer opulence was overwhelming.

We passed shops displaying armor made of dragon scales that glittered like emeralds, bakeries selling pastries that floated in mid-air, and alchemist ateliers where potions bubbled in colors I didn’t have names for.

The people were different, too. In Selorn, people walked with purpose, heads down, working. In Arcadia, they walked with ambition.

Here? They glided. Elves in silk robes conversed with Dwarven jewelers; Beastkin dignitaries walked alongside human Archmages. It was a melting pot of the rich and powerful.

"It makes you sick, doesn’t it?" Seraphina muttered, though her eyes were glued to a display of enchanted bows.

"It makes me hungry," Kaelen said, staring at a floating cake.

I walked silently, my [Quantum Analysis Mind] passively scanning the crowd.

[Target: Elf Noble. Rank: C.]

[Target: Merchant. Rank: D.]

[Target: Tourist. Rank: F.]

It was peaceful. Idyllic. A perfect paradise suspended in the sky.

But I knew the script. In the game, Sky Island was a deception.

The pristine white walls hid ancient secrets, and the peace was maintained by a security system that was one bad command away from becoming a cage.

The Demon Cult wasn’t just coming to destroy this place; they were coming to turn it.

"Michael?"

I blinked, snapping out of my analysis. Maria Frostheart had fallen into step beside me.

She wasn’t wearing her armor, but a simple, elegant travel dress that probably cost more than my entire loadout.

"You’re doing it again," she said softly.

"Doing what?"

"Thinking too loud. Your eyes get that... calculator look." She gestured to the spires around us.

"We’re supposed to be on vacation. Can you try, for just one day, not to look like you’re planning a siege?"

I forced a smile. "Old habits. It’s a lot to take in."

"It is," she agreed, her gaze softening as she looked at a fountain where water defied gravity, flowing upward into a floating sphere.

"But it’s also rare. To see the world like this, without monsters, without fighting. We should enjoy it while it lasts."

"While it lasts," I echoed. The irony tasted like ash.

We reached the Grand Hotel, a structure that looked like a palace carved from a single diamond.

The check-in process was seamless, handled by Golems with velvet voices. Our rooms were suites, naturally.

Once we were settled, I gathered my team in the common area of our suite. The balcony offered a panoramic view of the entire city.

"Okay," I said, leaning against the railing. "Evelyn gave us free time until the evening ceremony. You guys should go."

"Go?" Alex asked, sitting on a plush sofa as if he was afraid he’d break it. "Where?"

"Anywhere," I said. "Go to the Cloud Park. Go to the Aviary. Gideon, I saw a Necromancy History exhibit on the brochure, go scare the tourists. Have fun."

"And you?" Seraphina asked, eyeing me suspiciously. "You’re not coming?"

"I have an errand," I said, pulling a small, metallic card from my pocket. It had arrived by drone the moment we docked—a perk of being the ’First Year Monarch.’ "I received an invitation."

Seraphina peered at the card. Her eyes widened. "That seal... that’s the City Lord’s crest."

"Lord Cessias," I confirmed. "He wants to meet the top students. Leon and Eric probably got one too."

"A private audience with the ruler of Sky Island?"

Kaelen squeaked. "Chief, that’s... that’s huge."

"It’s politics," I corrected. "But it gets me into the Central Spire. I want to see how this city ticks."

I pushed off the railing.

"Go. Spend money. Eat expensive food. Just be back at the hotel by sunset."

As they filed out, excited chatter returning to their voices, I stayed on the balcony for a moment longer.

I watched the airships docking, the Mana Knights patrolling the streets in their gleaming silver armor, the tourists laughing.

I reached into my dimensional pocket, my fingers brushing the cold hilt of Draken.

"Enjoy the peace," I whispered to the city. "Because the shadows are already here."

______________

The Central Spire was not a building; it was a machine disguised as a monument.

Standing over two hundred stories tall, it acted as the spine of Sky Island.

It housed the government, the main mana reactors, and the central processing core that kept the entire landmass defying gravity.

I stood in the lobby, flanked by Leon and Eric. The three of us, the "Top 3," had been summoned.

Leon looked genuinely honored, adjusting his tie every five seconds.

Eric looked bored, though his eyes darted around, assessing the value of the art on the walls.

"Stop fidgeting, Lionheart," Eric scoffed. "It’s just a City Lord. My father has three of them over for tea every Tuesday."

"It’s Lord Cessias," Leon retorted. "He’s one of the few surviving High Elves from the Second War. Show some respect."

"I respect power," Eric murmured. "Let’s see if he has any."

A chime sounded, and the elevator doors slid open. But there was no attendant inside.

"PLEASE ENTER,"

(To be continued)

Author Note: Sky Island is a luxury Island , mainly it run by the income source from tourism.