I Want to Be an Extra

Alex Rumberg, aged 60, served as Lewin Dee Dryerf’s personal butler for just over two years. Despite transitioning from middle age to old age, he refused to consider himself old.

“…that’s what I believed.”

With a seemingly resigned statement, the other butlers found it challenging to respond.

“Well, raising a child is always challenging.”

One of the butlers broke the prolonged silence.

Present at the gathering were key individuals from the Dryerf Duchy, devoted to assisting the lineage of the Dryerf Ducal Family.

“You’re right. Young master Latel was quite troublesome when he was younger.”

The butler who had been in charge of Latel, the eldest son, spoke up.

The other butlers, who had remained silent, also joined the conversation.

“But things have changed now.”

“We’ve heard about his remarkable achievements at the Royal Academy.”

Mandatory education for the Empire’s nobility began at the age of 10.

The Academy, open not only to nobles but also to talented commoners and those who had acquired wealth, was widely spread throughout the empire.

However, the Royal Academy, directly overseen by the royal family, held a special status.

It attracted numerous talented individuals from all across the continent.

“He’s been the top student there for four consecutive years, hasn’t he?”

“Even though it’s considered basic education, that’s quite impressive.”

“Usually, the results of basic education determine performance in higher education, unless major changes occur.”

The Empire allowed children of nobles or those who held suitable positions and capabilities to enter the academy from the age of 10.

Four years of basic education from ages 10 to 13.

Three years of secondary education from 14 to 16.

Three years of higher education from 17 to 19.

And then, after that, the mythical graduate program that only a select few could join.

For those with the ability and desire, the Empire provided opportunities for more than a decade of learning.

“Much will change once he enters the secondary education curriculum.”

“I’ve heard he’s already being approached by the student council.”

“Already? No doubt, young master Latel is exceptional.”

“Miss Luna is also receiving positive news.”

“Young master Lagil too.”

As esteemed members of the Dryerf Ducal family, the Dryerf siblings had access to education from prominent figures from a young age.

Perhaps due to that advantage, they were distinguishing themselves even at the Royal Academy, where the continent’s top talents converged.

“Master Lewin will also thrive.”

“That’s right.”

“Hasn’t he been hailed as a prodigy since early on?”

The other butlers made an effort to lighten the mood, knowing that Alex, being the oldest and most experienced among them, needed reassurance.

“If that’s the case, there’s no need to worry.”

Unfortunately, their attempts at comfort did not resonate with Alex.

“Because the young master is a genius.”

Even after a year had passed, this conviction remained unchanged.

No, if anything, Alex had become even more aware of the young master’s genius.

“He was also given a sword on his previous birthday.”

The Dryerf Duchy, known as one of the empire’s pillars, was a house of warriors.

They boasted numerous knights, and the head of the Dryerf family was always a representative swordsman of the empire.

The current head, Laihar Dryerf, held such a position and had the authority to mobilize the empire’s military forces during emergencies.

Hence, in such a household, the children of the Dryerf Ducal family received a sword as a gift when they turned seven.

Though it was a wooden sword, it marked the official beginning of their sword training as heirs of the Dryerf bloodline.

“That’s correct.”

“Since the young master’s birthday falls towards the year’s end, the time has come.”

“How is the young master faring?”

Sword training at the martial arts hall was no trivial matter.

It had the potential to shape their future depending on their talent.

“He’s doing exceptionally well.”

Lewin displayed outstanding abilities even in that domain.

“To an excessive extent.”

In fact, he excelled to a point of excess.

“Isn’t that a positive thing?”

One of the butlers casually posed a question.

The sentiment was shared among the other butlers.

Shouldn’t they be happy rather than concerned if the young master they served exhibited such talent?

“No.”

Alex, however, dismissed the notion.

At the age of 58, he came to realize that an abundance of talent in his master was not always a favorable circumstance.

“It’s not beneficial.”

Talent doesn’t always guarantee positive outcomes.

The faster they learn, the quicker they reach their goals.

And as a result, they may become complacent.

Recalling Lewin’s behavior of rolling around in bed, claiming it was dangerous beyond the safety of the blankets, Alex developed a headache.

“Is that so?”

Yet others failed to comprehend his worries.

A problem arising from exceptional talent.

Had it not been for Lewin Dee Dryerf’s existence, even Alex would have struggled to grasp the dilemma.

“What should I do?”

Even after the butlers gathered, Alex remained plagued by concerns.

How could he rid Lewin of his laziness?

He attempted to set unconventional goals suitable for his age, but they proved futile.

Each time he witnessed Lewin’s composed expression, declaring, “It’s finished,” disappointment enveloped him.

Even when he urged those in charge of Lewin to be stricter, it yielded no results.

Many of them were so infatuated with Lewin that they readily complied with his desires, despite being renowned masters from the continent.

A direct conversation with the head of the household?

That, too, had already been attempted.

The Duke of Dryerf, listening to Alex’s words with a composed demeanor, responded:

“Why is that a problem?”

Lewin possessed talent, had achieved all the necessary learning milestones, and was now merely engaging in leisurely activities.

The Duke of Dryerf saw no reason or motivation to curtail his playfulness after surpassing not only the expected level of learning for an Imperial Duke’s bloodline but even exceeding it slightly.

Alex understood the sentiments expressed by the others.

“This cannot go on.”

Because only Alex, who witnessed Lewin’s daily life up close, truly understood.

Lewin Dee Dryerf was a prodigy.

Not just any prodigy, but a prodigy so extraordinary that it would be believable to say he was living his second life.

In Alex’s eyes, it appeared as though Lewin Dee Dryerf approached life’s challenges as if he had the answer sheet right in front of him. He effortlessly solved the problems that came his way, which led to his complacency.

Alex could understand.

Why would one make an effort when everything is easily resolved?

Yet, Alex couldn’t easily provide an answer to that question.

However…

“The young master is still young.”

Life is unfair.

Even a life that consistently finds the right answers can be unexpectedly shaken.

The Dryerf household may be vast and secure, but precisely because of that, there are many who conceal daggers and harbor ill intentions.

There are things that cannot be accomplished solely with talent.

Effort and accumulated experiences are necessary in certain situations.

Recognizing this, Alex desired to eliminate Lewin’s lethargy.

‘If you lack stimulation because you’re lazy…’

He needed to provide Lewin with a stimulus that would capture his interest.

That was Alex’s conclusion.

“Young master…”

“Buy it.”

“No, no matter what…”

“Buy it!”

In the end, Alex’s words became a jumbled mess.

******

“Go outside?”

Lewin Dee Dryerf.

In his tenth life, at the age of seven.

He despised going outside.

Today, as Lewin lay rolling around in bed, he frowned at Alex’s words.

“Do I have to?”

Lewin cherished his bed.

The ducal house’s bed offered a level of comfort that Lewin had never experienced before.

‘The world outside the blanket is dangerous.’

Having experienced the dangers of the world in his nine previous lives as a hero, Lewin firmly believed this.

Sleeping on hard ground was the norm, and life was filled with constant tension, never knowing if he was awake or caught in the realm of demons.

Compared to that, how safe and secure was it under the blanket?

Warm, cozy, and completely devoid of danger.

Lewin could confidently assert that there was no better world than the one beneath his blankets.

“Young Master, the Dryerf Duchy boasts a huge scale befitting the reputation of a ducal house.”

“Yeah. But isn’t it just a speck of dust compared to the vast world?”

Today, Alex, easily caught off guard, fell silent for a moment.

However, he quickly regained his composure.

‘This isn’t the first time this has happened.’

Though slightly wounded, he didn’t consider it an irreparable blow. Sporting a forced smile, Alex spoke up.

“Indeed, young master. So, about exploring a new world…”

“But have you ever pondered this, Alex?”

“What kind of argument are you going to present now…”

Lewin’s subsequent response shattered Alex’s poker face effortlessly.

“People often claim to be the protagonists of their own lives, right?”

“Yes.”

“But a novel featuring only the protagonist cannot exist. There should also be villains who oppose the protagonist, supporting characters, and extras who seem to exist but don’t truly matter.”

“Yes.”

Alex nodded with an anxious expression.

“Then, consider this. If you were to live as an extra, would you truly need to explore a new world?”

“What…?”

“Even if I exist in a minuscule world like a speck of dust, leading a life as an unknown extra, what’s wrong with that?”

It was utter nonsense.

As someone who knew Lewin’s genius, Alex could never fathom him leading the life of an extra.

In his understanding, no one was more deserving of being the protagonist than Lewin.

And beyond that…

“Young master, can you genuinely envision the third son of the Dryerf Duchy living as an extra?”

He belonged to a lineage entrusted with the military might of the empire, a pillar of strength for the entire realm.

From the moment of his birth, his position ensured that his name resonated among the nobles across the empire.

The name was Lewin Dee Dryerf, a name that even the Emperor, the embodiment of the empire, would recognize.

Could someone like him aspire to be an extra?

Did that even make sense?

“Please be honest. Just…”

“It troubles me.”

“Can’t you answer after I finish speaking?”

Gazing at Lewin, cocooned under a blanket with only his head visible, Alex clenched his teeth.

‘Calm down. I must stay calm!’

He cannot be swayed by this damn, no, by this young lord’s pace.

He must sway him as much as possible and introduce him to new experiences.

How much effort has been invested for today?

Countless tasks were performed behind the scenes to enable diverse world exploration, and Alex had barely overcome the significant hurdle of convincing the Duke and Duchess.

Now, the only remaining and most formidable adversary was the young lord himself.

‘Stay composed, remain composed.’

He felt pathetic for being swayed by a mere seven-year-old, but Alex was an exceptional butler.

He belonged to a class of excellence where he was entrusted with the Dryerf ducal bloodline!

“Young master, it’s not just about going outside. It’s an opportunity to directly observe the Knight Order’s schedule.”

“Hmm?”

Upon hearing Alex’s last attempt, Lewin’s sullen expression shifted.

“You mean, following their activities?”

Lewin had assumed it would be a mundane task like attending a party or social gathering.

But observing the Knight Order’s schedule?

“You mean the one where they engage in training, secure supplies and equipment, and occasionally recruit trainees from villages or slave markets?”

“That’s correct.”

Two years.

Whether it was a short or long duration, Alex had spent that time with Lewin.

That’s why he understood better than anyone else that this lethargic lord wouldn’t be enticed by parties or social events.

“Hmm…”

Therefore, Alex had to present a lure that would capture Lewin’s interest, and he believed that the Knight Order’s schedule would be the most enticing bait.

And his judgment proved correct.

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

He had managed to coax the stubborn lord out of bed!