The Extra who regained his past life memories

[Gray’s POV]

While chasing Amy through the courtyard, we suddenly spotted a tall woman walking toward us.

She had long black hair that flowed gracefully down her back and sharp crimson eyes that carried both authority and warmth.

There was a subtle resemblance between her and Mother.

The same raven-black hair.

The same crimson eyes.

The same noble bearing.

Yet they gave off completely different impressions.

Mother possessed an elegance that made people instinctively lower their heads before her.

Astrid, on the other hand, radiated the confidence and discipline of a veteran warrior. She was an exceptional beauty in her own right, capable of turning heads wherever she went, but the countless battles she had experienced had forged a calm, dependable aura around her.

She was...

The second-in-command of the Starlight Family.

Mother’s right hand.

And...

My aunt.

Astrid Starlight.

The moment Amy saw her, her eyes lit up.

Without the slightest hesitation, she ran behind Astrid and used her as a shield.

"Astrid! Save me!" she cried dramatically.

"A raging beast is chasing me!"

"What did you say?!"

I became even more annoyed.

"You started this!"

I immediately tried to catch her, but Amy kept circling around Astrid while sticking her tongue out at me.

"Hehe!"

"You can’t catch me now!"

"Just wait, Amy!"

"I won’t let you off today!"

Astrid stood between us as we ran circles around her.

For a few seconds, she simply watched the two of us with an amused smile before finally raising both hands.

She gently placed one hand on my head and the other on Amy’s.

Instantly...

Both of us stopped.

"Alright, alright."

She chuckled softly.

"What happened this time?"

Her crimson eyes shifted toward me first.

"Why are you chasing your sister again?"

Then she looked at Amy.

"What did the two of you argue about this time?"

I immediately pointed an accusing finger at Amy.

"I finished training first and waited for her!"

"I got sleepy while waiting..."

"And then she put an ice-covered hand on the back of my neck!"

Amy puffed out her chest proudly.

"I was just waking up my lazy little brother."

Astrid pressed her lips together, trying very hard not to laugh.

Gray’s indignant expression...

Amy’s completely innocent face...

The contrast was simply too amusing.

Still, years of experience allowed her to maintain her composure.

She merely shook her head with a helpless smile.

"Amy."

She looked at my sister.

"Don’t bully your little brother too much."

Then she turned toward me.

"And Gray..."

She gently ruffled my hair.

"Let it go this time."

Hearing Astrid take her side, Amy became even smugger.

She stuck out her tongue.

"Bleeeh~"

I puffed out my cheeks.

"Just wait."

"Next time I won’t let you get away so easily."

Amy only giggled.

"I’ll be waiting."

Both she and Astrid burst into laughter.

Astrid smiled warmly before gently rubbing my head again.

"My little Gray..."

"You’ve grown quite a bit since I last saw you."

She pinched my cheek affectionately.

"And you’ve become even cuter."

I couldn’t help but smile.

It had been almost seven months since Astrid had left on Mother’s mission.

Although we occasionally heard news about her, it wasn’t the same as seeing her in person.

She had practically helped raise both Amy and me.

Whenever Mother was busy, Astrid was always there.

Strict when we trained.

Gentle when we needed comfort.

Reliable no matter the situation.

To me...

She really was like another mother.

Astrid looked at me with a gentle smile.

"I heard your awakening went well."

"The Matriarch already informed me."

"And she has given me permission to personally oversee your training from now on."

Her crimson eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"So..."

"What rank is your talent, little Gray?"

The moment she asked...

I proudly puffed out my chest.

"I awakened an SS+ talent!"

I raised my chin proudly.

"Hmph."

"Aren’t I amazing?"

Astrid couldn’t help but chuckle at my childish behavior.

"Yes."

"Yes, you are."

She smiled indulgently.

"You really are amazing."

Unlike most people, Astrid didn’t dramatically overreact.

She was certainly surprised...

Very surprised.

But she had spent decades fighting on battlefields, witnessing countless geniuses throughout her life.

She knew better than anyone how to control her emotions.

Still...

An SS+ talent.

Even for someone as experienced as her...

That was astonishing.

Talent was something a person was born with.

Once awakened, it was considered absolute.

It could never be changed.

At least...

That was what the entire world believed.

There were, of course, rumors.

Rumors of secret organizations conducting forbidden experiments in an attempt to artificially increase a person’s talent.

But almost every experiment ended the same way.

The subjects lost their sanity.

Their bodies twisted into grotesque monsters.

Their minds shattered completely.

Very few survived.

And even those who did...

Were no longer truly human.

Because of that, such research had long since become one of humanity’s greatest taboos.

Astrid understood the value of talent better than most.

Which was precisely why she couldn’t help but feel proud.

After all...

The boy standing before her wasn’t merely the young master of the Starlight Family.

He was one of the children she had watched grow up with her own eyes.

One of the children she considered family.

A warm smile naturally appeared on her face.

"You’ve done well, Gray."

She gently patted my head.

"I’m proud of you."

Hearing those words...

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

For some reason...

Being praised by Astrid made me happier than I expected.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

"Hehe..."

"I’ll work even harder from now on."

Astrid nodded approvingly.

"I know you will."

Then her expression became a little more serious.

"Talent is only the starting point."

"It opens the door."

"But only effort determines how far you walk."

She smiled faintly.

"And knowing you..."

"I don’t think I need to remind you of that."

I nodded firmly.

"I won’t disappoint you."

"I know."

She smiled with complete confidence.

"Because you’re Gray Starlight."

"And because you’re family."

Those simple words...

Filled my heart with warmth.

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