Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Chapter 38  Crew [ 1 ]

38  Crew [ 1 ]

"So you finally came to [ the Research Department ] Lucas, I have been waiting for you, you know that."

"Ha- Yes, ...yes sir I finally came to realize what a great Research Department is."

"Hahaha good, good We wanted to have some young promising students like you after all."

Right now I'm in front of Professor Theo. And guess what I'm here to join [ the Research Department ] as a student, of course.

"So, sir hear my application form mine," I said as I handed my application form.

"OK, you can go now. When activities start you will receive a message from the Department. "

I closed the door as soon as possible as he completed what he had to say. I don't know why but I can't feel safe in front of him.

Maybe that's my hallucinations but anyway.

With the form I submitted, I'm now officially a member of the Crew and department where the main characters will go.

I walked through the bustling hall of the Nova Academy, I could see all of the students like me who are first-year.

Some were rushing with crew application forms in their hand, and some were with their friends laughing like normal teenagers,  enjoying free moments of the hellish life of Nova.

As for me, you ask?

Well, I'm alone like always.

"Fuck"

The curse left my mouth as I drifted into my loneliness. I mean it is sunny I am supposed to hang out but I can't see him today.

And there is Evelyn-

"Let's not think about her," I muttered as I hurried through the crowd.

In my hurry, I did not see the person in front of me, as I ran into them.

"Ouch, hey watch where you going. "

"Sorry-" I could not finish what I was going to say. There she lay on the grounds with her Ebony hair fluttering through the breezes, her amber-green eyes came to a life full of energy, as morning sunlight came through the window and touched her gentle skin with its embrace.

Thump- Thump- Thump-!

My heart starts faster as the second ticks.

"Lucas, what the hell are you staring at me like this?"

The disgust in her voice broke all of my imagination, my heart started to beat normally, and I did not find myself freezing any longer.

Well who else could hold that much disgust for me if not Evelyn?

"Sorry about that," I said as she rose herself to her feet. Man. Just moments ago I told myself not to think about her and now I'm with her in this strange situation.

"You should watch where you are going, it's-"

"Yeah, yeah I know that so please just shut up for a moment."

I stopped her from continuing, as I didn't want to hear nagging from first thing in the morning.

"Evelyn, this is you I was searching for you- oh, hi Lucas."

It's Lyra, the beautiful and kind Elf, man I think Evelyn needs to learn things on or two from her, she is very kind after all.

"Oh, hi Lyra" I replied to her as my facial expression settled down.

After explaining that these two had to meet here but could find each other within those bustling crowds.

After the explanation was done Lyra turned toward me.

 "So, Lucas, how's your training been going?"

 "It's been alright, just trying to get the hang of things here at Nova Academy. How about you? How's your mana control coming along?"

She replied with a soft smile on her face.

"Oh, it's been challenging, but I'm making progress. I have a great mentor in the Mana Growth Crew."

Evelyn, feeling somewhat left out, decided to chime in: "Mana control, huh? That's not the only thing that matters here, you know."

Lucas, trying to include her in the conversation: "Evelyn, which Crew did you choose?"

Evelyn, evading the question. "That's none of your business."

Lyra, attempting to keep the conversation friendly.

"Come on, Evelyn, we're just curious I went with Mana Growth. What about you?"

Evelyn, reluctantly: "Well, fine. I chose the Travelling Crew."

My eyes widened as she also chose the same crew as the main character.  This is going to change the plot for sure.

I thought with a frown on my face, I looked at her and asked the question, trying to keep my voice at the same level.

Lucas: "Traveling crew That's a surprising choice."

"Why? Because it's not the one you would have picked?"

Should I tell her that I'm also a member of the same crew as her? No, let's wait for that surprise look on her face.

"No, not at all. I was just curious. By the way, Lyra, how's your mana control helping you in your Crew activities?"

 "Well, it gives me an edge. The Mana Growth Crew focuses a lot on enhancing our magic abilities, so having good mana control is crucial."

As we walked, we suddenly came upon a commotion up ahead, with Adrian and Emma at the centre of attention. The atmosphere was charged with tension and curiosity.

"Let's go check it out," I suggested, and both Lyra and Evelyn agreed.

As we approached the scene, the three of us witnessed the heated exchange between Adrian and Emma. Their words were like sparks flying in all directions, and it was clear that something significant was happening.

"Looks like things are getting interesting," I commented, glancing at both Lyra and Evelyn.

"I wonder what's happening. Shall we go closer and find out?"

"Why not? I could use a distraction from all this crew talk."

And so, amid the bustling Academy, the three of us found ourselves drawn into the drama that was unfolding before our eyes.

***

In the bustling atmosphere of the Nova Academy's Elective Fair, Adrian and Emma found themselves unimpressed with the offerings. They had just decided to leave when a voice called out to them.

"Welcome to the Crew Hall."

Turning towards the voice, they were met with a dark-haired individual who handed them a leaflet. They accepted it with polite thanks and intended to move on. However, the individual blocked their path, much to their irritation.

"What do you need?" Emma questioned, clearly annoyed.

The stranger seemed unfazed by her attitude and instead seemed entranced by her beauty, focusing solely on her and introducing himself as Tony Stark, a third-year student. His flirtatious demeanour didn't sit well with Adrian.

Emma, annoyed by Tony's advances, was saved by Adrian as he stepped in front of her, blocking Tony from approaching further.

"Can't you see you're bothering her?" Adrian asserted.

"Who are you?"

Finally noticing Adrian's presence, Tony couldn't hide his displeasure, as his head snapped in his direction.

 "How dare you block this one's path?"

 Suddenly two boys came behind, those two were Jay and Viru, a second-year student. Seeing Adrain in front of Tony they rushed at him.

"Sir, he is the one we were talking about," Jay said as he reached near them.

"Yes, Sir, his name is Adrian the number one freshman."

Hearing those two talking, his demeanour instantly changed. Gone from his friendly demeanour and settled calculation look on his face.

 "So you're the Adrian, that I'm hearing about it, a lowly commoner trying to be a hero and nothing."

However, Tony's arrogance quickly surfaced, and he dismissed Adrian as a "lowly commoner" before threatening to get physical.

Just as tensions escalated, Emma intervened, imitating

"If you don't fuck off from my sight, don't blame ME for being rude"

Imitating Tony's tone, Emma arrived right in front of Tony and lightly smiled.

Startled by Emma's outburst, Tony couldn't find any words to say resulting in his face cramping up.

"Got nothing to say?" Raising her brow, Emma looked at Tony provocatively.

"You…dare!"

Startled, Tony found himself at a loss for words, and Emma's boldness silenced him.

Behind him, Jay and Viru's faces turn pale as they know how dangerous Tony can be when he is angry.

14:45

They took a couple of steps back in fear.

 Looking around, Adrian noticed a small crowd that had already started gathering around them due to Emma's loud voice.

He also noticed Evelyn, Lyra and Lucas... On the crowd Sighing, Kevin started doubting whether asking Emma to help him was the right decision.

You were right Jay and Viru."

"It seems like the new first years are in disciplining huh?"

-Vam!

 As soon as he finished his sentence, massive pressure engulfed the surroundings while blue light started emanating from Tony's body.

 "ghh…"

 "Ughh…"

 "Ahhh…what's going on?"

The crowd which had gathered due to the commotion suddenly felt an immense pressure bearing down on them, and because they were caught off guard due to the suddenness of the attack, most of the people found themselves sprawled on the floor struggling to move.

Although both Adrian and Emma were extremely talented, they were in no way a match for a third-year student who had been vigorously training for three years under the care of the academy.

Even Adrian, who could've been regarded as one of the best even amongst the second years felt an unimaginable pressure bearing down on him.

[Detecting, Host life is in danger]

[Would you like to activate skill {BloodLust}? Y/N]

"N-no"

Not so proud now huh?"

"pfpfftyou don't know who you're messing with!"

"Oh? and how so?"

Tony who was about to grab Emma's hair suddenly backed away.

Boom-

An explosion happened where he had been standing.

"Who was it? Come forward. "

Angered Tony shouted at the crowd. His gaze settled on the one female who was bowed in her hand.

Of course, it's Evelyn and standing beside her is Lucas.

Lucas's face was pale as a white paper at the sudden action Evelyn took.

 "You know I hate people like you." She said.

She fired an arrow with an electric charge into the ground near Tony, causing an explosion. Tony demanded the culprit step forward, and Evelyn, unapologetic, revealed herself as the one who had acted.

Are you searching for us, Tony?"

Adrian's mocking voice chimed in, and it became evident that the danger magnets of the story had once again found themselves in a precarious situation.

As Lyra tended to Emma's injuries with her healing magic, Lucas, who had hoped to remain inconspicuous, realized that the main protagonists were, indeed, magnets for danger.

Hack even Evelyn Is Danger Magnet.

That's why I don't intervene with the plot. As an author, I just had a plan to watch from a distance and intervene when it was necessary.

But because of Evelyn who suddenly shot Arrow, I also gained Tony's attention.

"Thanks For the Help from the way... Lucas?"

Adrian smiled his best smile as he said.

I just want to beat that smile of his.

"It's nothing."

Even so, I held back.

And took out My sword.