The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 190: Overthinking

Ajax and Dempsey strode through the museum's echoing halls, their footsteps a steady rhythm against the marble floors.

"Boss," Dempsey began, his voice low and thoughtful,

"what do you think of that kid? Did you sense anything strange about him?"

Ajax shrugged, his expression impassive. "Nothing particularly special," he replied, his tone dismissive.

"Why? Did you see something else with your skill?"

Dempsey's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"I wouldn't say I saw anything," he mused, "but if I could retrace the footage from the fight, I'd like to take a closer look."

Ajax's eyebrows furrowed, his curiosity piqued. "Just tell me what it is then."

"I'm not sure of it yet," Dempsey admitted, "but I'll let you know once I confirm it. One thing is for sure, though..." He paused, his smile widening.

"He's a gifted archer. That much I saw clearly."

Ajax chuckled a low rumble that resonated through the empty corridor.

"A gifted archer, huh? Well, that might explain a few things." He paused, his gaze turning contemplative.

"He was the one from the tournament semi-finals no?."

Dempsey nodded as the two strode off towards the lower staircases.

***

{Rel's POV}

[Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor | Central Entrance]

Finally, I was out of the Louvre Museum...

On my way out, I found a bag that looked like the one Valencia was holding earlier with Jan.

Hoping I didn't steal someone else's bag, I picked it up along with this red scarf.

Everything initially went as planned, but some interferences were likely caused by my presence.

Ultimately, I succeeded in the first main incident, and I'd need to be cautious when I returned to Pinnacle Academy.

There was a lot on the schedule this month... Exams and the next few villain appearances.

Walking down the staircase, the scene in front of me was more chaotic than I could have ever imagined.

— Sir! Let us through, we need photos of the creature!

— Can we get some answers on what happened inside?

— I heard the leader of The Visionary Syndicate is in there as well...

Police barricades held back a curious crowd of reporters and bystanders.

Their faces were etched with a mixture of fear and fascination as they gazed at the imposing facade of the museum.

News vans lined the street, their satellite dishes reaching for the sky, eager to transmit the latest updates.

And I quickly snuck my way around the barrier full of policemen and found my way into the crowd.

But why am I doing this?

Well of course, I don't want to bump into Jan, Valencia, or Camila.

I just wanted to head back to the hotel and pack my things so we could leave as soon as possible-

THUD!

Just as I thought I'd made it to the end of the crowd, a familiar hand clamped down on my arm, jerking me to a halt.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Jan's voice boomed in my ear, a playful lilt to it that grated on my nerves.

I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his beaming grin.

Damn it. He looked like a kid who'd just caught a stray dog.

"I was, uh..." My mind blanked, scrambling for a plausible excuse.

"Come on, Rel," Jan said, his grip firm but not unkind. "We're all waiting for you."

With a resigned sigh, I let him drag me back towards Camila and Valencia.

While I couldn't escape from his grasp I couldn't see the other two in sight which meant they were probably at a cafe or something.

"Do you have a habit of disappearing?" Jan asked.

"Um, no? Why do you ask?"

"Well... I just think that you often disappear when people need someone the most," he said.

"Apart from that last part where you saved everyone back there... including me. I didn't get to say thank you, so-"

"Don't worry about it," I said, keeping my voice calm while Jan carried me with one hand.

...

...

...

[Paris, Jardin des Tuileries - The Park]

With the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the Jardin des Tuileries, we found ourselves perched on a bench facing the fountain.

The rhythmic splash of water provided a strangely calming backdrop to the chaos we'd just witnessed.

I shot Jan a questioning look. "Why'd you drag me here?"

He flashed that infuriatingly bright smile.

"Camila and Valencia went to grab us some hot chocolate. Told them we'd wait here."

My shoulders slumped. "You didn't need to do that."

"I wanted to," he countered, his gaze fixed on the endlessly cycling fountain.

"Not because you needed it."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"Whatever, I guess there's really no getting through to you."

Jan chuckled, then tilted his head back to gaze at the sky.

"Hey, Rel... I've got a question for you."

I braced myself, expecting some nonsensical scepticism born from his usual misunderstandings.

But there was no escape here, not with Jan's eyes boring into me with an unsettling intensity.

"What is it?" I asked, already weary.

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.

"Are you from another world?"

"What?"

I stared at Jan, taken aback by his question.

Was he being serious?

But the intensity in his eyes suggested something deeper was at play.

There was no way he knew right?

I have my doubts though... but... no he couldn't have figured it out, that's impossible.

"Another world?" I sighed, feigning exasperation. "You've actually gone crazy..."

Jan's smile didn't waver. "I knew you'd say something like that." He continued,

"I've asked the same questions to Bazz and the others, so you don't need to worry."

Now this was confusing, Why would Jan ask such a thing?

There was definitely something off here. I couldn't be the only one overthinking this.

"Why are you even asking me this question?"

"Well... I'm not sure. I wanted to confirm this feeling I had. But..."

"But what?" I pressed.

Jan hesitated, then asked, "Would you believe that other worlds like this exist?"

My mind raced. If he was referring to the world he came from, I had to play dumb.

"If other worlds existed, I'd be out of here by now,"

I joked, trying to maintain a lighthearted mood without revealing too much.

Jan's eyes widened, and he burst into laughter.

I didn't get what was so funny.

"You're really one of a kind, Rel. Man, if it was Bazz instead of you, I'd probably beat him up over something so little like this."

"I can see that..."

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