Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

After checking my stat I left for my apartment. Things are going smoothly for once in a while.

In the future many things going to happen in the Nova Academy but at least there is still time for that.

There is one more thing I think I should tell you. See it's been Five days since the duel between Adrian and Kevin and the student is still talking about the duel but Tony strangely is silent. It's like he doesn't care about what is going on here.

It's nothing like that bastard at all.

'What the hell he is planning now?'

After thinking for a while nothing came to mind.

In the novel after Adrian comes from the incident that took in 'The Artefact Room' he has to face some upper-class men and the strong one at that too.

But nothing like that happened, the class was going normally as before.

But one thing sure did happen, Kevin was kicked out of [Nobel Crew] and now is outcasted by our class.

Maybe I can use this opportunity and get some Intel on Tony.

"Fuuu" I sigh as my thoughts come to an end, we'll If anything happens I'm sure Andrian can take care of things.

After all, he is the protagonist.

I just have to focus on getting strong.

But I think I will rest tomorrow because tomorrow is Sunday. I think I deserve a small rest in a while.

CLICK-

My apartment door opened but before I could go inside of my room a small blue screen popped up in front of me.

It was a message from Miss Lillian.

[ Lucas Darkheart this is your instructor Lilian.

Tomorrow you have to go Branch of the Hero Association in Eldoria with Adrian and Isabella.

Hero Association going to reward you for your help in killing a Fallen Human.

You have to go there, this is compulsory.]

Well looks like my Sunday went in the smoke.

I think there is no rest for Extra Character on weekends too.

With that, I closed the door behind me and directly hopped into bed to sleep.

***

The weekend sky was clear and blue. The early spring weather was chilly but still had a bit of warmth to it. But I was unable to enjoy this beautiful day to myself, as I was summoned to go to Eldoria 'Hero Association'.

It was to receive commendation for subjugating the Fallen human in the recent incident.

...Really, couldn't they just come to give it themselves?

But anyway, since they called me I have to go there regardless of my will.

The conferment ceremony took place in a garden in Hero Association, and many people were already gathered by the time I arrived. However, the conferment ceremony seemed nowhere close to starting. Adrian, Isabella, and I were forced into a ceremony rehearsal because we would receive our commendations from a dignitary, but the dignitary himself was late and we were forced to wait.

Because Isabella was next to me, it felt like I was sitting on needles.

"...Haaam."

"Happy?"

Once. I yawned once because I was bored. But Isabella, who was looking for an excuse to pick a fight, finally shot back at me. I retorted briefly.

"What."

"Are you a stalker? Whenever I go I find you there, don't tell me you are in love with me! I'm so sorry but I don't like stalkers."

"..."

Me? A stalker what the hell this woman is thinking?

But then a sudden thought came to my mind.

'Looking at the past events that unfolded during my stay at Nova Academy, anyone could guess that I'm stalking her.

But I'm not, seriously it's because of the plot that I have to hear this from Isabella of all people.

"What, cat got your tongue?"

"First I'm not stalking you and second no, I don't love you at all."

"Ohh, look like someone got gut to talk something."

It was unfair that she could look so pretty while making such remarks.

I planned to stay silent at first, but I suddenly remembered the reason I was there.

"You didn't forget, did you?"

"Forget what?"

Each of her words was covered in thorns. I spoke as I stared into her eyes.

"That I saved you."

"..."

"How did you save me?"

"If you don't believe me, why don't you ask Andrian?"

She turned to her right.

"Is this true Andrian?"

Adrian who was listening to our conversation told Isabella what happened after she lost consciousness in the Artefact room.

".... And then Lucas shot an arrow at him, I don't know how but it got his arm, His arm was destroyed by that and I took that opportunity to kill him"

"No way, this man is really that strong?"

She muttered to herself and turned in my direction.

She still looked angry, but she shut her mouth at a loss for words.

"That's that and this is..."

"Stop, both of you."

After a momentary contemplation, Isabella opened her mouth to strike back, Then Adrian cut in.

"W-What?"

"Isabella, switch seats with me."

For the record, our seats were ordered: Adrian, Isabella, then me.

"And if I refuse?"

"Hurry."

"No, why, I don't want to..."

Seeing them getting all touchy didn't feel too good.

Thankfully, their obscene(?) scuffle quickly ended, and Adrian replaced the seat next to me.

Adrian looked at me and let out a dry cough.

"Thank you for back then."

"...What?"

I was struck dumb with amazement. I wanted to be left alone, so why was he still talking to me?

"Back at the Artefact room, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have won."

"No, you would have won even without me."

If hadn't been there back then, Adriam might have gotten a new skill from my system, because the system's job is not to let Adrian kill in any event. I know that system would have at the last minute and given a new power to the o main character and anyway protagonist became strong through hardships and dangers.

"....No."

With that single word, Luke turned his gaze back.

At that moment, an extraordinary undulation of magic power rang out.

The 'dignitary' had finally arrived.

"H-He's here. Everyone get ready!"

He was today's commendation conferrer, the Master rank Hero titled 'Dengeors Gero'.

His shoulder-length hair was curved up slightly, and he had a well-trimmed beard uncommon for an Eastern man. The regality given off by his extraordinary appearance wasn't limited to an invisible feeling. As though a wind was blowing, each of his steps caused a thin undulation of magic power. His raw power had already reached a realm where even he couldn't fully control it.

"...Huu."

Looking around the room with his wolf-like eyes, Luke Voss, murmurly.

"These fuckers telling me what to do..."

With moderate arrogance and a lethargic attitude, Luke Voss pushed back the guests flocking towards him.

He walked up to the podium commandingly. His attendants ran up and handed him a paper which listed the order of the ceremony. Clicking his tongue, Luke glanced at the paper before he threw it away. His attendants took the discarded paper and ran off.

—Now, the conferment ceremony will begin.

The host announced the start of the ceremony.

—The commendation will be conferred by the Hero rank 507 and the World rank 1050 Hero, Sir Luke Voss.

As we rehearsed, Adrian, Isabella, and I walked up to the podium.

Luke smirked as soon as he saw Adrian.

"Are you Adrian?"

"Yes."

"Mm. I can see why those guys want you."

Intense interest was reflected in Luke's eyes. With an unusual kindness, Luke advised Adrian.

"Don't join the World Hero Association. You don't know the darkness inside of Hero Association. They are just rotten from the inside they want to control everything so instead of joining the Hero Association, you should become an independent Hero or Join the Hunter Association might even be better. Being a Hero is nothing but a baggage of responsibility and no fun."

"...Still, a Hero fits my personality best."

Adrian revealed a clear refusal with a smile. In response, the corner of Luke's mouth twisted up.

"You're a boring guy... Fine, next Isabella evergreen."

This time, it was Isabella's turn.

"...It's been a while, Princess of Evergreen clan. Your father told me to take care of you, but I don't plan on doing that."

"I... Don't need to someone watch over me. kindly tell that to my father"

"Ohh, I plan to do that. Now go, okay next.

"...And who are you?"

"I am Lucas Darkheart."

"Oh... Okay."

That was it for me. A completely different treatment than what Adrian and Isabella got.

It seemed indifference was more painful than hatred.