Extra's Descent

The next day.

November 29, 2149.

They were scheduled to depart, only missing one day to fulfill the two month long training camp.

However, there was no point in staying in Aetherwild Woods any further.

Unless they wanted to freeze to death.

"Huaam…."

Brandon had just woken up and looked around.

The last thing he could remember was falling asleep with Amelia right beside him.

However, as he tried to get up, he felt his muscles starting to sore.

"Ukh…!"

He groaned unconsciously.

Things were somehow manageable yesterday. But today, everything seemed to be hurting.

His body felt like it was being stabbed by pins and needles. The bones in his arms were most definitely fractured, and his internals felt like he was bathing in inferno.

However, Brandon was insistent, forcing himself through the pain. All while keeping a straight face.

Brandon helped himself up the bed, pushing with his arm.

It took every ounce of strength in his body just to push himself up>

"Huu…."

Thankfully, that was the end of it.

The first thing he had to check first is if he could manage to walk. Thankfully, it seemed like he was faring better in that department compared to yesterday.

The parts that hurt the most were his hands, arms, shoulders, and upper torso.

Brandon tried to get off the bed. To his surprise, standing on his own two feet was manageable somehow.

His gaze lingered on the hanging curtain, acting as the tent's entrance.

Now that he realized, it was eerily quiet.

There were supposed to be over 270 cadets present. But for some reason, he couldn't hear any activity outside.

It was peculiar.

Cracking his neck, moving his head left and then to the right, Brandon left his tent soon after.

"Hm?"

He wasn't hearing wrong. There really was no one around.

Where the hell did everybody go?

Currently, Brandon was in an area of the camp regarded as the infirmary. However, yesterday, it still bustled with activity.

After all, there were several tents to be used for resting. Since some of the cadets had pushed themselves the past two months, all of the tents were quickly filled.

As if everyone ran off somewhere.

But now, it was empty.

Brandon walked around from there.

As he made his way to the main tent, there were instructors loitering about. Some were enjoying their breakfast, conversing with one another, while some busily fiddled with their phones.

Brandon was looking for Evelyn, but he couldn't find her for some reason.

For that reason, Brandon approached someone who might've known.

Her hazel–brown hair flowed freely, cascading down her shoulders. Two peach eyes blinking with regal. As if everything she did was somehow calculated.

After all, Vanessa was a well–accomplished model. She had to maintain a prim and proper decorum.

Vanessa's head raised slightly, fixing her attention from her phone to Brandon.

"Brandon? Should you be moving right now?"

"I'm managing. Do you know where Evelyn is?"

"She left, but she'll be back soon. Just some things she needed to sort out."

"Oh."

And that was that. Not like he actually needed something important. Just some things he wanted to ask her.

Brandon looked around once more, then asked.

"Where are the others?"

"Training."

"....?"

Training?

Weren't they set to depart today?

His thoughts were soon broken by the next set of words that flowed out of Vanessa's mouth.

"It's because of you."

"...."

"Your performance yesterday ignited a fire within them. Now, everyone wants to push themselves just like you in hopes of becoming strong."

"Ah."

Brandon's lips pulled up to a smirk.

Of course, that was one of his objectives while fighting the wyvern. To become a catalyst to the current generation's rise.

Not out of arrogance, but because he was capable of doing it.

But most of all, he wanted to set an example for Raven.

He wanted him to be strong, but to a certain extent. A level where Brandon still had full control over him, yet enough power to assist him in the future

"You seem happy. Congratulations, you're a celebrity now."

Then, as if a light bulb just lit up, Vanessa's eyes sparkled.

"Hey."

"....Yes?"

For some reason, Brandon had a bad feeling.

"You know, your looks are definitely above average. You should be in the top five most attractive guys in the academy."

"...?"

"Why don't you join my agency?"

"...."

Brandon looked around as if he hadn't heard anything.

"Hey?"

"Yes?"

"Join my agency. You'll be compensated well.

"Ah, I think I see Bellion over there."

Brandon walked ahead, completely ignoring Vanessa.

"Huh—Hey!"

Brandon quickened his pace and Vanessa started chasing him.

"Give me a chance! I swear, we'll pay you a sum!"

"Can't hear."

Brandon pointed at his ear and continued running.

It had to be said. It wasn't as if he wasn't aware of Vanessa's agency.

It was a guild, who's financial operations relied on magazines and such. And Vanessa, was one of the higher ups.

Meaning, it wasn't just a recruitment to become a model of some sort for their agency.

It was a guild recruitment.

It was finally happening, and Brandon had seen this coming.

Due to the sudden news of his ascension to S–rank, albeit unconfirmed for now. It was highly likely that guilds were keeping an eye out for him now.

He soon stopped running upon noticing Vanessa wasn't chasing him anymore.

"Hehe."

He chuckled.

***

Slash—!

Like a shadow, Raven's figure blurred and a slashing sound echoed in the air.

He swung his dagger to the side, smearing blood on the snowy sheet.

"This isn't it…."

He wasn't satisfied by the least bit.

There were barely any monsters around that were on his level.

Seeing Brandon's performance yesterday ignited a fire within him.

He too wanted to defeat something on the level of a wyvern. But sadly, he had lost that opportunity.

Not to say he regretted it. Since, of course, he wasn't strong enough to stand up against the wyvern.

Still, he wanted to be on that level.

He wanted to be strong.

But, why….?

Truth be told, Raven didn't have any further reason to be strong.

Just that, he wanted to excel and not let the opportunities given to him go to waste.

Now that begged the question.

Was he just pressured?

Because the Special Force was particularly funding his education?

He was unsure.

"...."

His mood began to sour.

Raven Blackheart, did he truly have no aspirations?

Just a blind goal for strength?

Then….

"Why did the system choose me?"

He didn't deserve it.

But he didn't want to waste it, when it was already being wasted on him.