The Transmigrated Author

Friday

Today marked the end of the exam period for theory, with over 1,000 first-year students completing their four units of courses and electives.

With classes on hold for the remainder of the two weeks, we were granted nothing but study periods.

Most of the main characters would be studying diligently, but of course, other events continued to unfold in the background.

Clubs were still active, and social gatherings were still happening.

But as expected, not everything was going according to my plans.

I had spent the majority of my time shadowing Damon Bennett throughout the campus, making sure to remain unseen.

These past two weeks had been a monotonous routine of watching him go from the staff office to the library to classes, and then back home.

It was frustrating that the Lyra plot I'd written hadn't come to pass.

Given this turn of events, it seemed there was more to Bennett's plans than I had anticipated.

I was certain he'd be the main villain at some point during the exam arc, but his actions so far didn't align with my original story.

After all there wasn't much of a push to what I could and couldn't do.

It's like they say in any sport, If the pass isn't there then don't make the pass.

***

[Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Training Room 3#]

[Friday, 7:30 AM]

The familiar hum of the Aethrius Nexus greeted me as I stepped into the second gym room. Rows of high-tech exercise equipment lined the walls, their sleek surfaces gleaming under the bright lights.

I'd been pushing my body hard these past few weeks, determined to improve my base stats as much as possible.

Grabbing a pair of 100kg dumbbells, I began my final set of bicep curls.

uuup...uuup...uupp!

The burn in my muscles was intense with each lift, but I pushed through gritting my teeth as I completed the tenth rep.

FWANG!

[You've gained 0.08 Strength Points!]

The notification flashed before my eyes, a reminder of my diminishing returns.

I'd been working out since 6 AM, and the gains were becoming negligible.

It seemed I had finally hit a wall.

My body could only change so much through physical training.

Muscle definition and endurance would improve, but my raw strength and stamina were reaching their limits.

It was a frustrating realization.

"System...Base Stats..."

FWANG!

[Displaying Base Stats Only!]

_________

[Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:]

>Health: 135.**

>Strength: 116

>Stamina: 108

>Speed: 79

_________

Haah...

So that's what it's come to, huh?

Well, I guess repping 100kg is still impressive for a normal human body, considering this one wasn't superhuman to begin with.

Wiping down the bench, I sat down, a nagging feeling prickling at the back of my neck.

I couldn't shake the sensation that I was being watched.

In fact, for the past two weeks, my routine of shadowing Bennett had been the only interesting part of my day.

But it seemed I wasn't the only one doing the stalking.

Someone was following me, and I had a sinking feeling I knew who it was.

As I caught my breath, a flicker of movement drew my attention to the open window of the gym room.

It was just a blur, a flash of blonde hair quickly disappearing from view.

But with my enhanced vision, nothing could escape my notice.

Blonde hair braided into a bun... It was unmistakable.

Alice had been watching me this whole time.

But why? I had given her all she needed to know for those exams... Did she need more help?

It was a strange thought.

I wouldn't have minded her asking for more assistance, considering that I had unintentionally usurped her position as the top academic weapon among the first years.

**

The echoing clang of weights faded as Rel slipped out of the gym and into the corridors of the Aethrius Nexus.

He turned a corner, heading away from the second gym room where Alice had been watching him.

"Could he be heading to the Archery room?"

Alice thought to herself, but quickly dismissed the idea.

"That's where swordsmanship training happens..." A spark of curiosity ignited within her.

What was Rel up to after his usual workout routine?

She hesitated for a moment, then made a decision.

Alice, who had been observing him from a discreet distance, quietly followed.

Her footsteps were light and silent on the polished floors as she moved swiftly through the corridors.

But as she turned the corner, she collided with something solid.

keuk!!

Alice stumbled backward, the impact knocking the wind out of her.

However, before she could fall, a strong hand reached out to steady her.

Looking up in surprise, she realized she had walked straight into a trap.

Rel stood before her, leaning casually against the wall, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His black hair was slightly tousled from his workout, and his blue eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Alice?" Rel's head tilted as the two locked eyes.

Alice's face flushed crimson.

She stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet and nearly falling again.

"S-sorry!" she stammered, averting her gaze. "I wasn't... I mean, I didn't..."

Rel's smile widened a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Didn't mean to sneak up on you like that," he said, his voice gentle.

"But you really shouldn't be lurking around corners, you know. It's a bit creepy."

"I-I wasn't lurking!" Alice protested, her voice barely a whisper. "I was... I was just..."

She fumbled for an excuse, What was I even doing? she berated herself.

Why did I follow him?

"Just what?" Rel prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"I-I was just curious," Alice admitted, her cheeks burning even brighter. "About where you were going."

"Curious?" Rel echoed, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that so?"

Alice nodded, her eyes glued to the floor. "Y-yes," she mumbled.

"I saw you leave the gym, and I... I wanted to know what you were doing."

"And why is that?" Rel inquired, stepping closer.

Alice's heart hammered in her chest.

The last time she'd been this close to Rel was when they shared a table in the library, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they studied.

This was different.

His proximity was electrifying, his gaze intense.

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, and the scent of his cologne filled her senses.

_________

Authors Notes

- Rel helped Alice and Jae a lot with studying when he wasn't stalking Damon Bennett which explains his playfulness with Alice.