Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

"Tsk!"

"Why every path I took is dead dead end?" Elera couldn't help but muttered as she saw the wall in front of her.

For the last 25 minutes, she only reached the dead-end tunnels. She is getting annoyed by this.

Of course, she didn't sit still, she killed any monster that came to her path but the exam was about to get out of the dungeon within the time limit.

So she couldn't continue like this.

"Let's search for another way." Saying that she turned and started to walk back towards the entrance of the fork roads, not minding the fact that the road was littered with goblin corpses.

"This way, I'm sure this is the correct path"

"Quick before the others catch up"

Along the way, Elera would occasionally spot other students running down the path, but she didn't bother to even glance at them or speak to them.

Since this was a competition, there was no need for her to tell them that this road was a dead end.

Moreover, with the fact that she was walking back, it was already painfully obvious that this was a dead end. Yet the students seemed to have completely brushed this fact off.

It was not her fault they were dumb.

Sighing, Elera couldn't help but speed up her pace. After all, the faster the time the better the score.

As Melissa ran, she couldn't help but wish to get this over with.

In reality, she didn't particularly care about her exam.

But it's not like she can't cancel the exam, after all, it was compulsory that all students must attend any kind of exam regardless of reason.

So she has to take part in the exam no matter what.

Despite her nonchalant attitude towards the exam itself, Elera was determined to make the most of the situation and secure a respectable score. After all, she had her own goals and aspirations to pursue, and a poor performance in the exam would only set her back.

As she navigated the labyrinthine tunnels, her senses on high alert for any signs of danger or hidden passages, Elera couldn't help but wonder about the other students and their progress. Were they facing similar challenges, or had they already found their way out of the dungeon?

The thought of falling behind fueled her determination even further, pushing her to move faster and stay focused on the task at hand. With each step forward, she refused to let the obstacles and setbacks deter her from achieving her goals.

-Beep! -Beep! -Beep!

As she reached the entrance of the cave, Elera soon heard the loud and continuous beeping sounds coming from the other side of where she was.

Frowning slightly, slowing down her steps, she soon spotted three first-years squatting down and treating a student.

…hm?

Getting a closer look at who the student in question was, Elera was slightly taken aback.

…Wasn't that Hora?

She recognized him instantly. I mean, he was Aric's lackey after all. Whenever Aric was present he too was present.

Though not anymore, with Aric always sticking around her whenever he had a chance, she had seen Hora several times in the past.

…He too annoyed her. Especially since all he did was lick Aric's ass

But why was he passed out on the ground?

According to what she remembered, Hora, being Aric's lackey, was a fairly strong individual. Pretty much the same strength as her.

Before the trial started, she had estimated that apart from him, no one else would pose a threat to her in terms of power.

So, how in the world was he in such a state…

'Wait…'

Recalling something, Elera couldn't but be slightly startled.

There was this one study that has been a sensation since the Academy year started.

What was his name again? Right, Lucas. It's the name of the student who has been around the academy in recent months.

She didn't talk to him once since the Academy started, because she didn't care who he was.

But that doesn't mean she was unaware of his presence.

After all, he has been the centre of any incident that happened in the academy, Most recently the Silva City incident.

She had seen how powerful he was when he was fighting against that assassin, after all, she also fought side by side next to him.

Not only that he even became a disciple of Yato.

So his presence was hard to ignore.

Not only Nova Academy but the whole world has their attention on him.

Earlier when she was passing by from here she had seen that Lucas was beating someone up but she didn't interval because it's not her problem.

But whoever thought that individual who was taking a beating was Hora.

But that doesn't mean that Hora was an easy opponent to beat...

To be able to one-sidedly beat Arnold…

Hard.

Very hard.

Even if you ambushed him, with how robust his body frame and defences were, such an accomplishment was hard.

Watching the first-years applying ointment all over Hora's face, Elera frowned.

The more she got to know about Lucas, the more she felt that he was strange.

Lucas Darkhesrt had shown her many surprises.

Glancing at the first year carrying Hora's body away, the frown on Elera's face didn't lessen one bit.

Lucas Darkheart.

He was hiding something.

No matter what, he easily beat Hira like it was child's play to him.

Even if became a disciple of Yato, such progress in this short amount of time was impossible from Elra's point of view.

As Elera contemplated the situation with Lucas Darkheart, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. There was something about him that didn't quite sit right with her, something elusive and mysterious that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Despite her indifference towards the exam and the politics of the academy, Elera couldn't deny the intrigue surrounding Lucas and the events that seemed to follow him wherever he went. His sudden appearance and rapid rise to prominence had not gone unnoticed, and Elera found herself drawn into the enigma that surrounded him, whether she liked it or not.

As she watched the first-years attend to Hora's unconscious form, a sense of wariness washed over her. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of power Lucas possessed to so effortlessly defeat someone like Hora, who was known for his strength and resilience.

But amidst her curiosity and apprehension, Elera remained vigilant. She knew better than to underestimate someone like Lucas, especially when his true motives and intentions remained shrouded in mystery.

With a determined expression, Elera made a silent vow to keep a close eye on Lucas Darkheart and unravel the secrets that surrounded him.