Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

"I think I understand," I said, my voice tinged with excitement. "These equations describe the predictive model for monster migration patterns, right?"

Maria's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a hint of admiration flashing across her features.

"Correct," she replied, her tone impressed. "But still most of cadets should able to tell that much."

The next moment she changed her way of speaking, She quickly hid that she was impressed.

"Is that so? Well if you think that way I can solve this problem."

"What?"

Ignoring Maria's shocked expression, I asked,

"Do you have a piece of paper?"

Maria nodded, taken aback by my sudden request. She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a blank sheet of paper, handing it to me with a curious expression.

I clenched my teeth lightly as I began to write down the calculation procedures and results. Despite Maria's scepticism, I was determined to prove myself and demonstrate my understanding of the analytical concepts at hand.

While I was in the middle of it, Sia suddenly spoke.

"Um, the other cadet just arrived on the first floor."

"Oh, really? Let's go together."

Sia left the analysis room with Carlo, but I stayed and continued to write everything down. In academia, it was standard procedure to write down every step of the calculation.

However, when I was mostly done and only had the final step left to finish, someone snatched the paper I was writing on and flipped it over. Obviously, it was Maria.

"Listen, kid, stop wasting your time and screw off. Can't you see? The other two already left."

"...."

She gave off an uninviting impression to begin with, but now that she frowned, she even looked a bit scary. Knowing I was powerless here, I got up.

"I'll leave my solution here, so feel free to look over it when you have time."

"Don't even try to waste my time, tsk."

Maria shooed me away.

Just like that, I was practically kicked out of the analysis room.

"...What a crazy bitch."

I didn't finish the last step. She better not ask about it later!

As I left the Analysis Room, a mixture of frustration and disappointment churned inside me. Maria's abrupt dismissal left a sour taste in my mouth, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of indignation at her condescending attitude.

Walking through the corridors of the guild headquarters, I couldn't shake off the sense of unease that lingered from my encounter with Maria. Despite my efforts to prove myself, it seemed that she had already made up her mind about me, and there was little I could do to change her opinion.

As I stepped into the elevator and descended to the first floor, I couldn't help but replay the encounter in my mind. Maria's dismissive attitude stung, but I refused to let it dampen my spirits. I had worked hard to understand the analytical concepts, and I was proud of my accomplishments, regardless of what anyone else thought.

As the elevator doors opened and I stepped out onto the first floor, I spotted Sia and Carlo waiting for me.

There I saw a third cadet that was was with Sia and Carlo.

The third cadet was...

"Evelyn!"

"W-What? Lucas what are you doing here?"

"I'm here because I was invited here."

"I see, Well, I m also invited to Guild work experience program."

As Evelyn and I exchanged surprised greetings, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at seeing a familiar face. Despite the tension from my encounter with Maria, seeing Evelyn brought a sense of normalcy to the situation.

"I didn't know you were participating in the Guild Experience Program too," I remarked, trying to push aside the lingering frustration from earlier.

"Yeah, it's a great opportunity," Evelyn replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'm excited to learn more about the guild and what it takes to become a Hero."

"Same here," I agreed, nodding in agreement. "It's been quite an experience so far."

At that moment, Sia smartwatch buzzed. Her expression stiffened, making me wonder who it was.

"You two can go ahead. I had something to do."

Then, she furtively escaped.

As Sia hurried off, leaving Evelyn and me standing there, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about what had prompted her sudden departure. Her expression had shifted so abruptly, and it left me wondering what could have caused such a reaction.

"Evelyn, did you notice anything strange about Sia just now?" I asked, turning to my fellow cadet.

Evelyn frowned, her brows knitting together in concentration. "Yeah, she seemed really tense all of a sudden. I wonder what's going on."

I nodded in agreement, my mind racing with possibilities. Whatever it was, it seemed serious enough to warrant Sia's immediate attention. But without any more information, there was little we could do but wait and see if she would fill us in later.

***

"Why were you late, cadet Evelyn?"

While Waiting for Sia to come back , Carlo asked Evelyn.

Strangely Evelyn glanced me for moment before answering

"Ah, well, I visited my father."

At that moment I couldn't help but slightly flinch, thankfully both Carl and Evelyn didn't notice.

Evelyn father, i remember him from Lucas journal and that bit of piece of memory that I had with him when he told me get away from Evelyn.

Because of the gaps in my memorys i didn't know much about him, this would be perfect opportunity for me to get know something about

"Evelyn? So that must be... Nightshade clan leader."

"Yes, I haven't seen him in a while, so it took some time. Sorry."

"No, no, it's only natural. So, I presume he's doing fine?"

Carlo's question seemed casual, but I sensed an undercurrent of tension in the air. Evelyn's response was measured, her tone carefully neutral.

"He's... managing," she replied, her gaze drifting away for a moment before returning to Carlo. "Things have been... complicated lately."

Carlo nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I see. Well, family matters can be quite demanding, especially when you're involved in the guild."

Evelyn offered a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, they certainly can be."

As the conversation lingered in the air, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. There was something unresolved between Evelyn and her father, something that weighed heavily on her mind. But without prying further, I knew it wasn't my place to delve into her personal affairs.

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