Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Finally, it was Friday, the day of the Phenomenon Realm Analysis team challenge presentation.

Currently, Evelyn was in a terrible mood.

Her team had been the first to present, and the result was a disaster, even by Evelyn's standards.

Before the presentation, Isabella had met Evelyn and told her about the conversation she had with Lucas two days ago.

Just like Lucas had predicted, Silva insisted on doing the presentation. He stuttered throughout and messed up the entire PowerPoint.

"...Ah, I was too nervous. Sorry, I'll be better next time," he said afterward, a weak smile on his face.

Isabella and Evelyn both wanted to smack his head, but they held themselves back since class was still going on.

As the next team prepared to present, Evelyn fumed silently in her seat, her mind racing with frustration.

She had trusted Silva with a crucial part of their presentation, and he had let them down. Glancing over at Isabella, she saw the same irritation mirrored in her friend's eyes.

Isabella leaned over and whispered, "I told you it was a bad idea to let Silva handle the presentation. We should have listened to Lucas."

Evelyn sighed, nodding in agreement. "I know. We won't make that mistake again."

As the presentations continued, the mood in the classroom shifted. Teams showcased their work, some more successfully than others. The room was filled with a mix of nervous energy and competitive spirit.

"Next team."

Next up was Team Elera. A man sitting in front of Evelyn got up. It was Lucas.

Wearing a pair of round glasses, he got up on the podium.

"Hello, I am from Team 4. Our Dungeon was the Nexco Dungeon. This Dungeon existed on the foot of Western mountain ranges, but because the guild in charge of it, the Dark Moon guild, hasn't released any information on the result...."

Lucas presentation was smooth. His voice was soft, and he didn't seem nervous. He first introduced the information gathered by his team, and then estimated the Dungeon's internal structure using calculations. He even had a cross-sectional map prepared.

Evelyn stared at Lucas presentation in a daze, her chin sitting on her hand. His voice was slightly different, and a sense of ease was carried in his occasional smiles. Together with his round glasses, it was as if he was giving the class a lecture.

A smart guy was surprisingly cool.

"Wait, I have a question."

"Yes."

At that moment, Instructor intrupted Lucas and asked the question

""How can you estimate the internal structure of the Nexco Dungeon without any official reports or firsthand exploration?" the instructor asked, eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized Lucas.

Lucas nodded, prepared for the question. "Excellent point, sir. Our estimation is based on the historical data of similar dungeons in the region, geological surveys, and the recorded behavior patterns of the dungeon's creatures. Additionally, we utilized advanced mapping algorithms and predictive models to fill in the gaps."

He clicked to the next slide, displaying a detailed 3D model of the dungeon's cross-section. "As you can see here, we cross-referenced known dungeon layouts and applied statistical analysis to predict the most probable internal structure. While it's not a perfect representation, it provides a reliable framework for further exploration and study."

The instructor seemed impressed, nodding thoughtfully. "Interesting approach. It certainly adds a layer of academic rigor to your presentation. Thank you, Lucas."

Lucas smiled, acknowledging the compliment. "Thank you, sir."

As he continued with his presentation, the room remained captivated by his calm and confident demeanor. His ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner was evident, and it was clear that he had put a great deal of effort into his work.

Evelyn couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and frustration. She glanced at Isabella, who gave her a knowing look.

They both understood now just how valuable Lucas's advice had been and how much they had underestimated him.

Once Lucas finished, the classroom erupted in polite applause. The instructor nodded approvingly. "Well done, Lucas. Your team's presentation was thorough and insightful. You've set a high standard."

As Lucas returned to his seat, he passed by Evelyn and Isabella, who both gave him appreciative nods. He acknowledged them with a brief smile, then took his place among his teammates.

Lucas took his seat, which was next to Elera's. Evelyn stared at Elera half in regret, half in envy. Elera and Lucas smiled and gave each other a high-five.

As Lucas settled back into his seat, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted noticeably.

There was an air of respect and admiration that hadn't been there before.

His presentation had set a high benchmark, and everyone seemed to recognize the effort and intelligence he had poured into it.

The rest of the presentations followed, but none quite matched the precision and depth of Lucas's team. The instructor wrapped up the session with some final remarks and dismissed the class.

Evelyn couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between Lucas's calm, composed delivery and Silva's stuttering mess.

It was clear now that they had made a serious error in judgment. She turned to Isabella, who was still fuming, and whispered, "We really should have listened to Lucas."

Isabella nodded, her expression grim. "Next time, we will. We can't afford to mess up again."

As the final team prepared to present, Evelyn's mind continued to churn with thoughts of how to improve.

They needed to regroup, reevaluate their strategies, and, most importantly, recognize the talents within their own team.

The last presentation went by in a blur, her thoughts too occupied with plans for the future.

After the last presentation, the instructor stood up, clapping his hands to get the class's attention.

"Well done, everyone. There were some excellent presentations today, showcasing a great deal of hard work and ingenuity. I look forward to seeing more from each of you in the future."

With that, the class was dismissed. Evelyn and Isabella gathered their things, their minds still on Lucas and the stark lesson they had learned.

As they walked out of the classroom, they saw Lucas chatting with Elera and a few other students.

Evelyn took a deep breath, steeling herself, and walked over to them. Isabella followed, her usual confidence tempered by the day's events.

"Hey, Lucas," Evelyn began, trying to keep her tone light. "That was an amazing presentation. Really impressive work."

Lucas turned, his expression friendly but cautious. "Thanks, Evelyn. I appreciate it."

Isabella stepped forward, her tone more earnest. "We really should have listened to your advice about the presentation. Silva... well, he didn't exactly deliver."

Lucas shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's alright. We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them."

Evelyn nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "You're right. And we will. Thanks for being understanding."

As they continued talking, Evelyn couldn't help but notice how at ease Lucas seemed.

It was as if he had a quiet confidence that drew people in, making them want to listen to him and respect his opinions.

She realized that they had overlooked someone who could be a valuable asset to their team and their future endeavors.

***

After the class ended, Lucas was returning to the dorms with Elera. Their team had performed well, and the success of their presentation was still fresh in their minds.

Ella and other team members strongly asked for a celebratory afterparty, but Elera and Lucas decided to skip it. Lucas had another appointment, and Elera just had a reserved personality.

As they walked together, they talked about the day's events.

"Did you see Evelyn's team? That presentation was a disaster," Elera remarked, shaking her head. "I felt a bit bad for them, especially Isabella. She looked like she was ready to explode."

Lucas nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I heard about the mess Silva made. It's unfortunate, but it's a learning experience for them."

Elera glanced at him, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "You know, Lucas, you really handled the presentation well. You made it look so effortless."

Lucas shrugged modestly. "Thanks. I just tried to be as prepared as possible. It helps to stay calm and focused."

They continued walking, discussing the various presentations they had seen. Aric's intimidating delivery was a common topic, and they both agreed that while his presentation was impressive, it lacked the clarity and precision that Lucas's had.

As they approached the dorms, Elera turned to Lucas. "So, what's this appointment you have? Something important?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, just some personal training and study. Gotta keep up with everything, you know?"

Elera smiled. "Always the dedicated one. Well, good luck with that. And thanks again for leading our team so well."

Lucas returned her smile. "Thanks, Elera. You did great too. See you later."

As they parted ways, Lucas felt a sense of satisfaction. The day had gone well, and he was proud of how their team had performed. But there was still much to do.

As he returned to his room, Lucas couldn't help but think about the implications of his success. The attention he received today was a reminder that he couldn't stay under the radar forever. His skills, both in the real world and the virtual world, were drawing more and more eyes.

He sighed, setting his books on his desk and glancing at his AI bracelet. The notifications were still there, a constant reminder of the world waiting for him in the Battleground. For now, he would focus on his studies and training, but the allure of the virtual world and its challenges was always at the back of his mind.

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