The Transmigrated Author

[Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 1-A, Corridor to the elevator]

"AHHHHH!!! MY HEAD!" Christian's scream echoed through the corridor.

"... is what I'd be saying if it hurt." A mischievous grin spread across his face.

huuu...

In the split second before the coin struck, he had already reinforced his head with mana.

Gravity might be amplified, but he wouldn't take damage regardless.

sssttttss...

The coin clattered to the floor, its gravity attribute dispelled by a touch of Christian's own mana.

"Seriously, Va- VE4B, you think the same trick would work on me twice?"

He chuckled, rising from the spot where his head had dented the floor.

"Shut up, dungeon wrecker," Vanessa grumbled.

Christian shrugged, turning to Rel with a wink.

"Sorry about that. It's her way of saying she's embarrassed."

Ding!

"Oh, the elevator's here!"

Christian, hearing the doors slide open, dashed towards the panel.

"Let's hurry to Mr. Cain's office, guys!"

Rel sighed inwardly as he followed.

"Why did I sign up for this?"

Vanessa trailed behind him.

As they entered the elevator, Rel stepped back to let Vanessa in.

She, however, chose to stand beside him, stealing glances in his direction.

glance...glance...glance...

The persistent gaze made him shift uncomfortably.

After some time he looked down and caught her staring directly at him.

"Is something wrong, senior?"

Rel tilted his head, a touch of nervousness in his voice.

Was he next on Vanessa's hit list?

"Nothing's wrong," Vanessa replied dismissively. "Just comparing heights."

"Well... okay then."

Vanessa stared at him, a question nagging at her mind: would his face be handsome or ugly if she unmasked him right there?

She had a theory about appearances: kind personalities often hid unattractive faces, while those with inflated egos were blessed with looks that didn't match their character.

This masked newcomer, Junior, gave off an air of relaxed kindness. Not overwhelmingly so, but it was there. Sometimes, though, appearances deceive.

Maybe he was skilled at curating a persona, which threw her theory into doubt.

Then again, most people didn't join a mercenary group out of genuine interest.

And especially seeing someone like him she was curious to why he even joined.Her gaze swept over him again from top to bottom.

There wasn't anything that made him stand out.

He seemed so...ordinary. Should she poke at him more?

"Hey." Vanessa tugged at his robe.

Rel peered down, mask to mask.

"What now?"

"Are you a swordsman?"

The question caught him off guard. He hesitated, weighing his options. Lying felt wrong, but the truth was too complicated

"I am," he finally admitted.

Vanessa eyed his weapons.

"Then why carry a pistol?"

"Just in case."

"In case of what?" She pressed, but Rel had already tuned her out.

In truth, he was too tired for a response. He fell asleep mid-conversation.

...

...

...

[Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 40-Z, Jaxon Cain's Main Office]

The trio arrived at Jaxon Cain's office.

"Mr. Cain! We've brought the newest recruit!"

Christian slammed his office door open booming, a grin stretched beneath his mask.

Rel shuffled through the door, Vanessa and Christian mimicking jazz hands at his entrance.

If secondhand embarrassment could kill, he'd be a goner.

"Thank you, CA25B and VE4B. However, this is a confidential meeting," Jaxon replied. His voice held a tone of finality.

Christian deflated slightly.

"Aww, but..."

"Out." Jaxon cut him short.

Moments later, Vanessa and Christian found themselves waiting outside the closed office door.

***

{Rel's POV}

While waiting for Perceptive Mind to analyze Christian and Vanessa, I managed to catch a nap in the elevator.

Vanessa's staring was still odd, though.

It was like she was waiting for me to react, even though I hadn't moved the entire time.I knew I'd run into them eventually, but not this soon.

And definitely not with some improvised power showcase.

I always imagined them off on missions like the workaholics they are, not hanging around HQ for no reason.

Why can't they just leave already?

They've already made me late for the meeting, and Jaxon Cain probably won't be as forgiving for a first-timer like me.

haah...

I sighed as the elevator doors opened.

Honestly, seeing them was a relief in a way.

Their statuses in the story hadn't changed, and thankfully, they didn't enrol into Pinnacle...

Their personalities were the same too – annoying, but at least tolerable compared to those back at the academy.

FWANG!

[Analysis on Vanessa Korine Andrea Evangeline and Christian Allard Evera Kaiser is complete!]

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___________

[Status window of Vanessa Evangeline]

[Age: 18]

[>Strength: 113, >Durability: 102, >Speed: 34, >Mana: B, > Aura: B+ >Elemental Attribute: Gravity, Darkness, Earth]

___________

[Status window of Christian Kaiser]

[Age: 19]

[>Strength: 133, >Durability: 126, >Speed: 65, >Mana: S, > Aura: A, >Elemental Attribute: Fire, Ice, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Sound, Steel]

___________

There was no explanation needed on why they were top-tier mercenaries.

By the end of the mercenary's abolishment, this duo would hold the record for most missions completed.

Unstoppable, incredible synergy... though it was a shame I killed Vanessa off in a fit of anger when readers wouldn't stop yapping about how perfect they were together.

But now, I'll have to change some events to prevent Vanessa's 'potential' death. With someone like her around, she'd be too valuable to lose.

BANG!

Christian flung Jaxon's door open screaming.

"Mr. Cain! We've brought the newest recruit!"

As he and Vanessa entered, their ridiculous jazz hands made me cringe.

Are they idiots by any chance?

"Thank you, CA25B and VE4B. However, this is a confidential meeting," Jaxon replied.

"Aww, but..." Christian started, but Jaxon cut him off with a single word: "Out."

Thankfully, they were gone.

I approached the desk, taking the seat across from Jaxon Cain.

He examined me closely with a look that preceded his presence.

"So... Rel Laurence. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Jaxon said gravely.

"You've arrived."

Gulp

If seeing Gerrard Freya at my bedside was nerve-wracking, facing Jaxon Cain was downright terrifying.

The man exuded an aura of absolute control.

"Ah... Yes, sir."

My voice sounded small, even to my own ears.

"My apologies about those two. I'd hoped you wouldn't have to meet them for another hour at least. Unfortunate timing."

Jaxon shuffled papers on his desk, then handed me a pen.

"So, Gerrard said you were an archer...yet here you are with a sword and a pistol?"

His confusion was understandable.

Since that system quest granted me a second class, I needed a plan to master both swordsman and archer mastery.

For the next three years, I'll be grinding my sword mastery on every mercenary mission, while the academy will be all about the bow.

"Ah, I'm proficient with most weapons. The bow simply feels most natural," I replied.

"Impressive. So, any weapon?"

"Within reason." I couldn't let him think I was some weapon-wielding prodigy.

Besides, five minutes using trickster at arms was hardly mastery I was only good as the time limit.

He scribbled on a sheet, then glanced up from his paperwork.

"Hm... Originally, I considered having a member assess your skills, but instead, I'll send you out with CA25B and VE4B. They'll evaluate you, and I'll determine your role based on their feedback."

Seriously? A mission today instead of a test?

Damn, I wasn't ready for that... and on a mission with Christian and Vanessa?

That's overkill...and unfair.

So If I don't perform perfectly, there's no way I'll be able to complete Gerrard's quest.

And I won't be getting Book Of Equaliser anytime soon.

"Okay..."

"Wonderful, I like your enthusiasm," Jaxon said flatly.

His attempt at encouragement fell short, the usual sternness in his voice.

"Now, sign this contract and liability clause."

He handed me the documents.

I scribbled my signature without reading a word.

"Good. Clearly dedicated, even without reading the fine print."

Now I can still sense that the two were outside, bring them in and I'll brief you three for today's mission.

...

...

...

I reached for the door handle and turned it.

With a pull, the door swung open and I came face-to-face with Christian and Vanessa sprawled on the floor.

Thump!

"Ouch! I told you he soundproofed the room," Vanessa grumbled.

"Your fault for eavesdropping," Christian retorted as he got up.

Turning back, I saw Jaxon Cain facepalming.

Haah…

He sighed. "Never mind. The three of you, take a seat."

We sat down and I was wedged between the bickering duo.

[5 minutes later...]

"Finally! A mission!" Christian cheered, throwing his arms up in victory.

"Indeed. And you two will be evaluating the newbie," Jaxon confirmed.

Vanessa raised a hand.

"Why us again?"

"He's reliable. And apparently proficient with any weapon," Jaxon replied.

"Really? Well, he didn't tell us that..." She tapped a finger on her mask, a glint in her visible eye.

Seems like she doesn't trust me.

Damn it, why did I have to say that? Now look what's happened.

"Naturally, I'll tell you what's confidential and what isn't," Jaxon said with a hint of exasperation. "That information is something you should know."

Vanessa sighed. "I know."

"Good. Now let's get down to this debriefing."

___________

Authors Notes:

- Jaxon Cain's Main Office is soundproofed, so they couldn't hear the conversation between Rel and Jaxon.

- Jaxon Cain doesn't wear masks, due to his well-known popularity. People in public can recognise his physical appearance regardless of the mask.

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