Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

I found Elera not far away from me.

"What happened to her?"

How should I say this? She looks so exasuted that she could loose a consciousness any moment now.

Of course she will not.

I know better than anyone else that she must have taken [Healing Potion] but still that was not enough for to recover fully.

As I began to get close to her, I also noticed quite few bruise on her body and her cadet uniform was tattered.

I ran up to her.

"Elera"

I called her name once she was visible with the naked eye.

"...!"

Elera jumped even at the slightest noise. Her slender shoulders trembled as she turned her head toward me.

"It's fine. I'm on the same team."

"Ah... whew."

She sighed in relief.

By the looks of it, she seemed to be troubled. I approached her with a thin smile.

"Did something happen? You don't look well."

Elera looked up at me and replied briefly.

"I tried to ambush the enemy but failed."

"Oh."

Elera continued speaking in a weak voice.

"Then I met Adrian and lost."

"...Oh."

She dropped her head sullenly. However, she wasn't finished yet.

"I barely ran away from Adrian, but Evelyn and Isabella chased after me.... After I escaped from them, magicians started shooting magic at me...."

Like a tattletale, Elera recounted everything that had happened to her. Her voice was frail, almost trembling as if she was on the verge of breaking down. She clutched her arm, wincing slightly as she recalled each encounter.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her. It sounded like she'd been through hell, running from one fight only to stumble into another. Adrian, Evelyn, Isabella… it was like she was being hunted by everyone.

"That's… quite the ordeal," I said, trying to mask my concern. "You've really had a rough time, haven't you?"

Elera nodded, her eyes weary. "I've never been chased like this before. It's like they were out to get me, specifically."

I glanced at the bruises scattered across her arms and legs, some fresh and others already turning purple.

Her cadet uniform was torn, and I could see small cuts where spells must have grazed her skin. Even after taking a healing potion, the wear and tear of constant battles were evident.

"Here," I said, offering her another potion from my belt. "It's not much, but it should help a little."

Elera hesitated before taking the potion. "Thank you, Lucas." She gulped it down quickly, grimacing at the bitter taste but clearly needing the boost.

"You need to be more careful," I said, my tone slightly scolding yet laced with concern. "Running around without a plan will only get you into more trouble."

Elera managed a small, tired smile. "I know. I just… I thought I could handle it. But they're all stronger than I expected."

"Everyone's getting stronger," I replied. "Including you. You just need to be smarter about it. Pick your battles."

She nodded slowly, absorbing my words. Elera had potential, that much was clear, but her reckless nature often put her in situations like this.

She needed to refine her approach, learn when to strike and when to pull back.

As she leaned against the wall, catching her breath, I took a moment to look around.

We are safe for now...I couldn't sense anyone near us.

But I know that the safety is only for temporary.

Soon enough Evelyn, Isabella and maybe Adrian can came here as she said that Isabella and Evelyn were chasing her.

At that moment, When Elera was feeling little better, She asked me something.

"How many eliminations did you get Lucas?"

"I have none."

"Ah... I have one."

Points were given based on the number of artifacts acquired and the number of eliminations. At this rate, both of us would rank near the bottom. Ah, I would be fine since I had an artifact.

In any case, I didn't mind scoring near the bottom. I only needed to maintain an average grade overall.

But Elera was different. Her goal was the first place. If she didn't score well on this artifact scramble, it would be difficult to recover from falling behind.

It seemed she knew this as well, as she stared at the floor with devastated eyes. Then, she kicked a poor rock. The rock flew across the room and hit a wall.

I rummaged through my pocket and spoke.

"We still have time. It's not over yet."

Elera slowly raised her head.

Looking at her, I took out the artifact in my pocket.

"Here. You can have this."

Elera eyes immediately opened wide.

"Please carry it upstairs. Elera is faster than me."

"...No, this is yours—"

"Just take it."

I cut her off before she could refuse. I just felt like helping her out.

"You see that emergency staircase on the right? It should be..."

I examined the emergency staircase with my Mana Eyes. A few quick-witted cadets were blocking the way, but they were on the same team as Elera.

"Fairly empty."

I smiled as I told her where to go.

"Over there!"

At that moment, a thunderous shout rang out. Evelyn and Isabella ran in along with other members of Team White.

In the blink of an eye, Elera and I were faced with enemies.

There were six on their side versus just Elera and me.

Elera immediately took a defensive stance, her eyes darting between the six opponents. Evelyn and Isabella stood at the forefront, each with a determined look in their eyes.

For split second Evelyn wavered and I could see the unfamiliar emotions in her eyes but it was gone as soon as it's come.

She locked and eyes contact with me for moment before braking away and looking at Elera.

Evelyn, gripping her sword, was the first to speak. "Elera, You've both been a real pain, you know that?"

Isabella's eyes were focused, calculating. "Hand over the artifact, and we'll make this quick."

Elera clutched the artifact I had just given her, her knuckles turning white. She glanced at me, waiting for my response.

I took a deep breath, analyzing the situation. The odds were stacked against us, but giving up was not an option.

"Elera, stick to the plan," I whispered, my eyes never leaving our opponents. "I'll hold them off. You take the artifact and get out of here."

"But—" Elera started, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"Go!" I urged, stepping forward to create a barrier between her and our enemies. "I'll be right behind you."

Elera hesitated for a split second, then nodded. She turned and sprinted towards the emergency staircase, clutching the artifact tightly.

Evelyn moved to intercept her, but I quickly launched a volley of arrows in her path, forcing her to dodge back.

"Your fight is with me," I said, drawing my bow again, my stance firm. I knew I had to buy Elera as much time as possible.

Evelyn scowled, her frustration evident. "You're making a mistake, Lucas."

"No," I replied, keeping my aim steady. "I'm just doing what I have to."

Evelyn lunged forward, her sword slicing through the air with precision.

I dodged, narrowly avoiding her blade, and countered with an arrow aimed at her feet to disrupt her balance. Isabella followed up with a blast of wind magic, but I ducked behind a pillar, the spell missing me by inches.

They were coordinated, their attacks relentless, but I was determined to hold my ground.

As I engaged them, I could hear the sounds of Elera's footsteps growing faint as she ascended the staircase. It was a small relief, knowing she was making her escape.

But Evelyn and Isabella weren't letting up.

The other four members of Team White circled around, trying to corner me. I knew I couldn't keep this up forever.

Evelyn's blade grazed my side, tearing a strip of my uniform. I winced but didn't falter, using the momentum to slide away and create distance. I quickly fired another arrow, forcing her to retreat.

Isabella's eyes flashed with irritation as she prepared another spell, but I could see the exhaustion in her movements. She was running on fumes, just like I was.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Isabella said, her voice tinged with both respect and annoyance.

"You haven't seen anything yet," I shot back, not willing to show any sign of weakness.

It's look's like I have to get serious too or else I'll be in trouble.

The problem is not ther four members of White group.

The real problem is Evelyn and Isabella.

After all they are also in top 10.

I have to take them seriously.