Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Since I had taken a leave of absence, I didn't attend any classes on Saturday. I didn't even go to work as Seraphina's private secretary.

There was too much on my mind.

To tell you the truth, I've killed people before. But they were all awakened—people with powers, abilities. Not someone ordinary like Roan.

But that doesn't mean Roan was some pure soul. He was far from it.

Murderer, drug trafficker, human trafficker—who knows how many other evil things he's done?

I'm not regretting my decision. For me, it was just another mission I had to complete.

It's just that this was my first time killing someone who wasn't awakened.

I wasn't the kind of person who lost sleep over taking out someone like Roan. He deserved it, no question. But what unsettled me was how detached I felt about it.

No remorse, no satisfaction, just… emptiness.

I walked over to the window and stared out at the academy grounds. The usual buzz of students going about their day seemed distant, like a world I wasn't part of anymore.

What was I becoming?

I rubbed my temples, trying to push the thoughts away. I needed to clear my head, and sitting here doing nothing wasn't helping.

Grabbing my coat, I stepped outside. The cool evening air hit me, and for a moment, I felt a little more grounded.

The academy looked peaceful under the fading light, but I knew better. Beneath the surface, everyone had their secrets. Even the brightest, most innocent-looking students had skeletons in their closets. And me? I was becoming a part of that shadow world, one mission at a time.

I wandered aimlessly until I found myself by the training grounds. It was quiet, only a few students sparring, but it felt like the right place to be. Maybe working up a sweat would distract me from everything.

Without thinking, I grabbed a practice sword and entered the nearest empty ring. The familiar weight of the blade in my hand gave me some comfort.

For the next hour, I swung at the dummies, moving through the motions as if on autopilot. Each strike was a release, a way to silence the noise in my head.

***

Just like that Sunday went by and Monday...

I was sitting on my usual place, on my next side is Sunny who was busy playing around with his samrt watch.

In front of me was Evelyn and Lyra, who were busy taking notes in their notebooks.

This was the last class of today's, Monster Encyclopedia, which was going to end in 10 minutes...

After that I have to to student council for my today's work as private secretary for Seraphina.

Anyway, Monster Encyclopedia wasn't a subject I needed to focus on too much. Most of it was material I already knew from field experience. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Just ten more minutes before I had to go back to my duties.

Sunny was still distracted by his smart watch, tapping away at it without a care in the world. It was amazing how easily he could tune out everything around him.

Evelyn and Lyra, on the other hand, were diligently scribbling notes, their brows furrowed in concentration. I had to admit, they took this class seriously, even if it was just the basics.

I leaned back in my chair, letting my mind wander again.

The past few days had been a blur. Between Roan's assassination, my thoughts about how detached I felt, and now trying to return to normal life, it all felt surreal. But I couldn't let it get to me. This was the life I chose, the role I had to play.

The professor's voice droned on about a particular monster species—one I'd already faced before. My eyes drifted back to the window. The academy grounds were as calm as ever, students chatting and walking without a care.

"Five more minutes," I muttered to myself. Then back to the student council office. Back to pretending everything was normal.

Seraphina didn't know about what I did over the weekend, of course. She didn't need to. She was always focused on the bigger picture, handling politics, diplomacy, and everything else that came with running the student council. My job was to assist her and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. It was the perfect cover.

But now, with everything on my mind, I wondered how long I could keep this up.

The bell rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. Everyone started packing up, and I followed suit, slipping my notebook into my bag.

"Hey Lucas how about we go and hit bar? C'mon it will be fun! There will be lots of girl." Sunny asked, flashing me a grin as he finally looked up from his watch.

I shook my head at Sunny's suggestion, forcing a small smile. "Not today. I've got some work to do at the council office."

Sunny pouted but quickly shrugged it off. "Your loss, man. I'll catch up with you later."

He bounced out of his chair, full of energy as always. I envied how carefree he was, how easily he could leave everything behind and just enjoy himself.

Evelyn and Lyra were already halfway out the door, their conversation filled with academic discussions I didn't have the patience for right now. As I watched them go, I gathered my things and headed toward the student council office.

At that moment, At that moment, I received a message on my smartwatch.

It was from Jonathan.

[Lucas! I found out who Thomas Johnson is!]

Immediately, my eyes widened.

Thomas Johnson.

Ella's father had finally been located.

[Where is he?]

I quickly sent a reply.

[Nowhere. He already passed away.]

"...Huh?"

[What do you mean? Can you explain in more detail?]

[He was living in a Azurhaven retirement center until 4 years ago, which was when he passed away. Who would have thought? What a twist, what a twist.]

"...."

[Got it. Thanks.]

[For now, can you tell me the location of that retirement center?]

After sending this message, I checked today's date.

September 7th.

The next main story was coming up. If I could deal with Ella's before then, that would be a great burden off my back.

I slipped my smartwatch back onto my wrist, trying to absorb the information Jonathan had sent. Thomas Johnson, Ella's father, was dead. It felt strange, almost anticlimactic. I'd been chasing this lead for so long, and now that it was over, there was nothing to confront. No closure for Ella, no confrontation for me.

But there was still something I could do. Azurhaven Retirement Center—that was where it all ended for him. Maybe I could find something there, some clue that would help Ella understand her father's disappearance.

As I walked to the student council office, my mind wandered back to Roan and the mission. The thought of tying up one loose end only reminded me of the other. My life had become a series of unfinished business, secrets, and shadows. I couldn't let it all fall apart, not now. I had to stay focused.

When I arrived at the office, Seraphina was already there, looking as composed as ever. She glanced up from her desk, her sharp eyes catching mine.

"Lucas," she greeted. "You're on time as always."

"Of course," I replied, taking my seat across from her. "What do we have on the agenda for today?"

Seraphina tapped her tablet, bringing up a list of tasks. "Just the usual—student council affairs, paperwork, and preparing for the upcoming academy event. Nothing too exciting."

I nodded, grateful that today seemed like a routine day. After the weekend I'd had, I needed something normal to keep me grounded.