Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey-Chapter 24: Adrian Vs Aric [ 1 ]

As I lay there in the infirmary, the echoes of that strange dream still haunting my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

It was more than just a dream; it felt like a distant memory, a piece of my past that had been buried deep within.

My heart continued to race, and sweat clung to my skin like a second layer.

The vivid images from the dream, especially the intense argument with Evelyn, replayed in my mind like a broken record. There were so many unanswered questions, so many pieces of the puzzle missing.

My mind was a whirlwind of unanswered questions.

What had happened between me and Evelyn to lead to such a bitter confrontation? And why had this dream—or memory—resurfaced now, after all this time?

And it's not even a complete memory, I just see a glimpse of all those memories. There are more that I'm not aware of.

Like, how had Evelyn and I first met? Who was that imposing figure that appeared in my dream, and what did he mean by those cryptic words?

'There are just so many questions but no answers.'

"Look like Lucas, you are not an ordinary Extra after all. There are so many mysteries around you," I muttered to myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

The more I delved into this world, the more I realized that there was far more to it than met the eye.

I knew I could potentially find answers in the journal, but the fact that it was locked behind a rank requirement frustrated me to no end.

It felt like the key to understanding my past was just out of reach, and I was desperate to grasp it.

"I have to speed up things," I told myself, determination burning in my eyes. I couldn't afford to wait any longer.

Checking the time on my AI bracelet, I realized it had only been half an hour since my match with Evelyn. A sly grin crossed my face as an idea formed in my mind.

"Ah, but first, let's go and see some drama, shall we?" I said aloud to no one in particular.

What dram I'm talking about you ask?

Well, I did say that there is going to be a fight or sparring between the Protagonist and Antagonist.

Of course our only Adrian and Aric.

My anticipation grew as I thought about the impending showdown between the protagonist and the antagonist—Adrian and Aric.

Leaving the infirmary behind, I made my way toward the arena, eager to witness the drama unfold something was captivating about watching these two powerhouses clash, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to see it firsthand.

The drama, the intensity, the power struggles – it was all part of the intricate dance that was the world of the novel.

With each step, I couldn't shake the feeling that my own story was intricately tied to theirs, that there was more to discover about this world and my place in it.

And I, Lucas, was determined to play my part to the fullest.

***

After I reached the training ground I saw that there were just Four students just left standing.

And those 4 were Adrian, Aric, Emma, and Evelyn.

Everyone had won their respective match.

Currently, Evelyn and Adrian are in a fight with each other.

Adrian's original opponent was Thomas in the novel but due to some unexpected circumstances, Thomas can't fight with him right now.

And those unexpected circumstances you already are aware of.

Well, that's not the main point. The main point is that with Thomas, the match ended as soon as it started.

But here Evelyn and Adrian are still at each other throats.

"Hey, man how minutes have been since they started fighting with each other?" I asked the nearby student a question.

He turned toward me and answered it. "It's been like 4 or minutes I guess."

I was shocked when I heard it. As I said already Adrian has a system and he is at [ E ] rank and Evelyn is at [ F+ ], The match should have ended a while ago.

She sure gave him a hard time.

I look at the Arena and I see Evelyn had shot the barrage of Arrow at the same time. Adrian uses his Sword to cut the arrow and Uses one of his skills [ Feather Step ] F rank skill to appear in front of her.

Are you asking how I know that? We'll obviously give him as an Author.

This skill allows his leg to become light as feathered and use mana to explicate to give a burst of speed to the user.

The match has ended now. I said to myself and I was right Adrian drew his sword so fast most people didn't follow its movement, including me.

He places the sword on her throat and~

"Stop, the match has ended Adrian Win." Instructor Ravi's voice sounded as the match came to an end.

- "Did you see that?"

- "I can't see even his movement how fast is he?"

-"Yup, he is powerful."

- "But Evelyn also is powerful."

- "Yeah, the way she uses her Bow is so elegant and she is very beautiful too."

Many students shouted their excitement as the match came to an end.

"Now Aric and Emma come forward," the instructor Ravi said as both Aric and Emma came to the Arena.

There was silence as Aric opened his mouth to break the silence.

"You should just withdraw Emma you can't win over me, you are weak."

"And says who? An arrogant young master who just uses his family power to do anything. Yeah right like ever believe that." Emma retorted in the same manner.

Aric becomes very angry at the mention of his family. Aric may have come from a rich and powerful family but it's not his fault that he was born rich and Nobel. There are many expectations of him since he was a child.

He has to do everything his family tells him to do to satisfy their exception and he is always able to do so but one day all turns into nothing.

Why? Because of Adrian.

Adrian comes from a commoner family and beat everything he worked hard for, into nothing. His family became disappointed in him, but he did not say anything about it because the result was there.

He even Admire Adrian a little bit after all it's not easy to beat someone like Aric.

But even if admire him doesn't mean that he hates him. He hated it when he lost to him.

So when Emma casually mention his family his anger become skyrocket.

"Maybe I should have done something when I was writing his background," I said to myself as I saw Aric from a distance. a twinge of regret gnawing at me. Aric's anger flared as Emma casually mentioned his family, and it was clear that the mention had hit a nerve.

He is so pitiful right now, well What is done is done I can't do anything about the past but for the future maybe~

"Shut up you don't know anything about it. So shut up" I could not complete my thoughts as Aric shouted at Emma.

The match has begun.

The match began with an electrifying energy, and I couldn't help but be drawn into the intensity of the moment. It was a clash of words, wills, and powers.

Emma swiftly launched her attack. Her arrows sliced through the air with deadly precision, and it became evident that she was a formidable opponent. Aric skillfully deflected her initial attacks, showcasing his combat prowess.

But as the battle unfolded, it was clear that Emma had more tricks up her sleeve. She unleashed a barrage of arrows, and one managed to graze Charles's shoulder. The tide of the battle seemed to shift in her favour.

I couldn't help but think, "What if I had given Aric an additional edge in his abilities?" But it was too late for such thoughts now.

Emma, seizing the momentum, aimed to deliver the finishing blow. However, Aric's frustration and determination had ignited something within him.

" Terracon" Aric shouted as mana began to gather around his hand, he conjured a shield to defend himself and hurled his sword at Emma.

'It was earth-type magic.'

She narrowly evaded the sword, but Aric, using his earth manipulation, locked her legs in place. Closing the distance, he swung the earth shield at her. Trapped and unable to escape, Emma used her bow to shield herself.

A resounding crack filled the arena as Emma's bow shattered under the force of the blow. She was sent hurtling through the air, blood spilling from her lips as she crashed out of the stadium.

Emma soared toward the spectators' area, and I couldn't help but recall the classic hero-catching heroine scene. However, this was no romantic tale. The impact of her landing was softened as Adrian, standing among the onlookers, sprang into action.

Adrian, caught Emma in a princess carry and skillfully prevented her from crashing into the wall. This dramatic moment was something straight out of a storybook, and it was evident that Emma was captivated by the experience, even if it wasn't exactly under the most ideal circumstances.

Adrian gently set Emma down, and it was clear that something had shifted between them.

The battlefield had given birth to an unexpected connection, and it was a testament to the unpredictable nature of life within the novel's pages.

I watched, intrigued by the dynamics at play.

"Now this what I called drama," I said with excitement lingering in my mouth, as a small smirk came to my face.

If life doesn't have any drama then what is that life? It will be just boring.