Extra's Descent

69  Preliminaries [2]

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tapping her pen on the paper, Rachel had been staring at the answer sheet for an hour or so.

The entire time, she had been unable to focus and continue her studies.

All she had been doing was recounting the event that had just transpired.

"That really happened didn't it…."

Sighing, she lowered her head and leaned down on the table.

"....He didn't move away either."

She pressed her finger on her lips. Then lifted her head and ruffled her hair.

"Haaa… Wasn't that one of those clichéd rom-com manga scenes?!"

Bang–! Bang–!

She banged her head on the table.

"....Since when did I become a rom-com female lead?!"

Her tone gradually got louder.

"In the first place, it's his fault for surprising me like that!"

She then looked down at the answer sheet.

Smiling, she softly muttered to herself.

"Thanks for the answers…."

***

—At the same time in the other room.

"That really happened didn't it?"

Slumping down on the door, Brandon tried to recall what had just happened as well.

He wanted to have a positive impact on the cast.

To indirectly push them to be stronger, even stronger than their novel counterparts.

But…

"Not like this…."

Back in Rachel's room, Brandon tried to pull away. But Rachel's weight pressed down on him, making him unable to do so.

Yet for some reason, Rachel didn't move back.

In fact, it felt like her face was getting closer to his.

"It was just an accident."

There was no time to ponder on such thoughts.

Recently, Brandon had not received any quests from the system, ever since the day Amy was rescued.

He hit a brick wall, and his progress was stagnating.

It wasn't a good look for him.

He needed a way to quickly raise his levels and his stats.

But to his surprise, ever since he had reached level four, a new menu popped up on the system shop.

[Stat Points]

For 200 system coins, he could buy five stat points.

It was a bundle, and it seemed like that was the only option available.

He had goals he needed to achieve.

People he needed to catch up to.

And…

Solving the mystery behind his transmigration.

Sighing, he abruptly got up and headed to his room.

Laying on his bed, Brandon dismissed his thoughts and tried to recall something.

The vision from a few weeks ago.

He had been pondering about it ever since it happened.

The only conclusion he had come up to was that it was the reason for his transmigration.

But…

"Just who were those two people in the room?"

The figures were blurred, he couldn't see their faces, nor could he determine their builds.

He was even unsure if the figures were a man or a woman.

Too many questions.

But no answers.

"After the exams, I need to investigate Brandon Locke's identity."

His first agenda was to visit the Locke estate.

In other words, the original Brandon Locke's home.

***

Letting out a deep heavy sigh, Amy walked around the Academy hallways alone.

Since Claire was busy with her elective, Amy decided to head to the library on her own.

Recently, she had been having a hard time studying on her own. Which is why she opted to go to the library for a new perspective.

Perhaps she could find an answer there?

And to her surprise, a familiar figure was in the library alone.

His jet-black and ocean-blue eyes made him stand out.

Recently, Amy had been curious about Raven.

She was quite taken aback when she found out Raven was working with the Special Force.

Or was he?

She didn't know since Raven's involvement was omitted to the public.

Which probably meant that he was still under training.

But regardless, Amy didn't care.

Of course, she knew Brandon was there as well, and she appreciated it.

But in the end, it was Raven who had risked his life—just so the Special Force could cut the mana shackles and set her free.

She owed her life to both Raven and Brandon. But recently there had been no opportunities to approach Brandon.

He was quite busy, and the entire Academy's attention was on him.

She turned her attention back to Raven.

Approaching him, Raven lifted his head and their gazes met.

"Amy?"

"Hello, Raven."

Making her appearance known, Amy sat down on the seat opposite from him.

Taking something from her bag, she placed her books and pens on the table.

As she did so, Raven opened his mouth.

"Studying as well?" n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Yup."

"Need any help?"

She did.

But she was quite reluctant in accepting the offer.

She didn't want Raven to think of her as someone who is academically challenged.

But…

She really was having a hard time.

And Raven was an honor student.

Pursing her lips, she tucked a hair strand behind her ear.

"....Actually, yes."

"Which topic?"

"This."

She pulled one of the books for Raven to see.

"Mana Theory?"

"....Yes. I know the application. But the written aspect gets me confused."

"I see."

Pinching his chin, Raven abruptly stood up and sat beside her.

"....!"

She was quite alerted, but dismissed her thoughts.

He was just as comfortable with girls as Brandon was.

Weird.

But she didn't mind it.

All of a sudden, Raven leaned down to grab something from his bag.

He then placed it on the table for Amy to see.

It was an answer sheet.

It was completely filled out as well.

Amy turned to scan the contents thoroughly.

As she did so, Raven's voice reached her ears.

"You can use that as a guide to help you."

Her eyes lit up and she turned to look at him.

"Really? But won't you need this as well?"

"I have two copies."

Raven lifted another paper and flashed her a smile.

"You can take that one."

"I see. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

At that, Amy continued to scan the contents of the answer sheet.

Noticing her frown, Raven leaned close and tapped his pen on the answer sheet.

"Having trouble with that?"

"...Yeah."

Slowly, Amy began to understand the topic with each of Raven's explanations.

"Ah, I see."

It was an addicting feeling for her. To have her questions easily resolved.

Looking up slightly, her eyes paused on Raven who was opening his mouth to speak.

Everything he said went in and out the other ear.

She was drawn to his ocean-blue eyes.

She couldn't describe what she was feeling.

All she could think about was that it was…

'Nice.'

It felt nice to have someone as patient as Raven to teach her.

***

—On the other side of the library.

Peeking at the small window of the door, Claire and Reinhard continued to stare at Amy and Raven.

Nodding, Claire pursed her lips.

"Good."

"You owe me one for this."

Reinhard frowned.

"Shut it."

"I had to take a raincheck on my plans with Raven and Brandon, you know?"

"Don't care. Now shut up. Brandon would've passed on you anyway."

Sighing, Reinhard turned his attention back to the two who continued to study together.

"So? What's all this about?"

Surprisingly, Claire responded honestly.

"That girl. She doesn't seem to realize it, but she has been talking about Raven a lot recently."

"Oh?"

Reinhard raised his brow.

"Then does that mean…."

"No idea. But looking at her now, that might just be the case."

"I see. Then what about Rachel? Where is she?"

"She's studying with Brandon."

Reinhard was taken aback.

What the hell was going on behind his back?

"Looking at them, I think I need to study as well."

"Go ahead, go away."

Frowning, Reinhard turned to look at Claire.

"I might need some help too."

Claire turned around and flashed him a smile.

But it was the kind of smile that sent chills down Reinhard's spine.

Pursing her lips, Claire tilted her head with a smile.

"Fuck off."

She flipped him off.

Reinhard frowned even deeper.

Claire was way too harsh when it came to him.

That being said, it seemed like everyone was busy with their preparations.

Until…

The day of the exams came.