The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 192: Overthinking (3)

[Paris, Jardin des Tuileries - The Park]

"It suits you."

I hoped those were the best words to avoid getting on Valencia's bad side. She really seemed to need the scarf at that moment.

Hopefully, this small gesture would ease the tension between us, making it easier to breathe around her.

But what was her problem? She seemed frozen... Why was she acting like this?

Asking Jan for friendship advice hadn't been a good idea.

I wasn't even sure why I'd followed instructions from a pea brain like him.

— "If you want to fix a problem you don't understand, just express yourself with action."

Those words, like a rotten sentence, fueled my frustration.

What an oblivious, stupid, and an airhead MC.

...

...

...

The minutes ticked by, and Jan and Camila, engrossed in their conversation, remained oblivious to the subtle tension between Rel and Valencia.

Soon enough, they finished their hot chocolate and suggested that the group head back to the hotel.

"Let's grab an Uber," Camila proposed, already pulling out her phone.

Valencia and Rel agreed, though Rel couldn't help but notice a flicker of disappointment in Valencia's eyes.

A sleek black Maybach pulled up to the curb, its polished chrome gleaming under the streetlights.

A figure emerged from the driver's seat, revealing one of Lan's personal assistants.

"Good evening," the assistant greeted them with a polite bow. "Please, allow me to escort you to the hotel."

Camila surprised cancelled the uber and we climbed into the luxurious car.

The plush leather seats a welcome relief after a long day.

As the Maybach glided through the streets, Valencia found herself stealing glances at a sleeping Rel, who sat silently beside her.

"Idiot..."

***

[South Korea, Freya's Home Estate,]

Gerrard Freya sat in his dimly lit study within his sprawling estate, his gaze fixed on the large flat-screen television mounted on the wall.

The news reporter's voice filled the room, reporting on the recent outbreak of an alleged monster attack.

"—At around 4 PM during an open exhibition event at the Louvre Museum, an alleged terrorist attack occurred... Luckily, we were fortunate enough to have zero casualties as students bravely fought off the attackers, bringing them down successfully before hero reinforcements could arrive."

"— Although sources could only say that any remains of this creature haven't been identified yet, it is assumed to be some kind of species relating to that of humans."

The TV images flashed to show Valencia, Jan, and Camila during the fight against the demi-human.

Multiple recordings and photos have been shared throughout the sudden attack showing clear views of this 'monster'.

Click!

haah...

Gerrard, a worried father, sighed, feeling nervous as he clicked off the channel.

"Garrick, it seems you're right..." Gerrard muttered.

"It seems that day, everyone mistook you for a fool. But to think the association had been covering your truths... eventually, the world would've known."

It was a matter of time before the appearance of Demi-humans took the world by storm.

As the first-year cohort applauded our vice president, I groaned, realizing I'd made a massive blunder the moment I let my guard down.

Now, not only was I facing a dilemma, but I wasn't even sure how to escape this situation.

...

...

...

[1 Day Ago]

[Pinnacle Academy, Mr. Kolek's Office.]

As soon as we returned from the IDS station the day after France, we were called up to Mr. Kolek's office before classes even started.

I waited as Mr. Kolek silently worked on his computer, presumably preparing today's lecture.

His silence was a bit unsettling, but before I could dwell on it, the door opened and Jan entered.

That's when I knew what this was about.

Jan gave me a quick wave and turned to Mr. Kolek, who had closed his laptop.

"Sir, why did you call us here today?" Jan asked.

Mr. Kolek maintained a serious expression.

"As you know, four of you were caught in a monster outbreak during your club trip to Paris."

Jan and I exchanged a glance.

"I'd like the two of you to know there's something special happening tomorrow," Mr. Kolek continued, "but I'll save the details until the girls arrive for the briefing."

"Are you referring to Camila and Valencia, sir?" Jan inquired.

"Yes, I am," Mr. Kolek replied. "But as you can see, they're not here. They've both come down with a cold."

Mr. Kolek's stern expression softened slightly.

"To be honest, Jan, Rel, your actions in Paris were... commendable," he admitted. "Had it been anyone else, those civilians might not have been so fortunate."

He paused, steepling his fingers thoughtfully.

"However, I know that mere words aren't enough to truly express the gratitude we feel for your bravery. The Vice President herself is even willing to award you four with honoured medals."

Confused, I raised my hand.

"Mr. Kolek, if I may ask... why was I called here? I didn't really do anything in the fight against the monster."

Mr. Kolek's fingers danced across his laptop keyboard as he swiped and typed.

Abruptly, he stopped, turning the screen towards us.

"An anonymous source shared initial footage of an archer piercing a monster's tentacles and a monster's eye. Sound familiar?"

I gulped. I thought I was out of range of Dempsey Anette's abilities, but apparently not.

"You'll be meeting with the vice president later on," Kolek continued to Jan and me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"You two are dismissed," Mr. Kolek said, his voice returning to its usual gruff tone.

"I'll email you both the details, so ensure you read them. If you don't... I hope you guys like writing five full pages on why mana shouldn't exist."

I sighed, nodding in resignation.

Jan chimed in, "Thank you, sir."

As we walked out the door, Mr. Kolek added,

"I won't be in class for the entire day. You'll be having Mr. Bennett as your homeroom teacher, so please be good to him."

_________

Authors Notes:

A part of Dempsey's main ability: Decipher - Allows him to retrace certain events back through time to a limited extent. By detecting traces of mana within an area of interest, he can observe events from various angles. However, his ability may be unreliable due to the potential lack of mana and residual energies at the desired location.