Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

After finishing his evening training with headmaster Hera, Adrian headed to Nova's cafeteria. Although Nova had several restaurants and cafes, the cafeteria was the only place cadets could eat for free. As such, Adrian and other cadets from non-wealthy backgrounds frequented this place.

Adrian ordered a dinner set, then headed to grab a random seat.

"Huh? Why are you guys here?"

But on one table, he found two people he never expected to see, Emma and Evelyn. They were whispering to themselves and were startled when Adrian came up to them. Then, they dodged each other's gazes with somewhat awkward gesticulations.

"O-Oh, you're here."

Evelyn slowly said as gazed at Adrian.

"What were you two talking about?"

"Nothing."

Adrian sat down next to Emma, then Emma sniffed him.

"Did you come here after training?"

"What's the point in sitting around, right?"

"...You're obsessed. Can't you take a break for a day?"

Emma narrowed her eyes.

"Let's forget about me. By the way what are you guys talking about?"

Emma and Evelyn glanced at him, then met each other's eyes.

In truth, Emma and Evelyn were talking about what one would expect from girls their age. While Emma was talking about Adrian, Evelyn talking about Lucas.

"In truth," Emma began, "we were just talking about... typical stuff. You know, things girls our age talk about."

Evelyn nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, just chatting about our day and stuff."

Adrian accepted their explanation with a nod, though a nagging feeling of curiosity lingered in the back of his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their conversation than met the eye, but for now, he chose to let it go and focus on enjoying their company.

Both Emma and Evelyn let out sigh of relief.

If Adrian found what they were talking about the only option they would have is die from shame.

Evelyn had never been fond of this types of conversation but Lucas had been acting strangely.

Since coming back from Azurhaven, Lucas behaviour had changed.

He didn't sit in class with Sunny, and was sitting on last raws of benches alone.

Whenever she tried to talk to him he would always find some excuse to get away from her.

Evelyn wouldn't bother herself if it's about someone but it's about Lucas.

So she asked Emma one of few Evelyn friend, at first she thought about sharing this to her elven friend Layla but she was so embarrassed to talk these types things to her.

There was Isabella to but Evelyn didn't want to talk anything related about Lucas to her.

So in the end she come finding Emma.

...But Adrian suddenly had appeared and butt in their conversation.

Emma who was seating besides Adrian, Saw Evelyn looked and her face turned into grin.

A fun idea had just come in her head.

She tapped Adrian's shoulder.

"Adrian."

"Hm?"

"Are you close to Lucas?"

Evelyn reacted strongly to Emma's question. She furrowed her brows and glared at Emma. Meanwhile, Adrian answered.

"No, I'm not that close."

"But you're probably the closest one out of all the male cadets."

"Huh? No I'm not, Remember it's Sunny. I think that guy is closest to Lucas then I'm."

"That's besides the point."

"Huh?"

At these words, Adrian tilted his head. The corner of Emma mouth curled up to a smile as she continued.

"Actually, Evelyn here has been wanting to talk to Lucas about something," Emma said, casting a mischievous glance at Evelyn.

Evelyn's cheeks flushed pink as she shot Emma a warning glare, silently pleading for her to stop.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Oh? What about?" he asked, turning to Evelyn.

Evelyn fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling put on the spot. She glanced nervously between Adrian and Emma before finally speaking up. "I... uh, just wanted to ask him about some training techniques," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian nodded understandingly, though a hint of skepticism flickered in his eyes. "Ah, I see," he replied, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Evelyn wasn't being entirely truthful.

Emma suppressed a giggle, enjoying the spectacle she had created. "Well, now that you know, maybe you could help Evelyn out," she suggested, nudging Adrian playfully.

Adrian hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He glanced at Evelyn, who was avoiding his gaze, her cheeks still tinged with embarrassment.

"Um, sure, I guess," Adrian replied awkwardly, though inwardly, he was puzzled by the sudden turn of events.

Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Emma had intervened and shifted the focus away from her. She made a mental note to thank her friend later, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for deceiving Adrian.

Adrian still confused as before continuing his lunch, Besides him Emma tried her best to surpassed the laugh that was just about to break.

Evelyn glared at her and mouthed the words "Stop it!" to Emma, who responded with an innocent shrug.

As they continued their meal, the atmosphere at the table lightened, and Adrian gradually relaxed, letting go of his earlier suspicions. Emma and Evelyn engaged him in light-hearted conversation, distracting him from the strange encounter they had just shared.

Despite her initial discomfort, Evelyn found herself enjoying Adrian's company. He had a way of putting people at ease with his easygoing demeanor and genuine kindness. And though she still harbored concerns about Lucas, being around Adrian helped alleviate some of her anxiety.

As they finished their meal and parted ways, Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude toward Emma for her intervention. Though she would never admit it aloud, she was glad to have a friend like Emma by her side, someone who could always be counted on to lighten the mood and lift her spirits.

Meanwhile, Emma couldn't resist teasing Evelyn about her crush on Lucas, Of course Evelyn would not admit but the way she behaves around Lucas it's so obvious, much to Evelyn's chagrin. But deep down, she was grateful for Evelyn's friendship and the bond they shared.