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.

"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.