The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 216: I'm Not A Fool

Friday

Today marked the end of the exam period for theory, with over 1,000 first-year students completing their four units of courses and electives.

With classes on hold for the remainder of the two weeks, we were granted nothing but study periods.

Most of the main characters would be studying diligently, but of course, other events continued to unfold in the background.

Clubs were still active, and social gatherings were still happening.

But as expected, not everything was going according to my plans.

I had spent the majority of my time shadowing Damon Bennett throughout the campus, making sure to remain unseen.

These past two weeks had been a monotonous routine of watching him go from the staff office to the library to classes, and then back home.

It was frustrating that the Lyra plot I'd written hadn't come to pass.

Given this turn of events, it seemed there was more to Bennett's plans than I had anticipated.

I was certain he'd be the main villain at some point during the exam arc, but his actions so far didn't align with my original story.

After all there wasn't much of a push to what I could and couldn't do.

It's like they say in any sport, If the pass isn't there then don't make the pass.

***

[Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Training Room 3#]

[Friday, 7:30 AM]

The familiar hum of the Aethrius Nexus greeted me as I stepped into the second gym room. Rows of high-tech exercise equipment lined the walls, their sleek surfaces gleaming under the bright lights.

I'd been pushing my body hard these past few weeks, determined to improve my base stats as much as possible.

Grabbing a pair of 100kg dumbbells, I began my final set of bicep curls.

uuup...uuup...uupp!

The burn in my muscles was intense with each lift, but I pushed through gritting my teeth as I completed the tenth rep.

FWANG!

[You've gained 0.08 Strength Points!]

The notification flashed before my eyes, a reminder of my diminishing returns.

I'd been working out since 6 AM, and the gains were becoming negligible.

It seemed I had finally hit a wall.

My body could only change so much through physical training.

Muscle definition and endurance would improve, but my raw strength and stamina were reaching their limits.

It was a frustrating realization.

"System...Base Stats..."

FWANG!

[Displaying Base Stats Only!]

Her footsteps were light and silent on the polished floors as she moved swiftly through the corridors.

But as she turned the corner, she collided with something solid.

keuk!!

Alice stumbled backward, the impact knocking the wind out of her.

However, before she could fall, a strong hand reached out to steady her.

Looking up in surprise, she realized she had walked straight into a trap.

Rel stood before her, leaning casually against the wall, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His black hair was slightly tousled from his workout, and his blue eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Alice?" Rel's head tilted as the two locked eyes.

Alice's face flushed crimson.

She stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet and nearly falling again.

"S-sorry!" she stammered, averting her gaze. "I wasn't... I mean, I didn't..."

Rel's smile widened a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Didn't mean to sneak up on you like that," he said, his voice gentle.

"But you really shouldn't be lurking around corners, you know. It's a bit creepy."

"I-I wasn't lurking!" Alice protested, her voice barely a whisper. "I was... I was just..."

She fumbled for an excuse, What was I even doing? she berated herself.

Why did I follow him?

"Just what?" Rel prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"I-I was just curious," Alice admitted, her cheeks burning even brighter. "About where you were going."

"Curious?" Rel echoed, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that so?"

Alice nodded, her eyes glued to the floor. "Y-yes," she mumbled.

"I saw you leave the gym, and I... I wanted to know what you were doing."

"And why is that?" Rel inquired, stepping closer.

Alice's heart hammered in her chest.

The last time she'd been this close to Rel was when they shared a table in the library, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they studied.

This was different.

His proximity was electrifying, his gaze intense.

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, and the scent of his cologne filled her senses.

_________

Authors Notes

- Rel helped Alice and Jae a lot with studying when he wasn't stalking Damon Bennett which explains his playfulness with Alice.