Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

[Congratulations student rank 1001, Lucas Darkheart—Time taken to complete dungeon 01H: 20M: 08S]

Exiting the dungeon, I soon heard the speaker on the side of the dungeon announce my result.

Glancing at the time, my mouth couldn't help but twitch.

To be honest, that was a lot faster than I had expected. Moreover, there was one teeny tiny problem regarding my score…

…and it was that I walked throughout the whole way out.

Yeah, I walked.

I never increased my pace once. My path was so unobstructed and unexciting that all I did was really just take a stroll.

I normally wouldn't have complained, but well…it just was so anticlimactic that I was at a loss for words.

…I guess not being Adrian did make a difference. No unexpected events happened. I guess I was so used to things always happening to me that I had completely forgotten that I wasn't the protagonist.

Trouble wouldn't come knocking at my door unless I looked for it, unlike Adrian who was the opposite. he had trouble looking for him.

With regards to my timing, the only time I wasted was probably when I was 'educating' Hora, but that barely took like 10 minutes.

As I got out of the dungeon, even though I probably scored amongst the highest of the first years, no one was paying attention to me.

Why?

"Quick get the healers!"

"Call for all ranked members we can get, we've got a horde of goblins inside of the ranked level!"

"We've received reports regarding multiple supervising students that are barely holding on"

…yeah.

Sort of forgot that was supposed to happen.

As the chaos unfolded around me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from the commotion. While other students scrambled to address the sudden influx of goblins and the injured supervising students, I stood on the sidelines, observing the scene with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Part of me wanted to step in and lend a hand, but another part hesitated, unsure of my place amid the chaos. After all, I was just a first-year student, and I didn't have the experience or authority to take charge of the situation.

Nevertheless, as I watched the senior students spring into action, coordinating efforts to contain the goblin horde and provide aid to the injured, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration. Despite the danger and uncertainty, they remained steadfast and resolute, their determination unwavering in the face of adversity.

Well, those students who triggered the Goblin hoards are unlucky ones that's for sure.

Glancing at the students around me, I shook my head and headed towards my apartment building.

Since my score was already recorded in the school system there is no longer to wait for me here.

I was also tired, Since coming back from the training trip I was constantly practising the first movement of Infernal Demonic Art that I had received from Yato.

Currently, I could only use 10 swings of the sword of madness before my body and mind gave up.

The progress was slow but it was expected after all Infernal Demonic Art is grade 5 sword art and forbidden one on top of that.

My potion supply was also running out way more than before, the sword of madness took a toll on my body and because of that [Mana recovery potion ], [Healing potion] and [Stamina recovery potions] ran out.

Isla was annoyed that I was asking for too many potions nowadays but she gave me new potions.

My body was also under great stress as I was practising 2x gravity of Etheria in a gravity chamber.

So yeah I was tired and need some rest.

Sunny had called me that after the practical exam was over we would go to the club but I wasn't in any mood to do that.

What I needed was good sleep.

Anyway, Tomorrow or maybe after that day results of the mid-term will revel and after that there will tournament going to held in Nova Acadmy.

But that was later story.

As I made my way back to my apartment building, fatigue weighed heavily on my shoulders, a tangible reminder of the physical and mental toll of my training regimen. Each step felt like a chore, and I longed for the comfort of my bed, where I could finally rest and recuperate.

Despite my weariness, my mind was abuzz with thoughts and reflections on the day's events. The practical exam had been a mixed experience, filled with moments of triumph and frustration. While I had managed to complete the dungeon in record time, the lack of excitement or challenge left me feeling strangely dissatisfied.

Perhaps I had grown too accustomed to the thrill of danger and adventure, to the point where anything less felt dull and mundane. Or perhaps it was simply a sign that I needed to push myself harder, to seek out new challenges and opportunities for growth.

As I entered my apartment, a sense of relief washed over me, accompanied by a wave of exhaustion. Collapsing onto the couch, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift into a state of blissful oblivion, eager to escape the trials and tribulations of the day.

But even as sleep beckoned, my thoughts continued to swirl with unanswered questions and unresolved issues. The mysteries surrounding Lucas Darkheart and his enigmatic past lingered in the back of my mind, taunting me with their tantalizing secrets.

Isla's warnings about the dangers of the Infernal Demonic Art echoed in my ears, a constant reminder of the risks I was taking in pursuit of power and mastery. And Sunny's invitation to the club served as a stark reminder of the social connections and responsibilities that awaited me beyond the confines of the academy.

But for now, I pushed aside those concerns and allowed myself to succumb to the soothing embrace of sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and new opportunities, but for tonight, I would rest and recharge, ready to face whatever the future held in store.