Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Carlo hung his jacket on the back of his chair, then tapped on the documents stacked on his desk.

"I know this is the Guild 'Experience' Program, but most of our work is done indoors. That's why most team leader-grade Heroes who use the A-rank offices have 4 or 5 office workers."

Carlo continued in a soft voice.

"Dungeon conquests and subjugation for monsters high-intermediate rank and above require thorough analysis in this office first. In other words, our work begins here, and only when everything is perfect do we set out. But, mm... let's get out of here for now. To be honest, it does get a bit boring being in here all the time."

Carlo led us outside. Sia followed after him immediately, but my eyes stopped at the safe installed in his drawer. Inside should be all the condemning evidence Carlo gathered about all the illegal things he had done with others.

"Lucas?"

"Ah, yes."

With Carlo calling me, I scurried out of the room.

"Oh right, there are also periodic deployment orders. You know how the North Mountains Province belongs to monsters now."

Carlo continued to speak as we walked.

"About 3000 Heroes take turns every month for four days to reduce the number of monsters there. That way, there won't be a monster outbreak from overpopulation. Once you become a Hero, you'll be part of this rotation as well."

I nodded, absorbing Carlo's words as we walked through the corridors of the guild headquarters. The thought of being involved in such important missions filled me with a sense of pride and responsibility.

As we continued our tour, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease about the safe I had noticed in Carlo's office. It was clear that he was hiding something, and I couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden within its secure confines.

Despite my curiosity, I knew better than to pry into Carlo's affairs. After all, he was a highly-ranked Hero and a trusted member of the Grace guild. It wasn't my place to question his actions or delve into his matters.

Instead, I focused on the task at hand, soaking up as much information as I could about the guild's operations and procedures.

"Cadet Lucas."

"Hmm?"

"I heard you're No.1 in Theory classes."

"Ah, Yes I am."

"Then I'm sure that you would like this."

Saying that Carlos led to the office room, outside the door was written 'Analysis Room'.

All this time Sia was just silently observing me, I was personally invited by Sia but the representative who would tour me around the guild was Carlo.

Sia's job was done here but she was still following around us.

I think she wants to see my expression but it's have been keeping my poker face very well.

But still, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being observed. As we entered the Analysis Room, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was where the real work happened, where strategies were formulated, and where Heroes honed their skills.

Inside the room, I was greeted by rows of monitors displaying various data and information. Charts, graphs, and maps adorned the walls, providing a visual representation of the guild's activities and missions.

"Welcome to the Analysis Room," Carlo said, gesturing for me to take a seat. "Here, we analyze all the data gathered from our missions and expeditions. It's where we plan our next moves and devise strategies to overcome any challenges we may face."

I nodded, taking in the impressive array of technology and equipment surrounding me. It was clear that the Analysis Room was the nerve centre of the guild, where decisions were made and actions were coordinated.

"Sir Carlo, are kids here? Oh Hello, Vice Guild master I didn't know you were here also."

At that moment a woman stepped forward towards us and asked Carlo then she quickly bowed her head as she saw Sia standing behind us.

"Don't worry about me, Just continue to do your job "

"I will do that vice leader, Thank you."

The woman bowed her head again and turned her head towards us, Carlo nodded, acknowledging the woman's response, before turning his attention back to me.

"This is Maria," Carlo said, introducing the woman. "She's one of our top analysts here at the guild. Maria, this is Lucas, one of the cadets participating in the Guild Experience Program."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucas," Maria said with a warm smile, extending her hand.

I shook Maria's hand, returning her smile. "Thank you, Maria. I'm looking forward to learning more about the guild's analytical processes."

"Cadet Lucas is No.1 in Theory classes," Carlo added from my side, Maria raised her brow at this.

"Haha, rank 1 in theory? That's amazing, so was I! But cadets don't really learn much, so don't be too overconfident."

Maria off her glasses as she snickered. Then, she tapped on the document she was just reading.

"Now then, rank 1 theory, Lucas, would you like to take a look at this?"

"Hey, you can't show the guild's internal data so easily."

"It's not that important."

Maria got up. Just like in my setting, she was fairly tall, making me take a step back subconsciously. She seemed to be slightly taller than me.

"Here. It's a copy, so you can do whatever you want with it. Don't feel pressured."

Maria handed the document she was reading. I took it for now and glanced at it. It was mostly filled with equations and mathematical expressions.

"Take a look. Though, I doubt a kid can even recognize it."

With a determined expression, I began to examine the document, carefully analyzing the equations and mathematical expressions laid out before me. As I delved deeper into the content, I found myself drawn in by the complexity and intricacy of the analysis.

After a few moments of intense concentration, I looked up at Maria with a newfound sense of confidence.

"I think I understand," I said, my voice tinged with excitement. "These equations describe the predictive model for monster migration patterns, right?"

Maria's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a hint of admiration flashing across her features.

"Correct," she replied, her tone impressed. "But still most of cadets should able to tell that much."

Next moment she changed her way to speak, She quickly hide that she was impressed.

"Is that so? Well if you think that way I can solve this problem."

"What?"