The Transmigrated Author - C.136: Before I Go

[Pinnacle Academy, Main Building - Hallways]

The bell clanged, a harsh end to another day.

NovelFire-original

Alice's thoughts, as always, drifted to Rel.

The Academy's biggest mystery.

He's smart, always turning in perfect work. But his practical grades? Abysmal.

He was a low-ranked, yet a genius in the arena.

He'd even made it to the semifinals, defying all expectations.

But that was only one thing that made him so unique and special...

It was the way he handed in flawless assignments early, the way he vanished during lectures... was he just naturally brilliant?

Or was there something more to it?

...

...

...

[Flashback: 3rd and 4th Period]

A flicker of mischief danced in Ms. Silvene's eyes.

"Practical time," she announced, "Mana technique demonstrations!"

A hand shot up. "Is there actual combat involved, Ms. Silvene?"

"Naturally." A smile tugged at her lips as she pulled out the attendance sheet.

"Let's see...Rel, you'll be our first example."

Silence. Then, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face as she scanned the empty desks. before settling on Jan.

"You must know where he is...right?" Ms. Silvene's voice had a deceptively sweet edge.

Jan, noting her glare, gave an awkward smile.

"Sorry, Ms. Silvene, but he usually does this kind of thing..."

Frustration simmered on the teacher's face.

Her revenge would have to wait. With a sigh, she resumed the roll call.

Alice watched his empty seat with a twinge of curiosity.

Where did he vanish to this time?

"Bet he's napping," Jae Yoona whispered, breaking through her thoughts.

Alice stifled a sigh, whispering back, "Probably. I wouldn't be suprised."

Jae giggled in agreement.

As Alice glanced back at Rel's desk, the word echoed in her head, "Mysterious..."

[End Of Flashback...]

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[Pinnacle Academy, Main Library - Central]

[Thursday, 3:20 PM]

The main library, a sanctuary of silence, felt wrong today.

Alice slid into her usual seat, Jae Yoona's cheerful chatter barely registering as she fumbled with her laptop.

Focus. She needed focus.

But her mind drifted to the empty chair like usual, the figure that always vanished into the Academy's shadows like a phantom.

"Lectures today weren't too bad, right?" Jae Yoona's voice pierced through the fog.

"Mhm..." Alice's response was automatic. Did her distraction show that clearly?

Jae Yoona noticed her usual lack in responses leaned in, a teasing gleam in her eye.

"Thinking about him again?"

Alice's head snapped up. "...eh?...wh – what? No!"

The warmth flooding her cheeks defied her denial.

"Haah...well, he's yours for now. 'Til the semester ends."

Jae Yoona gave a small shrug, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Alice held her gaze, her expression as composed as ever.

Inside, though, she felt a feeling of irritation.

Jae seeing that Alice wasn't budging knew she had to change it up.

She leaned in, not too close, but enough for her voice to drop to a conspiratorial whisper.

"You know...nerdy couples can be cute."

Alice's composure cracked.

She shoved Jae Yoona away, a blush warming her cheeks.

"stop it. don't say weird things like that." Her voice was quiet, almost a mutter.

"Don't like him, huh?"

Jae Yoona's tone was gentle now, teasing but with an edge of genuine curiosity.

"Just...the way you watch him in class. Makes me wonder... if you do..."

"...!"

Alice fumbled for words.

"It's not – I mean, I just... wanted to see if he studies differently."

She couldn't meet Jae Yoona's eyes.

Jae Yoona smirked. "huhu...So...stalking him all day was part of your 'study method,' huh?"

Alice's eyes widened, "wuh..what? how did you- no... what do you mean?!"

Her voice rose slightly, betraying her fluster.

Jae Yoona's smile widened.

"Don't act innocent. I saw you sneaking around outside his dorm...figured you were up to something."

tap...tap...tap...

A few quiet footsteps echoed.

"...Speaking of which," Jae Yoona's smirk took on a knowing edge, "look who's here."

"wuh...what?!"

Alice spun around. There he stood, looking as dishevelled and aloof as ever, even in the mellow library light.

She found herself staring at his glasses, flashing in the sunlight.

Did he ever take those things off? Even during those intense tournament battles... They seem to never fall.

"Hello." Rel's voice was a low murmur, respectful of the library's quietness.

Alice caught Rel's eye and offered a quick, polite wave.

To her relief, he waved back and moved on.

"Hey, Rel... Take your seat over there."

Jae Yoona beckoned him over, a mischievous grin on her face as she pointed towards the empty seat right next to Alice.

Too late, Alice realized the trap. Heat flooded her face as Rel sat down. She flinched away, a tiny, involuntary jerk.

"Sorry." Rel shifted slightly, giving her space.

Alice couldn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the far wall.

Jae Yoona, ever observant, pounced. "So, why weren't you in class again?"

"Just needed to buy some things."

Rel's voice was neutral as he pulled out a sleek new laptop.

Rel leaned back typing on his laptop, "How's your bow working out for you?"

His tone was neutral, a touch of curiosity underneath.

Jae Yoona gave a small shrug. "Pretty good. The girls in archery like the design."

Her voice was soft, but without the playful edge it typically held around Alice.

"Figures." Rel's reply was short, almost dismissive.

Jae Yoona shifted slightly, glancing at Alice. "Speaking of which, I heard you joined the archery club, right?"

"Um, yeah." Rel's fingers danced across his keyboard, barely slowing. "Lots of free time."

"Well then," Jae Yoona spoke slowly, each word carefully measured,

"let's get to work, shall we?"

Rel paused his typing, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Want the answers, or want me to walk you through it?"

"Alice will ask if she needs you," Jae Yoona replied, her tone clipped.

Alice flinched at the sound of her name.

Eyes met Rel's for a brief moment, then darted away.

With a slight shrug, Rel turned back to his work.

They began, the quiet scratch of pencils and the muted clatter of keys the only sounds.

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[40 Minutes Later]

Alice hunched over her keyboard, frustration gnawing at her.

Those blasted dungeon theory questions… She was focused on writing out a perfect essay for each question but the structure of it didn't seem quite right.

As she turned towards Rel, she saw that his screen revealed him deeply engrossed in the novel that he was reading.

Now Alice was wondering if it was right dragging him along.

haah...

She bit back a sigh, focusing on the screen.

But the words swam before her eyes.

Maybe she should ask Jae Yoona...no, that would only invite endless teasing.

"U-um..." The word slipped out, barely a whisper. Too quiet, too timid.

Rel hearing her glanced her way, an eyebrow raised. "Something you need?"

Her cheeks burning, Alice shook her head. Turning back to the screen, she scolded herself. This was pointless! She had to understand how he excelled...

A deep breath, steeling her nerves. She tugged at the edge of his shirt. "Um...I do need help."

Rel turned, leaning closer. Alice's eyes widened. "Eh?!"

He frowned slightly, as he squinted flicking to the computer screen.

"What's the problem?"

His breath tickled her ear.

Too close...way too close! Alice's mind raced, a jumbled mess of flustered panic and the faint scent of his shampoo.

Yet, Rel's gaze remained fixed on the screen, completely absorbed in the problem.

He finally pulled back. "Can I see your notes?"

Alice, face still burning, nodded mutely. He took the notebook, his fingers brushing hers as he skimmed the pages.

A few moments of silence. Then he spoke up, "Here's what you're missing."

He scooted his chair next to hers, their shoulders almost touching, and leaned in again.

His voice was a low murmur, explaining concepts, and pointing out key formulas and the structural formats.

Alice's brain went fuzzy. Heat crawled up her neck, a dizzying wave washing over her.

Was the room always this stuffy?

"...understand?" Rel's voice broke through her mind.

"Y-yes...I got it," she managed, her words a mere breath.

Jae Yoona watched, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. This was too perfect.

Rel, oblivious to the havoc he'd wreaked, moved back and resumed his novel.

Alice stared down at her notebook. Rel's neat handwriting filled the margins – concise notes, and clear diagrams.

She reread a section of his explanation, and a jolt of understanding shot through her.

It was so simple, so obvious...why hadn't she seen it before?

This wasn't just tutoring. This was... something else.

A thrill of curiosity ignited within her. Who was Rel really? Because this was the first time in her life she had met someone so incredible.

"You told me I only need to be here for an hour or two, right Jae?"

Rel's voice broke through her thoughts.

Jae Yoona glanced his way. "Yeah, feel free to head out if you have plans."

Rel nodded. "Okay." He started packing his things, efficient movements betraying his usual focus.

Jae Yoona's voice rose again.

"Thanks for coming. I'll Let you know about future study sessions. I don't want to overwhelm you with this...especially Alice here."

Jae smirked looking towards Alice but she was still caught in her own mind, barely registering the words.

"Sure." Rel's voice was neutral. Then, a brief wave of farewell, and he was gone.

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Authors Notes:

- No notes today D: