Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 102: Isla Hawthorne [1]

Wait minute! I don't necessarily have to go to her dormitory building. She might not be there at the moment.

Research facility!

She should be there at the moment.

With that thought, I walked into the minibus of Nova City. This bus travels all over the city if you have to go somewhere you can go with minibus.

"Where are you headed to?"

"Sector 3 Of Nova City"

"Okay"

Sitting inside a minibus, I patiently waited for the driver to start the engine.

Sector 3 is the area where the Research facility is located.

…

"Sector 3? Which area?"

"Eastside, Research Facility."

"Alright, we'll arrive in fifteen minutes"

Starting the engine, the van soon sped off into the distance.

Sighing, I looked outside of the window.

These days I was sighing quite a lot. With everything that was going on, I couldn't get one moment of peace.

Staring at the constantly changing scenery, my stomach slightly churned due to nervousness.

What I was about to do next would either make or break me.

…let's just hope everything goes well.

"We're here"

Right on cue, the van stopped in front of a large facility.

"Thank you"

Thanking the driver I walked towards the facility.

Large metal fences covered the facility, where enormous buildings could be seen behind them.

"Stop"

Arriving at the entrance of the facility, two guards appeared before me. They were wearing black uniforms with the Academy insignia imprinted on their chests. They had black military hats and exuded strong pressure.

I'd estimate them to be at around rank D or less, as although the pressure they exuded was strong, it wasn't to the point that made me feel overwhelmed.

I handed one of the guards my student ID card, they scanned it briefly and after everything checked out, they granted me entry.

-Shlup!

Arriving in front of the main building of sector 3, two transparent retractable doors opened up.

A wave of cold refreshing air coming from the AC instantly hit me.

The interior of the building was very modern and slick. The most dominant colour was white, and everything was decorated with a simplistic design.

Arriving in front of the reception of the building, a beautiful young lady smiled at me.

"How may I help you?"

"I have to meet someone."

"Please tell the person's name, please."

"Isla Hawthorne."

reception lady paused and took a good look at me.

"Is there something wrong?"

Feeling slightly nervous at her unwanted attention, I asked.

"No, there is nothing wrong. I have to first contact the person you have to meet."

I just nodded, there was nothing wrong with this, after all, Isla at this point should have known me, Even if we had not interacted with each other at all.

the young clerk lady picked up the phone on the counter and dialled a number.

"What's your name?"

"…Lucas Darkhart."

"Alright"

[…Hello?]

Answering the call, a crisp and pleasant voice entered the young girl's ear.

"Hey Isla, it's me, Lisa"

[Lisa from reception…?]

"Yes."

[How can I help you?]

"I got someone here that wants to meet you"

[I'm Beusy at the moment, tell him to come some other time.]

Lisa glanced at me, asking me what to do.

"Just tell her I have something important to tell her" I said to Lisa who nodded her head in return for me.

"He says he's got something important to say"

[ what is the name of the student who is trying to meet me?]

"The Student's name is Lucas Darkheart."

[…]

[…let him in]

"eh? Did I hear wrongly?"

[No, let him in]

-Tak!

Before Lisa could finish speaking, Isla hung up the phone. She stares at the phone for a moment before turning toward me.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked her... Again.

"…cough, nothing really, just getting your pass"

Awkwardly coughing, Lisa quickly handed me a card and shooed me away.

Looking back at the reception strangely, I shook my head and made my way towards Isl's lab.

Soon I was in front of a large metal door.

-Knock!

Knocking once, I nervously waited for the door to open.

***

Sitting down on a large white table, I nervously drank the cup of water in front of me.

…If I said I wasn't nervous at the moment that would be a lie. My back was drenched in sweat.

I came here fully prepared but knew I thought about it I forgot most of what I remembered.

There are many reasons for that.

The first reason is the person sitting in front of me.

Isla Hawthorne.

'Beautiful'

She had smooth skin that did not have any flaws with Fiery red hair, that went down smoothly at her waist. her most dazzling feature was her pair of large enchanting light

green eyes.

'She's someone who fits the title of Alchemy Master well.'

She's able to tell the true worth just with a glance, Even if she looks like she is currently a student at Nova Academy, she is going to be in the highest position in Alchemy Tower 10 years later...

But that would happen in future, Currently, Her family business is on the brink of bank corruption.

Her family runs a Pharmacist business, it's includes all types of potions of each level. They also many types of rare herbs that are hard to replace.

Seeing that the Business Going well her father took a huge amount of loan from the bank to expand their business but everything downhill right after that.

No one knew what or how happened but their business went to the brink of destruction within 2 months.

And now they have to pay back that huge amount of loan while trying not to let the business go bankrupt.

In short, Isla needs money right now more than anything.

And I have that kind of money to sell her problems at once.

"So what do you need from me, Lucas Darkheart?"

A smile came to my face, as I heard those words of hers.

"I came here to make a deal with you. A deal that will make both of us satisfied."

Let's turn this situation in my favour.