Extra's Descent
Chapter 289: Awarding Ceremony [2]

Evelyn stared at the hospital window as she stood still.

She was told she would be discharged tomorrow. However, lately, Evelyn was facing some issues.

For some reason, her mana core would fluctuate spontaneously. Sometimes, a rapid outburst of mana whenever she tries to channel her core, or, completely nothing.

As if she was never a mage in the first place.

She had consulted the doctors about it, and all they really told her was that it was a normal occurrence when a patient loses too much blood.

After all, mana travels from the bloodstream. It must've meant that her blood circulation was still unstable at the moment. For that reason, her mana too was unstable.

But regardless, Evelyn couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.

The thought had stressed her out even more.

Tzz~

A sizzling sound occurred as Evelyn took a long drag on her cigarette.

Ever since the calamity, Evelyn had been feeling stressed.

After losing her teaching job, and the fact that she was unable to save her pupil, all the issues piled up one after another.

For that reason, she joined the Imperial Army to somehow replace value in herself.

But also for the purpose of contributing to this country.

However, all it had ever brought her were expectations.

They had started calling her the second coming of Lucian Frost, putting great pressure on her.

And Evelyn did not like pressure.

Not that she wanted to take things at her own pace, which would give them the impression that she was lax, but because of her own anxiety.

What if she could never meet their expectations?

Especially so, when she felt like she hit a bottleneck lately.

Stuck in the SS- rank.

Unable to replace a way to cope with her stress, she started….

Tzz~

Smoking.

"Huu…."

The smoke escaped her lips and faded soon after. The bitter smell of smoke reached her ears as Evelyn was close by the window, peering down, taking in the view of the city.

Knock, knock—!

All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a familiar man emerged.

"Brandon?"

"Yo, Evelyn."

"...."

Again.

He never addresses her as Miss, unlike with the others who he shows formality with.

However, Evelyn had grown used to it by now.

It was just like him.

Often appearing stoic or intimidating towards others, yet always this casual around her.

It felt as if she had an annoying little brother.

"Are you smoking?"

"Ah."

Right, she didn't want to show this unsightly side of hers.

Not even Vanessa knew of this bad habit of hers.

At that, Evelyn dropped the cigarette and stepped on it.

Tzz~

"I won't judge. But I advise you to stop."

"Sure."

Evelyn sat down on the bed. Then, she looked at Brandon, who was standing up, and asked.

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were getting discharged tomorrow."

"Ah, yes."

"Then I expect you'll start your teaching job soon?"

Teaching job….

Was she even qualified for that right now?

Teaching teenagers how to use magic when she herself had trouble in regards to mana at the moment.

"Hmm, I'll probably rest for now."

"I see. But will you still teach me, regardless if you were teaching at the academy?"

That….

Evelyn wasn't sure how to respond.

Brandon Locke had immense potential. Someone like him deserved a better teacher, not someone like her who had trouble breaking through to the next rank.

As if her mind was read, Brandon's voice reached her ears soon after, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"You're the best teacher I could ask for. I don't want to ask anyone else."

"...."

Hearing those words.

Her efforts were appreciated. Someone that had expectations for her, not to replace someone, but to positively rely on her because she was Evelyn Cessna.

Evelyn couldn't help but smile warmly.

"Okay."

***

Friday came.

October 7, 2149.

The efforts of the soldiers who took part in the auction raid was regarded as a historical moment for the Imperial Army.

Managing to take down an organization they were never able to catch before was extremely important to the Imperial Army, and to the audience present.

Cadets and Imperial Army officers alike were present for this grand event.

Officers sat at the back, while cadets were told to sit at the front for a clearer view of the officers they should aspire to be.

As Brandon looked around, he could see the color of reactions the cadets were expressing.

Some showed genuine curiosity. The others were excited, evident by the joyful looks on their faces, while some showed obvious boredom.

Flick—

All of a sudden, the lights were abruptly switched off.

Flick—

A single light shimmered down, illuminating the sole center of the stage.

It was a spotlight.

Swoosh—

Then, the curtains pulled away from each other. Visible silhouettes stood side–by–side.

In total, there were seven silhouettes.

Recently, Amelia had been coming home late due to rehearsing for this event.

After all, Amelia was one of the participants of the auction raid, one of the receivers of the awards.

Then, a voice rang out.

—Thank you all for coming on this pleasant evening. I'm sure all of you are aware of our recent activities.

The commentator continued like that in the passing minutes. Announcing the technicalities of the blackmarket's auction raid.

While the next raid was still on schedule, the Imperial Army had already thoroughly prepared for it.

They had isolated the residents of the blackmarket, forbidding them from ever escaping, just until the next raid was conducted.

They had wished for everyone's prayers that the raid would conclude peacefully, and an agreement could be settled with the blackmarket residents.

That being said, it was time to hand out the rewards.

—Thanks to these brave soldiers who had risked their lives. The Twilight Syndicate was successfully taken down.

—Please step forward and receive your medals.

—General Ray Arcadia.

At that moment, a silhouette stepped forward, revealing his features. Blue hair and blonde eyes, while adorning the Imperial Army uniform.

Of course, Brandon was quite familiar with him. After all, he was part of the raid, and also a good friend of Amelia's.

Apparently, this guy was dating one of his team members.

'Workplace romance…..'

How unprofessional.

Ray soon received his award and stepped into the center of the stage.

Clap, clap, clap—!

A cheer of applause echoed throughout the entire venue as Ray bowed his head deeply.

By sheer coincidence, the next name was….

—Artoria Watson.

It was Ray's girlfriend.

A woman emerged from the darkness shortly after. Red hair and golden pupils.

Just like that, the two couples had received their awards and stood at the center.

This continued on until Brandon finally showed interest.

The next one was none other than….

—Ivan Millet.

The Tenth Seat of the Primordials himself. Though, of course, no one knew of his identity. Just that, they were well aware that he was a ranker, and that he was never part of the Imperial Army.

Still, he had participated in the raid, and deserved the award.

For that reason, he was invited to this event. It didn't matter. Cadets could still look up to him.

After all, it wasn't as if joining the Imperial Army was the only option cadets had after graduating.

They too could become rankers.

And Ivan was perfect as a role model.

And the next one….

—Amelia Constantine.

As soon as her name was called, cheers resounded once more, filling the entire venue.

Amelia was truly popular, even amongst the women themselves as they all screamed in unison.

"Woo~"

"General Amelia~!"

Amelia was a perfect role model for aspiring female cadets.

After receiving her medal, Amelia too stepped to the center of the stage and bowed her head.

As soon as she raised her head, for a brief second there, Brandon felt like she was looking at him.

No, she definitely was looking at him as the two stared at each other intently, even when Brandon was amongst the innumerable amount of cadets present.

"Hah."

Brandon couldn't help but scoff. Thereafter, he joined the applause as well.

He was proud of her.

For the next one was none other than….

—Belle Locke.

His sister.

Belle emerged from the darkness and received her medal. But unlike the others, she received two medals.

Most probably because she was the sole leader that made the entire raid successful.

As soon as Belle reached the center, standing right next to Amelia, she too had met his gaze.

Brandon clapped at that moment, a smile spreading across his features.

He recalled the events a month ago.

The one when Belle died.

"...."

He would never allow such a thing to happen ever again.

And the next one….

It was the last one….

—Evelyn Cessna.

She wasn't part of the silhouettes present.

No, she herself appeared out of nowhere, catching the eyes of everyone present.

While Belle received two medals, Evelyn received ten.

After all, she had contributed the most during the raid.

The announcer continued announcing her achievements.

—She had infiltrated the entire organization earlier this year. Even cutting off all contact from the outside just to sell the part.

—For that reason, the Head, who had terrorized the underground channels, was killed.

Truly, Evelyn was the NovelFireP for the entire raid.

The announcer continued to list down the set of objectives Evelyn had accomplished, and as soon as she stepped into the center of the stage, even in front of the other awardees, the audience cheered like never before.

Clap, clap, clap—!

"Wooo~"

"The Celestial Witch~!"

"Evelyn Cessna~!"

Apparently, they had started calling her the Celestial Witch.

After the cheers died down, silence befell the venue.

No,

Clap. Clap.

There was one more who continued clapping.

It came from behind.

Brandon couldn't help but be curious.

Who is…..

Then, Brandon saw her.

A woman, with platinum blonde hair, and dazzling crimson eyes.

Brandon stared at her for a brief moment. But when she stopped clapping, Brandon turned his head back towards the stage.

'What a weirdo.'

Yet surprisingly, he couldn't shake off a weird feeling.

For that reason, he looked back.

However,

"...."

There was no one.

Gone.

As if the woman was never there in the first place.

'Am I imagining things?'

Had he gone that crazy?

That could've been the case.

It was truly odd.

Just who was she….?