The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 96: Hidden (3)

[Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: ISH:1 Front Of Training Room 1#]

"Who are you?"

Morwen wanted to burst through the door and grab Valencia. Every part of him screamed at him to do it.

He turned toward the voice. In the shadows, something huge took shape. Something monstrous.

A tall, hulking figure, the silhouette barely discernible, but releasing an aura of power that rivalled even his own.

Fear, not for himself but for Valencia, ignited a cold fury within him.

Who was this intruder, this potential obstacle standing between him and his goal?

He wanted to kill this threat, this unknown person.

sha...

He almost attacked, but his magic quickly dispelled in his hands...

Morwen had known he was outnumbered, and this could blow his cover.

His disguise was good, but if this person was really powerful, they might see through it.

All he had to do was stick to the plan and just play it carefully, turning this situation to his advantage.

...

...

The tension crackled in the air. He forced himself to stand still, his presence receding back into the shadows.

He had miscalculated. This was no longer a simple snatch-and-grab operation.

Should he speak until the person is in clear view or should he just wait until he speaks once more?

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

The unknown figure moved in closer, his form becoming more distinct in the light.

"...!"

Now, Morwen could make out the faint outline of a face – a cold, emotionless mask that sent chills down his spine.

He was what all mages had feared and If it wasn't for him.

This world wouldn't know aura, A person taught by the likes of the Great Hero Garrick, who was only second to him during his prime.

The Grandmaster Of Aura... Gerrard Freya.

The Pillar of Miracles, stood before him, his presence an oppressive force that made Morwen's carefully cultivated calm falter.

Shock mixed with the fear, a twist of disbelief at this unforeseen appearance.

This man could kill him if he used aura, especially right now. Morwen was within his striking distance.

He had to escape. His mind spun, desperate plans forming and disintegrating in a matter of seconds.

As Morwen's saying goes there's always an opportunity within crisis.

STARE!

Gerrard's eyes pierced through Morwen like daggers. For a terrifying second, Morwen thought his disguise had failed.

"I won't ask again," Gerrard's voice was cold. "Who are you?"

Gerrard's voice, deceptively calm, carried the weight of a death sentence.

Morwen, trapped in the unforgiving spotlight, swallowed hard.

A crazy plan started to take shape in his head. It was a long shot, but...

Khum!

He forced a cough, then responded in a voice altered to sound younger and tinged with a foreign accent.

"Just here…to…interview Valencia!"

Gerrard's brow furrowed. "Is that so?" It was obvious the excuse was thin, but it bought Morwen just a little more time to think.

"Indeed!" Morwen tried to mirror the confidence in Gerrard's tone, but his hands twitched slightly, betraying his inner tension.

Gerrard leaned in, scrutinizing his face.

"hmmmm..."

"...!"

"hmmmmmmmmmmmm!"

An eternity seemed to pass as he studied him.

Morwen who was drenched with sweat held his breath, every instinct screamed at him to flee.

"..."

Then, Gerrard's expression softened ever so slightly.

"Hey, aren't you… that reporter?" His eyes held a touch of recognition. "The one who interviewed Valencia for the Little Heroes tournament?"

Morwen felt a wave of relief wash over him.

It seemed that the person he disguised as might just be his salvation.

"Ah, yes." His voice, still tinged with the fake accent, held a note of surprise. "That was me."

Gerrard's demeanour shifted a hint further towards casual.

"That was a positive report. It helped with her Academy applications, I recall. Still... I owe you a favour for that… But, it'll have to wait until the tournament ends. I trust you wouldn't disrupt my daughter's training?"

Morwen nodded quickly as Gerrard walked past him into the room, revealing Valencia practising her swings at literal nothingness.

His gut twisted with rage. He hated backing down, especially to someone like Gerrard.

It was a close call.

But could he do it again?

But he knew there was no time to think about it.

Even though Gerrard was out of his prime, Morwen still wasn't sure if he could win the fight between them two.

But there was no time to think, He'd gotten out of trouble, for now, but he would return once more after the tournament ended.

***

[Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Training Room 1#]

creakkkkk...

The training room door creaked open, revealing Valencia's surprised face.

Her dad, the leader of the Miracle Guild, was standing in the doorway. A little smile played on his face.

"Father!" Valencia sounded a bit annoyed. "What are you doing here? I'm preparing for my match!"

Gerrard just shrugged, a trace of a grin on his face.

"Can't a father check on his daughter?" He stepped further into the room, his gaze sweeping the battered training dummy.

An odd expression crossed his face as his eyes settled on Valencia, her stance stiff, her katana held oddly in front of her.

"Hmm," he mused, a hint of teasing humour in his voice. "What are you doing, Val? Trying to invent a new way to polish that dummy?"

Valencia's cheeks flushed slightly.

It was clear her father had caught her attempting to replicate Jan's aura slash – a technique she still couldn't quite grasp.

"Just…practicing some new techniques," she muttered evasively.

Gerrard chuckled, crossing his arms. "Darling, you're wasting your energy swinging at thin air. Rest is essential before a big fight."

Valencia was frustrated. She knew her dad was amazing, but sometimes he didn't understand how much she wanted to get better.

"I know that, Father," she said, trying not to sound too frustrated. "But there's always something more to learn..." Her words trailed off slightly as if trying to convince herself as much as him.

Gerrard let out a small sigh, the playful smile gone.

He walked closer and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Valencia," he said, his voice softening, "You are already skilled beyond your years. Trust in your training, in your instinct. Trying to force new techniques at the last minute will only throw you off balance."

She couldn't deny that he had a point.

Valencia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened them, she felt a little less tense.

"Okay, you're right," she admitted. "But I'm not giving up on that move!"

Her eyes sparkled with determination. That was Valencia – always fighting to be better.

Gerrard laughed a hearty rumble that filled the training room.

"Wouldn't dream of it, my sword-loving daughter," he said, tousling her hair affectionately.

"Just remember, sometimes the best preparation is simply having faith in yourself."

"Father, how many times have I told you to stop messing up my hair like that!" Valencia scolded.

Her father teased her a little more, a twinkle in his eye.

"Why? Are you trying to impress someone?"

Valencia pouted. "No!" She fixed her hair, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

BZZZZT! BZZZZT!

Just as her father was about to say something, his watch buzzed with an incoming message.

His expression shifted. "Valencia, I have to go now. I'll be watching your fight from the stands, just remember… To do your best!" He spoke, as his voice trailed off.

Gerrard quickly left the training room, his parting words remaining in the air.

Valencia waved goodbye, a mix of excitement and confidence swirling within her.

"Okay..."

_____________

Authors Notes:

- Gerrard being known as the Grandmaster Of Aura is the only user to have mastered the 3 major techniques.