The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 118 - 118: Mercenaries | Season 1 End

[Asan Medical Center: Room: 346# - Outside the room]

Two mercenaries sat outside of Valencia's room dressed in the signature uniform of the mercenaries corps both wore a half mask that concealed their identities and voices.

zzzzz....zzz....zz...

"Time to check on her, Vanessa."

Her member nudged and shook her awake.

[Vanessa Andrea Evangeline - Member of The Mercenary Cooperation - Squad: ??? Rank: ???]

"Mr. Cain!"

She sat bolt upright, then glared at the blonde boy in the mask.

"Hey! Why'd you wake me, Christian?"

YAWWNN...

she turned to him yawning from being woken up.

haah...

He sighed.

"Wait... cut that out! we can't risk our identities leaking, and that means no names on the job."

[Christian Allard Evera Kaiser - Member of The Mercenary Cooperation - Squad: ??? Rank: ???]

Christian who sat upwards gazed towards the ceiling in boredom.

Vanessa scoffed. "And you calling me by name wasn't a risk, you idiot?"

"Don't call me an idiot, you idiot!"

Shing!

"Watch your tone, blondie, or I'll…" She unsheathed a small part of her blade, a wicked grin hidden behind her half-mask. "Kill you."

Christian held up his hands. "Alright, alright. Just…no trouble. We're on thin ice already."

"Yeah, 'cause of you," she muttered.

"Mr. Cain wouldn't have punished us if you hadn't demolished that dungeon."

"Those weren't ordinary Separants!" Christian's voice rose defensively. "You'da been scared too."

"Excuses." Her tone was sharp. "You blamed those poor squad mates and got them fired…"

"Better them than us," Christian mumbled. "At least this punishment wasn't as bad as last time. Mr. Cain trusted us with guarding the daughter of Freya."

Vanessa tilted her head, disgust fading into curiosity.

"Yeah, she fell ill when the infiltration of Pinnacle happened."

"Right. But…she's our age?"

Despite Vanessa's mask, he could sense her dismissive glare.

"Relax, I'm just…curious. We're what, mercs since we were kids? I dunno, maybe there's plenty girls like her at a school…"

"We're fine. More than fine. Grown-up jobs, grown-up money." Vanessa's voice held a hint of defensiveness like she was convincing herself.

"Whatever." Christian shrugged, turning towards the hospital room. "Let's see if she's awake."

...

...

...

They entered, and Christian froze, a strangled whisper escaping him.

"Wow… she's even prettier awake."

Vanessa nudged him sharply. "You're awake, Ms. Freya," she said, her voice clipped and professional.

Valencia blinked. The first thing she noticed was the girl – black hair woven in a bun with intricate braids, her violet eyes fixed on her with a strange intensity.

"Who…who are you?"

Before Vanessa could answer, the blonde boy stepped forward.

"We are Specialized mercenaries, Ms. Freya. Protection detail, ensuring your safety from any further attack." His voice had an odd formality to it like he was overcompensating.

Vanessa shot him a glare. He was trying to impress Ms. Freya. What a creep.

Still, at least his black tuxedo explained the lack of a company logo on his uniform.

Valencia's eyes widened. "My father…hired mercenaries?" She covered her mouth realising the situation she was in.

"Yes, Ms. Freya." Vanessa's tone was business-like. "But just for your safety today. We're to ensure your well-being."

Then with a touch of formality, she turned to Christian.

"Mr. CA25B. If you would retrieve a doctor, please. I'll remain with Ms. Freya."

Christian, beaten down by her curtness, gritted his teeth.

"Fine, VE4B."

As he crept off, an awkward silence settled over the room.

Vanessa stood by the door leaning against the wall as her sword occasionally banged against the wall.

Valencia who felt somewhat intimidated by her wanted to try and speak with them since judging off appearance she looked to be the same age as her.

huuu...haah...

Then, Valencia took a tentative breath. "So… you fight with a sword too?"

"Yes." Vanessa's answer was short and blunt.

"Me too… haha…" Valencia trailed off, a hint of unease in her voice.

"I know."

A long back-and-forth side of questions ensued and Then Christian arrived with a weary-looking doctor as she carried out her duties doing all procedures of examinations.

[15 minutes later...]

Finally, they were cleared to leave.

"Well, Ms. Freya," Vanessa said, her voice swift, "where would you like to go?"

Valencia, fresh from changing into her uniform, hesitated. But she knew deep down she wanted to get back to class as soon as possible as she was falling behind on a week's worth of work.

"The academy, please…"

"Of course. I'll call the limousine service now." Vanessa pulled out her watch tapping and calling the service with practised efficiency.

And shortly afterwards the three left off to Pinnacle Academy...

***

{Rel's POV}

[Pinnacle Academy, Front Courtyard Entrance: 2nd Club Registrations Week]

[Monday, 3:30 PM Afternoon]

The second week of club registrations opened up for this week.

In the first week, everyone picks their main club.

The academy designs the schedules around that, making sure there's time for extracurriculars.

Now that it is the official second week, all students are now allowed to join other clubs up to the maximum limit of 4.

Normally, clubs are a waste of time for me, but today... I made up my mind.

At least one, maybe two were perfect for keeping track of things.

Call it a "leisure activity," or call it watching the characters – either way, it beats sitting around being bored.

Well, I already knew which club our main characters were signing up for...

Jan and Bazz both liked baking so they chose the bakery club, Camila and Lyra joined the film appreciation club, Alice was in the literary society, Jae was in archery and the literary society, and Louise, Miya, and Noah weren't in any.

But the question remained of where Valencia would go.

She didn't belong in the Pinnacle Academy Saga and she's not a third-year either.

One wrong move from her, and the entire story I knew could fly off the rails.

It was worrisome, but dwelling wouldn't help.

She was the wild card in my mental deck, the one I couldn't control.

I shoved those thoughts aside, scanning the buzzing courtyard.

Louise's goons were in front of the fight club stand, and Jan and Bazz were hypnotized by pastries as usual.

Now that I think about it this massive campus held home to thousands of students.

All of them were created by me.

I couldn't help but see the whole crowd of new faces – characters waiting for their lines, no doubt.

My eyes finally landed on my destination.

I stepped forward in front of the club I was excited for most.

The gaming club.

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Season 1 of The Transmigrated Author end...

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Authors Notes:

- Vanessa's age (18) and Christian's Age (19)

- Vanessa is a swordsman wielding a Claymore as her weapon.