The Transmigrated Author

Anouz's eyes widened at my offer. He looked shocked, not by my actions, but by my words.

"Is that really it? Nothing else?" he stammered, as if my deal wasn't enough.

"I'm not the kind of guy who adds extra conditions to his deals," I replied coolly.

I extended my hand, and he immediately shook it.

"You drive a hard bargain," he said, looking me in the eye. "So, let me ask you this: What's your name?"

"R-Rel Laurence," I stammered, nearly revealing my full name.

But if everything went according to plan, there would be no need to worry about his character going to waste.

"Rel Laurence? The archer? Well, it's my pleasure. I'm Anouz Serenade Montclair, the eldest son of Daniel Montclair III."

"The honor's mine," I replied. "I am staying at your place, after all."

"I guess you're right."

Anouz chuckled, shaking my hand with a firm grip.

Our conversation had been brief, but the negotiations were over, and I was on his good side.

He seemed pleased with my offer in exchange for a small favor.

There was no guarantee he would follow through, but for now, I had to trust him and hope for the best.

Connecting him with the upcoming events would be a little difficult though.

Since tomorrow, I'd need Anouz to play his part perfectly so I could disappear when the incident occurs.

Because the last time that happened I ended up with a medal unworthy of my status as a side character.

"You should get going now," he said with a reassuring smile, releasing my hand. "I'm sure Valencia doesn't like to wait."

I nodded and headed towards the exit.

"And a word of advice," he added. "Don't go to the artifact library at night, especially alone. There's a lot of bad stuff that goes on around there."

His warning wasn't a joke. His family was being targeted by multiple organizations linked to the dark world.

Anouz was the one who had sent the mission request to Jaxon Cain himself. That's why we, as mercenaries, were here: not only to fight against the dark world, but also to find clues about the person supplying resources to Vladimir.

"I got it," I replied, opening the door to the hallway. Valencia was gone.

Well, Anouz was right. She probably got bored and left. I had no choice but to head back on my own.

I stood in the hallway, looking in both directions. "Let's do a memory test here..."

I wandered through the hallways, turning corners and observing the patterns and object positions. But every path seemed to lead to the same few corridors. It felt like I was going in circles.

But you know what they say.

"When you're lost, look for the smallest path and follow it."

So, I tried again.

...

...

...

After a few minutes, Rel understood why navigating this mansion was so difficult. It wasn't that everything was different; it was that every hallway looked identical.

"Haah... whatever, I'll just—"

Bump!

"Oof!"

Rel rounded a corner and collided with someone, stumbling backward.

"Ouch... I thought no one was here..." a feminine voice exclaimed and a pile of towels tumbled onto Rel's head.

"Ah..."

The weight of the towels was substantial, but Rel could make out the black and white uniform of a maid.

His vision blurred for a moment though he couldn't quite tell who it was.

The maid's eyes widened as she realized she had bumped into a guest.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" The maid cried, flustered. "I'll remove the towels immediately!"

-That voice...

Rel thought, as the maid rushed to his aid, his vision completely obscured by the mountain of towels.

She delicately removed the pile, and when she took the last one off his head, their eyes met.

Their eyes met, and her heart fluttered seeing Rel.

"Ah! It's um- it's, ah- it's you! Haha..."

The maid jumped back in shock, seeing him so close.

Rel, sensing her recognition, nervously averted his gaze.

"D-d-do I know you from somewhere?" he asked, forcing a smile, trying to hide the fact that he knew her.

-Ah... of all people, why did I bump into Vanessa? But it's fine. I'm sure she's memorized the entire mansion, so maybe I could ask her for directions. But I have a bad feeling she might've remembered who I am.

It was possible Vanessa had forgotten about him, but Rel wasn't going to bet on it. He did, however, notice that she was even prettier up close.

Rel faked a cough and looked up at Vanessa. As he met her now expressionless gaze, an eerie prickle ran down his spine.

-She's frowning with that face??

Vanessa even without smiling or keeping a frown held a tinge of disappointment and disgust as she looked down towards Rel.

She recognized him as the boy from the academy in Paris, the one who had fled when she tried to ask his name. The memory made her feel uneasy.

She had hoped to get along with people her own age, but having always worked with adults as a mercenary, she didn't know how to interact with other teenagers. Rel's abrupt departure that day had made her realize how difficult it might be to make friends while also being a student.

It made her question her dream of a normal academic life, of fitting in and forming connections.

"..."

"I didn't know you worked as a maid,"

Rel mumbled, feeling guilty for her sadness.

Although he wasn't looking her eye to eye, Vanessa was startled hearing the way he spoke.

-His voice sounded so genuine... and cute.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Uh, yeah," she replied, fidgeting with her fingers. "Sorry, I didn't tell you that last time... You ran away, though."

haha...

Rel laughed nervously as the guilt within him dug deep. He understood the consequences of his actions and had to do something to make it even.

"Look, I really had to go that time. I was in a hurry, things came up... So, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you, just let me know."

Vanessa's gaze softened as she looked at Rel, still sitting on the ground. Her heart fluttered with unfamiliar emotions.

-he said anything...

At first sight, she had noticed his lack of presence and mana, but his personality was unlike any she had encountered. Most people she knew were cocky, loud, destructive, or hateful. She had never met someone so calm, kind, and considerate. Though they had only met twice, his words had a way of affecting her. Each sentence seemed to warm the heart she had vowed to keep locked away until she achieved her goal.

"Anything right?" Your next chapter is on empire

"Uh... not anything," he replied. "As long as it's within reason..."

Vanessa hesitated. She had never been one to accept something for free. Her principles dictated that there was no such thing as a free world.

If she took this favour, she would have to reciprocate. But as she was about to ask him for something, she stopped. Maybe he wasn't the type of person who expected something in return.

"Tell me your name,"

She requested, confidently striding over to Rel.

With her hands behind her back, she leaned in close with candy-like eyes.

"Haah... okay, I've done this quite a lot today, so—"

"Rel?"

A voice suddenly interrupted the two and Rel froze up awkwardly, unsure if he should turn around.