Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

After sealing the deal with Dorian, they got out of the tavern to talk about when to start and the documentation.

Adrian told Dorian to rent a house after giving him the 50K early salary. He also told him not to make his nephew work, at least here. Dorian agreed chuckling it was his nephew who wanted to work. Then, determining where to meet tomorrow, both parted ways.

Since it was already past evening, Adrian returned to the alley house he bought. However, he made stops and turns since he didn't want to be followed, being careful was the right bet.

After changing back to his original appearance, Adrian then returned to the Academy.

________ ___ __

The Valerian Hall.

In one of the opulent private rooms, the air was thick with tension, though the room itself was quiet and dimly lit. The table at the center was adorned with a delicate lace cloth, and a single candle flickered in the middle, casting soft shadows across the faces of those seated around it.

Evangeline, a striking woman known for her calculated demeanor, sat elegantly on one side of the round table. A delicate mask covered the upper half of her face, obscuring her features but doing nothing to diminish the piercing intensity of her gaze. Her posture was relaxed, but there was an undeniable aura of authority about her, one that demanded attention and respect.

On the opposite side sat a muscular man with a thick mustache, dressed in the finery of a wealthy merchant. Despite his imposing physical presence, his demeanor toward Evangeline was anything but confident. There was a nervousness in his eyes, a subtle tremor in his hands as he carefully avoided meeting her gaze directly.

His respect for her bordered on fear, yet there was also a twisted sense of admiration, as if he were in awe of the power she held.

Evangeline's voice cut through the silence, smooth and controlled. "What do you want this time, Mr. Hawke?"

The man, Mr. Hawke, visibly flinched at her directness but quickly composed himself. A wide, almost eager smile spread across his face as he leaned forward slightly, as if trying to close the distance between them. "The things you gave me last time, they worked perfectly," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "Those little… enhancements were exactly what I needed to get the results I wanted.

The birds were completely under control, just like you promised."

Evangeline remained expressionless, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she waited for him to continue.

"But," Mr. Hawke continued, his eyes gleaming with a mix of greed and anticipation, "I'm looking for something a little more extreme this time. Something that takes it up a notch—still hard to detect, of course, but with a stronger effect. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

Evangeline's lips curled into a faint smile, though it was anything but warm. "More extreme, you say?" she repeated, her tone almost mocking. "And what exactly do you plan to do with these 'enhancements'?"

Mr. Hawke chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck as he searched for the right words. "Just… expanding the reach a bit. Making sure the right people fall in line. You know how it is, in this city, sometimes you need a little extra leverage to get things done. The more subtle, the better."

Evangeline studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "You seem quite confident in your ability to handle what I give you, Mr. Hawke. But be careful what you wish for. The things you're asking for aren't toys, and they come with their own risks."

Mr. Hawke nodded eagerly, his eagerness overriding any sense of caution. "I understand, I do. But I've seen what you can do, and I trust your work. If anyone can deliver what I need, it's you."

Evangeline's smile widened slightly, though it remained cold. "Very well, Mr. Hawke. I'll provide what you're asking for—but it won't come cheap, and you'll need to handle it with care. One wrong move, and the consequences could be… unpleasant."

The man's smile faltered for a brief moment, but his determination quickly returned. "Of course, I'll handle it with the utmost care. Just tell me the price, and I'll make sure you're well compensated."

Evangeline leaned back in her chair, considering him for a moment longer before she nodded. "I'll have what you need ready within a week. Be prepared, and don't underestimate the potency of what I'll be giving you."

Mr. Hawke exhaled, a mix of relief and excitement washing over him as he realized the deal had been sealed. "Thank you, Miss Evangeline. I knew I could count on you."

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Evangeline signaled the end of their conversation. "You may leave now, Mr. Hawke. My subordinate will contact you when everything is ready."

The man stood quickly, bowing his head slightly before making his way toward the door. He glanced back once, as if to offer one final word of thanks, but the look in Evangeline's eyes made him think better of it. Without another word, he left the room, the door closing softly behind him.

Evangeline remained seated, her thoughts already turning to the next steps in her plan. Mr. Hawke was useful, but he couldn't be trusted. If he wasn't careful, he would become more of a liability than an asset. But for now, she would play along, providing him with what he needed while keeping a close eye on his actions.

As she sat there in the quiet of the room, a small, mysterious smile appeared on her face. The image of a certain young man came to her mind.

"Lucien..." Continue reading at m|v-l'e -NovelBin.net

The mysterious man who won all the bets for the academy tournament in the black market.

"It is as if he can see the future..." She muttered since she knew too well it would be impossible to find the correct bets without any special means.

"... It will be fun."