Extra's Descent

Brandon arrived at the company building.

It was 6:00 PM.

"Damn, you look like shit."

"...."

Zed looked at him with an expression Brandon couldn't quite read. Just that, he found himself frowning.

As a response, Brandon held his middle finger up.

Zed raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly.

"Nice to see you too. Anyway, should you even be here? I mean, I know I called you, but you literally look like shit."

"I'm managing."

He actually was. Brandon may have looked exhausted, but he was recovering at quite a decent rate.

"Can you show the way?"

Zed nodded his head in response and led the way. Brandon followed closely while looking around.

Things had gotten pretty lively since last he was here.

There were new faces—hired employees, busily accomplishing their tasks. They turned their attention towards him, looking confused at his sudden arrival.

For reasons being, they didn't know Brandon was actually responsible for the entire operation.

They had no idea he was the CEO.

After all, he had discussed with Zed that he would be the CEO to the public. After all, Brandon was still physically 17–years old.

For that reason, employees might hesitate working for a company run by a 17–year old.

Jain was already an example of the business world underestimating him. Thankfully, he had Claire to put in a good word for him.

"He's there."

Zed stood by the door, pulling it open for Brandon, who stepped inside without a word.

Rafael Asami was sound asleep. His complexions looked better than the first time he had seen him.

His hair—which was long back then—had been trimmed and properly groomed.

Beep…. Beep….

Machinery was connected to him, a beeping sound echoing.

Your journey starts at m_v le mpyr

Brandon turned around. Zed was standing right behind him, holding onto a document.

Then, he gave it to Brandon and he started scanning.

Brandon flipped through the report, his eyes catching the key points quickly.

Rafael Asami's mana core had been dangerously close to collapsing, causing wild fluctuations in his power.

The surgery had been a necessary gamble, involving the repair of the cracks that had been slowly weakening him.

The details were clear: the operation had stabilized Rafael's core, but his rank had dropped to C-Rank temporarily.

The recovery process would take months, with no guarantee that his core would return to its former strength. His condition was stable now, but any strain on his body could trigger another collapse.

Brandon handed the document back to Zed, his eyes lingering on Rafael's still figure hooked up to the machines.

"I'm glad there were no issues….."

Brandon sighed in relief. Previously, he was concerned if there were other internal issues they were incapable of repairing.

Such as, his core being tainted by a Wraith.

But from what he could see, it seemed like it wasn't the case.

"Any estimation on when he would wake up?"

Brandon asked.

"It's still uncertain. The surgery finished two months ago, and he hasn't shown signs of waking up yet."

Zed's gaze lingered on the beeping machinery.

"But everyday, the pulse is getting stronger, and his health is faring better. There's a chance he might wake up soon."

"I see. Once he wakes up, we'll transfer him to a regular hospital."

Brandon's gaze lingered on Rafael.

There was a calculated reason why he'd taken on the responsibility of overseeing his treatment personally.

The goal wasn't just to ensure Rafael's recovery. It was to bind him to Brandon, creating a debt that couldn't easily be repaid.

The Asami name was influential, and having someone like Rafael in his debt could prove advantageous later on.

But more than that, their technology was far superior to that of a typical hospital.

The advanced equipment used at Brandon's facility meant Rafael's chances of recovery were significantly higher.

However, this wasn't a place designed to care for patients the way traditional hospitals did.

It was only currently possible because of the handpicked crew hired by Zed. However, the contract would end sooner or later.

"Nnng…."

A groaning sound escaped Rafael Asami's lips, and Brandon and Zed's attention flicked towards him.

Rafael Asami's brows knitted, as if he was having a bad dream, and strange sounds continued escaping his mouth.

"Is that normal?"

Brandon asked.

"No."

Zed quickly shot him down.

"It's the first time we've gotten a response."

***

Evelyn lay on the operating table, the bright overhead lights making her feel exposed and vulnerable.

Ba… Thump! Ba… Thump!

Her heart raced as the soft beeps of the monitors echoed through the room.

She had just signed the waiver, acknowledging the risks. There was no guarantee the surgery would succeed.

She knew the risks of the procedure, especially with the complexity of her cracked mana core.

The surgeons were silent but efficient, setting up their tools and equipment.

The lead surgeon approached, his calm, steady voice breaking through her anxious thoughts.

"We're ready to begin, Miss Evelyn. Are you sure you're prepared?"

Evelyn gave a slight nod. Her voice felt stuck in her throat, so she didn't speak.

She wasn't just risking failure.

She was risking everything.

Her abilities, her future, and potentially her life.

But she had no other choice.

As she lay back and closed her eyes, she could feel the cold surface of the table beneath her.

One of the nurses approached her bedside, adjusting the IV drip.

"Are you feeling alright?"

The nurse asked softly, her voice warm, trying to comfort Evelyn.

"...."

Evelyn swallowed hard, nodding slowly.

The surgeon put on his surgical gloves.

"We'll do everything we can. I need you to relax, Miss Cessna. Take calm and steady breaths."

She focused on her breathing, trying to calm her racing heart. The sound of the anesthetic machine hummed beside her as the doctors prepared to start.

The world around her began to blur, and she could feel herself drifting into unconsciousness.

Inside the room, time slowed as the procedure began.

***

December 2, 2149.

Brandon returned to the academy soon after.

The instructors had already informed the cadets that Evelyn would be absent for a while.

Despite knowing that, Brandon couldn't shake the concern gnawing at him.

Why now?

There was a feeling of unease that kept bothering him, even though the explanation given was vague.

After all, the last thing Brandon had heard about Evelyn was that she needed to "get things sorted out."

It wasn't much to go on, but it was enough to raise questions.

Her sudden absence, especially for an entire week, seemed odd.

What exactly did she need to sort out?

It couldn't just be personal matters, at least not the usual kind.

Brandon tapped his fingers on the desk, lost in thought.

The substitute instructor was explaining the midterm evaluations, but his focus kept drifting back to the missing instructor.

There was something he needed to discuss with her about. For that reason, he couldn't help but think about her.

"Are you alright?"

Amelia, who stopped taking notes down, asked.

"Yeah."

Brandon nodded his head in response.

"Is it about Miss Evelyn?"

"Hm? Why do you think so?"

Brandon's brows raised. Amelia was spot on.

"I know how close you two were during our time in Astrea. Obviously, you would be worried about her sudden disappearance."

".....Yeah, you're right. But it's more like I need to discuss something with her. But she isn't around."

More particularly, regarding his ascension to the S–rank.

He wanted her tutelage to efficiently handle his newfound power.

After all, if every fight he'd have to face would break his body down, he would soon find himself in a wheelchair.

Or maybe it was an internal problem?

Maybe he needed to rehash his fighting style.

"Hmm….. I see."

Amelia tapped her pen on the notebook, and continued.

"I don't think you need to worry though. Miss Evelyn is strong. She must've been sent out for a mission somewhere."

If that were the case, then he knew just the right person to ask.

When class finally ended, Brandon left the lecture room. He had informed Amelia that it wouldn't take long.

As soon as the familiar door entered his peripheral vision, Brandon knocked three times before the given permission to enter.

—Come in.

Entering the room, Brandon's brows immediately furrowed.

"What can I do for you, Brandon?"

Bellion asked as if his entire office wasn't a mess. Papers were scattered across the desk, files stacked haphazardly, and books were piled in the corners.

But that wasn't important right now.

In any case, he asked.

"Do you know where Evelyn is?"