Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

364  Expert Of Lies

"Hello, Student Council President," Lucas said as he slightly bowed his head and took a step forward.

This is going to be a long meeting.

But what can he do? He'd rather follow Seraphina's orders...for now.

Seraphina stared at him in silence. The silence was rather suffocating for Lucas because it had been almost a minute since he arrived, and Seraphina was still silent.

After a few moments of silence, Seraphina opened her mouth.

"Lucas, you can sit down," Seraphina spoke as she gestured for her servant to pour the tea. Lucas sat down, giving her a brief nod.

"Miss President, may I know the reason why you have taken out your precious time and invited me?" Lucas asked her bluntly without beating around the bush.

He knew she would hate him to the core if he spouted bullshit flatteries, so it was better to get to the point from the beginning.

"Straight to the point without wasting any time. I like that," Seraphina said, taking a sip of tea.

His lips twitched at her words. Unable to find any words to speak, he just gave a faint smile.

"Before that, I wanted to ask you a certain question," Seraphina spoke, her lips curving upwards into a faint smile that could mesmerize anyone.

He shook his head, trying not to get distracted by her tricks.

'She is teasing me on purpose, trying to test me. The moment I look at her with any improper thought will be the moment I face my death.' Lucas clenched his fist underneath the table to maintain his rational thinking.

"Yes, Miss President, you can ask me anything. I will try my best to answer all your queries," Lucas spoke, maintaining a neutral, solemn look.

"First thing, you were [F-] when you entered the academy. Within a few months, how did you get stronger, and how were you able to defeat opponents stronger than you?" Seraphina looked straight into his eyes.

He could feel that she had dug up all his information and the things he had done after entering the capital.

The stronger opponents she was referring to were the monsters from the outbreak in Silva City and the enemies he had killed in the mansion where Lucas was staying.

If Lucas averted her gaze while speaking, she would surely think that he was trying to hide something.

Taking a deep breath, Lucas began, "I was fortunate enough to come across a few opportunities that helped me grow stronger. In Silva City, I had to fight to survive. It was a do-or-die situation. The enemies I faced at the mansion were a result of that training and the resolve I developed during those battles."

Seraphina listened intently, her eyes never leaving his. "Opportunities, you say. And how do you come across such... fortuitous circumstances?" @@novelbin@@

Lucas maintained his composure.

He can't tell her truth now can he?

At that moment, Lucas come up with absurd but possible lies on the spot

Lucas had been lying since he comes in this world, So one can say that Lucas had become expert of lies by now.

It's been few seconds since Seraphina asked her questions and by now she is rather going impatient by now.

It was when Seraphina was about to opened her mouth, Lucas spoke up.

"It's not something I can easily explain. Sometimes, luck plays a part. But mostly, it's about being prepared to seize the opportunities that come your way. Training hard, being vigilant, and not hesitating when the moment arises."

She stairs at him for moment, Seraphina took another sip of her tea, her gaze scrutinizing.

"Very well. But there is still many things I like to ask, for example how did you manage to become No.3 rank in whole first year academy year?  At the start of the academy you were just at 1001 rank. So tell me Lucas how did you do it?"

Lucas felt a wave of anxiety but quickly steadied himself. He knew he had to navigate this conversation carefully.

"Miss President," he began, "ranking up in the academy is all about consistent effort and seizing opportunities. As I mentioned earlier, my experience in Silva City was a turning point. Fighting those monsters pushed me to my limits and beyond. After that, I focused intensely on my training. I also took advantage of every chance to participate in duels and missions. Every battle taught me something new, and I applied those lessons rigorously."

Seraphina's expression remained neutral, but her eyes seemed to bore into his soul.

"And what about your sudden improvement in mana control and combat skills? These are not things one simply picks up through basic training."

Lucas nodded, acknowledging her point.

'She has made yet another valid point. Just from how much time she is spying on me? I didn't notice anything!'

But still Lucas  ship has yet not sink in bottomless ocean by his enemy, Seraphina.

Like expert of lies he is, Lucas has another lies in his hand but this time it was just half lie.

Lucas has decided to add some truth on it.

"True, basic training alone wouldn't be enough. I was fortunate to have  Master 'YATO' to choose me as his only 'DISCIPLE'. Under his training, I became very strong. Strong enough to become Academy number 3 ranker, Strong enough to fight strong enemy, monster, Villain's."

There was silence in the room, the servent behind her slightly flinched back as soon as Lucas mentioned Yato name.

Lucas also intentionally mentioned that his only Yato solo disciple and if something happened to him there would be hell to pay.

No one wants become enemy of Strongest hero in the world, Not even Seraphina who is princess of Elven continent.

In just few words Lucas has changed the follow of conversation.

In this room everyone understands Lucas disguise threat.

Seraphina couldn't help but smrik but at instance she made her Icey poker face again.

So no one could see the changes of expression on her face.

Not even Lucas.

It's been so long since one was dared enough to threat her in this manner.

Lucas now that she's student council president of the Nova Academy, One wrong word and Lucas life turned into hell.

...And knowing that Lucas just threaten her.

Seraphina had to say Lucas was brave,

'Or an idiot.'

Seraphina sat back, her fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of her chair. Her icy expression returned as she considered Lucas's words. The mention of Yato had clearly made an impact, but she wasn't one to be easily intimidated.

"Yato's disciple, you say?" Her voice was calm, but there was a slight edge to it. "That certainly explains your rapid growth. He is indeed a formidable mentor."

Lucas nodded, sensing the tension in the room.

 "Yes, his training has been invaluable. But more than just physical training, he has taught me to understand my own limits and how to push beyond them."

Seraphina studied him for a moment longer before finally speaking again.

"Tell me Lucas, what our entire student body lack in fighting?"

'Huh? That's rather random question.'

Lucas frowend little bit but decided to give an answer, since keep silence was impossible here.

"I don't know about how to say this but For me, Fighting an enemy with life on the line where a single careless mistake may cost one life, is a thousand times better than sparring sessions which are stopped as the match crossed the limit. The students here dont have any awareness or fear of death. People say a hero or hunter should be fearless. I dont think that this is the correct way of thinking. A warrior should have a certain fear of death to overcome the death."

As Lucas's words stopped, everyone out their stunned on hearing his words.

the entire atmosphere turned silent except the ripples created by the smooth breeze carrying the alluring fragrance of the flowers.

The ladies accompanying the Seraphina frowned seeing the boy who was slightly nervous at the beginning speaking fearlessly with a serious expression about the life of death seriously as if he had already encountered death.

But they didn't know, Since coming here Lucas encountered death's many time and come back alive every time.

Death's hang around Lucas neck like some serpent, At this point Lucas was rather used to death.

That's why he could say those words.

Seraphina frowned hearing Lucas's words. Se had just asked the question casually to get to the main topic but she hadn't imagined for a moment that Lucas's answer and views would be so heavy.

'Only by fighting with life on the line, one can overcome their limits.' The words were struck directly in one heart.

The moment Lucas started speaking, she looked at him straight in his eyes to catch any falsity in his speech. But contrary to her expectations, Lucas spoke resolutely looking straight into her eye with a cold expression, an entirely different look from the one he was giving now.

His eyes seemed to fill with a certain fear of the unknown along with a strong will and determination to crush down every obstacle that will come across his path.