Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Evangeline hurriedly left the dimly lit room, adjusting her clothes and smoothing down her disheveled hair as she moved. Her mind was still buzzing from the work she'd been engrossed in, but she knew that at this particular moment, appearances mattered more than anything. After all, her long-waited guest had been waiting. She couldn't afford to look anything less than immaculate.

As she ascended the spiral staircase leading to her official office, she took a deep breath, composed herself, and forced a calm, regal smile onto her face.

The door loomed ahead of her, the elegant golden handle catching the dim light of the hallway. She paused for a second, collecting herself, before pushing open the door.

Her eyes instantly fell on the figure sitting at her desk, his back turned to her as he leaned lazily on the armrest of the chair. The figure was casual, almost too comfortable, a striking contrast to the formality of her grand office.

Three minutes had passed since she left the other room, and here she was, standing in front of a guest she hadn't expected at all.

The man turned, noticing her entrance, and for a fleeting second, Evangeline's breath hitched. The sight of his face—youthful, charming, with a slightly feminine elegance—startled her. It had been some time since she'd last seen him. But surprise quickly gave way to a knowing smile.

'Oh...'

"...Mr. Lucian," she said, her voice calm and deliberate as she began to move toward him, each step measured. "I didn't expect to meet you here at this time."

Lucian's lips curled into a subtle, almost mischievous smile. "I like to surprise people," he said in a soft, smooth yet deep voice that matched the charm of his face.

Evangeline chuckled softly, her heels clicking lightly against the floor as she reached him. She gestured gracefully to a nearby seat. "Please, make yourself comfortable. It's not often we have such… unexpected visits."

He returned the smile, though his eyes gleamed with an unreadable emotion as he sat back down, crossing one leg over the other. Evangeline took her own seat, facing him, her fingers steepling thoughtfully as she leaned forward.

"So, Mr. Lucian," she began, her voice shifting to a more curious tone. "Why the sudden visit? What brings you to me at this particular time?"

Lucian's smile never wavered, though his gaze grew a little sharper. "Oh, nothing too complicated," he replied smoothly. "I just wanted to see you." He paused, watching her reaction carefully. "And… I had a few questions."

Evangeline arched a delicate brow, leaning back in her chair with an almost playful smile. "Questions, you say?" She let the words linger in the air for a moment before adding, "But surely you must have encountered some… obstacles on the way here? Did you not meet any monsters? It's rather dangerous to get here without an escort."

Lucian's lips twitched into a slight smirk, his eyes flashing with amusement. "Ah, yes. The monsters," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I dealt with them accordingly. Though I think they would have let me pass without trouble… eventually."

Evangeline's eyes sparkled with hidden amusement as she watched him. Her inner thoughts danced with mischief. 'Hehe, just as I thought. You can't hide it from me anymore, darling.'

"Is that so?" she purred, feigning ignorance. "Well then, how do you like it?" She watched his expression closely.

Lucian tilted his head, his gaze momentarily flickering with confusion. "Like what?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.

Evangeline's smile widened ever so slightly, a touch of pride creeping into her expression. "The current situation, of course." Her eyes gleamed as she spoke, her voice growing more enthusiastic.

"The whole city is under my control, the academy is cornered, that monkey has become my subordinate, and I'm close—so close—to completing my masterpiece. To fulfilling my long-awaited purpose."

Lucian remained silent, his face unreadable as he listened to her words. But as she spoke, his eyebrows lifted slightly with each passing second, the faintest hint of puzzlement crossing his features. It was as though she was speaking about plans they had discussed before, something that should be familiar to him—yet his expression was full of doubt.

Evangeline noticed the shift in his demeanor, though she didn't let it show. Instead, she smiled inwardly, her thoughts swirling with confidence. 'You're really good at pretending, darling,' she thought to herself.

But Lucian, his charming face still calm and collected, remained silent for a moment longer, his gaze thoughtful as he considered her words. The air between them seemed to thicken with unspoken tension, a silent game of power and knowledge playing out between their gazes.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing just a fraction as he finally spoke, his voice low and calculated. "It certainly sounds like you've been busy," he said, his tone laced with something that Evangeline couldn't quite place. Doubt? Amusement? It was hard to tell.

Evangeline's smile never wavered, but something inside her stirred at his response. 'Are you starting to show your true self, darling?'

Evangeline's smile deepened as she studied Lucian's face. His subtle reactions, the barely-there creases in his forehead, and the lift of his brows—everything revealed more than he probably realized. Her mind spun with quiet satisfaction, a sense of triumph stirring within her.

'Let me help you remember,' she thought, her inner voice carrying a gleam of mischief. Slowly, deliberately, she leaned forward, the predatory glint in her eyes growing more pronounced. "Don't you remember anything?" she asked, her voice low, velvety, almost teasing.

Lucian's expression remained calm, though a flicker of uncertainty passed through his eyes. He didn't respond, merely watched her with guarded silence.

Evangeline's smile never faltered. She rose from her chair with fluid grace and began to circle him, her footsteps soft, deliberate, like a cat toying with its prey. "You came to me," she continued, her tone now carrying a trace of nostalgia. "You offered a plan. A vision." She paused behind him, leaning closer, her breath brushing near his ear. "You invested in my business, my ideas...

and in me."

"And... In return..."Nôv(el)B\\jnn