Chapter 34: Virtual Simulation [6]

Chapter 34: Virtual Simulation [6]

"H-Hey, Sarah... He's not normal. Let's r-retreat..."

"No."

In front of him, Brandon could hear one of the mages speaking to the sound mage. The mage's voice trembled.

'So her name is Sarah.'

An unfamiliar character.

Another extra.

Truthfully, Sarah was fairly attractive, black hair tied to a ponytail, purple eyes that contoured to a determined gaze. She was tall, taller than any of the girls in his friend group.

She seemed to be the leader, as the mages with her tended to rely on her orders.

But her beauty isn't what caught Brandon's attention.

It was her magic.

The whole time, she had never used any sound magic to attack Brandon.

'Why?'

It was peculiar.

Was she preparing for a surprise attack?

Brandon couldn't tell.

It should've been obvious that they were at a disadvantage, now that Brandon had stopped handicapping himself to only using lightning.

Yet Sarah refused the plea to retreat.

'What is she planning?'

Regardless, Brandon was determined to kill them.

Whatever Sarah was planning for him didn't matter.

'I'll win.'

He smirked.

Crackle...

An ice sword slowly materialized in his hand, gripping it tightly.

He'd already learned all of the advanced swordsmanship from the books he bought. Though, only in theory.

This was his chance to test its application.

The mage who's neck he gripped had already recovered and returned to their position.

Step–

An ice sword in his hand, Brandon stepped forward.

The mages all locked eyes with him, their expressions were serious.

They must've realized he was now in a different league as they focused all their attention on his every move.

It was then when one of the mages lifted his hand, conjuring mana.

However...

[Mana Disruption]

Since [Mana Disruption] didn't have any visible effects, no one would notice Brandon did something.

No one but the victims themselves.

"Wha–"

Spark– Crackle—!

At that, Brandon flashed forward, as trails of blue sparks left his trail.

Brandon instantly blinked in front of the mage. The mage's hand was still lifted up, trying to conjure mana.

But it was futile.

Then...

Swoosh– Splurt–!

His arm was cleanly sliced off.

"Fuuuuck–"

With the ice sword raised up, Brandon tried to swing it and cut his head off..

Vooosh–

Spark–!

A gust of wind tried to blow him away but he immediately blinked back.

But...

Water shaped like a whip had managed to grab hold of his leg.

"Now!"

Sarah screamed, giving out her orders.

Instantly, a barrage of wind and water made their way towards Brandon.

One of the mages, seemingly the ice mage, tried to conjure up her mana.

"Huh?"

Yet nothing happened.

Since [Mana Disruption] could only target one specific spot–object, inanimate or animate, Brandon couldn't do anything about the other magic skills.

He couldn't do it simultaneously, and there was a time lag.

But he was relieved since the ice couldn't mix with the water on his leg.

At the moment, the ice mage was the most dangerous opponent, besides Sarah, who still didn't do anything.

With the water whip grabbing his leg, Brandon protruded lightning sparks from his feet.

Tszzzz–

The sparks slowly crawled up to the water mage.

"Kehhuut..!"

At that, the whip dissipated as the water mage twitched spontaneously.

"Idiot, you've forgotten he can use lightning as well."

Sarah stepped back, reprimanding the water mage.

Tszzzz–

Brandon once again flashed forward, dodging the gust of wind. He then appeared in front of the ice mage.

"S-Sarah, help–"

Spurt!

He spoke in a tone that seemed to tell–there was no room for negotiation.

They stood still, frozen.

Until...

Step–

One of them stepped forward. It was the earth mage.

"Hey! We haven't lost yet, are you really going to agree with his demands?"

The one to have said those words seemed to be the water mage, as she grabbed the man's shoulder, trying to stop him.

"Are you confident you could beat him?"

The earth mage glanced at Brandon, then back to the water mage.

"N-No, but if we all work together then–"

"Ridiculous. There were eight of us at the start. How many of us are left now?"

"..."

The water mage couldn't respond and took a glance at Brandon as well.

"You get it? That man... He's a monster. People like us... We're only stepping stones for him."

"..."

"I first entered this Academy with aspirations, thinking I could become someone special..."

The earth mage looked down with a sorrowful expression. He clenched his hands tightly to the point where blood started dripping.

"...I know it's only a simulation... But when I lost my arm..."

His voice started to crack.

"You know what an arm means to a mage, don't you?"

A mage's lifeline.

Tears started to drip, flowing down his cheek. As his voice continued to crack.

"Monsters like them, Raven Blackheart, Reinhard Van, Claire Victoria, Amy Ashfield, Rachel Asami... I can't compete with them."

Step–

He stepped forward, motioning towards the cave.

"I'm dropping out as well... This Academy... It's too much for me..."

Tears continued to drip down.

"Wait!"

The water mage called out to him, while the other mage stood by her side.

"...Let's all go together."

The earth mage seemed taken aback, but nodded with a smile plastered on his face.

"Okay."

But when he turned to glance at Brandon, he stared right into his cold eyes.

He then trembled in fear. He might've thought Brandon would come for him after the Battle Royale session, as he urgently told the two mages to hurry up.

At that, they entered the cave. Their figures gradually coalesced with the dark until Brandon couldn't see them anymore.

The entire time, Sarah stood silent.

She then turned to look at Brandon. Her previously terrified expression had contoured to a blank slate.

"Why did you spare me?"

"Spare you?"

What is she talking about?

Is all Brandon could think of.

"...So you aren't going to spare me?"

"No?... I'll just talk some senses into you."

"...?"

Brandon then strode forward, motioning towards Sarah.

Then paused, just a few inches from her.

"Don't drop out."

"..."

"Your talent."

"...?"

"It would be a waste."

Sarah seemed puzzled, tilting her head.

She then pursed her lips to say,

"Talent? I was useless the whole time, yet you tell me I have talent? Hah."

Truthfully, Brandon didn't know anything about Sarah.

She was a character that had never appeared in the novel.

But...

"Your mana capacity."

"What?"

"It's leaking."

She had a lot of mana. Too much that her body couldn't contain all of it.

Brandon then lifted his ice sword, and continued,

"I'll kill you now. But I'll come find you after all of this is over."

"Wha–"

Swoosh––!

—---------------------------

[Quest Completed!]

[Rewards Obtained:]

[EXP: +50]

[Stat Points: +3]

[System Coins: +50]

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