Chapter 66 Electives [4]

Chapter 66 Electives [4]

A week had passed without any trouble.

Though the Advanced Spellcasting elective did indeed prove to be difficult, Brandon was able to keep up.

It had to be said that in the elective, a student needs to show their growth every month.

If they can't meet that criteria, then they would most likely be expelled.

Electives had a harsh policy. But since the students would become the future protectors of the country.

No, the world.

Then they had to be pressured under that kind of environment.

In the first place, it was their choice to apply for Astrea Academy. If they wanted to take it easy, they could have opted for a different Academy instead.

But the benefits that Astrea Academy had, far outweigh the punishment.

Since Brandon had only revealed three of his elements to the public, his growth in those specific elements had significantly gotten better.

Sarah on the other hand faced some difficulties at the start. But apparently she was a scholar.

She was quite disheartened at first, but seeing all the students around her pushing themselves to the limits seemed to have motivated her.

Her application with sound magic was quite lacking as well.

But her contributions to magic theory made up for it. Even the higher years were surprised.

In Claire's case, she had some difficulty with advanced forms of lightning magic.

But it seemed like she let go of her pride as she had asked Brandon to help her.

Help in how exactly?

They were...

Clank–!

Sparring.

Evelyn stood at the back, acting as a spectator.

Since Brandon was Evelyn's assista—protégé, Brandon had asked her if Claire could join their training as well. Of course, Evelyn agreed. It was a good chance to see Brandon's growth in comparison to his peers.

She knew nothing about sword fighting. But what she was currently evaluating was Brandon's mana control, in order for the mana poisoning incident to not happen again.

Because of Evelyn's authority, they were allowed to utilize the Virtual Simulation. But of course, the pain parameter was disabled.

They could fight to their heart's content.

To kill each other.

The two were currently exchanging blows with their swords.

Clank– Clank—!

Sparks flew in the air at each parry, while the two continued to leave trails of lightning at each step.

They had a similar way of fighting in the way they use their lightning affinities.

But there was a certain person Brandon wanted to imitate.

The strongest person he knew.

Brandon took a step back and conjured a myriad of ice crystals from behind him.

Unlike Jin, Brandon couldn't materialize the ice from anywhere beyond his radius.

For that, he would need the [Space] affinity.

Tszz—

Wrapped in an aura of purple lightning, Claire used the opportunity and instantly appeared before Brandon.

It was a new technique that Claire was trying to learn.

"Tsk."

Brandon clicked his tongue.

His casting time was still too slow compared to Jin.

Clank—!

Parrying Claire's rapier, the ice crystals behind him dematerialized, shattering.

Without [Accelerated Cognition] helping him, Brandon knew he was quite lacking in the sword department.

Compared to someone who had actually trained with the sword, Brandon only knew the theories.

Application was different.

Clank—!

It became evident as he was being pushed back at every exchange.

Before he was pinned to the wall behind him, Brandon flashed to the side, leaving trails of blue sparks.

But as soon as he did, Claire had already chased him.

Clank—!

....Creepy.

A sudden chill ran down Claire's spine.

Tszzz—

And before she knew it, Brandon had already appeared in front of her.

Clank—!

Claire was somehow able to parry his sword, despite being caught off guard.

But for some reason, the moment the swords met, the force of Brandon's swing was now heavier.

Clank– Clank—!

Brandon was relentless in his attacks, giving Claire no breathing room.

His swordsmanship and the fluidity of his movements now felt different.

If earlier he was having a hard time parrying her blows....

Now?

She was now the one who had to keep up.

Clank– Clank—!

They continued to exchange blow after blow. Brandon's swing became heavier and heavier.

Then...

Crack—!

Brandon's ice sword had shattered.

But for some reason...

Cr...Crack.

Her rapier started to crack.

Was Brandon's swing just that strong?

Suddenly, Brandon stepped back. And as soon as he did, Claire was lifted up by a gust of wind.

"....Ahp!"

She let out a yelp of surprise.

Before she knew it, a myriad of ice crystals were already raining down towards her.

Brandon's casting time was signifcantly slower compared to earlier. But he seemed to have improvised by conjuring his skill while parrying her blows.

It had to be said that simultaneously using magic skills and closed combat fighting took real skill.

By slowing down his casting time, Brandon was able to segregate his focus, allowing for the attack to work.

Realizing, Claire cladded herself in an aura or purple lightning and instantly blinked away.

Tszzz—

Just narrowly, she was able to avoid the attack.

But as soon as she recovered, Brandon once again appeared before her.

He left her no breathing room.

Clank—!

Barely parrying his strike, Brandon crouched down.

"Huh–"

BOOM—!

The ground beneath her suddenly exploded. Flames fluttered in the air as a result.

Claire was sent hurling away due to the explosion.

"....Fucking Deviants."

She muttered, clenching her teeth.

Getting back on her feet, a force of wind suddenly pulled her towards Brandon.

But she abruptly negated the force as she smacked her feet on the ground.

Tszzz—

Brandon appeared in front of her once again. But Claire had already anticipated this, thrusting her rapier forward.

However Brandon easily dodged it and reappeared behind her.

"Huh–Ukh!"

At that, Claire desynchronized.

She was completely overwhelmed.

She could feel like she was fighting a completely different person compared to earlier.

'So all I have to do is close my eyes, huh?'