The next day.
Brandon closely observed Reinhard as per Bellion's request.
At the moment, they were currently practicing their magic circle refinement, under Delton's guidance.
Of course, it was general knowledge that the more intricate their magic circles were, the stronger the magic was.
However, it varied, depending on a mage's magic core tier.
If a tier five mage's magic circle was lackluster, it would contain more firepower compared to a tier three's perfected magic circle.
However, Brandon had a slight problem in blending in with the class.
None of his skills required perfecting magic circles.
They were already perfect as is by automation.
Brandon had already known it was because of the system.
For that reason, the class was useless to him. But still, he didn't miss the opportunity.
"Cadet Brandon Locke."
Delton, who caught sight of him doing push–ups, approached him.
"Why aren't you practicing?"
"Huu...."
Brandon got up and dusted his clothes, stopping at the 129th push up.
"Sir, I've reached the limit to how much I can alter my circuits in relevance to my mana core."
"Is that so?"
Although Brandon's relationship was quite good with Delton, he could see the look of doubt in Delton's eyes.
"Then show me."
"Uh...."
Brandon didn't mind. Since what he had just stated was quite bold, maybe appearing arrogant, he took on the challenge.
Most probably, Delton wanted to assess whether his words were true. After all, during his public humiliation of Raven, it would be quite hard to observe his magic circle's intricacies amidst the chaos.
Brandon felt several glances his way, but dismissing them, he extended his hand forward.
Whiii—
At that moment, a magic circle materialized on the ground, a chain peeking out.
Delton leaned close and observed the magic circle, pinching his chin.
Then, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"This...."
Delton's eyes immediately flicked towards Brandon.
"What tier is your mana core?"
"Five."
"...."
Delton slapped his mouth at that moment.
Brandon could hear audible gasps around him, mixed with murmurs, and the sound of magic circles materializing.
A mixed reaction, some were probably shocked, while some were busy and stuck to their own business.
"It all makes sense now."
Having full control of where his zone stretched out, manifesting magic in its plain.
"Yes, I'm aware. In my case, mine's external."
"Ah, as for me, it's internal."
So it seems like Brandon's conjectures were correct.
Delton's zone was internal.
"But apologies, Sir. I don't plan on showing my trump card anytime soon."
Not as if Brandon's zone was his trump card. But he was well aware how absurd his zone is.
A zone that was neither isolated, nor stuck close to him.
A mix of both.
Meaning, he lied.
Brandon's zone was a mix of both.
Internal, and external.
By Delton's signal, the fighting started.
At that moment, Brandon's figure blurred, the ground split from where he once stood, appearing right before Delton with his sword aiming to strike.
Clank—!
However, Delton was quick to react, immediately conjuring barrier magic. A magic circle materialized, completely repelling Brandon's attack as Delton skidded back several meters.
"Huu... If I was late by a sheer margin, I would've lost there."
Delton began to assess, keeping his guard up.
"That attack packed quite a punch. I didn't see your sword move at all."
At this moment, Brandon knew his training was well worth it.
The speed of his swinging had gone faster, to the point where one needed to focus just to follow his sword's trajectory.
But still,
Evelyn's was faster.
It wasn't enough.
"Let me show you a little trick or two, Cadet Brandon Locke."
At that moment, Delton pressed his fingers. The air began to change around him as magic power surged, converging themselves, fixing a golden aura around Delton.
It was his zone.
Magic circles began to scatter around Delton.
"....!"
Brandon's alarm bells rang.
Kracka! Kracka!
Bolts of lightning shot out from the circle, heading towards Brandon in rapid succession.
Immediately, Brandon kicked the ground, narrowly dodging the attack. However, as he flicked his attention back to Delton, there, Brandon saw a ball of fireball, blocking his peripheral vision.
"Ah."
So Delton,
Swoosh!
.....Was a Deviant.