Extra's Descent

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."

As if realization had washed over him, Delton's eyes grew wider.

"This magic circle had been seamlessly altered to perfection…. Much more so than any tier five mages…. Even me…."

That meant, Delton, the instructor appointed to this class after Zeke was pronounced missing, was a tier five mage himself.

"Can you spar with me, Cadet Brandon Locke?"

"Hm?"

Spar?

Was this just his childish tendencies?

Was his ego hurt?

Or does he simply just want to assess him?

Regardless, Brandon accepted the offer.

After all, who wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to spar with an instructor?

While being of the same tier, experiences vary.

For that reason, Brandon wanted to compare their experiences.

Just like that, the two stood opposite ends. Since Brandon was well versed with fighting with a sword, Delton allowed him to do so.

He, on the other hand, was a full fledged mage.

The other cadets, including his friends, stood and watched the entire ordeal with curious gazes.

Just who was stronger between them?

Brandon Locke, who had overthrown Raven Blackheart as the strongest in their class. Or Delton, their current instructor, who had been with them ever since the school year started?

Now that Brandon thought about it, his appearance here was quite funny.

His entrance was humiliating Raven right in front of everyone.

And now?

The same might happen to their instructor.

Not out of sheer arrogance, but Brandon just felt it happening.

"You may be a tier five just like me, Cadet Brandon Locke. But how far have you come in manifesting your zone?"

"I do have a zone."

"...."

Yet again, audible gasps arose, filling the entire training hall.

But that reaction was expected. After all, it was highly likely that Brandon was the only cadet who could manifest a zone in this class. Especially so, since he was the only fifth tier mage present, with the exception of Delton.

"But are you aware of zone's varieties? How everyone's zone's are quite different."

There were two categories of zones.

Internal, and external.

For Brandon's case, it was external.

Of course, he was well aware of that.

External zones, where an isolation domain materialized, completely trapping their opponents inside a plane where they had full control.

Internal zones on the other hand, did not create an isolation domain. Instead, their abilities heightened according to their will during the manifestation procedure.

Brandon was well aware that his zone did in fact, not come from his system. For that reason, he needed to perfect his zone.

At the moment, all his zone could really do was widen the range of his magic.

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.