The Extra's Reincarnation-Chapter 141: Capture The Flag (4)

Franz's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, a flash of irritation crossing his perfect features before his mask of indifference returned.

"I implied nothing of the sort. That person is an anomaly worthy of observation. That does not make him my equal."

Franz turned his attention back to the viewing screens, his posture rigid with subtle contempt.

"Do not mistake my interest for admiration. I am Franz Evera. There is no one 'like me' in this academy or beyond it. I am singular, as he is his own entity entirely."

Uzan snorted, not entirely convinced but unwilling to press further. Franz's narcissism was legendary, but his unusual interest in the new student remained perplexing.

"Whatever you say," Uzan muttered, leaning back in his seat. "I still think you're overestimating him."

Franz didn't bother to respond, his attention fully fixed on the action happening on the screen.

***

"What the?!"

Elenore stood frozen at the edge of the devastation, the silver flag baton clutched tightly in her trembling hand.

What she beheld defied explanation beyond understanding.

Right before her was a space of pure destruction cutting through the dense forest like a divine blade.

The path before her stretched at least fifty meters wide and continued as far as she could see in both directions. Every tree within this corridor had been obliterated, reduced to splinters or simply vaporized. Those that remained at the edges were bent outward, as if fleeing from whatever force had torn through their ranks.

But it was the creatures that truly unsettled her. Dozens of magical beasts lay scattered across the barren earth—wolf-like creatures with crystalline fangs, scaled serpents the size of small trees, even what appeared to be a juvenile forest drake with its wings spread in a final, futile attempt at escape.

All dead. All killed by the same catastrophic event.

"What could have done this?"

Elenore had just narrowly escaped an ambush by two second-year students—Cassandra Vale and Lysander Reed.

She'd managed to slip away by creating a light illusion that momentarily blinded them, allowing her to dash into the underbrush.

The chase had led her here, to this impossible scene.

RUMBLE…RUMBLE…RUMBLE…

As Elenore stared at the path of destruction, the earth beneath her feet began to tremble.

She barely had time to register the danger before the sky darkened with two massive pillars of earth hurtling down toward her position.

"No—!" she gasped, raising her arms instinctively though she knew no shield spell would protect her from such an onslaught.

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Time seemed to slow as the shadow of death descended upon her.

The flag baton slipped from her grip as she braced for impact.

Just as the pillars were about to crush her, a blur of movement cut through the air.

A shadow leapt between Elenore and certain elimination, moving so swiftly it seemed almost like an illusion.

SLASH!

A flash of silver light erupted, and the colossal pillars disintegrated into harmless fragments.

Rocks and pebbles showered down around Elenore like rain, bouncing harmlessly off her shoulders and head.

"…?!"

Standing before her, sword gleaming in the dappled forest light, was Kaelen Nazara. His dark hair whipped in the wind created by his own movement.

"Are you alright?" he asked without turning, his voice calm despite the intensity of the moment.

Elenore stared at him in wonder, her golden eyes wide.

"Wait… How did you—"

"No time," Kaelen interrupted, kicking the silver flag baton back toward her with his heel.

"They're coming."

Elenore snatched up the baton and rose to her feet, positioning herself just behind Kaelen.

And just from above the bushes ahead revealed Cassandra Vale stepping into the clearing first.

Beside her strode Lysander Reed, his tall, lean frame radiating confidence.

The crystal staff in his hands pulsed with stored energy, ready to unleash another devastating attack.

"Well, well," Cassandra drawled, her voice carrying an unnatural echo. "The little flag-bearer found herself a guardian."

"Two for the price of one," Lysander added, twirling his staff with casual mastery. "This should be entertaining, at least."

Kaelen shifted his stance slightly, his sword held at an angle that caught the sunlight. "Elenore," he murmured, "can you fight?"

She nodded, tightening her grip on the flag baton. "Yes. I wasn't expecting the ambush before, but I'm ready now."

A small smile curved Kaelen's lips. "Good. I'll take Reed. You handle Vale."

***

ACK…

Marcel stood over the fallen bodies of Ravi and Atiana, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk as their monitoring drones flashed red before teleporting them back to the arena.

The system's disembodied voice echoed through the clearing.

[Two first-year students eliminated: Ravi Chandresh and Atiana Mercer. Six first-years remaining.]

"Pathetic," Marcel scoffed, brushing a speck of dust from his immaculate uniform. He hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Is this truly the best the first-years have to offer?"

He glanced at the burns marking the ground where Ravi had attempted—and failed—to counter his magic.

The boy had some talent, Marcel had to admit, but raw potential meant nothing without proper training and experience. As for Atiana, her healing abilities might have been impressive in a classroom setting, but in actual combat, she'd been woefully unprepared.

"I expected at least some challenge," he muttered, scanning the forest around him.

"If this is their idea of 'best and brightest,' I'm sorely disappointed."

Marcel ran a hand through his auburn hair, his green eyes narrowing as he considered his next move. The elimination of two first-years was a good start, but hardly satisfying. He craved something more... memorable.

"It doesn't matter," he decided aloud. "I'll make this interesting somehow."

His thoughts drifted to Elenore Blanchefleur, the first-year flag-bearer whose beauty had caught his attention the moment she stepped onto the arena platform.

Those golden eyes, that graceful poise—she was different from the others. Special. The kind of trophy worth pursuing.

"Now there's a prize worth claiming," he murmured, remembering how the sunlight had caught in her brown hair. "Defeating her team is one thing, but earning her attention... that would be a true victory."

Marcel smiled to himself, already imagining how he might approach her after the match. Perhaps console her on her inevitable defeat? Or compliment her on any skill she managed to display before he eliminated her? He'd figure out the details later. First, he needed to find her.

"Flecko," he called out, raising his right hand palm up.

A swirl of wind materialized above his outstretched hand, coalescing into a bird-like creature approximately the size of a falcon. Its feathers were translucent, composed of visible air currents that rippled with each movement. Intelligent eyes the color of storm clouds regarded Marcel attentively.

"Yes, master?" the wind familiar chirped, its voice like rustling leaves.

"We should look for the rest of the first-years now," Marcel instructed, lowering his arm to allow Flecko to take flight. "Especially their flag-bearer, the girl with golden eyes."

***

[Julian's POV]

I'd been wandering through this generated forest for what felt like hours, though my internal clock told me it had only been about twenty minutes. The moment the teleportation light faded and I found myself alone among towering trees, I knew I was in trouble.

Not because I couldn't handle myself, but because I couldn't afford to reveal how well I could handle myself.

"This is ridiculous," I muttered, stepping over a fallen log covered in luminescent fungi.

The fifth pack of monsters had just finished trying to make me their dinner.

I rubbed my knuckles absently, the skin still reddened from my latest encounter with a pack of forest golems.

They were small fries compared to the real deal but annoying in groups. Their hardening factor had been tougher than I expected.

"You know, if you'd just use a proper weapon instead of those untrained fists of yours, this would be considerably easier."

Vykekard's voice echoed in my mind.

"I told you already. I'm supposed to be a support specialist. Support specialists don't typically carry swords or battle axes."

"And yet here you are, punching magical creatures to death instead of, oh I don't know, supporting anyone."

I sighed, pushing through a particularly dense thicket.

"It's not like I had a choice. The moment we arrived, I was ambushed by these monsters. And in case you haven't noticed, I haven't found a single teammate to actually support."

The monitoring drone hovering above my shoulder beeped softly, recording my vitals and position for the audience back in the arena. I wondered what they were seeing—a supposedly special admission student wandering aimlessly through the forest, occasionally being forced to defend himself with mediocre hand-to-hand combat.

"This entire simulation is rigged," I muttered.

"I've been walking for twenty minutes and haven't encountered anyone except monsters. No first-years, no second-years, just endless forest and hungry creatures."

"Perhaps that's by design," Vykekard mused.

"The weak are culled before they even reach the real battle."

I paused at a small clearing, scanning my surroundings. The trees here were massive, their canopies blocking most of the sunlight and creating a perpetual twilight on the forest floor.

And to be honest…

"I have no idea where I am," I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice.

"Without a map or any landmarks, I'm just walking in circles. And I can't even try to sense anyone's mana signature because they're all constantly moving."

"You could try climbing a tree and maybe get a better view of the terrain."

"Ah… I guess you're right."

"I know I am."

HEUP!

Just like that, I leaped upwards to the highest vantage point of the world.