Astrea Academy [2]

"Pftt."

"Is he using a sword?"

Mockery and chatters were audible, but they weren't directed towards Brandon.

Rather–they were directed towards another male student, Raven Blackheart.

'Right, this was how the earlier chapters started.' Brandon thought to himself.

In a world filled with mages, Raven was one of the few minority who decided to pick up the sword.

For magic users, they were referred to as Mages.

While weapon users were referred to as Duelists.

In the beginning, he was often looked down upon just for that sole reason.

'Idiots, this guy will become the strongest in the future.'

After all, he was the only one with the privilege of having a system.

'Well, that was until I showed up.'

After being dismissed by Vanessa, it was finally time for 'Combat Class'.

Since not all students opted for this subject, there were new faces that filled the training room.

'And this is where most of the main cast met each other.'

Brandon glanced around at the students who were practicing their magic.

Because he already knew who to look out for, it was easy to discern each student.

In Brandon's left, there was a peculiar female student, who seemed to be practicing her lightning magic.

Claire Victoria, one of the main casts.

She continued to channel her lightning magic on to the magic orb.

Her short lavender hair continuously swayed at each lightning strike, as her purple eyes seemed to stay fixated on the orb.

To Brandon's right was another peculiar female student.

With long lustrous blonde-hair, and crimson eyes, Amy Ashfield. Another member of the main cast.

She was also channeling her magic onto the magic orb.

Actually–besides Raven, everyone was channeling their mana on to the orb.

It was instructed by the Professor, to better gauge each students' current capabilities.

The goal was simple, to destroy the orb with the amount of magic they had.

But…

'What do I do?'

Brandon didn't have any magic skills, he was clueless as a monkey.

'Should I just use that skill now?'

They were all lined up by alphabetical order, as each orb was presented before them.

The Professor then would observe and evaluate each student, trying to gauge their potential.

'If I'm right he should still be in the B section.'

After all, the Professor was observing–none other than, Raven Blackheart.

Since he didn't have any magic, he was instructed to destroy the orb with his sword.

Compared to using magic, it would be harder to destroy the orb with just blunt force.

The magic orb would usually react to mana instead, once there was enough output, it would then shatter.

'Before he gets here, I should probably create a skill by now.

After deciding, Brandon thought to himself,

[Skill Weaver]

[Type the description of the skill you'd like to weave.]

'Since we're using magic orbs, I should create a skill related to magic.'

In this world, each individual was born with mana.

They would usually be attributed to one element. But there were special cases where they were attributed to two or more.

Individuals who possess more than one attribute, are usually called Deviants.

'There's no room to compromise, I should create the best skill available, as soon as I can.'

There was only one answer.

[Manipulate all the elements]

.

.

[Error! You do not meet the level requirements for this skill.]

'...Eh?'

[Instead, you can choose two elements, given the following.]

[Fire]

[Water]

[Earth]

[Wind]

[Nature]

[Lightning]

[Ice]

'They all sound powerful, but which one should I choose?'

Brandon was never one–to seek attention.

Since he was inside the novel, it would do more harm than good if he disrupts the plotline.

Hence, he planned on staying low for the time being.

If he was found using two elements, he would most likely be the center of attention.

He would be regarded as a Deviant, and there was no point in doing that.

Which is why he decided that he would only use one element, regardless if he had two.

'For the time being, at least…'

He inconspicuously tapped the system, since he would look like a weirdo clicking air.

After all, only he could see the system.

He realized this when he tried to sneak a glance at Raven during the first lecture.

Raven seemed to be moving his index finger at nothing. But of course, Brandon knew he was using his system.

After pondering for a while, Brandon had finally decided.

[Are you sure?]

[Yes.]

[Initializing Skill Weaver.]

[Downloading data.]

[ETA: 1 Minute.]

.

.

As Brandon waited for a while, the system notified once again.

[Skill Weaver successful.]

—---------------------------

[Name: Brandon Locke]

[Level: 1]

[EXP: 0/100]

[Class: Anomaly]

∟ You are an entity that does not belong to this world, an anomaly.

[Passive]

∟ Skill Weaver:

 ∟ Create any skill possible within the user's capabilities.

 ∟ Increase your capacity by +1 per level.

 ∟ Total Skills: 1/1

[Skills]

∟ Elemental Manipulation

 ∟ Ice

 ∟Lightning

[Stats]

∟ STR: F [●○○○○]

∟ MP: F [●○○○○]

∟ DEF: F [●○○○○]

∟ AGI: F [●○○○○]

∟ INT: F [●○○○○]

∟ CHARM: F [●○○○○]

[System Shop]

[System Inventory]

[System Coins: 0]

[Quests Available: 0]

—---------------------------

As the information was being uploaded in his head, Brandon suddenly felt an excruciating stabbing pain on his temple.

'Aghhh.'

All the information about how to use the given elements instantly flashed inside Brandon's mind.

After a few minutes, the pain finally subsided, and his head became clear.

Brandon took a good look at the magic orb in front of him.

And just in the nick of time, it seemed like the Professor finally made it to him.

The Professor stood behind him, "Student No. 26, Brandon Locke, show me what you can do."

At the Professor's instructions, Brandon lifted his arm forward–his palms facing the magic orb.

Then…

Crackle!

Channeling mana from his core, Brandon weaved the mana threads–materializing lightning.

Blue sparks of energy emitted from his arms, and as they made their way towards the magic orb…

Crack! Pshhh!

The magic orb shattered instantly.

Brandon felt several glances his way.

And when he turned to look, he saw the Professor–wide eyed, as his mouth contoured to a silent 'o' shape.

Glancing at the other students, their gazes lingered on Brandon as well, as their eyes were also wide open.

"Uhm…"

"Phenomenal! You are a once in a lifetime talent, Mr. Brandon Locke."

It was then when Brandon realized…

He was the first student to have shattered the magic orb.

'Fuck… so much for trying not to draw attention.'

His days of laying low had ended before it even began.