GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 18.2: Processing

Rohen's fingers had already begun tracing the beginnings of a spell circle, his lips moving in preparation for an incantation.

Vel observed his opponent's spell preparation and a realization struck him. It seemed counterintuitive—if these students with unstable attunement knew their spells risked malfunction, why focus on magic instead of physical combat?

Then a deeper understanding dawned. This must be for their safety. Even if they knew how to fight physically, what if their sword arts or martial techniques misfired while in close proximity to an opponent? A failing sword art while engaged in melee combat would be outright suicide if the mana channels collapsed unpredictably.

I see, Vel thought. They're keeping their distance because close combat is even riskier for unstable attunement.

Which meant he could take advantage of their inexperience with melee combat.

Vel charged ahead without hesitation, his practice sword held in proper form. The sudden aggressive movement caused Rohen to flinch visibly, his concentration breaking. The water spell Rohen had been carefully preparing misfired spectacularly—the intended water stream flew upward instead of forward, spreading out like a decorative fountain that rained down harmlessly.

More laughter and mockery erupted from the onlookers. Several students pointed, their faces alight with cruel amusement.

Vel didn't waste the opening. He closed the distance and planted the practice blade firmly against Rohen's chest, scoring a clean point and effectively ending the match before his opponent could recover.

Instructor Lyvenna nodded once, making a brief note.

To their right, the pair of girls had both begun casting wind spells simultaneously. Their fingers moved through nearly identical motions, but as they released their magic, neither spell traveled toward the intended target. Instead, the opposing mana streams created an unexpected recoil effect, pushing both casters violently apart. They nearly went airborne, stumbling backward with expressions of alarm.

Instructor Lyvenna stepped in quickly, raising her hand to halt the match. Her face remained impassive as she jotted more notes on her paper, but Vel caught a brief flicker of concern in her eyes.

Vel's attention shifted as a collective gasp rose from the central training area. The crowd there had grown larger, pressing forward eagerly as two figures clashed in the elite assessment zone.

One of them was Kein.

Vel recognized him instantly—the same boy he'd trained with for years, but transformed. Kein moved with a fluid precision that seemed entirely new, his sword cutting bright arcs through the air as he pressed his opponent backward. Each strike was calculated, exploiting every minor opening with ruthless efficiency.

His opponent, another pure-affinity student, struggled to maintain his defense. The boy attempted a counterattack, but Kein sidestepped with practiced ease, almost as if he'd anticipated the move before it began.

Then Kein's blade suddenly illuminated with brilliant white energy—a light-elemental sword art Vel had never seen him use before. The blade left trails of luminescence behind each swing, forming patterns that seemed to disorient his opponent.

"Cross Flash!" Kein called out, his voice carrying across the training grounds.

Two rapid slashes created intersecting paths of light that converged on his opponent, culminating in a blinding flash that forced many onlookers to shield their eyes. When the light faded, Kein's opponent was sprawled on the ground, protective charm glowing to indicate a decisive hit.