GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 18.2: Processing

Applause erupted around the central zone. Several instructors nodded approvingly, and Vel caught one making elaborate notes with an impressed expression.

This was not the Kein he had known in Elnor. The boy who had trained alongside him and Celia had transformed into something else entirely—more polished, more ruthless, and wielding techniques that must have required years of specialized training.

Scanning the crowd, Vel searched for any sign of Celia. He hoped she was faring well in her own assessment, perhaps even impressing the examiners with her natural agility and fighting instinct. But among the clusters of students, he couldn't spot her distinctive movements or hear her voice.

Vel turned away from the elite zone, forcing his attention back to his own group. The taste of disparity between the two assessments was bitter, but he refocused on the task at hand. Instructor Lyvenna clapped her hands sharply, drawing everyone's attention.

"First phase complete. For phase two, you'll work in pairs against animated training dummies," she announced, gesturing to several assistants who were reconfiguring the training area. Wooden figures with basic humanoid shapes were being positioned around the field.

Vel noticed how the elite zone received significantly more dummies—at least five per pair—and their constructs appeared more sophisticated, with articulated joints and what looked like rudimentary weapon attachments. In contrast, their "unstable" group would face simpler challenges with fewer opponents.

"I'll announce your pairings. When I call your names, step forward and prepare for your assessment," Instructor Lyvenna said, consulting her notes.

She began reading names, and students moved to stand with their assigned partners. Vel waited, wondering who he'd be matched with. Most of his group seemed to have questionable control over their magic at best.

"Velarian and Tomas."

Vel glanced around until he spotted Tomas—the boy whose fireball had fizzled out earlier. Tomas approached hesitantly, his shoulders hunched with what looked like embarrassment.

"Hi," Tomas mumbled, not quite meeting Vel's eyes. "Sorry in advance."

"Don't worry about it," Vel replied, seeing an opportunity. "What spells do you know?"

Tomas looked embarrassed, shuffling his feet. "Just two basic ones. That's why I'm here to learn more."

"The fireball you tried earlier," Vel prompted, "and?"

"Rock Throw. Same principle, really—just different elements."

Vel nodded thoughtfully. He'd seen enough failed spellcasting in the group to develop a theory. "Cast the fireball again, but slowly. I want to see something."

Tomas hesitated but began the casting sequence under Vel's watchful eye. His fingers traced the proper patterns, and to Vel's surprise, the magic circle that formed was flawless—perfectly structured with all the right sigils and flow channels.

But as Tomas spoke the incantation, something caught Vel's attention—the voice lacked depth. The words were technically accurate, but the delivery felt hollow, missing the resonant quality that should establish connection with the Fire Spirit.

Something's not right, Vel thought. The command structure is perfect, but it's like the message is getting lost in translation.

He watched as the spell began to form—a small orb of flame hovering above Tomas's palm—then rapidly destabilized, flickering wildly before dissipating into harmless sparks.