GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 20.1: Inheritance

The determination still burned within him. He would crack the code, leverage his understanding of mechanics, or force it with raw power if necessary. Clara deserved that chance, and Celia deserved closure.

"Hey," Vel said softly, catching Celia's attention. "We're going to figure it all out. Remember what I promised?"

For a moment, her eyes met his, vulnerability and hope battling across her features. Then she nodded, a slight smile breaking through her melancholy.

"I remember," she whispered.

Vel turned his attention back to Celia, noting the way she'd composed herself after their brief exchange.

"What about you, Celia? Are you doing fine so far?"

She nodded, though her fingers still twisted around the fabric of her skirt. "Well enough. The assessments weren't too difficult."

"It's a shame I couldn't watch you earlier. Haven't got a chance to see you fight seriously."

Celia's eyebrows shot up. "Really? What about that day with the behemoth? I wasn't serious enough?"

"What behemoth?" Mira and Tomas spoke simultaneously, their heads snapping toward the pair.

Vel shifted uncomfortably as both unstable attunement students stared at them with wide eyes. He'd forgotten they wouldn't know about their journey.

"There was a Voidtainted behemoth near the Everfront border," Vel explained reluctantly. "We encountered it on our way to Lona."

Tomas's mouth fell open. "Wait, that was you? I heard it mentioned in recent news. They said some travelers helped the outpost defeat a strangely evolved behemoth."

Their gazes immediately shifted to Celia.

"With some help from the outpost soldiers and a Gold-rank adventurer named Mora," Celia confirmed.

"I circled the beast," Celia said, making fluid motions with her hands, "looking for weaknesses in its armor. The Voidtainted corruption made its hide nearly impenetrable, but I noticed a pattern between the armour plates—"

Tomas and Mira pressed closer, hanging on Celia's every word as she recounted the battle.

"What about Vel?" Mira asked.

Celia's lips twitched. "Oh, he helped alright—by hiding behind cover most of the time and just yelling what to do instead of doing it. Isn't that right, Vel?"

Vel nearly choked on his tea, staring at her in mild disbelief as she continued weaving her tale.

"Hey now—" Vel protested.

"I mean, with Vel's unstable attunement and all that, it's understandable."

Celia glanced over at Vel, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. Their gazes connected for the briefest moment—just long enough for Vel to understand exactly what she was about to do.

Vel set down his cup and crossed his arms, playing along. "I wasn't cowering. I was... strategically positioned and providing tactical guidance"

The group erupted in laughter. Celia's tension melted away as she giggled, and even Hileya couldn't help smiling behind her hand.

Half an hour later, students were called to gather again. As groups began separating toward their designated areas, Vel spotted Celia walking toward the standard candidates' section.