GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 28.2: Recursive Expansion

Flames engulfed the target instantly, sending molten debris scattering across the sand.

Tomas stood baffled, frozen by the aftermath of his own spell.

The entire group erupted. They jumped, screamed, embraced each other with wild abandon. Years of failure and self-doubt melted away in an instant, replaced by pure, unbridled joy.

"We did it!" Enya laughed through tears. "We actually did it!"

Lyvenna watched their celebration with deep satisfaction, pride evident in every line of her expression. But Vel noticed something shift in her demeanor—a distant look, as if their success had stirred something unexpected.

As the wild cheering gradually faded into excited chatter, Lyvenna's expression grow more thoughtful. She seemed to be weighing something carefully before she finally spoke.

"This is a revolutionary finding," she said, her voice carrying unusual weight. "This doesn't just affect you—it affects me as well. Not just as your instructor, but personally."

She paused, meeting each of their eyes. "I have a confession to make. Something I've never revealed to my students before."

"I'm also unstable—or was, during my Academy days."

Vel maintained a neutral expression, already knowing this from their private conversation.

After a moment of silence, Tomas spoke up with a grin. "We already knew that, Instructor."

"Absolutely," Mira added with a knowing smile.

"Only someone with unstable elements would understand us the way you do," Rohen declared, adjusting his mud-stained clothes.

Enya nodded earnestly. "You speak from experience, not just theory."

Lyvenna blinked, clearly taken aback. "You... all of you knew?"

"The way you explain things," Tomas elaborated. "And you never use that condescending tone when you say 'unstable' like the other instructors do."

Lyvenna's composed facade cracked, revealing genuine warmth beneath. "I thought I was being subtle."

"With respect, Instructor," Rohen replied with gentle amusement, "you weren't."

Vel smiled as his classmates voiced what he'd already discovered. There was something deeply satisfying about this moment—their small group of "outcasts" recognizing one of their own.

Without another word, Lyvenna stepped toward the practice area and extended her arm.

"Terr-aer-lea anexare vortum."

She ended the incantation with a crisp finger snap for effect.

A dust devil materialized where she pointed, small at first but rapidly expanding upward. The main vortex stabilized at twice Vel's height, impressive yet controlled.

Then came the innovation that made Vel's eyes widen. Multiple smaller tornadoes formed beneath the main column, each no larger than his forearm. Unlike the stationary parent vortex, these miniature twisters shot outward in completely chaotic patterns, zigzagging across the practice area like living things.

Elegant. Efficient. Beautiful.

The smaller tornadoes eventually dissipated, followed by the main column, leaving only dancing dust motes in the morning light.

No one spoke. The shared looks of appreciation said everything.

"If we keep this up," Mira declared finally, "we might actually have a fighting chance in the tournament."

A shadow of concern crossed Tomas's face. "Speaking of the tournament... we're still missing one person to form two teams. Each team needs three members, right?"

"That's right," Rohen acknowledged slowly. "How do we find the last person?"

"Maybe we vote and pick the best three?" Mira suggested reluctantly.

"But then two of us risk penalties for not participating," Enya pointed out.

"I have a better idea," Vel said. "What if we ask someone from another class? The rules never mentioned we need to be from the same class."

"That's true, but who would join us?" Tomas asked.

Vel hesitated. A face came to mind immediately—someone he trusted, someone with exactly the skills they needed. But the words stuck in his throat.

What if this ruins her standing completely? She's worked so hard to prove herself, fought for every bit of recognition she's earned. Maybe it would be better for her to stick with the safer route, team up with people who could actually help her career. We might not be broken anymore, but our futures are still as unpredictable as our chaotic magic.

The group fell quiet, sensing his internal struggle. Despite discovering their path forward through magical innovation, the harsh realities of Academy politics remained unchanged. Breakthrough or not, the social hierarchy would still judge them—and anyone foolish enough to associate with the branded failures.