Reborn As An Extra In My Own Novel-Chapter 51: Essence Of Combat [1]

(The night before the departure)

The meeting with President Razor had proceeded rather smoothly, but his unsettling smile continued to disturb me quite a bit.

I lightly tousled my hair. "Let’s leave that for another day."

The destination I was currently heading toward was the open training ground, the same marble platform where we had the zone class.

Neko-sensei had summoned me even prior to my meeting with the council president; it appeared she wished to inquire about my progress in utilizing zones, having witnessed both Matt and me employ it during our battle.

However, I hadn’t been able to meet with her; from tending to Reni, who absorbed all my injuries, to meeting the president and having dinner, my hands had been rather full.

"System."

Ding!

[ARCHAIC SYSTEM]

Name: Kaiser Vanguard

Class: Wave Controller

Affiliation: Weaver’s Coven

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Rank: C-Rank

Core: Orange

Title: Master

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Archetype: Manipulator

Affinity (Singular): Shadows

Mana Pool: 150/300

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[Techniques]

Weaving [Unknown]

Mastery: 0/???

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Due to the effect of Talent: Infinite Adaptability, user possesses no fixed core capacity—All stat points acquired will be distributed randomly

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[Talents]

[Shadow of Dominion]

[Infinite Adaptability]

<Current Mage Saints: 0...>

<Current Shadow Saints]: 3...>

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[Sub-talents]

[Alabaster Ice: Gobo]

[Clairvoyance: Shiki]

[Fifth-Time: Gumiho]

[Rasen Guns: XXX]

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[Vestiges]

Hunting Dagger [Weapon]: Spirit

Regulator [Utility]: Ancient

Nightwing [Utility]: Ancient

Star of Ruin [Weapon]: Transcendent

Dragon’s Blade [Weapon]: Mythic

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"Let’s see." I tapped on the talent I obtained from the slob, my steps light as I caught sight of the building that housed the training ground.

The air was crisp and warm; even beneath the overcast sky, I didn’t feel particularly cold.

"Perhaps it is due to my mana circulation."

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Rasen Guns [XXX]: A talent acquired from sequence seven drifter—Slob. Grants the user the ability to manipulate orbs composed of poison and acid. User can also extract poison from the surrounding atmosphere.

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I didn’t need to ponder much to comprehend the talent. Overall, it was a fairly effective skill set, and combined with the dragon blade I had acquired, I was confident I could defeat most sequence seven drifters without relying on Infinite Adaptability.

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A radiant light enveloped me as I stepped through the glowing door leading to the training ground.

Neko-sensei sat cross-legged on the floor, visibly trembling, her body drenched in sweat.

Her golden mana saturated the room as she continuously cycled it.

I glanced toward the other end of the room where a towel and water sat. I promptly retrieved them, placed them beside me, and mimicked Neko-sensei’s actions.

Through the sight granted by Clairvoyance, the circulation of her mana was clearly visible. Considering the threads I had seen during the zone class were still present when I used mana, I doubted most could conceal their mana techniques from me.

My breathing grew ragged as I struggled to manipulate my mana in the same fashion.

It appeared she was accelerating her blood and mana flow, then reversing it as it neared her heart.

The most challenging aspect wasn’t increasing the mana’s pace but halting it before it reached my heart, as one misstep could be fatal.

That was also why I refrained from disturbing Neko-sensei.

My veins felt as if it might bulge from my body, as Infinite Adaptability gradually performed its function, though its pace remained sluggish due to my circulation technique.

One breath, then exhale, and another.

I repeated this rhythm until both my breath and mana stabilized.

The strength in my limbs and arms intensified, and I could sense the tether, resembling distinct crowns unified as if on a single staff, glowing faintly from my spinal cord.

Even with my eyes shut, I could still perceive everything. ’Fascinating.’

It truly was fascinating, something many mages may never have the opportunity to learn.

I slowly opened my eyes as their glow gradually faded. A few steps away stood Neko-sensei, grinning broadly.

"What?" I asked, slightly unnerved.

"Nothing," she replied, shaking her head. "I’m simply proud of my disciple, that’s all."

"Is that so."

Neko-sensei had a tendency to become overly competitive, so having a disciple who not only grasped zones after a single day but also did so alongside the world’s prodigy was certainly a point of pride.

"But..."

I knew this was coming: more grueling training, right?

"Your performance was insufficient. You must be capable of defeating any opponent. Or do you intend to be defeated?" she asked, and I shook my head.

She smiled at my response. "That’s the spirit. And since time is limited, given your group’s departure—let’s get to work."

She rose from the floor, revealing her leggings and cropped tank top that displayed her subtle abs, pronounced curves, and ample bust and rear.

I cleared my wandering thoughts and stepped closer to her position. In her hands was a tablet. She scrolled through it, examining various analyses before pausing.

Curious, I inquired, "What is that?"

She lifted her gaze to me. "It’s your schedule and everything that must be taught to you. Even subjects I myself am unfamiliar with."

I raised a brow. "If you’re unfamiliar with some, how will you teach me?"

"Through research. What other method would you expect?"

"I suppose so... But won’t it be burdensome for you?"

She smiled at my concern. "Who are you worrying about?" Her eyes ignited with renewed intensity. "You should be worried about yourself instead."

I instinctively took two steps back. "So what’s today’s lesson?"

She dismissed her tablet. "Zones. I’ll ensure you comprehend and master your zone within two hours. You can do that, can’t you?"

I gave a slightly crooked smile. This wasn’t a question. No, it was a challenge, one that would determine whether I could go to Deerheart’s lab or not.

"Now you’re just looking down on me."

"Good." She let the tension subside slightly, then continued. "First, I want to teach you what combat is."

"Combat?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.

She let mana course through her, her eyes gleaming brilliantly. The entire space around me appeared to shift slightly, even though I remained in the same location.

Her golden zone extended from where she stood, encompassing the circular marble platform.

"Today’s lesson, Kai, is the essence of combat."