Revised Chapter:
"Even if it was a shallow cut, Atro was the one to land the first strike," Kaida noted, watching as Atro wasted no time in drawing another shot.
"The first hit is the most important with people like Atro. It's a big confidence boost," I added.
Especially with these two being the ones fighting. Atro needs every single advantage he can get to win.
"Are you nervous, Alen?"
"Huh? I-I guess so..."
"Don't give us that 'I guess so'—your feet are tapping nonstop," Yani said with a big smirk.
I hadn't even realized how nervous I was about the outcome of this fight.
"Oh, s-sorry... I was just..."
"Y-you don't need to apologize, Alen. I-it's understandable to be nervous," Kaida said with a smile, though her blush and stutter weren't doing much to calm me.
"Besides, you're not the only one on edge about this fight." Yani pointed toward Cole, who had his eyes locked on the arena. He wasn't even taking notes—he was fully focused on Atro's duel.
Sometimes, I forget this world is supposed to be a game. I'm getting so used to living alongside them, seeing them worry about things the story never explored, that I forget they're just characters from a game.
I never cared about Atro before. He was just a decent unit, good filler for the team. Same for Cole, or Tirino.
But seeing Tirino act more like an asshole, and Cole so eager to learn—it makes me appreciate them more.
Sure, they had a few unique interactions in the game—small lore drops or bits of character development you'd catch if you paid attention—but now I'm seeing them in a whole new light.
I'm honestly slow. I should've realized this a long time ago. This isn't a game anymore. This is my life now. I don't know if I'll go back to my old world—but that doesn't matter right now.
And honestly? That doesn't feel like a problem. I barely remember anything from my past life—who my parents were, what I did before being transmigrated here. The only thing I clearly remember is playing this game.
The memories I'm making here at the academy—even if it's only been a month—mean more to me than any of that.
No, even before that. A year ago, I was enjoying life with the [Crescent Moon]. I should've realized it back then.
That they're not a bunch of lines of code tied to a pretty-lookikg 2d sprite. They are people I care a lot about. The reason as to why I'm attempting to get better so I can save everyone I care from dying. They are my family and friends.
But I had so much on my mind. I'd just been transmigrated, and I had to get used to Karla's brutal training. I was pushing myself every day to become stronger before the game's story began.
Feels like I'm just making excuses now...
---
"Illuminate the area and blind my enemies, oh powerful light!"
"[Flash]!"
Atro's voice rang out like a battle cry.
His entire body began to glow, so brightly it was almost impossible to look directly at him. Most of us had to squint or raise a hand to block the blinding light.
It was so hard to see that no one noticed when he let an arrow fly. We only saw it once it was already close to the blue-haired student.
We all expected the arrow to hit Ximuss—maybe pierce him and give Atro an even bigger advantage.
That's what everyone thought, at least.
Instead, the arrow bounced mid-air.
"What!?" Atro shouted in shock as his arrow was deflected—by seemingly nothing.
"How...? There's nothing protecting Ximuss right now!"
Ximuss finally stopped rubbing his eyes, adjusting to the fading light, still squinting in Atro's direction.
"Did you think I'd just stand still and not defend myself?" Ximuss yelled, jumping to the next tree branch with impressive speed.
"Don't think a lower-class tactic will work on someone like me—someone who deserves to be in S-class!"
Atro's expression darkened the moment Ximuss mentioned how he deserved a place in the S-class.
"Crush my enemies!"
"[Big Boulder]!"
A massive rock manifested in front of Ximuss—large enough to shield his whole body and offer solid frontal defense.
"Bend to my will!"
"[Water Control]!"
Atro cast his spell and extended his arm, swinging it as if throwing something.
A mass of water bubbles followed his gesture, heading toward the boulder atop the tree branch.
Control-type spells are usually seen as weak. Mages can already 'slightly' control their element. But when a spell lingers in the field—or when the element is already present, like near the ocean with water spells—control spells offer a serious advantage. They use far less mana than generating new elements from scratch.
"Quick incantation though. Only a single, simple order."
Atro clearly understood the limitations of the spell. His hand movement indicated a straightforward attack targeting the boulder.
As the bubbles closed in, Atro turned and sprinted away—seeking cover.
A loud, crackling snap rang out.
Atro had been hit in the back of his right calf—an electrifying spell had struck him.
"The Lightning Spear spell is usually thrown like a spear, as the name suggest." Ximuss said, drawing a bow as he spoke. "But what most people don't know is that it also works with a bow and arrow. That's why I hate the name. Why call it Lightning Spear if it can be as small as a crossbow bolt?"
Atro fell hard. His leg paralyzed by the electric jolt, he writhed on the ground in pain.
"Ackh! My leg!" Atro cried, clutching his calf. "H-how...? You shouldn't have been able to see me through the Flash spell!"
"I carved two holes in the boulder. Once I figured out where you were hiding inside the light, I waited for you to stop moving—and fired." Ximuss placed his palm gently on the boulder beside him.
"That's—"
"Not a bad idea," I cut in, finishing Kaida's thought. "Flash spell experts can shift the light to make it seem like their body is to one side. But Atro's not that skilled. It was obvious he was at the center of the light."
It didn't matter much now. The blinding aura around Atro faded—the spell's effect was over.
"That's what the quick version of an install spell is all about. It barely lasts."
"Install spell?" Kaida asked.
"Oh... like, spells that change you. Flame Body is an install spell, for example—it heats the caster's body to high temperatures that make it impossible to damage him by conventionalmeans. Yet, the caster doesn't feel the heat. Same here, Atro could still see while inside of that light despite no one bei g able to see him directly."
I really need to stop using terms that only make sense in the context of a game. But that's how I learned about them. That's how I saw this world—like when I played to chase the secret ending.
"Sparky Steps would be an install spell too?" Kaida asked, eyes narrowing.
"Yeah... it changes the way your body behaves. Even if it just alters one part, it still counts."
"Is that how they teach magic in S-class?" Kaida asked me.
"N-no... that's just... how I learned magic." I explained with a nervous chuckle.
While I wasn't exactly lying—I did learn magic like that thanks to the game's community—I still felt it was quite obvious I was hiding information. Something I'm getting really used to doing if I also count how much I'm keeping my secret to incantationless magic to myself.
A loud, guttural yell snapped me out of my thoughts. The whole arena became silent for a second except for that cry of pain.
"Aaagkh!" Atro cried out in pain, clutching his leg.
Ximuss, still aiming steadily, finally released his arrow—and it flew straight into Atro's already-injured leg.
"Atro!" someone shouted.
"Bend over with my power!"
"[Rock Control]!"
Ximuss commanded, directing the boulder he had summoned earlier into the air with a wave of his hand.
The trajectory was flawless. The boulder was set to come crashing down on Atro—likely ending the duel with a decisive blow.
"Cushion me with a perfect defense of foamy bubbles that won't let the damage transfer to me!"
"[Bubble Wrap Defense]!"
"Oh no, you won't," Ximuss said coldly, firing another arrow just as Atro finished casting his spell.
As the water bubbles began to engulf Atro, surrounding his entire body in a shimmering, protective layer, the arrow whizzed past—cutting close to his arm before the bubble completely wrapped around his body.
It didn't pierce him fully, but it sliced deep enough to draw blood. Atro winced, now bleeding from his arm and having his left leg be unusable thanks to the arrow piercing and having been stuck to the ground.
The boulder finally fell on top of Atro. But, thanks to the bubble wrap spell, he suffered no actual damage from the boulder itself.
It was a nice spell for stopping blunt damage. But it just can't defend against piercing attacks.
Exactly the type of damage a bow does.