Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Another two days passed. Today was Saturday and we didn't have the Ruins Exploration Course (it is held once in three weeks), so everyone was gathered in the Combat Training Hall for the mock matches.

My arm already recovered yesterday but I managed to skip The Survival Training Course this week.

Instructor Valerie already matched the groups. We were against none other than Aurelius and his group. Their members were Aurelius, Lyra, Ren, Aurelia, and Irithel. Yeah, somehow they ended up in the same team, just like in the novel. Well, it probably happened since they requested it from the instructor and she just allowed it.

I wonder whether she showed favorability but remembering Aria's case I didn't dwell on it. Because now we could verify whether my claim about being the strongest group was true.

And they were the strongest competitors for that title. A group entirely made of the main cast characters of the novel.

Soon, our turn has arrived.

"Both teams take positions."

I looked at my teammates, we nodded at each other.

"Now, begin."

As the instructor's words echoed in the training hall, both teams sprang into action.

Kairen immediately dashed forward, his role to hold off Aurelius and Ren. His speed and strength allowed him to engage both of them simultaneously, buying us precious seconds to execute our plan.

"Now!" I shouted, and Aria, Ardel, and I surged forward, aiming straight for their backline.

Aurelia, Lyra, and Irithel barely had time to react as Aria's earth bind spell took hold. The ground beneath them shifted and cracked, tendrils of earth wrapping around their legs and immobilizing them.

"W-What?!" Aurelia gasped, struggling against the bindings.

"Quick!" I called, not giving them a moment to regroup.

With their backline trapped, we seized the moment. Ardel was the first to strike, his movements a blur as he closed the distance to Irithel. His blade flashed in the light, and in an instant, he delivered a precise blow that sent her crashing to the ground, unable to continue the fight.

Aria was next, her staff glowing with energy as she directed a powerful burst of magic at Aurelia. The spell hit its mark, and Aurelia, already struggling against the Earth Bind, was knocked out of the fight.

That left me with Lyra. With a burst of speed, I reached her side, my sword slicing through the air. She managed to raise her scythe to block, but her movements were hindered by the earth binding her feet. I pressed the attack, a series of quick strikes that left her no room to counter. Finally, with a well-placed thrust, I disarmed her, and she fell to the ground, defeated.

In the span of a few seconds, the battle had turned decisively in our favor. Kairen, still engaged with Aurelius and Ren, had managed to hold his ground, preventing them from coming to their teammates' aid.

While Lila acted as a support for Kairen and a distraction for Aurelius and Ren.

"Stop. The match ends."

Instructor Valerie's voice rang out through the training hall, signaling the end of the mock match. With a tired thud, Kairen disengaged from the stunned Aurelius and Ren, stepping back to join us as we regrouped in the center of the arena.

As we gathered in the center of the arena, I couldn't help but notice the stunned expressions on the faces of Aurelius, Lyra, Ren, Aurelia, and Irithel. They looked bewildered, clearly struggling to process how quickly the tide of the battle had turned against them.

Instructor Valerie approached her expression a mix of surprise and approval. "Well done, Team Adrian," she said, her voice carrying across the training hall. "That was an impressive display of teamwork and strategy. You executed your plan flawlessly and capitalized on your strengths. I'm truly impressed."

She turned to face the defeated team, her gaze firm. "And to Team Aurelius, this serves as a reminder that battles can be unpredictable. It's essential to be prepared for any situation and to adapt quickly to changing circumstances."

Aurelius nodded, his expression understanding. He quickly recovered, huh? "Understood, Instructor. We'll learn from this."

"The others should take note of what I just said as well." She said. "Now, take your places, the next groups come to the arena."

I and my teammates made our way back to the resting area. Aurelius and his team took seats not far from us.

I can tell they are still unable to accept their loss. But, it doesn't matter to me. Hell, I can say we helped them in our own way. They will be more careful and cautious in the future. That might save them in many events.

Anyway, the mock matches soon came to an end. The instructor repeated the process of disbanding some groups and reassigning them. But this would be the last time according to her.

After all, after the next week, the joint class would take place.

I even think today it was necessary. Growing as a team in one week was hardly impossible, well, unless they were like us.

But, who am I to go against the instructor's decision?

I know why is she doing this as well. She is probably pressured and it's affecting her mind, her actions.

It can be said that she is partly the reason why it was labeled as an event after all.

"Now, you are dismissed, don't forget to remember my advice and practice as much as you can."

The students started to leave one after another. While my and Aurelius's group were the last to leave.

As we exited the hall, we were passed by a striking figure, a woman with pitch-black hair and piercing red eyes. Her presence exuded an aura of strength and confidence, unmistakably that of a seasoned fighter.

She merely spared a glance at us and continued on her way.

'Here she is...' I recognized her at a glance thanks to my knowledge of the novel. 'The other part of the reason for the joint class event. Professor Merel...'