Extra's Descent

With the festivities finally over, classes resumed normally.

There were lots of viral topics that were discussed amongst the students. But everyone could agree on the hottest topic at the moment.

Brandon Locke.

From the elements he revealed in the exhibition match, to his grand performance, following the stunt he pulled during the fireworks display.

It was for this reason that all attention fell on him during the lecture.

But unlike back then, Brandon paid no heed to them and nonchalantly paid attention to the lecture.

He had already expected such a scenario in the first place.

Nonchalantly fiddling his pen, Brandon turned his attention to the professor.

A burly man with purple hair and thick framed glasses. He spoke so fast that it felt as if he was murmuring every word that left his mouth.

Shortly after, his voice resounded and all attention shifted to him.

"Can anyone tell me the names of all the four regions in this continent?"

Thump!

Immediately, the sound of a chair pulling back echoed and the familiar figure beside Brandon stood up.

"Ah, Raven again. Go ahead."

Again.

The entire lecture, whenever the professor had a question, it would always be Raven that would answer it.

Everyone was already used to this sight. He was a teachers' pet and a diligent student after all.

Clearing his throat, Raven spoke up.

"Residing in the Holy Britannia Continent, we are split into four regions. The north, Velasco region, the south, Aldoran region, the east, Azenia region, and the west, Elarian region."

"Thank you, Raven. You may take your seat."

Raven nodded his head and slowly sat back down.

With his gaze fixed on the students who were eagerly listening to him, the professor carried on.

"You might be wondering why I asked for a recap of a previous lesson all of you already know. So I won't beat around the bush."

The professor approached the white circular device on the podium and rested his hands on it.

Click—

The all too familiar blue hologram materialized. On it displayed a bulky man, with golden hair and azure eyes, adorning a black military uniform.

The man was seated on his desk and it seemed like the camera was pointed at him.

Brandon found himself familiar with the man.

After all, he had seen him a while back during the banquet.

His eyes seemed to be fixed straight at the camera. A recording perhaps? Or a livestream…?

Brandon's question was soon answered by the professor, who gave a brief introduction.

"Allow me to introduce the Grand Marshal of the Imperial Army, Albert Constantine. This livestream is being played around the world right now, and was mandated by the government for everyone to see—Looks like it's starting."

Visible confusion was etched on the student's faces. This was the first time in the history of humanity that the Imperial Army reached out to the people.

"I see."

And Brandon already had an inkling on what the livestream would entail.

Finally, the livestream started. Albert's deep authoritative voice had gathered the attention of the masses as they paid close attention to each and every word he said.

Silence gripped the room as Albert continued debriefing on what would take place in the following month.

The incursion.

It was of great importance that the people were informed of the incursion. After all, over 5,000 soldiers would partake in it.

If it were to fail, then the continent of Holy Britannia's military power would greatly diminish.

But there was one keen detail that had caught Brandon's attention, more so than he had thought.

—The rift had appeared a little over a year ago. At first it was the size of a pea pod, but as time passed, the size had increased drastically, and unfortunately…

The students' eyes widened by the next set of words that left Albert's mouth.

—...Your Headmaster was a victim of this rift. Along with other powerful rankers, they were sent to investigate the sudden appearance of the rift. It was shortly after the rift cracked again and expanded when they were pulled in.

"...Is that true?"

"Of course it is, the Grand Marshal is the one speaking."

"I know, but isn't this a little too crazy?"

Several theories welled up within the students' minds. But they all shared the same thoughts. The words were there, and yet no one dared to say it.

The Headmaster was dead.

Plain and simple.

Everyone wore a look of worry and unease about the entire ordeal, even Raven was no exception as his brows furrowed.

But regardless, there was nothing they could do.

They were nothing but students well below the E to D rank if they were to be ranked by the guild's standards.

Not like they could make a difference in the first place.

But suddenly, a figure suddenly appeared in the livestream. As soon as he arrived, everyone present's eyes lit up as they stared at the man.

"Is that Lucian Frost?"

Immediately, his appearance had changed the tense atmosphere in the room.

At that, Lucian's monotonous voice quickly resonated, and despite the lack of life in his tone, the crowd erupted into cheers.

Clap– Clap– Clap–

—I hope all of you will pray that the incursion is a success. May the sun find its way to shine down on the Imperial Army.

After those words left Lucian's mouth, everyone present stood up from their seats.

Even the professor turned around and looked at the livestream.

And then…

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Thump….!

As they stomped their feet, everyone flashed a salute in honor of the Imperial Army.

Shortly after, they all spoke in unison.

"Glory to Holy Britannia, and glory to the Imperial Army!"

In the next few minutes, the livestream ended and the hologram dematerialized.

The students sat back down in their seats and started their discussions about the livestream.

Since the lecture seemed to end there, the professor left shortly after, leaving the students to their own devices.

Brandon stood up from his seat and left the lecture room as well.

Roaming the halls, he started to ponder.

Once again, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something bad was about to happen during the incursion.

If things went south and the entire incursion failed, who knows what would happen.

But just like the other students, Brandon couldn't do a thing to help out.

The only thing he could do was offer moral support.

With such thoughts he retrieved his phone and dialed a specific contact.

[Omar Locke]

Ring… Ring… Click—

—Brandon?

The familiar deep voice reached his ears and Brandon found himself smiling.

As always, Omar was as lively as he remembered him to be.

Omar wasn't his real father. But for Omar, Brandon was his real son.

And for the current Brandon, he wanted to be his son as well.

This was the least he could for the Locke family.

—What's with the sudden call?

"I think you already know."

—Haha~ You got me. Here to wish your old man good luck?

"Something like that."

—Brandon.

All of a sudden, Omar's tone became serious.

Brandon listened attentively.

—If… Hypothetically, if I don't make it back alive. Then I want you to promise me something.

Brandon was taken aback.

Despite the confidence that Albert boasted during the livestream, Lucian seemed to have a grip on reality.

The reality that not everything would always have a happy ending.

"What is it, Dad?"

—Protect your Mother, and your Sister.

Brandon's eyes shot wide open.

Omar…

He was entrusting the entire family to him.

Despite the fact that Belle was a renowned prodigy, Omar was most probably confident in Brandon's strength.

Gathering his thoughts, a serene smile etched on Brandon's face.

He pursed his lips.

"Understood, Field Marshal."

Brandon flashed a salute of his own.

The call ended from there.

And at the same time, he had finally arrived at his destination.

To Tok—

Knocking on the door, a familiar voice reached his ears shortly after.

"Come in."

Nodding his head, Brandon opened the door and a familiar sight greeted him.

Turning her head to meet his gaze, Evelyn stood at the center of the training grounds.

And giving him no time to react…

Boom—!

She burst forth from her position and appeared before him. But despite the spontaneous attack, Brandon managed to narrowly dodge her fist.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—!

A flurry of punches were sent his way. Shifting his body, Brandon maneuvered in the air and dodged each strike.

Thud!

But he was caught off guard as Evelyn had managed to land a kick on his solar plexus.

"Akh…!"

Skidding back several meters, Brandon clenched his stomach.

"No remorse…"

"Not with that stunt you pulled last night."

Boom—!

Once again, Evelyn appeared before him. Her fist was an inch close to his face.

But that was when…

Swoosh—!

[Aeolus Blessing]

Kicking the air, Brandon dodged her attack and appeared above her. Twisting his body sideways, he had managed to kick Evelyn—

Thud!

It was to no avail as Evelyn caught his feet.

"That's new."

"Hehe."

Swoosh—!

Kicking the air with his left foot, Brandon managed to escape Evelyn's grasps. But Evelyn followed up as she jumped from her position and struck Brandon right on the chest.

Thud!

Brandon was hurled several meters away in the air. But due to [Aeolus Blessing], his body stayed high up as if the air was solid ground.

"...Since when did you get so good with your [Wind] affinity?"

"Recently."

With a smile etched on his face, Brandon got up as he stayed fixed in the air.

"..."

Evelyn frowned.

"I'm not going to ask at this point."

Looking at him from above, Evelyn stepped forward.

"I'll only empower myself with mana. Use your magic."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, use those strings or whatever they're called."

"Threads."

At that, Brandon stepped forward.

Crossing his arms on both sides, threads started extending themselves from his fingertips.

It started from ten threads, then quickly multiplied. A myriad of threads loomed around him, dancing like snakes.

"Here I come."

Swoosh—!

Kicking the air, Brandon bolted towards Evelyn. The threads lashed around and seemed to entangle Evelyn, while the other threads aimed to pierce her.

Yet Evelyn dashed to the side and dodged each thread coming her way.

But that was when…

"Wha—"

A thread managed to attach itself to the back of her clothes, and Evelyn was reeled backwards.

As she was caught off guard, Brandon followed up with another attack. Black flames started igniting within his palms.

Extending his palms towards her, Brandon was about to touch her solar plexus.

But Evelyn twisted her body sideways and grabbed his wrist.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Her fists struck Brandon's side thrice, and that was when she followed up with a devastating blow.

Booom—!

Brandon was hurled away and crashed on the wall.

Crash—!

Slumping down, he raised his head to meet Evelyn's gaze as she had already appeared before him.

Looking down at him, Evelyn flashed a serene smile. Pursing her lips, her mouth parted open.

"Good work. Let's stop here for today. Go patch yourself up in the nurse's office."

"..."

Despite all his efforts, he had barely managed to land a single hit on Evelyn.

The gap between an S+ ranker, and an assumed to be B ranker was that wide.

But added to the fact that he had only used one of his skills, the results were expected.

At that, he started pondering.

'If an S+ ranker is this strong, then just how difficult will the incursion be?'

For it to be on the SS difficulty, Brandon couldn't even begin to wonder.

"Hoo…"