Extra's Descent

While everyone had mixed reactions for Reinhard. Some curious, some showing contempt, while some could care less, his next words however, had grabbed all of their attention.

"I give up."

"Hm?"

Delton curiously tilted his head. The same went for the others, who looked at Reinhard dumbfounded.

"Are you serious?"

"Seeing how Raven had a difficult time against you, I realized I had no chance, Sir."

"Is that the kind of attitude a future officer of this country should have?"

Delton's brows furrowed, a look of displeasure.

"I don't think I should aspire for such a grand future, Sir."

"You…."

Delton couldn't find any words to retort with.

If this was Reinhard's conviction, then who was anyone to say otherwise?

Reinhard's future was none of their problems.

Brandon scanned the entire ordeal with narrowed eyes.

'The fuck are you doing, Rein?'

He had initially thought his words had reached Reinhard. Turns out, it was nothing but a fleeting thought.

It seemed like Reinhard had come to a decision to stay in this class, letting the opportunity of ascending to upper classes slip away.

Clearly, there was something wrong with him.

As Brandon turned his head to the side, he could see the look of concern on Claire's expressions, clutching the handle of the railings tightly.

Now that he thought about it, recalling back a week ago, there seemed to have been something Claire wanted to say to him, but hesitating to do so.

As if she had a request for him.

Could it have been related to Reinhard?

Then,

Does she know something about it?

Brandon returned his attention back to the center of the combat hall.

He had to ask Claire later.

"Yo, guys."

Reinhard approached them. In contrast to what he had just done, he looked to be in a jovial mood. As if giving up without even fighting back didn't bother him at all.

"Why did you do that, Rein?"

Brandon asked just as Reinhard was about to take a seat beside him.

"Oh?"

Reinhard paused with raised brows.

"It's just not my time yet. I know how to choose my fights. I've got no chance against the instructor."

"...."

Brandon remained silent, digesting Reinhard's words as Reinhard took a seat right beside him.

When he put it that way, what he said made kind of sense. After all, why would anyone waste time in a fight they were bound to lose?

However, there were certain implications a few seconds ago.

Ones that Brandon couldn't ignore. Such as; 'I don't think I should aspire for such a grand future, Sir.'

It was off–putting.

It sounded as if Reinhard wasn't looking forward to the future.

With those thoughts ingrained in his mind, Brandon turned his head and looked at Reinhard.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Hm?"

Reinhard looked at him back, tilting his head.

"Why do you ask…?"

"It's nothing. But if you have any problems, you can talk to me. To us."

"Where's all this coming from?"

"Just saying."

Brandon leaned his head close to the railings, resting his chin on his arms.

"Heh. Okay."

At that, the two fixed their attention to Delton, who had just finished patching things up.

Shortly after, his voice echoed.

—Will that be all? This is only the opportunity you have to ascend to the upper classes.

For a second, Brandon had definitely heard Delton mutter, 'Please end this. Why am I the instructor appointed for this?'

But it had to be noted that if they were to fail the upper classes, they would return to class B.

Meaning, it would be a waste of time.

However, there were others who didn't want to miss the opportunity.

"I'd like to try, Sir."

"Me!"

—Haaa….

Delton breathed an exhausted sigh. But quickly composed himself, exuding his usual stern demeanor.

—I mean…. come. Line up. Only a total of five participants will be accepted. For the others, you're free to leave.

After all, the lesson had already ended. The ascension procedure took place right after the lessons.

***

Reinhard's issues aside, there was something Brandon had yet to accomplish.

For that reason, he immediately headed for the lower floors of the academy.

Precisely, the first floor, where the classes D to F were located.

From what he knew, the students who were well below average were in those classes.

But maybe below average was too harsh.

They were mostly students who had still yet to grasp the usage of mana. For that reason, the demographic age group varied.

It was also a good chance to visit an acquaintance.

Carl.

'I wonder how he's doing.'

He had left the boy under the Imperial Army's hands, providing him with shelter—the Imperial Academy dorms, and tuition fee.

After all, it was a request from Field Marshal Omar Locke's son himself, how could they refuse?

Brandon peeked through the small window of the door. There were cadets present, but no instructor.

It seems like some cadets stayed behind during break, and as he looked to the side, the halls bustled with activity. Cadets chattering with one another, deciding on where they should eat.

That being said, Brandon entered the room.

Creaaaaak….

Immediately, eyes fell on the opening door, hearing the creaking sound, and eventually, their gazes landed on Brandon, who had just entered the lecture hall.

"Anyone know who that is?"

"No."

Seems like they didn't recognize him.

It was an expected reaction.

After all, these guys had barely scratched the surface of magic, focusing more on the basic applications. While some—here without a care in the world. Most probably because their parents had forced them to attend the academy.

Regardless, Brandon paid no heed to them, walking nonchalantly.

However, as he looked around, it seemed like Carl wasn't here.

However,

"Ah."

The person he was looking for was.

His features exactly matched the description from the files Matthew had sent him.

A scrawny blonde boy—a little bit on the shorter side, with green eyes, adorning glasses.

Brandon approached him.

The boy was fiddling on his phone. But soon, a figure shaded over him.

Upon realizing Brandon was standing next to him, he immediately flipped his phone on the table and raised his head, meeting Brandon's gaze.

"Uh…. How can I help you?"

"Nathan Ramsay?"

"Yes, that's me. You are…?"

"Brandon Locke, Class B."

"Oh…. shit."

He had definitely heard Nathan whisper a curse upon hearing the 'Locke' surname. However, Brandon dismissed it and continued.

"I'd like to ask you something."

Brandon looked around. The others, who seemed to be staring at him, averted their gaze. In particular, the girls.

Then, he looked back at Nathan.

"But this isn't the appropriate place to ask. Can we take this somewhere else?"

"Uh…. Just ask here?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, sure."

The boy appeared rather lax. Unknowingly, the corner of Brandon's lips pulled, grinning.

"If you say so."

"....?"

"Kuhum."

Brandon cleared his throat and swallowed, loud enough to the point where the room fell silent, attention fixed on him.

With his thoughts clear, Brandon spoke barely audibly, just enough for Nathan to hear.

"I heard you're the one who created that blog ranking the women in the academy?"

"What are you—"

Slap—!

Immediately, Nathan flinched and his eyes shot wide open. He abruptly stood up and was just about to cover Brandon's mouth, when Brandon smacked his hand away and continued speaking for everyone to hear.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

However, Nathan feigned ignorance. Regardless, his expressions betrayed his words as Brandon could see his brows start to twitch.

Brandon leaned close to Nathan's ears and whispered.

"Why don't we take this outside? If you refuse, I don't mind exposing you to the whole academy. You know what that means, right?"

"Expose? I don't even know anything about tha—"

However, at that moment, Brandon held his phone up, showing the screen which displayed Nathan's key information. The sheer act alone was enough to silence Nathan as he nodded his head with no objections.

"Good."

***

The two were currently in a spare lecture room. It was dark, and there was no one around.

"Anyway, let me re–introduced myself."

The first one to have broken the silence was Brandon.

"I am Brandon Locke. The younger brother of Belle Locke, and Amelia Constantine's boyfriend."

"....!"

Hearing those names, Nathan shuddered. Brandon hadn't even shown his abilities yet, but Nathan was already reacting as if he couldn't retaliate.

This gave Brandon the impression that this boy's magic power was lacking, having no confidence in his own abilities.

"You know where I'm getting at, right?"

"....Y-Yes."

"Take down the site."

Brandon's eyes narrowed.

"Now."

"Y-Yes, I will! I'm sorry…! P-Please don't tell anyone….. I'll lose my future!"

"I won't."

"Y-You won't….?"

In the first place, Brandon had never planned on doing so in the first place.

He saw potential in Nathan.

After all, a boy as young as him was able to create something that barely had any trace leading back to him.

The only reason Matthew was able to find him was because of his magic. And still, it took him a whole week just to find key information regarding Nathan.

"On the condition that you work for me."

"....W-Work… for you?"