Path of the Extra

During the fight against the Cradler, Benson had occasionally glimpsed at Azriel's battle.

There was nothing particularly noteworthy—except for that odd sword art.

His own fight with the Cradler hadn't been too difficult.

As he expected, the abomination specialized in mind attacks.

But Benson excelled at resisting such assaults.

For someone of the same mana core level to affect him mentally would have been nearly impossible.

And since the Cradler lacked skill in close combat, it didn't take him long to finish it.

But still, it was a strange creature—surviving decapitation, needing to have its heart and mana core ripped out.

And the strangest part?

It only seemed to care about Azriel.

'Yes, it was definitely odd. But that was all.'

At least, as far as the Cradler was concerned.

Azriel's blank, emotionless face hadn't changed during his fight against the two intermediate ranks earlier.

They weren't bad fighters—neither the best nor the worst in their rank.

Yet they hadn't even had the chance to use their [Unique Skill], thanks to Azriel.

Still, Azriel had been injured.

Not badly, but enough to notice.

'He held back, yet allowed himself to get hurt?'

It annoyed Benson, a peculiar mix of frustration and intrigue, as if he was being taken seriously and dismissed at the same time.

In his eyes, the battle had already been decided.

He had a soul weapon, and was of a higher mana core level.

Defeat was inevitable.

Azriel stopped a few meters away, his face as emotionless as ever.

Then...

Benson lunged at him, moving so fast the air rippled and the ground exploded in his wake.

In a heartbeat, he was in front of Azriel, his lance aimed straight for the boy's crimson eye.

But at the last possible second, Azriel dodged, tilting his head to the left.

Not wasting a moment, Azriel countered, thrusting Void Eater, now crackling with red lightning, toward Benson's obsidian eye.

But Benson was still faster.

Effortlessly, he spun his lance, its hilt clashing against Void Eater's blade, redirecting the strike past his head.

With a swift kick to Azriel's chest, he sent the boy flying. Azriel rolled across the ground but got back up almost immediately, his body visibly injured, though he showed no signs of pain.

He stood, Void Eater in front of him, lightning crackling ominously.

'...He's not using his ice affinity. Is it due to a lack of mana? Or is he less proficient with it compared to his lightning?'

It had been a shock to discover that Azriel had two affinities. But the boy was still too young to make both a true threat.

That didn't mean Benson would be reckless.

His experience had taught him never to underestimate his opponent.

Azriel made the next move.

Using [Death's Blossom], he closed the distance in an instant.

Benson, narrowing his eyes, dodged the first strike aimed at his heart.

A trail of black smoke, laced with lightning, followed Azriel's movements as Benson blocked the second attack—a slash intended to cut across his abdomen.

To his surprise, Azriel didn't retreat.

Instead, his blade slid off the lance, thrusting Void Eater toward Benson's neck.

But it wasn't fast enough.

Instead of dodging or blocking with his lance, Benson caught Void Eater with his bare hand, his armor cracking under the strain.

Blood dripped from his palm as it hit the ground, but Void Eater was stuck, unable to move.

Azriel didn't push. Instead, he released his grip, leaping back before desummoning and re-summoning Void Eater.

Benson watched him carefully, their eyes locking.

"You've got an astounding mana capacity and regeneration," Benson remarked.

"to use your affinity and sword art multiple times... and even summon and dismiss your soul weapon without hesitation."

In battle, everything cost mana. Without mana, one would lose.

'His mana capacity rivals mine...'

But what concerned Benson more was that Azriel's mana regeneration was superior.

Meaning, at this point, Azriel likely had more mana left than he did.

'Still... he can't win. So what's he planning?'

A sigh escaped his lips.

"Out of respect, I won't hold back anymore."

With a sudden kick off the ground, Benson lunged at Azriel, arriving in front of him much faster than before.

Azriel didn't even have time to blink before Benson's lance was thrust toward his heart.

Lightning crackled around Azriel's body as he managed to shift to the side, but he wasn't fast enough.

The lance sliced into his ribs, blood seeping from the wound.

Benson didn't relent. With a swift motion, his bleeding right hand shot forward, gripping Azriel's left arm.

He hurled him like a rag doll, sending him crashing into the spot where Benson had stood moments before. The floor cracked beneath Azriel's impact.

Benson remained motionless, then threw his lance directly at Azriel.

Azriel's emotionless eyes caught sight of the weapon just in time. Pushing himself off the ground, he rolled aside as the lance pierced the floor where he had lain.

Instructor Benson watched as Azriel stood, blood dripping onto the floor from his body.

Suddenly, a subtle shift occurred on Azriel's blank face.

His eyes opened a little more—just slightly.

Without warning, the armor on Benson's left arm began to crumble, black shards falling to the ground, leaving his arm exposed. But it didn't end there.

No.

The black shards from his armor trembled, then began to rise into the air, spinning...

And with a sharp whistle, they shot toward Azriel, slicing through the air.

*****

Azriel narrowed his eyes as the black shards rushed toward him. There were too many to count.

Everything around him seemed drained of color.

'Magnetism.'

That was Instructor Benson's affinity.

Azriel had been wrong—Benson wasn't wearing soul armor. The black material covering his body wasn't armor at all. It was magnets, acting as both defense and weapon.

As the magnetic shards flew at him, Azriel didn't bother to dodge or block. It would have been pointless.

Instead, he leaped back, forming a wall of ice in front of him. The shards collided with the ice, piercing it, some grazing his body and leaving shallow cuts.

But in the end, the ice held.

Just before crumbling under the weight of the black shards.

Azriel's gaze followed Benson as he calmly walked forward, retrieving his lance from the ground.

Benson raised his left arm, and the black shards trembled before shooting back toward him, reassembling to form his armor once more.

'There's no point.'

That was the only conclusion Azriel reached after engaging with Benson.

There was no point in trying to fight.

No point in killing.

He couldn't win against Benson, who had far more experience.

It was impossible.

All he would be doing was wasting his mana.

Which was already running out.

The Cradler hadn't weakened Benson the way Azriel had hoped. And using [Void Mind] was draining his mana even faster.

Soon, it would consume the last of his reserves.

Then, defeat would be inevitable.

Azriel's eyes darted around the cave, taking in the bridge, the dark surroundings.

He closed his eyes.

'There's no other choice.'

Not if he wanted to win.

So...

He deactivated [Void Mind].

"Urgh…"

Azriel held his head, wincing.

It was a nauseating feeling as colors flooded back into his vision so suddenly.

Instructor Benson stopped in his tracks, looking confused and wary at the abrupt change.

With a grim expression, Azriel composed himself. He had hoped that perhaps he could find a way to win using [Void Mind], but deep down, he knew he was too weak.

Not strong enough.

If only he weren't alone—if Lumine or Nol were here, he might have stood a chance. But they weren't. He trusted Nol with the cadets and needed Lumine there as insurance.

Azriel had to finish this without their help.

Time was ticking.

He blinked, and suddenly, Instructor Benson was right in front of him.

Raising Void Eater to parry the lance, Azriel was taken by surprise when Benson released his grip, the weapon clattering to the floor with an echo.

With both hands, Benson gripped the blade of Void Eater.

"…!"

Azriel's eyes widened.

Benson's hands bled profusely as the blade sank into his palms, yet he held on, gritting his teeth.

'Suicidal maniac…!'

"Gah!"

A sudden kick struck Azriel's abdomen, blood spilling from his mouth.

But Azriel didn't release Void Eater.

Neither did Benson.

A sharp cracking sound reached Azriel's ears.

'No…'

It was Void Eater.

His expression turned dire as the blade succumbed to the pressure.

Desperately, Azriel summoned his lightning affinity, letting it wrap around Void Eater.

"Ghh…!"

The lightning burned Benson's skin, but he didn't relent.

"...."

'...Ah, I really hate this.'

With no other choice, and cracks forming on the obsidian blade, Azriel desummoned Void Eater.

The moment he did, he barely had time to react as Instructor Benson gripped the side of his head and sent him crashing to the ground.

"Argh!"