Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

[ Bonus Chapter N - 4 ]

_____ __ _

The arena for the semi-finals was bigger and more sturdy, designed to withstand the intense battles that were sure to unfold. The crowd's excitement was palpable, their anticipation building as they awaited the start of the first match.

Adrian and Aria stood across from each other, their gazes locked in silence. The tension between them was electric, yet there was a calm understanding in their eyes. They were both known as the "Silents" for a reason, and their unspoken communication spoke volumes.

Few knew that despite their stoic exteriors, Adrian and Aria shared a 'special' bond that allowed them to speak freely and without hesitation when they were alone. It was like 'more than friends, less than lovers' situation.

Before the match, they had met and agreed to go all out, determined to see who was truly the stronger competitor.

Adrian's mind drifted to their last conversation before entering the arena. Aria's last words before running away echoed in his memory, her voice soft but confident. [f you win, I will give you a gift. If I win, I will take a gift from you.

A sudden warmth spread across Adrian's face as he imagined what that gift might be. A hug? A kiss? The thought of Aria's closeness made his heart race, and he quickly tried to push the distracting thoughts aside.

The judge's voice broke through his reverie, snapping him back to the present. "Combatants, take your positions!"

Adrian and Aria nodded slightly to each other, a silent acknowledgment of their shared understanding. They moved to their starting points, the weight of the moment settling over them.

"Begin!" the judge's voice rang out, signaling the start of the match.

Aria was the first to move, her staff glowing with a brilliant light as she summoned a gust of wind to propel herself forward together with wind blades at her side. Adrian, his sword ready, anticipated her approach and shifted to the side, avoiding her initial strike.

Aria's movements were fluid and graceful, her elemental magic weaving a tapestry of wind and fire. She launched a series of rapid-fire spells, each one aimed with precision. Adrian deflected her attacks with his sword, his eyes never leaving her.

The arena crackled with energy as their battle intensified. Adrian's strategy was to close the distance between them, knowing that Aria's magic was most effective at a range. He moved with calculated precision, his sword slicing through the air with lethal intent.

Aria, anticipating his tactic, summoned a wall of ice to block his path. Adrian's blade struck the barrier, sending shards of ice flying. He quickly adapted, using the ice as a foothold to launch himself over the wall and closer to Aria.

Their eyes met again, a shared determination evident in their expressions. Aria shifted her magic, summoning a torrent of water to sweep Adrian off his feet. Adrian, quick on his feet, managed to avoid the brunt of the attack, his mind working rapidly to counter her moves.

The crowd watched in awe as the battle unfolded, each exchange showcasing the incredible skill and strategy of the two combatants.

Neither had the advantage and it looked like both of them knew what the other was going to do. As if they knew each other, the fighting style, and moves, so well that neither of them could gain a definitive upper hand. The battle between Adrian and Aria was not just a test of skill but also of their deep understanding and connection.

Aria's elemental magic was a dazzling display of power and control, her spells merging seamlessly as she alternated between fire, ice, wind, and water. Adrian, with his unparalleled swordsmanship and strategic mind, countered her every move with precision and agility. The clash of their abilities created a mesmerizing spectacle that held the audience captive.

Adrian knew the best way for him to win this battle would be to wait for Aria's aether and stamina to run low since she was mostly versed in magic rather than close combat. But he also knew how vast her aether was even if they were in the same Tier - The Nebula Acolyte Tier, not to mention her impressively high aether regeneration ability.

So, he had to find another way.

Thankfully, he already thought about this. He remembered everything he knew about each three of the semi-finalists from his novel knowledge and their current self. He stimulated fighting against them in his mind. After many 'battles', he developed strategies to fight against each of them.

So for Aria.

But there was one issue he was troubled with. Even in the novel, her Ability wasn't known or not recognized so he didn't know what her ability was. His worry was plausible because she had the highest tier Ability among all the students in the academy - she was the lone Galactic Tier Ability possessor.

He could guess either it was a hidden type of ability that couldn't be seen with the eye or heard with ears, just like his Chrono Vision, or it was highly difficult or dangerous to activate and use.

'I'll have to trust my guts...' Adrian muttered inwardly as he was sure she wouldn't use her ability in this fight. 'Phantom Step!'

Just as Adrian was about to launch his surprise attack on Aria, his mind focused and his body tensed, a sudden, piercing voice echoed in his mind. It wasn't just any voice; it was sharp and filled with sinister intent, cutting through his thoughts like a blade.

(Fall to the floor.)

Adrian bit his lips in frustration but didn't 'defy' the order.

With a subtle shift in his stance, Adrian feigned a loss of control over his own body, his movements becoming hesitant and unsteady.

Aria, who was watching closely, sensed something amiss. Her brow furrowed as she noticed Adrian's sudden change in demeanor. His usual focused intensity wavered, replaced by an unsettling hesitation. She knew Adrian well, but this sudden shift was out of character.

'Is it possible that he...?'

'Thud-!'

The audience, unaware of the inner turmoil unfolding within Adrian, gasped in concern as he stumbled slightly, his sword slipping from his grasp, his body falling to the floor. Murmurs spread through the crowd, speculation mixing with worry as they witnessed the unexpected turn of events.

(Say I Quit This Match)

'!'