Extra's Descent

Despite the clear gap in power between the cadets and the wyvern, there was a reason why no deaths had occurred.

It was because instructors strictly supervised the entire ordeal, hiding several meters away.

When cadets were at death's door, they would subtly save them using their magic in any manner.

Truth be told, any of the instructors on the S–rank could take the wyvern on. Not as if the wyvern was weak, but it was extremely sluggish.

The only reason the guild classified it as S–rank was due to its exceptional endurance against magic.

Especially so, in the case of Evelyn, who could most definitely slay the wyvern in under one minute.

But despite all that, they left the cadets to their own devices. They were strictly there to avoid any deaths.

Injuries?

They deserved it for being lax.

As they continued to watch the scene, to watch the chaos unfolding, suddenly the tension sank in.

There, they could see a cadet, about to be crushed by the wyvern's talons. In the next instant, a shadow streaked and a man with jet–black hair appeared before the cadet.

He was the newest addition to the higher class, and from what they've seen, they had evaluated him highly. Especially during the wyvern subjugations.

It was none other than Raven Blackheart.

He had contributed far more than anyone had anticipated. Instead of focusing on slashing through the wyvern's scales as a duelist should, Raven used his speed to rescue cadets, often at the expense of his own safety.

Together with the blonde cadet, Amy, and other supporters, they managed to save several cadets.

It was admirable.

And now, he was doing it again. Disregarding his own safety just to save the cadet.

For that reason, several instructors raised their hands forward, gathering magic power around their palms with the intent to save Raven and the cadet.

"Wait."

Evelyn extended her hands to the side, motioning for them to stop.

Due to her hypersensitivity to mana, she had felt it.

He was coming.

Of course, since she was in charge, the instructors paused. But confusions were etched on their faces as they questioned her sudden cold decision.

"But Field Marshal, he's about to—"

Their words abruptly cut off as they gazed at the scene. Mist slowly rolled in, but given how high up they were, visibility was not an issue.

All of a sudden,

"...."

Silence. Read more tales on NovelFire-l-em,py-r

"What happened?"

"Why isn't the wyvern moving?"

Questions rose one after another, baffled by the sudden turn of events.

Evelyn pointed ahead.

"Look."

The instructors squinted their eyes, scrutinizing whatever the hell just happened.

"Who's—"

"Is that Brandon Locke?"

"Yes."

Evelyn nodded her head at an instructor's conjecture.

The wyvern had completely stopped moving, and amidst it all, was Brandon Locke.

It looked as if time had frozen, the snow gently falling.

"How is this even possible? There's no way an A-ranker could pull off something like this!"

"You are all about to witness…."

Evelyn spoke with a hint of pride. She was truly proud of Brandon from the bottom of her heart.

"The birth of a new S ranker."

***

Despite the sheer destructive force Brandon unleashed with the cursed flames, the wyvern remained standing. This led him to conclude that its magical defenses were definitely at the high–end for its rank.

Thankfully, the threads restrained the wyvern's movement somehow. However, he was aware it wouldn't be enough.

Especially seeing the threads beginning to break apart.

Brandon quickly recalled the threads back, the amethyst flames dissipating.

—Hwoooooar!

The wyvern roared out in anger. Its tail sweeped the ground in one swift motion, the ground shattering.

Brandon instantly traversed through the mist, appearing right above the wyvern, dodging the attack with ease. However, unable to fly, Brandon descended downward rapidly.

Clap—!

"Huu….."

With a sharp inhale, he clasped his hands together, channeling far more mana than he ever had for this skill. The air around him crackled with energy as the ground beneath trembled.

Suddenly, massive chains erupted from the snowy ground, surging upward before wrapping themselves around the wyvern.

Rapidly descending, his hand shot downward.

BOOOOM———!

In an instant, the wyvern slammed into the earth with a thunderous crash, the sheer force of the impact rippling through the forest, shaking its very foundation.

The wyvern let out another furious roar, its wings beating against the chains, sending a whirlwind of snow and debris spiraling through the mist-filled air.

Cracks etched across the ground from the force of its struggle.

SHIIING—!

Unsheathing the sword on his waist, Brandon faded in the mist once more, appearing atop the wyvern's head.

There were different ways to go about this. But clearly, magic would only hinder him back. The most optimal course of action was to hack away with brute strength.

But clearly, the other duelists had already done that. Evident from the marks embedded on the wyvern's scales.

And clearly, their strength didn't suffice.

'I have to shatter its scales before I sear through the flesh then.'

Brandon thought to himself.

'Will I have enough strength to do so?'

He wasn't a duelist. And so, despite being an S–ranker, maybe his strength wouldn't be up to par.

If it were Raven or Amelia, it would make things much easier.

However, he had no other choice.

He was well aware the instructors were hiding somewhere, preparing if the worst would transpire, but he knew they wouldn't do a single thing to assist in the wyvern's subjugation.

He was the only S–ranker present. The cadet with a real shot of actually taking the wyvern down individually.

At that moment, magic power surged, coursing through his veins and isolating in his arm.

His eyes narrowed, focusing on the wyvern's jagged scales. He felt the muscles in his arm start to ache, strained from the surge of raw power.

With a swift motion, he brought his fist down on the wyvern's skull.

CRACK——!

The sound reverberated through the air as his punch connected, sending shockwaves rippling through the wyvern's body. The force of the blow caused the beast to stagger, its massive frame trembling under the impact.

Brandon wasted no time. His fist rose again, with intense focus, he drove it down once more.

BOOOM——!

The ground beneath them trembled, snow scattering in every direction. At that moment, a metallic sound rang out as the chains constrained around the wyvern shattered.

"Tsk."

Clicking his tongue, he stared at the scale he had struck twice. With two strikes, a large crack spread across the wyvern's scale—protecting its skull.

He could tell he only needed to do it once more for the scales to completely shatter and expose its vulnerable skin.

Sadly, the wyvern moved once more and Brandon's figure blurred within the mist, reappearing on its lower back.

In that brief instance, Brandon stared at the scene below. Cadets watched with awe, some with open mouths, and some with widened eyes.

Most probably, they didn't want to interfere with his actions, in fear of accidentally inflicting friendly fire.

And that's exactly what he wanted.

Clap—!

Brandon's hands clasped once more, shooting massive chains up from the ground, latching themselves onto the wyvern again, pinning its body back down on the ground, crashing.

BOOOOM——!

The sheer scale of this skill significantly decreased his mana capacity. He surmised that he could only do this skill once more before his mana drained.

Meaning, he couldn't do this again, unless he fully replenished his mana.

With a single thought, he blurred into the mist, reappearing atop the wyvern's head once more.

Staring at his trembling knuckles, the wounds from his previous stunt reopened. But Brandon quickly dismissed the pain.

His muscles tightened as he raised his fist, his arm quaking from the immense magic power channeled into it, the air crackling with magic energy.

With all the strength he could muster, Brandon slammed his fist down onto the wyvern's cracked scale.

CRACK——!

The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward from the point of contact.

The ground beneath them shuddered violently as Brandon's fist connected.

"Haaa…. Haaa….!"

Brandon's breathing came ragged as he wasted no time, unsheathing his blade once more.

Hopefully, its skull was its weakness.

After all,

…..The scales finally shattered open.