Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 103: Rules

Reina, the black-haired girl, one of the seven elites of the second years, watched as their instructor, her aunt Merel, returned after giving the first years a good 'talk.' Her lips curled up as she noticed many of the first years were anxious or fearful. She thrived on this reaction, feeling a sense of superiority and satisfaction.

However, as she surveyed the group, her eyes landed on a brown-haired boy who seemed unfazed. He stood out because of his indifferent and cold gaze directed at her aunt. For some reason, this got on Reina's nerves. Who was this boy to look at her aunt with such disdain?

Reina's rage intensified as she continued to watch him. Despite the tension in the room, the boy remained calm, his eyes shifting from her aunt to meet her own. Their gazes locked for a moment, and Reina felt a surge of anger at his audacity. Yet, he only held her gaze briefly before turning his attention elsewhere, completely dismissing her.

Following his gaze, Reina saw who he was looking at — Ciel. The sight of the blue-haired girl and the soft expression Adrian wore while looking at her made Reina's anger flare even more. How dare he disrespect her aunt and then ignore her, only to give such an affectionate look to someone else? It felt like a double insult, and Reina's grip on her sword tightened as she struggled to contain her fury.

'I'll show you...' She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. It wouldn't do to let her emotions control her actions in such a crucial moment. However, the intensity of her anger made it clear that she wouldn't let this slight go unnoticed. The boy had knowingly made an enemy in Reina, and she intended to show him exactly why the second years were called the Golden Generation.

Why she was called the Thunder Sword Princess...

____ ___ _

Meanwhile, Ceil, who was inspecting her juniors noticed a faint yet indescribable gaze. Following the direction, her eyes landed on two deep indifferent brown eyes. Maybe surprised by her gaze, the eyes shook slightly, though only for a brief moment.

They then just gazed right back at her, the same indifference in his expression, as if he was challenging her to look deeper, to see beyond the surface. Ciel felt a momentary pang of curiosity. Who was this boy, and why did he hold such an unyielding gaze? There was something different about him, something that set him apart from the rest of the first years.

She watched as the boy turned his attention back to the rest of his team, his demeanor calm and composed. He seemed to be strategizing, his eyes flicking between his teammates and the second-year students, sizing up the competition. Ciel found herself intrigued by his confidence and the way he carried himself.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Instructor Merel's voice calling out to them.

"Listen, students. Since you all have crossed to the Lunar Tier, you will wear special bracelets that will restrict your powers to the peak level of the Nebula Tier. This is to ensure fair combat and to test your skills rather than relying solely on your raw power.

We want to see how well you adapt and strategize under these conditions," Instructor Merel announced, holding up a set of silver bracelets. "I will also tell the rules. Listen..."

______ __

The same thing was happening over the first years' side. Instructor Valerie told her students about the restrictions the second year would have and started telling them the rules.

The rules were simple yet stringent, designed to test not just combat prowess but also strategic thinking and teamwork:

Combat Time Limit: Each match would last no more than ten minutes. If no clear winner emerged by the end of this period, the instructors would judge based on performance, strategy, number of members, and overall skill.

Ring Out Rule: Stepping out of the designated combat area would result in immediate disqualification.

No Fatal Blows: While injuries were expected, strikes aimed to maim or kill were strictly forbidden. Magic and physical attacks should be controlled to avoid severe harm.

Power Restriction: As mentioned, all second-year students would wear bracelets that restricted their power to the peak Nebula Tier, leveling the playing field.

No Outside Help: Once a match began, no external assistance, magical or otherwise, would be allowed. Each combatant had to rely solely on their skills and abilities. Meaning they couldn't use artifacts or potions.

Victory Conditions: A match could be won by knockout, opponent's surrender, or if the instructors deemed one side clearly superior by the end of the time limit.

With the rules set, the atmosphere in the hall grew even more intense. Both sides knew that these matches were crucial for their growth and reputation.

Instructor Valerie addressed her first years once more, her voice calm but firm. "Remember, this is an opportunity to learn and grow. You've trained hard, and now it's time to show what you can do. Trust in your abilities and in each other. Give it your best."

"Yes, teacher!"

"We can do it!"

"We will show you what we learned!"

Maybe they were happy about the restrictions or they were really confident, many first years replied excitedly.

"Well, then, let's head to the Battle Arena."

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the students left the Combat Training Hall and headed to the Battle Arena. This grand structure was designed for high-stakes events, boasting a vast circular arena surrounded by tiered seating that could accommodate a large audience. The walls were adorned with banners representing the academy, and the air buzzed with excitement and tension.

As they entered the arena, the first years couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and nervousness. The scale of the place was imposing, and the reality of the situation began to sink in. They were about to compete in front of several instructors and senior-year students. It was a chance to prove themselves, but also a daunting test of their abilities.

Not to mention, the Principal and Vice Principal were going to watch them as well!