Introduction Arc: Chapter 4.
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"Hear my words. Follow my command. Complete my directives. I call for you! Come forth! Greater Dirt Golem."
The student flashily announced.
A magical circle formed on the ground and runes were etched on it. The Greater Dirt Golem appeared, their figure gradually forming.
The summon stood at a height of six meters whereas the training golem stood at exactly five meters.
(Ha! I am sure they're amazed by my summoning mantra and I am extra sure that they're in awe of my Greater Dirt Golem!)
The student took out a retractable baton from his left uniform pocket. It was a conductor's baton, using it as a flashy medium to order his golem.
It served zero purpose. Summons can be mentally commanded.
(I, Hant Hessily will rise above my class and dethrone that rapier queen. It's now the era of the Summoner King.)
The greater mud golem summon rushed forward as Hant Hessily mentally commanded it to destroy the training golem in three blows.
*Wham!* *Wham!* *Wham!* The training golem was obliterated. Surprising both the instructor and their teacher Cassie Cydonia.
"An outstanding potential."
"After graduation. I'd expect the military to try and enlist him."
Hant Hessily heard the praises, along with the polite yet awed clapping of his classmates. *Kzzrt!*
Time slowed for Hant as his mental link with his golem was severed. Slowly, he turned to his summoned golem which sparked in life. *ROAR!*
A roar boomed as the greater dirt golem faced the crowd of students and charged. The ground shook in each step.
"Cancel it out. Now." Mary Anne Grace ordered, eyes focused on the charging golem and unsheathing her silver rapier.
"Now, this is exciting!" Loid Ferener stepped forward as his fists glowed in red.
Mary's eyes darted to the instructor and teacher who observed the situation. Not raising a single finger. Their expression is devoid of any fear.
Several of the students also stepped forward, activating their martials and powering up their magical spells. This was a prime opportunity to stand out and they weren't going to let it pass.
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"What a bunch of show-offs." Lyle thought, resting beneath a tree's shade while observing his classmates.
(Mary Anne Grace will destroy the golem in less than two minutes. Loid Ferener will make sure it won't run away and meanwhile...)
Lyle glimpsed at the panicking summoner. Desperately trying to regain control.
(He passed the test but was barred from summoning that golem again. After this he kinda fades into the crowd, only shown in the background. Especially in the anime version.)
(It's too bad the anime didn't get a fourth season. The third season had a horrible animation.)
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*Bang!* The summoned greater mud golem was pushed back. A single punch from Loid was enough to send it reeling.
"Fade away, will you?" Mary added, showing her prowess as the rapier queen. Her movements were quick, the golem was spinning in circles trying to catch her.
*Clang!* The summoned golem's arm was cut off, the limbs rapidly whittled by Mary.
A single spike of icicle struck the golem's face but was redirected after the impact due to the craggy exterior, heading for the airborne Mary who then effortlessly parried it with her rapier and sent it back to the summoned golem.
This time hitting the eye.
Mary then glanced at the magic caster, one of her classmates, and gave a disapproving look. The summoned golem stomped at Mary but instead stomped the empty ground.
Loid Ferener removed the glow on his arms. He witnessed Mary slash the summoned golem several dozen times in several seconds. Mary used her speed and momentum to deal extra damage to the golem.
"It's done," Mary added as the summoned golem collapsed and faded away.
⟐
Lyle Cass clapped his hands at the display, whistling. A huge smile formed on his face. Thinking that it was a treat to see the main character in action.
(This is cinema...) He muttered, almost dropping a tear.
The teacher, Madame Cassie Cydonia stepped down from the makeshift podium along with the instructor. Giving their praise to Mary and Loid while lecturing the summoner, Hant.
⟐ In a few minutes, the aptitude test resumed.
Lyle watched as his classmates displayed their prowess, trying to deactivate the training golem but no matter what they did. It all paled in comparison to what Mary and Loid did earlier.
A matter that didn't bother Lyle.
(I don't want to stand out and remove the focus from the main characters. I hate that trope.)
He mused, realizing something.
(Now that I think about it. What can I even do to help them on their journey? After the Introduction Arc should be the Class Thief Mini-Arc then the Student Body Mini-Arc then the Tournament Arc.)
(Then the arc that set the tone was the Town Raid Arc. An actual villain antagonist instead of the usual school drama.)
Lyle stood up, patting his pants while barely containing a smile. The fact that he could influence the story was pure ecstasy for him. It didn't matter that everything was generated by artificial intelligence.
The only thing that mattered to him was that everything seemed real, life-like.
"U-uhm... Lyle...?" A feminine voice broke his focus.
A bespectacled youthful woman, his classmate, called for him while slightly leaning down. Her eyes fidgeted restlessly, unable to maintain direct eye contact.
"I am Hanna Bae and you're one of the last students left. You should go in front..." Hanna meekly introduced herself to Lyle who was crouching down beneath the tree's cool shade.
Hanna Bae wore the same white uniform and beret as the rest but what struck out from her appearance were the graded eyeglasses and freckles on her face.
Her voice was soft and low, trying not to offend.
(Oh... It's the main antagonist and thief of the Class Thief Mini-Arc. Hanna Bae.) Lyle mused.
"Alright. Thank you for the reminder." He stood up and bowed, heading for the crowd of students.
"Now. Let's get to show off my skills."
As he neared the group. He spotted Freya facing against the training golem. An inquisitive expression formed on his face since he only read what Freya did in the light novels.
(The anime and the successful manhwa didn't show this part. Only mentioned that she passed. I think she went invisible?)
In exact timing, Freya muttered a chant and then a smoke cloud appeared on the training ground. Both she and the golem weren't visible.
(Ah right. She turns invisible inside the smokescreen. It's rather weak but if it works. It works.)
Two minutes had passed, causing the instructor to blow a whistle and end the current aptitude test.
"A rather situational spell and expertise but it has its uses."
"She can navigate freely in the smokescreen and it doesn't go away until she wills it. Yeah. It's situational but it does work."
Lyle heard the compliments and he can't help but agree with their sentiments.
"Who's the last!?" Madame Cassie Cydonia shouted as Lyle Cass walked forward, hand raised.
"Step into the area, please." The instructor added, activating the training golem.
(I don't have any magical prowess as of now. I'll have to rely on my martial skills.)
In the world of
The cost of using them is the individual's stamina. The stronger the martial skill, the stronger the cost would be. Overuse would lead to the total collapse of an individual's body.
However, certain spells and talents can mitigate the physical tolls and challenges.
"Strength Ward. Durability Ward. Speed Pace. Power Boost. Greater Power Boost. Exceed Limit. Greater Exceed Limit. Ability Rush. "
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The continuous activation of several different martial skills surprised the crowd of students. The instructor raised an eyebrow whereas their teacher, Madame Cassie Cydonia chuckled.
"My, my. I didn't expect that from him. He didn't look like the combative and experienced type." The instructor added.
"Instructor Heart would be pleased. Another student with the same talent as his." Madame Cassie Cydonia added while crossing her arms.
Mary Anne Grace briefly glanced then continued with the cleaning of her silver rapier. Whereas Loid Ferener grinned in excitement.
"I knew he was strong! Ha! My sense would never lie to me. You lost Grace. You better pay up!"
Mary scoffed, slashing the air with her silver rapier. "His talent is strong not him necessarily. He's overexerting himself," she added, sheathing her sword and walking away.
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"Mind Excel. Greater Mind Excel. Rush- " *Plap!*
Lyle Cass collapsed after activating fifteen martial skills.