The Novel's Extra: Scrapped

"It seems we are ready. Group 1's exam will now begin."

I stared at the monitor fixedly. I then clicked on the box Minori was in. The three boxes on screen disappeared and Minori's expanded to fill the screen.

'It's best to know how a possible enemy fights.'

'I say it's possible, because he seems… stable. I can't tell whether it's a facade or not but for now, he really is focused on the exam.'

A shelled bird with sharp talons and blade-like wings appeared a distance away from Minori. 

This was the Armoured Road Runner, too fast and too resistant to physical damage for a supporter to fight. Too bad this supporter was the one who beat rank 2 in a one on one fight.

It tilted its head before crouching down. Minori drew his own blades.

'Recently…I'm not sure but he seems to genuinely be getting along with Rachel, Kim Suho and the others. Whether it's a good or bad thing remains unseen…and then there was that evening after the interrogation…'

The bird dashed forward, its form low to the ground. Minori jumped over the bullet-like creature and left a shallow gash along its back.

The bird let out a screech, not unlike nails on a chalkboard.

'Yet I'm still worried because of the small amounts of fear that creep into my soul whenever I'm around him.' 

The bird dashed behind the cover of bushes, only for the foliage to be incinerated in seconds. Despite the sheer fire power being put out, not a lot of mana was put into it.

'The main source being my own laptop. Reminding me that every movement I make, every word I speak, is caught by him. Analyzed and pried into like some sort of mystery.'

The bird squealed as it caught on flame, letting out another screech before making its last dash towards Minori.

The raven haired boy stood in front of the bird before holding out a hand. 

The bird, now cautious, tried to stop, only for it to be incinerated by a crackling stream of branching flames.

Not even dust remained.

'...that…he isn't supposed to… how?' My thoughts came to a halt as I watched the Minori on screen sheath his blade.

'How? He isn't supposed to be this strong yet. Not for at least another few incidents.' 

'Calm down, think. His power depends on the environment he's in and how many strong characters he's exposed to. The more he knows about magic the more he grows…Stigma. Was…was that the turning point? Did the pure potency of stigma result in pushing past a mental barrier?'

I felt a shiver run through my spine as he looked at the camera in the corner of the room and let himself out.

'He knew I was watching him.' Was my very first thought as he walked towards our table.

Only to realize Rachel was smiling softly while watching him come over.

My heart beat loudly as I felt bile rising to my throat. His casual chat with Rachel calmed me down a bit as I struggled to keep my emotions in.

'His eyes! What colour are they?' That would be the thing that determines my next actions.

Minori, with a half smile on his face, turned to me.

"Did you also watch it? I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but don't cut my report short just because my fight was quick."

Words caught in my throat but I forced them out regardless. I had to, or he'd catch on.

"Sure."

Unknowingly I let out a breath when he turned away.

'He's wearing coloured contacts. Thankfully I can see through them… Light gray…huuu still in the clear… thank god.'

'His dread stat might have doubled just because of me…' I thought to myself and turned to my monitor.

I didn't want him to see my expressions anymore.

…Minori Nii POV…

'Truth be told I didn't expect so much fire power… my control over my heightened mana efficiency isn't as good as it used to be… but I at least learnt the input to output ratio is 1:5. A regular fireball was amplified by five and turned into a mini missile.'

I sighed slightly as countless gazes landed on me.

Shin Jonghak, begrudging respect.

Kim Suho, surprise… proud?

Rachel, amazement.

Kim Hajin… hiding behind his screen.

Chief Magician Jin Joohwa, walking over. Hidden excitement.

"Cadet 150, Minori Nii. Could you please come with me for a moment? I promise you it'll be quick."

'Hook, line, sinker. We've caught the attention of a mage. Now I just have to convince her to back me with materials and I'll be set.'

"Sure. I don't mind." I got up.

"I'll be back in a sec." I looked back to Rachel and she waved with a smile before watching the remainder of group 1 still fighting in their respective boxes.

I followed the robed mage to a spot right next to the mages concentrating on their summoned monsters. One of which was sipping a cup of coffee.

He gave a polite wave so I waved back.

"I said it would be quick but, I'd like your answer on something first… how did you do it?" Jin Joohwa no longer hid her excitement and smiled curiously.

"Do what?" I asked her to specify, but I had a feeling I already knew.

"You didn't just kill the monster with magic or slashes. You ended the spell entirely."

The senior mage looked at me with admiration and curiosity. Nothing like the mages I knew.

Which is why I let out a chuckle.

So how should I play my cards?

If I reveal exactly what I did, there may be an uproar in the magic society, the Djinns that were on my side may view me as a threat and the government even more so.

If I don't I may not be given a chance to gain the backing of a mage…no, I'll say this… 

"All I did was trace the mana in the creature to a specific spot and cut it. When the cutting didn't work I decided to use a fireball instead."

"I…see."

'Learning to trace mana at such a young age despite not studying magic from a mage… this talent is unheard of… we must have him. If he were to join the magic tower under my invitation my reputation will surely skyrocket!'

Those were what my assumptions of her thoughts were. 

"Cadet Minori Nii, I, the chief magician of the summoner's floor of the magic tower, formally invites you to the magic tower. In exchange for your talents we will provide fu-"

I cut her off.

"I refuse." I single sentence caused the room to delve into the folds of silence

'If the Evil Society realize I can no longer be used as a spy for Cube, my plans will shatter completely.'

"...however. If you provide me with materials for the remainder of this year, no matter how expensive, I will join the magic tower of my own accord. I will also directly credit you, Jin Joohwa, as my sole benefactor." I counter offered inside the silent room and remained silent to let my words sink in.

"..."

"..."

"...You may go back to your desk." Jin Joohwa spoke seriously and slowly. I nodded and walked away, but I knew she wouldn't pass this offer up.

Before I could reach the door a voice called out from Jin Joohwa.

"I will… set a limit on the resources you can get for free. For the rest, I will partially foot the bill. And in six months time, I want you to write a paper on the basics of mana efficiency."

'Perfect. I've already been working on a multitude of papers in preparation for this. Mana efficiency just so happened to become my specialty yesterday.'

Magic surged throughout the room as the second group began their exam. Spells cast and monsters formed outside the room.

The strands of magic wove a complicated pattern that I understood as a magic circuit for creation and animals.

'So that's a summoning spell… and mages all do it via intuition?'

I memorised the symbols and refocused on the conversation.

"Are those acceptable clauses? Cadet Minori Nii?" Her voice was strained as though she may be a little tight on cash if I requested more than necessary.

"Of course. I'll make sure to email you a list for the month. And thanks."

I walked out of the room without hesitation.

'A lot of things could have gone wrong there. If she asked me to sign a contract or worse, a magical one, I'd have no way out. Thankfully I lowballed her and didn't push her too far. 

She's also the type of mage who takes lots of work outside the tower so they aren't twisted with a sense of pride.

If I delayed any longer I might be in an unfavourable position. If it weren't for the wonder and admiration in her expression I wouldn't have tried that.'

I let out a deep sigh and rejoined my table.

The blonde haired girl perked up and smiled. She looked at me with a curious expression, it's her way of telling me to explain.

I sat down first before explaining.

"They just asked me a few questions, that's all. Something about feedback for their spells." I told her simply.

"So who's fighting now?"

"Chae Nayun-ssi, Hojun-ssi, Jutryn-ssi and Carlos-ssi." Rachel responded.

'Still going to use honorifics even when not talking to them huh?'

"I see. I see."