Extra To Protagonist-Chapter 39: Trip (2)

Before Nathan could step forward, Merlin casually raised his hand.

"If we're doing a demonstration, shouldn't we send someone more qualified?"

Alden's gaze snapped to him, along with everyone else in the room.

Merlin stood up slowly, expression calm, tone controlled.

"I'll fight instead. As the rank one of the first years, it's my responsibility to fight.'

Nathan turned, his expression mixed between relief and confusion.

'Responsibility my ass…what am I even saying.'

Merlin didn't acknowledge Nathan's expression at all.

His cold gaze remained locked on Commander Alden.

This wasn't about Nathan.

This was about proving that he was the better choice. That he could take control of the story.

Alden stared at him for a long moment.

Then, with a slight nod, he gestured to the arena.

"Very well."

Merlin smirked.

'I'll do my best to win..No that's wrong..I will not lose.'

The observation deck overlooked a large, reinforced combat arena, its walls lined with barrier generators designed to withstand high-impact magic.

The floor was a mixture of metal plating and mana-absorbing stone, built specifically for intensive combat training.

Merlin stepped forward, his movements calm and deliberate, as he made his way toward the arena.

Nathaniel hesitated before finally sitting back down, his expression uncertain.

The other students whispered among themselves.

"He just volunteered? Against a military trainee?"

"Is he serious?"

"Did he lose his mind or something?"

"Why would he even do that?"

Vivienne watched with mild concern, but she didn't stop him, in her mind, she actually wanted to see Merlin fight against the trainee.

Commander Alden simply observed him with an unreadable expression before turning to a nearby soldier. "Bring in the trainee."

A door on the far end of the arena slid open, and a soldier stepped inside.

Merlin's eyes flicked toward his opponent.

The man was tall, broad-shouldered, with a scar running down his left cheek. His short-cropped black hair and piercing gray eyes screamed discipline and experience.

His military-grade combat uniform was reinforced with mana-resistant plating, and a standard-issue high-frequency blade rested on his hip.

A rookie.

But an experienced combatant.

Merlin analyzed him instantly. He had a way stronger physique. Definitely way more combat experience. And to top it off with a cherry he was trained to kill, not just spar.

A bad matchup for any normal student.

But Merlin wasn't normal. He had already killed people before, he had multiple affinities. Way beyond a normal student, and he was a second star already.

The soldier stepped forward, standing opposite him. His expression was calm—not arrogant, not dismissive, just assessing.

"Cadet Elias Voss," the man introduced himself. His voice was leveled, free of unnecessary hostility. "I will be your opponent."

Merlin gave him a slight nod. "Merlin Everhart. I will be in your care I guess."

The trainee's eyes seemed to twitch as soon as he heard the name.

'So he knows who I am, that's interesting.'

Commander Alden raised a hand interrupting Merlin's thoughts and Vivienne threw them wooden swords.

"This is a controlled spar. No lethal intent, no excessive force. Rookie Elias isn't allowed to use affinities. You will fight until one of you is unable to continue or surrenders."

The barrier generators activated, locking them inside the combat ring.

Vivienne's voice came through the intercom above them. "Ready?"

Merlin exhaled slowly.

This wasn't just a spar.

This was a statement.

To Nathan. To Alden. To everyone watching.

This world doesn't belong to Nathan anymore. Merlin is the real protagonist of this world.

Vivienne's voice rang out

"Begin."

Elias moved first.

His body blurred forward in a burst of speed, closing the gap between them in an instant. His sword flashed, a clean diagonal slash aimed at Merlin's torso—fast, controlled, efficient.

Merlin didn't dodge instantly.

[Trickster's Reflex.]

His body moved, shifting slightly at the last possible moment.

The blade passed within centimeters of his ribs.

He countered immediately.

Wind gathered around his sword, as he lashed out with a lightning-fast thrust aimed at Elias' exposed side.

Elias reacted with impressive reflexes, twisting his body to redirect the attack, his blade coming up to parry.

Wood clashed against wood.

The impact sent a sharp shockwave through the air, the force rippling against the barrier walls.

Elias' expression shifted slightly.

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Merlin however didn't let up.

[Stride.]

A pulse of mana rushed through Merlin's body, and suddenly, his movements became unnatural—faster, smoother, impossible to predict.

He disappeared from Elias' vision, his acceleration doubling in an instant.

Elias barely had time to react before Merlin was already behind him.

A sharp gust of wind followed his movement, his rapier aiming for Elias' exposed back.

Elias whirled trying to react, his blade slashing in a counterattack—

Merlin wasn't there.

He had already shifted directions mid-dash, sliding to Elias' left flank instead.

His sword struck.

'It's over for him.

A precise, controlled hit—the tip stopping just inches from Elias' throat.

A perfect kill strike.

Silence.

The match had lasted less than twenty seconds.

Elias blinked.

Then slowly, he lowered his blade.

Alden's voice rang through the arena.

"Match over. Merlin Everhart, victory."

The barriers deactivated, and Merlin took a slow step back, exhaling as he let the mana from Stride settle.

Elias turned to face him fully, his gray eyes unreadable. Then, with a slight movement, he gave a respectful nod.

"That was impressive," he admitted.

'In all honesty, he was held back with not being able to use his affinity.'

Merlin simply put down his sword, his expression calm. "You weren't bad either."

The soldier's lips tugged slightly in what might have been amusement before he turned and walked back toward the exit.

Merlin glanced up at the observation deck.

Nathan was staring at him, his expression unreadable.

Adrian looked shocked.

Liliana covered her mouth slightly, her blue eyes wide.

Ethan's usual bored expression was gone.

Seraphina's silver eyes sharpened, analyzing every movement.

Dorian as expected, remained silent.

What's wrong with her? Is she my fan or what..?'

Elara….had her mouth covered as her eyes were wide open looking at Merlin.

Vivienne, however, simply smiled.

Commander Alden, for the first time, looked at Merlin with genuine interest.