The Nameless Extra: I Proofread This World

Ruvian stepped into the chamber assigned for the Polaris Circle’s gathering. Scanning the chamber, inside, everyone was already here except for Instructor Airin.

’Hmm... is she late?’

It wasn’t like her. Airin had always been precise with time, almost rigid about it. For her to be absent when the entire circle had already assembled felt off.

"Yo, Ruvian. You came."

A voice called out from the side.

Griffer raised his hand above his head as he stood next to Noelle.

Ruvian gave a small nod in acknowledgment before making his way toward them.

"Where’s our Instructor?" he asked once he reached them.

"Oh, she was already here earlier." Noelle replied gently.

"She said she forgot something," Noelle continued, her eyes flicking briefly toward the entrance. "Told us to wait here while she goes to retrieve it."

Griffer shrugged lightly. "Yeah, she didn’t even say what it was. Just suddenly gone."

’Could it be that she forgot to bring the scroll?’

The possibility crossed Ruvian’s mind. He was already aware of what their next session would involve.

Today marked their first direct experience fighting against a Voidspawn.

Since they were already in the second week of January, such exposure was no longer optional. It was necessary for the scholars to face real combat, even if only in a controlled environment.

Reading about the Voidspawn in textbooks and listening to lectures about their nature were not enough. The true danger of those entities could only be understood when one stood before them.

And time would not slow down for them too.

The mid-semester practical test would arrive sooner than most of them expected. When that day came, they would be required to confront multiple Voidspawn. Whether they felt prepared or not would no longer matter.

Just as that thought settled, the door to the chamber opened. Airin had returned. "Sorry for the inconvenience." she said while holding a metal box in her hand.

Airin walked to the center of the chamber and lowered the metal box onto the stone floor before them.

The sound it made was heavy, echoing faintly against the walls. She crouched down unhurriedly and unclasped the reinforced locks, her fingers moved with quiet familiarity as she searched inside for something among its contents.

"Today, we are going to do some combat training," she said, her voice light and almost pleasant. She glanced up at them, a bright smile resting on her face.

"So, all of you will work together as you will be fighting against a Voidspawn."

"Fighting against a Voidspawn?" Corwin’s voice broke the stillness. He stared at her, his face draining of color as the implication reached him.

"Are you serious, instructor?"

In contrast, Griffer’s response came with a sharp spark of enthusiasm.

"Alright!" he exclaimed, bringing the butt of his spear down against the floor with a solid thud. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Airin retrieved a folded parchment from within the box and rose to her feet, dusting her hands lightly.

"Yes, you are," she said calmly.

"But there is no need to panic. It’s just a simulation. The Voidspawn you face is not real, they’re just an illusion."

"However," she continued in the same pleasant tone, "you will still feel pain if it manages to strike you. The feedback will be real enough to remind your body of its mistakes."

"So my advice is simple. If you do not wish to feel pain, then do not get hit."

A few of them forced uneasy smiles, uncertain whether she was attempting humor. But Ruvian understood immediately that she was not.

Though her expression was warm, her meaning was precise. She intended for them to treat this as real combat.

*****

Airin moved toward the right side of the chamber where a reinforced apparatus had long been stationed against the wall.

She began adjusting the mechanism with a determined face, a few faint lights flickered across the surface of the device as it responded to her touch.

The low hum that followed gradually deepened, resonating through the chamber floor.

Meanwhile, the Polaris members had already stepped onto the designated combat stage at the center of the chamber.

The stone platform was wide and inscribed with containment runes in pale cerulean lines.

Adjusting the sleeve of his combat attire, Ruvian walked to his position.

They had changed into their regulation combat gear, a fitted suit that adhered closely to the skin. The material was flexible yet reinforced, faintly lined with protective threads that shimmered when they caught the light.

A compact shoulder guard rested on each side, and a light breastplate covered the vital area without restricting their movement.

Around him, the others stretched and loosened their limbs.

After several minutes, the hum from the apparatus stabilized.

Airin stepped away from the machine and approached the stage. At some point, she had changed as well. She now wore the same combat attire as her scholars.

In her hand, she carried a staff.

It was slim and well-made, with a calm rose-colored finish. Fine lines were engraved along the shaft, twisting upward in perfect symmetry. At its highest point, a smooth pink crystal reflected the room’s light.

She ascended the stage and faced them.

"Before we begin, I will demonstrate to all of you how ferocious a Lesser Voidspawn can be."

Her gaze moved across their faces, ensuring each of them was attentive.

"Although it is the weakest classification, you must never underestimate them."

Airin lifted one slender finger, drawing their full attention.

"The Voidspawn you will be facing belongs to the lizard archetype. Also known as Skarix." She allowed the name to settle in their minds before continuing.

"It moves on two powerful hind legs with remarkable quickness. Their forelimbs are equipped with curved claws, and capable of tearing through any unreinforced flesh.

But, it’s not just attacking with its claws alone. It also has jaws that carry rows of razor-sharp teeth.

"But most importantly, this monster will not confront you directly unless it senses an advantage. It prefers to circle, and exploit your hesitation."

"So, try not to lose sight of it even for a moment."

She then gestured for them to step back. The Polaris members obeyed without argument, widening the distance between themselves and the center of the platform.

Airin turned toward the apparatus stationed at the side of the chamber. Extending her free hand toward it, she summoned a magic circle in the air before her palm.

The formation bloomed into existence with a soft radiance, then she rotated it softly along its circumference.

Later, the machine answered her.

The hum deepened into a resonant vibration that traveled through the stone floor and into the soles of their boots.

The entire chamber seemed to pulse.

At the very center of the platform, a faint glimmer appeared, no larger than a spark. It hovered for a moment, then expanded gradually.

The glimmer thickened into a luminous silhouette. First a vague outline. Then a defined shape. The curve of a spine. The arch of hind legs. Then, the elongated form of a tail.

The radiance intensified, swallowing the figure in a brief, blinding flash.

When the light receded, the beast stood there and it immediately shrieked.

Once its eyes locked at Airin, it immediately charged at her.

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[Chapter 90: Working as A Team (1)

Plot Points= 14,080