The Extra's Reincarnation

"Drop everything you've got now!" the man screamed. 

His voice grew more demanding as the seconds passed.

I didn't expect to see how desperate these bandits were for our things, but at the very least, I could use this time to practice my senses.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, allowing mana to flow through me.

Though my eyes were closed, I sensed an outer world beyond my usual senses.

My mind visualized a reality painted in black and grey, the environment familiar, but the physical appearances of those around me gone.

Soft, web-like strings gradually attached to my body.

With each connection, I distinguished individuals with distinct mana signatures.

"1, 13, 20, 24..." I counted. There were over twenty-four people outside, or something close to that number.

"Julian, are these people trying to rob us?" Ezekiel asked.

Opening my eyes, Ezekiel seemed puzzled by our situation.

If I were to describe it, he looked clueless, almost innocent. 

"Maybe," I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. 

"Oh, Okay... wow, that bird looks cool!"

I glanced at Ezekiel, realising his attention span was as short as a squirrel.

Seriously? He's not even fazed? 

It made me wonder if he had ever experienced anything this terrifying.

As a child, it's normal to be scared, right?

But looking at Ezekiel, I realized there wasn't anything normal about him.

He was incredibly oblivious, and the fact that he hadn't sensed the energy outside was concerning.

I opened the small hatch to the front and saw the back of Nivel's head.

His body language was calm. If I were him, I'd be relaxed too. I could bet my life that most of these bandits were weak.

"Is everything okay, Mr. Nivel?"

I asked, trying to sound concerned, but my voice came out more mischievous than worried.

"Everything is fine." He turned to me with a smile, and I knew everything would be alright.

I closed the hatch and looked at Ezekiel, who had an innocent expression that spoke volumes. He truly had no clue what was going on.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied, "but I'm sure Mr. Nivel will handle it."

CREAK

The hatch opened again, and Mr. Nivel peeked through. 

"Julian, Ezekiel," Mr. Nivel said, "I want you two to open the top hatch of the carriage and watch. I have a lesson to teach you both."

It was strange that he wanted to teach us something while we were being robbed, but I was curious. I wondered what he was going to show us.

Ezekiel and I opened the hatch. A gust of wind whipped at my face. 

We were surrounded by trees, and a group of bandits blocked our path across the bridge.

"Now that you two are watching,"

Mr. Nivel said, hopping down from the driver's seat and stepping towards the bandits.

"I'd like to demonstrate a lesson in the arts that you will learn in the future."

"You crazy bastard," one of the bandits sneered, "you think you can win against all twenty-four of us?"

"Twenty-four is merely a number," Nivel replied calmly, "and it won't suffice against me."

Mana fluttered around Nivel, and the surrounding trees leaned inwards, as if absorbing his power.

"That old man's up to something! Get him!" the bandit leader shouted, pointing his weapon.

The group charged towards Mr. Nivel.

"Watch carefully, you two," Nivel instructed.

The first three bandits lunged, attempting to stab and impale him. He evaded their attacks with simple sidesteps.

"You see," he explained, "with modern mage training, we are taught to cast and fight from afar. However, we sometimes encounter situations where it's impossible to rely solely on ranged attacks."

With a swift twist of his body, Nivel swept the three bandits off their feet with a powerful kick. The bandit leader looked surprised, but the others continued their assault.

"Mages!" he shouted. Two medium-sized circles appeared above them.

"By the power of these flames and the depths of my will, unleash your power!"

[Affinity Technique: Fireball]

A torrent of flames erupted from the portals, aimed directly at our carriage. I wasn't sure if I should intervene, but I had a feeling there was nothing to worry about.

"Spell Arts of Magica - First Form: Veiled Shield," Nivel declared, extending his hand towards the oncoming bandits.

Suddenly, my vision blurred and inverted.

[Divine Eyes of Convergence Is Reacting...]

The system message appeared, and my vision shifted. Everyone around me became translucent figures. I could see blood vessels, organs, and the flow of mana. As I focused on Nivel's palm, I saw an outburst of energy different from mana. It seemed formless yet resonant with Nivel, similar yet unique.

[Divine Eyes of Convergence Has Deactivated]

[Vision Has Been Restored To Normal...]

The world's colors returned, and everyone reappeared as normal. A barrier surrounded Nivel and the carriage.

The fireballs struck the barrier and were absorbed.

"Julian," Nivel said, "do you see this? This is called Spell Arts, a formula perfected over time. It is the greatest invention of spells ever made."

Spell Arts...

A set of techniques created during the Golden Age of Magic.

It was the most widely used magic system. Considered as the pinnacle of spell casting technique, and that learning it from the original book would yield the same result.

But the perfection of it all lay in the formula of the spell's incantation.

Spell Arts were short for Spell Arts of Magica, named after its creator.

"Yes," I replied.

"Good." Nivel smiled and dispelled the barrier with a flick of his wrist. Particles of energy dissipated into the air.

The mages stopped their attack, and the bandits stood frozen in fear, realizing the extent of Nivel's power.

"The lesson is over. You are all dismissed," Nivel declared, looking at the bandits and pointing three fingers towards them.

"Quick, get that man now!" the leader shouted.

Nivel simply smiled and uttered, "Spell Arts of Magica - Fourth Form: Forceful Hand."

Three powerful shockwaves erupted from his fingertips, sending the bandits flying into the river.