The Extra's Rise-Chapter 330: Boundary Breach (1)

The sun blazed overhead, its golden rays pouring down onto the vast hexagonal arena where the Boundary Breach event was about to unfold. This wasn't just any competition—it was the crown jewel of the Academy Festival, a single-day showdown where sixty students from six prestigious academies would battle it out, each defending their own ward crystal while seeking to destroy the others. The arena sprawled across miles, a patchwork of terrains designed to challenge every participant: rolling grassy plains, jagged rocky outcrops, shimmering sandy dunes, and even small lakes that reflected the sky like mirrors. I stood at the edge of the Mythos Academy section, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and determination. My name is Arthur Nightingale, and today, I was here to win.

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The air crackled with anticipation, thick enough to make my skin prickle. Around me, the other fifty-nine competitors prepared themselves—some stretched their limbs, others murmured incantations under their breath, and a few cast wary glances at their rivals. Sixty ward crystals hovered above their pedestals, each glowing with the signature color of its academy: Mythos's golden light pulsed with warmth, Slatemark's crimson flared like a flame, Starcrest's silver shimmered coolly, Gravehold's gray hung heavy and somber, Serpent Eyes' emerald glinted with menace, and Pillen's deep blue radiated calm intensity. These crystals were everything—protect one, shatter the rest, and victory would be mine.

The grandstands encircling the arena were packed with spectators: students shouting encouragements, teachers watching with keen eyes, and dignitaries from across the realm leaning forward in their seats. Banners snapped in the breeze, emblazoned with the crests of the six academies, their colors vivid against the azure sky. The noise was a constant hum, a wave of sound that fueled my adrenaline. But amidst the chaos, my focus narrowed to three people who mattered more than anyone else in this crowd—Cecilia, Rose, and Elara.

Cecilia Slatemark caught my eye first, her crimson aura flickering around her like a living fire. She was from Mythos Academy, same as me, and she wasn't just a friend—she was my girlfriend, one of the two incredible women I was lucky enough to be with. Her Gift of Witchcraft let her twist spells into shapes that defied logic, her magic as wild and fierce as she was. We'd been together for over a year, our relationship a fiery blend of passion and competition. She sauntered over, her confident stride cutting through the crowd, and flashed me a mischievous grin. "Ready to eat dirt, Arthur?" she teased, her voice carrying that playful edge I loved.

I laughed, stepping forward to meet her halfway and pulling her into a quick, tight hug. "You're the one who's gonna need a shovel, Cee. I've been prepping for this."

She smirked, shoving me lightly in the chest. "Cocky bastard. We'll see how long that lasts."

Before I could fire back, Rose Springshaper joined us, her presence as striking as Cecilia's but in a completely different way. Blue roses bloomed at her feet, their petals shimmering with paradoxical energy that bent the air around them. Like Cecilia, she was from Mythos, and she was my other girlfriend, her calm demeanor a perfect counterpoint to Cecilia's fire. Her Gift of Paradox let her manipulate reality itself, conjuring illusions and warping space with a thought. She tilted her head, her sharp eyes studying me. "Don't get too full of yourself, Arthur," she said, her tone light but firm. "You're strong, but we're not pushovers."

I grinned, brushing a hand against her arm. "I'd be disappointed if you were. Bring your best, Rose—I'm counting on it."

Then there was Elara Leopold, stepping up beside Rose with a steady, warm presence that grounded us all. She hailed from Slatemark Academy, and though she wasn't romantically tied to me like Cecilia and Rose, she was one of my closest friends. Her support magic was unmatched, capable of healing and reinforcing with a precision that made her a force in her own right. "They're right," she said, her voice calm but carrying weight. "It's not just about power today. Strategy's going to win this."

I crossed my arms, smirking at the three of them. "Good thing I've got both covered. My Gift's a cheat code, and I've been sharpening my mind too."

Cecilia snorted, nudging me with her elbow. "We'll see about that, hotshot."

Our banter was cut short by the blaring of a horn, a deep, resonant sound that silenced the crowd and sent a jolt through my veins. The sixty students scattered, each racing to their assigned ward crystals. I turned to Cecilia and Rose, giving each a quick kiss—first Cecilia, her lips warm and fierce against mine, then Rose, soft and lingering. "Good luck," I whispered to them both, then nodded to Elara with a smile. "You too." They returned the gestures with determined looks before we split off to our positions.

I reached my pedestal, the golden Mythos crystal hovering above it, pulsating with energy. The rules were simple: protect your crystal, destroy the others, and be the last one standing. With my Gift of Lucent Harmony, I had an edge—access to all nine elements plus Purelight and Deepdark, a versatility no one else could match. Add my swordsmanship, honed through years of training, and I was a walking arsenal. But I wasn't about to get complacent. This was about precision and planning as much as power.

I started with my defenses. Raising my hands, I summoned a swirling barrier of wind around the pedestal. The air howled, forming a vortex that would rip apart any spell or weapon that came too close. Next, I called up the earth, the ground trembling as stone rose and fused with veins of metal, creating a durable wall that encircled the wind barrier. I layered on a gravity field, the air thickening with a force that would slow any intruder to a crawl. Then, I distorted space around the crystal, making it appear as though it flickered between multiple locations—good luck hitting a target that wasn't where it seemed. Finally, I wove a shroud of Purelight over the whole setup, its blinding radiance searing to look at, and sent tendrils of Deepdark slithering through the shadows, ready to ensnare anyone foolish enough to approach.

I stepped back, admiring my work. It was overkill, maybe, but I didn't take chances—not when Cecilia, Rose, and Elara were out there gunning for me too. My crystal secure, I drew my sword, the familiar weight settling into my grip, and turned my gaze to the arena. My plan was straightforward: clear out the weaker opponents fast, save my strength for the real threats—my girls and a handful of others who could actually challenge me. I moved like a storm, cutting through the chaos with purpose.

The first opponent I encountered was a jittery first-year from Pillen Academy, his deep blue robes flapping as he hurled a fireball my way. I raised a hand, summoning a wave of water that crashed over it, steam hissing as the flames died. Before he could recover, I blasted him with wind, knocking him off his feet, and launched into my Tempest Dance. It was a Grade 5 technique I'd perfected over years—each strike built momentum, making me faster, stronger, deadlier. My first swing sent a gust of wind that staggered him further, the second unleashed a bolt of lightning that crackled through his flimsy shield, and the third drove a shard of ice into his ward, freezing it brittle. The fourth was a tremor of earth, my blade slamming down to shatter his crystal in a burst of blue light. He stumbled back, wide-eyed, as I moved on without a word.

The crowd roared with each victory, but I tuned it out, my focus absolute. A Starcrest swordsman came next, his silver blade flashing as he charged me. I parried his strikes effortlessly, our swords clanging in a brief, furious exchange before I shifted into Tempest Dance again. Wind pushed him back, lightning stunned him, and a surge of water swept him off his feet. My final strike was a slash of fire, searing through his defenses to crack his crystal. He cursed under his breath as I left him in the dust.