Author Of Worlds: I Reincarnated Into My Novel As A Random Character
Chapter 30: Axel vs Grati... Anger!

Chapter 30: Axel vs Grati... Anger!

Instructor Silas’s hand seemed to hover over the crowd as his gaze swept across the gathered students. Slowly, without saying a word, he pointed directly at Axel.

Seeing this, Matthew’s eyes went wide with shock.

"You!" Silas barked, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "Come and duel with him!"

Axel was similarly stunned. He hadn’t expected to be called up to face Grati.

It wasn’t that he was afraid of Grati.

With his Copycat ability, he could simply mimic the right talent and fight back with equal or greater force. However, Matthew’s earlier words rang in his ears. He had told him to be cautious around the instructors.

Axel’s eyes snapped toward Matthew the instant he was chosen.

Matthew gave a subtle shake of his head, a small yet firm gesture.

Axel immediately understood.

’Looks like I can’t show my real strength yet. Whose ability should I copy then?’

His thoughts raced wildly as he slowly made his way toward the platform.

’If I’m not supposed to reveal anything, then there’s no point copying an ability at all.’

’I can just take a beating and pretend to pass out.’

’Maybe that’s what he meant by shaking his head. I shouldn’t copy any powers, right?’

Axel’s mind churned with thoughts.

Deciding on this, he no longer hesitated and jumped onto the platform with a calm expression on his face.

Grati glanced at Axel, his loose hair swaying slightly in the breeze. His posture looked relaxed, almost lazy, and his face was composed, unaffected by tension.

The calmness irritated Grati.

He hated that look.

It reminded him of Leo.

And he despised Leo.

"I’ll give you a chance to strike first before I tear you apart," Grati said coldly.

Since they both belonged to the Potion Origin Path, Grati felt the need to make a point. He wanted to humiliate Axel by allowing him the first move before destroying him slowly, publicly.

Axel remained silent.

He had no intention of attacking. But how was he supposed to say that?

More importantly, he currently hadn’t copied any ability.

Charging directly at Grati would be nothing short of suicide.

His best option was to wait for Grati to attack and then feign unconsciousness the moment he got hit.

Seeing Axel’s calm and seemingly indifferent expression, Grati misunderstood it as contempt.

Fury welled up in his chest.

His eyes turned colder as he spoke in a low, emotionless voice.

"Since I gave you a chance and you refused it, don’t blame me for what happens next."

As soon as the words left his lips, he raised the fan in his hand.

The fan emitted a faint metallic shimmer before unfolding and splitting into seven sharp, glistening metal rods that floated around him.

This was his ability.

After taking the Metallic Synergy Potion, he had awakened the power to control metal. A rare and powerful B-grade talent.

Without any further delay, the rods shot forward like arrows, piercing through the air toward Axel, who was momentarily caught off guard.

His eyes widened slightly.

Before he could even react, the rods slammed into his body and pierced through seven different spots.

His ribs, arm, shoulder blade, and torso all suffered direct hits.

Blood began to ooze from the wounds, and the pain was intense—nearly unbearable.

Axel took a sharp breath and gritted his teeth, trying his best to endure the sudden wave of agony. Just as he was about to fake unconsciousness, he felt his body rise off the ground, suspended in midair.

The pain doubled.

Grati slowly stepped forward with a look of disgust and amusement on his face.

"Next time, I dare you to look down on me."

As he spoke, his right hand twisted slightly.

The rods embedded in Axel’s body began to sprout thin, sharp needles from their surfaces.

The pain that followed was excruciating.

Axel let out a bone-chilling scream that echoed across the training grounds.

His cry sent shivers through the crowd. Everyone could tell that he was experiencing unimaginable pain.

His body shook faintly.

Since he hadn’t copied any ability, he had no way to resist.

Grati stood too far away. If he had been close, Axel might have touched him and copied his metal-controlling ability, but that was no longer possible.

"Stop!" Matthew’s voice boomed across the field, filled with rage.

His eyes were burning with fury.

Seeing Axel—usually so carefree and calm—groaning and suspended like a puppet, made it difficult for him to keep his composure.

But despite his cry, no one moved.

Instructor Silas stood still, his arms crossed, eyes narrowed with a faint glint of enjoyment as he watched the scene unfold.

Matthew’s fists clenched again and again.

He looked around at the crowd, at the many students watching with varied expressions.

Some appeared indifferent.

Among them, the two protagonists stood with contrasting thoughts.

Sylvia was neutral, her face unreadable.

Leo, however, clenched his fists tightly as painful memories flashed through his mind. He had once been in Axel’s position, bullied and powerless.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw Matthew step forward from the crowd.

Matthew’s expression was icy.

His anger was no longer something he could hold back.

If no one else would stop this madness, he would.

As he looked around, his heart hardened.

Maybe, just maybe, the people here didn’t deserve to be saved during the upcoming dragon invasion.

At that moment, Silas’s voice rang out.

"Grati wins."

Grati gave a polite smile and waved his hand.

The seven metal rods exited Axel’s body all at once, and he fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

The rods rotated in midair, shaking off the blood that clung to them, and slowly reformed into the shape of a fan.

Grati caught it with ease and began fanning himself casually as he stepped off the platform.

It was as though nothing had happened.

"As expected of our leader! The strongest year one student! That trash Axel never stood a chance!" a student yelled out from the crowd.

"That trash Axel never stood a chance..."

The words echoed over and over in Matthew’s head.

It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck his chest.

He thought back to all Axel had done for him since arriving in this world.

Their bond was not ordinary.

Boom.

Matthew’s eyes turned blood red as he whipped his gaze toward the source of the insult.

The speaker was a young man with pale yellow hair and a square-shaped face. A wide grin spread across his features, and his eyes glowed with admiration as he stared at Grati.

He looked like a fanatic.

Without waiting to be called, Matthew stepped onto the stage.

"Instructor, I would like to challenge someone."

For the first time since entering this world, Matthew was about to act without a plan.

He was ready to fight.