Magic Academy's Genius Blinker Chapter 5: Chapter 2.2

Just moments later, the earth before him sank as the mighty shockwaves fanned outward, making the surrounding area quake to its pulse.

Overconfidence!

"I got you, you bastard!"

A basic Class 1 magic that shattered the foe's footing across a fixed range! Typically, that alone would lock down the enemy's actions.

"Die!"

Convinced I was dazed, the warrior swung his massive two-handed sword.

"... Huh?"

Clearly, I'd encountered opponents too sluggish for my Flash, preemptively unleashing area-wide skills right ahead of me?

"... The back!"

By that point, I'd already Flashed behind the warrior and slashed my dagger at the archer's rear.

But maybe the archer sensed trouble, so he rolled swiftly across the ground to dodge my attack, then loosed multiple bolts from his crossbow at me.

Pew! Pew!

"Ugghhh"

Had I possessed continuous Flash, I could've shrugged off that counter easily, but it wasn't possible now. No option but to roll away from the arrows, regrets aside.

[Flash Countdown:- 2 seconds]

Snapping my gaze upward in a rush, I saw the warrior bearing down on me, his hefty two-handed sword casting an enormous shadow overhead.

[Flash Countdown:- 1 second]

After one more backward roll, I rose and peered the other way.

Abandoning the chase, the warrior yelled.

"He will Flash over there!"

They figured it out too. The way I'd looked before triggering Flash had probably tipped off my destination.

However.

It was merely a ruse I'd planted to fool them into expecting my Flash there from the start.

Harnessing the momentum from my prior roll, I twisted my body again and unleashed a kick.

Flustered, the warrior threw up his elbow.

"Close!"

"Kyukkk..."

His elbow just barely blocked it, yet his armor split my shin with searing agony. The warrior reeled from the clash as I triggered Flash.

[Flash]

The archer, who'd fired a bolt wagering I'd Flash precisely there, bulged his eyes as I appeared abruptly before him, then desperately vaulted back.

Yet his response lagged since he was still aiming the crossbow.

Pukkk!

My dagger sank deep into the archer's throat.

"Kwauk...."

Plump!

"Ugh...."

Once the archer collapsed, the torment in my shin nearly forced me to my knees too.

"Whew...."

Still, I clenched my jaw and bore through the pain.

Slowly turning around, I caught the warrior's eyes burning with fury.

"You scurried like a rat fresh to battle, but now your attitude flips?"

"...I have now. Thanks for the experience."

The reality was different from the keyboard and

mouse games. That truth sank in through my splintering bones.

And it drove home that this world was truly real.

"Now alone, what'll you do? If you're dreaming of backups arriving to gang up on me, snap out of it."

The warrior's brows jerked.

"You rotten kid..."

"You figured five of you could take me? Bet it stings getting thrashed this pathetically, huh?"

In truth, it was bluffing. I had no clue about the others' status. Just trash talk to sap his will to fight.

But rather than falter, he hoisted

his two-handed sword.

My leg bones nearly shattered, crippling my mobility. Yet Flash alone couldn't overcome all these limits anymore.

As I concealed my leg injury and lunged the dagger for his throat, his face set grim and he shielded his torso.

...Meanwhile, I couldn't help admiring how well he controlled his expressions.

Before, I'd spotted the spearman, pierced in the foot by my errant arrow, crumpling to the dirt in tears.

The spearman hadn't perished or passed out yet. My sharpened sixth sense, honed by the minor mana delay, picked up his breathing distinctly.

Only three meters separated the downed spearman and me. One step nearer, and he'd skewer and pin me instantly.

"What to do?"

Even then, Flash felt risky. I was a mere five meters from the warrior.

The instant I backward-Flashed to finish that guy, the warrior would close the gap fast. No need to cross the full eight meters.

His range was tight, plus he wielded that ground-shaking magic skill.

By the time my mind reached that conclusion, I moved as though every detail had been perfectly plotted out.

I sank my center of gravity low, kicking my legs back just a touch, poised to rush the warrior standing before me.

With that slight pullback, the space behind me narrowed. Still, the spearman's weapon hadn't budged. Though barely within striking distance of its tip, I held out for a surer strike.

Still, a prime chance like that wouldn't appear twice.

As soon as my body shifted, the warrior swung his shield in response, yet evading the Flash, I bolted rearward and plunged the dagger clutched in both hands into the spearman's back.

Puchi!!

He perished in an instant, utterly unable to fight back.

At once, I snatched the spear and withdrew a pace. The warrior, closing in tight, hoisted his shield anew. With the Flash cooldown lingering, nearing me remained a challenge.

"This guy...!"

He started to shout something, but I flung the dagger before he could finish, nailing it precisely at his gut.

Expectedly, the warrior lifted his shield and knocked the dagger aside with ease. Yet, that served only as bait for the real assault ahead.

My eyes locked on the warrior's flank. The spear spun within my grip, forming a sweeping arc.

Just like I meant to Flash straight behind him.

Right then, the warrior committed to his choice.

He whipped his shield to his rear in a blink, the pivot flawless. If right, I'd be charging his side for the kill.

But nothing waited behind him.

I'd anticipated even that, so this round, I truly barreled in from the front.

Desperation twisted the warrior's face as he whipped forward again, but the moment had passed.

My spear's edge pressed against his throat.

Puhhh!

[Episode 1 'Escape from the pursuers' has

been completed.]

[Experience Points acquired!]

[By developing the story in a unique way, the 'Constellation Project' promises additional rewards.]