The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 233: To The Next (2)

[Pinnacle Academy, Central Building - Classroom 1-A]

The Empty Mana Orb.

On the surface, it appeared as a simple tool designed to measure a person's mana capacity and sharpness.

A harmless instrument used by the science department for routine assessments.

But I knew better. The Empty Mana Orb was something I had created in a fit of late-night inspiration, a seemingly innocuous object that held a far more sinister purpose.

It wasn't merely a measuring tool; it was a siphon, designed to extract a portion of a person's mana and store it within its crystalline structure.

This wasn't just about testing potential.

It was about harvesting raw magical energy, a crucial ingredient for Vladimir Bane's twisted experiments.

The mana collected from unsuspecting students would fuel his attempts to create new demi-humans, to perfect the prototype for the Devil's vessel.

And now, Bennett was holding it in his hand, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Of course, it's my duty that I must correct all the mistakes I've made as an author.

This situation is no exception... Therefore, I will not allow it.

**

Damon Bennett watched Rel closely, a curious glint in his eyes.

The moment he held up the orb, a shadow seemed to pass over Rel's face, his expression darkening subtly.

Does he perhaps not know what this is? Bennett wondered.

If he doesn't, then extracting his mana will be even easier.

But then another thought struck him.

He needed to see the full extent of Rel's mana capacity and elemental attributes.

This was an opportunity too valuable to waste.

"This orb isn't harmful, so I can assure you this process isn't dangerous," Bennett said, his voice smooth and reassuring.

Rel wasn't buying Bennett's act, but he decided to play along. He looked up towards the teacher, then past him, his eyes landing on the brown bag sitting on the desk.

"I'll do it," he said, his voice flat.

"Good," Bennett replied, turning around to rummage through his bag. The sound of rattling filled the room.

A few seconds later, Bennett produced a small stone pillar with a flat top, designed to hold the orb. He placed the orb onto the stand.

"You know how to do it, right?" he asked.

"All I have to do is use a little of my elemental attribute and the combination of my mana, correct?"

"Well, it seems they don't call you the number one student for nothing,"

Bennett attempted a flattering tone, but Rel merely rolled his eyes.

huuu...

As Rel slowly approached the desk, a faint flow of energy began to surround him.

The mana that once resonated around him started to disrupt and scatter with each step, reacting to the abnormality of his Anti-Magic attribute.

SUUUU...

His hand had yet to reach the orb, but Bennett remained oblivious to the subtle change in the atmosphere.

As Rel reached out and placed his hand on the orb, a black flame engulfed it.

WHOOSH!

As the dark colour of flames was absorbed into the orb a massive gust of wind shot out in all directions, followed by small bursts of black flames that erupted within the room.

Bennett instinctively covered his eyes, the wind surprisingly powerful for such a seemingly small exertion of power from Rel.

It was clear that he had been holding back.

But something else was happening, something that deeply disturbed Bennett.

The mana within his own body was reacting strangely, scattering and stressing as if seeking refuge.

CRACK...CRACK...CRACK...

Rel maintained his hand on the orb, seemingly lost in concentration.

Bennett had forgotten to tell him when to stop.

"Rel, you can stop now," he said, his voice filled with concern.

But Rel didn't respond.

"Hey... Rel?"

The cracks in the orb grew larger, the air in the room growing heavy with an otherworldly energy.

CRACK...

"Rel, you need to stop!"

SMASH!!!

The orb shattered completely.

"Stop!" Bennett screamed, and Rel finally withdrew his hand.

"Oh..." Rel looked at the shattered orb, his expression impassive.

"I apologize, Mr. Bennett," Rel said, his voice carefully neutral. "I must have lost control. I didn't sleep well last night."

Bennett's facade cracked, his composure hanging by a thread.

Not only had he lost the chance to properly measure Rel's power, but he had also destroyed an orb specifically crafted for unique, high-graded students.

The fact that Rel had shattered it so effortlessly meant his power far exceeded that of a typical third-year at Pinnacle Academy.

"Don't... worry..." Bennett managed, his voice strained as he knelt down to gather the shattered pieces of the orb.

"We can do this another time. But I have to leave now."

He gestured for Rel to leave the room, then turned back towards his bag.

"At least none of the other orbs got..." Bennett's voice trailed off as his eyes widened in horror.

Right before him, more pieces of glass spilled from his bag, and a chaotic surge of mana filled the room.

"No..."

Bennett crumpled to his knees, the shards of countless shattered orbs scattered around him.

Not only had Rel's elemental attribute proven devastatingly proficient at breaking the unique orb, but it had also shattered the other standard ones within Bennett's bag.

"I'll...I'll get him for this..." Bennett clenched his fist, picking up the glass shards and crushing them in his hand, his anger boiling over.

His plan to harvest mana from the students had failed, and the consequences of his actions were just beginning to unfold.

Bennett, still kneeling amidst the shattered fragments flipped open his watch and dialed a familiar number.

"I've confirmed a partial amount of his abilities," he reported, his voice tight with barely contained frustration.

The caller on the other end chuckled, "Really? But that won't be enough—"

"He was able to shatter the unique orb," Bennett interrupted.

A disbelieving laugh echoed from the watch's speaker.

"That's ridiculous. The orb is designed to withstand even an attack from a light attribute user."

"I'm serious," Bennett insisted, his voice hardening.

"He broke the orb and everything else around it."

________

To Be Continued...

________

Authors Notes

- The black flames are depicted to be seen as a different coloured variation of the elemental attribute of fire. But because of this misconception, Rel's anti-magic attribute would be mistaken for flames.

- For the orbs to have shattered, Rel needed to increase the output of his anti-magic attribute which is why black flames were bursting throughout the air.