The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 65: That One Archer (2)

{Alice POV}

[Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Studen Section Stands]

A wave of shock, both from the spectators and combatants alike, washed over the battle platform. It was an ending most hadn't predicted. Yet, with the whispers and complaints, the announcer found the focus in the unusual display

"Well, there you have it, folks! Jae Yoona advances to the next round in spectacular fashion! What in the world was that technique?"

He leaned towards the edge of the announcers' booth, gesturing with both hands in an exaggerated display of awe.

"Anyone recognize what kind of technique she used at the end there? That certainly ain't your everyday arrow barrage! Let's get some expert analysis. What say you, Professor?"

While the commentator scrambled for an explanation, a wave of students were going crazy over the graceful archer.

"She finally decided to use it," Alice murmured, as a mixture of surprise and a knowing tension threaded through her usually composed aura. Despite Jae's flawless win, Alice had her suspicions, knowing of what Jae had in her arsenal.

It was equal parts thrilling and unsettling, a display of dominance that bordered on frightening.

wow...

As Alice turned, she was startled by Rel's reaction. In the harsh sunlight bouncing off the white stone of the arena platform, there was an unusual glow behind his normally straight face.

Perhaps it was just a play of shadows and angles, but it felt intense, the focus turning inwards as if analyzing the fight on a level the commentators and crowds missed entirely.

Rel turned his head to his left seeing Alice's blue eyes lock with his for a moment.

Caught in an unexpected second of staring, Alice averted her gaze, suddenly flushed with an odd blend of embarrassment and curiosity.

But what caught her even more off guard was Rel breaking the silence with a slight upturn of his lips. His tone held a curious note that felt distinctly unfamiliar.

"Is there something on my face?"

Suddenly, the sounds of the stadium turned distant against the sudden beat of her pulse. How in the world could she even respond to that?

A ridiculous answer formed, and somehow, she spoke before she could stop herself. "Uh, well…your face…" she paused, searching for the right way to say what she barely even processed herself, "…there's nothing..."

There was a subtle hint of surprise in his expression, confused along his features for a fraction of a second before he masked it behind his characteristic nonchalance.

Even through her embarrassment, Alice wondered...did he notice how flustered she was? And was it odd that despite the absurdity of her reply, She couldn't help but wonder why she was staring at him in the first place?

***

{Rel's POV}

Jae and Bazz...their clash was one of the most interesting fights by far. I still can't believe it until the end that Jae was completely toying with Bazz.

Though I never expected her to use Invulnerable Pursuit against him It seemed like the best option to use against Bazz since the traces of her arrows can disappear in mid-air as long as she chants it out loud.

But for Jae Yoona's Invulnerable Pursuit it had one weakness, a mage can disrupt the arrow's path, preventing it from reaching its target. However, her Overclocked Eyes ability provides a unique advantage. She can visualize the precise trajectories needed to pierce magical barriers, allowing her to bypass this defense as long as she remains focused and unpressured.

There was a ruthless efficiency in the way Jae uses her ability; she's perfected everything to the point where the consumption of mana required is lessened because of how she maximizes the output of each shot, she'd only be wasting close to 5% mana in terms of prolonged battles.

Jae in this world is the Opitome of the truest and most perfect Archer to exist, She's 'That One Archer'

Stareeeee

But lost in my own thoughts I couldn't help but feel like I was being stared at... Turning to my left– a soft-spoken Blonde girl was once again staring at me again.

Did I miss something? The match was over. Surely it wasn't awe towards Jae on display there? A faint curve of my lips formed without conscious decision. Maybe a little teasing would shake her from whatever contemplation she was stuck in.

"Is there something on my face?" Her reaction took me by surprise. That calm composure vanished into a wave of genuine embarrassment.

"Uh, well…your face…" she seemed lost for words, then managed an answer so bizarre it was amusing, "…there's nothing..."

She tucked behind a strand of her blonde hair turning away from me.

What was that reaction? I don't even know what to make of what I had just seen just now.

Maybe I was mistaken but even she wasn't as calm as she appeared. Another mistake on my part as the author...

haah

BZZT!, BZZT!

While Alice seemed frozen mid-thought, a vibration at my wrist broke my focus. A glance revealed a notification

[Your upcoming match details...]

[Round Of 16:]

[Name: Axel Saint Rel Laurence]

[Matches Completed: 21]

[Match Number: 12]

[Time: 12:00 PM, ETA: 11:45 AM]

[Opponent: TBA]

[*Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early For Inspection]

Hmm, interesting. Looks like a few of the more predictable matches had concluded early, giving me a spot sooner than expected. One problem, though…my opponent was just listed as "TBA." Seemed odd, but maybe some unexpected injuries or forfeits had reshuffled things. Guess I'd just have to keep watching closely until the announcement cleared things up.

____________

Authors Notes:

- Jae's Ultimate Ability: "Invulnerable Pursuit," enables her to unleash arrows that defy conventional limits. These arrows possess the unique ability to vanish in mid-flight, only to reappear at Jae Yoona's command. This remarkable trait not only makes her shots elusive and difficult to evade but also grants her the uncanny ability to change the arrows' trajectory at will.

Coupled with the arrows' ability to land on any spot of a person's body, "Invulnerable Pursuit" makes Jae Yoona a formidable and unpredictable adversary in battle.

- Bow Users have an automatic reload function for arrows.

- If Matches in the tournament end early it is expected that the next match that comes after is pushed forward ahead of time to get out as many battles as possible.