41 - Trial 2 (2)

As a beta tester for Reborn Hero, one bug in this game came to mind. It's that when multiple buffs or debuffs stack, the highest-class debuff takes priority and applies first.

At a glance, it doesn't seem like a problem, so some might not see it as a bug. But in actual gameplay, it led to massive impacts. For example, if you apply a Health Drain (Lv. 1) debuff to an enemy already under Bleeding (Lv. 1), the synergy effect unique to bleeding enemies guarantees a critical success on the Health Drain. Like hitting an electrified foe with a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠water spell for extra shock damage. That's the normal case when debuffs apply in sequence.

But if you hit a Bleeding (Lv. 1) enemy with Health Drain (Lv. 2), the higher-level Health Drain applies first, blocking the derivative effect from the bleeding state.

In short, a dogshit bug...

I'd thought this glitch, more harmful than helpful, had zero uses... but who'd have guessed it'd find a purpose here.

I caught my breath and opened the door to the Trial 2 chamber.

-Thud.

Striding boldly into Trial 2, I was greeted by thick fog and a barrage of status windows.

"Fast... too fast..."

With zero resistance on my body, the debuffs piled up steadily. My vision had already gone dark. Soon, every sense would seal off, leaving only pain. That was when the real torment would begin.

No time to waste.

I immediately equipped the Ring of Dominion I'd gotten from Lilith.

Challenging Trial 2 wasn't just Lev Denek's folly.

Melissa Prominence, gunning for top of the academy, was at it too.

Today, she focused on a massive straw dummy in the magic training grounds.

-Whoosh...

As Melissa concentrated, tiny spell formulas marked with coordinates appeared around the dummy,

-Boom boom boom BOOM!!!

igniting in an instant, blooming into red flowers of explosion.

4th-circle magic: Fire Burst. An advanced spell boasting serious firepower.

The dummy, three times her size, oxidized completely, losing all form.

Amid the seniors' pure praise, Melissa ignored it all.

If only I'd done this back then...!

That drive to train stemmed from that day's memory. The selection trial debacle.

Truth be told, with her skill, focus alone could've one-shot the rag doll. But wanting to show Lev Denek the skill gap, she'd wasted high-mana spells on hobgoblins. By the rag doll encounter, tension from its first-time malice made her fumble the chant, burning mana pointlessly.

Total mana management failure. Disqualified as a mage...

A memory she'd love to erase.

Compare to Lev Denek: despite her snide jabs, he'd just done his job quietly.

And I'd mocked him first, so he threw it back...

Aria too. For some reason, she'd stayed cool against the beast, saved Edwin. Thanks to them, the trial ended without disaster...

But only I got S-rank...

Special treatment as a ducal lady? Melissa felt an inexplicable alienation.

Always showered in expectations and love, it stung.

Lev Denek...!

Still, Lev sniffing around Aria remained a thorn in her side.

-Pop!

Downing a mana-recovery potion, Melissa headed for the Evolution Chamber. Great condition today—Trial 2 challenge planned.

Then, at the entrance, someone called out.

"Fancy meeting you here again."

Red-haired guy, fellow S-rank freshman vice-top, Kaeran His. Handsome face gave him academy-wide name recognition.

Lately, their paths kept crossing—impossible to ignore.

Calming her racing heart, Melissa snapped curtly.

"...You challenging too?"

"Nah. Got business with you, Melissa."

"......"

That sweet baritone, never tiring, brushed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her ear.

"Spare me a moment?"

"Like I said last time..."

Probably the Royal Class circle he'd made—invite to join. Sounded decent, but no Aria, so she'd refused.

But persistent as hell after.

Does he like me or something?

A novel thrill hit her—

"Fine. Do what you want..."

She caved, allowing him to tag along.

"As expected of a lady."

That smirking face—she'd first met him in mana sensing class. The guy who'd crushed her confidence in mana sensing and formula decoding.

Had to admit it. Face princely enough for empire heir, matched by elite skill.

Not just shining in mana control and formula practice—he aced applied theory like mana circuits, magitech too.

In a word, untouchable genius.

"Hm?"

Kaeran paused, tapping her shoulder.

"Someone's challenging right now? Look."

Trial 2 terror was infamous ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠among first-years. Lose focus, senses seal one by one, leaving agony.

Yet someone dared...?

"Ash-gray hair... no way..."

Familiar back silhouette in Melissa's eyes.

"What? You know 'em?"

Know him? Hell yeah. But Class 2-B...?

Build-up for the holy sword... but man, I wanted to kill her so bad.

Anyway, I preempted the black market bust, so Lilith learned mental domination a timing earlier. To spare others—especially Aria—I had to handle it.

-Gulp!

Equip the Ring of Dominion, and my body severed from my brain, ignoring commands.

Gotcha!

Lilith hijacked my body.

Mental domination didn't erase reason. But my pathetic mental fortitude meant I could only chat with host Lilith.

And...

-Junior? Hear me...?

Lilith's voice, stifling laughs, echoed.

I signal clear reception—

-Suits you, junior.

She burst giggling.

-How's the role swap?

Whatever. Maybe my buildup let her ramble.

-Guess what I'll do in your body...?

Zero interest. Eyes on status only.

9 stacks. Perfect.

As predicted, mental domination overlaid the Curse of Agony.

I smirked back. Debuff bug meant all curses and pain now taxed Lilith's mental strength alone.

-Loud and clear.

"Ahh..."

His voice. Lilith relaxed.

He really equipped the Ring of Dominion! Such a fool. Submissively letting her dominate...

Just issue commands now.

"Junior said he couldn't accept me as demonkin..."

-...

"But I won't quit. Dreamed of this day... So think whatever about what I do now."

Lilith stated curtly.

"Order. Make me demonkin."

-For real... serious?

Mentally dominated—refusal impossible.

-Kurrrroooom!!!!

"...!"

Sudden inexplicable agony hit Lilith.

"Ngh...!"

Viscera-crushing torment froze her thoughts.

"Wh-what...!"

-Sorry, senior. Think demon pacts are kid pinky swears?

"Huh...?"

His vision? Blank, deaf.

As Lilith grasped—Lev's leisurely voice.

-Handling a great demon body like mine? Big pain for a human.

"What...?"

"So, release the domination now. For your sake."

"Sh-shut up! I can... handle it..."

-Dunno. You look rough...

"I need... to become demonkin... this much...!"

-Fine. Let's test your worth. Don't disappoint.

Leisurely one? Lev Denek.

Lilith steeled. His student council visit—brief, but demonkin. Great demon-grade mana quality.

Last chance maybe. Endure. Survive. Post-pact, command this bratty master: Cute junior...! Kill Aria, that bitch.

......

How much time passed?

Chamber warden, Sinatis.

Entered, no thrashing since. No magic, no mana use. Should writhe in pain...

Silent, still. Till time limit nearly up.

"Professor Sinatis?"

Ignorant Diena could only read her expression.

Chamber curses: Lv. 4-5. Late-game Lv. 5 needs dispel or bust. Even third-years struggle calm under extremes...

Two options: disaster or triumph.

-Clank!

Door opened.

-!!

Lev Denek... just yawned, stretching casually.