LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 1: Clash of Powers
Somewhere in a small, cluttered room, a 19-year-old named Tyson sat with his nose buried in his favorite light novel, The Magic World of The Verdant Academy. He had read it countless times, yet it never lost its charm. The book followed Kenny Blaine, a hero from the slums, who rose to prominence through his innate talent with magic and swords. Recommended by the academy's principal, Kenny's journey to power was filled with friendships, rivalries, and enemies like Nigel Wright—a jealous villain envious of Kenny's abilities and accomplishments. Kenny even won the heart of the heroine, Trista Quinn.
But for Tyson, the true star of the story was Rhea Void, the misunderstood villainess overshadowed by Trista. Tyson adored her, always rooting for her during every twist and turn. Whenever she lost to Trista, Tyson couldn't help but yell at the pages, dramatically voicing his support for Rhea.
"Rhea, you're better than her! Show them what you've got!" he shouted, leaping from his chair as he read about their latest tournament battle.
He continued, acting out Rhea's imagined triumph. "If I were there, Rhea, I'd be by your side! Forget Kenny and Trista; they don't deserve the spotlight!" Tyson paced the room, gesturing wildly.
When Rhea inevitably lost, he sank into his chair. "Why? Why does she always have to lose? Damn it, if only this world were fair!" Tyson's voice cracked with emotion as he reread the climactic moment. "If you were real, Rhea, I'd change everything for you."
Time passed unnoticed. He acted out Trista's taunts, Kenny's heroic declarations, and even Nigel's bitter monologues. "Nigel, you're such a cliché! Can't you see Rhea's just misunderstood? You're ruining everything for her!" Tyson argued with no one but himself. He chuckled. "I must sound insane, but who cares? Rhea deserves someone cheering for her."
Hours later, thirst reminded him of reality. He stood, muttering to himself, "Rhea, if you were here, I'd make sure you never lost again."
As he reached for the door, a sharp pain shot through his leg. "What the—?" Tyson stumbled, losing his balance.
"No! Not like this!" he cried, falling forward. His head struck the corner of the table with a sickening thud. Dizziness overwhelmed him as he crumpled to the floor. Blood pooled beneath him. "I don't want to die... not like this," he thought desperately. His vision faded, and darkness claimed him.
Tyson's eyes fluttered open to a scene of breathtaking beauty. He was lying in a lush garden, vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze.
"Am I in heaven?" he asked aloud, his voice shaky.
"Riley Zain!" someone called, breaking the tranquility. Tyson turned to see a tall teenager running toward him. The stranger grinned and said, "Finally awake, huh? You've been out for a while, you idiot."
"Who… are you?" Tyson asked, confused.
The boy's grin faded. "Who am I? Seriously, Riley? I'm your roommate and best friend, Felix!"
"Riley?" Tyson repeated, his confusion deepening.
The boy smirked. "Yeah, Riley Zain. You've been acting strange since this morning. Did you hit your head or something?"
"Uh... yeah, something like that," Tyson mumbled. He scanned his surroundings, heart racing. This isn't real. It can't be.
Felix shook his head, laughing softly. "Only you, Riley, could manage something like that. Come on, let's get moving before we miss all the action."
Before Tyson could process more, commotion erupted nearby. Students ran past, shouting dramatically about a fight.
"Kenny and Nigel are fighting again at the Verdant Academy gates!" one yelled.
Tyson froze, the names striking a chord. "Kenny? Nigel? Verdant Academy?" he muttered. "This can't be real."
Felix grabbed his arm. "Come on, Riley! We have to see this!" Felix dashed off, leaving Tyson—now apparently Riley—standing in stunned silence. Memories flooded his mind: a life not his own, of growing up as Riley Zain, a student at the academy. Tyson clutched his head, overwhelmed.
"I died," he realized. The memory hit him like a bolt of lightning. His breathing grew rapid as he remembered the sharp pain, the fall, and the blood pooling beneath him. "I hit my head on a table and died?! Are you kidding me?!" Tyson yelled, his voice echoing through the empty path.
His eyes glazed over with a deadpan stare as he muttered, "That's how I went out. Not a heroic death, not a meaningful sacrifice—just me, an idiot, tripping and hitting my head on a table corner." He tugged at his hair, pacing in frustration.
"Damn it! I can't believe this! I died like a joke character in some slapstick comedy! Of all the ways to go...!" He threw his hands in the air, yelling at no one in particular. "What a way to ruin a perfectly good isekai setup!"
Suddenly, a glowing yellow screen materialized before him.
"What the hell is this?!" he yelped, stumbling back.
Read status screen displayed the following information:
Name: Riley Zain
Age: 17
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Occupation: Student at Verdant Academy
Nickname: None
Attributes:
Health Points (HP): 100/100
Magic Points (MP): 50/50
Strength: 12
Agility: 14
Attack: 10
Intelligence: 15
Speed: 13
Luck: 9
Skills:
Normal Skills:
Basic Swordsmanship
Enhanced Reflexes
Advanced Climbing
Endurance Training
Basic Cooking
Herbal Gathering
Enhanced Stamina
Quick Learning
Weapon Maintenance
Basic Archery
Close Combat Maneuvers
Shield Handling
Silent Movement
Item Appraisal
Negotiation Skills
Terrain Navigation
Ability Skills:
Quick Dodge
Critical Strike
Power Thrust
Parry Mastery
Counterattack
Battle Awareness
Heavy Swing
Precision Aim
Acrobatics
Enhanced Block
Tactical Retreat
Magic Skills:
Lightning Manipulation: Harnesses and controls lightning to strike enemies with precision and power. Effective in both close and ranged combat.
Storm Surge: Summons a localized storm to damage and disorient enemies within a specific radius.
Thunder Step: Teleports short distances with a flash of lightning, disorienting nearby foes.
Static Barrier: Creates a shield of electricity that absorbs magic attacks and damages melee attackers.
Wind Control: Manipulates the flow of air to enhance mobility and precision in combat.
Gale Slash: Sends sharp, slicing currents of air toward enemies. Can cut through weaker physical defenses.
Cyclone Dash: Rapidly accelerates movement, creating whirlwinds that destabilize enemies.
Air Shield: Summons a barrier of condensed air to deflect physical projectiles and minor magic attacks.
Equipment:
Items:
Basic Healing Potion (x3)
Mana Elixir (x2)
Stamina Tonic (x1)
Antidote (x2)
Smoke Bomb (x1)
Weapons:
Beginner's Sword
Wooden Bow
Unique Skills:
Elemental Synergy Increases the effectiveness of elemental magic when combined.
Overdrive Temporarily boosts all stats significantly at the cost of HP over time.
Adaptation Quickly learns and adjusts to opponents' combat styles, gaining an edge in prolonged battles.
Lightning Strike Mastery Unleashes a devastating single-target lightning attack that ignores standard defenses and deals massive damage.
Wind Blade Fury Creates a storm of razor-sharp wind blades that attack all enemies within a large radius, inflicting continuous damage.
The information was neatly organized, with each category clearly defined, making it easy to read and comprehend.
As Tyson read, more memories filled his mind. Riley's childhood, his journey to the academy, and the life he'd lived. Tyson's disbelief grew with each passing moment.
"What is this extra's life? No wonder I didn't recognize the name," he muttered. "Lightning and wind magic? That's not even special!"
An explosion snapped him back to reality. Smoke rose in the distance, and students shouted in excitement. Tyson—now Riley—rushed toward the commotion.
Felix, already at the scene, waved him over. "Riley, you're going to want to see this. It's insane!"
A large crowd had gathered at the academy gates, where Kenny and Nigel clashed with swords and magic. Sparks flew as Kenny's fiery slash met Nigel's dark aura.
"No way," Tyson muttered, his voice trembling. "This is the fight. The one from the book." He pushed through the crowd for a better view, his heart pounding.
Kenny looked every bit the hero Tyson had imagined—confident, powerful, and untouchable. Nigel, meanwhile, radiated bitterness and envy, his dark magic crackling with energy.
"They're real," Tyson whispered. "They're actually real." His gaze darted between them. "How is this even possible? Am I dreaming? Did I go insane when I died?"
Tyson's thoughts spiraled as he watched the battle unfold. Kenny deflected Nigel's attacks with ease, countering with devastating strikes. The crowd cheered wildly. Tyson could only stand frozen, unable to process what he was witnessing.
For the first time, Tyson wasn't just reading about The Verdant Academy. He was living it.
Riley couldn't believe what he was seeing—the villain and the hero were fighting right there in front of him. The crowd erupted into cheers, yelling out the names of Kenny Blaine, the hero, and Nigel Wright, the villain.
"Take him down, Kenny!" someone shouted.
"Show him who's boss, Nigel!" yelled another.
Nigel sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Is that all you've got, Blaine? For someone called the 'hero,' you're painfully unimpressive!"
Kenny smirked, his voice firm. "At least I don't hide behind cheap tricks, Wright. You're nothing without your gimmicks."
Their auras clashed, raw energy radiating off their bodies. The sheer force of their power was palpable, even from where Riley stood. His heart raced as he whispered to himself, "How are they this strong? This is insane… I can feel their power from here."
The two combatants charged at each other, their blades colliding with a deafening crash. Another explosion ripped through the air, sending shockwaves that made the ground tremble. The crowd erupted into a mix of gasps and excited chatter.
Riley couldn't stop muttering, his voice shaking. "This is real. This is happening. They're so powerful—it's nothing like I've ever seen before."
Suddenly, a voice cut through the chaos. "Kenny! Be careful!"
Riley turned to see a stunning young woman running toward the battlefield. Her long auburn hair flowed behind her as her green eyes gleamed with worry. The crowd recognized her immediately, whispering her name.
"It's Trista Quinn!"
Before Kenny could respond, another voice echoed from the side. "Well, well, if it isn't Trista Quinn, yelling for her boyfriend."
The crowd's attention shifted to the speaker, a strikingly beautiful woman with blonde hair and golden-orange eyes. She stepped forward with an air of confidence, her lips curling into an amused smirk.
Trista's cheeks flushed. "He's not my boyfriend, Rhea Void! I'm just concerned for my friend!"
Rhea let out a melodic laugh, the sound dripping with sarcasm. "Sure, sure. Let's go with that." Her tone was dramatic, drawing a few chuckles from the crowd.
Another explosion jolted everyone back to the fight. Kenny and Nigel were sent skidding across the ground, their blades dragging trails of dirt. Nigel recovered first, letting out a dark laugh as his eyes gleamed with malice.
"Well, Blaine, let's see how you handle this!" Nigel roared. He raised his hands, flames swirling around him as he chanted, "Fire Storm Barrage!"
Dozens of fireballs materialized in the air above him, crackling with energy. The crowd gasped in awe and fear.
"Here it comes, asshole!" Nigel yelled, his grin wide and menacing. "Go forth, Fire Storm Barrage!"
Kenny grinned back, unfazed. "Bring it on!" he shouted, deflecting the fireballs one after another with his blade. Sparks and flames danced around him as the crowd cheered.
Nigel's laughter grew louder as he unleashed wave after wave of fireballs. "What's the matter, Blaine? Getting tired?" he taunted.
Kenny kept his focus, though sweat dripped down his face. "You'll have to do better than that!"
Suddenly, Nigel's expression twisted into a wicked smile. "How about this?" he snarled. "Fireball, Third-Level Barrage!" The fireballs grew larger and faster, scattering in every direction. The crowd screamed as some of the massive fireballs veered toward them.
One particularly large fireball hurtled toward Trista and Rhea.
Trista screamed, her voice cracking with fear. "No! It's coming right at us!"
Rhea gasped, her tone panicked. "I-I can't move! It's too fast!"
Both girls ducked, their eyes wide with terror as the flames closed in. Kenny's eyes widened, but he couldn't move fast enough, still deflecting Nigel's relentless attacks.
Riley's heart pounded as he watched the scene unfold. "No… this can't happen," he muttered. Something inside him clicked. His hand moved instinctively, and a black sword materialized in his grip, crackling with energy.
"Thunder Step," he whispered, his voice steady. In an instant, he vanished from where he stood, reappearing in front of the fireball. The girls screamed as the fireball bore down on them, but Riley swung his sword in a flash of light.
"Gale Slash!" he shouted, slicing through the fireball with a blade coated in wind energy. The fireball dissipated, leaving nothing but sparks in its wake.
Trista and Rhea opened their eyes, stunned. Before them stood a raven-haired boy with striking red eyes, his blade still glowing faintly.
"Are you alright?" Riley asked, his gaze softening as he looked at them—particularly Rhea.
Rhea's cheeks flushed slightly as she stammered, "Y-yes, we're fine."
Trista, still catching her breath, managed a shaky, "Thank you… I thought we were done for."
Riley smiled and nodded. "Good."
Before the girls could say more, another clash drew everyone's attention. Kenny and Nigel were charging at each other again, their swords poised to strike. Riley's eyes narrowed. "That's enough."
He vanished once more, reappearing between them with two black blades drawn. Lightning crackled around him as he blocked both of their attacks, his blades stopping inches from their necks.
Kenny and Nigel froze, their eyes wide in shock. "Who are you?!" Nigel yelled, his voice filled with rage.
Riley smirked. "Just Riley Zain. A nobody." His voice was calm yet commanding.
Before either of them could react, Riley disappeared once more, leaving behind a faint static charge in the air.
Nigel snarled, gripping his blade tighter. "What the hell just happened?!"
Kenny, breathing heavily, wiped the sweat from his brow. "Whoever he is, he's not on your side, Wright."
Nigel let out a bitter laugh. "Don't flatter yourself, Blaine. That guy's no ally of yours either. Did you see how he just brushed us off?"
Kenny glared at him. "Maybe. But at least he stopped your fireballs from killing innocent people. That's more than I can say for you."
Nigel's eyes narrowed, his aura flaring up. "You think this is over? I'm just getting started."
"Good," Kenny replied, raising his sword. "Because I've still got plenty left to take you down."
The two locked eyes, the tension between them building once more as the crowd murmured in anticipation.
Rhea, watching from the sidelines, whispered to herself, "Who is that guy? And how did he do that?"
Trista placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whoever he is, we owe him our lives."
The battle wasn't over yet, and everyone could feel it.
To be continued...