Author's Reincarnation in a Fantasy Setting

So now the question is, should I interfere or not?

Well, I'm a bit skeptical about this one. Originally I wasn't going to do anything as their lives don't matter to me; I don't care what happens to them as long as they play their role and safely lead me to the final floor.

But now I've discovered something else, and it is the unsaid relationship between Xara and Favian. From the moment I heard about it, I instantly knew that it will come in handy. And it really can, I can increase the efficiency of my plan to a huge margin by using their relationship to my profit.

Then I guess I should save him, after all. Because losing one member only on the second floor will cause trouble—not much, but it'll take more time to finish all this.

I'd thought that I won't have to act at least until the third floor, but, what can we say? I can't afford to waste any more time, as I also have to get back to the academy as soon as I can—before it can be revealed that I'm faking my death.

Hmm, so it is decided then. I'll save this guy for now so that he can be of use later on.

"I think that type of monster is weak against fire," I suggest, facing toward Xara, who was standing beside me.

"I see, let me try some magic on it then," she said, this was the first time she was replying normally but doesn't matter much I guess.

She nodded and then stared at the vine monster on the ceiling, it looked like a big octopus but had vines instead of tentacles; also it only had the vines and not any other part of the body.

After scanning the monster from head to toe—or rather from vine to vine, she probably found a good opening as the next second she extended her hands and pointed her staff toward the monster.

She used the incantation of her normal fireball spells, but this time her incantations were faster and longer than the usual ones.

4 balls of bustling fire appeared before the gem on her staff, when it was done she changed the incantation and the balls came close and attracted each other.

Reaching close enough that they were now sucking onto the other's fire, they finally collided and formed a single but big fireball that looked like a miniature version of the sun.

"Fireball!" she shouted, and I'd to say this was the most normal-sounding spell name she'd used till now.

The big fireball was hurled straight in the direction of the vine monster, cutting its way through the air it was only a few meters away from it, and it was targeted at the spot where the monster had the least number of vines but the vines that were there were the part of the same ones which were holding Favian.

'Let's get this done with,' I mumbled internally, fixated my eyes on the fireball, and concentrated.

Suddenly the fireball opened and expanded into a rectangular cape of fire, its temperature also increased as the flames turned red.

This was me using my elemental magic to control the fire Xara had created. Since Xara didn't have the necessary mana required to finish the monster, I used the fire she created and increased its power and range.

Also, just imagine how romantic it'll be if Favian was saved by the girl he loved and the experience Xara will get after saving the guy she loved. This was ought to strengthen their relationship, even if just a little.

The cape of fire fell upon the vine monster; it tried to defend itself by using its vines as a way to put the burning cape of death out of its way, but its vines only got burned and passed through the cape since it was not a solid object.

The creature struggled in pain as fire rained on him and his disgusting, plant-like body was burned painfully. I took care to control the fire precisely to not burn Favian in the process and well, after the practice I've done with elemental magic doing this was a piece of cake.

I directed the flames around the area where the vines were holding Favian and burned them first before the rest of the monster's body could crumble. As soon as he got free, he dropped to the ground and landed on his knees.

With him in the safe zone now, it didn't take me a minute to completely turn the monster into a powder of black ash. The flames vanished afterward and Favian stood and came near us. Spene—who was still on the ground, writhing in pain—slowly rose to his feet and walked on our side.

"You…were great there," Favian took a breath of relief as he complimented Xara.

"Yeah, I didn't expect you to be that good in magic; you exceeded my expectations," Spene stated as he stood while clenching against his stomach—maybe the pain hadn't gone away completely.

And as for Xara, she was as surprised as everyone else about how the hell was she able to perform a spell such as that. But it probably was because she didn't want to ruin the mood, she didn't voice her confusion.

"Are you alright?" she asked Favian, handing over the bow to him, which was fallen on the ground till now.

"Ah… I'm more or less fine, I guess. Just a bit of pain where that monster had squeezed me," he answered, taking the bow from Xara. "Honestly, that thing took me by surprise. I was standing there and aiming at the tree monster that was holding you when it came from above, bound my limbs so that I couldn't attack, and then coiled around me."

"Dang, man, at least scream or something if you're in situations like these. Do you even know how worried I was, huh?! My heart almost came out, and see, I also took a hit just for you, you see? Just for you!" Spene chimed in, he spoke as he supported himself against the wall.

"Thank you, Spene. That is what you want to hear, right?"

"Hahahaha, you are absolutely, and most certainly, right about that! I indeed wanted you to say that; since most of the time, it is you who goes around saving me," Spene giggled.

"Yeah, you surely saved him…by getting slumped on the ground—"

"Mind your words there!"

Favian and Xara looked into each other's eyes, their cheeks puffed up as if they were trying to stop something, and finally, when they weren't able to hold it any longer they burst out laughing.

'I never thought that that girl knew how to smile,' I pondered.

"What's so funny, huh?!" Spene raged, but then, maybe thinking back on his words, he also let out a laugh.

"Hey you all, I don't think you should let your guard down," someone warned, and it was Challes whose words we heard.