Versatile Mage · Conversa

Outside the gates of Bo City No. 1 High School, the chirping of cicadas tore through the stifling late-August heat. Mo Fan squatted on the steps, rubbing the loach pendant in his palm. The image of Old Man Ying's withered hand handing it to him was still etched into his mind. He looked up, catching sight of Mu Ningxue's aloof profile. She stood beneath a ginkgo tree flipping through a copy of Basic Magic Theory, her silvery-white hair lifted by a passing draft. Around her, boys nudged and jostled one another, but not a single one dared step forward to speak to her. "Mo Fan! What are you still dawdling for?" Zhang Xiaohou rushed out through the school gates clutching a stack of study materials, half an uneaten flatbread tucked under his elbow. Behind him, Mu Bai walked at an unhurried pace, his school uniform zipped all the way up. When his gaze flicked across Mo Fan, the corner of his mouth curved downward slightly—a contempt so thinly veiled that anyone could see it. "I heard Xu Zhaoting is coming back today to give an Awakening demonstration," Zhao Kunshan said, sidling up beside Mu Bai, his voice just loud enough for everyone around to hear. "The Lightning Element—a one-in-a-thousand talent." Mo Fan tucked the pendant back into his collar without a word. He remembered what today was: the Magic Awakening Ceremony, the class placement exams... The lecture hall doors swung open. Dean Mu He stood beside the Awakening Stone, gripping a roster tightly in his hand. "Step forward one by one, according to your student numbers," he announced, scanning the room expressionlessly. "Remember, everyone is equal before the Awakening Stone. Talent is granted by the heavens, but the path is yours to walk." Mo Fan was seventeenth in line. Standing in front of him was a short girl clutching prayer beads, muttering under her breath. Three spots behind him, Zhang Xiaohou was desperately trying to recall the Awakening precautions he had memorized the night before, his lips fluttering at top speed. Outside the window, a sudden gust of wind kicked up. The leaves of the plane trees along the sports field rustled loudly, like countless hidden hands clapping in the shadows. The very moment Mo Fan turned around, a faint streak of purple light flashed deep inside the Awakening Stone—so fast it seemed like an illusion, unseen even by Mu He.