VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

The air was tense as the students gathered at the examination grounds, their nervous energy palpable. Each of them, dressed in their school uniforms, seemed to buzz with a mix of fear, excitement, and determination. This was no ordinary day. It was the Annual Examination, a day that would decide the future of many students—the day when the elite would rise, and the rest would either struggle to keep up or be left behind.

"Alright, stop being so loud," the bald examiner barked, his stern voice cutting through the chatter. His eyes scanned the restless crowd, ensuring every student was paying attention. "The examination begins now. If there is any more noise coming from any of you, then you'll lose your qualifications to take it!"

That was enough to silence the entire area. No one wanted to lose their chance at glory or, even worse, face the humiliation of being disqualified.

"The Annual Examination will now officially begin!" the examiner announced, his voice carrying authority.

Simultaneously, all twenty classes in the school started their tests. The process was simple yet nerve-wracking. Each student had to place their hand on the Star Appraisal Stone. The stone, enchanted with ancient magic, would glow, reflecting the stardust cultivation of the student. The brighter the light, the more advanced the student's progress. Three attempts were allowed, and the brightest glow from those attempts would determine the student's final result.

But that didn't make the task any less daunting. Every eye in the room would be on the examinee as they concentrated, trying to calm their nerves and summon the energy from within their spiritual universe. The Star Appraisal Stone didn't lie—it revealed the truth, regardless of a student's hopes or fears.

The first student to step forward was He Yu, a girl known for her timid demeanor. Her face was flushed with anxiety as she approached the stone under the watchful eyes of her peers. She looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.

"You may begin," the bald examiner said flatly.

"Good luck, He Yu! Your teacher and your fellow classmates believe in you," Xue Musheng, the homeroom teacher, encouraged her.

"Don't worry if you don't do well; I will take care of you," added the dorm head, Jian Hua, his odd grin doing little to comfort anyone.

He Yu, her small hands trembling, placed them on the cold surface of the Star Appraisal Stone. The room fell deathly silent. All eyes were glued to the stone, waiting for the light.

At first, there was nothing—only the faintest shimmer. But as He Yu's focus deepened, the black stone began to glow softly, like the first light of dawn. Slowly, the light grew, spreading from the stone like the warmth of the sun.

"A!"

"A!"

"A!"

The three examiners called out the results in unison. He Yu's final result was an A.

He Yu blinked in disbelief. "Re… really? I got an A?" she stammered, her voice full of joy.

The room exploded in whispers. No one had expected it.

"I… freaking hell. A?! That's the standard for entering the Elite Class!"

"I'm speechless. Before the test, she was sitting there wailing endlessly. We really thought she was drifting on the borderline of being expelled, but as the final results came out, she freaking got an A!"

Xue Musheng couldn't help but smile. He had been deceived by He Yu's demeanor, but her results were impressive. With such a start, his class had a real chance of reaching the top three in the rankings. The competition was fierce, especially from Class 7, where the Lightning Element prodigy Xu Zhaoting was. Still, with students like He Yu, there was hope.

The examiner's voice cut through the chatter. "Next, Zhang Xiaohou."

Zhang Xiaohou blinked in surprise. It was his turn already? He shot a nervous glance at Light, his best friend.

"Brother, I'm going," Zhang Xiaohou whispered.

"Mhm, do your best, and stay calm," Light replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

Zhang Xiaohou nodded and walked to the Star Appraisal Stone. His steps were careful, but his nerves showed in the way he fidgeted with his hands. He took a deep breath, glanced at his teachers—Xue Musheng and Tangyue—and placed his hands on the stone.

"Do your best, teacher believes in you," Tangyue said softly.

Zhang Xiaohou closed his eyes, trying to steady his racing heart. The room was dead quiet once again, the pressure mounting.

The stone began to flicker, the light dim at first, as Zhang Xiaohou struggled to enter a meditative state. His breath was unsteady, causing the glow to pulse irregularly. The examiners exchanged glances, concern flickering in their eyes.

But then, gradually, Zhang Xiaohou found his rhythm. The cyan light of the Wind Element enveloped the stone, growing brighter and brighter until it surpassed He Yu's.

"A+"

"A+"

"A+"

The examiners announced the result together. Zhang Xiaohou had scored an A+.

The class erupted in awe and admiration.

"Crap, A+! That's a grade that secures your place in the Elite Class."

Xue Musheng and Tangyue exchanged pleased looks. Zhang Xiaohou had always been a bright student, and his result reflected that.

But Zhang Xiaohou wasn't done.

"Teacher, I'd like to attempt the next test," he said, his voice tinged with both determination and a hint of shyness.

The bald examiner raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Zhang Xiaohou nodded. "I know that the higher you place in the rankings during the Annual Examination, the longer you get to use the Stardust Magic Tool. Thus, I'd like to take the Activation test."

There was a murmur among the students. The Activation test was only for the top students, those who had touched upon the level of Activation. Out of a thousand students, only about a hundred had reached that level.

Zhang Xiaohou stood there, focused and ready. He had linked the seven Wind Element stars, forming the intricate Star Path. The examiners watched closely as he demonstrated his ability to activate his elemental magic.

When he finished, the result was clear: Activation Result—C+.

It wasn't the best score, but it was still impressive. Zhang Xiaohou smiled in quiet satisfaction as he stepped back into the crowd, greeted by pats on the back from his classmates.

The examination continued.

"Next, Zhou Ming."

"A+"

"A"

"A"

Final Result - "A"

Activation Result- "C"

One by one, the students stepped forward, their nerves on display for all to see. Some performed better than expected, while others faltered under the pressure. Most of the results hovered around B and C, with only a handful achieving A's.

The buzz in the room grew louder as the students realized that the real star of the day was yet to make his appearance. Whispers started circulating.

"Look, the people from the school council are almost here."

"They're at the seventh class' exam grounds… The one taking the test is that Lightning Element guy."

"Xu Zhaoting, that is firmly the number one guy in the entire school."

The tension in the air became electric.

In the buzzing grounds of Tian Lan Magic High School, tension filled the air as students, teachers, and even external dignitaries gathered for the much-anticipated Annual Examination. This year, the stakes were higher than ever, with reputations on the line and futures hanging in the balance. Among the crowd, whispers of exceptional talents spread like wildfire, but two names dominated the conversations: Mu Bai and Xu Zhaoting.

"That's not certain. I heard Mu Bai's cultivation is also very high!" a student commented, fueling the heated discussion among their peers.

Mo Fan, quietly observing from a distance, couldn't help but turn his gaze toward the seventh class exam grounds. The mention of Mu Bai's name, a familiar figure shrouded in arrogance, stirred something within him. Yet, his attention was soon captured by the activity on the grounds as Xu Zhaoting stepped forward.

Xu Zhaoting, dressed in his school uniform, stood confidently in the examination circle. His eyes focused on the human-shaped puppet before him, an unshakable determination in his gaze. The examiners and students alike watched him intently, waiting for his performance.

"Strike of Lightning!" Xu Zhaoting's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

With a swift motion, he raised his hand, a spark igniting in the air. "Activate!" he shouted.

In an instant, the sky seemed to darken as a violent Electric Arc descended from above. The bolt struck the puppet with ferocious speed and precision. There was a blinding flash, followed by an ear-splitting crack. The human-shaped puppet exploded into a shower of debris, disintegrated by the sheer force of the lightning.

The blackened marks left on the ground testified to the devastation of the spell. The power of the Lightning element had left its mark, not just on the puppet, but on the minds of everyone watching. Xu Zhaoting stepped back, his face betraying a small but satisfied smile as he awaited his score.

"S…"

"S…"

"A+."

The final result: A++.

The Activation Result: B

"If things go well, then Xu Zhaoting's grades will be the best in the entire school, right?" remarked Chen Guangliang, the school director.

"That's hard to say," the Vice-Principal replied. "From what I know, Mu Bai from the 8th class is also quite capable."

Overhearing the conversation, Mu He, a prominent figure in the Mu Family, seized the moment to add, "Older brother, Mu Bai is a disciple from our Mu Family; his grades have always been quite remarkable."

Mu Zhuoyun, the patriarch of the Mu Family, looked intrigued. "Mu Bai? Which family's?"

"He's Mu Yang's son. A very intelligent and determined child. He's still a seedling worth raising," Mu He said cautiously, fully aware of the importance of earning Mu Zhuoyun's approval.

"That slightly rings a bell," Mu Zhuoyun replied, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Let's go and have a look. School directors, shall we?"

The group of influential figures moved toward the exam grounds of the eighth class, their interest piqued. As they approached, the atmosphere grew heavier. The students of the eighth class felt the weight of the moment; their fates hung in the balance, and the presence of these powerful individuals only intensified the pressure.

"Next, Mu Bai!" the examiner called.

Mu Bai, who had been momentarily lost in his thoughts, snapped back to attention. His gaze lingered on Mu Ningxue, his heart racing with a mix of admiration and envy. He had trained relentlessly for this moment, and now, it was his turn to prove himself.

With a deep breath, Mu Bai strode confidently toward the exam circle, determination etched on his face. His hand hovered over the Star Appraisal Stone, and as he made contact, an icy wave erupted from it. The cold was palpable, even to those standing at a distance. It was no ordinary display; the Ice element radiated from the stone with an intensity that was impossible to ignore.

The wave of energy spread rapidly, causing a collective gasp from the onlookers. The teachers and students alike were entranced by the spectacle. The icy light that filled the area shimmered with a brilliance that was impossible to deny.

"S!"

"S!"

"S!"

The Final Result: S

A murmur rippled through the crowd. "I remember Xu Zhaoting from before had two 'S!' and one 'A+!' right?"

"In that case, Mu Bai's Stardust is more superior than Xu Zhaoting!" Mu He declared with pride, his voice full of excitement.

Even the normally stoic Xue Musheng, the homeroom teacher, was taken aback. "Has Mu Bai been hiding his true power all this time?" he wondered aloud.

"As expected of a disciple from a noble family," one of the examiners remarked. "I thought Mu Bai would only get one 'S!' at most. Who would've thought that he would receive three?"

There was no doubt in anyone's mind: Mu Bai had just secured the title of the number one student in the school. His Stardust was remarkable, his magic strong. But Mu Bai wasn't done yet.

Mu Bai turned toward the Activation test area, the final hurdle. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to calm his racing heart. This was it—the moment he had been preparing for. If he succeeded, both Mu Zhuoyun and Mu Ningxue would take notice of him.

With practiced precision, Mu Bai began to chant the incantation. The seven Ice element stars appeared before him, glowing faintly as they connected in a shimmering Star Path. The tension in the air thickened as his spell activated.

"Ice Spread!" Mu Bai's voice echoed through the grounds.

The puppet standing in the circle was suddenly engulfed in frost. The ice spread rapidly across its surface, covering it completely. The layer of ice gave the puppet a lacquered sheen, making it appear almost delicate, though the magic behind it was anything but.

The Ice Spread didn't stop there. It continued to creep outward, covering more of the floor. The examiners exchanged knowing glances. This level of proficiency was unheard of for a student who had awakened only a year ago. Mu Bai's control over the Ice element had clearly reached an impressive level.

"Good," Mu Zhuoyun remarked, his eyes flashing with approval.

The Activation Result: B.

With that, Mu Bai had secured his position as the top student in Tian Lan Magic High. He smiled, knowing he had finally caught the attention of the people who mattered most.

But just as the crowd began to celebrate Mu Bai's success, the examiner called the next name: "Light!"

There was a momentary silence as all eyes turned toward the boy who now stood at the edge of the exam grounds. Light, a name that carried weight among those who knew him. Whispers spread through the crowd, many recalling that Light was the son of Principal Sun Jiexi and Vice Elder Mei Maya, both powerful figures in their own right.

"Light, that sounds familiar," Mu Zhuoyun muttered, narrowing his eyes as he watched the young boy step forward.

Mu He leaned in to whisper, "Big Brother, Light is the son of Principal Sun Jiexi and Vice Elder Mei Maya."

Mu Zhuoyun's gaze shifted, his usual indifference replaced with genuine interest. "Let's watch then."

Even Mu Ningxue, who had remained quiet throughout the proceedings, seemed intrigued. Mu Zhuoyun turned to her and said, "Ningxue, why don't you take a look at this student's performance?"

Light stepped forward, his face calm and composed. His hand touched the Star Appraisal Stone, and a hush fell over the crowd as they waited with bated breath.

The stone's surface, cold and lifeless at first, quickly began to glow. But this was no ordinary glow. Silver light, bright and pure, began to leak from the stone. It started as a faint shimmer, but within seconds, the light intensified until it was pouring out in waves.

"This…this radiance!!!" someone exclaimed, their voice filled with shock.

Even Mu Zhuoyun, normally unflappable, couldn't hide his surprise. The silver light was unlike anything they had seen before.

The Principal, Vice-Principal, the Disciplinary teachers, and the school directors all stared in awe as the Star Appraisal Stone continued to glow. The radiance was so powerful that it seemed to burn from within, brighter and brighter until it felt like the sun itself had descended upon the exam grounds.

Overflowing radiance. This wasn't just a good result—this was extraordinary!

"S…S…" one of the examiners stammered, unable to believe what he was seeing.

"It's S…it really seems to be S," another examiner confirmed, his voice shaking with awe.

Mu Ningxue, usually so composed, was visibly moved by what she saw. She, like everyone else, hadn't expected Light to achieve such a result.

"S!"

"S!"

"S!"

The final result flashed on the screen: S!

The crowd erupted in whispers. While Mu Bai had secured three 'S's,' Light's magic was on an entirely different level. His Stardust was significantly stronger than Mu Bai's, and everyone knew it.

"Light, do you wish to continue the exam?" the examiner asked, his voice barely steady.

Light smiled slightly and nodded. "Naturally."

As Light prepared for the next test, a quiet buzz rippled through the crowd. Everyone was on edge, eager to witness what would come next. Light's activation score would undoubtedly be the highlight of the entire examination.

But Mu Bai, standing just a few feet away, was far from pleased. His victory, his moment, was slipping away. Light was about to steal the spotlight, and Mu Bai couldn't allow that to happen. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists as jealousy and frustration simmered beneath the surface.