VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

"Do you see it?" Pan Lijun, the assistant military instructor, pointed toward the distance, her voice carrying a note of awe. "That lonely and mighty mountain is the Snowy Peak Mountain, and it marks the border of our Bo City."

As the mountain came into clearer view, the students leaned closer to the windows, their curiosity piqued. The Snowy Peak Mountain stood majestic and imposing, its snow-covered summit gleaming under the mid-morning sun.

"Our Bo City counts as a medium-sized city," Pan Lijun continued, her short-cropped hair barely reaching her shoulders. "At the front line are cities like Magic City—Shanghai, Demon City—Guangzhou, and Capital City—Beijing. Their safe borders aren't just small stations like ours. They're massive strongholds, capable of repelling even the strongest of magical beasts."

Wang Sanpang, ever the inquisitive one, leaned forward in his seat and asked, "Speaking of which, since you guys regularly have contact with magical beasts, that means you must be Intermediate-level Magicians, right?"

Pan Lijun shot him an amused glance, her lips curling into a half-smile. "Intermediate? Why would Intermediate-level Magicians waste their time guiding you little brats around?"

Wang Sanpang frowned, clearly upset by the remark. "So you guys are just Primary-level Magicians, huh? That's nothing to brag about."

The two military instructors burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the bus. It was clear they found Wang Sanpang's assumption childish and naïve. The rest of the students, however, shared his thoughts, though they weren't bold enough to voice them.

As the bus rumbled deeper into the mountains, the road twisted and turned, leading them through narrow passes and dense groves. The journey, which had start ined early in the morning, stretched well into the afternoon. Time seemed to slow down as they traversed the rugged terrain.

But Light wasn't paying attention to any of it. Seated at the very back of the bus, he remained in quiet meditation, completely oblivious to the chatter around him. His focus was elsewhere—on his cultivation.

The Little Loach Pendant and the Treasure Necklace around his neck pulsed with energy, enhancing his magical abilities as they always did. Both were potent Stardust Magic Tools, and under their influence, Light's cultivation had advanced far beyond that of his peers. He could feel the steady rhythm of the stars within him, their light no longer flickering or dimming as it had in the past. Now, the stars' radiance was unwavering, casting a constant glow within his spiritual universe.

It was said that as the stars' brilliance grew stronger, so too would a magician's ability to channel and conduct magic. Spells would become more potent, their effects more devastating. Light had spent the entire second year of high school honing this ability, and now, he could feel the fruits of his labor. His connection to the stars was stronger than ever, and with each passing moment, he grew more confident in his powers.

The bus finally came to a halt as they reached their destination: Snowy Peak Mountain Station. One by one, the hundred elite students from Tian Lan Magic High descended, their breaths visible in the cold mountain air. The stronghold itself, despite its rugged surroundings, resembled a bustling town. Its single main road was lined with shops and vendors offering goods essential to a Mage's battles and cultivation.

Though the instructors had called it a small stronghold, the place was far from a crude village. The station sat nestled between two towering cliffs, each at least a hundred meters high. The natural walls of the cliffside formed an imposing barrier, and the only visible exit was the narrow valley road that stretched ahead.

Two colossal stone doors, carved from the very mountains themselves, stood locked at either end of the valley, sealing the stronghold within its natural fortress. The entire station resembled a fort garrison, designed to withstand both the elements and the creatures that lurked beyond the safety zone.

As they stepped off the bus, the students gazed up at the towering stone doors in awe.

"This is the Snowy Peak Mountain stronghold," Zhang Jianguo, their teacher, announced proudly. "Other than high-level flying-type magical beasts or those with extraordinary climbing abilities, this station can keep out most of the dangerous creatures that wander near the safety zone. Thanks to the protection of this stronghold, we haven't had any major incidents in the area for years."

One of the students, Zhoumin, raised her hand eagerly. "Teacher, I heard that this protective stone door was made by our Bo City's Construction Master, Zhang Yuheng. Isn't it true that no magic beneath the Intermediate level can move it?"

Zhang Jianguo nodded. "That's correct. The stone door may look old, but its strength rivals even the hardest steel. It's a testament to Zhang Yuheng's mastery over the Earth element."

With that, Zhang Jianguo led the students deeper into the station, holding a small flag that marked their group. He looked more like a tour guide than a teacher leading his students into a potentially dangerous area, but his calm demeanor put many of the students at ease.

One by one, the other groups arrived, and soon the entire contingent of one hundred elite students from Tian Lan Magic High stood beneath the towering stone doors. The air was filled with nervous excitement as the students whispered among themselves, unsure of what lay ahead.

Two sentries stood guard at the entrance, their uniforms crisp and spotless. One of them, however, stood out. He was a Battlemage, but he didn't wear the standard uniform. Instead, he leaned casually against the stone door, playing with a small flame that danced gracefully between his fingers. The flame seemed almost alive, swirling and twisting in the air around him.

Light, who had just emerged from his meditation, was immediately captivated by the sight. The way the flame obeyed the Battlemage's command, its movements so fluid and precise, spoke of a magician with far more experience than he had. Light couldn't help but wonder how much stronger the man's Fire Burst skill was compared to his own.

"Hey, Boss Zhankong, how come you're assigned to this post today?" Luo Yunbo, one of the other instructors, called out with a grin.

The Battlemage, Zhankong, chuckled and shrugged. "I heard there'd be some high school girls here today, so I came to check it out myself."

Zhoumin, who had been admiring Zhankong from a distance, suddenly found herself the target of his gaze. She blushed and quickly looked away, though it was clear that she, like many of the other girls, was smitten.

"So handsome," one of the girls whispered.

"Yeah, you can't even compare the boys from our school to him. He's got such a manly aura," another added.

Zhankong smiled to himself, clearly aware of the effect he had on the students.

"Little girl," Pan Lijun's voice cut through the chatter, "don't frown at Boss Zhankong. He's one of the rare experts around here."

Zhang Jianguo nodded in agreement. "I've heard of him. Zhankong is known for being the Fire Magician who's slaughtered the most magical beasts at Snowy Peak Mountain Station."

Light remained silent, watching as Zhankong casually tossed the flame into the air before catching it again. There was something about the way he moved, the way he controlled his magic, that intrigued him. This was no ordinary Battlemage.

As the students looked around, Wang Sanpang scoffed, "He has only killed off a few Magical Beasts, what's so impressive about that?"

"It is indeed not impressive. When Deng Kai proposed the idea of having you students come here for practicals, I did reject it…" Zhankong's voice was calm but carried a certain weight, drawing the attention of the students and teachers alike.

Standing beside him, Zhang Jianguo, the practical class teacher, nodded in agreement. "The warning from a year ago has passed. Currently, there won't be any problem. As a Mage, you still need this practical no matter what. You can't just extend it because of a warning from a year ago."

Zhankong's laughter boomed through the cold air, startling some of the more nervous students. "I don't really mind, as long as you don't let the students wander around. I don't wanna see this fine and delicate beautiful girl being eaten by a One-eyed Magic Wolf," he said, his hearty laugh making the situation seem like a game.

Zhang Jianguo smiled awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable but unable to say anything. The other person was a genuine expert. Even if he were to assail a woman with obscenities, he, a teacher, was unable to do anything.

Zhankong's control over the stronghold was undeniable. The entry and exit were clearly within the hands of this man. As the students formed into groups, their awe of him grew.

The stronghold itself seemed simple, but its market offered all manner of items crucial for Mages. There was something surreal about the place—while it looked like a normal village at first glance, it hid the dangerous reality that Magical Beasts roamed the surrounding wilderness, threatening everything.

The sight of stalls selling Magic Stones of all colors immediately caught the students' eyes. These Magic Stones were well-known to the students. They were produced when elements such as Fire, Wind, Lightning, or Earth became dense in nature, forming extraordinary stones. Inside these stones was energy similar to the Magician's Stardust—although they couldn't be used directly by Mages, they were crucial for Magic Tools and Equipment, powering them with constant energy. The stones also had another purpose: purified Magic Stones could serve as currency, a fact the teacher had discussed in class, and one that Mo Fan had listened to intently. In this magical world, the consumption rate of Magic Stones was enormous, making them the equivalent of a power source in the scientific world.

Yet, these valuable stones were not easy to come by. Magical Beasts craved them too, relying on them for sustenance and strength. This created a brutal competition between humans and beasts. When humans dug up Magic Stones, their biggest obstacle wasn't nature, but the Magical Beasts that instinctively guarded them. The beasts were naturally hostile to humans, especially when their precious food was involved. It was this savage reality that set the Magical World apart from the old, original world. In the previous age, humanity dominated through technology and weapons—here, there were no missiles, only Magicians standing against the tide of beasts.

"Brother Light, on the Practicals this time, we must properly show ourselves off. I've heard the Practical's grades are directly related to our admission to University; it occupies 20% of the total admission grade!" Zhang Xiaohou said, nudging Light excitedly as they made their way through the bustling main road. Light nodded, knowing how important this was, especially if he wanted to get into a top-rate magic university like Athena's Imperial College. An S-grade would be the key to unlocking that future.

Behind them, Wang Sanpang walked over with a confident grin. "These Military instructors have been bribed by the school. Even if you waste time here for two months, they'd at least give you a B. That's why, there's no need to worry."

"That's right, the previous sessions were the same." Another student joined in, sharing the knowledge of how lenient these instructors could be. Light wasn't concerned with getting a B; he had his eyes set on something higher—an S-grade.

Suddenly, the call rang out. "Gather in the plaza!" the booming voice of Luo Yunbo echoed through the stronghold. The students quickly lined up in the central plaza, facing the instructors.

From the sides, veterans of the stronghold began to gather, their eyes full of amusement as they watched the students assemble. "Come and check this out, it's a new group of interns, hahaha. We can once again see the newbies make a fool out of themselves," a rat-faced man sneered.

"I guess at least 30 of them will pee their pants by the time this is over," added a man who looked like a small-time Hunter officer, causing a wave of laughter from the veterans.

The students could hear every word, but they tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the task ahead. The hundred elite students were divided into five groups, each consisting of twenty people. In front of them stood two military instructors and one practical class teacher, their expressions serious.

"Head Military Instructor!" someone whispered in awe.

"The Head Military Instructor has come!" The murmurs spread through the crowd as Zhankong, accompanied by a group of Battlemages, strode toward the students. His presence commanded attention, his seemingly disheveled appearance doing nothing to diminish the aura of authority around him. Zhankong still had that superior appearance. As the Head Military Instructor, his unorganized appearance actually caused people to think otherwise.

Light's heart pounded in his chest as he felt the weight of the practical exercise settle on him. This wasn't just about surviving—it was about proving himself. This practical would determine his future, and he was ready.