VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

The tension in the air was palpable, as the gathered students stood in a rigid formation, their backs straight and their faces betraying neither fear nor excitement. Before them stood a man whose presence was as magnetic as it was terrifying. His name was Zhankong, the new Chief Military Instructor, and his very aura demanded respect. He wasn't just another teacher—they could sense it. This man had seen battles, fought creatures beyond their wildest imaginations, and survived. The scent of blood seemed to hang around him like an invisible shroud.

His smile, warm and inviting, seemed at odds with the darkness that lurked just beneath his eyes. "Hello everyone, I am the Chief Military Instructor of your Practicals, Zhankong. You should consider yourselves lucky because you are the first group of examinees that have come here since I've taken charge," he said, his voice booming across the small stronghold where the students had gathered.

None of the students dared to speak. Silence fell over them like a heavy blanket. They knew better than to voice any unnecessary thoughts. In the past, their interactions had been limited to teachers—kind, scholarly types who drilled them in magical theories and stuffed their heads with data. But today was different. Today, they stood in front of Battlemages—people who had killed Magical Beasts, whose very presence exuded danger. It was clear that this Practical Examination was not going to be like the lectures and controlled exercises back at school. There was no safety net here.

Zhankong continued, his voice a touch too loud in the still air. "Don't worry, you are the first Practical students that I will be responsible for. In order for you to smoothly pass the Practicals, which directly influence your high school examinations, I will give you all a special treatment!" His words lingered in the air, but the tone was unmistakable—he wasn't being kind. He was laying down a challenge. The emphasis on "special treatment" sent a wave of unease rippling through the group.

The fear of failure weighed heavily on the students. Not passing the practical examination, or receiving a low score, could derail their future. The stakes were higher than ever. A poor performance could mean missing out on future opportunities, perhaps even dooming them to a life far below their ambitions. This wasn't just about grades; it was about destiny.

"I understand that you are all the most outstanding young magicians of our Bo City, and I also believe you possess the strength required to pass the Practical Examination this time…" Zhankong's smile grew as he continued, but there was something almost cruel in his eyes. "Thus, the Practicals this time will be extremely easy."

At this point, two figures stood near the front of the crowd, their faces tightening in concern. Luo Yunbo and Pan Lijun, exchanged glances. They knew that whenever Zhankong smiled like that, it was never a good sign.

Their suspicions were confirmed with Zhankong's next words, delivered with an air of nonchalance. "I just received a bounty, and the difficulty is of the lowest level. There are 100 magicians in total from your school, correct? How about this: if any squad or individual amongst you 100 people can complete this bounty, you will pass the entire Practical assessment and acquire Grade A."

Before Zhankong could even finish his sentence, a ripple of surprise and confusion spread through the students.

A bounty? For students? The most difficult task usually reserved for seasoned hunters and battlemages?

It didn't take long for the first murmurs to rise. Students began to shift uncomfortably, their confidence cracking. They had heard stories about these Practical Examinations from senior students. Stand around, patrol, keep your head down, and you'll pass, they'd said. It was simple advice, and most had followed it, earning decent scores just for showing up. But this… This was something entirely different.

Bounties were typically issued to professional Mage Squads, elite groups who ventured out to hunt dangerous Magical Beasts in exchange for high rewards. These creatures were unpredictable, deadly, and powerful. Even full-fledged magicians, trained and experienced, sometimes failed.

In the shadows of the stronghold, veteran Hunters who had been stationed there for years began to stir uneasily. What kind of madness was this? Letting students take on a bounty? It was absurd. These kids, barely out of their classrooms, were being asked to face the kinds of dangers that seasoned mages sometimes avoided.

"What happens if no one is able to finish the mission?" came a voice from the front. It was Xu Zhaoting, his voice steady despite the evident concern.

Zhankong didn't blink. "Then no one will pass," he said coolly, as if stating a simple fact.

A collective gasp spread through the crowd. Every student and teacher, even those who had tried to remain composed, found themselves struggling to keep their calm. The reality of the situation hit them like a punch to the gut. They could all fail, every last one of them.

From somewhere in the back, a voice rose. Zhoumin, the class representative, could no longer hold back. "Chief Military Instructor, you might as well just fail us all right now!"

Her words, laced with frustration, emboldened others. "Yeah! There's no difference between that and failing us!" another student chimed in, echoing her defiance.

Their teachers, too, shared their students' dismay. Zhang Jianguo, Xue Musheng, and Tangyue exchanged worried glances. This wasn't what they had planned. Bribes had been exchanged, deals made behind closed doors to ensure the students got decent grades. This, however, was far outside the script. Zhankong wasn't playing by the rules.

Zhankong's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines. He leaned forward slightly, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "How is it inappropriate?" he snapped. "Why don't you go find your school director, Deng Kai, if you have complaints? But I'll tell you now, it won't be easy to get high grades from me. If Tian Lan Magic High is supposed to be the best public school in Bo City, then why have you brought me a bunch of wastes? If all you're planning on doing is wasting time, you might as well go back to school and read your little Magic books. Bribery means nothing here—danger is everywhere, and you might not survive long enough to care about your grades!"

The students were stunned into silence. A group of wastes? Was that really how he saw them?

Standing quietly at the back of the group, Light observed everything with a smirk on his face. He found Zhankong's attitude intriguing. While most of his classmates were in varying states of panic or anger, Light felt a surge of excitement building within him. This wasn't going to be easy—but it was going to be thrilling.

Zhang Jianguo, one of the teachers, stepped forward hesitantly, clearly trying to defuse the situation. "Chief Military Instructor, the examination you're proposing seems a bit too extreme. From what I know, even the easiest bounty would require a squadron of mages with at least three to five years of experience in the field…"

Zhankong's response was swift and merciless. "You have one hundred people. If you can't finish a simple bounty mission, then it only proves that the wastes you teachers have been coddling all these years don't deserve to call themselves mages. Are these the so-called 'Elite students' of Tian Lan Magic High?" His voice was dripping with disdain.

Zhang Jianguo's face flushed with embarrassment, his skin alternating between shades of green and white. Zhankong had not only issued an impossible task but also insulted both the teachers and students of the city's most prestigious school. The humiliation was unbearable.

Zhankong's expression softened just slightly, a trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Naturally, for the squadron or individual who successfully completes the bounty, I will personally gift them a reward. A piece of Defensive Magic Equipment."

The mere mention of Defensive Magic Equipment sent ripples of excitement through the crowd. Even the hardened hunters outside the plaza perked up at the words. A reward like that was no small thing—it was valuable, perhaps even priceless to those who risked their lives every day.

"Shit, Defensive Magic Equipment? Really?" one of the hunters muttered, his voice thick with disbelief.

Another hunter, standing nearby, nudged his companion. "That's life-saving gear, man. Why's he offering it to a bunch of students? We're the ones who actually need it!"

"Boss Zhankong, don't waste that equipment on them. Give us a shot at the mission instead!" another hunter shouted from the sidelines, his voice echoing across the plaza.

In no time, a chorus of voices joined in, hunters pleading for the chance to claim the reward for themselves.

Defensive Magic Equipment was more than just a tool—it was a lifeline. Activated by thought, it could instantly transform into a shield or armor, capable of blocking even the most vicious attack from a Magical Beast. For those who faced death every day, it was a godsend, a divine weapon.

It wasn't just its defensive capabilities that made it so valuable, but the sheer rarity of it. Many hunters, even those who had spent years in the field, had never laid their hands on a piece of this equipment. And now, it was being offered as a reward to students?

Zhankong's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched the reactions unfold. "Good," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "You now have your bounty. Let the hunt begin."

Ten days had passed since the students of Tian Lan Magic High embarked on the grueling road of the Bounty mission. The excitement they once felt had been all but ground down by the relentless obstacles, the thick jungle, and the towering mountains they had to cross. Beneath the dense and seemingly endless forest, a squad of twenty students wearing the deep blue and silver uniforms of Tian Lan Magic High stood near a mountain cliff. The air around them was thick with exhaustion and frustration, emotions they had grown intimately familiar with over the past several days.

No matter how much they complained and how dissatisfied they were with the situation, they continued their trek. The road of the Bounty was one they had no choice but to tread. In these ten days, they had faced obstacles that felt insurmountable. They passed through dense forests where the canopy blocked out the sun and over mountains that seemed to stretch into the clouds. The hardship of the journey had beaten them down to the bone, and the bitterness they endured left them physically and mentally drained.

The squad resembled a band of primitives now. Their faces were caked with dirt, their hair matted with sweat, and their uniforms were torn in places. They all panted heavily as they neared a cliff that seemed like yet another impassable obstacle on their journey.

"This freaking Chief Military Instructor," Wang Sanpang grumbled as he dropped to the ground, his body heaving with exhaustion. He fanned himself with his cap, glaring at the horizon. "I really want to curse him for sending us to such a sly place."

"Yeah, freaking crap," Zhang Shuhua, the giraffe-necked student, huffed in agreement. He adjusted the strap of his backpack. "Speaking of which, how have we not finished the 30 kilometers yet? Isn't this the tenth day?"

Zhang Xiaohou, standing nearby, shook his head with a weary smile. "The thirty kilometers is the distance if it was a straight line. We've had to climb hills, cross valleys, and take detours around mountains. This road is way more than thirty kilometers."

The squad consisted of twenty students, all of whom had been assigned this practical mission with no teachers or military instructors to guide them. Instead, they were handed a map and left to their own devices. The bitter truth of survival on their own had hit them hard, and their exhaustion was palpable.

Class Rep Zhoumin wiped the sweat from her forehead as she peered down at the map in her hands. "After crossing this river valley, we shouldn't be too far from the Hundred Grass Valley that the Chief Military Instructor mentioned."

"Shit, how are we supposed to pass this river valley? Flying? In any case, it's at least ten meters wide!" Wang Sanpang exclaimed, throwing his hands up in defeat.

At this moment, the squad came to a halt before a towering cliff. The sight before them caused a collective groan. The river valley below was not just wide—it was treacherous. The river surged and foamed, roaring as it crashed against jagged rocks, the sound echoing off the cliff walls.

"What do we do? We can't just give up halfway there," someone muttered.

Zhang Shuhua, ever the complainer, suggested, "How about we just go home? There are still other groups. It's possible they could finish this…"

Zhoumin, always quick to take charge, shot him a glare. "You lack spirit! How can you place your hope on other people?"

"Then you tell us what to do," Zhang Shuhua snapped back, irritation lining his voice. "None of us are able to cross this cliff!"

A moment of silence passed over the group as they all stared at the churning river below.

Zhang Xiaohou, the usually quiet and unassuming student, caught Light's eye. Light, who had been observing the situation quietly, leaned over and whispered, "Monkey, do you dare?"

Zhang Xiaohou blinked, surprised by the sudden attention. His lips curved into a confident smile as he slapped his chest. "What is there to be afraid of?"

"Good!" Light grinned, stepping back to give him space. "Let's see what you've got!"

Without hesitation, Zhang Xiaohou stood up and addressed the group. "Tie the rope around me, I'll do it."

Zhoumin, Xu Zhaoting, and Zhang Shuhua exchanged doubtful looks. Zhang Xiaohou wasn't the most impressive student when it came to physical feats, and they weren't sure he could make it. But with no other volunteers, he was their best shot.

"Are you sure, Zhang Xiao Hou?" Zhoumin asked, but she was already moving to tie the rope securely around Zhang Xiaohou's waist.

The rest of the squad stepped back, giving him space as they watched with bated breath.

Zhang Xiaohou took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with steady determination. He slowly closed his eyes, connecting with the star path of his magic. A green glow enveloped his body as he focused, and an eerie silence fell over the group.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohou's eyes snapped open, and his pupils gleamed with a vivid green light. An invisible wind swirled around him, the dust kicking up in small whirlwinds as he activated his Wind Element.

The others gasped as a Wind Trail formed beneath his feet, leading from the hillside toward the opposite cliff. The wind howled as it picked up speed, the passage of air visible from the way it scattered debris along the path.

"Wind Trail, Swift Current!" Zhang Xiaohou called out, his voice resonating with the power of the wind. His body became a blur as he sprinted forward, the wind aiding his every step. Faster and faster, he moved with the wind guiding him.

"Jump! Jump quickly!" Xu Zhaoting and Zhoumin shouted, their voices blending with the roar of the wind.

As Zhang Xiaohou neared the edge of the cliff, he leaped with all his might, his foot crushing a rock at the edge as his body launched into the air.

The squad collectively held their breath as they watched him soar over the gaping valley. The wind was fierce, whistling through the canyon and making it seem like Zhang Xiaohou might be swept away. But he held his course, his arms outstretched, the rope tied securely around him trailing behind like a lifeline.

Zhang Xiaohou's body arced gracefully through the air, the opposite cliff rushing toward him. Time seemed to slow as he neared the other side, and then—thud!—his feet slammed into the ground. He stumbled, rolling forward, and crashed into a tree, leaves and twigs scattering around him.

There was a beat of stunned silence. Then, as Zhang Xiaohou sat up, a goofy grin spreading across his face, the entire squad erupted into cheers.

"Monkey, good job!" Light was the first to call out, his voice echoing across the valley.

The others followed suit, clapping and shouting their praise. Even Zhang Shuhua, who had been the most skeptical, was grinning from ear to ear.

Xu Zhaoting was the first to cross the rope, followed by the rest of the squad. One by one, they carefully made their way across, using the rope Zhang Xiaohou had secured on the other side. Their hearts raced as they passed over the treacherous river below, but the excitement of reaching the other side pushed them onward.

The tension that had hung over them for days seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of accomplishment. Their journey had been brutal, but they had overcome the first real test of their practical mission.

Zhoumin held the map in front of her once more, her brow furrowed in concentration. "We've arrived at the Hundred Grass Valley," she said. "This is where the real mission begins."

The squad nodded in unison. The hardships of the past ten days were only a prelude. Now, they were ready to face whatever challenges the Hundred Grass Valley had in store.