Versatile Mage: Starting with the White Tiger Pendant

In the examination hall, Xu Zhaoting was full of confidence, enjoying the attention of the entire audience.

On the podium, school board member Mu He, with an appreciative look, asked Mu Ningxue, "Ningxue, what do you think?"

"Average." Mu Ningxue didn't spare him another glance, her bright eyes focused solely on Mo Fan in the crowd.

This led all the male students in Class Eight of the first grade to have a moment of delusion: She's looking at me!

Even Xu Zhaoting and Mu Bai on the field felt smug.

The expressions of the leaders darkened. Mu Zhuoyun stepped in with a laugh to ease the tension, saying, "Haha, it's actually pretty good. Ningxue is studying at the Imperial Capital Academy, where magical geniuses from all over the country gather. The release of an initial-stage lightning spell is just basic for them. She's just used to judging by the standards of the Imperial Capital Academy."

Coincidentally, Mu He shifted the topic to Mu Bai, leading the leaders toward Class Eight.

Mu Bai's heart leapt with joy, and he decisively stepped forward for the test.

Seeing this, Lu Jun curled his lips. This annual assessment is nothing more than a showcase for the aristocratic families. Who would have expected someone like Mo Fan to appear?

Next, Mu Bai achieved an S-grade result. The brilliance of the star path illuminated the surroundings as he easily released an initial-stage ice spell, Ice Spread: Freeze. A cold aura spread out, covering the ground with a thick layer of ice that creaked and groaned, freezing the wooden mannequin into a sparkling ice sculpture under the sunlight.

The leaders, being astute individuals, understood that Mu He was deliberately promoting him. They all praised Mu Bai's performance.

Mu Bai was full of satisfaction, secretly glancing at Mu Ningxue to observe her reaction. To his fury, Mu Ningxue had never even looked at him. Her gaze remained fixed on Mo Fan.

That bastard again! Mu Bai silently fumed, signaling to the examination proctor with a glance.

The proctor, a bald man, casually leaned against the star path, covertly placing a Darklight Stone on it.

However, Lu Jun and Mo Fan, who had been on alert, immediately noticed the trick. Mo Fan's eyes sharpened, and he stepped forward, loudly demanding, "What are you doing?!"

Mo Fan strode to the star path, grabbing the bald proctor's hand and exposing the evidence on the spot.

The leaders, startled, quickly looked over. The proctor stood frozen, holding the Darklight Stone, his face stiff. Under the gaze of the entire audience, all the teachers and students understood what had happened.

An uproar ensued:

"Wow, someone cheated openly? Doesn't that mean all previous scores are invalid?"

"Disgusting! What if it had been me?"

Tang Yue stepped forward, snatching the stone and examining it. With a cold and elegant frown, she questioned sharply, "What's your intention? How dare you plant a Darklight Stone to harm students? Who instructed you?"

The leaders frowned, their minds quickly piecing things together. Mu He's face darkened as he glanced toward the pale, trembling Mu Bai, glaring at him fiercely.

At that moment, Lu Jun, quick-witted as ever, leaned over to check the assessment list and loudly declared, "The next person is Mo Fan! Were you targeting him?!"

With this revelation, the expressions of Mu He and Mu Zhuoyun shifted. The connection was obvious. The previous person was Mu Bai, followed by Mo Fan. It was like the perpetrator was blatantly signaling their intentions.

Mu He's face turned even more ashen. Even Mu Ningxue, sharp and perceptive, quickly understood. Her icy gaze locked onto Mu Bai.

Mu Ningxue had a complicated feeling toward Mo Fan. This time, she had even planned to support him. As long as Mo Fan's results were acceptable, she was willing to have the family nurture him.

But now, faced with this incident, she couldn't imagine what would have happened if the trick had gone unnoticed. For someone from a commoner background like Mo Fan, it would have been a lifelong humiliation.

Determined, Mu Ningxue was about to step forward, but her father, Mu Zhuoyun, stopped her. His cold words echoed around them: "We'll deal with this at home."

"Father!" the silver-haired girl called out indignantly and anxiously.

"I said we'll deal with it at home!" Mu Zhuoyun, usually doting on his daughter, was firm this time. Indifferently, he added, "Our Mu family matters are handled internally. Outsiders have no right to criticize us."

Mu Ningxue hesitated, while Mu He visibly relaxed. To prevent Mu Ningxue from speaking further, he urgently stepped forward and declared, "We must find out who's responsible for this!"

His gaze turned fierce, filled with murderous intent, as he glared at the bald proctor. "Speak! What's your purpose?!"

At the same time, Mu Zhuoyun's cold gaze bore into the proctor.

Under the combined pressure of the two Mu family members, the proctor felt despair. He knew that taking the blame alone would at least allow him to survive and ensure his family's safety. Confessing the truth, however, meant certain death and implicating his loved ones.

Thus, the proctor stammered out a feeble excuse, claiming it was his decision, motivated by disdain for Mo Fan, whom he believed had taken a backdoor entry.

Mo Fan was furious, repeatedly demanding, "Say that again!"

Tang Yue noticed the absurdity of the situation. Despite her disdain for such corruption, she had to conceal her identity and couldn't seek justice openly.

She understood that in such cases, without significant consequences or harm to the victim, punishment was unlikely. The Mu family's influence as local elites made it nearly impossible to hold them accountable.

Lu Jun sighed. His sister, being a mid-tier mage, protected him from retribution, but achieving more was a distant dream. He was also keenly aware of Mu He's true strength—a high-tier mage proficient in curse magic. Making a bold stand could lead to a silent and mysterious death.

Mo Fan, filled with rage and helplessness, pointed at Mu He and Mu Zhuoyun, cursing them publicly. While the two were initially willing to endure his insults, they snapped when he began targeting their ancestors.

The leaders, noticing the escalation, interjected, "Enough, Mo Fan. We all know you've been wronged. The school will compensate you. This wasn't the fault of the two directors. Why are you making baseless accusations?"

"Clearly, the culprit has been exposed. You should direct your anger at them!"

Mu Bai, having calmed down somewhat, glanced at Zhao Kunsan, who immediately understood and chimed in, "Yeah, Mo Fan, stop disrupting the test. It's obvious you're being targeted. Reflect on your own behavior."

Other sycophants eager to please the Mu family echoed, "Exactly! Apologize already."

Lu Jun found it absurd to watch teachers and students alike support such blatant injustice. Ridiculous! Whether in Bo City or the Magic Capital, nothing changes.

Even Mu Ningxue hesitated. Her entire life depended on the Mu family. She couldn't go against her father's and uncle's will.

Tang Yue closed her eyes briefly before speaking a few impartial words, though they had little effect, merely calming the audience.

Mu He and Mu Zhuoyun smirked, letting their lackeys handle the situation. This was the power of the aristocracy.

Furious, Mo Fan took the initiative to confront the aristocracy directly, walking down a path of open defiance.

Mu Zhuoyun, tired of the commotion, sent his adopted son, Yu Ang—secretly a member of the Black Vatican—to propose a two-year agreement.

By their graduation and coming-of-age ceremony, the loser would kneel, bow, and publicly apologize to the winner.