Versatile Mage: Starting with the White Tiger Pendant

Early in the morning, Lu Jun woke up.

He noticed that his elder sister had already prepared a steaming hot breakfast in the living room downstairs. While eating a piece of bread, she was leisurely watching dramas.

Lu Mei didn't attend a magic university. In fact, entering a magical academy in this world wasn't that easy. After graduating from high school, she became a professional mage, joining a demon-hunting team. Her work was sporadic—sometimes she'd go months without any tasks, but a single assignment could earn enough to live comfortably for half a year.

Most of the time, she just relaxed at home, and Lu Jun couldn't help but envy her. Honestly, as long as one awakens magic, they can live quite well anywhere in the world.

In the world of Versatile Mage, there's no advanced technology. Phones, electric vehicles, and other modern conveniences are all powered by magic.

Mages are categorized into five major levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Super, and the legendary Forbidden Curse. The system is simple and easy to understand.

However, there are many different types of magic, divided into four broad categories: Elemental Magic, Dimensional Magic, White Magic, and Black Magic. The last three are rarely awakened as a first element and are extremely rare.

Within the Elemental Magic category alone, there are seven types: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning, Ice, and Light. The Earth element is also referred to as the Rock element.

Basic mages are those who've just awakened, typically possessing only one element. Upon reaching the Intermediate level, they can awaken a second element, and at the Advanced level, they can gain a third.

This means that in this world, even at the peak Forbidden Curse level, a mage can have a maximum of five elements.

Each element progresses independently. For example, when an Intermediate mage awakens a second element, they must start from the Basic level and work their way up.

"I wonder what element I'll awaken and what kind of talent I'll have. Could I be born with dual elements?"

Lu Jun pondered. In this system, the only exception was innate talent—similar to special physiques in fantasy novels. For instance, the protagonist Mo Fan was born with dual elements. More specifically, he had dual elements at every stage—two in the Basic stage, four in the Intermediate stage, and so on.

He remained optimistic. Strong talents have their way of thriving, and even ordinary talents can live a decent life in this world.

After breakfast, Lu Jun called out, "Sister, I'm heading to school."

"Wait a moment."

Hearing this, Lu Mei got up and approached him with a bright smile.

Lu Jun's face turned slightly red. His sister was quite tall, nearly 1.8 meters.

Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled forward. Before he could react, he was enveloped in a warm, soft embrace, a faint fragrance filling his nose. Her encouraging words reached his ears, "Go for it. I've got your back."

Lu Jun was initially stunned but soon calmed down. The phrase "wealthy and generous" popped into his mind. His hands instinctively rested on his sister's supple waist. The curve of her hips made it easy for his hands to settle there. He lowered his head and muttered a quiet "Okay."

Initially, Lu Mei looked at her younger brother with warmth and affection. But she soon realized something felt off—ticklish and strange. Looking down, she noticed this cheeky boy and blushed slightly, playfully scolding, "Let go!"

"Hehe." Embarrassed, Lu Jun quickly released his sister's warm embrace.

After bidding farewell to Lu Mei, Lu Jun headed to Tianlan Magic High. The streets were bustling with students coming from all directions. He was assigned to Class 8 of the first year.

On the vast magic training grounds, twenty classes totaling 1,500 students gathered for the opening ceremony, which would also include their awakening ceremony.

Standing at the front of his class's lineup, Lu Jun glanced behind him, noticing two students arguing. He overheard familiar names.

"Mo Fan, you got in through the back door. You probably won't be able to awaken anything. You might as well give up now and save the awakening stone's energy."

A boy named Zhao Kunsan sneered sarcastically. Next to him, a dark-skinned, skinny boy stood up angrily to defend his friend. "Mo Fan, ignore this idiot. You're going to awaken a Fire element and show him what's what! Let him see who's really got low standards!"

Hearing this, Lu Jun looked at the two boys. The cheeky-looking one was Mo Fan, and the skinny, monkey-like one was Zhang Xiaohou.

Lu Jun was surprised. Although he was familiar with the storyline of Versatile Mage, he hadn't memorized the exact class Mo Fan was in. Knowing he was in Tianlan Magic High was enough. It was such a coincidence.

Lu Jun stared intently, memorizing their appearances. He couldn't help but feel emotional. Who would've thought that these two ordinary students would grow up to be extraordinary figures? The former would become the strongest Forbidden Curse Mage, a versatile god of magic, while the latter would achieve great success.

However, his staring didn't go unnoticed. Mo Fan, sharp as ever, frowned, wondering which lackey of a noble family was eyeing him now. Mo Fan was well aware of the trouble he had stirred as a child by hanging out with a Mu Clan princess. It had made him the target of disdain among the wealthy families of Bo City.

Unintimidated, Mo Fan met Lu Jun's gaze head-on. Their eyes locked, and Lu Jun, feeling awkward, was the first to look away. Truly, Mo Fan had the boldness befitting a protagonist.

Lu Jun knew that while Mo Fan came from a humble family, his father worked as a driver for a powerful noble family, the Mu Clan. The Mu Clan, known for its mastery of Ice Magic, was the most influential family in Bo City, though it was just a branch of a larger clan based in the capital.

Having lived in a noble family's estate since childhood, Mo Fan had unknowingly absorbed their atmosphere. Combined with the challenges he faced growing up, this instilled in him a wild, determined spirit.

Having seen the heights of power, how could Mo Fan not strive for it? He never cowered in big moments and never gave up easily—a true testament to his unyielding character.

Lu Jun thought for a moment and casually remarked, "Magic awakening has nothing to do with academic performance. It's not like better grades increase your chances of awakening or poor grades reduce them."

"It's all about probability. Anything is possible, regardless of one's status. Of course, having mage parents increases the chances. Take the Mu Clan, for example. Renowned worldwide for their Ice Magic, their inherited magical genes are so strong that failures are practically unheard of."

After hearing this, the trio reacted differently. Mo Fan looked surprised. This person seemed to be defending him—a rarity aside from Zhang Xiaohou. Meanwhile, Zhao Kunsan, who initially wanted to retort, hesitated. He couldn't refute the example involving the Mu Clan and instead felt a twisted sense of pride.

Don't get it wrong—Zhao Kunsan wasn't a member of the Mu Clan. He was merely the lackey of Mu Bai, a prominent Mu Clan member.

At this moment, the first student in their lineup, a handsome and confident young man, glanced back and gave Lu Jun an approving nod. Unsurprisingly, this was Mu Bai, a character with significant importance later in the story. Initially at odds with Mo Fan, he showed his true colors during Bo City's calamity three years later, cooperating with Mo Fan to ensure their classmates' safety.

Lu Jun remained composed. With one statement, he managed to offend no one—a skillful display of conversational tact.

But internally, he sighed. In this magical world, the gap between the privileged and commoners was despairingly vast. The ruling class was firmly entrenched, and many took pride in serving the nobility, making Mo Fan's defiance and rebellion against his so-called masters seem out of place.

Though it might appear like a clichéd underdog story, the deeper reason for the ridicule and disdain Mo Fan faced stemmed from his background. Born into a servant class, he dared to rebel and even kill his oppressors.

However, when Lu Jun thought about it, what other choice did people have? For example, among the categories of Black Magic—Curse, Shadow, Undead, and Poison—each could kill someone silently and invisibly.

Even law enforcement couldn't detect such methods unless they were skilled mages themselves. Offending someone powerful often meant certain death, leaving people no choice but to curry favor with the elite.

Lu Jun silently vowed to become a Forbidden Curse Mage. Only by reaching the pinnacle of power could he live with dignity in this harsh world.