Versatile Mage Chapter 2 — The True Social Class

A residential district occupied one side of the mountain slope. Mo Fan’s residence sat at the very end of a narrow path lined with iron fencing.

The house was a modest, one-and-a-half-story structure with peeling paint that exposed the underlying red bricks. Clutter and junk filled the yards of the neighboring properties.

Most other houses in the vicinity stood three-and-a-half stories tall, looking like proper homes after various renovations and decorations. In contrast, Mo Fan’s house—tucked away in the furthest corner—appeared even more dilapidated and archaic.

“Brother Mo Fan, you’re back… I’ve got some great news for you.” Just as Mo Fan reached his front door, a youth with the agility of a monkey bounded out, his expression radiating excitement.

This was Zhang Hou, a local boy from the neighborhood who had practically grown up alongside Mo Fan.

“What is it?” Mo Fan inquired.

“The Little Princess has returned! I caught a glimpse of her near the mansion gates. Man, you won’t believe how gorgeous she’s become—she looks exactly like a little angel,” Zhang Hou gushed enthusiastically.

Mo Fan turned his gaze toward the mansion across the way. The estate was so magnificent it sparked envy in everyone who saw it. Every tree, plant, and flower had been meticulously manicured, turning the grounds into a literal garden park.

Currently, however, high iron fences cordoned off the beautiful garden of the mansion.

Reflecting on his childhood, those fences hadn't existed. He used to lead the local neighborhood kids into those very gardens to play.

At the highest point of the residential area stood several exquisite European-style villas. To the children, they resembled a fairytale castle, and inside that castle lived a Princess so stunning she could take one's breath away. She was their age, and Mo Fan would often sneak her out so she could play with the rest of them...

He couldn't quite recall when the iron fences were erected, but eventually, the local parents stopped allowing their children to enter the estate. The make-believe Princess had transformed into a literal Princess in a castle. As the years passed, they grew distant, and their encounters became increasingly rare.

“Did you hear? Word is the Little Princess is now the star student of the famous Imperial Magic School. Her natural affinity for Ice elements is leagues beyond her peers. She could already command Ice magic at just fifteen years old,” Zhang Hou whispered conspiratorially.

Mo Fan was stunned. If Zhang Hou had claimed she won an Olympic medal, he wouldn't have blinked. But becoming an Ice Element Mage was an entirely different league!

Most people had to wait until they were sixteen—during their first year of High School—to undergo Awakening and discover their initial Elemental Magic.

Even after that, one wasn't a true Mage yet. It required a grueling period of Cultivation, acquiring a Magic Book, and relentless practice before a spell could be cast. The Little Princess was truly formidable to become a genuine Magician by age fifteen!

Was she a so-called Child Prodigy? A genius of the Magic world!

“Brother Mo Fan, I really feel for you. If only you’d worked harder to snatch away that innocent Little Princess when we were kids. Now she’s both talented and beautiful, tsk tsk... it really makes a guy jealous,” Zhang Hou said, wagging an eyebrow.

“That was a long time ago, quit talking nonsense,” Mo Fan replied dismissively.

Hearing the two youths chatting, Mo Jiaxing let out a cough and ushered Mo Fan inside.

Once they were indoors, Mo Jiaxing said, “I have to head out for a bit. Xin Xia is staying with your aunt, so she likely won't be home tonight.”

“Got it, I understand.”

……

After Mo Jiaxing left in a hurry, Mo Fan surveyed the interior and realized his home remained exactly the same.

The world had transformed, yet the sting of poverty was unchanged. Why hadn't his family swapped places with the mansion owners? Seriously, God? You went to the trouble of replacing Science with Magic, but you couldn't manage a small change like that?

His only consolation was that his own looks were unchanged—he was still as handsome and refined as ever!

Sitting around was dull, so Mo Fan decided to take a walk. He wanted to see what else had been altered in this new reality.

Following a deserted, moss-covered path toward the main road, he spotted his father’s pickup truck near the intersection.

His Old Man worked as a driver. He used to serve the Master of the Mansion, but for some reason, he had been moved to the logistics department. Since the day he began running errands for the estate, the family’s financial situation had steadily declined.

“Jiaxing, this request of yours is quite bold, don't you think? You know I’ve treated your family well in the past. Even after what your kid did, I still kept you employed. Anyone else would have kicked you out immediately,” a middle-aged man’s voice drifted over.

“Brother Mu He, please consider this the final favor I ever ask of you. Trying to buy a spot at Tian Lan Magic High is simply too costly. You know my family’s situation; we just can't afford it,” Mo Jiaxing pleaded in a humble, low tone.

“Why bother doing this for such a disappointment of a son? He doesn't have the grades to get into Magic High on his own, so just let it be. He’s nearly sixteen. Even if I pull strings to get him in, a kid with his attitude will just slack off and never become a real Magician. It isn't easy; it requires talent, effort, and expensive Magic Books and Magical Devices that your family can't provide. Without that support, he won't even reach the level of a Primary-level Magician...” Mu He spoke with a tone of feigned sincerity that couldn't hide his underlying arrogance.

“He really wants to study this time. Brother Mu He, if you help me, I’ll agree to move far away from Master Mu as he requested. That way, Master Mu can be at peace, and I promise my brat won't have any contact with Lady Mu Zhuxue,” Mo Jiaxing’s voice replied.

“Oh? If that’s the case, I might have to give it some thought.”

The moment the prospect of them moving away was mentioned, Mu He’s interest in the deal clearly spiked.

……

Leaning against a wall, the youth listened to the exchange with a heavy heart.

He had hoped that with the world's change, his miserable circumstances would have shifted too. But... it seemed nothing had changed at all.

Like a rigid hierarchy, the wealthy elite of the Mu Mansion sat at the peak, while his father remained at the bottom, toiling away and begging for scraps. This Mu He was the Chairman of Tian Lan Magic High; a single word from him was all it took for Mo Fan to be admitted.

After hearing Mo Jiaxing agree to relocate, Mu He finally conceded with a heavy sigh.

As the conversation ended, his father continued to thank Mu He profusely. Mu He climbed into his luxury vehicle and sped off, leaving behind a cloud of dust that settled on the battered pickup truck and his equally weathered father, Mo Jiaxing.

How could this be a dream?

This cruelty mirrored his previous life perfectly. Mo Fan, leaning against the wall with a grim expression, realized his family's plight remained identical. Their lowly status was unchanged.

In the past, old families held power and status; the modern world was no different. Certain lineages possessed deeper heritage and longer histories, continuing to occupy positions of absolute authority. Even if commoners were no longer called servants, they were now called workers. They didn't have to kneel, but their destinies were still held in the palms of the rich, easily crushed at a whim.

Mo Fan was born into the lowest class, a family effectively domesticated by the wealthy 'Mu' clan.

Something violent surged within his chest. He tightened his fist and slammed it repeatedly against the blue-tinted wall.

“Your Mu Family looked down on me while I was young and vulnerable!”

“When I gain power, I will repay this debt tenfold—no, a hundredfold!”