Versatile Mage Chapter 3 — Opening Ceremony

After returning home, the words of Mu He continued to echo in Mo Fan’s mind. Despite their seemingly sincere delivery, the underlying contempt for the Mo family and Mo Fan himself was unmistakable.

Unable to even reach the status of a Primary-level Magician?

“Your father will make you regret those words!”

Mo Fan reflected on his history with the Little Princess, Mu Ningxue. He admitted they had once been close, but his younger self hadn't realized the catastrophe that friendship would visit upon his struggling family. That day served as a harsh awakening to the reality of social hierarchies.

“Mo Fan, haha! I’ve managed to sort things out!” Mo Jiaxing entered the house with a beaming, sallow face, patting Mo Fan’s shoulder. “I reached out to an old acquaintance who has become quite successful; he’s the chairman of Tian Lan Magic High. He promised that if you commit yourself to cultivation, he’ll grant you entry to the school so you can begin your Elemental Magic awakening. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so you must give it your all, understood?”

Mo Fan stared at his father’s radiant expression. Under normal circumstances, he would have shared in the joy and toasted the news with a glass of white wine. However, knowing the grim reality behind this "opportunity," how could he truly trust his father’s cheerful facade? What pained Mo Fan more was the realization that while he respected his father, society clearly did not.

“Is that so? That’s incredible! As expected of my dad—you always find a way. Haha!” Forcing a smile, Mo Fan draped an arm around his father’s shoulders.

“Naturally! Who do you think I am?” Mo Jiaxing’s grin widened, clearly pleased by his son’s flattery.

The two shared a few drinks. During the meal, Mo Jiaxing casually mentioned, “Mo Fan, you should probably move into the school dorms. I’m thinking of putting the house up for rent to bring in some extra cash.”

Mo Fan was already aware that the property had essentially been handed over to Mu He. The dilapidated structure was worthless, but the land it sat on within the city was highly valuable.

“Sure, I’ll do that. I won’t be home much anyway,” Mo Fan replied, feigning ignorance. “But... what about Xin Xia?”

“She’ll be staying with your aunt. Honestly, two men like us aren't the best at looking after her. She’s a smart girl, so there’s no need to worry,” Mo Jiaxing explained.

“I understand. Just make sure you visit me at school often,” Mo Fan said.

“I will. I’m exhausted, so I’m turning in. You’ve got school tomorrow.” Mo Jiaxing finished his wine and stood up, swaying slightly as he walked away.

Watching his father’s retreating figure, Mo Fan was reminded of the classic essay by Zhu Ziqing.

If I am at school and Xin Xia is with our aunt, where exactly is this man going to stay? We have a place, but he doesn't.

In the end, Mo Fan chose not to voice his concerns.

He understood that Mo Jiaxing viewed these sacrifices as the duty and pride of a father. He wanted his son to focus on his studies without any burdens, projecting an image of a man who could handle any crisis.

Furthermore, Mo Fan knew that bringing it up would only cause Mo Jiaxing embarrassment and grief. Every man desires to be the hero who can provide for his son.

Mo Fan kept silent. Others might look down on his father, but he never would.

This crumbling house... it didn't matter if they left. In three years, once his Magic studies reached a high level, he would have everything.

In this world, Magic equals power and respect!

I will become a legendary Master Magician!

……

The two-month summer break passed in a blur. Mo Fan felt as though he had submerged himself in a sea of textbooks.

The library at Tian Lan Magic High was filled with volumes. These texts on Magic were as dense and complex as any science book, holding profound significance for those seeking knowledge.

Mo Fan gained a great deal during this time. He was no longer a "Magic illiterate." Pushed by desperation, his latent potential allowed him to master the core concepts of nine years of compulsory Magic education.

School officially commenced on September 1st. This day was monumental for every student, as it marked the most critical step in a Magician's journey: the ceremony to determine their Elemental Magic path.

Awakening, as the term implies, is the process of triggering the dormant powers within one's soul.

“Good luck, kid! It would be best if you awakened the Fire element. That gives you a massive head start over others. The other elements are fine, but for a Primary-level Magician, Fire is the king of combat. Though, the Rock element is decent... and Wind has its perks...” Old Man Gu, the head librarian, rambled on.

Mo Fan nodded along without really listening. Once the old man started talking, there was no stopping him.

The truth was, Mo Fan had been too restless to sleep. For him, this Awakening was more than a change in destiny; it was a surreal experiment. In his previous world, Magic was a myth. Now, he was about to experience it firsthand.

His heart hammered against his ribs in anticipation.

……

Mo Fan was assigned to Class 8, and his student ID was number 48.

He couldn't complain; after all, he had gotten in through the back door.

Lower student numbers reflected higher scores on the Magic Middle School Exams. It was widely believed that those with higher rankings tended to cultivate faster after Awakening because their superior understanding of Magic made the process more intuitive.

By a twist of fate, the student ranked number one in Class 8 was his former classmate, Mu Bai.

Mu Bai belonged to the Mu Family, though he was from a side branch. His arrogance toward Mo Fan stemmed from their relative positions at the Mu estate; Mu Bai was a minor Young Master, while Mo Fan was merely the son of a worker, effectively a servant.

However, Mu Bai was still just a branch member. He was nowhere near the level of a true "princess" like Mu Ningxue. Despite his constant efforts to woo her, she ignored him completely.

Mu Bai’s academic record was excellent, earning him special attention from the Mu Family. If he managed to awaken the family’s signature Ice Element, his cultivation would skyrocket thanks to the resources the Mu Family could provide—resources that ordinary families couldn't dream of.

“Students, welcome to the academy. I know you are all excited for what is to come, but I have a few words before we begin.” On the expansive training grounds, 1,500 new students were organized into twenty classes, standing in disciplined rows. It was an impressive sight.

“Do you understand what it truly means to be a Mage?”

“Regardless of your element, never forget that the purpose of a Magician is to ensure the survival of mankind. We carry humanity's most vital mission. Remember, beyond the safety of these city walls, countless Magical Beasts are waiting for any chance to strike.”

As the Headmaster concluded his speech, he reached the moment everyone had been waiting for.

“Now, let the Awakening ceremony begin. May you all become the future stars of the world of Magic!”

The moment the Old Headmaster finished, the students erupted in excitement.

Who wouldn't want to command destructive flames? Who wouldn't want to freeze the world with ice? Who wouldn't want to travel the world with the freedom of the wind or stand firm with the power of the earth?

Inspired by countless legends and heroes, these students were eager to take their first step. Today marked the beginning of their journey to either hunt Magical Beasts in the wild or rule the city with their supreme power.