Versatile Mage Chapter 3160 Lingling-Maiya Duo

In the distant reaches of the Antarctic, delicate sapphire filaments coalesced upon the tranquil waves, mirroring the sky. This thin crystalline surface drifted atop the frigid brine before gradually thickening into massive glaciers that blanketed the endless, frozen sea.

This biting chill continued to radiate outward. Within a few months, its influence had reached every corner of the globe.

In China, the Blue Sea Trees within the Fanxue Mountain region were clearly visible. These specialized trees maintained the cleanliness of the shores by filtering out ocean sediment, thereby establishing a pristine wetland environment along the coastline.

As the turbulent waters finally grew still, the territory available for the Ocean Demons to maneuver began to shrink.

While the internal rivers and lakes remained linked to the sea, the retreating tide made it difficult for the invading Ocean Demons to penetrate the aquatic networks of major metropolitan areas through those channels.

The conflict along the coast had finally de-escalated. Though stray Ocean Demons still prowled and numerous nests remained, the struggle had shifted from a desperate national defense into a massive 20,000-kilometer sweep. It was a clear sign that the nation had survived its darkest hour.

The welcoming ceremony at Pearl Institute officially commenced. Once Dean Xiao concluded his customary, lengthy oration, he gestured toward Mo Fan.

“Now, it’s Mo Fan’s turn to speak. Feel free to ask questions,” Dean Xiao announced.

Mo Fan stepped onto the podium, greeted by the sight of a massive crowd.

A flicker of nervousness always hit Mo Fan whenever he stood before an audience. He was self-aware enough to realize the weight of his position. Knowing that his conduct and words could shape the future of the country’s youth brought a sense of significant pressure.

“Let’s get straight to the Q&A session. Does anyone have any questions?” Unsure of how to start his own speech, Mo Fan invited the freshmen to take the lead.

Pearl Institute boasted a significantly larger freshman class this year. Whether this was due to the harsh environmental pressures or a surge in those aspiring to become mages was hard to determine. Even Pearl Institute, renowned for its elite admission standards, had expanded its enrollment for this intake.

“Hi, Mo Fan. I’m Chen Maiya. There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you in person for a while.” A spirited girl with bobbed hair stood up to address him.

Mo Fan found her face familiar, yet he struggled to place where they had crossed paths.

“Chen Maiya… Maiya?!” Mo Fan’s eyes widened as the realization struck him.

She was the girl from the resettlement town! He vividly recalled how her untainted heart had supported him during the grueling battle against the Red Demon Lu Kun. Without her presence, overcoming the Red Demon might have been impossible.

Wait, what?

She was already old enough for university?

In his memory, she was just a child! Or had he completely misjudged her age back then?

Previously, she had been dark-skinned, appearing frail and clearly lacking proper nutrition. Today, however, she looked entirely different and very approachable. While her complexion wasn't pale, it possessed a healthy, vibrant glow.

Her features had filled out, and her energetic smile was so captivating that it naturally drew out the affection of those around her.

“Yes. It’s me. It’s been a while, Mo Fan,” Chen Maiya said, maintaining that same pure gaze and familiar grin.

It was clear she had been looking forward to this encounter; her eyes sparkled with excitement. She looked at Mo Fan as if he were both a protective older brother and a legendary hero.

“I didn’t expect you to be here at Pearl Institute. Are you a mage now?” Mo Fan asked, smiling back.

“Yes. I’m a Summoning Element Mage, just like you,” Chen Maiya answered.

Mo Fan thought back to his own arrival at Pearl Institute as a Summoning Element Mage. It brought back memories of his early days at the school. Despite the friction he once had with his peers, he had ultimately returned to the institute covered in glory.

“Chen Maiya, do you have any questions for Mo Fan?” Dean Xiao inquired.

Chen Maiya shook her head. “I don’t have any questions, but I have something to say to those who’ve been protecting us. We’ve all grown up. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Faced with her earnest, poised smile, Mo Fan found himself momentarily speechless.

In that instant, many faces flashed through his mind.

His own path had been similar to Chen Maiya’s, guided by a mentor who had entered his life. He had never imagined that he would one day become that guiding figure for someone else.

Her simple gratitude nearly moved him to tears.

As he matured, he found himself becoming increasingly susceptible to such heartfelt sentiments.

By the time the event ended, Mo Fan couldn't even recall the specifics of what he had said.

Though Dean Xiao’s speeches were repetitive every year, Mo Fan finally grasped the true essence of legacy.

Nothing in this world was eternal, himself included. Even if Mo Fan attained a status equal to Wen Tai, his era would eventually reach its conclusion.

But would it truly be the end?

Pearl Institute would endure, the world would persist, and the study of magic would continue.

Embracing the flow of time and passing down his conviction was far more significant than the cold, stagnant monuments found within the Dark Plane.

The morning light was radiant, mirrored by the bright smiles of the young students. A sudden sense of peace washed over Mo Fan. He knew that even when he was gone, there would be others to defend and carry forward the spirit of Pearl Institute, the City of Belonging, and the nation.

...

“Lingling, thank you,” Chen Maiya said, a look of deep satisfaction on her face as she stood before Lingling.

After all these years, she had finally achieved her goal of thanking Mo Fan face-to-face.

“He has saved countless lives. But very few have made entering Pearl Institute their mission just to thank him in person like you did,” Lingling remarked.

Chen Maiya simply smiled. She was glowing with the joy of fulfilling a long-held dream.

“I’ve reviewed your marks. They’re superb. You are outperforming most of your peers in both the Fire Element and Summoning Element. If you keep this up, you’ll be a top-tier graduate. You might even secure a spot in the World College Tournament,” Lingling noted.

In truth, Lingling wasn't much older than Chen Maiya.

However, as a senior student and Mo Fan’s essential partner, her experience in social maneuvering and actual combat far exceeded Chen Maiya’s. Despite being a student, she frequently attended high-level briefings with figures like Dean Xiao.

“Yeah. It seems I have some talent. I also put in the work,” Chen Maiya replied.

“You’re proficient in combat. I’ve checked your files. You’ve already earned a hunter badge, and your rank isn't low at all,” Lingling added.

“Yes. I joined a few hunter groups during high school and took on some peripheral missions during the Ocean Demon war.” Chen Maiya nodded in confirmation.

“Your background is quite impressive. You’re a very promising hunter,” Lingling said, scanning through Chen Maiya’s records.

On the surface, the student’s resume appeared standard—showing she was a top-tier student. But as Lingling dug deeper into the supplementary data, she realized she had stumbled upon a hidden gem.

Chen Maiya might look delicate and innocent, but her experience in the wilderness was as remarkable as Mo Fan’s when he first arrived at the school. Most notably, she had received special recognition for the takedown of a ruler-level Ocean Demon!

With a feat like that, Pearl Institute would have recruited her regardless of her grades.

No wonder Dean Xiao had brought her up several times and urged Lingling to get to know her.

“I brought ice creams for you two. Milk tea flavor for you, and mango for you.” Mo Fan approached from a corner of the park. He carried two ice creams while using mind control to hover a popsicle for himself.

He handed the treats to the two girls.

“Mo Fan, from this moment on, Maiya is with me,” Lingling declared, taking her ice cream with a deadpan expression.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I get that Maiya is charming enough for everyone to like her, but you can’t just claim her like that,” Mo Fan countered, confused by Lingling’s sudden intensity.

Lingling was notoriously picky about who she spent her time with.

“Yeah, so now you don’t have to worry about me bringing some random guy to meet you later,” Lingling shot back sarcastically.

Her comment caused Maiya to turn bright red. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered nervously.

“Mo Fan, I’m officially removing you from the Clearsky Hunter Agency. Maiya is taking your spot,” Lingling announced.

“Because I’m too old?” Mo Fan’s eyes went wide.

“You’re too preoccupied, and you spend too much time dealing with your fans. You’ve lost your focus on hunting. Plus, at your current level, the available hunting bounties are just too restricted,” Lingling argued.

Given Mo Fan’s current power, most tasks requiring his help involved matters of national or city-wide security. Lingling couldn't always accompany him on such high-stakes missions.

This reality was incredibly frustrating for her!

She yearned for the days when Mo Fan was broke, had a lower cultivation, and was hungry for growth. Back then, they had endless missions and thrilling trials to face side-by-side.

Now, Mo Fan only came to her when things were exceptionally difficult.

The fundamental problem was that he was a Forbidden Mage. His very rank limited his field of play.

To Lingling, Mo Fan becoming a Forbidden Mage was almost a tragedy.

“You’re actually inviting me?” Chen Maiya was stunned.

The Clearsky Hunter Agency was famous. Mo Fan and Lingling were considered a legendary pair within the hunter circles.

Chen Maiya was shocked to be invited by Lingling, especially to be her new partner!

“Lingling, you’ve changed. I always knew being a hunter meant more to you than I did, that you never truly cared. Fine. If that’s your choice, I’m leaving!” Mo Fan beat his chest and stomped his foot dramatically. He felt a mix of defeat and mock-bitterness, like a father being cast aside by his daughter after her wedding.

“Hand over the badge,” Lingling said, completely ignoring his performance.

“I’ve just been a little busy. Please don’t fire me,” Mo Fan pleaded, refusing to give in.

“I want to go on a mission!” Lingling insisted.

Mo Fan stole a glance at Chen Maiya.

To be honest, Mo Fan’s instincts were sharp. He could feel that Chen Maiya possessed a powerful Nebula, far exceeding that of her classmates. It reminded him of his own arrogance back when he felt he could take on the entire campus by himself.

However, Chen Maiya was far more modest. She gave off a vibe that made people want to protect her, rather than flaunting her power.

She and Lingling were close in age and both possessed incredible potential. She seemed like the perfect teammate for Lingling.

Lingling’s capabilities were so far beyond her peers that she often felt isolated. As she grew older, finding anyone who could match her pace was becoming nearly impossible.

Chen Maiya, however, was a rare talent, and Lingling was clearly eager to work with her.

In truth, this was a positive development. It meant Lingling wouldn't have to be lonely anymore.

“Fine then, the Mo Fan-Lingling era is over. The Lingling-Maiya duo is born, destined to become the next legends!” Mo Fan sighed, finally coming to terms with the change.