VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

"Telekinesis: Compress!" Light's voice rang out with confidence, his entire aura surging as he cast the spell. A surge of power rippled through the test ground, and his bearing shifted—firm, self-assured, and commanding.

At the center of the test ground stood a wooden practice target. As Light unleashed a burst of silver light, space energy in the shape of a giant rhombus surrounded the target, causing ripples in the air. These ripples weren't just for show—they signified a strong, compressive force that was growing more intense by the second. The pressure magnified to twenty, fifty, even a hundredfold, as if the very air itself had become a vice grip.

The wooden target groaned under the force, warping and creaking before it collapsed in on itself. In an instant, the target had been compressed to just 0.5 centimeters thick, crushed under the immense pressure of Light's space magic.

Without missing a beat, Light turned around, facing the examiners and the audience. Every single person in the room was dumbstruck. The teachers, students, and directors were still reeling from the S grade Light had received during his previous exam. Now, they stood frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed—a flawless execution of Telekinesis.

Light, who had been observing from the side, couldn't help but smile with pride. "Give your marks," he said, glancing at the stunned examiners.

"S!"

"S!"

"S!"

The examiners didn't even hesitate.

The final result: "S".

The crowd erupted into murmurs, many comparing Light's swift and effortless spellcasting to Mu Bai's earlier attempt, which had seemed slow and forced in comparison. There was no denying it now—Light had far surpassed him.

"As expected of the Su family," said Deng Kai, a high-ranking member of the Hunter's Union and a director at Tian Lan Magic High. Deng Kai was among the strongest individuals in the school's administration, and hearing praise from him was no small feat. The other directors could only nod in agreement, sighing at how exceptional Light truly was.

Mu Zhuoyun, who had been watching the examination, finally snapped out of his daze, clearly shaken by Light's performance. The final rankings of the annual exam were displayed on the large blackboard:

1st: Light

2nd: Mu Bai

3rd: Xu Zhaoting

4th: Zhou Min

5th: Jiang Li

But the most significant result was Light's promotion to the prestigious Elite Class.

The Elite Class consisted of only 100 students, all of whom had demonstrated exceptional talent in controlling at least seven stars. While they had talent, most of them still lacked proficiency in casting spells quickly and fluidly.

Mrs. Tangyue, a new but highly respected Practical Magic instructor, had been given the task of teaching the Elite Class. Her cultivation level far surpassed that of any other teacher in the school, and the students were eager to learn from her. Meanwhile, Xue Musheng, who had been the homeroom teacher for Light and Mu Bai, was promoted to oversee the Elite Class, largely due to the outstanding performances of his students.

Xue Musheng, the homeroom teacher, stood at the front of the Elite Class and gave a slight cough, signaling the students to rein in their excitement. His sharp eyes scanned the room, and as the whispers died down, every student's attention locked on him. Today wasn't just any day—it was the day that everyone had been eagerly awaiting.

Why were the students so excited?

Today was the day the school would distribute the Stardust Magic Tools to the Elite Class. There was naturally more to being a member of this class than having the best teachers and advanced lessons. The Stardust Magic Tool was the hidden gem every student craved, and it was finally within their grasp.

The excitement was palpable. After all, the Stardust Magic Tool wasn't just any cultivation aid. It was the secret behind the towering success of large Magic Associations and ancient Magic families. Yes, they had vast knowledge, guarded secrets, and centuries of experience, but the most significant advantage they held over the average Magician was the Stardust Magic Tool itself.

Let's put it this way: while experience, knowledge, secrets, and teachings could be considered the software of a magician's growth, the Stardust Magic Tool was undoubtedly the most critical piece of hardware. Without it, even the best teachings and guidance would never reach their full potential.

For those ancient families, their "software" was first-rate, their cultivation methods fine-tuned over generations. But the truth was, even if the average Magician in a school learned all the same knowledge, they wouldn't have access to the same level of "hardware." The Stardust Magic Tool was what made the difference—it was the great equalizer.

What made this tool so invaluable? It was qualitative, capable of nurturing both the soul and cultivation. More importantly, it relieved the mental fatigue that came after long meditation sessions. In simple terms, it acted like a cooler, shortening the "cooldown" period after meditation and allowing the Magician to dive back into practice without needing to rest. It was the key to limitless growth.

Xue Musheng's voice broke through their thoughts, "The usage time for the Stardust Magic Tool will be based on the rankings of your annual examination. The higher you placed, the longer your usage time will be. Naturally, our school is fair and transparent. Every quarter, we will conduct an examination to reassess your performance. The rankings will be rearranged accordingly, and so will the usage times."

The students nodded in understanding, knowing that this was no idle promise. The school was providing them with a resource on par with even the most illustrious ancient families, giving them an opportunity to rise beyond their current limits.

In truth, the school's cultivation resources weren't necessarily any worse than those of the ancient families. The real difference lay in the fact that the school contained both gold and sand. But as the old saying went: only gold shines.

The day that every Elite student had been eagerly awaiting had finally arrived: the distribution of the Stardust Magic Tools. The school's headmasters had announced that the usage time for these tools would be based on their ranking in the annual examination, meaning Light would receive the most time with the tool. The tools were given out quarterly, and rankings would be updated based on performance throughout the year.

Light, of course, was granted the longest usage time, something he knew would give him a massive edge in his cultivation.

Later that day, Light celebrated his 16th birthday, surrounded by his entire family. His entire family had gathered to celebrate, including Hera, Hestia, and his brother Ares. But what made the day even more special was the surprise arrival of his sister-in-law, Anahita. She had traveled personally to be there, and her presence brought joy to Light's heart.

After the festivities, Light sat in his personal cultivation space, a serene treehouse, when Anahita paid him a visit late at night. Light was surprised but quickly asked her, "Have you found that treasure you promised me after my awakening?"

Anahita smiled, teasing him gently. "Are you trying to rush me? Of course, I've brought it with me. It took me three years to find this treasure cultivation tool for you."

"This pendant is capable of increasing your cultivation speed by 400%," Anahita explained, her voice filled with pride. "And it will continue to serve you even after you become a Super Mage."

Light's eyes widened with excitement at the possibilities. But then a sudden worry struck him—what if the pendant was a lifetime vessel, like his Little Loach Pendant? If that were the case, he wouldn't be able to use it. Fortunately, his fears were unfounded. The pendant was simply an advanced tool, and it could coexist with his Little Loach.

Overcome with gratitude, Light thanked Anahita repeatedly and even kissed her on the cheek. Laughing, Anahita pulled him into a warm embrace, and they spent the rest of the evening chatting, their bond stronger than ever.

As Light's family eventually returned to their respective duties, Light resumed his intense cultivation regimen. With 6 elements under his command, he now had to adjust his schedule, dedicating 3 hours a day to each: Space, Undead, Chaos, Lightning, Fire, and Earth.

A year had nearly passed since the annual examination, and in that time, Light had only grown more confident in his abilities. His Higher Recovery Rate Innate Talent, combined with the Little Loach Pendant and Treasure Cultivation Necklace had allowed him to cultivate more efficiently than most of his peers. While the other students required 5 to 10 seconds to cast even a basic spell, Light could do so in 0.5 seconds—a feat that placed him far above the rest.

"Did you hear? After our quarter of cultivation time has ended, we'll begin the Magician's Practical Experience," one student whispered excitedly to his friend.

"What's the Magician's Practical Experience?" his friend asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.

"Basically, we're going outside the city."replied the student.

"No way! Ever since I was a kid, I've heard those areas are full of Magical Beasts that eat people. I'm not going." his friend replied.

"You have to go. This Practical Experience is tied to our admittance to university. It's basically a super important subject." student replied.

"It's just Practical Experience. What's there to be afraid of? We're Magicians, aren't we? If we run into a Magical Beast, we'll just use Ice Spread to freeze it." student continued.

"But I've heard Magical Beasts are really strong. Didn't the Magical Beast teacher always say never to face one alone?" friend replied.

The tension in the room grew as the students whispered among themselves. The rumors were true: they were going to face Magical Beasts for real.

As the end of their quarter of cultivation approached, the day of reckoning finally arrived. The Practical Experience had been looming over their heads for weeks, and now it was upon them. The Elite Class would be the first to embark on this dangerous journey.

The Elite Class had 100 students, and they were divided into 5 groups, with about twenty students per group. Each group was accompanied by a teacher and 2 military instructors. The school wasn't taking any chances—this was a serious test, and lives could be at stake.

Each group boarded a bus, 5 buses in total, and they set off toward the outer areas of the city. As the buses rolled along, the tension grew. Light sat near the window, his eyes scanning the horizon, deep in thought.

Their destination had been decided: they were heading to Snowy Peak Mountain Station, a crucial goods stronghold for the Hunter's Union and Bo City. The entire stronghold was built in the middle of a valley, surrounded by towering peaks and treacherous terrain.

"Do you remember when I told you that the stations surrounding Bo City mark the boundaries of the safe zone?" their Magical Beast Teacher, Zhang Jianguo, reminded them as the buses approached the station. "Outside these stations, Magical Beasts can appear at any time. Before you have the ability to face one, make sure you never step outside the safe areas, or you'll become nothing more than a pile of bones."

The students listened in tense silence. Zhang Jianguo's words weren't empty threats. They had been drilled into the students for years, but this time, it was different. This time, they would face the reality of those words.

"That's right," added Luo Yunbo, the captain of the third hunter's group and one of the military instructors accompanying the team. "Within the station's area, the Hunter's Union, the Magic Association, and other large ancient families assign people to patrol daily and set up warning systems. No Magical Beasts will enter human residential areas. But outside the stations, we're powerless. Even the strongest Magicians can't eradicate all the Magical Beasts hidden in the treacherous terrain."

Luo Yunbo was a tanned, muscular man with sharp, handsome features. The moment the girls in the group laid eyes on him, they couldn't help but swoon. His confident demeanor and commanding presence made him stand out, and it was clear that the girls were infatuated with the military instructor.

Beside him stood Pan Lijun, the assistant military instructor. She was equally tanned and exuded a sense of capability and strength. Unlike the female Magicians on campus, Pan Lijun was all business. Her no-nonsense attitude made it clear that this experience wasn't to be taken lightly.

As the buses finally arrived at Snowy Peak Mountain Station, the students filed out, their nerves tingling with a mixture of fear and excitement. The valley was vast, surrounded by towering snowy peaks, and the air was crisp with the scent of pine and adventure.