VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

"Good, good, good, as long as you admit it! You killed two Intermediate Magicians, and they were both students of Pearl Institute! You even summoned such an ugly murdering creature. Light, you won't be able to escape today. I see that you are most likely a member of the Black Vatican!" Luo Song's cold smile twisted as he pointed an accusing finger at Light, his voice loud enough to stir the crowd around them.

Tension filled the air as more and more people gathered, drawn by the commotion. Fear and confusion painted their faces as they exchanged nervous whispers, their eyes darting between Light and the monstrous beast still struggling against the shadowy bindings that held it in place.

Just as the situation reached its boiling point, a sudden gust of wind swept down from the skies, sending powerful currents swirling across the area. Flags positioned on top of the building flapped violently under the pressure of the powerful slipstream.

"It's Nighthawk from the Magic Court!" someone shouted, their voice barely audible over the howling wind. The crowd immediately turned their attention to the newcomer, an expert whose presence commanded immediate respect.

Nighthawk descended swiftly, his black cloak rippling behind him like the wings of a predatory bird. His gaze fell almost instantly upon the Cursed Beast, a twisted and malevolent creature now reduced to a pathetic state under the weight of the incorporeal shadow energy restraining it.

"Cursed Beast?" Nighthawk's sharp eyes narrowed as he took in the sight, his tone cool but laced with curiosity.

The crowd watched in awe and fear as the creature, still bound and writhing, barely managed to lift its head. The beast's power was undeniable, yet here it was, completely subdued.

Nighthawk's attention shifted from the beast to the gathering crowd, his eyes scanning over the anxious faces until they finally landed on Light. Without hesitation, he spoke, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade, "Which one of you is Light?"

Before Light could respond, Luo Song stepped forward, his voice brimming with malicious triumph. "Sir Nighthawk, you came just in time! That person is Light. He is a member of the Black Vatican. He has killed two students—"

"Shut up!!!" Nighthawk's voice boomed, silencing Luo Song mid-sentence. His disdain was palpable as he dismissed the baseless accusations with a simple glare.

Light stood still, his eyes locked onto Nighthawk, waiting for what the Magic Court expert would say next. The air around them felt heavier with every passing second, the crowd holding their breath in anticipation.

Nighthawk stepped forward, his pale face showing an unexpected smile, one that immediately shifted the energy in the space. "Light, you single-handedly destroyed the network of disciples and priests of the Black Vatican! Although you are young, your courage is incomparable—that's, that's really good!"

Shock rippled through the crowd. People exchanged glances, trying to reconcile the Light they knew as a student with the bold hero now being praised by a figure as renowned as Nighthawk.

"There are so many experts and incredibly capable people within the Magic Court, yet none of them have been able to accomplish what you have against the Black Vatican," Nighthawk continued, his tone a mixture of admiration and respect.

The words sent a wave of confusion and awe through the students. For many, this was their first time hearing of Light's exploits. Some struggled to believe that a fellow student could possess such bravery and strength.

"Your strength is quite outstanding, and your bravery exceeds many others. How about this, after you graduate from Pearl Institute, you can come to our Magic Court. We'll let you become an intern for the Magic Court, and when the time comes, we'll turn you into a genuine member." Nighthawk's proposal left everyone stunned.

The silence that followed was almost suffocating. The students who had been quick to cast suspicion on Light now stood frozen, their minds racing to process what they had just witnessed. Nighthawk wanted Light to join the Magic Court?

Even Luo Song, who had been so quick to accuse Light, could do nothing but gape in disbelief.

Nighthawk's expression grew serious once more as he gestured toward the restrained creature. "We'll be taking back this Cursed Beast and also Yu Ang. As for these two people's true identities, we will properly investigate."

Light nodded, the weight of everything sinking in as he watched Nighthawk and his team begin preparations to transport the creature and Yu Ang. Though the conflict had been resolved, the questions surrounding the Black Vatican's involvement still lingered like a dark cloud over the crowd.

Not long after, the administrators and instructors from the University arrived, their faces paling at the sight of Nighthawk. The Magic Court's presence was a clear indication of just how serious the situation had become. The thought of the Black Vatican infiltrating the school filled them with dread, their minds racing with the potential danger such an infiltration posed to the students.

Light, feeling the exhaustion of the day's events weighing heavily on him, finally made his way back to his accommodations. He collapsed onto the couch on the balcony, staring out at the sprawling cityscape before him. The black clouds above loomed ominously, casting long shadows over the bright city below.

The metropolis beneath him was vast, its towering buildings like the limbs of a giant. The roads, aglow with flickering streetlights and red tail lights, formed a maze of veins, pumping life and movement through the city's many districts. But in the darkness, beyond the lights, something sinister lurked. Parasites, tumors, and larvae feeding on the city's vitality, hidden in the shadows and cracks of society. Yet, tonight, Light knew that some of those parasites had been torn from their hiding places, destroyed by the justice that had been delivered.

"Hello!" A sudden voice jolted him from his thoughts. He looked up to see Ai Tutu standing on the balcony, her face full of curiosity. "Why are you lying there like a dead person? Why were the people from the Black Vatican targeting you? Was that Cursed Beast subdued by you? I heard that those Cursed Beasts are Warrior-level creatures! How could you, a student, possibly fight against a Warrior-level creature?"

Her barrage of questions hit him like a tidal wave, each one landing with the force of a slap to his ears. Light groaned internally, already too tired to respond to her relentless inquisitiveness.

---

Several days passed after the Black Vatican's invasion. The school tried to return to normal, but the lingering fear of another attack had everyone on edge. Light, however, found his thoughts drifting elsewhere. He had been meaning to visit Xinxia's school, and after all that had happened, he needed to see her.

Xinxia and Lingling had grown close in the time since they met, almost like sisters. Seeing Xinxia with a friend made Light smile, though there was always a part of him that remained vigilant, knowing the dangers that could follow those he cared about.

As Light's phone buzzed in his pocket, he answered to hear Zhao Manyan's voice on the other end. "Light, hurry up and come back. Dean Xiao has already sold us! He wants us to go to Imperial College as exchange students."

"Exchange students? To Imperial College?" Light asked, raising an eyebrow. This was news to him.

Without delay, Light returned to school, his mind still whirling with the prospect of being sent to Imperial College. When he finally tracked down Dean Xiao and Zhou Zhenghua, his frustration bubbled to the surface.

"Hey, how could you not ask for my opinion before you put my name down?" Light demanded, his tone a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

Zhou Zhenghua, however, met Light's frustration with a serious expression. "Light, don't be so modest. With your strength, you won't lose to the people at Imperial College. There are so few incredibly outstanding students being sent to the Main Campus. If you don't go, then who will?"

Light sighed. "Dean Xiao, you know what kind of person I am. Without any profit, how can I accept anything?"

Dean Xiao, sensing the need for negotiation, quickly spoke up. "Light, please don't decline this. I understand the pressure of being sent to Imperial College as an exchange student is immense. To ease that burden, I will reward the students who go with an additional treasure. I have a Focus Magic Tool—this guarantees that a Magician will be able to endure spirit attacks while casting their spells."

Light blinked at the offer. "It can endure spirit attacks? What about giving me the opportunity to train in the Three Step Pagoda for seven days again?"

Dean Xiao smiled, sensing victory. "We have a deal!"

The Focus Magic Tool was a necklace, its design sleek and elegant. Though Light already wore the Little Loach Pendant and another necklace beneath his clothes, this new one caught his eye. It wasn't just its functionality that appealed to him—the design itself was rather stylish.

Satisfied, Light turned his attention back to the future. Imperial College loomed ahead, a new challenge waiting to be conquered.