"How can a mid-level mage have such precise control?"
"Could Mu Nianbing already be a high-level mage?"
"Maybe it's a natural talent."
Compared to the murmuring professors and students, Dean Fu remained calm.
Anything that defied common understanding could only be explained as innate talent.
"With a natural gift like that, the outcome of this match might not be as simple as we thought," an elderly Ice Academy professor remarked in awe.
For Mu Nianbing to block an Intermediate Level Three attack so effortlessly — his cultivation had clearly surpassed ordinary standards.
In the arena, Xiao Han's eyes flickered with surprise.
He had expected Mu Nianbing to use armor magic to defend, not to manifest such an advanced control technique.
Before he could recover, a summoning circle burst open behind Mu Nianbing.
"Dimensional Summoning!"
A deep roar echoed as the Cangming Jiao emerged from the vortex, its serpentine body glistening with cold scales.
The moment it appeared, it unleashed a torrent of high-pressure water straight at Xiao Han.
Xiao Han reacted instantly, activating his speed-enhancing magic tools and dashing across the battlefield like a blur.
Even while dodging, he countered swiftly, casting another Ice Lock to restrain the beast.
His movements were sharp — the kind honed through countless monster hunts.
"Ice Vines — Cover!"
Mu Nianbing stamped his foot lightly. A surge of powerful Ice energy erupted outward, freezing the battlefield solid.
The water-soaked arena instantly transformed into a glacial domain of jagged frost and shimmering mist.
"What a powerful Ice Element! The freezing effect is comparable to a domain spell!"
The old Ice Academy professor's eyes gleamed with astonishment.
Within moments, Xiao Han's movement slowed as the ice spread beneath him. He tried to leap aside — too late.
A jet of water slammed into him with a thunderous crack.
"Bang!"
Xiao Han was hurled across the arena, skidding to a stop near the edge.
He looked down — his magic armor, worth over twenty million, now had a deep dent across the chestplate.
His face darkened with fury. "Very good. I acknowledge your strength… but it's not enough to defeat me!"
Flames burst to life around him, coiling into a burning aura.
"Ice and Fire Dual Spiritual Seeds!" Murmurs spread through the audience.
Even Mu Nianbing raised an eyebrow — he wasn't surprised that Xiao Han had dual seeds, but the second being Fire was unexpected.
With such power, why stay in the Ice Academy?
Mu Nianbing smirked inwardly. Probably because of the beautiful girls in the Ice Department.
And indeed — the Ice Academy was filled with elegant, aloof students, admired throughout Mingzhu for their icy charm.
"Fire Fist!"
Xiao Han thrust his flaming fist forward.
The fireball, over a meter wide, howled toward Mu Nianbing with explosive heat — a spell similar to Fiery Fist, but far stronger.
Mu Nianbing activated his Demonic Meteorite Boots, his body blurring sideways as the fireball streaked past.
Xiao Han's grin widened. "Burst!"
"Boom!"
The explosion rocked the arena, flames consuming the stage in an instant. The impact was so loud it echoed beyond the grounds.
"Art is an explosion!" Xiao Han shouted, smirking triumphantly.
This was his natural talent — he could ignite flames with a thought, amplifying their destructive power beyond normal limits.
But his grin froze.
"You seem quite pleased with yourself."
The cold voice came from behind him.
Xiao Han stiffened. His pupils shrank to pinpoints.
Impossible! I hit him directly!
Before he could turn, icy chains shot out like serpents — Ice Lock: Bind!
Mu Nianbing's spell wrapped tightly around him, lifting him off his feet and flinging him clean out of the arena.
The crowd fell into stunned silence.
A heartbeat passed. Then another.
No one could believe what they'd just seen.
"Sister Mu, did you see how he dodged that explosion?"
Ai Tutu blinked wide-eyed at Mu Nujiao, unable to contain her excitement.
Mu Nujiao shook her head slowly, her gaze fixed on the young man standing in the arena. "No… maybe it was a shadow-type magic tool."
But even she could tell — Mu Nianbing's calm composure after defeating the fourth-ranked mage said everything. He hadn't even used his full power.
Off the field, Xiao Han sat in stunned silence, disbelief clouding his expression.
He didn't care about dropping in rank — he could reclaim it next month.
But losing to a new entrant? That humiliation would spread through the academy like wildfire.
His face turned as dark as burnt ash. "Damn it… just my luck!"
After the match, Mu Nianbing slipped quietly through the back corridor.
He preferred to avoid the swarm of students that would inevitably rush him with questions and praise.
But as he neared the exit, an elderly man appeared in his path.
Mu Nianbing pretended not to notice and kept walking.
"Student Mu Nianbing, can you really ignore the dean just because you've won a match?"
The voice made him stop.
Mu Nianbing sighed, turning around helplessly. "Dean."
He didn't recognize the man, but it was clear from his tone that this was no ordinary teacher.
"I just watched your battle," the old man said with a faint smile. "Impressive. You've exceeded my expectations."
Mu Nianbing gave a polite nod but didn't respond. Compliments were rarely free.
As expected, Dean Fu's expression shifted slightly. "I actually wanted to ask for a small favor. Are you free?"
"No," Mu Nianbing replied flatly.
The dean's smile froze. This kid… does he not know how to play along?
"I'm not asking for free labor," Dean Fu said quickly. "If you help me, I can reward you with a high-level magic tool."
Mu Nianbing raised an eyebrow. "How high-level?"
Dean Fu stared at him for a moment, clearly exasperated. "Let's just say — if you auctioned it, it'd fetch at least tens of millions."
That got his attention. Mu Nianbing's eyes lit up immediately. A magic tool worth that much would be powerful even at higher levels.
Which also meant… this "favor" was definitely not simple.
"Dean, I still need to visit the Three-Step Tower to continue my cultivation," Mu Nianbing said evenly. "I'll come see you afterward."
Dean Fu nodded. "Very well. When you're done training, come to my office. And by the way — the name's Fu."
Mu Nianbing blinked. "Dean Fu… right. I'll remember that."
...
Author's Note:
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