Versatile Mage: White Tiger Pendant

Chapter 8: Practice Test

Lu Mei firmly refused, "Joining the city's monster hunting team isn't possible. You're too young. Monster hunting is no child's play; it's war. You can't rely on the Gold system; it's too dangerous." In the world of magic, monsters exist everywhere, and the practice of monster hunting naturally emerges.

Typically, in a city, there are approximately five major organizations with control over magic for safeguarding the city:

The most powerful, the "Magic Association." Followed by various "Political Parties" led by city lords and councilors The "Military" commands the city's armed forces. The "Aristocratic Families" possess their influential network. Finally, the "Hunters Alliance," essentially a guild of mercenaries dominated by grassroots mages' power.

Among these organizations, the city's monster hunting team stands as semi-private and semi-official entity. It registers with the Hunter Alliance and is contracted by the government. Stationed within the city, They deal with specific monsters that accidentally appear in urban areas. Essentially, they serve as a form of urban management.

For most Magic High School graduates, this is their starting point for gaining experience before venturing beyond the city's safety and confronting monsters directly.

Hearing this, Lu Jun felt somewhat helpless. His sister was sometimes overly protective of him. At sixteen years old, he was a high school freshman, and a typical adult wouldn't allow their child to engage in monster hunting.

It should be noted that even though the school's field experience was scheduled for a year later during the second year of high school's winter vacation, Mo Fan had waited until the summer vacation before his third year of high school to join the urban demon hunting team as an intern. He had even taken measures to appear older than his actual age.

Success often required people to be cunning. Mo Fan belonged to the category of "involution masters" who secretly studied during summer and winter vacations.

However, Lu Jun wasn't lagging behind. He had delved into his studies a year and a half in advance.

He decided to persuade his sister first, saying, "You've seen the power of the Gold system. Don't give up just because it presents challenges. There's no perfect magic system. If it has strengths, we must accept its shortcomings." 

He continued "Moreover, there might still be solutions for the four successive magics of the Gold system, and the prospects are promising. It's a vast field, mixed of various metals, which can result in an astronomical increase in power. In the future, I'll need to face monsters."

Lu Mei pursed her lips and, albeit reluctantly, relaxed her attitude.

Seeing this, Lu Jun seized the opportunity and continued, "My other element is the Water element. As long as water-based guards and the like can block the monster's attacks, my Gold element can handle the rest."

"That makes sense." Lu Mei remembered something and, with a spark of inspiration, remarked, "You're a Water mage, and I'm a Wind mage. I can provide you with Wind tracks for speed enhancement and double protection."

At this point, Lu Mei had no choice but to agree, "Fine, under my guidance, at least you'll have a higher chance of survival."

Lu Jun asked curiously, "Have you already mastered the intermediate Wind magic, [Wind Pan], after half a year of reaching the intermediate level? What did you decide for the second series?. You've mastered it already, and the forty-nine stars make it simple."

His sister chuckled softly, saying, "I awakened the Earth system as my secondary element. I was initially dissatisfied, but now it seems like it might save your life countless times." 

The Earth system's [Terrace Wave] at the beginner level served as both a displacement and control skill. When upgraded to level three, it produced a "swamp collapse" that could immobilize monsters. 

"You're invisible, sister" Lu Jun complimented obediently. Then he asked with some confusion "At the intermediate level, you can awaken rare elements, so why did you choose the Elemental system?" 

"You think I didn't want to," Lu Mei said, her eyes filled with frustration. She continued, "Awakening costs 100,000 yuan, not to mention the exclusive guidance stone you bought for millions. I can only save some money."

Lu Jun felt somewhat embarrassed and guilty at this point.

"Forget it, the Earth element isn't bad. At least, you'll get significantly stronger with that investment," Lu Mei changed the subject casually and said, "By the way, if you want to join the city's monster hunting team, you'll need to pass my test first."

"Test? What kind of test?" Lu Jun asked.

"Follow me."

In the park's forested area, spanning 400 meters, the siblings arrived. Lu Mei, in her elegant white dress, was tall, curvy, and stunning, drawing the attention of countless passersby. However, her expression was now composed and cold.

Standing next to her, Lu Jun had a hesitant expression.

Lu Mei's voice was focused as she said, "To join the city's monster hunting team, you must prove that you can calmly navigate the dense forest at Level 3 Wind Track speed, avoiding all obstacles without any self-inflicted harm. You also need to hit the target leaves accurately. You're allowed to use the Gold element for close combat."

Her temperament suddenly shifted as she extended her fair and slender hand. Her eyes turned green as a star trail passed by. Her clothing and skirt outlined her flawless figure, making her appear like a solitary snow lotus on a snow-capped mountain.

A peculiar wind swept through the park, causing the trees to sway. A girl nearby shyly covered the lifted hem of her skirt due to the sudden gust. An old man who had been dozing off in a chair had newspapers fly onto his face, and he swatted at them blindly.

Dust and fallen leaves that littered the ground began to swirl, and everything around them was moving..

"Wind Rail·Speed Travel!"

Her shout rang out as she unleashed the first-level Wind Rail, mercilessly.

As she fell, every fallen leaf and speck of dust in the park adhered to a designated trajectory. A distinct airflow path materialized in the forest, blanketed in swirling red leaves, resembling a crimson corridor.

This track started from Lu Jun's location and extended to the far end of the dense forest. Every tree in its path was powerless to resist; they swayed and bent under the forceful wind, shedding their leaves one after another.

Lu Jun suddenly felt an immense wind force behind him, and his body felt incredibly light, as if he could simply will himself to escape.

Buzz!

His body swayed for a moment, and he sprinted towards the red maple leaf wind track like a bolt of lightning, his speed skyrocketing.

Experiencing wind magic at this speed for the first time, Lu Jun's vision blurred. He was moving so quickly that everything became a blur. He couldn't react to anything, and then, out of nowhere, darkness appeared before him. There were trees blocking the track.

However, before he could fully understand the situation, he crashed into the tree.

Boom!

The trees shook, and a loud crash echoed. Lu Jun let out a cry of pain, blood trickled from his forehead, and he fell to the ground, his head spinning.

Lu Mei stopped her magic, and before she could reach him, the park was abuzz with people who were startled and started talking.

"Damn, it's a magician!"

"Is that the wind track from the Wind element? So impressive!"

"Ah, a powerful big sister is so captivating!"

Lu Mei ignored the commotion and hurried to her brother. She felt deeply concerned upon seeing his pitiful state, but she kept her emotions concealed. Instead, she scolded sternly, "Did you see that? If there were monsters on the wind track instead of trees, what would you do now? You'd be dead! And you still want to engage in close combat?"

Lu Jun, still somewhat dazed, managed to hear his sister's scolding. Thankfully, junior mages received elemental nourishment, and their bodies were no less robust than those of ordinary athletes. He quickly regained consciousness.

Hearing her words, he fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment. Unlike most other magicians who didn't require such training, his use of the wind trajectory involved charging into monsters, engaging in combat, and striking with precision. There could be no room for error, as a misstep would cost him his life.

Lu Jun suddenly recalled a saying: "Accuracy is the difference between slaughter and killing."

To use the Gold system effectively, he had to accept its limitations.

He stood up and declared, "Let's try it again!"

Lu Mei smiled but added, "This is only the beginning. I'll have you step on the the wind track, release Water Control, and wield the sword to make it into muscle memory."

For most magicians, the challenge lay in remaining calm when confronted with demons. Many couldn't control the stars to cast spells upon seeing a demon. Their star trajectories broke frequently. To calmly cast spells meant becoming a small-town master.

Lu Jun had to go even further, training himself to maintain unwavering composure and precision, like a mountain's stability.

Under the winter's setting sun, the two siblings engaged in magical practices while onlookers watched curiously. The scene was frozen in time.