Chapter 14: Dual-Element, Beginner-Level Two
"Stay calm, stay composed, and stay focused. Even while I'm speaking to you, my mind is entirely concentrated on my fire element star dust," Tang Yue explained patiently on the training field.
While speaking, she demonstrated a Fire Element Beginner-Level One spell: Scorch
The entire class surrounded her, watching intently, though it was unclear where exactly their gazes were focused.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At that moment, fire elements gathered around Tang Yue, and a vibrant crimson star path appeared. Her aura became intense, fiery, and oppressive.
A blazing flame leapt on her fair, jade-like hand, wild and untamed.
Lu Jun grew serious. This aura was even stronger than his sister's. The other students, too, were completely stunned, their previous scattered thoughts instantly replaced by awe.
Tang Yue then raised her arm, sending the ball of fire flying like an arrow. It streaked through the air, glowing brilliantly, and struck a training dummy in the distance with precision.
"Nothing happened?"
"Why isn't it moving?"
"It clearly hit!"
The atmosphere was silent for a moment. The dummy remained unscathed, seemingly unaffected by the powerful aura that Tang Yue had just unleashed.
Amid the murmurs of doubt, Tang Yue turned to face her 48 students. A confident, radiant smile graced her lips.
Boom!
Suddenly, a violent crimson blaze erupted from within the dummy. It wasn't a gradual ignition—it was as if everything combustible within it was incinerated in an instant.
The dummy, which had been intact just moments before, was engulfed in a raging inferno.
The intense light reflected off Tang Yue's delicate, curled hair, highlighting her fair complexion and adding a fiery glow to her beauty. Her smile, paired with the flames roaring behind her, made her appear nothing short of stunning—beyond words.
Mo Fan, Zhang Xiaohou, Mu Bai, and the others swallowed hard, thoroughly mesmerized by the scene.
Even Lu Jun turned his head. A beautiful and powerful teacher like this was a rare sight.
Tang Yue proceeded to take attendance, identifying the Fire Element students in the class. The others groaned in disappointment, lamenting that they weren't of the Fire Element and couldn't have private tutoring sessions with their beautiful teacher.
She concluded, "This semester is crucial. The Year-End Assessment will determine whether you remain in the magic school. Those who fail will be expelled. Next year, there will also be elite class placements and allocations of Stardust Magic Tools. Your time with those tools depends on your performance."
"I'll be waiting for you in the elite class."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kunsan sneered at Mo Fan. "Hah, an entire semester has passed, and you still can't control a single Fire Element star. No matter how talented you are, with your lazy attitude, you'll be gone by next semester."
Mo Fan merely chuckled, choosing not to argue. After all, he had already mastered Lightning Element magic. Mastering Fire Element magic in a single semester was nothing to worry about.
Lu Jun, on the other hand, stroked his chin. While the year-end assessment would certainly be lively, it wasn't his concern. For now, he focused on improving himself.
Six Months Later
The warm southeastern air crossed the mountain ranges, sweeping over the southern regions. The weather was unpredictable, with a typhoon seemingly on its way.
Pitter-patter!
On the road to Tianlan High School, Lu Jun walked calmly through the rain. Around him, three streams of shimmering blue water swirled, forming a water mantle that resembled both a cloak and armor.
The torrential rain, instead of soaking him, was absorbed by his water shield. Not a single drop touched him.
Passersby with umbrellas looked at him enviously, their clothes completely drenched despite their efforts. "Damn, mages have it good. Forget combat—they make daily life so convenient!"
At the same time, other Tianlan students were on the same road. Mo Fan and Zhang Xiaohou stared at Lu Jun, their jaws dropping. Suddenly, Fire and Wind Elements didn't seem so appealing compared to the elegance of Water Element magic.
"Lu Jun really knows how to show off," Mo Fan muttered. "The guy's attracting girls from our class and even senior students."
On the other side, Mu Bai's group also noticed him. Zhao Kunsan glanced at another Water Element student, Lu Xiaofu. "You're a Water Element mage too. Why can't you do that?"
Lu Xiaofu turned green with embarrassment. Not every Water Element mage had that level of control, especially since he hadn't even mastered his stars yet.
"Shh, look at the girls in our class," Mo Fan whispered, smirking. Many of the girls, their uniforms half-drenched, were unintentionally revealing their curves.
The boys noticed this, their faces turning mischievous, prompting the girls to glare at them angrily and rush toward the school building.
Suddenly, someone shouted, "Ms. Tang Yue is here!"
Not far away, Teacher Tang Yue held up her umbrella, stepping through puddles in her black high-heeled sandals. Her fair and delicate feet, with toes exposed, looked like glistening pearls, presenting a stark and striking contrast.
Her graceful figure was hazy and enchanting in the rain. Step by step, she approached the teaching building, maintaining her elegance and composure. Not a drop of rain seemed to cling to her body, and her curls remained perfectly dry, unlike the damp and disheveled appearances of the other female students. Naturally, there was no unintended allure to be seen.
Even so, the crowd gawked, their mouths agape, barely stopping themselves from drooling. Tang Yue's shapely figure and swaying hips seemed to ignite a fire that not even the cold downpour could extinguish. Zhang Xiaohou couldn't believe it and muttered, "How did she get through this storm without getting wet?"
No one knew better than the residents of Bo City how merciless southern typhoons could be. Raincoats and umbrellas were futile, and if it rained, you got wet.
Then, a crimson energy flickered around Tang Yue. The intense heat instantly evaporated all the moisture from her surroundings, leaving her completely dry and immaculate once again. She even helped dry the soaked clothes of the female students nearby.
White steam rose and swirled at the entrance of the teaching building.
The boys groaned in disappointment, feeling they had missed a rare sight. They finally understood how Tang Yue avoided such awkward situations, marveling at her astonishing control over the Fire Element.
At the entrance, the girls whispered among themselves, stealing glances at Lu Jun, whose untouched and refined appearance remained a focal point of admiration.
Tang Yue's sharp gaze fell on him, and she was astonished by his mastery of water magic.
For a student to achieve such skill?
While others were oblivious, Tang Yue's keen perception immediately discerned his abilities. She recalled the purpose of her assignment to Bo City, her brows furrowing slightly.
Coincidentally, Lu Jun glanced in her direction. Their eyes met briefly before they both looked away.
Though others might not realize it, he was well aware of Tang Yue's abilities. She had already reached the Intermediate level and possessed dual elements: Fire and Shadow.
Among her Shadow Element abilities, the Beginner-level spell Shadow Traverse was particularly impressive. As the name suggested, it was a movement and evasion technique that allowed her to traverse through shadows, moving with incredible speed and eluding detection.
It was somewhat reminiscent of the Shadow Step ability used by rogues in D&D.
She had likely used Shadow Traverse to leap between shadows while traveling to school, only switching to a more conventional approach upon arrival to maintain appearances.
Lu Jun sighed in relief. Fortunately, his own water manipulation had improved considerably. After a semester of intense training, both his Water and Metal Elements had reached Beginner-Level Two. He was just a step away from breaking through to Level Three, needing only a few more combat experiences to achieve it.
His Water Defense offered seamless, comprehensive defense, while his Metal Forge ability enhanced his massive gold sword's destructive power. When combined, his battle strength increased exponentially.