"Uh... yeah, yeah, S+." One of the instructors, still in shock from witnessing the spell, adjusted his spectacles before announcing the result.
"S+."
"S+."
All three instructors gave their verdicts, earning Damon a perfect score once again in the annual examination.
"W-what the hell was that!"
"A l-level 2 lightning strike! It's the level 2 lightning strike: Mad Whip! How the hell did this guy cultivate and reach level 2 so fast?"
"Fucking hell! Is that really the power of the lightning element?"
One by one, the students snapped back to reality. Their exclamations echoed across the grounds, which had been so silent moments before that no one even dared to breathe. Now, it had transformed into a chaotic scene, like a bustling fish market.
The teachers were no less shocked than the students. Their experience told them how significant the stunt Damon had just pulled off truly was.
Casting a level 2 lightning spell meant that the student before them had reached the level 2 primary mage rank!
A level 2 primary mage rank in just a year!
Never in the history of Tian Lan Magic High had anyone achieved such a feat.
Tang Yue, who had been watching Damon's performance from the sidelines, was equally astonished.
The record of reaching rank 2 in the lightning element was notable, but what shocked Tang Yue more was the level of control Damon had over the spell.
Instantly casting a spell, even at the primary level, was something many intermediate mages might struggle with. The concentration Damon displayed, coupled with the ease with which he executed the spell and the effect that seemed stronger than a typical Python Mark, all left Tang Yue baffled.
'He really has a lot of potential,' Tang Yue thought, her black eyes flickering as she observed Damon. 'In this small city, his growth is limited... I should recruit such talent into the Enforcement Union once I'm done with my job here.'
"This..." Mu Zhuoyun, who had watched Damon's attack from a distance, was speechless.
"I have never seen such a powerful Python Mark," one of the directors accompanying Mu Zhuoyun muttered in astonishment.
"Yeah... Principal, is he really a first-year student?"
"Y-yeah, as I said earlier, this is Damon. He's the strongest student of this batch," the principal, still recovering from the shock, quickly replied to the directors' questions.
"Amazing... Principal, you mentioned this student grew up in an orphanage, didn't you? So he cultivated all of this on his own, and in just a year?" Deng Kai asked, turning to the principal.
"Yes... he's truly a great talent."
"Truly remarkable... to think such talent would appear in our Bo City," Deng Kai exclaimed before turning to Mu Ningxue. "Lady Mu, what do you think of Damon's magic?"
"Strong..." Mu Ningxue, who had witnessed the strength of the top talents in the country and held high standards, was surprised by Damon's abilities. Knowing about his background only added to her astonishment. After giving her honest opinion, she fell silent, her expression returning to its usual calm and indifferent state.
Hearing her comment and seeing the reactions of the others, the principal and vice principal couldn't help but feel pleased.
"Brother Zhuoyun, should I call Damon over and introduce him?" the principal, finally able to relax, suggested.
"This... Sigh, I'm not in the mood to meet anyone. Nurture him properly, and after he graduates from high school, if he continues to show great results, I will personally invite him to serve my Mu Family."
Mu Zhuoyun glanced at Damon. In his eyes, Damon's talent was truly remarkable. Better than his daughter's? Maybe. Knowing full well Mu Ningxue's talent and potential, Mu Zhuoyun didn't think Damon could match her, but his talent was still noteworthy.
A lightning mage with Damon's growth would normally be someone Mu Zhuoyun would do anything in his power to recruit. But after what happened with Mo Fan, he was in no mood. Because of Mo Fan, he and the Mu Family had lost face in front of everyone. Though it was just a brat talking nonsense, being humiliated publicly was a serious matter for the Mu Family.
Given the situation, Mu Zhuoyun didn't want to recruit a boy who had witnessed the scene. For now, he just wanted to observe Damon. After the duel, when he would regain the Mu Family's honor, he would recruit Damon by any means.
There was no urgency for Mu Zhuoyun to recruit Damon. After all, for the next two years, Damon would remain in his city, in his school, in Bo City. What could Damon want that he couldn't provide?
The Mu Family and directors soon left the grounds, and gradually, the students began to disperse as the event concluded.
"It seems like because of what happened, Mu Zhuoyun doesn't wish to recruit you just yet," a mature voice rang out beside Damon. He looked down at his side where his teacher, Tang Yue, was watching the cars carrying the Mu Family leave.
"Recruit me? Well, it's good they didn't approach me," Damon replied, fully aware of the value he had created for himself in the school. He knew that under normal circumstances, the Mu Family would have tried to recruit him if they knew his full potential.
"Oh, so you don't want to be part of the Mu Clan? Don't you find Mu Ningxue attractive?" Tang Yue chuckled, trying to get a reaction out of Damon. But such remarks might work on someone like Mu Bai, not on him.
"Well, she is attractive, no doubt about it. As for getting recruited by the Mu Family? Sorry, they can't afford me," Damon replied calmly as he began to walk towards the gate.
After being in regular contact with Tang Yue, even as a student, Damon had grown to respect her greatly. It had become normal for his beautiful teacher to try to tease him and make jokes.
"They can't afford you?" Tang Yue chuckled before adding, "Really? Then tell me, what's your price?"
"Oh, Teacher Tang Yue, don't tell me you're also after my body? Sigh being handsome in today's world is a sin now... Sorry, no matter how much I respect you as a student, I can't do things like that," Damon said with a slight smile, dodging the light slaps she playfully aimed at him. She charmingly rolled her eyes in response.
"Okay, okay, sorry... but seriously, if someone wanted to recruit you, what would your conditions be?" Tang Yue asked curiously as they strolled across the now empty grounds.
"Oh, then do tell me what those conditions are?" Tang Yue asked, watching Damon stop and look up at the sky.
Dark clouds began to gather, blocking the light as chilly winds blew by. Damon slowly turned back, his dazzling blue eyes locking onto Tang Yue's with all seriousness.
The atmosphere made even Tang Yue feel uneasy, but Damon's next words shocked her to her core.
"Go kill Salan for me."
Silence fell over the deserted grounds as Tang Yue's mouth hung open, her eyes wide at her student's words.
"Hahaha... look at your face. Teacher, did you really believe that?" Damon's laughter broke the silence as he laughed heartily at Tang Yue's dumbstruck expression.
"You!" What followed was a playful chase as the day officially came to an end.