An Orange-rank layer of defense naturally wasn't enough to block four Water Roars—Lanxi and Xueling both extended their right hands at the same time, releasing an orange light shield identical to Peacock's, forming a triple-layered defense.
As the Water Roars collided with the triple defenses, a whirlwind of Orange-rank Magic Elements instantly erupted within the trial ground. The shields were barely holding.
In the stands, Wagner snorted disdainfully, "Do you think magical products can completely block magic? Even if it's a powerful magical artifact, a mage can only exert power one rank above their own. Karat's Water Sprite Blessing Magic Staff can reduce the chanting time of Water Attribute magic by thirty percent. How can those little ones from the Divine Music Department block that?"
Nina scoffed, "Then just watch. Poor Water Attribute, you never know what magical products really are." She of course knew that the Water Sprite Blessing was Wagner's own Magic Staff, lent to Karat for use. Wagner had indeed brought out his ace in the hole, but Nina wasn't the slightest bit worried. When it came to wealth, no other department could compare to the Divine Music Department, which often boasted princess students. The prestige of being the first department wasn't bestowed for nothing.
As the power of the four Water Roars dissipated, the three Orange-rank Magic Shields also vanished. Magical artifacts also required a certain amount of spiritual power to support them, and the two Initial Red-rank girls, Xueling and Lanxi, were already looking somewhat pale.
Seizing the moment of influence from the Water Roar and the effect of the Water Sprite Blessing, Karat's magic was completed just in time to connect with his teammate's magic. A Water Dragon about three meters long roared forth, its Yellow-rank brilliance flashing as it lunged toward the Divine Music Department. Karat's complexion looked even paler after casting the spell. As the influence of the "Dream" grew stronger, he had no choice but to release his most powerful spell, Water Dragon Chant.
An astonished gasp swept through the crowd watching below. They could all see that even if the students of the Divine Music Department could cast their previous Magic Shields again, they couldn't possibly withstand an attack from Yellow-rank magic. The outcome of the match seemed to have already been decided.
Just at that moment, Ye Yinzhu calmly smiled and moved back next to Haiyang with Xueling and the other two girls, releasing a milky white radiance from his body with Moon God's Protection. It instantly expanded to a ten-meter radius, covering the five bodies within it.
Boom—The power of the Water Dragon Chant was indeed formidable. But after the moment of impact, the gasps of astonishment from below changed in tone. The three-meter-long Yellow Water Dragon fell apart, while the milky white light shield merely showed some slight cracks.
"Impossible." Wagner's eyes widened as he stood from his seat in the stands. The magic radiance that Ye Yinzhu had released was clearly Red!
Fergerson, his eyes full of meaning, glanced at Nina, "Moon God's Protection. I'm even envious of the Divine Music Department now."
"Dream" was over halfway done, and nothing was uncertain anymore. Neither Karat nor his partners managed to cast another spell. His four juniors fell directly into a dreamland under the influence of "Dream," and Karat too felt drowsy, unable to chant another incantation. "Dream" naturally didn't affect Ye Yinzhu and the others—selective targeting was a special skill of every Divine Music Master.
"The Water Attribute students have lost the ability to resist, the Divine Music Department wins," the referee announced the accurate judgment. Even if mages were poor at hand-to-hand combat, throwing a sleeping person off the platform was still completely achievable.
"Yay—we won, we really won!" Xueling jumped up excitedly. She hugged Ye Yinzhu's neck and passionately kissed his face, causing him to blush and stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
Lanxi was much more reserved, with a gentle smile on her face.
With pride, Peacock thrust out her full chest and declared, "The Divine Music Department is the strongest."
Haiyang's reaction was the most subdued, "Dream" over, he picked up his ancient zither and headed out of the training field.
The entire venue fell silent.
Before the competition started, absolutely no one believed the Divine Music Department could win. Mage battles usually involved both sides hurling magic at each other until one side's magic power was exhausted—that's when they would lose the match. It was entirely a contest of strength. Yet today's match ended far too swiftly. The students of the Water Attribute hadn't even released more than one attack spell before they were defeated by the Divine Music Department. At this moment, many students began to question the so-called uselessness of the Divine Music Department.
Wagner stood there, somewhat dazed, "Impossible, this is impossible. Even if it's the Moon God's Protection, it couldn't possibly have blocked the Water Dragon Chant when cast by a Red-rank student." He, who had thought that with the participation of the Divine Music Department, the Water Attribute wouldn't come last, felt his mood plummet to rock bottom.
Nina stood up and haughtily raised her head, "Old man Wagner, remember my words, this is just the beginning."
Wagner snorted angrily and, without replying, turned around with the Water Attribute's teachers and walked away. Having lost to the Divine Music Department, he really had no face to stay here any longer.
Fergerson smiled faintly, "Water Attribute magic is actually quite good, it's just a pity that the power of low-level Water Attribute magic isn't enough. Director Nina, that main player of yours from the Divine Music Department, Ye Yinzhu, is very interesting." He did agree with one thing Wagner said: Even with the Moon God's Protection, it would be impossible for a Red-rank mage to block Yellow-rank magic.
The news of the Divine Music Department's victory over the Water Attribute in the freshmen competition spread throughout the Milan Magic Martial Academy at the first opportunity. The quick and simple conclusion of the battle left everyone astonished. Discussions about the Divine Music Department had already begun to spread throughout the academy. Ye Yinzhu and the four female competitors had become the focus of these discussions. In particular, the element shield that Ye Yinzhu released at the last moment and Haiyang's zither became the center of attention.
Ye Yinzhu was unaware of the discussions about him. As soon as the match ended, he immediately left Training Field No.6 and sprinted in a certain direction. This was because, just before the end of the match, he had heard a voice, a voice that excited him immensely.
A yellow light flashed past, leaving only a faint shadow on the road. Some of the mages walking within the academy couldn't help thinking that this must be a senior student from the warrior area who had run over to the magic area.
In order to reach his destination as quickly as possible, Ye Yinzhu no longer concealed his Zhu Douqi. After all, the Milan Magic Martial Academy was simply too vast. With the support of his Zhu Douqi, he pushed his speed to the limit and managed to exit the academy in ten minutes.
Once out of the academy, Ye Yinzhu dashed northwards for ten miles before stopping in front of a grove, his excitement difficult to hide. In the midst of his surging emotions, he called out loudly, "Zi, where are you? I'm here."
Indeed, just as the match had ended, Zi's voice clearly rang in his ear, saying only one sentence: I am waiting for you in the grove ten miles north of the academy.
For Ye Yinzhu, although he had settled down at the Milan Magic Martial Arts Academy, it wasn't his home after all; Zi was his companion for ten years. Besides his relatives, Zi was absolutely the person he trusted the most.
A tall and mighty figure slowly walked out from the midst of the forest. His hair was still somewhat disheveled, his starry, bright purple eyes looked a bit weary, but his strong features hadn't changed at all. Seeing Yin Zhu, his eyes softened a touch, a kindness that only emerged in Yin Zhu's presence.
"Yin Zhu." His deep and magnetic voice made Ye Yinzhu feel a strong sense of affection.
"Zi—." Yin Zhu called out excitedly, his body shooting toward him like an arrow, cloaked in a strong yellow light. In the blink of an eye, he reached him, standing as firmly as a nail, striking a perfect balance between motion and stillness without any abruptness.