Chapter 17: Opening Ceremony

After Light's new awakening, he knew things would never be the same. His entire cultivation process required a few adjustments, but the changes weren't daunting—they were exciting. He had already crafted a detailed meditation schedule that would optimize his progress, balancing all the elements he had awakened thus far. Light always thought ahead, always planned carefully, and this time was no different.

Light knew he had to make some adjustments, starting with his meditation schedule. He fine-tuned it with the discipline of a seasoned mage. With a fresh resolve, Light used his Magic Accelerator to connect all 7 stars of each of his newly awakened elements.

He planned his cultivation schedule meticulously, 5 hours each dedicated to the Space, Undead, and Chaos Elements—his most potent and enigmatic forces. Lightning, Fire, and Earth, while still powerful, would be nurtured with gentler precision, receiving 1 hour each. This method would allow for steady growth without overwhelming his body or mind.

Light's exceptional talent, particularly in the Space Element, led to his special recruitment by Tian Lan Magic High School, the most prestigious institutions in the Bo City. Light knew his abilities, and he had a goal: becoming the strongest mage in the world. Tian Lan was just another step on the ladder.

In his new school, Light was placed in Class 8, and to his quiet satisfaction, he was assigned student number 1. Light's understanding of magic was already exceptional, and his ability to cultivate would only increase his power. As someone holding the number 1 position, Light felt the responsibility to maintain that reputation—but he welcomed the challenge.

Rumor had it that the higher a student's number, the more efficient their cultivation would be due to their superior understanding of magic. Light was no stranger to such advantages, but his goals extended far beyond cultivation speed—he was focused on true mastery.

As fate would have it, Mu Bai, Light's old classmate from Magic Middle School, was also placed in Class 8, holding the number 2 position. Mu Bai came from the Mu Family, notorious for their dominance with the Ice Element. Though he wasn't from the main branch, Mu Bai carried himself with the arrogance of someone born into privilege, often looking down on others. His obsession with the Mu Family's princess, Mu Ningxue, only fed his insecurity, as his efforts to win her favor were met with cold indifference.

Mu Bai's grades had always been excellent, but his ego was bruised by the fact that Light had beaten him to the number 1 spot. The rivalry between them was about to intensify.

"The day of the Awakening Ceremony had arrived, and the anticipation was palpable among the students of Tian Lan Magic High. The Great Magic Grounds were filled with 1500 new students, each divided into 30 classes. They stood in neat squads, their uniforms gleaming under the sunlight, and a sense of excitement filled the air. Light stood with his classmates in Class 8, observing the grandeur of the moment. The sight was nothing short of magnificent.

At the front of the grounds stood the Headmaster Zhu. His commanding presence drew the attention of every student as he began his speech.

"Class, congratulations on your admittance to Tian Lan Magic High School. Many of you have waited for this moment with great anticipation, but before we proceed, there are important things I need to say to all of you." His voice was clear and authoritative, carrying across the entire field.

"Do you know what it means to become a Mage?" the Headmaster asked, his gaze sweeping across the students.

The silence that followed was heavy with expectation. No one dared to answer, but the Headmaster continued. "No matter what kind of Mage you turn out to be, remember this: We magicians exist to protect humanity and ensure its growth. Beyond these walls, outside the safety of this city, there are countless Magical Beasts watching us like predators watching their prey. Never forget the danger that lies beyond."

As the Headmaster's speech came to a close, a murmur of excitement spread through the students. Everyone knew what was coming next—the moment they had all been waiting for.

"Alright," the Headmaster said, smiling slightly. "Today, you will begin your awakening ceremony. I hope you will become the rising stars in the future world of magic!"

The awakening ceremony was about to begin, and Light could feel the excitement among his classmates. Each class would conduct their own awakening under the watchful eyes of their Magic Advisors. For Class 8, their homeroom teacher, Xue Musheng, a seasoned mage and Magic Advisor, stood at the front. The students' names would be called out one by one, and they would step forward to place their hands on the Awakening Stone—a moment that would determine their future as mages.

The first name called out was Mu Bai.

Mu Bai walked confidently to the front, his head held high, a humble but self-assured smile on his face. Xue Musheng greeted him with a smile. "Mu Bai, you're from the Mu Family, renowned for your Ice Element, correct?"

"Precisely," Mu Bai answered, nodding with pride.

"Good. If you awaken the Ice Element, you'll have an advantage compared to others. But don't forget, talent alone doesn't guarantee success. Effort is just as important."

Mu Bai nodded again, though inside, he scoffed at the teacher's words. In his mind, talent was everything, and without it, one would remain at the bottom of society, regardless of how hard they tried.

With a calm demeanor, Mu Bai placed his left hand on the Awakening Stone. Almost immediately, the stone emanated a starry radiance, and the surface of the stone began to freeze. Frost crawled over the Awakening Stone, signaling Mu Bai's successful awakening of the Ice Element.

"Ice Element!" someone shouted from the crowd, and the students murmured in awe.

Mu Bai's face lit up with joy. He had done it. He had awakened the Ice Element, just as he had hoped. Now, with his Ice Element, he was one step closer to gaining recognition within the Mu Family—and perhaps even closer to Mu Ningxue.

Xue Musheng nodded in approval. "Very good. A pure Ice Element. I believe an Ice Element Star Dust has already appeared within your Spiritual World. Cultivate it well, and you'll go far."

The rest of the class watched in awe as Mu Bai returned to his spot, pride radiating from him.

"Next, Qiu Yueying!"

"Alright, Earth Element."

"Next, Xu Qinglin!"

"Also Ice Element."

"Next, Lu Xiaobing."

"Hm, Water Element!"

"Next, Xu Long"

"Alright, Water Element."

"Next, Yang Cheng"

"Alright, Earth Element."

Next, Huang Lia"

"Alright, Light Element."

Each student's awakening brought murmurs and whispers from the crowd, but none caused as much excitement as Mu Bai's Ice Element.

"Next, Zhang XiaoHou!"

"Wind Element!" Xue Musheng said with approval. "Your talent is good. Work hard, and don't slack off."

Zhang Xiao Hou grinned and returned to stand next to Light, who gave him a reassuring nod.

Next, Zhou Min"

"Fire… Fire Element!!!"

For a moment, the girl who awakened the Fire Element became the focus of the class. This Element was the most amazing one among the Chemical Elements. This was also the Apprentice-level Mage's first choice in awakening.

Unfortunately, the Fire Element was quite arrogant yet tender, and the probability of awakening it was quite low. Fire was always a sought-after element, and Zhou Min's awakening made her the focus of attention for a brief moment.

Next….. Wind Element."

"Next….. Light Element."

"Next….Water Element."

"Next…..Water Element"

"Next…..Light Element"

"Next….Jiang Li."

"Alright, Fire Element."

The homeroom teacher, Xue Musheng, was feeling very happy. This was because he had only reached 20 out of them out of 50, and there were already 5+ talented students who had appeared. If they were to cultivate well, then they would definitely be admitted into a good University.

Naturally, what made his face light up like a gem was student number 1, Light.

It seemed like the class 8 had an opportunity to become one of the top classes this year.

Suddenly, a shout came from the adjacent class.

"Heavens! Someone in the class next to us awakened the Lightning Element!" a student cried out.

"What? Lightning Element? That's a whole lifetime's worth of luck!" someone else exclaimed.

The Lightning Element was as rare as it was powerful, and the news caused a stir among all the students. Those who awakened the Lightning Element often had the potential to become formidable mages, and the entire school would likely hear about it soon.

In that electrifying moment, the eyes of every teacher and student converged on a single figure. A boy, dressed in purple, seated in Class 7. His clothes, oddly coincidental, mirrored the streak of violet lightning that had danced above the awakening platform moments ago. The faint glow of the lightning made the purple of his attire shimmer in the light, intensifying the ethereal aura surrounding him. It was as if destiny itself had chosen him for this very moment.

A hush fell over the auditorium, punctuated only by the crackling remnants of the lightning. This boy, with his cold and composed demeanor, now stood at the center of a thousand gazes. He was the calm in a sea of excited whispers and wide-eyed stares, and the growing anticipation in the room was palpable, a boiling pot about to overflow.

"Heavens… can you believe it?" gasped one student from the back row, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Lightning, of all elements. And him?!"

From the teacher's podium, Xue Musheng's lips twisted into a mixture of jealousy and regret. He watched the boy in purple with growing frustration, unable to hide his feelings.

"Xue Musheng, the homeroom teacher, couldn't believe his eyes. His envy was palpable as he muttered under his breath, "Really... agh. Why wasn't this student assigned to my class? Instead, he was placed into Zhang Jianguo's hands. Zhang Jianguo is going to be boasting about this for days. His face will be filled with pride from today onward."

The bitterness in his voice reflected the thoughts of every teacher who wasn't fortunate enough to have this student in their care. Xue Musheng's jealousy was written all over his face. He wasn't alone in this sentiment either. All around him, other teachers looked on with a mix of admiration, awe, and thinly veiled jealousy. He scowled, imagining the smug expression that would soon settle on his colleague's face.

As Xue Musheng fumed, another figure in the room simmered with something far darker than jealousy. Mu Bai, seated towards the front of the assembly, clenched his fists tightly, eyes narrowing at the purple-clad boy. His face twisted in a grim expression—shock momentarily flashing across his features before settling into disdain.

"So what if he awakened the Lightning Element?" Mu Bai sneered internally, his mind racing with bitter thoughts. "The Lightning Element might be extraordinary, but talent means nothing if you don't know how to cultivate it properly. He'll stay a loser, just like the rest. I'll make sure he regrets ever stealing my spotlight."

Mu Bai's scowl deepened. It seemed this purple-clad boy had become his newest rival.

Magic High School spanned a journey of three years, with each year divided into two semesters, each lasting six months. By the end of the first year, students would face their Annual Examination—an exam that determined whether they could properly activate their magic. Failure to do so meant the school would find all kinds of excuses to force them to resign.

But Light was different. From the moment he had awakened, he exuded an aura of confidence that set him apart from his peers. The first semester ended quickly, yet Light barely attended any of his classes. Aside from the first and last day of the semester, he remained an enigmatic figure, staying away from the usual hustle and bustle of school life. His absence baffled his classmates, but none dared question him. Rumors swirled about him like a storm: some claimed he was training with masters, others whispered that he had already surpassed everyone at the academy. The truth was stranger than any of the gossip.

As the 2nd semester approached, the excitement of the Annual Magic Examination loomed over every student. It was a test that would determine their future, and for Light, this test was just a stepping stone toward his grander plans.

Between his 1st and 2nd awakenings, Light had quietly gone about helping nearly 100 talented teenagers awaken their magic, earning their respect and gratitude in the process. His sisters, curious about his intentions, questioned him on this seemingly altruistic pursuit.

"Why?" Athena had asked him one evening, her tone laced with curiosity. "What's your goal, Light?"

But Light, ever the visionary, simply smiled and told them, "I have grand plans, and they will be needed."His cryptic answer left even his sisters in the dark.

Among these 100 teenagers, 6 stood out. Each possessed an extraordinary innate talent, and one of them had even awakened the rare Summoning Element. Recognizing their potential, Light formed a group around these 6, determined to nurture their talents. They would be integral to his future plans, a key part of the larger scheme he had in mind.

Light went so far as to provide these talented teenagers with Spirit Grade Stardust Magic Tools—artifacts that could significantly boost their cultivation. He, however, had no need for such tools, as his own Higher Recovery Rate Innate Talent made him capable of cultivating without assistance. The tools were simply a gift to ensure the growth of those he had chosen.

On the first day of the second semester, Light returned to the classroom, a confident smile on his face. His purple robes stood out among the sea of students, just as they had during his awakening. As always, he took a seat at the very back of the room, surveying his classmates with calm detachment.

Next to him sat Zhang Xiaohou, his usual seatmate and friend. Normally, Zhang Xiaohou was full of energy, his curious, monkey-like demeanor making him a source of constant chatter. He would always eagerly tell Light about everything that had happened during their time apart, filling the classroom with his lively stories.

But today, something was different.

Zhang Xiaohou sat quietly, his face devoid of the usual enthusiasm. His eyes were glazed over, and his mouth hung slightly open as he stared toward the front of the room with an unfathomable expression.

"Hey, what's up with you today?" Light asked, raising an eyebrow at his unusually quiet friend.

Zhang Xiaohou didn't respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the front of the room, where a stunningly beautiful figure had just entered. The entire class had fallen silent, captivated by the sight of their new teacher.

"Good morning, class," a mature, bright voice echoed through the room. "Your previous Practical Magic teacher has fallen ill and is currently at home recuperating. From today onward, I will be in charge of your Practical Magic classes. My name is Tangyue."

Light's head snapped up, his gaze immediately seeking out the source of the voice. When his eyes landed on Tangyue, he was momentarily starstruck. Her black suit, fitted and professional, only served to highlight her elegance. Beneath the suit jacket, her white shirt was stretched taut, barely containing the majestic curves that hinted at the power she possessed.

Light's heart skipped a beat. He had heard rumors of this new teacher, but seeing her in person was an entirely different experience. He wasn't the only one mesmerized. Around him, the boys in the class were all slack-jawed, their eyes glued to Tangyue as though she were a goddess descended from the heavens.

Tangyue, however, was oblivious to the effect she was having. Her expression was serious as she continued her introduction. "It's been half a year since you awakened, but none of you have been able to use your magic yet. I hope you all understand that being able to control immense power does not mean you know how to use it. If you don't learn to properly control your powers, they may backfire on you."

Her words snapped some of the students out of their daze, though others were still too busy ogling her to pay attention. Tangyue, unfazed, turned toward the blackboard and began writing down key concepts for their first lesson.

As she wrote, Light could hear the faint murmurs of the boys behind him.

"Did you see that? How is she even real?"

"She's a goddess…"

"Damn, I can't concentrate at all with her in the room."

Light couldn't blame them. Tangyue was unlike any teacher they had ever had before, and the way she commanded the room with her presence was mesmerizing. But Light, always more composed than his peers, forced himself to focus on her words instead of her appearance.

The morning passed by in a blur of theory lessons. By the time Tangyue had finished explaining the basics of magic activation, most of the students were eager to move on to practical application. Sensing their excitement, Tangyue led the class outside to the practice field, where they would finally have the opportunity to see real magic in action.

The practice field was divided into several independent spaces, each separated by a Magic Barrier. These transparent barriers absorbed any excess power, ensuring that students wouldn't be harmed during their lessons.

Tangyue stood in the center of the field, her calm demeanor radiating authority. **"Today, I will demonstrate the primary skill of the Fire Element: Fire Burst,"** she announced, her voice carrying easily over the crowd of students.

"Concentrate on your element,"Tangyue instructed, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Even while I'm speaking to you, my mind is fully focused on the Fire Element nebula within me... or rather, the stardust. Control your stars and make them obey your commands."

Light's eyes narrowed as he observed the process. Tangyue wasn't just a beautiful teacher—she was a powerful one. The level of control she displayed over her magic was leagues above what the students had experienced with their previous instructor. It was no wonder the boys in the class had fallen silent, their awe replacing their earlier infatuation.

Their eyes widened as they looked at this beautiful female teacher with shock.

Aura!!

That's right; they felt a scorching aura emitting from Mrs. Tangyue's body; swelling over everyone's faces.

There was shock, reverence, and a certain intimidating presence that prevented people from having any form of wicked thoughts!

Suddenly, a fiery red glow began to form around Tangyue's right hand. The air around her crackled with heat, and the students closest to her took a step back, their eyes wide with fear and amazement.

"Remember," Tangyue said, her voice returning to a calm but serious tone, "After you've finished arranging the stars, you can't relax your thoughts. You must immediately focus on the position of your activation!"

That dignified voice resounded once more.

The temperature around Tangyue continued to rise, the very air seeming to shimmer with the intense heat radiating from her body. The students, including Light, watched in awe as Tangyue's hand moved with practiced precision, summoning the Fire Element with ease.

With a graceful flick of her wrist, she released the gathered energy. 

"Fire Burst!" Tangyue's voice cut through the tense air like a blade.

A roaring flame erupted from her hand, shooting forward in a blazing arc. The flame shot out like an arrow and gave off a scarlet red delicacy. After that, it became like a bullet, accurately and unmistakably penetrating the body of the puppet!

"Gone?"

"How come nothing happened?"

"It hit the target though."

The atmosphere grew silent for a period of time. The puppet which was hit by Fire Burst didn't have any kind of reaction while Mrs. Tangyue's aura was the complete opposite.

Within the confusion, Mrs. Tangyue slowly turned around and faced the entire 48 students of the class with her somewhat young and tender face; however, the corner of her mouth gave off a smirking smile that displayed her high self-confidence.

Then, in the blink of an eye, a shocking burst of scarlet flames erupted from within the puppet. It was no slow ignition—this was an explosion, a violent and unrelenting fire that consumed the puppet in seconds. The flames weren't merely fluttering in the air; they were ravenous, swallowing the puppet whole as though it were nothing but kindling.

The intact human-shaped figure that had stood there mere moments ago was reduced to nothing in a breath's time.

Light's eyes widened as he took in the scene. "That's Spirit Grade Fire," he thought, awestruck by the sheer power Mrs. Tangyue wielded with such ease.

The gaudy scarlet light reflected in Mrs. Tangyue's beautiful pear blossom hair. Her fair-skinned face was increasingly captivating at the moment.

All 49 students of the class were completely starstruck except Light who was able to sense that this Tangyue was an Intermediate Maga.

For a moment, there was silence. The students stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock and admiration. Tangyue's control over the fire was absolute—precise, powerful, and elegant.

""Did you see that, Light? That was incredible! She made it look so easy!" Zhang Xiaohou finally whispered, breaking the silence. 

Light nodded, his eyes still focused on Tangyue. While the others marveled at the display of raw power, he had noticed something deeper: Tangyue's mastery over the fire wasn't just about strength. It was about control. 

"Alright, who are the Fire element students in our class? Let me note them down." Mrs. Tangyue seemed to regard the gazes of worship from students as something normal as she continued to teach her class..