Just then, Adrian's incantation was complete.
He waved his wand, and the ice wall that had stood before vanished, replaced by a massive ice spear.
The spear traced a graceful arc through the air, striking the dragon's head directly.
The fire dragon let out a pained roar, dissolving into a shower of light.
Adrian scoffed, "Looks can be deceiving. Take this!"
With a flick of his wand, he chanted, "Spirits of frost, lend me the blizzard's might."
The air around them instantly turned biting cold, each breath Owen took felt like knives in his lungs.
Owen narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling the surge of arcanergy within him.
He activated the shadow dragon arcana, Darkclaw.
Adrian's heart skipped a beat unexpectedly.
"Boss, watch out!" Adrian's companion yelled from behind.
A pair of massive Darkclaws appeared beside Adrian, then clamped down on him fiercely.
Adrian was caught in mid-air, squeezed by the Darkclaws.
Feeling the tightening grip, Adrian struggled to breathe, his mouth agape, his body convulsing.
"Let... let... me go..."
There was fear in Adrian's eyes as he felt the looming presence of death.
Looking into Owen's eyes, he knew Owen might actually kill him.
"Your room is now mine," Owen said indifferently, a cold sneer in his heart. "Don't take me lightly."
Adrian, face contorted in misery, replied with a trembling voice,
"Room 001 in the East Wing, it's yours."
Only then did Owen release Adrian.
Adrian looked at Owen, still shaken.
This forbidden technique, imbued with dark magic, was rare among the students of the Grand Magus Academy.
Yet Owen was one of the few who had mastered it.
This made Adrian doubt Owen's true identity.
After a stern lesson, Adrian finally behaved.
Without another word, he led Owen to room 001 in the East Wing.
…
Room 001.
The dormitory was far more luxurious than he had imagined.
A spacious room housed a large four-poster bed, adorned with opulent curtains.
The bed itself was draped with soft velvet sheets and several delicate pillows.
Beside the bed stood a large desk, covered with various magical books and peculiar magical tools.
Next to the desk was a comfortable chair, draped with his cloak and hat.
In one corner of the room, a large fireplace blazed, casting a warm glow.
Next to the fireplace sat a small coffee table, adorned with fine teacups and pastries.
Another corner of the room featured a spacious wardrobe, filled with his clothes and magical robes.
Adrian looked around the dorm with a hint of reluctance in his heart.
"This place is yours now," he said.
Owen looked back at Adrian, a strange smile playing on his lips.
"I rather liked your defiant attitude from before. Get back to that."
Adrian's face turned beet red, and he scratched his head, saying, "Don't get cocky. Once I've improved my skills, I'll take this room back."
Owen shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll be waiting."
The Grand Magus Academy might operate on the law of the survival of the fittest, but its teaching and guidance for students were comprehensive.
Although battle magi had a strong fighting spirit, their character was commendable, steering clear of underhanded tricks.
"Wait and see," Adrian squeezed out these words from his throat and turned to leave.
Something occurred to Erin, and she called out to his retreating figure, "Where can we buy magical supplies?"
"The magic shop. It's a market belonging to our Grand Magus Academy," he replied without turning around.
"Aren't you going to take your stuff from the room?"
"Just leave it."
Adrian, perhaps fearing embarrassment, didn't turn back and even decided to abandon his personal items in the room.
Owen entered the room, surveying the cozy dorm and nodded slightly.
In Dragon Echo Valley, he usually practiced in the open air, seeking shelter in makeshift caves for rest.
Now, in the human world, having his own room seemed quite nice.
"Erin, you'll sleep with me from now on," Owen casually said after looking around.
"Ah?" Erin's pale cheeks immediately flushed red, and she fumbled with her fingers nervously.
"Master, is that really appropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. It's to prevent others from bullying you," Owen responded.
A smile slowly spread across Erin's face. "Okay, Master."
After tidying up the room, Erin, looking at the bare space, suggested, "Master, let's go to the magic shop. We can buy you a set of magical robes."
With nothing else to do, Owen readily agreed.
They thought finding the magic shop would be easy, but after wandering around the academy for a long time, they couldn't locate it.
Erin, drenched in sweat, fanned her face and said,
"This is strange. Why can't we find the magic shop? Did Adrian lie to us?"
Owen thought Adrian wouldn't stoop to such pettiness.
He approached a passerby and asked, "Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the magic shop?"
The passerby, clad in a robe and holding a book, was momentarily stunned by Owen's question before finally responding.
"A freshman, huh?"
"Yes."
"No wonder you can't find the magic shop."
"That's why I'm asking for your guidance!"
"First, go to the library. In a corner, there's a fireplace where you'll find a forgotten magic book. This book contains the special incantation and ritual to reach the magic shop."
Owen frowned, surprised by the complexity. "To get to the magic shop is that complicated?"
"Locate a quiet spot, lay out an ancient map and a silver magic key. When you chant the spell, these items will guide you through time and space to the magic shop."
"That sounds quite elaborate."
"Of course, it's a privilege of our Grand Magus Academy."
"As long as you have the magic key, you can enter the magic shop from anywhere by chanting the spell. It's a tremendous advantage."
Erin's eyes widened in amazement.
"Really? Does that mean we can just hide in the magic shop when we're in danger?"
"Well, not exactly," the passerby explained.
"The spell only works if you're not being disturbed. If you're in a battle, the forces of space might not be able to affect you."
Owen, stroking his chin, added, "But it's still a lifesaving tactic."
"Indeed, so the initial hassle is worth it. Many people outside would do anything for such an opportunity."
"Thank you."
Owen, Erin, and the passerby went their separate ways.
Following the passerby's instructions, they indeed found the fireplace in a corner of the library, where Owen learned the ancient incantation.
"Portal through time, open the gates to the magic shop."
Finding the ancient map and the silver magic key was surprisingly easy.
Back at their place, Owen placed the magic key on the map and chanted the spell.
"Portal through time, open the gates to the magic shop..."
A mysterious force enveloped Owen, and he quickly grabbed Erin's hand.
A powerful sensation of being devoured emanated from his body.
The next moment, he felt weightless.
Owen quickly twisted his body to shield Erin, preventing them from crashing onto the ground.
Laughter suddenly filled the air around them. "Another newcomer..."
"Shame he didn't land face-first. What a pity."
"Ha ha ha, watching newbies enter the magic shop is always such fun."
Owen and Erin straightened themselves up, finally taking in the full view of the magic shop.
The street was lined with various magical stores: there were herb shops selling all kinds of miraculous potions, magic general stores offering a range of peculiar magical items, and bookstores filled with rare magical tomes.
Most astonishingly, Owen even spotted a shop specializing in selling owls.
Each shopfront was adorned with magical lanterns, their eternal blue flames illuminating the entire street.
The street was bustling with people, almost shoulder to shoulder.