~~Tian Lan Magic High School~~
The auditorium buzzed with anticipation as students whispered excitedly, gathering for the long-awaited magic awakening ceremony.
Ye Xin sat among them, feeling the nervous energy seep into his bones. Today was the day—when the element that would define his future as a mage would finally reveal itself, and he would officially set foot in the Versatile Mage World.
Fire, lightning, ice... what will it be? he wondered, trying to suppress the anxiety gnawing at him.
On the other side of the room, a scene similar to the original series unfolded as Zhao Kunsan insulted Mo Fan, while Zhang Xiaohou stepped in to defend his friend.
One by one, students stepped forward to receive their awakenings. Some glowed with the power of flame, indicating the fire element, while others crackled with blue light for water, golden light for light, and so on. As each mage discovered their element, cheers erupted from the crowd for fire and wind, while students awakening water, earth, or light elements faced ridicule and sneering.
Then it was Ye Xin's turn.
He swallowed hard and stepped forward. The Class 8 teacher, Xue Musheng, gave him a reassuring nod as the crystal orb, pulsing with magical energy, was placed in front of him.
"Place your hand on the orb and close your eyes," Xue Musheng instructed. "then let the magic within you awaken in your mind space."
Ye Xin hesitated for a moment before sighing and resting his palm against the cold surface of the orb. The air around him stilled, and for a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Everyone watched intently as Ye Xin was the adopted brother of Mo Fan, who had entered through the back door. Meanwhile, Ye Xin had scored #3 in the school examinations. The difference between them is like heaven and earth.
Then, without warning, a surge of power shot through him.
His mind blurred as a torrent of energy rushed through his veins. The orb beneath his hand began to glow brighter—brighter than any other student's before him. Whispers filled the room.
The students stared at Ye Xin's awakening, dumbfounded.
Ye Xin's heart pounded as something deep inside him stirred. *What's happening to me?* he asked himself.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, calm and cold.
"Energy received from the environment and a low-grade magic stone."
"Initiating merging process with the host."
"1%, 2%, 5%, 15%, 60%, 85%, 100%."
"Merging completed with the host."
Ye Xin's breath caught in his throat. "What?" His eyes widened in shock, but the voice said nothing more.
He yanked his hand away from the orb, but the damage was done. The headmaster, Xue Musheng, and the other teachers stared at him in disbelief, while the students around him fell silent, their excitement replaced with unease.
Ye Xin stumbled back, trying to process what had just happened. Merging complete? He had no idea what it meant, but something told him this wasn't normal. Or had he finally awakened his golden finger?
~~Flashback to Ye Xin's Past~~
Just a few months ago, Ye Xin, formerly known as Zane, had been a completely ordinary high school student—no magic, no grand destiny. He was just a casual anime and manga fan, losing hours to web novels and daydreaming about the fantastical worlds they described.
He never expected any of it to become real.
It had been a rainy Sunday when it happened. Ye Xin had been lounging in his small apartment, headphones on, watching the latest episode of his favorite anime, One Piece. That was when everything changed. One moment, he was dazing off after binge-watching the latest episodes, and the next, he was lying in a cold alley, drenched in blood and disoriented.
"This… isn't home," he said to himself.
Suddenly, a flood of memories and pain overwhelmed him, reminding him of who he was and how he had ended up here.
Q1) Who is he?
He was the twin sibling of Ye Xinxia and the adopted brother of Mo Fan, the main protagonist of the Versatile Mage world. He was damn sure of this because events unfolded just as they did in the novel.
Q2) Why was he here?
Because some bullies had wanted to target his angel sister. So, he fought them—or more precisely, he was beaten up until the bullies decided to go home.
"Damn, it hurts. How can children be so frightening these days?" he muttered, touching the wounds on his body.
As he slowly moved his body, he stumbled out of the dark alley. An old lady passing through noticed his miserable condition and came to help him. As he half-opened his eyes, he saw an old lady who stood gracefully, her silver hair cascading softly down her shoulders like a shimmering waterfall. Her warm, gentle face was framed by delicate wrinkles that told stories of a life well-lived, each line a testament to her wisdom and kindness. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with youthful light, reflecting a deep well of compassion and understanding of his predicament.
She wore a flowing white dress, made of soft, lightweight fabric that swayed gently with each movement, giving her an ethereal appearance. The dress was adorned with delicate lace along the sleeves and hem, adding a touch of elegance. A simple, hand-stitched floral pattern adorned the fabric, bringing warmth and nostalgia to her attire.
As she approached him with a calming aura, the scent of blooming jasmine lingered in the air. Her smile was infectious, lighting up the faces of those around her and inviting them to share in her warmth and wisdom. In her presence, Ye Xin felt an overwhelming sense of comfort, as if they had returned home after a long journey.
Without saying a word, she glowed with green energy, and his wounds healed. Then, she picked up the fainted boy, overwhelmed with fatigue, and dropped him at his home, where Ye Xin's uncle, Mo Jiaxing, waited with worried eyes.
~~Next Morning~~
Ye Xin opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. It didn't take long for him to confirm his suspicions. The architecture, the people, and the casual mentions of magic—not science—in his new memories made it clear—he had somehow transmigrated into the world of Versatile Mage.
~~Back to the Ceremony~~
Ye Xin blinked, the shock of the voice still echoing in his mind. The realization hit him like a brick—this wasn't just a random magic awakening. He wasn't just another mage. He had "Merged" with something powerful. And now, the world he had once only read about was far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself as whispers rose around him. The headmaster, who had recently addressed the students, stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
"Ye Xin..." he said slowly, "I believe we need to discuss your... unique awakening."
Ye Xin's heart raced. He had a feeling his life was about to change even more than he could have ever anticipated.
~~ THE END ~~