Zhao Manyan gave Mo Fan a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Looks like you've really crossed Old Ye. Good luck," he said, then hurried off to catch up with Ye Chenfeng.
In the audience, Ye Chenfeng glanced up as Dean Xiao walked to the podium, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Before we begin," Dean Xiao began, "I want to clarify something." His voice resonated through the hall, firm and unyielding. "If you're here merely to be a well-paid, respected magician with a comfortable life, then let me tell you—you're in the wrong place." The dean's gaze swept over the crowd, unflinching. "A magician who graduates from Pearl Academy must have the ability to change the world, to be a hero who stands as humanity's protector. If you're here for anything less, save us the effort. We'll give you a diploma, a letter of recommendation, and you can go. But for those who pursue the pinnacle of magic, those who wish to hold an eternal heart for the highest ideals, welcome."
The crowd stirred, anticipation crackling in the air as the dean continued, "Today is a day to showcase your abilities. Let's welcome the seven stars of today's show—the freshmen of the Summoning Department!"
Dean Xiao paused, eyes twinkling with a challenge. "Some may wonder why they are getting the spotlight as newcomers. Well, if you can defeat them, you will be the true stars of today!" His words echoed, spurring the Colosseum to life with shouts and cheers.
At the front of the line, students bickered over who would go first, each determined not to miss their chance. Hai Dafu, unimpressed, sneered at the scene. "Come on, all of you! Our instructor's counting each challenger to tally year-end points, so save us the drama." He clearly held little regard for his peers, looking down on the others with undisguised arrogance.
"I'll go first," Ye Chenfeng declared, tired of waiting. With a single wave of his hand, he sent the arguing students sprawling backward, to gasps and curses.
"What the—?"
"Space magic?" someone exclaimed.
Hai Dafu laughed, mocking the display. "Space magic? Impressive, but no match for my summoned beast." He sneered, summoning his creature. "Come out, White Armor Zhan Zhe!" he declared, flashing a toothy grin. "Lose an arm or leg, and don't come crying to me about medical bills," he said with a laugh.
Ye Chenfeng smirked. "Oh, don't worry. I'll go easy on you." His taunt was met with a glare from Hai Dafu, who snapped, "What did you say?!"
Ye Chenfeng laughed, gesturing to Hai Dafu's summoned beast. "Look at your little pet. It's already trembling." Before Hai Dafu could retort, Ye Chenfeng raised his hand, casting, "Scorching Flame!" Red-hot flames erupted, their heat searing across the arena and flushing Hai Dafu's face.
"No way…spiritual fire?" Hai Dafu's confidence faltered, but Ye Chenfeng wasn't done. "Fierce Fist!" he shouted, and nine flame dragons burst forward, blazing trails in the air before surging toward Hai Dafu.
"Help! Instructor, save me!" Hai Dafu cried as he watched the flames approach. An instructor quickly intervened, casting a powerful water-based shield to block the onslaught. Even so, the sheer force of Ye Chenfeng's attack nearly broke through, leaving Hai Dafu cowering on the ground, too shaken to stand.
"My god, his magic is on par with advanced spells!" someone gasped.
"Is he even human? This magic is insane!" came another shocked murmur, and one awestruck voice proclaimed, "He's so handsome! I'm gonna marry him!"
Nearby, those students Ye Chenfeng had initially thrown back looked at each other, nervous.
"Think Big Brother will hold it against us for what we said earlier?" one asked, to which another quickly responded, "No way, he's too magnanimous for that."
"Right, right, Big Brother's got a heart of gold," the others chimed in.
Meanwhile, Ye Chenfeng turned to the instructor, feigning innocence. "Come on, Teacher, I was just going easy. A few scratches here and there won't hurt." The instructor shot him a wary look, muttering, "I'm the one who's scared here."
With Hai Dafu dispatched, it was time for the next contender. "Hurry up, next one!" the instructor called out, and the Summoning Department students nervously pushed one of their own, a short, thin boy, forward.
Hesitating, the boy took the stage, trembling as he summoned his creature. Yet, no one laughed at him; in fact, his bravery earned a few nods of respect.
"Props to him," someone said. "He's got guts."
"Top-tier courage," another agreed.
Ye Chenfeng wasted no time. "Ice Soul: Ice Lock Siege!" he declared, unleashing countless icy chains that swept forward with fierce intensity, even more potent than his earlier assault.
"Level 3 Ice Lock?" an astonished voice cried from the crowd. "Is he even human? He's mastered two elements at a mid-level perfection!"
Meanwhile, down in the audience, a student whispered to his friend, "Wait, didn't he use space magic to throw us earlier?"
Their leader, realizing the gravity of their situation, snapped, "That's Big Brother you're talking about! He threw us for our own good so we wouldn't embarrass ourselves!"
As the boy finally left the stage, shaken but unharmed, Ye Chenfeng looked at his peers with a quiet confidence, knowing his show had only just begun.