Full-Time Mage: Starting with the White Tiger Pendant

"No." Xin Xia, sitting in the wheelchair, felt a vague unease. "I think something's off. It's late—let's go."

Lin Yun'er was startled. "Can't stand the smell, Xin Xia? Well, it is getting dark. You head back to the dorm early. I'll keep reading here."

Hearing this, Ye Xin Xia hesitated, then bit her lip and said nothing more. "Alright, I'll go back to the dorm first. Be careful—I heard some students have gone missing lately."

The girl waved carelessly and let the wheelchair-bound girl leave.

Soon, Xin Xia was alone, wheeling herself back. She felt as if some terrifying creature in the darkness of the night was staring at her. She tightened her clothes and quickened the spin of her wheels.

"Is it up ahead?"

Suddenly, voices came from the dark path ahead. Xin Xia was startled at first, then quickly looked up toward the campus trail. She saw a woman and a man, both in trench coats, exuding a strong presence.

Lu Jun looked at the girl in the wheelchair they happened to meet and was taken aback. "You're Xin Xia?"

Seeing they were living people, Xin Xia first breathed a sigh of relief, then asked in confusion, "You are...?"

"I'm Lu Jun, your brother's friend. Don't know if he's mentioned me."

He said it casually, but inwardly he grumbled—Mo Fan kept his sister well hidden, never bringing her around. Probably afraid This Humble One was too handsome and would steal her away.

Joking aside, with Ye Xin Xia's mother, Cardinal Salang, who was almost certain to become the Pope, who would dare touch her? And her father was even more complicated, surpassing even Mu Ningxue in that regard.

Lu Jun always kept his distance.

"Oh, oh, oh, you're Brother Lu Jun! My brother has mentioned you."

Xin Xia's voice was soft as she spoke, but inwardly the girl thought—Brother Mo Fan always said This Humble One was arrogant, but seeing him today, that wasn't entirely true.

Lu Jun studied the stunning girl thoughtfully. His mental power rifled through dusty memories and found something similar. In fact, it should have happened half a year ago.

Ah!

Just as Lu Jun was about to speak, a piercing scream tore through the night sky. The source was unmistakably the library.

"Not good—it's a demon."

Within his mental perception, a turbid aura thick with killing intent appeared ahead. Without time to explain to the two, he decisively activated the [Azure Cloud Boots] on his feet, his speed exploding as he dashed off like a blur.

Chapter 36: Rescue in Time

Inscription Women's High School, Library.

Lin Yun'er sat collapsed on the library floor, staring in terror at the massive creature emerging from around the bookshelf corner. The Giant Eyed Rat Demon gazed at her with greedy, drooling eyes.

She screamed, trying to summon star particles to release magic, but failed repeatedly.

The demon gave Lin Yun'er no time to react. It charged furiously, its massive body pouncing with a roar, casting a shadow that blotted out the light and shrouded the girl's small frame, filling her with despair.

Just as Lin Yun'er was about to be devoured, a loud shout came from afar: "Tide · Water Shield · Cycle!"

Splash!

In an instant, countless water vapors in the air converged. Vast Water Element coalesced into several endless azure streams, swirling around the girl, enclosing her within a few feet, leaving no gap.

Hum~

The Giant Eyed Rat Demon pounced onto the turbulent, condensed Water Stream Ribbon. When its massive claws landed, the high-speed rotating water friction sparked a series of flames, like cutting through steel. Blood splattered, accompanied by a powerful impact.

The next moment, the Giant Eyed Rat Demon's body was flung several meters back, crashing into tall, heavy bookshelves. Row after row of shelves collapsed with a roar, shrouded in smoke.

The triple-strength Water Shield magic effect from a Spirit Seed had already transformed its power!

In the distance, Lu Jun's black trench coat fluttered. Cyan light spread from his legs upward, his entire body wrapped in swirling wind. He arrived just in time, releasing a third-level Water Shield · Cycle in one second.

Blue radiance flickered in his hands, and his face was grim. "Advancement Period servant—almost became a General-level Blood-Patterned Giant Rat. How can this kind of thing exist in the city?"

A Few Breaths later, the pile of books trembled. A massive demon pushed through countless tomes, shaking its head as it emerged. One of its claws trembled slightly, unsteady, soaked in blood.

It looked at Lu Jun with some fear. Demons were keenly perceptive; it easily sensed that the man Before Him was full of Killing Aura, his magical aura vigorous. Its body stepped back, looking for a way to escape.

Hum!

But Lu Jun wouldn't let the demon leave. He casually reached into the void, and a pitch-black Vibranium Heavy Sword was drawn. Golden Radiance flared as he swung both hands down in a heavy chop. A platinum arc several meters long swept through.

Dark light flashed, Stirring Up a gale.

With a pfft sound, the Advancement Period Giant Eyed Rat Demon was cleaved in two on the spot. Blood gushed out, staining the library. The remaining momentum of the sword light didn't stop, swept across the book pile and wall behind, piercing through instantly, sending debris flying.

All this happened too fast. Lin Yun'er, sitting on the ground, stared blankly at Lu Jun, who seemed like a god descending, her heart shaken.

Lu Jun's face was expressionless. He wiped the blade clean with a flick of his hand. His metal element had reached the intermediate level. Any demon below General-level—kill one, slaughter one. A twelve-meter-long greatsword—ask if they're Not Afraid.

"Are you okay? What's your name?"

He walked up to the girl, politely extending his hand.

Lin Yun'er took a long time to snap out of it. Startled by the question, she stammered, "You... hello, I'm Lin Yun'er."

Hearing This, Lu Jun understood. It was her indeed. Logically, in the original story, this girl should have died half a year ago—same situation, alone in the library, dragged off and eaten by a demon.

But thinking about it, that was the Original Timeline without him. Now, he knew there was a sewer breach at Inscription Women's High School. He kept an eye on it daily, occasionally clearing it out when passing by.

Plus, Mo Fan, spurred by his influence, had joined the City Demon Hunting Squad early, effectively striking at the city's demons.

In short, it was the Butterfly Effect. The two girls had been fine all along, keeping their habit of reading in the library until tonight, when the accident happened.

Before the Disaster of Bo City erupted, coming out alone at night was one thing, but unfortunately running into a tunnel breach—it was only a matter of time before something happened. The difference was just which day.

So Lu Jun happened to save her this time, and instructed, "Try not to come out at night. This world isn't as safe as you think. Call your parents quickly."

With that, Lin Yun'er nodded tightly, still shaken, and picked up her communicator to call her elder sister.

Soon, several cars arrived at the school. Police and school leaders came together to seal off the scene, investigate the incident, and offer comfort.

A heroic-looking woman walked in at the front. Lin Yun'er rushed into her elder sister Lin Yuxin's arms, and the two sisters held each other tightly.

Then Lin Yuxin, eyes red, looked toward Lu Jun. She strode over, extended her hand, and said, "Lin Yuxin of the Bo City Earth Sacred Spring Guard. I've long heard of Hunter Lu's reputation. Thank you for saving my younger sister."

Lu Jun smiled, politely reached out to hold her fingertips, then released them instantly, saying, "It's nothing. I encountered it, so I saved her."

"Regardless, I'm still very grateful to you." Lin Yuxin said gratefully, "I can't imagine what I'd do without my sister. I'd probably live the rest of my life in guilt, never having had time to be with her."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a bit. Younger sister Lin Yun'er had recovered her spirits and came over to offer a solemn thanks as well.

Seeing that her younger sister was exhausted but still forcing a smile, Lin Yuxin apologized, "Sorry. Today's incident was sudden. My sister is frightened. We'll go back to rest first. Here's my contact info. We'll formally get to know each other another day."

Soon, the two sisters headed home. The scene investigation would take a while longer to find hidden dangers, but it was completely useless. The underground drainage project was too complex; it could only be written off as an accident.

He gazed at Lin Yuxin's retreating figure, lost in thought. This woman, a guard of the Earth Sacred Spring, was also one of the few mages in Bo City who had reached the Intermediate level. In the Original Timeline, she was the first to discover the omens of the Disaster of Bo City.

By saving Lin Yun'er and obtaining her contact, he could ally with her when the time came.

Just then, Lu Mei, who had been watching the whole process from the side, approached Lu Jun and sighed, "It seems there really are loopholes. I recorded a video as evidence."

The two gave their statements and then returned.

At home, his elder sister asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Lu Jun had already prepared an answer. He pointed out a few memorable people and said, "We can notify Lin Yuxin and the other Earth Sacred Spring Guards, Yang Zuohe of the Magic Association, and Zhan Kong from the military."

"Military Governor Zhan Kong of Bo City... Your actions really do need his support."

Lu Mei nodded. The Earth Sacred Spring Guards went without saying. They were the Black Vatican's primary target. If there really was a mole, they wouldn't need to stir up a massive upheaval; they could just have them steal it directly. So they were absolutely on their side.

"But the others might not believe me. There are moles in the military. I'm afraid the news will leak. If I notify them one by one half a year from now, Bo City will open the Earth Sacred Spring by then. I boldly guess that the Black Vatican will strike during that period."

"At that time, we'll push through in one go. The Black Vatican won't have time to react, and we'll have done our best."

Lu Jun sighed. Blocking the demon beasts surging out from within the city was one thing, but outside the city, he was powerless. A clan-level beast tide was nothing an Intermediate Mage could handle.

Hearing this, Lu Mei's delicate brows furrowed slightly. There was no other choice. For now, the high-level officials' loyalties were unknown. They would have to stay still and wait for the enemy to move.

"Elder Sister, thank you."

He let out a long breath. Having someone to share the burden he'd carried for three years lightened his mood considerably.

Lu Mei smiled warmly and said, "We're family. What's there to thank for?"

The two opened their hearts to each other in conversation, set their goals, and felt a new urgency in their training. Those who needed to control their stars controlled their stars; those who needed to expand their nebulas expanded their nebulas.

Chapter 37: The Duel Begins

The second semester of senior year ended, and four short months passed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, the senior students of Tianlan High School in Bo City were nearing graduation. The melancholy and pain of youthful farewells filled the playgrounds and classrooms. Most magic students didn't qualify to take the academy entrance exams.

Next, they would enter society, becoming city demon hunters, patrol members, and the like. At most, by the time they were thirty, they might barely have accumulated enough seniority to reach Intermediate.

Their lack of talent was one thing, but having no backing from a powerful faction was the real problem. Those Prodigies from the academies—which one of them wasn't an Intermediate Mage by around twenty, even equipped with Spirit Seeds and the like?

Just look at the Lu siblings. Renting a Nebula Magic Tool casually, buying a Spirit Seed for tens of millions—with the nourishment of a Nebula Magic Tool and decent talent, they broke through in half a year.

If they had nothing, reaching Intermediate in middle age was normal.

In the classroom, many students were taking photos and writing in yearbooks. Those with sharper minds started networking, including Lu Jun, Mo Fan, and Zhang Xiaohou, who gathered together to chat about the future.

Lu Jun wore a trench coat. His features had matured, with sharp brows and bright eyes. Influenced by the softness of Water and the hardness of Metal, he had a gentle, refined look that wasn't without edge. His whole demeanor was steady. He listened to the two talking.

Just then, Zhang Xiaohou said worriedly, "Bro Fan, in a few days you're going to duel with Yu Ang of the Mu Clan. Are you sure it's okay? I heard he's been using a Stardust Magic Tool day and night and has reached Primary Level Three."

"Anyway, we've already graduated. How about you just cut and run?"

"Run?! There's no way I'm running. I'm going to make that bastard Mu Zhuoyun get on his knees and apologize." Mo Fan cursed loudly, then said spiritedly, "Don't worry. That Yu Ang is nothing. I'll handle him with one hand."

At this point in time, he had both his elements at Primary Level Three. With his experience hunting demons, a strong mentality was beginning to take shape.

On the other side, Zhao Kunsan, dressed flashily in a suit, moved through the crowd of classmates with a smug smile. He was secretly pleased with himself. He'd licked Mu Bai's boots for three years, and no one understood him. Now that graduation had come, they'd see how right his choice was.

While his classmates were still worrying about their future prospects, he had already been accepted into the Mu Clan. At worst, he could become a small boss in one of their companies.

So many classmates looked at Zhao Kunsan with envy and jealousy.

Suddenly, Zhao Kunsan's gaze shifted, landing on Mo Fan and the others. He deliberately raised his voice, "Oh, right, I almost forgot. Before graduation, we still have a big show to watch. Some guy thinks he's good enough to challenge a talented scion of the Mu Clan."

At his words, everyone burst into laughter. The contrast was too stark. Zhao Kunsan had licked Mu Bai's boots for so long and only got accepted after graduation, while Mo Fan could have directly gained the favor of Mu Zhuoyun, the patriarch of the Bo City Mu Clan, but chose the hardest path instead.

Some were jealous, some were mocking. In short, no one thought much of Mo Fan.

Mo Fan, as always, couldn't care less.

Finally, he was called out alone by the teacher. Seeing this, Lu Jun sighed inwardly. He guessed it was Principal Zhu about to start that conversation about opening the Earth Sacred Spring. That thing was originally a benefit specially opened for talented students of Tianlan, but it had gradually become the exclusive property of the children of noble families.

Now, with Mo Fan's first challenge, even though the principal didn't think much of his chances, he still encouraged him.

This showed how terrifying the Black Vatican was—they had multiple plans. If everything went smoothly, Yu Ang, secretly a Black Vatican Member, would easily obtain the Earth Sacred Spring. But who could have known they'd run into Mo Fan?

When school let out and the students dispersed, Lu Jun walked out and saw Mo Fan being pulled aside for a talk by a middle-aged, honest-looking man. Without a doubt, it was his father, Mo Jiaxing.

He was probably thinking of going to the Mu family to plead for mercy or something. Even though deep down he felt his son might not necessarily win, he still silently offered his support from behind. Truly a traditional and moving father.

Lu Jun sighed softly. High school was over. He picked up his communicator and said, "Get ready. The operation begins."

Several days later, at Mu Manor. The night was a dazzling blur of lights and wine. Luxury cars converged from all directions at the foot of the mountain, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. One major figure after another appeared, extravagant and high-profile.

Mu Zhuoyun placed great importance on this duel. He had widely summoned all the influential forces of Bo City—Zhan Kong from the military, Deng Kai from the Demon Hunting Alliance, Yang Zuohe from the Magic Association, and Principal Zhu from the Magic High School—all present in full force.

But only the rising young expert Lu Mei, Lin Yuxin who guarded the Earth Sacred Spring, and others declined the banquet. These people, however, held no real power and focused more on the magical domain, so it didn't matter.

Mo Fan, just like in the original story, wasn't afraid at all. He swaggered in alone to face the gathering, eating and drinking for free.

Zhan Kong, standing nearby, was speechless and had to worryingly remind him of one thing.

Deep within the Mu residence, Mu Ningxue was arguing with her father. For two years, she had been thinking about this matter with Mo Fan. As soon as summer break arrived, she came back to negotiate with her father, trying to call off the duel.

But it was still useless. Mu Zhuoyun sneered coldly, "Who told that little punk to curse me out in front of everyone? Isn't he supposed to have so much backbone and integrity? Today, I'm going to teach him that when you step out into the world, you need to know your background and your connections."

"Of course, with Zhan Kong and Principal Zhu protecting him, I'm just giving him a little lesson. I won't take his life."

With that, Mu Zhuoyun didn't look back and went out to greet the guests.

Mu Ningxue was left standing still, silent. She sighed. Before this, she had also gone to see Mo Fan alone. But as she had already known, that man was too proud deep in his bones. It was useless.

Soon, the duel between Mo Fan and Yu Ang began under the gaze of the crowd.

At the start of the duel, Mo Fan struck first. Using his skilled fire-type Primary Magic, he successively broke through his opponent's ice-type, gradually gaining the upper hand, and even forced out the Footwear Magic Tool and Shield Magic Tool.

To achieve this as a commoner was worthy of the title genius.