Training Trial

Lu Mei explained, "It's an alloy forged with Vibranium as the main component and other metals mixed in. Its performance is outstanding in every aspect. It can withstand the power of a [Commander-level] Demon Beast without breaking, and even a High-Order Mage can't damage it in the slightest."

Demon Beasts were humanity's greatest enemies. From the lowest Servant-level, to General-level, Commander-level, Monarch Level, and Emperor-level, they corresponded respectively to the five major human magic realms, such as Elementary, Intermediate, and High-Order.

Normally, a Demon Beast had a powerful physique in addition to demonic abilities, and its combat power was equal to that of seven or eight Mages. Even the Servant-level was like this, and so was the Monarch Level. Demon Beasts were vastly stronger than humans of the same rank.

Only a tiny number of powerful humans could single-handedly contend with Demon Beasts of the corresponding rank. They were generally prodigies with fully equipped cultivation, Magic Tools, Innate Talents, and Spirit Seeds.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This must require Super Rank Fire Element magic to melt, right? We've struck it rich."

Lu Jun realized what an enormous bargain it was to buy this alloy for a million.

"Try it quickly." Lu Mei was eager and urged him, "I haven't seen what the new Magic System's skills are like yet. If its power is strong, I might awaken it in the future."

Hearing this, Lu Jun admired his sister's broad-mindedness. She was incredibly confident in creating a new system for herself.

"Elementary Level One, [Artifact Forging · Edge Sharpening]!"

Lu Jun controlled the stars and released an Elementary Metal Element spell. A platinum-colored Star Track swept across the air like a sharp flying sword.

Moreover, the streak of white light did not dissipate. It transformed into a phantom that hovered in midair, containing seven connected stars.

He picked up the heavy Vibranium Heavy Sword and controlled the white streak with his thoughts, sending it downward. A sizzling sound rang out. Although the pitch-black alloy was hard and indestructible, under the effects of the magic, it still became like a heated iron, leaving behind glowing red patterns.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

Lu Jun gripped the Heavy Sword with both hands. Platinum Glow spread across his hands and brushed over every inch of the sword, as if granting it a certain spirituality.

Before long, his face paled slightly. The Metal Nebula in his mind dimmed, and his magic energy was exhausted.

Clang!

The Vibranium Heavy Sword trembled and rang. It glowed with dark light, as if reborn. Golden patterns intertwined across its surface, containing a kind of magic—majestic, solemn, and sacred.

"Success! It's transformed into Demon Slaying Gear." Lu Jun was overjoyed. He sensed that the Heavy Sword in his hand could be stored in his Metal Nebula at any time and nurtured there.

That was the characteristic of Magic Tools. After being branded, they could be stored in the Spiritual World and turned into a mark. Once infused with magic energy, they could manifest in reality again. It was incredibly wondrous.

The Spiritual World had something of an independent space to it.

The Metal Element, meanwhile, could only possess one exclusive Magic Tool, similar to a bonded treasure. From then on, it would accompany its owner for life.

At that moment, the newly forged Vibranium Heavy Sword had golden patterns when inactive. Once it entered combat, they would shine with platinum light, granting it powerful killing ability.

Lu Mei was astonished. She had not expected a Magic Tool to truly be forged directly. Among Elementary-level equipment, it was absolutely top-tier. Its hardness was even greater than that of many Soul level Magic Tools.

Its value had instantly multiplied several times. They had already earned back their investment.

She herself only had a Shield Magic Tool worth a little over a hundred thousand, which could at most withstand the full-force blow of a middle-to-upper-tier Servant-level Demon Beast.

Lu Jun savored the feeling for a moment and smiled. After the Vibranium Heavy Sword had been sharpened by the Metal Element, its hardness had risen another level, and it had developed the additional effect [Fortified]. It could withstand the power of an advancing Commander-level without breaking. Reaching Immortal and Undying was now just a matter of time.

That was because after he advanced to Intermediate Level, High-Order, and Super Rank, he could gradually integrate various metals to strengthen it and even add multiple effects.

"Isn't this just like Mo Fan's future Rock Element Innate Devouring Seed? It's simply replacing the Spirit Seed with minerals. I suppose that counts as a unique feature of the Metal Element, and everyone has the potential to forge one."

Lu Jun noticed a blind spot. The so-called [Devouring Seed] was actually a special Spirit Seed. Ordinary Spirit Seeds and Soul Seeds only possessed special effects—additional effects—when they were exceptionally excellent. For example, the Water Element naturally had Healing Ability, while the Plant Element naturally had toxicity.

However, whenever one replaced the Spirit Seed, those effects would all be replaced by the new Soul Seed. The Devouring Seed, on the other hand, was a special Spirit Seed capable of retaining all additional effects as one.

If someone's Innate Talent was a Devouring Seed's additional effect, then after advancing to the High-Order and obtaining a Spirit Seed and Soul Seed, a single skill could produce three layers of effects, making them far stronger than ordinary Mages.

The Vibranium Heavy Sword was certainly hard, but hardness alone did not determine its killing power. Even the sturdiest blade was useless if its edge was poor. It would only be a club.

What determined the Heavy Sword's power was magic. The Metal Element's Elementary spells were Artifact Forging · Edge Sharpening at Level One, Size Change at Level Two, and Golden Radiance at Level Three.

"Come on, let's test the magic's power. Don't let yourself become a huge sucker."

In the courtyard, Lu Mei moved over a ten-centimeter-thick steel plate and urged him on curiously.

Buzz!

Seeing this, Lu Jun raised the Vibranium Heavy Sword high with both hands and poured in magic energy. Its platinum patterns shone brilliantly as it crashed downward. The metallic clang of a head-on collision that he had imagined did not occur.

Instead, it seemed to sink into mud. Although there was some resistance, a little extra force was enough to cut through it smoothly. With a bang, the black sword cleaved through the thick steel, its tip sinking into the courtyard's soil as the two halves of the iron plate flew apart.

Cutting Iron Like Mud!

Lu Jun sucked in a breath of cold air. At the same time, the already dim Metal Nebula completely went out, his magic energy was depleted, and the Vibranium Heavy Sword in his hand transformed into a streak of platinum light that sank into his body.

A sword mark floated within the Platinum Nebula, nourished by the Warm Spring radiating from the White Tiger Pendant.

"A ten-centimeter steel plate." Lu Mei picked up the two pieces of iron and examined their incredibly smooth cross-sections. She said strangely, "A Servant-level Demon Beast has a hard carapace, but it shouldn't be harder than steel, right?"

This killing power was terrifying.

An Elementary Thunder Fire Mage might still need to release three or four skills under layers of protection from their teammates to kill a weaker Servant-level Demon Beast, whereas the Metal Element had a chance to kill one with a single strike.

However, Lu Mei was ultimately a member of the Monster Hunting Squad. After dealing with more than forty Demon Beasts over two years, she was highly experienced and immediately saw the Metal Element's flaw. Frowning, she said, "It can only fight at close range? This system won't do. That's a huge problem."

Mages were too frail. Even at Super Rank, they could die in agony if a small Servant-level Demon Beast got close. Close-quarters combat was extremely rare, let alone at the Elementary level.

Lu Jun understood this well. At the Elementary level, fifty meters was the line between life and death. A Servant-level Demon Beast could cover that distance in roughly two or three seconds, which was also the time an experienced Elementary Mage needed to release a spell. The distance was just beyond fifty meters.

Two skills would be enough to hold it back.

The Lightning Fire Element might not match Artifact Forging · Edge Sharpening in killing power alone, but its range was much greater.

"No, this system is probably useless." Lu Mei sighed. "Wielding a sword in close combat is like a child playing with a blade, dancing on the edge of death. The margin for error is far too small."

Lu Jun was also deep in thought. Did he have the courage to raise a sword and fight vicious Demon Beasts?

Servant-level Demon Beasts were even more ferocious than tigers and leopards. He had grown up in a peaceful era and was frightened even when he saw an Evil Dog. It was fine to cast magic from far away, but close-range bloodshed would be far too difficult.

However, Lu Jun thought of the disasters that would come in the future, and his gaze hardened. He could slowly adapt. Hadn't Mo Fan also started with the relatively safe City Demon Hunting Squad, then moved into the wilderness, and only after disaster after disaster had tempered himself into an unparalleled figure?

He could also start with small steps and grow gradually.

"No!" Lu Jun said firmly. "I want to practice the Metal Element. I want to join the City Demon Hunting Squad and temper myself."

This winter vacation was an excellent opportunity to improve.

Chapter 8: Training Trial

Lu Mei flatly refused. "The City Demon Hunting Squad is out of the question. You're still too young. Hunting Demon Beasts isn't child's play—it's war. And using the Metal Element won't work either. It's too dangerous."

Demon Beasts ran rampant throughout the Magic World, naturally giving rise to operations such as demon hunting. A city generally had about five violent organizations that wielded magic to protect it.

The strongest was the [Magic Association], followed by the city lord, councilors, and other [Political Faction] members; the Military Governor and soldiers of the [military]; the [Great Noble Families]; and finally the [Hunter's Alliance]. In other words, they were mercenaries, dominated by the strength of civilian Mages.

The City Demon Hunting Squad was half civilian and half official. It registered with the Hunter's Alliance and was hired by the government. It operated within the city and was relatively safe, dealing with Demon Beasts that accidentally entered the city. It was practically half a city management bureau.

Most graduates of magic high schools first accumulated experience there before leaving the city's Safe Zone to face Demon Beasts directly.

Hearing this, Lu Jun was helpless. Sometimes his sister protected him too much. Of course, at sixteen years old and still a first-year high school student, no normal adult would let him go demon hunting.

Even the Field Training organized by schools would not take place until the winter vacation of their second year, a year later. Mo Fan had also waited until the summer vacation just before his third year to intern with the City Demon Hunting Squad, and had even disguised himself to look older.

His success had not been without reason. He was an obsessive prodigy who secretly studied during summer and winter vacations.

Lu Jun was no worse, though. He had started his grind a year and a half ahead of time.

He decided to persuade his sister first. "You've seen the Metal Element's power. We can't refuse to eat for fear of choking. No magic system is invincible. If it has strengths, we have to accept its weaknesses."

"Besides, there are four subsequent Metal Element spells. There may not be no way to solve the problem. Its prospects are even broader, and its power will soar after various metals are integrated."

"In the future, I'll have to face Demon Beasts sooner or later."

Lu Mei pursed her lips and reluctantly softened her stance.

Seeing this, Lu Jun pressed his advantage. "My other system is the Water Element. As long as Water Shield blocks one attack from a Demon Beast, my Metal Element can solve the problem."

"Right." He suddenly remembered something and said with a flash of inspiration, "Aren't you a Wind Element Mage, Sis? Give me Wind Track to increase my speed. That'll be double protection."

Only then did Lu Mei helplessly agree. "Very well. With me watching over you, your chances of surviving will at least be a little higher."

Lu Jun asked curiously, "You broke through to the Intermediate Level six months ago. Have you mastered the Intermediate Wind Element spell [Wind Disk]? What did you awaken as your second system?"

"I mastered it long ago. Forty-nine stars were a piece of cake."

His sister snorted softly. "I awakened the Rock Element as my second system. I wasn't satisfied before, but now it seems that it can save your life countless times."

The Rock Element's Elementary Ground Wave was both a movement skill and a control skill. When raised to Level Three, it formed a Swamp Collapse capable of trapping Demon Beasts.

"Sis, you're invincible." Lu Jun obediently flattered her, then asked in confusion, "At the Intermediate Level, you can already awaken some rare systems. Why did you still choose an elemental system?"

"You think I didn't want to?" Lu Mei's eyes were filled with resentment. "Awakening costs a hundred thousand, not to mention the exclusive Guiding Stone. You spent a million, so I could only save some money."

After saying this, Lu Jun felt awkward and somewhat guilty.

"Forget it. The Earth Element is pretty good too. At least you can become noticeably stronger by spending money."

Lu Mei casually changed the subject. "By the way, if you want to join the City Demon Hunting Squad, you'll have to pass my test first."

"Huh? What test?"

"Come with me."

Before long, the two arrived at a forest in a park. It was a broad, four-hundred-meter area, yet trees stood scattered throughout it.

His sister wore a white dress. Tall and voluptuous, with stunning features, she attracted the gazes of countless passersby. At that moment, she was expressionless and icy.

Lu Jun stood beside her with a bitter look on his face.

Lu Mei said solemnly, "If you can calmly dodge the trees in the dense forest while boosted by the movement speed of Level Three Wind Track · Drifting Shadow, without suffering the slightest injury, and still strike the target leaves, I'll let you join the City Demon Hunting Squad and permit you to use the Metal Element for close-quarters combat."

Her aura suddenly changed. She extended a fair hand, cyan light shone in her eyes, and a Star Track swept across the air. Her dress fluttered, outlining her perfect figure. She resembled a proud, aloof snow lotus atop a snowy mountain.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

A strange gust swept through the park. The trees rustled violently. A girl by the roadside shyly covered the hem of her skirt as it suddenly flew up, while the newspaper on the face of an old man dozing in a chair was blown away, and he groped about wildly for it.

Dust and fallen leaves covering the ground rose into the air. At that moment, everything moved.

"Wind Track · Swiftness!"

His sister called out sharply, deliberately holding back and using only Level One Wind Track.

As her voice fell, all the leaves and dust flying through the park instantly shifted along a certain designated path.

A strange air current track appeared through the forest. Overlapping red leaves spun across it, forming what looked like a blood-red passage.

The track began where Lu Jun stood and extended to the end of the dense forest. The trees along the route could barely withstand it. They were blown askew by the gale, while fallen leaves scattered everywhere.

Lu Jun immediately sensed a powerful wind pushing against his back. His body felt incredibly light, as if he could escape with a single thought.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

His body blurred, and he suddenly charged toward the red maple-leaf track of wind like lightning, his speed soaring to its limit.

It was Lu Jun's first experience with magic. His vision blurred completely, and he was moving too fast to see anything. Before he could react, darkness filled his vision—a tree obstructing the track.

By the time he realized it was a tree, his body had no time to react. He slammed straight into it.

Bang!

The tree trembled, and a thunderous sound rang out. Lu Jun cried out as blood burst from his forehead, and he collapsed to the ground, his head spinning.

Lu Mei stopped the magic. Before she could walk over, the uncles, aunties, children, and elderly people around the park were already shocked and discussing it animatedly.

"Holy crap, a Mage!"

"Is that Wind Element's Wind Track? So cool!"

"Aaah! A powerful older sister is the most charming!"

Lu Mei ignored them and hurried to her brother. Seeing his miserable state, she was heartbroken, but not a trace of it appeared on the surface. Instead, she said sternly:

"Did you see that? If it hadn't been a tree on the Wind Track but a Demon Beast, you'd already be dead! And you still want to fight at close range?"

Lu Jun vaguely heard his sister scolding him. Fortunately, after receiving elemental nourishment, an Elementary Mage's body was no weaker than an ordinary athlete's, and he soon regained consciousness.

Hearing this, he fell silent for a while. Other Mages hardly needed to undergo this kind of training, because their Wind Track was used to evade and pull away. The Wind Element Mage planned the route in advance, so they would not collide with obstacles.

Only a small number of powerful people trained this way. That was something for the Intermediate and High-Order levels.

But he was different. He had to charge at Demon Beasts and attack them in close combat. He had to master it skillfully, without the slightest error. One mistake would cost him his life!

Lu Jun suddenly remembered a saying: "Precision is the difference between slaughtering livestock and killing."

Using the Metal Element meant accepting its weaknesses.

He stood up and said, "Again!"

Lu Mei smiled, but said, "This is only the beginning. I'll require you to tread the Wind Track, cast Water Shield, and swing your sword at the same time, until you turn it into muscle memory."