An Unexpected Opponent! (2nd update)

Everyone present was stunned—the radiance was simply too dazzling.

Compared to Bai Liang's Star Sensing Stone, Song Jie's light was worlds apart.

"Damn, how does this guy even cultivate?" someone exclaimed in awe.

Among their peers, they'd thought Bai Liang's strength was already outstanding, but compared to Song Jie, he fell far short.

"Not bad!"

Dean Xiao couldn't help but praise when he saw how strong Song Jie's golden light was.

The other professors also showed pleased expressions—someone like this, if he became a student at Pearl Academy, would definitely be a standout!

"The records say you still can't release Intermediate Level Magic?" Dean Xiao asked.

Song Jie withdrew his palm and nodded in response.

At those words, Bai Liang, sitting not far away, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Bro Bai, this guy's Nebula might be stronger than yours, but he can't release Intermediate Level Magic yet—you're still better than him!" the lackey immediately laughed.

Bai Liang nodded. That was true.

This way, his limelight could still outshine this guy!

Dean Xiao was a bit puzzled; he couldn't figure out why someone with such a strong Nebula still couldn't release magic, but he didn't press further.

"Go back and prepare for the second test," Dean Xiao said.

Song Jie nodded and returned to his seat.

At that point, those who had previously looked down on him all turned their gazes his way.

An Exam Teacher walked over and smiled, "The fact that you're still sitting here means you've passed the first test. Next is the second test."

"Your second test is a practical combat. You can choose to fight a teacher, or have a match between yourselves. The professors will then score you."

"If you pass, you'll become official students of Pearl Academy."

Everyone listened carefully, now understanding what they had to do.

"We actually have to fight?" a male student gasped. He knew nothing about combat.

Meanwhile, some were already itching to go. Compared to facing a teacher, they preferred to fight their peers.

There were eight people present, four of whom were Intermediate Mages, and the other four Novice Mages.

Novice Mages wouldn't seek a spar with an Intermediate Mage, so they had to quickly find opponents of the same level.

Song Jie watched as the others scrambled for opponents, sitting there unconcerned.

Because he was about to reveal magic skills that, at the Novice level, rivaled Intermediate!

Some of these people couldn't even release magic yet, so finding a teacher would better highlight themselves and earn the school's attention!

If his opponent went down in one or two moves, he'd lose his chance to shine.

Bai Liang, sitting in the front row, saw that everyone nearby had chosen their opponents, leaving only him and Song Jie.

He had no interest in anyone else, since he could already release Intermediate Level Magic.

But he was very interested in Song Jie—this guy had stolen first place in the first test from him!

Bai Liang turned his head and looked at Song Jie, asking, "You're Song Jie, right? We're the only two left without opponents. How about I be your opponent?"

"What element are you?"

"Lightning Element."

"Can you release Intermediate Level Magic?"

"I can, but I'm not very skilled yet—I often fail midway." Bai Liang said this just to get Song Jie to agree.

Hearing this, Song Jie fell silent for a moment, thinking. He was weighing whether to let this guy be his opponent.

Bai Liang's lackey seemed to catch on to something and said with ill intent, "If you agree to fight Brother Liang and win, this Shoe Magic Tool is yours."

With that, he took out a palm-sized Shoe Magic Tool and held it in his hand.

This Shoe Magic Tool wasn't his; his brother had asked him to pick it up.

But to curry favor with Bai Liang, he didn't hesitate to pull it out and bet it against Song Jie.

At the same time, he was convinced Song Jie couldn't beat Bai Liang.

After all, he had the profiles of everyone present, Song Jie included.

He also knew that Bai Liang could release magic smoothly, while Song Jie couldn't!

Intermediate Level Magic was nothing like Novice Magic, and on top of that, Bai Liang's magic was Lightning Element!!

Its killing power was terrifying!

Besides, he knew Song Jie's was Light Magic, which was basically useless in the early stages.

He felt a bit sorry for Song Jie, but since he wasn't the one getting bullied, what did it matter to him?

Song Jie saw the Shoe Magic Tool in the man's hand. From its appearance alone, it was definitely valuable!

"I can agree, but I need a witness." Song Jie spoke.

Since someone came to him offering a magic tool, he naturally intended to accept it.

"A witness?" The boy frowned, puzzled.

Then, Song Jie looked at the Exam Teacher beside him and said with a smile, "Teacher, you heard our conversation just now, right?"

"Huh?"

The Exam Teacher was taken aback.

"Let's leave this Shoe Magic Tool with the Exam Teacher for now. When the results come out, whoever wins gets it." Song Jie said.

He was afraid this guy might go back on his word later; if the other party refused to acknowledge the bet, there would be nothing he could do.

The boy smiled faintly, completely unconcerned, and said, "Then let's do it your way."

He handed the Shoe Magic Tool to the Exam Teacher, then glanced at Bai Liang.

"Liang-ge, my Shoe Magic Tool is in your hands."

Bai Liang nodded, but looked at Song Jie with confusion, a sudden unease stirring in his heart.

Dean Xiao seemed to notice the commotion and waved the Exam Teacher over.

"What are they doing?"

The Exam Teacher recounted the whole story.

One professor remarked, "Bai Liang is Lightning Element, Song Jie is Light Element. Them being opponents—isn't that a joke?"

For this match, they were certain Bai Liang, with his Lightning Element, would win!

Light Element beating Lightning Element?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Dean Xiao glanced at Song Jie's file. Under the talent column, four big words were written—Light Element Mutation!

"Maybe this little guy will surprise us." Dean Xiao smiled.

Light Element versus Lightning Element?

Unless someone had a screw loose, everyone knew it couldn't be won.

But he felt Song Jie wasn't a reckless person, so he guessed the other party must have some trick up his sleeve.

"Dean, you don't actually think he can win, do you?" said the Lightning Element college professor who didn't favor Song Jie.

The one he backed was Bai Liang, with his Lightning Element, since after entering Pearl Academy, he would definitely be a student of their Lightning Element college.

"Let's just watch for now." Dean Xiao smiled without voicing his opinion.

The others fell silent.

Soon, the magic competition officially began.

Because of the bet between Song Jie and Bai Liang, the two of them were placed last.

Those competing before them had magic elements like Lightning, Fire, and Plant.

Although their strength wasn't low, their actual combat was utterly unremarkable.

After watching a few rounds, Song Jie stopped paying attention and sat with his eyes closed, resting.

Bai Liang, sitting in front, cast a sidelong glance at Song Jie, then looked away.

He didn't know why, but the calmer Song Jie seemed, the more uneasy he felt.

"Liang-ge, I'm waiting for you to beat him into the ground." The Lackey said with a grin.