Guard Against Fire, Guard Against Theft, Guard Against Blondes

Thanks to Zhan Kong's Wind Track · Floating Shadow, the textbook he got was pretty beat up, but at least it wasn't missing any pages, so it was still usable.

"You've already learned the most basic magic knowledge in elementary and middle school, so I won't go over it all again here. Now, please turn to page one. Today's lesson is: Releasing Magic!"

Xue Mu Sheng wrote the topic on the blackboard:

"After thousands of years of summarization, humanity's sages have developed a release formula, divided into three steps:

First, Meditation.

Second, Control.

Third, Release!

Meditation is easy to understand—just empty your mind and body in an undisturbed environment. An awakened mage will see Magic Stardust in their Spiritual World. Everyone, give it a try."

Xu Fang closed his eyes and tried to enter a meditative state.

When he read novels, these were just terms glossed over in a few lines.

But when it was his turn, it wasn't so simple... Hey?

Xu Fang stared at a patch of stardust before him. He was already in?

The golden stardust in the pitch-black Spiritual World looked like a speck of dust in the universe—tiny, yet beautiful and captivating.

Inside the stardust were seven star seeds, darting around the Spiritual World in chaotic, random motion.

By connecting these seven star seeds in a specific order to form a "Star Trail," he could release a Primary Magic.

At the Intermediate Mage level, the stardust would become a nebula, containing seven squared, or forty-nine star seeds. Seven Star Trails combined into a "Star Ring" would allow mastery of Intermediate Magic.

Advanced Magic followed the same logic, with seven cubed. At that level, some exceptionally talented mages could develop their own combinations based on their needs, releasing skills better suited to them.

Of course, a mage's arsenal went far beyond that.

Mages with a bit more money often took the pay-to-win path, whether through magic tools with built-in skills or elemental seeds and soul seeds that massively boosted attribute power, letting them dominate their peers.

Xu Fang noticed that around these Golden Star Seeds was a ring of crimson Star Rings, complementing the golden core.

This must be his innate talent. As for how useful it was in combat, he'd have to wait until he actually released magic to find out.

It should at least be better than Single Element Dual System, right!

For any awakened magic student, as long as they could make the stardust appear in the void and see the lively, glowing star seeds inside it like children, they'd completed the meditation step.

After watching for a while, Xu Fang began trying to touch the star seeds with his mind.

Closer.

A little closer.

I'll touch... Damn!

Xu Fang's mind went blank, like he'd been suddenly hit by a blinding light. He struggled to hold on, and it took several seconds before he recovered.

The first star seed had been forcibly pressed into its designated spot, struggling fiercely but unable to budge an inch.

As for the second one, no matter how hard Xu Fang tried, he couldn't control it.

"Alright, students, wake up."

Xue Mu Sheng clapped his hands, pulling the students' attention back. "Releasing magic isn't something you can accomplish overnight. Without an Awakening Stone to guide you, seeing the stardust within a week is already impressive."

Mu Bai said, "Teacher, I can see it right now."

The classroom erupted in amazement. Mu Bai had pulled off a great flex, feeling pleased as he lifted his chin like a proud goose.

Xue Mu Sheng smiled. "As expected of someone from the Mu family, truly gifted. Everyone should learn from Mu Bai."

Mo Fan curled his lip. That Green Tea Man was showing off for no reason.

I, the great Mo Fan, saw it too, and I even genius-level controlled the star seeds with my mind. Sure, that little rascal got away, but isn't that ten times cooler than you?

Am I bragging about it?

Xu Fang, sitting in the back row, watched both of their performances and smirked. Both of them were amateurs.

The day passed quickly. In the magic dimension, unlike the tech dimension, high school students didn't have evening study sessions until ten o'clock.

Before five, the teacher dismissed class, telling the students to pack up and go home to meditate on their own.

"I'm telling you, meditation is for your own benefit—the teacher doesn't get a single star seed out of it. Work hard at it, aim to become an Intermediate Mage. Think it over yourselves. Class dismissed!"

Xu Fang was packing up to leave when Mo Fan walked over and stood in front of his desk.

"Huang... Xu Fang."

"Spit it out."

"About the house thing, thanks."

Xu Fang looked up in surprise. "Uncle Mo told you?"

That shouldn't be right. From what Xu Fang knew of Mo Jiaxing, he cared a lot about Mo Fan's pride and always acted like the all-capable dad. How could he have told Mo Fan about this?

"Yesterday, we went to a food stall to celebrate the awakening, and he let it slip after a few drinks." Mo Fan said seriously, "Xu Fang, I owe you one for this. I'll pay it back someday."

Xu Fang rubbed his arms, looking constipated. "Brother Fan, you okay? You okay? Saying something so cheesy without any shame? I've got goosebumps over here."

Mo Fan was already embarrassed, and being called out like that made him lose it completely. He cursed, "Damn blondie, can't tell good from bad. Pretend I never said that! If you ever come crying to me for help after getting your ass kicked, I'll write my name backwards! Monkey, let's go!"

He stormed off first. Zhang Xiaohou tried to smooth things over. "Fang Ge, don't overthink it. Brother Fan didn't mean anything by it."

"No need to explain, I get it." Xu Fang waved a hand. "That's just how he is. Been the same since we were kids."

Mo Fan's face was Schrödinger's face. In front of Mu Ningxue and Ye Xin Xia, it was thicker than Bocheng's city walls—he'd grovel, act shameless, beg for affection in one move after another. When scrounging resources from big shots, he never blushed either.

But with anyone else, Mo Fan would rather die than lose face. Especially with Xu Fang and Mu Bai—saying a single concession hurt worse than death.

This time, Mo Fan appreciated the favor in his heart. They both knew it without needing to say it out loud every day. He'd pay it back when the chance came.

That evening, Xu Fang carried a case of booze and took a cab to Mo Jiaxing's new place.

Before his transmigration, Xu Fang's hometown had a tradition called "warming the pot," also known as "warming the house"—a visit to congratulate someone on moving into a new home, carrying the meaning of "many hands make light work."

The Mo household was bustling, everyone busy tidying up. In the modest living room were Mo Jiaxing, Mo Fan, Zhang Xiaohou, and Ye Xin Xia.

Bocheng clearly had no such custom. The four of them looked surprised to see Xu Fang at the door.

"Three meals a day, warm pot and hot stove." Xu Fang offered his blessing, then looked around the house.

He had to admit, the Mo family was really capable. In just one day, they'd already gotten everything in order.

His gaze paused on the pure, beautiful girl in the wheelchair. Before he could look any longer, Mo Fan stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

"Seriously? So stingy? It's not like I haven't seen her before when we were kids." Xu Fang laughed.

"Guard against fire, theft, and blondies." Mo Fan didn't budge.

Xu Fang rolled his eyes. He wasn't about to argue with a sis-con. He'd only looked at Ye Xin Xia because she was easy on the eyes. Actually marrying her? No way. That tangled mess of a background alone would be enough trouble.

Besides, one was a bro-con and the other a sis-con, sweet on each other, more childhood sweethearts than childhood sweethearts. If he made a move, wouldn't that just prove the blondie label?

I, Xu, am not that kind of person!

Ye Xin Xia watched the two of them bickering, said nothing, and just smiled quietly to herself.

As evening fell, Mo Jiaxing warmly invited Xu Fang to stay for dinner, and Xu Fang didn't refuse.

The newly arrived booze was opened. The four men each filled a glass. Before they'd even gone three rounds, Mo Jiaxing and Zhang Xiaohou had their heads on the table. Mo Fan was slurring his words too.

Xu Fang leisurely picked at peanuts with his chopsticks, one by one, shaking his head in disdain. "With that kind of tolerance, you might as well sit at the kids' table."

"Blondie!" Mo Fan slapped Xu Fang on the shoulder. "Sure, we used to fight all the time, but I, Mo Fan, recognize you as a real man. Way better than that green tea bastard Mu Bai!

From now on, I, Big Mo Fan, have your back. I'll open up with lightning on the left and fire on the right, and you just follow behind and loot the leftovers."

"Don't need you. I'll handle it myself." Xu Fang shoved his hand away. "I'm planning to go to the Ancient Capital to kill undead. When I get back, I'll show you why the flowers bloom so red."

"Get lost!"

Mo Fan chuckled, finally unable to hold on. He thumped face-first onto the table, and soon, loud snores filled the room.