"Brother Xu Fang, are you going to the Ancient Capital?"
After carrying Mo Fan and the others back to bed, Xu Fang was just about to leave when Ye Xin Xia asked softly from her wheelchair.
"Yeah. I'm transferring there in my second year of high school."
With Mo Fan out of the picture, Xu Fang became more serious and kept a respectful distance from Ye Xin Xia.
"But I heard the Ancient Capital is dangerous. There are ancient tombs everywhere underground, and the undead even crawl out at night while you're sleeping." Ye Xin Xia sounded worried.
"What are you talking about? It's not that bad." Xu Fang laughed. "The Ancient Capital is one of the top five fortresses in our country. It's perfectly safe inside the Safety Zone."
In Full-time Mage, all the major cities were protected by a treasure called the Heart of the Earth. It could help a Super Level Mage advance to Forbidden Mage status, making it a truly priceless treasure.
In China, though, the Heart of the Earth was primarily used to build cities. Within its barrier, no Demon Beasts or undead could escape. Things like Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats living in Bocheng's sewers, requiring the City Demon Hunting Squad to clear them out, simply didn't happen in the Ancient Capital.
That was also why there were so few Forbidden Mages in China in the early stages.
Later, when the Sea Monsters invaded and more and more cities fell, the Hearts of the Earth would be reclaimed and used to create Forbidden Mages in the hope of taking back lost territory.
Ye Xin Xia nodded lightly and didn't say anything more. Just then, Mo Fan, lying on the bed, murmured unconsciously, "Xin Xia, Xin Xia..."
"Sorry you had to see that, Brother Xu Fang." Ye Xin Xia looked a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushing pink. The sight made Xu Fang's stomach twist.
Damn, that was so sweet! I'm so jealous!
Ye Xin Xia wheeled herself over to Mo Fan and picked up a glass of water, her expression gentle.
"Hehe, Xue Xue, give me a kiss~ Xin Xia, don't go either. You're both my wings. Mwah~" The mood shifted in an instant. Mo Fan threw an arm around Zhang Xiaohou and went straight for his face, gnawing on him like a rib while letting out lovesick giggles now and then.
Mo Fan's hair tickled Zhang Xiaohou, who frowned and mumbled. It was too painful to watch.
Ye Xin Xia: "..."
Her expression froze, and she drew back the hand holding the glass.
"Brother Xu Fang, you should head home. I won't see you out... Remember to send me a copy of the video."
"Okay." Xu Fang pocketed his phone and gave Mo Fan a sympathetic look. What a good kid. How had he ended up with such a huge "danger" sign over his head?
......
The oppressive summer passed in the blink of an eye. As the first fallen leaf spiraled to the ground, autumn arrived.
The sun blazed overhead on the rooftop of Xu Fang's home. A young man lay on a rocking chair with his eyes closed, apparently asleep.
Two months had passed since his awakening.
For those two months, Xu Fang had focused on just one thing: meditation and controlling Star Seeds!
The first Star Seed had been fairly obedient, but the rest were wilder than the last. They wouldn't yield to kindness or force. He'd barely subdued one before the previous one started acting up again.
If he remembered correctly, the original story described Star Seeds as "mischievous children." But as Xu Fang watched them spinning all over the Stardust... Were these damn things supposed to be children?
Every time he tried to control them, they struggled like pigs about to be butchered. It took all his strength. Anyone else probably wouldn't have managed to subdue even the first Star Seed.
"The fifth."
Waking from his meditation, Xu Fang rubbed his temples to ease his mental fatigue. The Stardust Magic Tool on his hand had also dimmed.
"Not bad. I'm a month ahead of Mo Fan." Xu Fang quietly did the math. The final two Star Seeds were the hardest to subdue.
Xu Fang had given himself two months. Within that time, he'd make those two little brats cry and beg to be conquered!
Time passed quickly, as brief as a flash of pale skin between stockings and a skirt.
Winter came.
It had to be said: Bocheng was damn cold without central heating. Everyone walking down the street was bundled up in down jackets, hoping to fend off a magical attack with physical means.
"Blondie, aren't you cold dressed like that?"
Mo Fan sniffled as he watched Xu Fang walk into the classroom in a long coat.
"No." Xu Fang was succinct. He took off his coat and hung it on his chair, then grinned. "What's the matter, scrawny?"
"Go to hell! I'm burning up!" Mo Fan cursed, feeling thoroughly aggrieved. If I hadn't claimed the Lightning Element princess first, there's no way this blondie would be showing off in front of me.
Come to think of it, could the Light Element keep you warm? I've never heard of that...
Xu Fang really wasn't cold. His combination Star Seeds were fiery, but they also carried the traits of both elements, keeping his whole body warm like a portable heater.
The students sitting near Xu Fang unconsciously edged closer to him in the freezing weather.
The first lesson today was Demon Beast studies, taught by Zhang Jian Guo, the Head Teacher of the neighboring class.
As usual, Zhang Jian Guo started by bragging about his star pupil, Xu Zhao Ting, then moved on to scolding the other students for slacking off.
Mo Fan, for example.
On paper, the kid was a Fire Element Mage. But a whole semester had gone by, and he still hadn't controlled a single Fire Element Star Seed. A disgrace to the Fire Element, and a textbook example of wasted talent.
As for Xu Fang, Zhang Jian Guo never dared say a word against him. Everyone at school knew you didn't mess with that kid. If there was a building, he really would jump off it!
"Alright, everyone, open your textbooks. Yesterday we studied where Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats live. Today, we'll cover the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf. If we ever venture into the wilderness and encounter one, what should we do?
"The One-Eyed Demonic Wolf's habitat is very close to Bocheng. They roam all over the place and are extremely aggressive toward humans. Until you're skilled at Release Magic, you must never approach their territory. To them, weak humans are just a meal."
Zhang Jian Guo lectured with great enthusiasm, but the students below looked bored.
Sixteen was the age for charging headlong into everything. Who wanted to be described as a meal?
"Pay attention! Look at the blackboard!"
Zhang Jian Guo smacked the desk twice and said with heartfelt exasperation, "Look at the state of you! Do you even care about your final exams? About getting into college? Mo Fan! I'm talking about you. If you want to sleep, go home and do it. What am I supposed to do with you? Why not learn from our Xu Zhao Ting? He's already practicing how to control his third Star Seed. He has a bright future ahead of him!"
Mo Fan let the words go in one ear and out the other. The third Star Seed?
I, Mo Fan, already have five Star Seeds. Soon I'll be able to Release Magic with Thunder Seal. Then Xu Zhao Ting, Mu Bai, and Xu... Never mind that last one. They'll all be licking my boots!
He glanced toward Xu Fang and saw that he was asleep too.
Damn, was Old Zhang playing favorites? So what if he could jump off a building!
Xu Fang really was asleep. He'd spent the entire night meditating.
After months of experimenting, Xu Fang had discovered that he could control Star Seeds much more efficiently in bright sunlight. So he generally saved his precious practice time for the daytime.
He had already controlled six Star Seeds, and he had a strong feeling that by noon today, he'd have the seventh eating out of his uniform pants.
He slept until the lunch break, then went to ask Xue Mu Sheng for the afternoon off.
"Is something going on at home?" Xue Mu Sheng asked kindly.
"No. I'm in a bad mood and want to go for a walk." Xu Fang sounded a little dismissive, but Xue Mu Sheng didn't take offense. He patiently advised him, "Xu Fang, life is a long road. A temporary setback is nothing. Look at me. I'm a Light Element Mage too, and I'm doing just fine, aren't I?"
"Teacher, I understand."
"I don't think you do. How about this? I don't have classes this afternoon either. Want me to go for a walk with you?"
"...Teacher, you should get some rest."
Xu Fang could guess what his Head Teacher had imagined without even trying, so he hurried off and rode his bike to the eastern outskirts of Bocheng.
It had once been a lively village, but not long ago, a granny who'd been dancing in the square was snatched away by a One-Eyed Demonic Wolf. The locals fled overnight in terror, and refused to return even after the City Demon Hunting Squad had cleared the area.
Not a soul in sight. Perfect for a test run.
Xu Fang put on the Stardust Magic Tool Zhan Kong had given him, closed his eyes, and focused on the Star Seeds in his Spiritual World.
The first, the second... the sixth.
He had already mastered control of the first six Star Seeds. Now, he focused all his attention and used his Spiritual Power to control the seventh, trying to pull it into place.
The seventh Star Seed raced through the Stardust at high speed. It only stopped reluctantly when it sensed Xu Fang's call, then inched toward the Star Track.
Almost there!
Just a little more!
Xu Fang's breathing quickened. He'd worked for months for this moment!
At last, under his eager gaze, the final Star Seed came to a stop and lined up with the other six.
"Alright! Yes! I did it!" Xu Fang was ecstatic.
A captivating golden glow shone within the Stardust. Starting from the first Star Seed, magical energy surged through the entire Star Track.
Outside, a Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat out foraging spotted Xu Fang, and its huge eyes lit up.
The people had moved away, and the Demon Beasts had run out of food for the winter. Otherwise, a Demon Beast like the Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat, which lived in sewers and graveyards, wouldn't have come out to eat in broad daylight.
The Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat licked its lips with its scarlet tongue and let out a short squeal before charging at Xu Fang.
Just then, Xu Fang opened his eyes!
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