A dozen or so days later.
Jonathan had already entered the territory of the Dark Alliance. A few days later, he returned to Black Phoenix City.
On the first day after he returned to the Bred Mansion, all the major and minor forces in Black Phoenix City learned that Jonathan was back.
Hilton said, "Young master, you're finally back. Quite a few people have come looking for you while you were away."
"There was someone named Cross, some of your classmates, and the vice dean of Ulada Magic Academy. His Majesty the king also sent people to ask about you."
"Your classmates especially have come more than ten times. They've asked whether you've returned almost every week or two."
Jonathan felt a warm glow in his heart. "Send someone to Ulada Magic Academy to let my roommates know I'm back. Tell them I'll visit the academy in a few days."
"What about the others?"
"No need. They'll find out soon enough."
As soon as he returned, he noticed several people keeping watch near the mansion. They seemed to belong to different factions.
"Yes, young master. I'll give the orders at once."
Back in his room, Jonathan flopped down and fell asleep. He had pushed himself to travel as fast as he could and had barely slept. He was utterly exhausted.
It wasn't until early the next morning that he got up, stretching and yawning. After breakfast, he carried a bundle full of Magic Crystal Cores into the cultivation chamber.
He studied the array for extracting and converting the energy from Magic Crystal Cores. It was quite complicated, and there were still many unfinished parts.
However, after breaking through to Level Eight Mage, he could now understand some of the parts that had confused him before. Looking over the Magic Array again, he even knew how to complete it.
Breaking through to a new level had not only strengthened his soul and improved his mental power, but also greatly enhanced his comprehension.
A few days later, he had completed most of the Magic Array. It wasn't far from being finished.
That day.
December 20.
He set out for Ulada Magic Academy. First, he went to the dormitory to see his roommates and put their minds at ease.
When Collette saw him, he said, "You're finally back. You'd been gone two months, and we were starting to think something had happened to you."
"Exactly," Ford chimed in.
They didn't mention his failed trial at all.
Charles said, "My father has asked about you several times, too. He was worried about your safety."
"His Majesty is very thoughtful."
"By the way, now that you're back, are you going to take it easy for a while?"
After Collette asked, the others all turned to look at Jonathan.
Jonathan smiled faintly. "More or less. But I probably won't come back to the academy often. If you have time, you can visit me at the Bred Mansion."
"Why?" they asked in unison.
"Because I'm planning to graduate." Jonathan smiled.
"What?" Ford's voice shot up by several dozen decibels. He already had a booming voice, so it sounded even more ear-splitting now.
"Didn't you fail the trial? I remember the graduation trials are usually held within two months."
Jonathan gave them a mysterious smile. "That's not the only way to graduate, is it?"
Charles studied Jonathan for a moment. Though he thought it unlikely, he still asked, "Have you reached Level Seven Mage?"
Collette and Ford stared at him wide-eyed. "No way!"
Seeing how calm Jonathan was, they figured it was almost certainly true.
"As expected of the guy I picked to be my backer," Collette murmured, his voice tinged with sadness. "You're leveling up faster than an animal giving birth!"
"What kind of comparison is that? Couldn't you come up with a better one?"
Graduating meant Collette would be leaving Ulada Magic Academy for good. Unless something special came up, he might return once in a while, but only briefly. He wouldn't have a room here anymore.
He had enrolled at the age of nine and met the others. Now he was seventeen, almost eighteen.
Nearly nine whole years—the most carefree years of his life—had been spent at the academy.
Even though his soul wasn't that of a youth and he was already far more mature than his age suggested, spending time with them had still brought him plenty of joy.
It had made him feel young again.
When he enrolled, he had been a mere Level Three warrior, a magic prodigy who knew nothing about magic. Now, Jonathan had become a Level Eight Mage and a peak Level Seven warrior, achieving what some people could never accomplish in their entire lives.
As for his full combat strength, he was already comparable to a Level Nine powerhouse. If he caught an opponent off guard, killing one wouldn't be a problem.
If others knew, they would surely be envious and full of admiration. But to Jonathan, who had a clear goal, this was only the beginning—the starting point.
"Come on. Let's go witness our roommate's glorious moment. Even after he leaves, he'll still be our good brother. Besides, he won't be that far away. Like he said, we can visit whenever we have time."
After Collette finished speaking, Jonathan smiled faintly. "Once this is over, I'll treat you all to a feast. Pick anywhere in Black Phoenix City!"
"Heh, I can't wait to see the academy instructors' shocked faces when they hear the news."
"Most likely, you'll give all of Black Phoenix City—and maybe even the Dark Alliance—a fright!"
"Soon enough, the whole Yulan Continent might know your name. By the way, Charles, you're pretty well-read. Where would Jonathan's rate of advancement rank in history?"
"I've never heard of a mage this freakishly talented."
Charles said, "As far as I know, the first-ranked person in Yulan Continent's history was a Saint-level Magus from more than eight thousand years ago. He became a Level Seven Mage at sixteen. As for the second-ranked, he reached Level Seven Mage at eighteen."
"Damn, second in history!"
Collette exclaimed, and Ford was too shocked to speak.
They knew Jonathan's rate of advancement was fast, but Charles's explanation had given them a true understanding of just how astonishing it was.
Second in history!
Across the whole continent, no less.
"Come on, let's go shock the academy instructors!"
They found the sixth-year Dark Element instructor. When he saw Jonathan, he was startled, too. "Jonathan, when did you get back?"
"I just got back."
The Dark Element instructor reassured him. "Don't be discouraged. It's all right that you failed this time. With your talent, if you train for a while longer, you'll pass next time."
"Teacher Brown, I'm here to apply for graduation."
Brown furrowed his brows. "Don't you know the academy's rules? If you fail a trial, you can't apply again for a year. It's for the students' own good."
"I know. I'm applying because I've reached Level Seven Mage. I don't think there's any point in staying at the academy."
"What? Level Seven Mage?!"
"How is that possible!"
"Didn't you only become a Level Six Mage last year?!"
"From Level Six to Level Seven in a year and a half?"
Jonathan said, "Teacher Brown, why not arrange a test and see for yourself whether I've advanced?"
Brown was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "Wait for me at Academy Square. I'll find someone to test you."
He spoke as he ran, and was gone in the blink of an eye.
A dual-element mage of seventeen—if it was true, it would be earth-shattering news!
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