Successive Visits

Jonathan and his companions waited in the square for a while.

Before long, Brown, the vice-principal, the principal, and a crowd of instructors and students who had heard that Jonathan was applying for graduation—and as a level seven mage at that—began to flock toward the area.

The crowd of onlookers continued to grow.

The principal stroked his beard and looked at Jonathan, "Have you truly reached the level of a level seven mage?"

"I would not dare to deceive the principal. Yes, I encountered a stroke of fortune in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, which is why I was delayed in returning from my trial."

"Haha, no matter, the delay was well worth it!" the principal said. "Since you claim to have reached level seven, we believe you. There is no need for a test; just cast a level seven Earth Magic or Dark Magic spell."

Everyone looked on with anticipation, eager to witness a historic moment.

Jonathan smiled slightly, stepped forward, and quickly gathered the surrounding elemental energy. After a dozen seconds, a yellow glow flashed around his body, and a suit of armor crafted from jade suddenly encased him, fitting perfectly.

An instructor exclaimed, "The jade-textured Earth Guardian Holy Armor! He has truly reached the level of a level seven mage."

"Second in history! This is the second-ranked mage in history!"

"Our Ulada Magic Academy has produced a genius mage ranked second in history! Who says we are necessarily inferior to Ernst?!"

Some instructors began to mutter to themselves.

The other students were also in an uproar, whispering among themselves, their expressions filled with extreme astonishment.

A seventeen-year-old dual-element level seven mage—this was absolutely history in the making!

They were actually witnessing this moment!

Once this news spread, not only would the entire Black Phoenix City be shocked, but even the headquarters of the Dark Church would immediately send people over.

The principal laughed heartily, "Good, truly excellent! Jonathan, you are outstanding!"

"A mage ranked second in history, you have truly brought honor to our Ulada Academy!"

"It is all thanks to the academy's cultivation!"

A level seven dual-element mage was nothing special, but a seventeen-year-old level seven dual-element mage had a ninety-nine percent chance of reaching the realm of a Saint Mage in the future.

Even the Dark Church would go to great lengths to recruit him, sparing no cost.

Collette, Ford, and Charles looked at each other. Seeing the expressions of the crowd, they couldn't help but chuckle, thinking that everyone else's reaction was exactly the same as theirs had been.

They winked at Jonathan, and Jonathan gave a wry smile.

"Jonathan, I, Mels Morinster, principal of the Ulada Magic Academy, hereby announce that you may graduate. Congratulations!"

"Many thanks to the principal, the vice-principal, and all the instructors."

The principal continued, "However, in light of your excellence, could you stay at the academy for two more days? I intend to commission a master stone carver from Black Phoenix City to sculpt a statue of you, to be placed permanently in the academy for future students to admire and learn from."

"Then I shall trouble you, Principal." Jonathan did not refuse.

The news of Jonathan graduating as a level seven dual-element mage spread at an astonishing speed throughout the entire Ulada Magic Academy and even reached Black Phoenix City.

At the royal palace.

"What? Jonathan has graduated, and as a level seven mage?"

Prell said with a look of shock, "Didn't he only become a level six mage in the second half of last year?"

"I heard it was because he obtained some kind of fortune in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, though the details are unclear."

He didn't even have the heart to listen to the guard's report, repeating to himself, "A seventeen-year-old level seven dual-element mage, a genius who ranks second in the history of the Yulan Continent for reaching level seven!"

"Go, hurry to the gates of the Ulada Magic Academy and keep watch. As soon as he leaves the academy, report to me immediately. I want to be the first to congratulate him in person."

Beyond mere congratulations, he also had intentions of recruitment.

Because it wouldn't be long before the headquarters of the Dark Church sent people as well. Such a genius had a high chance of becoming a Saint Mage in the future, and might even become a titan of the Dark Church.

Whether it was the Dark Church or the Light Church, the titans within the churches were all existences at the peak of the Saint realm.

Two days later, Jonathan left the Ulada Magic Academy and returned to the Bred residence. Not long after, Prell arrived to offer his congratulations and began to address him as a brother.

"Jonathan, you are truly incredible. Do you have any idea how remarkable your achievement is?"

"Your Majesty, you are exaggerating. I just happen to have a slightly faster cultivation speed than others."

"I told you, just call me 'Big Brother' in private."

Jonathan's mouth twitched slightly, "I recognize Charles as a brother, but you..."

"Fine, if you don't want to call me Big Brother, you can just call me by my name."

"By the way, now that you've graduated, what are your plans? Would you like to come to my palace and serve as the Chief Mage?"

"Your Majesty, please don't joke. A level seven mage is still a bit lacking to be the Chief Mage of a kingdom; level eight would be more appropriate."

"Others might not be, but you are. As long as you are willing to come, I am certain no one would dare to say anything."

Jonathan smiled slightly, "Many thanks for your kindness, Your Majesty! However, I am still young and do not wish to enter officialdom so soon. I would like to cultivate in peace for a while longer."

"That is true, cultivation is the most important thing. Your potential is far from exhausted; I estimate it won't slow down until you reach the level of a level nine Great Mage."

"However, a level nine Great Mage..."

A single kingdom was simply not enough to recruit a level nine Great Mage; even in the four great empires, they were figures to be revered. As for wealth, once one had the strength, would they ever lack money?

"I understand what you mean, but regardless, the position of Chief Mage for Bandas will always be open to you. Whenever you want to take it, just say the word."

"Many thanks for your high regard, Your Majesty."

Not long after, Prell returned to the royal palace.

As the news spread thoroughly throughout Black Phoenix City, more and more nobles came to visit, among them Collette's father, Marquis Hudson.

For the average visitor, Jonathan did not even grant them an audience.

But for Marquis Hudson, out of consideration for Collette, he still sat down and had a chat with him.

Several days later, a person Collette had expected arrived at the door.

The visitor was a Black-Robed Archbishop of the Dark Church, Wesport, who had gray-brown mottled hair, wore a black robe embroidered with gold patterns, and possessed a lean build, a prominent hooked nose, and slightly sunken eye sockets, giving him an overall air of gloom.

A Black-Robed Archbishop held a status just below the few top leaders of the Church, and every one of them was a Level 9 Grand Magus.

Behind Wesport followed three gray-robed priests.

"Greetings, Archbishop."

"Jonathan, I hope you don't mind my sudden visit."

"How could I? Your status is noble, and your presence here truly brings light to my humble abode."

"Hahaha, I had thought the second-greatest mage in history would be a prideful youth, but you are much more mature than I imagined!"

"Children of the poor take on responsibilities early; perhaps it has to do with my childhood experiences."

Wesport said, "I have heard of your affairs. Fortunately, things have been set right, and you have become the patriarch of the Bred Family and inherited the title of Marquis; it can be considered a comfort to the spirits of your parents and family in heaven."

"Thank you for your concern, my lord."

"I have come this time to represent the Dark Church in recruiting you, hoping that you will join us."

"I guarantee that as long as you join, you can immediately become a gray-robed priest, and all kinds of cultivation resources will be open to you."

The three gray-robed priests were slightly startled.

"You have now advanced to a Level 7 Mage; you likely haven't learned subsequent Earth Magic or Dark Magic yet, have you?"

"Furthermore, our Dark Church also possesses Battle Qi manuals that can lead to the Saint Realm; if you need them, you may also switch your path."

In this first round of recommendations, I ask for your continued reading; I am counting on you all!!!

Remember to click through to the very end!