Graduation

Yulan Calendar, 9999, April 1.

The graduation test for Ernst Institute's sixth-year students was held in the hall on the top floor of the teaching building.

Akes stood in the middle of the hall, surrounded by seven or eight examiners—all senior mages at the institute, with at least seven stripes on their cuffs. Vice Dean Delant sat in the chief examiner's seat, holding a document.

"Aikesi Yan, fire magic." Delant glanced at the register. "Are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

Akes took a deep breath and raised his right hand.

The Fallen Heart Flame stirred faintly inside him, while the Fire Spirit Bead began to turn. He didn't push himself to the limit—seventy percent was enough. A milky-white flame gathered in his palm, growing brighter and more intense.

The examiners' gazes sharpened.

"What is this..." an old man murmured.

The flame in Akes's hand shifted through one form after another—a fireball, a fire serpent, a Fire Wall, a firebird. Every spell was executed with extreme precision, and its heat far exceeded that of others at the same level. Finally, he swept his right hand out. The flame burst in the air, scattering into countless sparks that drifted slowly to the ground.

The hall fell silent for a few moments.

Delant closed the register and looked at the other examiners. They exchanged glances, then nodded.

"Aikesi Yan." Delant stood. "Congratulations. You've passed the graduation examination."

Akes bowed slightly. "Thank you, Vice Dean."

When he walked out of the hall, Linley was waiting for him, leaning against a corridor window.

"Did you pass?" Linley asked.

"Yeah." Akes walked over. "What about you?"

"I just passed."

The two exchanged a glance, neither saying a word.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting long shadows on the floor. Nine years. From nine to eighteen, from first level to seventh. They had walked this road together.

"Let's go," Akes said.

They went downstairs side by side.

The news spread quickly.

The next day, all of Fenlai City was talking about the two youngest graduates in Ernst Institute's history—Linley, at seventeen years and five months, and Akes, at seventeen years and seven months. One was a dual-element seventh-level mage, the other a seventh-level fire mage. In Ernst Institute's history of more than five thousand years, only the first prodigy to graduate at nineteen had been younger.

The first recruiters arrived on the third day.

They were envoys from the Fenlai Kingdom, bearing a personal letter from King Clyde. They spent half a day at the institute, speaking with Linley and Akes separately. Linley said he would consider staying in the Fenlai Kingdom, while Akes politely declined, saying he "hadn't decided yet."

On the fourth day, people from the Radiant Church arrived.

They were an old acquaintance—the red-robed Cardinal Gilmer. He met with Linley first and spoke with him for a long time. Afterward, he went to see Akes.

"Akes." Gilmer sat across from him, smiling warmly. "We meet again."

"Lord Gilmer." Akes inclined his head slightly.

Gilmer waved a hand. "No need for formalities. I came to ask what you're planning to do."

Akes considered this for a moment. "I might go to the Yulan Empire."

"The Yulan Empire?" Gilmer raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"The magical atmosphere there is better, and there are more resources," Akes said. "Besides, I have a friend there. We can look out for each other."

Gilmer nodded, not pressing him. "That's fine. The Yulan Empire has good relations with the Radiant Church, so you won't be a stranger there."

Akes was a little surprised.

Gilmer smiled. "Don't misunderstand. I'm not here to recruit you into the church. You don't strike me as the sort who likes being tied down. I just wanted to see you and let you know that wherever you go, the Radiant Church will always welcome you as a guest."

"Thank you, Lord Gilmer."

Gilmer stood and patted him on the shoulder. "Keep training. With your talent, in a few decades you might be able to trade blows with that old Luoye."

Akes was startled, then smiled.

On the fifth day, people from the Dark Church arrived.

Of course, they came in secret.

That evening, Akes was training alone in the hills behind the institute. When he finished, he noticed someone sitting on a rock not far away—an old man in a gray robe, with a lean face and deep-set eyes.

"Young Master Akes," the old man said in a hoarse voice. "I've been waiting for you for quite a while."

Akes didn't panic. He simply looked at him. "And you are?"

"I come from the Dark Church," the old man said bluntly.

Akes's heart stirred, but his expression remained calm. "A man from the Dark Church comes to the Radiant Church's territory. Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"

The old man laughed. "And what if I am? I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to speak with you."

"Go ahead."

The old man stood and walked up to him. "I've heard about Young Master Akes's talent for some time. A seventh-level fire mage at seventeen—he'd rank among the top five in the history of the entire continent. If you're willing to join the Dark Church, we can offer you the finest resources and the best instructors. We could even bring you directly into the church's inner circle."

Akes fell silent for a moment. "Why approach me?"

"Because you're worth recruiting," the old man said. "The Radiant Church has Luoye and those old fellows. The Dark Church needs new blood, too. Who wouldn't want a genius like you?"

Akes shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I have no plans to join any church."

The old man studied him with deep-set eyes. "Because of the Radiant Church?"

"Because of myself," Akes said. "I don't like being tied down."

The old man was quiet for a while, then laughed. "Interesting. All right, I won't force you. But let me leave you with this: wherever you go, the Dark Church's doors will always be open to you."

With that, he turned and left, disappearing into the woods after a few steps.

On the sixth day, people from the O'Brien Empire arrived.

Their representative was a burly, middle-aged man who introduced himself as the vice dean of the empire's Royal Magic Academy. He spoke with Akes for an hour, giving him a detailed account of the O'Brien Empire's magical resources and the benefits it offered.

"If you're willing to come, you can enroll directly at the Royal Magic Academy for advanced study. You'll receive a scholarship of fifty thousand gold coins a year, a private training room, and even the chance to meet Saint-level powerhouses." The middle-aged man thumped his chest. "What do you say? Give it some thought."

Akes shook his head. "I might go to the Yulan Empire."

The man was taken aback, then sighed. "The Yulan Empire... It's a fine place, to be sure. But the O'Brien Empire isn't bad either. Think it over, all right?"

Akes smiled. "Sure. I'll think about it."

After the man left, Akes leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.

In the past few days, he had met with no fewer than ten groups. The Fenlai Kingdom, the Radiant Church, the Dark Church, the O'Brien Empire, and envoys from several principalities. They had all brought generous offers, and each hoped he would join them.

"Being a genius sure is exhausting," he muttered to himself.

On the seventh day, people from the Yulan Empire arrived.

They were an elder from the Royal Magic Academy, and—George.

"Third brother!" George called as soon as he entered. "I'm here!"

Akes smiled. "What are you doing here?"

"I came with the elder." George pointed to the old man beside him. "This is Elder Feren, a seventh-level wind mage."

Elder Feren nodded to Akes, his manner courteous.

The three sat down and talked for over an hour. Feren gave Akes a detailed introduction to the Royal Magic Academy—its curriculum, faculty, training resources, and prospects. Akes listened attentively, occasionally asking a question.

At last, Feren said, "Young Master Akes, if you're willing to come, we can offer you the best possible terms. A private training room, an annual scholarship of eighty thousand gold coins, and the chance to enter the core area of the Imperial Library."

Akes considered it for a moment. "I want to go."

Feren's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah." Akes nodded. "I made up my mind a while ago."

George clapped his hands beside him. "That's great! We'll get to see each other every day again!"

Feren was delighted, too. "Excellent. You're welcome to join us whenever you're ready. After graduation, you can come to Yulan City at any time."

After seeing Feren and George off, Akes returned to the courtyard.

Linley was sitting there. When he saw Akes return, he looked up.

"Decided?" Linley asked.

"Decided." Akes sat down beside him. "The Yulan Empire."

Linley nodded. "Sounds good."

"What about you?"

"I'm staying in Fenlai," Linley said. "King Clyde offered me a position as a court mage."

Akes knew why.

"Let's keep in touch," Akes said.

"Yeah."

On April 15, the graduation ceremony was held.

The great hall at Ernst Institute was packed. Sixth-year graduates in academic robes took turns going onstage to receive their diplomas, but everyone's attention was fixed on the two people at the front.

Linley Baruch. Aikesi Yan.

Seventeen years and five months; seventeen years and seven months. The second- and third-youngest graduates in Ernst Institute's history.

Vice Dean Delant personally presented them with their diplomas.

"Linley Baruch." Delant looked at him, pride filling his eyes. "You're the pride of Ernst."

Linley bowed slightly. "Thank you, Vice Dean."

When it was Akes's turn, Delant patted him on the shoulder. "Akes, keep working hard. You'll have a place of your own on the continent one day."

Akes nodded. "I will."

A burst of enthusiastic applause rang out from the audience.

Yale sat in a corner, clapping as hard as he could. Reynolds looked ready to stand up and shout, but George grabbed him.

"Keep it down!" George whispered.

"Why should I? My brother just graduated!"

George rolled his eyes helplessly.

After the ceremony, the five of them went drinking at Wald.

The same old spot, the same group of friends. They ordered a table full of dishes and opened several bottles of wine.

"Come on!" Yale raised his glass. "Here's to Third and Fourth Brother's graduation!"

"Cheers!"

The five clinked their glasses and drained them.

Reynolds's face was red with drink. He slung an arm around Akes's neck and said, "Third Brother, you're going to the Yulan Empire. Will you come back?"

"Of course I will," Akes said. "You're all in Fenlai. How could I not come back?"

"Good, good." Reynolds put an arm around Linley. "Fourth Brother, stay here in Fenlai. Once I graduate, I'll come find you."

Linley nodded. "All right."

George laughed beside them. "You two are splitting up—one going to Yulan, the other staying in Fenlai. Yale and I will have to travel between both places."

Yale waved his hand grandly. "Why travel? My family's merchant guild has branches everywhere. I can go wherever I want."

The group burst into laughter.

They drank until midnight, then staggered home together.

Back in his dorm room that night, Akes lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Yale and George were talking in the next room, and Reynolds was snoring. It was quiet on Linley's side; Akes couldn't tell if he was asleep.

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[Beep—host has completed his studies and graduated from Ernst Institute. This is an important milestone in life.]

[Would you like to sign in?]

Akes silently said in his mind: Sign in.

[Sign-in successful.]

[Reward obtained: Desolate Era—Nuwa Diagram. A visualization diagram left behind by the ancient divine being Nuwa. Visualizing this diagram can temper mental power, strengthen the soul, and accelerate cultivation after mental power liquefies. Long-term visualization may give one a chance to comprehend a trace of the mystery of Nuwa's creation.]

A scroll appeared out of nowhere in Akes's mind.

The scroll showed a woman from behind, standing in chaos with her hands raised as countless points of light gathered around her. The image was still, yet it gave the impression that she was creating all things. Her silhouette seemed close, yet also impossibly far away; though it was only an outline, it felt utterly sacred.

Akes immersed himself in it. Before he knew it, his mental power had begun to circulate slowly, more actively than usual.

What a treasure, he praised inwardly.

After mental power liquefied, cultivation slowed down. Every step—from seventh level to eighth, and from eighth to ninth—required a long accumulation of time. With the Nuwa Diagram, his progress could improve by at least thirty percent.