Failed Knight, but Dark Angel

"Monarch-level!?"

"Mm, that was my assessment mission."

Leng Qing was alarmed. "A Parthenon Silver Moon Knight assessment requires fighting a Monarch-level opponent? Have you already become a Super Tier Mage?"

Of course not. That was the assessment for advancing to Golden Knight.

Mu Ningwei shook his head. "I'm only twenty-one. I'm still high-level."

A high-level mage fighting a Monarch-level creature—wasn't that even more astonishing?

Leng Qing did not ask any further questions. Asking more might make it seem as though she were probing into his secrets.

"Thank you for your help. I'm Leng Qing, and this is my contact information. The reward will be transferred to your card later."

Mu Ningwei was surprised.

Leng Qing—Leng Ling Ling's older sister?

He had not expected to run into an "acquaintance" as soon as he returned to the country.

Mu Ningwei was a transmigrator. He had been reborn into the world of Full-Time Mage as the child of a pair of high-level mage parents from the Mu family.

Later, they encountered a demonic disaster, and both his parents died.

At the time, Wen Tai was dating Ye Chang and happened to be passing through the country. He saved Mu Ningwei, noticed that the strength of Mu Ningwei's soul was unusual, and took him in as his disciple.

After discussing it with the Mu family, Mu Ningwei followed Wen Tai to the Parthenon for further study. He became Ash Riya's childhood friend, as well as Ye Xin Xia's brother.

Mu Ningwei had considered changing Wen Tai's future, but unfortunately, Wen Tai himself wanted to die. He went to the Dark Plane to stop the shadows from eroding the Human World.

Not only did Mu Ningwei fail to alter this part of the story, he instead became Wen Tai's contingency because of it, becoming Wen Tai's Dark Angel.

At the same time, before Wen Tai died, he actually tried to have Mu Ningwei contain a Divine Soul.

Although it failed, at the moment the Divine Soul entered his body, Mu Ningwei formed a connection with Athena, the Mother Goddess worshipped by the Parthenon.

By using Faith Divine Power, he could chat with that gentle big sister who was several hundred years old.

If not for the accident that had occurred during the latter half of his Golden Knight assessment some time ago, Mu Ningwei might have remained at the Parthenon forever.

Once he broke through to the Super Tier, he would confront the Eight Great Hidden Clans, join forces to wipe out Pamirs and those wicked women of Black Pepper Court, take power as the Holy Son, help Ash Riya become the Goddess, and turn his sword toward dominion over the world.

But now, Mu Ningwei chose to return to the country and develop here.

"Leng Qing? You're the senior sister of the Azure Hunter Institute!"

Mu Nujiao was astonished. As a member of a prominent family, learning about the various factions was a required course for her. She greatly admired the strong-willed Leng Qing and had not expected to meet her in person here.

Mu Ningwei walked up to the vacant-eyed woman. Pure Light Element flowed through his hand, streaming into her mouth like spiritual liquid.

Normally, the Light Element restrained dark-type forces.

Mu Ningwei's Light Element had received the blessing of Athena's Kiss, making it even more effective against all evil spirits and enchantments.

The woman quickly regained her senses and looked at Mu Ningwei gratefully.

"Thank you for saving my life, Mage!"

A strand of Faith Power, imperceptible to ordinary people, flowed out from the woman's brow and was absorbed by Mu Ningwei.

While she had been under control, the woman had been aware of the outside world. Knowing that the demon was about to drain her blood, she had fallen into utter despair. Then Dark Cross controlled the demon, and Mu Ningwei saved her.

Thus, the woman sincerely felt grateful to Mu Ningwei, giving birth to Faith Power that transformed into a thread of Faith Divine Power.

This was good stuff. Once enough was gathered, one could ascend through faith and become a god—in other words, become an Emperor.

However, Mu Ningwei treated Faith Divine Power as the cost of calling Athena. After all, every time he met Athena, he received enormous benefits. It was far more comfortable than painstakingly accumulating faith to become a god.

Mu Ningwei smiled. "Ma'am, you're safe now."

"Mage, my name is Liu Xian. I'm a third-year university student. If I ever have the chance, I'll definitely repay you!"

Liu Xian, Liu Ru's older sister?

So you had already been targeted by vampires?

What a natural holy body for being sucked dry.

Mu Ningwei smiled. "It's enough that you're safe."

Liu Xian was immensely grateful.

"Leng Qing, we'll be heading back first."

After saying goodbye, Mu Ningwei returned to the bed with the two sisters, who were excitedly discussing what had just happened. Suddenly sensing something, he turned to look out the window.

In the night, a pair of bewitching crimson eyes watched the two sisters with great interest.

As a high-level Shadow Element mage, Mu Ningwei had long since gained night vision. His gaze turned slightly cold as he stared at the mature, classically European beauty outside the window, whose Blood Clan Great Wings were spread wide and whose figure was lush and curvaceous.

Neither Mu Nujiao nor Leng Qing upstairs had noticed this woman!

The female Marquis spread her ample arms.

"Ningwei Qing, Ash Riya is blind to have chosen an old woman and caused you to fail your Golden Knight assessment. Why not join us instead?"

"If Ningwei Qing wishes it, this Marquis has a way to make you a Marquis as well."

Mu Ningwei withdrew his gaze and chose to ignore her.

Noticing the dark threads that had appeared beside her, the female marquis covered her mouth and chuckled. Her figure dissolved into the night like water and vanished.

The next day.

Mu Ningwei finished meditating, got up to wash, ate breakfast, and accompanied the two women to look at apartments.

Since Mu Nujiao still had to attend Pearl Academy, they ultimately chose a luxury apartment beside the academy.

"Brother Ningwei, I have a friend who's also a student at Pearl Academy. Her name is Ai Tutu, the Little Princess of the northern Ai Family. She wants to share an apartment with us. Is that okay?"

Mu Ningwei shook his head. "I'm a man. If word gets out, it won't reflect well on the Ai Family. She shouldn't be short of money, so she can live next door."

"Alright, I'll tell her."

Mu Nuxin said, "Brother Ningwei, Father said that after you rent the apartment, he wants you to go see him. He has something to discuss."

"Then I'll go see the family head. You two can have lunch without me."

At the Mu Family's back mountain, in a lakeside pavilion.

Mu Zhanxing was a robust, energetic old man. He chatted with Mu Ningwei as they played two games of Chinese chess, each winning one. Chuckling happily, he said, "You've been abroad all these years, yet you still know how to play Chinese chess?"

"I played with friends when I was bored. I taught her Chinese chess and Go before."

Mu Zhanxing nodded. "I've already heard about the Golden Knight assessment. Hmph, that saintess of Parthenon must be blind. I'm angry on your behalf. For the sake of an exchange of interests, she actually handed your position as a Golden Knight over to someone else."

"It's good that you came back! Here in the country, our Mu Family will support you unconditionally!"

Mu Ningwei smiled faintly. "What's past is past."

Perhaps he had treated Ash Riya too well, giving her the mistaken impression that she could win over another Golden Knight by making him suffer a little and having her faction support another candidate in the assessment.

Indeed, Ash Riya could win over a Golden Knight that way—but why was she so certain that he would not be angry and would continue supporting her?

Mu Ningwei felt that Ash Riya had become a stranger. It seemed that his kindness toward her had been taken for granted.

Mu Ningwei did not say anything about her. Instead, he voluntarily withdrew from the competition. Later, however, he let go of the vampire female marquis who had been the assessment target, resigned from his position, bought a plane ticket, and returned to the country.

Wen Tai was dead, Ye Chang had fled, and Ye Xin Xia had disappeared.

Ash Riya had changed as well.

What was there left in Parthenon worth staying for?

At the airport, many people tried to persuade Mu Ningwei to stay, but Ash Riya alone did not come.

Perhaps she had been angry. Perhaps she had secretly wept at home. In any case, she had missed her last chance to apologize.

She was not even as good as the female marquis. The female marquis had followed him to the Divine Land and repeatedly invited him to join the vampires. The terms she offered were a Marquis bloodline equal to her own.

Mu Zhanxing placed several pieces of magic equipment and a gorgeous Bright Gem on the table. Slapping the table, he declared loudly, "From today onward, you are the Mu Family's first priority for cultivation. Though our Mu Family cannot compare with Parthenon, we will give you the very best."

"High-grade magic equipment—even the Star Sea Heavenly Veins. The moment I heard on the phone that you were returning to the country, I began preparing. Now, I've finally gathered everything!"

Mu Ningwei accepted them. Seeing the delighted expression on Mu Zhanxing's face, he felt somewhat moved.

"Uncle Mu, is there anything I can do for the family? Please, just say the word."