43 A Painting Contest

"I'm merely a first-year freshman at the Magic Academy. Of course you haven't seen me before, Senior Luo Jia," Xia Ming replied with a frown.

Luo Jia put on a look of sudden realization. "Oh, so you're a freshman! I was wondering why I'd never seen you. You and Miss Weiwei seem rather close!"

"What do you mean by that, Senior Luo Jia?" Xia Ming shot back.

Luo Jia put on an openly hearty manner. "Haha, nothing at all. This should be your first time attending a gathering like ours, right? A guest is a guest—interested in trying out our magical painting activity for a little fun?"

Xia Ming smiled. He understood exactly what Luo Jia meant.

Seeing Xia Ming and Su Weiwei chatting so pleasantly, Luo Jia had mistakenly assumed that Su Weiwei was somewhat interested in Xia Ming. So, he was venting the resentment of having been rejected onto him.

And how would he vent that resentment? Most likely by making Xia Ming embarrass himself through magical painting.

"Luo Jia!"

Su Weiwei fixed Luo Jia with an icy gaze. She had roughly guessed what he intended to do, and with her straightforward personality, she was naturally displeased by his actions.

But Luo Jia took it as Su Weiwei shielding Xia Ming, making the flames of jealousy burn even hotter within him. With a trace of provocation, he asked Xia Ming, "What is it? Don't tell me you're afraid to play, Junior? Then again, magical painting is a great test of magical control. You're only a freshman, after all, so you're surely not very good at it. I suppose I'm asking the impossible. Forget it!"

Luo Jia retreated in order to advance, deliberately goading Xia Ming.

The unspoken meaning was clear: if Xia Ming declined Luo Jia's invitation, he would be publicly admitting that his magical control was lacking! Admitting it before so many people would be no different from receiving a hard slap across the face.

Xia Ming naturally understood Luo Jia's scheme, but he was genuinely interested in magical painting to begin with. Besides, Luo Jia's provocation was far from enough to frighten him.

"Senior Luo Jia jests. Though I may be lacking in talent, I'm willing to give it a try and add to everyone's enjoyment." Xia Ming's eyes flashed as he smiled.

The moment those words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

Luo Jia, a well-known figure at the Magic Academy, inviting an ordinary freshman had already astonished them greatly. Yet this freshman had actually accepted as though it were only natural—this surprised them even more!

Quite a few people were already snickering to themselves. Freshmen really didn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth. Far too green!

"Little brother, you..."

Tang Ge looked at Xia Ming with some concern as well, feeling that Xia Ming had acted rather rashly.

At the side, a trace of apology appeared in Su Weiwei's eyes. Clearly, she felt guilty for dragging Xia Ming into this matter.

"Good, how forthright!"

Luo Jia hurriedly praised Xia Ming, leaving him no room to back out. Then he smiled. "Since you've agreed, let's set some rules. How would you like to paint?"

Xia Ming glanced at Luo Jia, then suddenly smiled. "As Senior said, I'm not proficient in magical control. How about Senior paints alongside me and offers me some guidance while we're at it?"

"What an arrogant freshman..."

"He actually wants to compete with Luo Jia in magical painting? This freshman is way too outrageous. I'm honestly impressed!"

"What a brat who doesn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth..."

The surrounding voices immediately became clamorous. Without exception, every barb was aimed at the smiling Xia Ming.

Luo Jia, too, seemed as though he had heard an incredibly amusing joke. Laughing loudly, he said, "Fine. Since you've so 'earnestly invited' me, I'll accompany you! How about this? We'll set a limit of one quarter-hour and compete in magical painting. At the end, we'll ask everyone to judge whose painting is better. What do you say?"

Xia Ming smiled. "As long as Senior is willing, I have no objections."

Luo Jia snorted. "Then let's begin. Friends, please make some room. This student and I will put on a magical painting performance for everyone's enjoyment!"

Everyone cleared out a large open space for Xia Ming and Luo Jia.

None of the students had any mind left for the gathering. One by one, they watched the center of the room with eager interest.

"Brother Xia Ming is being a little rash. Luo Jia should be a fifth-level mage, right? But he's been at the fifth level for a long time, while Brother Xia Ming has only just entered the fifth level. In terms of magical control, I'm afraid he can't compare to Luo Jia," Tang Ge murmured worriedly.

But Su Weiwei said, "Not necessarily. Xia Ming isn't an impulsive person. He should be confident." Her voice was cool and clear as a spring as she spoke with certainty.

It had to be said that although they had met only a handful of times, Su Weiwei understood Xia Ming better than Tang Ge did.

Someone had already brought over two sheets of Dragonblood Paper, along with special magic brushes, and placed them before Xia Ming and Luo Jia.

"Let Miss Weiwei keep time for us!" Even now, Luo Jia did not forget to flash Su Weiwei an attentive smile.

Su Weiwei nodded indifferently and said directly, "Begin."

The instant her words fell, Luo Jia began to move.

Luo Jia had clearly come prepared. After thinking for only a moment, he began to paint. His magic brush gave a slight tremble, and magical elements shot forth. Xia Ming could also sense the activity of the surrounding magical elements.

Luo Jia was indeed highly practiced in controlling magical power. Every movement used just the right amount of magic, without the slightest trace leaking from the Dragonblood Paper. As his magic brush moved across the page, the outline of a painting leisurely took shape.

Yet Xia Ming stood to one side, his gaze actually fixed on Luo Jia. He showed no sign of putting brush to paper.

"That freshman hasn't even started painting? Is he really giving up already?"

The crowd immediately understood—or thought they did—and felt disappointed. This freshman really was too green. He had actually gone blank as soon as things began. All he knew was to stare at Luo Jia. It seemed there was no hope for this match after all; there was nothing worth watching!

Xia Ming was not deliberately refusing to paint. He simply wanted to see what Luo Jia was painting.

With a few sweeps of his brush, Luo Jia had already completed the general outline of his work. On the formerly pristine Dragonblood Paper appeared the shape of an animal—it was precisely the pet Thunderhawk perched on Luo Jia's shoulder!

Jet-black, glossy feathers, sharp beast eyes, razor claws... all were defining features of a Thunderhawk. Moreover, what Luo Jia was painting was his pet Thunderhawk, which was by his side day and night. He was exceedingly familiar with every habit of the Thunderhawk, and the Thunderhawk in his painting was astonishingly lifelike. From this alone, one could see just how masterful Luo Jia's control and use of magical power were!

Tang Ge cursed indignantly under his breath. "Damn it, Luo Jia is too sly! That bastard is actually painting his own pet Thunderhawk. His Thunderhawk practically never leaves his side, so his impression of it is as familiar as could be. And he still has the nerve to paint a Thunderhawk? What a sly, shameless bastard!"

Tang Ge's words resonated with quite a few people. Indeed, Luo Jia was being far too cunning. He had actually chosen to paint his own pet. With that, Luo Jia was practically standing in an invincible position. When it came to understanding Thunderhawks, no one present could possibly rival Luo Jia.

Xia Ming had also seen through Luo Jia's intentions. This guy truly was a troublesome opponent.

But Xia Ming had already made up his mind. He knew what he would paint.

Picking up his magic brush, Xia Ming began as well!