46 My Name Is Xia Ming

Luo Jia's expression was a spectacle—his face flushed red, then turned pale; he stood there dazed and dejected, disbelief written all over his features.

No matter what, he could not believe that he had lost! Magic painting was his greatest specialty, and he had painted the Thunderhawk he was most skilled at. Yet before Xia Ming's lifelike painting, it had all been so utterly fragile. This slap to the face rang loud and clear.

This freshman, whom he had considered so green, possessed magic painting skills far beyond his own. What did that mean?

It meant that this freshman he had dismissed with such contempt had achieved consummate mastery over magical control—at least in terms of mana control, he surpassed Luo Jia by far!

"I lost."

Luo Jia clenched his teeth and forced out the words with difficulty.

Xia Ming nodded casually. Luo Jia was fairly upright, at least; he would not go back on his word.

The crowd erupted in an uproar. Luo Jia had publicly admitted that he was inferior to an unknown freshman, something far beyond everyone's expectations. The way they looked at Xia Ming immediately changed. Just who was this unfamiliar freshman? Someone like him could not possibly be an obscure nobody among the new students.

Upon hearing Luo Jia concede defeat, Xia Ming did not grow smug. After all, he had calculated everything from the start. The reason he had waited for Luo Jia to paint the Thunderhawk before making his move was to determine what Luo Jia would paint, then crush him completely with a direct counter!

You wanted to paint a Thunderhawk? Then I'd paint a Fire Luo Snake and make even your pet mistake my painted Fire Luo Snake for the real thing. Let's see what else you have to say then!

Against an opponent like Luo Jia, Xia Ming would not show mercy. Not only would he defeat him, he would make him lose with nothing to say for himself!

With Xia Ming's magical talent, his mana control and spiritual power were enough to make masters like Anthony and Bluebeard marvel. From the very beginning, Luo Jia's defeat had been inevitable.

"Student, could you give me this painting of the Fire Luo Snake for my collection? Oh, no—I'm willing to pay a high price for it!" Owen stared at the painting with an obsessed expression and asked eagerly.

Xia Ming did not care in the least. It was only a painting; he could create as many such magic paintings as he wanted whenever he wished. So Xia Ming smiled generously. "If you like it, then it's yours."

Owen was overjoyed. He quickly hugged the Fire Luo Snake painting and skipped about in delight, grinning so broadly that a flower seemed ready to bloom on his face. He truly lived up to his reputation as a painting fanatic.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Since Luo Jia had conceded, there was no point in staying any longer. Xia Ming walked straight over to Tang Ge. "Let's go."

"Sure." Tang Ge nodded and followed, though there was still a trace of excitement on his face. His brother was awesome, and that reflected well on him too!

"Wait."

Luo Jia stretched out a hand and stopped Xia Ming.

Xia Ming turned back with a frown. Was Luo Jia still unwilling to let this go and looking to provoke him?

With a soft snort, Xia Ming asked, "What is it? Does Senior Luo Jia have any further advice?" Behind him, Tang Ge said coldly, "Luo Jia, don't tell me you're trying to deny the debt after losing!"

Luo Jia gave a strained smile and looked Xia Ming straight in the eye. "I simply have not yet asked this freshman junior's name." Luo Jia smiled bitterly. He had truly failed beyond measure—even now, he did not know his opponent's name.

"My name is Xia Ming."

Luo Jia gave him a deep look. "Xia Ming, is it? I'll remember that name. I hope to see you at this year's Magic Martial Tournament. I will defeat you with my own hands and wash away today's humiliation!" As Luo Jia spoke, his aura surged forth, and his powerful mana revealed him to be a mage close to the sixth level.

After defeating Luo Jia in magic painting, Xia Ming had earned his respect. Losing to Xia Ming in magic painting did not mean his actual magical strength would lose to Xia Ming as well! Magic painting merely represented the extent of a mage's mana control. What truly determined a mage's strength was far more than mana control alone.

"I'll be participating in this year's Magic Martial Tournament. But Senior Luo Jia, you definitely won't be my opponent." Xia Ming's tone was calm, as though he were merely stating something insignificant.

Had Xia Ming said that before, it would likely have caused a huge uproar, and everyone would certainly have thought him arrogant. But after Xia Ming won the magic painting contest, everyone acknowledged his strength instead, and felt that this was simply a display of confidence.

That was strength!

"Wait, Xia Ming, Xia Ming... Why does that name sound so familiar? Ah, I remember! There's a genius freshman this year. They say his talent is of a level that could be called peerless genius—his name seems to be Xia Ming!" someone in the crowd suddenly cried out in realization.

The way everyone looked at Xia Ming changed once again. So he was this year's genius freshman. No wonder he possessed such strength. It seemed this year's freshmen were not to be underestimated; they would have to pay more attention to the new students in the future.

Xia Ming rubbed his nose. He had unexpectedly become famous, but he did not care at all. He had done nothing to feel guilty about, so there was no need to keep such a low profile.

"Brother, looks like you're going to be famous!" Tang Ge grinned happily, sincerely delighted for his brother.

Luo Jia snorted. "Fine, Xia Ming. Then I'll be waiting for you at the Magic Martial Tournament!" After this little episode, he no longer had any interest in attending the gathering. He left at once, having already placed Xia Ming among the ranks of formidable enemies in his heart.

Facing Luo Jia's challenge, Xia Ming merely shrugged noncommittally. His goal was not simply to defeat Luo Jia, but to place within the top three of this year's Magic Martial Tournament.

No, even the top three was not enough. His goal was first place!

Of course, judging by his current state, Xia Ming's strength was still somewhat lacking. But there was still some time before the Magic Martial Tournament. Everything could still be done in time.

"Congratulations."

A voice filled with spiritual charm came from beside him. Merely hearing it felt like bathing in a spring breeze, as though one were standing beneath a clear and far-reaching sky; it was indescribably crisp and sweet. There was no need to say it—the owner of that voice was naturally Su Weiwei.

Xia Ming looked at the beauty before him. Everything today could be said to have begun because of Su Weiwei. No wonder people said that trouble always came with women, especially beautiful women.

Perhaps sensing Xia Ming's thoughts, Su Weiwei's eyes showed a hint of apology. "I caused you trouble. I'm truly sorry." Su Weiwei's personality was indeed completely genuine, forthright and decisive.

Since she had put it that way, Xia Ming naturally would not truly hold it against her. Still, he sighed inwardly that he should keep his distance from beauties like these in the future. Otherwise, he might get tangled up in some inexplicable trouble without even realizing it.

"Miss Weiwei, goodbye."

After waving farewell to Su Weiwei, Xia Ming dragged away Tang Ge, who still wanted to remain at the banquet.

Along the way, Tang Ge complained without end. "I'm telling you, Brother Xia Ming, Su Weiwei seems to like you! Heavens, it's simply unbelievable! Our academy's famous Ice Beauty, that genius girl, is actually treating you so specially! This won't do, little brother—you should seize the chance and make the first move... How about this..."

Tang Ge's nonstop chatter left Xia Ming speechless. Tang Ge even wanted to go to Xia Ming's home to discuss "A Hundred Ways to Capture Su Weiwei's Heart," driving Xia Ming beyond the limits of his patience. He shut Tang Ge outside the door and hid alone in his room to meditate.

"Ah, finally some peace and quiet."

Xia Ming sighed. Tomorrow was the Potion Conference. The magic painting contest had only been a minor interlude; the upcoming Potion Conference was the true main event.

Though it was deep into the night, he was not sleepy in the slightest. He began making preparations for the Potion Conference that would arrive tomorrow.