VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

The beginning of July marked the start of the Aorus Sacred Institute. For Light, this was a future milestone, one he eagerly anticipated. However, it was still only March, leaving him with three months before his journey would truly begin.

Light's enthusiasm knew no bounds, and he refused to waste a single day. The treehouse where he meditated had become his sanctuary, a place where he could feel at peace while focusing on his cultivation.

Since absorbing the Underground Holy Spring, the Little Loach Pendant hanging from his neck had evolved into a mysterious artifact, its potential far beyond what Light could comprehend. He had no way of appraising its grade, yet he knew one thing for certain: its ability to nourish his cultivation had skyrocketed. Even when Light wasn't actively meditating, the pendant would nourish his Nebula, accelerating its growth at a consistent rate.

Light had deduced that the Little Loach Pendant boosted his cultivation speed by an astounding 250%. When paired with his Treasure Cultivation Necklace, the boost was a mind-boggling 1000%, or ten times faster than normal. With this newfound power, Light adjusted his cultivation plan once more, dedicating two hours each day to each of his elements: Lightning, Fire, and Earth.

That morning, he ventured to a secluded area, far from the prying eyes of others, to practice his magic in peace. Having reached the peak of Intermediate level in his elemental magic, Light's mastery over Lightning, Fire, and Earth had grown exponentially. He could now cast Intermediate-level spells in just two seconds—a feat that spoke to his rapid progress.

As he finished his training session, Light's phone vibrated in his spatial storage. As a Space Magician, he had reached a level where he could form an isolated space to keep his belongings, including his phone, safely stored. At his current strength, the storage capacity was the size of a large truck, and it would only grow with his increasing mental fortitude.

Curious about the unknown caller, Light answered the phone.

"Hello, is this Light?" The voice on the other end was mature, warm, and alluring—a tone that could easily put anyone at ease.

"Mrs. Tangyue, it's so great to hear your voice again!" Light responded enthusiastically.

After the calamity that had befallen Bo City, many people had scattered, and he hadn't seen his beloved teacher, Mrs. Tangyue, in some time.

"I'm currently on a mission in the northern area of Hangzhou," Tangyue said. "If you're free, why don't you come over? I could use your assistance, and I can offer some recommendations for your future studies."

"On a mission?" Light asked with intrigue. "Mrs. Tangyue, just how divine are you? Could you give your favorite student a hint?"

"I'll tell you everything in due time," she replied, her voice tinged with mystery. "So, are you coming or not?"

"Of course, I'm coming!" Light exclaimed without hesitation.

"You've reached the Intermediate level, haven't you?"

"How did you know?" Light asked, surprised but impressed by her insight.

"We happen to be in need of a Space Magician," Tangyue explained.

The northern part of Hangzhou was close to Shanghai, and Light wasted no time heading to the small town of Xishui, where Tangyue had directed him. The name of the town intrigued him. In his mind, the Jiangnan area should have been filled with scenic waterways, but the reality was quite different. There wasn't a river, stream, or even a pond in sight. The town seemed dry and desolate, as though it had been abandoned long ago.

Arriving at the "Spaced Inn," Light spotted Mrs. Tangyue sitting on the balcony, her gaze focused on the distance. Her figure was as captivating as ever—graceful and poised. As her long hair fluttered in the wind, Light couldn't help but admire her beauty.

"Mrs. Tangyue is still as stunning as always," Light thought to himself.

"You're not too bad yourself," Tangyue remarked as she noticed him approach. "Reaching the Intermediate level at your age is quite the achievement. Even among the major magical families, you'd be considered a genius."

"Thank you, Mrs. Tangyue," Light said with a smile. "But I've always wondered—why would someone like you, who's clearly not just a simple teacher, come to a place like Tian Lan Magic High?"

"Do you know about the Enforcement Union of the Magic Association?" Tangyue asked, her expression turning serious.

"I've heard of them," Light replied. "Aren't they a group of elite Magicians who uphold the laws of the magical world?"

"Exactly," Tangyue confirmed. "And I'm one of them. We had been monitoring the Black Vatican's activities even before the incident in Bo City, but we didn't anticipate the scale of their plot. Unfortunately, we couldn't stop them in time."

Tangyue's voice was heavy with regret, but she quickly shifted the conversation. "Enough of that for now. Let's focus on the task at hand. Something strange is happening here in Xishui. The town's water resources have completely dried up, and it's not just an isolated incident. We've received reports of similar occurrences in other towns and cities."

Light's curiosity was piqued. "What do you need me to do?"

"I'm still gathering information," Tangyue said. "But I suspect this has something to do with illegal magical activities. We need to investigate, and I could use your help."

"Then let's not waste any time," Light said, eager to assist.

Tangyue led him through the desolate streets of Xishui. The further they went, the more apparent the devastation became. The once-lush vegetation had withered, and the air was thick with the oppressive heat of drought. It felt unnatural, as though something had drained the life out of the land itself.

They soon spotted a man in a round hat speaking with an old farmer near the dried-up riverbed.

"When did the water first start to disappear?" the man asked the farmer.

"About ten days ago," the farmer replied. "My son went swimming upstream, and after that day, the water just vanished. It was like magic."

The man thanked the farmer and began to walk upstream, following the dried riverbed. Light watched him go, sensing that there was more to this man than met the eye.

"Let's follow him," Tangyue whispered to Light.

They quietly tailed the man, careful to keep their distance. As they moved deeper into the hills, the dried riverbed stretched out before them like a scar on the land. There was no sign of moisture, and the plants nearby were all but dead.

"This place looks like it's been suffering from drought for months," Light observed. "But there hasn't been any news about it. Something's definitely not right."

Tangyue suddenly placed her hand over Light's mouth, pulling him into the shadows of a nearby tree.

"Shh… hide your aura," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

Light's heart raced as they concealed themselves, blending into the shadows. He could feel Tangyue's body pressed close to his, her scent intoxicating. But there was no time to dwell on such distractions—something dangerous was approaching.

A group of Magicians appeared on the other side of the dried brook. They wore the distinctive attire of Hunter Magicians, seasoned combatants who often worked outside the safety zones, dealing with magical beasts and rogue mages alike.

"Trust me, there's a Spirit Grade Fire Seed here," one of the men said, his cowboy hat tilted back on his head. "It's worth a fortune if we can get our hands on it."

"You better not be messing with us, Panxiong," another man with a scarred face growled. "We gave up a big bounty to come here."

"Relax, we'll find it soon enough," Panxiong reassured them. "Just stick with me, and we'll all be rich."

Light's eyes narrowed. A Spirit Grade Fire Seed was a rare and powerful resource, capable of greatly enhancing a Fire Magician's abilities. If these Hunter Magicians were after it, then the situation was even more serious than he had thought.

"We need to stop them," Tangyue whispered, her voice resolute.

Light nodded in agreement. Together, they would uncover the truth behind the dried-up brook and the sinister forces at play in Xishui.