Chapter 19: What's My Score?
(Hey Guys! Just a quick note—last chapter was a one-time event and couldn't be altered in the story. Moving forward, there won't be any more translations, and the plot may change significantly.)
"Brother Zhuoyun, please wait. It was just the recklessness of youth. As the principal, I apologize on Mo Fan's behalf. I will make sure he learns his lesson," the principal of Tian Lan Magic High called out as he hurried after Mu Zhuoyun, trying to calm him down.
"Wait? Why should I? How dare that brat speak to me like that after I gave him face!" Mu Zhuoyun fumed as he stormed away from the training ground, clearly displeased with what had transpired.
The other directors, Mu He and Mu Ningxue, followed silently behind.
"Principal, there's no need for you to apologize! It's that damn brat who doesn't know his place. There's no reason for us to waste any more time here after such humiliation," Mu He, who was walking behind Mu Zhuoyun, said, his brows furrowing in anger.
"No, there is a reason," the vice principal interjected hurriedly, turning to Mu He. "There's one more person we should definitely see."
"Who?" Deng Kai asked. He was probably the only one in the group of directors who remained impartial and genuinely interested in nurturing talent.
"Damon Crown. He's up next. Damon is our best student; he always secures the top spot and has awakened the lightning element. He's the strongest and most talented in our school, and—" the vice principal began to explain, hoping to pique Mu Zhuoyun's interest and perhaps salvage the school's reputation after Mo Fan's actions.
"And?" Deng Kai, who was attentively listening, asked as the vice principal suddenly stopped speaking, casting a meek glance at Mu Zhuoyun and Mu Ningxue.
"And he was able to cast his primary magic, Lightning Strike, in just five months," the principal, sensing the vice principal's hesitation, stepped in to finish the explanation.
"Lightning element, and in just five months?" The directors near them gasped at the principal's words, and even Mu Zhuoyun, who had been steadily leaving, paused.
"Yes, in just five months, Damon managed to cast his first spell. From the day he had his tyrannical awakening, which destroyed half the classroom, I've paid close attention to him. He's truly a genius." Seeing Mu Zhuoyun stop, the principal appeared relieved and added more.
"What are you even saying? Five months to cast a primary spell? Even our Ningxue, whose talent is considered the best among the students of Imperial University, took eight months!" Mu He, outraged, called out the principal after hearing this news.
"Mu He…" Without turning, Mu Zhuoyun raised his hand, signaling Mu He to stop talking.
"Principal, are you telling the truth?" Mu Zhuoyun asked lightly, turning back slightly and gazing directly at the principal.
"I dare not lie to Brother Zhuoyun. What I say is the truth," both the principal and vice principal nodded with certainty.
They had previously agreed not to share these details with Mu He and Mu Zhuoyun, only mentioning that Damon was an exceptional talent. The principal feared how Mu Zhuoyun would react, knowing how much pride he took in his daughter, Mu Ningxue, and decided to play it safe. But now, in an effort to please Mu Zhuoyun and restore the school's face after Mo Fan's incident, they had disclosed Damon's complete information.
"Look, Damon is taking the test," the vice principal suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention to the tall, black-haired figure of Damon as he made his way to the star appraisal stone.
"He…" Mu Ningxue frowned, wanting to say something, but before she could, Mu He asked, "A foreigner?" His frown deepened as the principal began to explain Damon's background.
"His parents were victims of the Shenzhen incident 15 years ago, after which he was relocated with other victims to Bo City and raised in an orphanage. He is truly a great talent, and I'm sure he will surprise everyone and take first place," the principal, smiling as things seemed to be going well now, explained while silently praying for Damon to give an excellent performance, taking Mo Fan's limelight and soothing Mu Zhuoyun's anger.
*****
"Place your hands on the stone," one of the instructors instructed after thoroughly checking the stone to ensure no incidents like before occurred.
Damon nodded, placing his hands on the stone, which still held the warmth from Mo Fan's use of fire magic.
"Now close your eyes and concentrate on your stardust," the instructor added.
Damon, with one hand in his pocket, didn't even bother closing his eyes after they signaled him to begin.
"Student, you—" The bald instructor frowned, noticing Damon still not closing his eyes and was about to say something when the pitch-black stone suddenly emitted a bright radiance.
The glow quickly grew brighter, surpassing Mu Bai's within a second and soon matching Mo Fan's level. But the brightness didn't stop there—it continued to grow even more intense.
The three examiners were initially shocked but quickly composed themselves and immediately gave their ratings.
"S+"
"S+"
"S+"
Three S+ ratings.
"That's so bright! Even Mo Fan's stardust wasn't this vibrant!"
"Whoa! Isn't S+ the highest rating the appraisal stone can give? As expected of our Prince, getting three S+'s and breaking the record again."
"What's there to be shocked about? We all knew the result from the start. He's our Prince for a reason."
While many students were shocked, others remained calm as if they had expected this result. Xu Zhaoting and Mu Bai were among the best in the school, so their results were something everyone anticipated. Mo Fan's results were surprising, as no one could have imagined him hiding his progress and suddenly rising from the bottom to the top. But Damon's score? It was almost expected. He had already cast his primary magic with ease in the first semester. The real surprise would have been if he didn't get the highest marks.
Damon's existence in the class felt like a cheat code. With his talent and current rank, it was unfair to compete with the other students.
The examiners then asked Damon if he would like to take the next test of activation, which he accepted.
Still with a hand in his pocket, Damon leisurely walked to the center of the stage where he would cast his magic.
"Damon, stay calm and composed," Xue Musheng advised as he watched Damon excitedly preparing for the test, his eyes darting to the principal, Mu Zhuoyun, and others still watching.
Reaching his position calmly, Damon stood leisurely until the examiners signaled him to begin.
"You may begin."
At the cue, Damon slightly raised his arms, his palms open.
"Lightning Strike- Mad Whip!"
No special chants, no unnecessary movements, just a simple chant. As soon as Damon uttered the name, lightning began to appear on his forearms.
Crackle
From his shoulders to his palms, the lightning surged, concentrated in his hands. There were no wild lightning arcs dancing around him as usual; everything appeared controlled.
The lightning in his palm grew more intense, taking the shape of a snake's head. Damon then raised his palm slightly, spreading his fingers.
Wild crackling noises filled the air as the snake head shot out of Damon's palm, speeding towards the puppet in the distance.
Like a viper, the lightning python struck the puppet with lightning speed, its mouth opening wide as it engulfed the puppet entirely.
The wooden puppet hit by the lightning python was instantly charred, disintegrating into ashes.
As if unsatisfied with just the puppet, the lightning python continued its path, searching for its next target.
"Stop," Damon muttered, dispelling the python just before it reached the school fence, the next target in its trajectory.
The lightning python vanished instantly, leaving only black scorch marks stretching across the ground.
The violent spell had wreaked havoc on the grounds. Students, teachers, instructors, and guests alike stood frozen in shock, their mouths agape as they took in the scene.
A pin-drop silence fell over the grounds; not a single sound was heard as everyone held their breath.
Damon regarded the silent audience with indifference, ignoring their stares as he turned to the baffled instructors, their mouths still open, eyes fixed on the spot where the python had disappeared.
"What's my score?"
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