Chương 4: Chapter 4: The Magus
"The reason is simple: the quality of the teaching and the fact that I don't have a Magic Crest."
Waver's face showed a hint of surprise. A Magic Crest is a mystical engraving passed down through generations of magi, representing a lifetime of accumulated knowledge and power. It is the most crucial inheritance for a magical lineage.
Magi transfer their Magic Crests to their successors upon death, continuing the lineage from one generation to the next. The powerful status of ancient mage families largely stems from the existence of these Crests.
Without a Magic Crest, it meant that Li Xiang wasn't from a mage family—in other words, he was a commoner.
"There's a problem here."
Waver took a drag from his cigar, raising a finger. "You're a commoner, so why are you being given special treatment? The introduction letter also mentions that the Department of Astromancy arranged a special entrance exam just for you. As far as I know, Lord Marisbury Animusphere has been largely indifferent to Clock Tower affairs in recent years, leaving the Department of Astromancy in the hands of his top disciple, Kirschtaria Wodime, and his daughter, Olga Marie."
"I don't know."
Li Xiang shook his head with a bitter smile. He had woken up in the middle of the entrance exam for the Department of Astromancy and, lacking the memories of his predecessor, he was entirely clueless about the events leading up to it.
"Could it be that you're Lord Marisbury's illegitimate child?"
"?"
"Just joking. Given your Eastern appearance, you couldn't possibly be his child."
Waver pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing, "This is such a headache."
"So... can I still join the Department of Modern Magecraft?"
Li Xiang asked cautiously, watching as Waver fell silent.
"Argh!"
Suddenly, Waver ruffled his hair in frustration. "Those bastards! Why do they always dump troublesome matters on me?"
The composed image he had been maintaining crumbled in an instant.
"Krische! Take him to Sla Street, get him settled in, and have him come see me tomorrow."
Waver waved them off, clearly not wanting to deal with it any longer.
Relieved, Li Xiang bowed respectfully and followed Krische out of the apartment.
The Clock Tower boasts five major lecture halls and over seventy smaller classrooms, with the main academic building itself being part of the First Department, styled to resemble the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Beyond that, the other eleven departments have been converted into satellite campuses, scattered across various districts around London.
Sla Street, known as District 12 of the Clock Tower, is where the Department of Modern Magecraft is located. Due to a lack of funding, the western side still retains its 12th-century classical architecture, while the eastern side closer to the center of London features more modern buildings.
"Here's your key."
Before Li Xiang stood a massive mansion, occupying around 300 tsubo (approximately 991 square meters), a stark contrast to the dilapidated apartment where Waver lived.
Li Xiang took the key and walked up to the second floor.
"There's nothing scheduled for today. Tomorrow, you should go to the Lord's apartment on your own. Don't go in the afternoon; the Lord usually lectures in the El-Melloi classroom at that time. But don't go too late in the morning either, as he might have other matters to attend to."
"Understood."
"If you have free time, you can explore the area or visit the shops to buy some daily necessities."
Krische pointed to a room. "This is it, Room 207, a single dormitory. We don't have many rules here, but remember this: don't enter other department dormitory areas without permission, as it could spark unnecessary conflicts. I'm usually in the lobby downstairs, so if you need anything, come find me."
"Thank you."
Li Xiang opened the door to his room, finding a bed, a desk, and a small bathroom.
A simple setup.
He walked over to the window and pulled up the curtain. Outside was a half-meter-wide balcony, clearly neglected, with six flower pots that had long since withered.
In the distance, he could just make out the Clock Tower, while the Thames River and London Bridge were obscured by tall buildings.
"Irigal, are you awake yet?"
Li Xiang sat down by the desk, picking up an empty teapot, and began calling out to his supposedly comatose system.
[I'm awake, I'm awake! Did you miss me, Master?]
"Are you still dreaming?"
Li Xiang knocked on the teapot in annoyance. "Let me ask you something—can I team up with others to do quests within the rules?"
[It depends.]
"Depends?"
Li Xiang paused, his expression darkening. "You mean it depends on your mood?"
[No, no! Everything is centered around you, Master. As your system, I'm not swayed by emotions.]
"Fine, be direct."
[Rewards for teaming up will be distributed based on your performance.]
"So, if I team up with others, the rewards will be reduced proportionally."
[Exactly! If you just tag along without contributing, you won't get any rewards.]
Li Xiang fell into deep thought. Originally, he had planned to find someone to team up with for Side Quest 2.
The unknown is the most unpredictable, and given his current abilities, the danger of attempting the quest alone was high.
He focused on the task's reward.
In the Clock Tower's hierarchy, magi are ranked from Apprentice (末子), to Adept (长子), to Formal Mage (开位), then up through different levels of mastery (祭位, 典位, 色位, 冠位).
His magical potential was average, with only seven Magic Circuits. Under normal circumstances, it would take a long time to be recognized as a proper magus. But now, he could achieve that by simply completing this quest.
The second reward was the Nordic ancient curse, Yin Qi Bomb.
Li Xiang recalled that this was a type of magecraft used by Rin Tohsaka, which, when enhanced, was deadly if it hit a vital point. Among basic magecraft, it was known for being exceptionally powerful.
He made up his mind and then, remembering something, asked, "Irigal, what about the reward for my first side quest?"
[Reward granted. Magus class activated, elemental attribute detected: Earth.]
"Only one element?"
Li Xiang had anticipated this, but it was still disappointing. True geniuses often possess dual or multiple attributes, like Rin Tohsaka, who had all five major elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Ether, ranking among the top in magical talent within the Mage's Association.
"Let's try opening the Magic Circuits."
Li Xiang closed his eyes, his breathing steady and strong.
A pale yellow light began to spread, and he felt as if he were standing in a desolate, barren plain where life had faded away, leaving only the crackle of lightning and the roar of thunder.
He extended his right hand.
Seven lightning-shaped circuits lit up along his arm.
"A spear?"
The circuits were long and thin, resembling a spear, encircling his arm like a cage.
"This lightning-shaped spear cage is the manifestation of my Magic Circuits' switch."
Li Xiang came to this realization.
"What's that sound?"
He looked toward the source.
Skyscrapers stretched endlessly, cars several meters high, and the world seemed to have become enormous.
"No, that's not right!"
Li Xiang quickly realized that he had shrunk again, once more turning into the black cat from last night's dream.
[Master, to your left!]Irigal suddenly reminded him.
Li Xiang whipped his head around.
Across the busy street, in a gap between passing cars, he spotted a white Volkswagen Beetle quietly parked.
Finally found it!
Li Xiang quickly memorized the surrounding features.
A billboard nearby flashed a long string of English letters.
Victoria.
The scene vanished in an instant, and Li Xiang found himself back in his dorm room.
He immediately went downstairs and found Krische. "Do you have a gun?"
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