VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

The highway was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of eight black motorcycles racing through the thick fog. The usual commotion of cars, people, and daily life was gone, replaced by an overwhelming stillness that reeked of danger. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long, dark shadows that danced on the debris-strewn streets. Bo City had been transformed into a warzone.

On one of the motorcycles was Light, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. He gripped the handles tightly, his thoughts whirling. A week ago, this would have been an ordinary ride through a bustling city. Now, the streets were home to vicious Magical Beasts, and every corner could hide a deadly ambush. His companions were two familiar faces: Luo Yunbo and Pan Lijun, instructors from the local academy. At the head of their squad was Officer Cheng, an Intermediate Magician and the designated protector of Bo City.

The group was small but efficient, just eight people in total. Having more would have attracted unwanted attention from the beasts roaming the city, and they couldn't afford that. Even so, with an Intermediate Magician leading them, they had a fighting chance against the Warrior-class Magical Beasts lurking in the shadows.

Ahead of them, the highway bridge had crumbled, a jagged scar in the infrastructure left by a passing Warrior-class creature. It was impassable by normal means, but Light wasn't an ordinary magician. He slowed his motorcycle and extended his senses, focusing on the telekinetic power within him. With a slight gesture of his hand, he lifted not only his own motorcycle but also those of his teammates. The machines hovered in the air, their engines still humming as Light maneuvered them across the gap with ease. His telekinesis was smooth and controlled, a testament to the rigorous training he had undergone.

Once on the other side, Light didn't stop there. He summoned more of his power, pulling together broken pieces of the bridge and constructing a temporary path for them to walk across. The squad moved swiftly, their steps light and silent as they made their way toward Mingwen Area, where another breach in the city's defenses had been reported.

The mission was simple: destroy the entry points where the Magical Beasts were pouring into Bo City. The faster they completed their task, the sooner they could reduce the threat to the citizens huddling in the safety zones. Light's mind was focused, his determination solid. With his telekinesis and powerful elements at his disposal, he knew he could make a significant impact.

It didn't take long for the team to reach the first breach. The ground was littered with the bodies of fallen beasts, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and decay. Light, Luo Yunbo, and Pan Lijun exchanged glances, silently coordinating their attack. With a flick of his wrist, Light sent a wave of telekinetic energy crashing into a group of Servant-class monsters, crushing them instantly.

Luo Yunbo unleashed a barrage of fire, his flames scorching the ground and reducing the remaining creatures to ash. Pan Lijun, ever the strategist, used her water magic to create a defensive barrier around them, ensuring no stray attacks could reach the squad. Officer Cheng, standing at the forefront, unleashed a powerful intermediate spell, creating a fissure in the ground that swallowed the remaining beasts.

The first entry point was sealed.

The team quickly moved to the second breach. Light's senses were on high alert, his mind processing every detail of their surroundings. The second breach was larger, with more creatures swarming the area. This time, the team faced a Warrior-class beast, its hulking form towering over them. Its claws gleamed in the dim light, and its roar sent shivers down their spines.

Officer Cheng stepped forward, ready to engage, but Light held up a hand. "Let me handle this," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Before anyone could protest, Light gathered his energy. His telekinetic power surged outward, wrapping around the Warrior-class beast like invisible chains. The creature struggled, thrashing and roaring, but it was no match for Light's control. With a swift motion, he lifted the beast into the air and slammed it into the ground with such force that the earth trembled.

The team watched in awe as Light calmly dispatched the creature, his expression unchanging. It was clear that he was no ordinary magician. His power was far beyond what any of them had seen before.

With the second breach sealed, the team returned to the Safe Zone, their energy depleted. Light, however, stayed behind. He wasn't done yet. The night was far from over, and there were still more beasts to kill.

As the others rested, Light ventured deeper into the city. The streets were a battlefield, littered with the remains of both beasts and humans. From the shadows, the occasional growl or screech could be heard, a reminder that the danger was still very real.

Light's movements were swift and precise. He moved through the city like a ghost, using his telekinesis and elemental magic to wipe out any beasts that crossed his path. His energy reserves were vast, thanks to his innate talent for recovery, and he made sure to put them to good use. Every creature he killed added to his growing collection of Soul Essences and Soul Remnants, the remnants of the beasts' power that he could use to strengthen himself further.

By the time midnight rolled around, Light had wiped out dozens of creatures. His body was tired, but his spirit was still strong. He returned to the Safe Zone just as the first rays of dawn were breaking through the clouds. The night had been long, but it wasn't over yet.

At the Safe Zone, people were cheering. Light, still half-asleep, hazily opened his eyes to see the source of the commotion. Sky Eagles—large, majestic birds used by the military—were soaring through the sky. On their backs were reinforcements, elite magicians who had finally arrived to help defend Bo City.

The sight filled Light with a sense of relief. Reinforcements meant that the tide of the battle could finally turn in their favor. The Sky Eagles landed one by one on the watchtower, each one carrying an Intermediate-class magician ready to join the fight. It was clear that the higher-ups had recognized the severity of the situation and had sent their best troops to deal with it.

The arrival of the Sky Eagles marked a turning point in the battle for Bo City. With the additional support, the magicians in the city could go on the offensive. They split into small teams, using the Safe Zones as strongpoints to launch their attacks. The goal was simple: hunt down every last Magical Beast and destroy any remaining entry points.

Light joined the effort, working alongside the reinforcements to clear out the city. The battles were fierce, but with the combined strength of the magicians, they managed to make significant progress. Over the course of a week, the number of Magical Beasts in Bo City dwindled. The sewer systems were cleared out, the streets were reclaimed, and the entry points were destroyed.

Bo City, however, would never be the same. The destruction left behind by the beasts was overwhelming. Buildings lay in ruins, bridges were collapsed, and the streets were filled with debris. The city had lost much of its population, and those who remained were haunted by the memories of the disaster. The once-thriving city was now a graveyard, a place where the shadows of the past lingered.

Light stood at the edge of the city, overlooking the destruction. His heart was heavy, but he knew that this was only the beginning. There were still battles to be fought, and he had a long road ahead of him.

As the city began to recover, Light prepared for his next journey. His family had decided to stay in Bo City, but Light had other plans. He had been accepted into the Aorus Sacred Institute, one of the most prestigious magic universities in the world. Located in the remote Americas, the institute was a place where the brightest minds and most talented magicians gathered to hone their skills.

Light had also been accepted into the European University Institute and Ray University in Persia, but he had chosen to attend Aorus Sacred Institute as a regular student while doing distance courses at the other two. His decision puzzled his sisters, who questioned why he hadn't chosen the European University Institute, which was ranked number one in the world.

Light explained his reasoning. The Aorus Sacred Institute, though not as prestigious as the European University Institute, was still a powerful institution. Its students were judged according to their own rules, and its influence in the Americas was unmatched. It was a place where Light could grow without being overshadowed by the legacy of ancient families and powerful clans.

As he prepared to leave Bo City, Light reflected on the events that had transpired. The city had suffered greatly, but it had survived. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Light was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. His journey was far from over, and he was determined to become stronger, not just for himself, but for those he cared about.

The world was a dangerous place, filled with unknown threats. But with his power, his determination, and his unyielding spirit, Light knew that he would be able to face anything that came his way.

The demon beasts' extermination in Bo City had been a grueling endeavor that stretched over a week. The constant threat, like an unrelenting storm, had come down on the city's people and tested their resolve. Streets once bustling with activity were now desolate. Buildings were wrecked, and the scent of death clung to every corner. The skies remained gray, mirroring the sorrow hanging over the city's survivors. Even though the major infestations were cleared, the echoes of the calamity still lingered, manifesting in the occasional discovery of corpses or the eerie silence that hung over the rubble.

Light, exhausted from days of battling demon beasts, walked along the cracked streets. The quiet now felt wrong, haunted by the memories of the chaos that had enveloped Bo City just days prior. His every step echoed off the hollow remnants of fallen buildings, and it weighed on him to see his home in such disrepair. The clean-up crews were scattered everywhere, military personnel, mages, and ordinary civilians all working side by side to restore a fraction of what was lost. Yet, despite their efforts, it was clear: Bo City was forever changed.

"Bo City won't be the same again, will it?" Ye XinXia's soft voice brought him out of his thoughts. She sat quietly by the window in their modest home, gazing out at the broken landscape. There was sadness in her voice, and Light knew she spoke not just of the city's structure but the hearts of the people who lived there.

"No," Light replied, his tone firm but gentle. "People are leaving. They can't bear the sight of it anymore. The government's already begun resettling citizens into other cities."

Bo City had always been a quiet place, thriving because of its unique natural resources, the most notable being the Underground Holy Spring. But the Black Vatican's attack had drained the spring dry, leaving the land barren. As Light thought of the Underground Holy Spring, his mind wandered to the Little Loach Pendant resting against his chest. It had absorbed the spring's power in a desperate attempt to preserve what little they could of the city's essence. While the pendant's mysterious power had kept the calamity from being far worse, the consequences of that absorption were yet to be fully understood.

"Have they stopped questioning you about the spring?" Ye XinXia asked.

Light sighed. "For now, yes. Yang Zuohe, Mu Zhuoyun, and General Zhankong decided not to press any further. They know I helped protect the spring, and that's all that matters. But I feel like they still have questions, ones they're not willing to ask."

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Not that it changes anything. Bo City may still stand, but it's no longer the place it once was. The shadow of what happened here will linger for a long time."

Outside, the streets were filled with military trucks ferrying survivors and belongings. The military presence was overwhelming, with armored vehicles, barricades, and check posts marking every major intersection. They were everywhere, as if guarding the remnants of Bo City from another attack that might never come.

Light's parents had chosen to stay, their positions as officials anchoring them to this hollowed shell of a city. Many others had chosen to leave, seeking new beginnings in places untouched by the Black Vatican's cruelty. But for Light, the city was a constant reminder of the fragility of life—and the weight of responsibility he now carried.

He had already made his decision before the calamity had struck. He was heading to the Aorus Sacred Institute, one of the most prestigious magic universities in the world. The city's desolation had only strengthened his resolve to further his magical studies. His acceptance letter was a beacon of hope in these dark times.

"Have you decided on which university to attend?" Athena's voice called from the adjacent room, where she and Light's other sisters were gathered.

"Yeah, I'm going to Aorus Sacred Institute. I'll also take a distance course with European University Institute and Ray University," Light replied.

Athena, Su Xuanhua, and Su Hongxiu exchanged glances. Athena, the eldest and most protective, was the first to respond.

"Are you sure about this? The European University Institute is the top-ranked university in the world," Athena said, raising an eyebrow. "Why not attend there regularly?"

Light leaned against the doorframe, looking at his sisters with a calm expression. "The Aorus Sacred Institute is just as good, if not better in some ways. The European University Institute might be prestigious, but it's saturated with students from powerful ancient families. I don't want to get caught up in their politics. The Aorus Sacred Institute, though? It's newer, more dynamic. Plus, it's located in the Americas, away from all the noise."

He saw the glimmer of understanding in his sisters' eyes. They knew Light never made decisions lightly, and his reasoning was sound. He was always a strategist, someone who looked beyond the surface of things.

"Besides," Light continued, his voice gaining confidence, "the Aorus Sacred Institute is rising quickly. It's even overtaken the Sacred Hall of Liberty in terms of influence. It might not have the centuries of history that the European University does, but its alumni are powerful, and its reach is global."

"True," Su Xuanhua mused. "I've heard some of the most influential people in America graduated from there. Even governments are cautious when dealing with them."

Athena smiled softly. "I guess I can't argue with that. But I hope you know what you're getting into. The Aorus Sacred Institute is known for its challenges. They don't tolerate weakness."

Light grinned. "I'm not worried. If anything, I'm excited. It's exactly the kind of environment I need to grow."

His mind briefly wandered to the stories he had heard about the Aorus Sacred Institute's leniency towards its students. Athena had once told him about an incident involving a student who accidentally destroyed a building in the United States. Instead of facing punishment, the Aorus Sacred Institute had intervened, and the student was set free, thanks to the influence of the school's alumni.

"The Institute takes care of its own," Athena said, recalling the same story. "You'll be in good hands, but don't let that make you complacent. You'll have to earn your place there."

"I will," Light said, his voice filled with resolve.

The following days were a blur of preparations. Light's time in Bo City was coming to an end, and as the day of his departure approached, a sense of both excitement and sorrow filled the air. His sisters, though proud, were clearly going to miss him. Athena was the most vocal, reminding him to stay in touch and focus on his studies. Su Hongxiu, on the other hand, simply hugged him tightly, her usual stern demeanor softening in those final moments.

"I'll make you all proud," Light promised as he boarded the transport bound for the Americas.

The journey to the Aorus Sacred Institute was long and grueling, but it gave Light plenty of time to reflect. He had left behind a broken city, but he was moving toward a new future. The Aorus Sacred Institute awaited him, a place where his potential could truly be unleashed.

As the transport finally neared the Institute, Light's breath caught in his throat. The school was even more impressive than he had imagined. Nestled between the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the towering Andes Mountains to the east, the Aorus Sacred Institute stood like a fortress of knowledge. Its sleek, modern architecture contrasted sharply with the surrounding natural beauty, yet it fit perfectly within the unique landscape.

The white sands stretching out from the ocean's edge to the Institute gave the place an ethereal feel, like a sacred desert untouched by time. To the east, the jagged peaks of the Andes stood tall, their snow-capped summits glistening under the midday sun.

Light took a deep breath, feeling the powerful magic that pulsed through the air here. It was a place of raw energy, and he knew immediately that he had made the right choice.

As he stepped off the transport, he felt a surge of anticipation. This was it—the beginning of a new chapter, the next step in his journey toward becoming the most powerful mage of his time.