VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

Ten men, their necks marked by the intertwining sacred swords, sat around a stone table. The air in the Hidden Spirit Temple was thick with solemnity. Expressions grim and unreadable, they gave off an aura of unyielding power. Their purpose here was clear—to uphold the sacred balance and maintain the order of their world. But the tension in the room suggested something far more dangerous on the horizon.

"Loosen up on the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon," one of the men spoke with a voice cold as ice. His tone, however, was not suggestive of relaxation. It was an order cloaked in coded authority, indicating that defenses around the area had to be readjusted.

The rest of the men nodded in agreement, offering concise and direct reports on recent happenings. Each brought up matters of crucial importance: magical fluctuations in various regions, potential threats, and new rumors surrounding the Black Vatican. As each matter was presented, the old magician sitting at the head of the table, draped in a magnificent gold-and-red cloak, would assign the appropriate men to deal with the issues at hand.

Finally, the old magician leaned forward, his gaze narrowing on one particular person in the room. "Tangyue!" he called, his voice like a judge delivering a sentence.

"Yes, Head Judge," Tangyue replied, standing at attention. Her hair was tied elegantly, framing her delicate but sharp features. There was strength and intelligence in her posture, the signs of someone who had seen much and learned more.

"Sa Lang seems to be obsessed with the Underground Holy Spring," the Head Judge began, lowering his voice as if the weight of his words could bring forth storms. "You need to be more mindful of the boy who protected it. Keep an eye on him."

Tangyue's eyes widened ever so slightly. "You think Sa Lang is planning to make a move on him? With the strength of Salan and his subordinates… I'm afraid that…"

The Head Judge silenced her with a raised hand. "Don't worry. Salan and his followers have already been cordoned off by us, along with some help from other organizations. But we cannot be complacent. Keep watch."

Tangyue nodded, her mind now focused on the task ahead. She left the Hidden Spirit Temple, her mobile in hand. She hesitated for a moment, debating whether she should warn Light about the possible danger he now faced. The weight of responsibility hung over her like a shadow. Light, after all, had survived one calamity, but would he be prepared for what might come next?

---

Back in his residence, Light sat comfortably inside his living space, feeling the warmth of winter settle around him. His brief respite from his duties allowed him a moment to relax. Mui Nujiao and Ai Tutu had already returned to their homes shortly after the winter vacation started, leaving Light with some quiet time to reflect.

Upon returning from the Ancient Capital, Su Hongxiu, his sister, had wasted no time interrogating him.

"Where have you been?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

Light shrugged, his expression calm. "I went to investigate something. I found the Water of Kun."

Su Hongxiu's eyes widened in shock. "The Water of Kun? You mean the same one connected to the disaster in Bo City?" Her voice trembled slightly. "If you've figured out what even the Magic Courts with their Heavenly Network couldn't, the Black Vatican might come for you! You're walking a dangerous path."

Light offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm prepared for whatever comes."

Su Hongxiu laughed, though the worry in her eyes didn't fade. "You always were invincible," she murmured, shaking her head.

---

The winter vacation passed swiftly. As the second semester began, Light chose not to focus entirely on cultivation. Instead, he frequented the Clearsky Hunter Agency, seeking out missions that might better suit his growing strength and thirst for combat experience.

Combat was, after all, the ultimate teacher. Every battle sharpened his abilities and refined his control over magic. Light's confidence grew with each fight, his cultivation reaping tremendous rewards. Yet, despite the thrill of battle, there were days when boredom set in. Those days dragged on, one after another.

One such afternoon, Light found himself sitting in a cozy milk tea shop, glaring at the little girl across the table from him. Lingling, with her small stature and big eyes, was happily sipping on her milk tea, completely unbothered by his frustration.

"Lingling," Light groaned, "how come there are still no missions? I'm going out of my mind here."

Lingling glanced up at him, her expression one of indifference. "No business means no business. What do you want me to do about it?"

Light sighed deeply, sinking further into his chair. His days of boredom felt never-ending. However, just as he resigned himself to another day of idleness, the distinctive sound of his phone's special ringtone rang out. He straightened immediately, excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Light," Lingling's voice came through the phone. "There's work to do!"

He couldn't help but grin. "Finally! What kind of mission is it?"

Lingling's voice sounded oddly amused. "It's… complicated, but also simple. Come to the Hunter Agency."

Curiosity piqued, Light wasted no time making his way to the Clearsky Hunter Agency. The building was as it always was—resembling a teahouse on the verge of going bankrupt, with barely any signs of life.

Light walked in, and Old Man Bao, sitting behind the counter, looked up as Lingling handed over a mission document. "What's the mission?" Light asked, glancing between them.

Old Bao chuckled and pushed the document toward Light. "Take a look for yourself. In all my years, I've never seen something quite like this."

Light raised an eyebrow but did as he was told. His eyes scanned the document quickly, his expression shifting to one of disbelief as he read the request:

"Due to special reasons, I can only entrust this mission to the Clearsky Hunter Agency. I request the protection of a certain individual: Pearl Institute Azure Campus, Rookie Necromancer… Light."

For a moment, Light didn't move. His name was right there, printed on the mission form. Someone had hired the Clearsky Hunter Agency to protect him.

Lingling tilted her head to the side. "Grandpa, what do you think?"

Old Bao stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Since someone had such faith in us and has already paid in advance, we naturally have to take responsibility. I'll call Dasheng back from Demon City and assign him to this."

Light, however, immediately protested. "Wait! I'm a hunter myself! I don't need protection. I can handle this on my own!"

Old Bao gave him a stern look. "We can't allow that. If something were to happen to you, it would ruin our agency's reputation."

Lingling chimed in, her voice serious for once. "You should be extra careful, Light. Whoever is offering this much money to protect you is a sign that you're in real danger."

Light thought for a moment, then smirked. "I won't be wandering around aimlessly. I'm mostly at school, cultivating. How much danger could I possibly be in?"

But as soon as he said the words, a thought crossed his mind—Bo City, the Water of Kun, the Ancient Capital. The Black Vatican. Had he attracted their attention again? Were they planning to make a move on him after all this time?

"Could Chief Zhankong have seen the signs?" Light muttered under his breath. "Maybe he arranged this protection?"

Old Bao shook his head. "It doesn't matter who arranged it. You're in danger. Dasheng specializes in protection, and I'll send Lingling along with him. You won't even know they're there."

Light laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Uncomfortable? Why should I be uncomfortable?" He met Old Bao's eyes, his voice firm. "Let Senior Brother Dasheng protect my sister, Ye Xinxia, instead. She's more vulnerable than I am."

Lingling crossed her arms, unimpressed. "The mission was for us to protect you."

Light scoffed. "I'm more than enough on my own."