Chapter 125: Barrier of the Wind

Given my current mana, being able to teleport even a short distance is already quite an achievement. I shall wait until my power grows to experiment further with this spell.

"Everyone, please introduce yourselves; it will help you get to know one another," Teacher Yun Lan said. "Also, share your goals for practicing magic."

"Naturally, it is to become a powerful mage..." the students replied with smiles.

"I will go first," Ling Meng volunteered, standing up before anyone else. "My name is Ling Meng, of the Light Elf race. I study magic to eradicate all evil."

"As expected of a goddess; she is truly different from us mortals, with such lofty ambitions. It is such a blessing to be in the same class as Goddess Ling Meng..." the students behind her whispered, drooling as she sat back down.

"Excellent. As mages, this is exactly what you should strive for. Who is next?"

"I am Shen Zaiguo, of the Divine Dragon race. I practice magic to... become stronger and avoid being a burden to others."

The others followed in turn, some speaking with grand, passionate fervor, others with lighthearted humor.

When it was Bai Shengye's turn to stand, he hadn't even spoken before Hei Yu interjected:

"To pick up girls."

Bai Shengye shrugged. "This young master is so charming; I rely on my own abilities to woo women. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Yixin, you have yet to speak," Yun Lan noted.

"I practice magic to..." He stood up, looking serious and contemplative. "To guard the original battlefield, to protect the Eastern Lands..."

"To surpass his older brother, Yifeng. Everything else is just a lie," Hei Yu added with a yawn, speaking impatiently.

Yixin grabbed a newly issued textbook and hurled it at him. "Shut up!"

"Great shot, great shot!" Bai Shengye immediately picked a side, leaning toward Yixin and handing him the book he was holding.

Hei Yu retaliated fiercely, grabbing a book of his own and firing it back at Yixin.

In an instant, a frenzy of flying books erupted in the classroom. Books that accidentally struck other desks incited those students to join the fray, while the students in the back rows stood up to cheer and applaud.

Beads of sweat trickled down Yun Lan’s forehead, and his mouth twitched as he managed to say:

"Uh... Yixin, I was considering making you class monitor, but now it seems..."

"Ahem!" Yixin coughed twice, stopped throwing books, and shouted: "Enough! Let’s get back to class!"

The classroom fell silent at once, and the students returned to their seats.

"Well... let us begin the lesson," Teacher Yun Lan said with an awkward smile.

The morning curriculum was much the same as before—covering the restraint and fusion of magic elements, though it added some practical combat techniques and an overview of the fighting styles of other races on the continent.

After all, the upcoming Magic Tournament would feature participants from every continent, including not only human mages but also mechanics from the Snowy Regions, as well as astrologers, puppeteers, and poison masters from the South.

The afternoon class was held, as usual, in the forest outside the city. The members of Class S strolled confidently along the road out of the city. Other classes were heading out as well, and upon seeing that the leading class was personally guided by Dean Yun Lan, many were filled with envy.

Ling Xiao Lei was still in Class A, led by Teacher Shi Fangcheng. From a distance, she watched Ling Meng and Hei Yu walking together, chatting and laughing the whole way.

Bai Shengye sidled up to Ling Meng: "Goddess, why don't you team up with me later? I have a secret stash of magic potions I can provide you for free."

"Two healing-type supports on one team? Don't be ridiculous," Hei Yu pushed him aside. "Team up with me; I can protect you."

"I don't wish to team up with anyone," Ling Meng said, walking ahead with her head held high. Hei Yu and Bai Shengye hurried to follow.

"Goddess Ling Meng, don't walk away, don't walk away!"

Passing through the market, the aroma of grilled meat skewers drifted over. Yun Lan stopped, his nose led by the scent; he found himself unable to resist, taking steps toward the stall, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

"Dean Yun Lan!"

Yixin noticed the group veering off course and immediately called out, "Where, where are you going!"

"Ah!" Yun Lan snapped back to reality and gave an awkward smile. "My dear students, wouldn't you like to take a break and grab a meat skewer?"

"Absolutely not!"

Yixin quickly stopped him, flustered, and said, "Dean Yun Lan, if you do that, you'll spoil the students and erode their fighting spirit! Look at the other classes behind us; they are all heading out of the city. As Class S, we must set an example. We must reach the training ground faster than them and train harder than them!"

"Uh..." Yun Lan dismissed the thought of the skewers, his smile as gentle as a spring breeze. "Let us continue toward the forest."

Yixin felt a headache coming on and sighed, rubbing his temples.

Before long, the students of Class S gathered in the forest on the outskirts of the city. The training ground used by Class S was larger than those of the other classes and closest to the main gate of the Holy City.

Entering into "training mode," Yun Lan looked slightly more serious. He stood in the center of the field, flipping through a thick student file, and said:

"Today, I will conduct a trial. Based on your performance today, I will formulate specialized training plans for each student."

As he spoke, he conjured a small whirlwind that circled his feet, drawing a tiny circle in the sand.

"You may all attack me at once. If I step out of this circle, you win. Give it your all—don't hold back." He offered a gentle smile.

The students looked at each other, none daring to step forward.

They whispered, "Even though Teacher Yun Lan seems kind on the surface, he is one of the few Saint Magus-level figures on the continent. Even if we all attack together, we don't stand a chance..."

"Oh, I forgot to mention, I will not be fighting back," Teacher Yun Lan added.

Only then did everyone feel at ease. They immediately manifested their staves, surrounded Teacher Yun Lan, and launched a simultaneous attack. Yet, with a light wave of his hand, Yun Lan dispelled every strike with a gentle breeze.

Ling Meng and Yixin stood close together. Though they had initially been in separate groups, Ling Meng noticed that Yixin’s flames were the most potent among all the students' magic and had the greatest chance of breaking through Yun Lan’s defense. She cast a "Mana Amplification" on Yixin, and his flames instantly expanded several times over, surging toward Yun Lan with a force capable of crushing all enemies.

A sea of fire remained before Yun Lan. He looked surprised, but managed to form a wind barrier just in time to block it; the flames struck the barrier and were blown away by the swirling wind.

Hei Yu had seen this wind barrier before. Near the Border Great Wall, Yun Lan had personally coached his training and demonstrated this very shield. It had taken everything Hei Yu had—a Magic Light Slash infused with the essence of his "Wind Blade" technique—to finally cut through it.