Chapter Fourteen: Practical Magic Training

The bottle of mineral water traced a perfect arc through the air, landing squarely on Yi Xin’s back. Then, from the sports field, erupted a roar powerful enough to shatter every window pane:
"Hei Yu! Are you courting death?"

That afternoon, in a tranquil forest on the outskirts of the city, a disciplined troop of magicians assembled energetically in a clearing.

"From today onward, I will subject you to comprehensive training in physical fitness, close combat, and magical skills!"
Teacher Shi Fangcheng smashed his fists together, his stern gaze sweeping over the group.

"Now, as a warm-up, run ten laps around this forest!"

"Ten laps?!"
The students of Class A grumbled, but had no choice—they began to run.

In the dormitory, Hei Yu tossed restlessly under his blanket.
"Why is it so quiet outside? How long have I been asleep?"

Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he sprang from his bed.

"Oh no! Practical training class!"

Led by Yi Xin, a team completed the laps, panting as he reported,
"Teacher… we’re done."

"Excellent! From now on, Yi Xin is the class president. Any objections?"
The other students, exhausted and sprawled on the ground, could only nod weakly. They hadn’t endured such intense physical training in ages.

"Today’s practical task: hunt a magical beast with at least ten years of cultivation and bring its essence to me!"
The words had barely left Teacher Shi Fangcheng’s lips when a plume of dust sped toward them from the city gate.

"Teacher!"
Hei Yu ran up to Shi Fangcheng, gasping,
"S-sorry, I…"

"Late for the very first class! Go, run twenty laps around the forest!"

"What?"
Hei Yu’s legs nearly gave out.
"I just ran all the way here from the academy…"

"Hurry up!"
Shi Fangcheng’s eyes blazed with fury as he pointed at the woods.

Ling Xiaolei snickered amid the crowd as Hei Yu, dejected, trudged off to circle the forest.

"You may practice freely for now. That brat, late for the first lesson—he hasn’t yet witnessed my thunderous methods…"
"Yes, sir!"

The students dispersed.

Ling Xiaolei selected a secluded patch of woods, drew intricate runes on the ground, and murmured incantations with a focused expression.

"Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise…"
Four pale violet runes lit up around her.

"Barrier of Shadow!"

Suddenly, four shields rose up in unison. Ling Xiaolei repeated the practice, her speed in inscribing runes and summoning barriers growing ever faster.

"I remember Teacher He Yin said, when the runes and shields manifest simultaneously, the casting speed is flawless. My rune inscription still takes too long—I must keep practicing…"

By the time Hei Yu finished his twenty laps, the students had reassembled.

"Now, hunt your magical beast. You have twenty minutes!"
Shi Fangcheng’s tone brooked no argument.

"Twenty minutes?"
The students started to protest, but Shi Fangcheng’s imposing aura pressed down like a storm, his eyes gleaming with the menace of death.

"If you can’t even manage this, do you dare call yourself a member of the Holy City Academy of Magic? Fail to finish in twenty minutes, and pack your bags!"

"Y-yes, sir!"
Shaking, the students retreated, then broke into a run toward the woods.

"Hei Yu, let’s check over there," Ling Xiaolei suggested, wanting to team up.

"No way! My calves are aching—I’m not going anywhere today."
Hei Yu waved her off, hugging his legs as he sank to the ground.

"Hei Yu… could you show some ambition? Look at other heroes in books—so diligent! Besides sleeping in class, being late, and slacking off, what else can you do?" Ling Xiaolei’s words pierced straight to the point.

A familiar figure walked by.
"Hmph, with the time you waste slacking, I could have already taken down a magical beast," Yi Xin remarked.

At that moment, rustling sounded in the bushes behind Hei Yu. Suddenly, students who had rushed ahead were now scrambling back, shouting for help.

"Help! It’s a giant tusked boar!"

The rampaging tusked boar crashed through the underbrush, charging at the students still lingering in the clearing.

"Ah!"

Panic struck them all; they couldn’t even summon their staffs in time.

"Don’t be afraid!"

Hei Yu abruptly stood, seeming to forget his leg pain. He leveled his staff before him, his aura flaring sharply, his gaze resolute and cold.

"This magical beast is mine to—"

Before he could finish, someone kicked him hard in the back. He pitched forward, landing face-first in the grass, mouth full of leaves.

Yi Xin vaulted from Hei Yu’s back, his right fist blazing with crimson flames, and punched the charging boar squarely in the head.

"Blazing Fist!"

A crisp crack resounded— the boar’s skull shattered. The students behind winced at the sound, as if their own bones were breaking.

The fire on Yi Xin’s fist surged, piercing the beast’s massive head and roasting it through. The Blazing Fist, strongest close-combat move of the Scarlet Flame family, perfectly fused magic and physical might. One punch, fatal and ruthless, showed the ferocity of his strike.

Yi Xin turned and smiled,
"That was payback for the bottle earlier."

Hei Yu pushed himself up, spitting grass from his mouth.

"Yi Xin, you—"

Soon, the beast’s essence floated above the boar’s head. A crowd of students gathered around Yi Xin in awe,
"Wow, worthy second son of the Scarlet Flame family—one punch took down such a huge boar!"

Though indifferent to their praise, Yi Xin crossed his arms, feigning pride just to irritate Hei Yu.

"Hmph. The difference in strength."

"You—"

Hei Yu flipped himself upright.

"Come on! Let’s hunt an even tougher beast—so this guy doesn’t get too smug!"
He grabbed Ling Xiaolei by the shoulder, practically dragging her away.

"Even tougher? What level?"
Ling Xiaolei tilted her head.

"Ancient-class!"

"Are you insane…"

Besides ordinary animals, the continent’s prey is ranked as magical beasts, demons, and ancient-class demons. Magical beasts are animals mutated by corruption from dark powers, becoming savage. Demons, legend says, are descendants of true underworld beings. Ancient-class demons are those who have survived since antiquity; such creatures are documented in bestiaries, and their habitats are strictly forbidden zones.