Versatile Mage: Starting with the White Tiger Pendant-Chapter 208: National Institute Warm-Up (With Protagonist’s Attributes)
Chapter 208 - 208: National Institute Warm-Up (With Protagonist's Attributes)
Lu Jun effortlessly swept through all institute Chief, claiming the top spot in Pearl Institute. He took several pictures of Mo Fan's unconscious appearance from different angles, then left contentedly.
As for the transition of duties after becoming the Student Council President, he couldn't be bothered. He made a quick call to Qing Yu and handed it over to his little secretary to handle. Accompanying his sister at home was far more important.
In the spectator stands, the refereeing teachers, Fire Institute's Director Wei, and others were astounded even a High-tier Mage was one-shotted?
Director Wei, a Peak High-tier Mage and a knowledgeable individual, muttered to himself, "Peak Four Realms spiritual force, supreme-grade cursed material, advanced-level domain... no wonder..."
A referee next to him lamented, "What a pity for Mo Fan. Reaching the High-tier at such a young age in previous years, he would have dominated all national academies. Yet he encountered Lu Jun. If Fan exists, why must Jun be born?"
"Hahaha." Director Wei burst into laughter. Even though his own institute's student had lost, he didn't feel disappointed. On the contrary, he was thrilled. "Doesn't this just show that this year's burst of talent is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity?"
"You mean... the once-every-four-years Venice National Institute Battle?!"
The referee frowned and shook his head. "Difficult. The National Institute selection is riddled with interference from too many domestic interest groups. The structural issues are deeply rooted. Add to that years of international weakness it's not so simple."
"But isn't this a good sign?"
Elsewhere, Mo Fan's rivals were gloating over his defeat. "Hehe, so what if he's High-tier? Still got one-shotted."
But Zhao Manting, who had a good relationship with Mo Fan, sneered and mocked, "No matter what, Mo Fan is still a High-tier Mage. And you lot? What cultivation level do you have? Trash who'll never even catch his exhaust fumes, yet you have the face to talk?"
With that, all those harboring ill will fell silent, speechless.
What no one expected, however, was that after Lu Jun swept through Pearl Institute, rumors began spreading beyond the campus, sparking a wave of public discussion in society.
After all, High-tier was a threshold even societal Mages took seriously. Out in the world, that level meant being a master not someone to be underestimated. Public discourse gradually shifted focus toward the upcoming National Institute Battle.
"Damn, Pearl has two High-tier students now! This has never happened before. In past years, National Team members usually only reached High-tier after months of field training."
"This year's team might be the most promising yet."
For every fan, there was a critic. Those extremely disappointed in the National Institute Battle took the chance to jeer:
"Every year it's 'most promising ever,' and every year it's straight out in the Round of 32."
"Someone who didn't know better might think it's some obscure small nation—oh wait, it's the mighty magic nation, Nine Provinces."
"The noble clans control the National Team quotas. Even the most useless playboys can get in. They have no will, no perseverance, no fighting spirit. Meanwhile, brilliant commoner mage talents can't even participate."
"Haha, hilarious. Even if the great magic scholar Einstein visited Nine Provinces, he'd have to learn how to toast wine first."
"They've changed National Institute mentors batch after batch, but it's always the same soup with a different pot. I suggest you all be realistic. First understand your own tactical combat systems and magical theories."
Unfortunately, these voices made up the majority. Many netizens who wanted to be supportive were silenced past results simply didn't give them the confidence to speak up.
Not even Lu Jun's terrifying reputation could overturn this public sentiment.
At Golden Source Apartments, Lu Jun saw that many official media outlets and civilian self-media platforms were scrambling to report and hype things up, making him contemplative.
No wonder the popularity was skyrocketing. Turns out the authorities were deliberately pushing for attention—to build momentum for the National Institute Battle.
He also saw netizens' comments and couldn't help but chuckle a little.
But he had to admit, the past two National Institute Battles were indeed disappointing. The one eight years ago when Zhan Kong and Qin Yu'er had accidents ended in Zhan Kong being exiled to Bo City during his first year of high school.
With the main core team gone, the result was predictable: Round of 32 and out.
The next one featured Zhan Kong's younger brother, Zu Xiangtian, who unfortunately encountered the U.S. team and was also tragically eliminated—again, Round of 32 and out.
The past eight years had been a golden age for Nine Provinces' magical power, yet due to various reasons, the team repeatedly failed. As for the teams from even further back, no need to mention them the national strength hadn't yet caught up, and the results showed it.
"National Institute Battle Champion... Reward: [Spiritual Praise Of Parthenon]."
Lu Jun murmured to himself, determined to win. This blessing could multiply the base power of a magical element by 1 to 3 times more terrifying than most innate talents.
Anyone who obtained more than a 2x boost would essentially have the makings of a Forbidden Curse-tier mage.
Of course, only people like Mo Fan and Lu Jun, who had the Azure Dragon and White Tiger pendants assisting them, could stabilize the 2x enhancement.
Most people would be fortunate to maintain 1.5x, and many would only reach around 1.3x—similar to [Water Reapellng Bead], though even that was already monstrous.
However, winning the championship wouldn't be so easy. This time, the British team's captain Zerro was a freak he alone had two Commander-level Summoned Beasts in Summoning Element and possessed Level-3 High-Tier Wind Element, plus the strange Chaos Element.
With Lu Jun unable to reveal his Metal, Space, or Psychic Elements, dealing with just one Commander-level beast would be a heavy burden unless he unleashed his [Ascension] state to instantly kill.
"I still need to keep strengthening and upgrading my Space Element and Summoning Element."
But before Lu Jun could get a few days of cultivation in, Mo Fan, having recovered from his mental injuries with the help of a Healing Element teacher, unexpectedly came to visit.
In the living room, Mo Fan looked like he was in pain. He had finally broken through to High-Tier and was ready to shine only to be slapped down flat and unable to rise again.
Not only was he unable to act cool, he was defeated miserably in front of a crowd. He'd never been so humiliated in his life never suffered such an indignity.
"Old Lu, you're so damn ruthless."
Seeing the evil grin on Lu Jun's face, Mo Fan couldn't help but recall that social media post and clenched his fist.
Lu Jun tried to hold back his laughter and asked, "So what brings you here?"
"Serious business," Mo Fan frowned and said, "You told me before not to rush awakening new Elements when I reach High-Tier and to consider the Demon Element."
"But now I've reached a bottleneck with my remaining three Elements they're at full Intermediate level, and I can't go any further. I also can't gather the Star River Veins anytime soon. Waiting would just be wasting time. I plan to awaken two new Elements. What's your take?"
"Is the Demon Element really as good as you say?"
Hearing this, Lu Jun understood if it were him, he'd make the same choice. He replied nonchalantly, "Up to you. Just don't blame me if the Elements you awaken don't suit you."
He wasn't worried about Mo Fan missing out on the Demon Element. Whether it was High-Tier or Super-Tier awakening, Mo Fan would end up using it eventually. Once it was used, the demon's seed would lie dormant in his body an inescapable curse.
Even Lu Jun, having refined the Blood Abyss, had more or less demon power within him.
Once Mo Fan underwent his fourth awakening at Super-Tier, the Demon Element would emerge naturally. If it came with an extra passive effect like the Rock Element, that would be quite interesting.
Hearing Lu Jun's dismissive tone, Mo Fan scratched his head. In truth, he had already made up his mind. After being so easily defeated by Lu Jun's Curse Element, he had wanted to grit his teeth and pick Psychic Element to make up for his mental weakness.
But after cooling down, reason stopped him. His style didn't suit being a jack-of-all-trades. The Space Element's instant movement was tempting, and the Light Element offered both defense and offense.
Mo Fan didn't stay long and headed off to the Magic Association to awaken his new Elements.
— Main Character Attributes —
Name: Lu Jun
Cultivation: High-Tier Mage, Mental Realm Fourth Boundary, Vitality Realm First Boundary
[Water Element] High-Order Level 1 — Water Control, Raging Surge, Water Curtain Heaven Dome; Soul Seed: Tide, Domain of Water, Fascia Toughness, Water Avoiding Bead
[Curse Element] High-Order Level 1 — Fearful Mist, Evil Spider Trap, Soul Summoning Judgement; Curse Mark: Blood Abyss Imprint
[Metal Element] Intermediate Level 4 — Weapon Forging, Weapon Control; Earthshock Metal: Vajra, Dragon Pattern Nether Iron: Calamity of the Fallen
[Psychic Element] Intermediate Level 4 — Mental Ripple, Mind Ripple; Psychic Sword, Palace of the Mind
[Space Element] Intermediate Level 2 — Telekinesis, Spatial Rhythm
[Summoning Element] Intermediate Level 2 — Dimensional Summoning, Contract Summoning; Night Thunder Dream Beast (Dimensional: Small-Commander level)
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