《Ultimate Mage Potential (If Only I Had enough Mana…)》


 Prologue

    Massacre, and only Massacre Remains in the Night.


    Blood and fire devoured the village¡ªmutilated corpses, broken limbs, crumbling ruins.


    Amidst the wreckage, Alan Green''s consciousness faded. Blood poured from his eyes and mouth, staining the earth beneath him.


    Today was supposed to be his wedding day. His wedding with the beautiful Catherine.


    Alan was captivated by her innocence and beauty, but to Catherine, he was nothing more than a speck of dust.


    A farmer¡¯s son was unworthy of her. A farmer¡¯s son would always be a farmer. No matter how wealthy the Green family became, they were still just farmers.


    A stable life, food on the table, and a roof overhead¡ªnothing more.


    To become a mere rich countryside wife was far less appealing than exchanging the Green family''s secret of wealth for an opportunity to climb the ladder of status and power.


    Eager to win Catherine¡¯s heart, Alan, against his parents'' wishes, revealed to her the greatest secret of their land¡ªthe existence of a Mana Spring beneath their fields.


    The Mana Spring nourished their lands, making them exceptionally fertile and fast-growing. During the war a decade ago, this advantage had amassed great wealth for the Green family.


    What Alan didn¡¯t know was that Mana Springs were exceedingly rare. Their true value lay in their ability to refine magical energy¡ªpurified mana that any sorcerer would kill to possess.


    A man without sin is doomed when he holds a treasure others desire.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    To Douglas Enzo, Catherine was nothing but a plaything for his second son, Oliver¡ªjust a village woman with some beauty. If Oliver insisted on marrying her into the House of Enzo, Douglas wouldn¡¯t mind borrowing her for some fun first to shatter his son¡¯s foolish infatuation.


    As one of the Noble Six of Kingdom Auffre, Enzo of Leviathan was infamous for its greed and cunning. Profit was their creed. Anything that did not bring them profit was a waste of time¡ªincluding marriage.


    Love? Happiness? Mere trivialities.


    Pleasure was always within reach. Only the benefits a marriage could bring held true worth.


    A lowly village woman would never be allowed to set foot on their golden stairway to power¡ªnot even as a concubine.


    Until Catherine brought them news of the Mana Spring.


    Perhaps this village woman was more valuable¡ªmore intelligent¡ªthan his own disappointing son, Douglas mused.


    A single Mana Spring was enough to be her ticket into Enzo of Leviathan.


    And so, the insatiable Leviathan extended its olive branch. Guided by Catherine, it opened its greedy maw once more¡ªthis time, its sights set on the Green family.


    On the day of the wedding, Oliver Enzo arrived with his mage guards. Coldly, he announced the marriage was canceled.


    Catherine stood by his side, looking down at Alan with indifferent eyes.


    Alan fought back in fury, but he could only watch as his parents were executed before his eyes, his village engulfed in flames.


    He struggled with all his might, trying to rise, but was brutally shoved into the mud, completely helpless.


    "Ants should stay where they belong," Oliver said arrogantly, gazing at Alan writhing in the dirt.


    "If I wish, your woman, your home, even your life¡ªeverything could be mine."


    "But I have no interest in taking your head back as a drinking cup. You¡¯re not worth it."


    Alan''s eyes burned with hatred.


    With his final breath, he uttered a curse filled with despair:


    "You will pay for this..."


    Blood soaked the land.


    Alan''s eyes slowly closed as he died on the very soil that once held his hopes and happiness.


    Oliver left, carrying with him the secret of the Mana Spring.


    Alan¡¯s body lay quietly among the ruins¡ªcold, rigid, lifeless.


    Years later, when Oliver laid eyes upon this very "corpse" again, he would regret deeply.


    Regret that he had not taken Alan¡¯s head that day.


    Regret that he had not mounted it upon his wall like a trophy, never to be forgotten.

 Chapter 1: The Greatest Potential of All Time

    Auffre Kingdom, Aufrre City.


    At Aurora Academy, the annual entrance examination is currently in progress.


    The Potential Assessment was the first round for admission. It not only determined the examinee¡¯s future profession¡ªWarrior, Rogue, or Mage¡ªbut also assigned a corresponding potential rating, ranging from Level 1 to Level 5.


    At the center of the examination hall, a massive crystal ball floated silently in midair, waiting for each examinee to touch it and reveal their potential.


    ¡°Next, Sigurd Nord.¡±


    As the examiner called the name, the murmurs in the crowd abruptly ceased. A young man, dressed in a black, yet luxurious robe, with globe-encircling serpent embroidered on the back, strode forward with steady steps.


    His sea-blue hair fluttered gently in the wind, and his deep blue eyes were like the ocean. His expression was one of icy indifference, as if this moment held no more significance than a passing breeze.


    He hailed from one of the Noble Six of the Aufrre Kingdom ¡ª Nord of Jormungandr.


    Sigurd slowly extended his hand and placed it lightly on the crystal ball.


    In that instant, the entire hall fell into a suffocating silence.


    And BOOM¡ª!


    A tremendous vision erupted from the crystal ball!


    An intense chill descended, freezing the very air itself, and the temperature of the hall plummeted.


    Frost spread wildly as a colossal figure slowly emerged from the endless ice.


    Jormungandr, the World Serpent!


    Its scales gleamed like ancient ice, and its piercing serpent eyes radiated an icy brilliance. Its enormous body coiled between heaven and earth, surrounded by a storm of pure frost. Wherever it passed, everything froze solid.


    The examinees in the hall were struck silent, utterly overwhelmed by the sight before them.


    Some gasped sharply. Others opened their mouths as if to speak, but only managed a breathless whisper, unable to believe what they were witnessing.


    The scene is simply too much to take in.


    The sheer magnitude of magic, the titanic form capable of devouring the world ¡ª this was no ordinary assessment result!


    Just how high did a potential rating have to be to trigger such an earth-shattering vision? No one knew the exact number, as test scores weren¡¯t shared with the examinees.


    But no one needed to. Sigurd¡¯s potential was just beyond monstrous.


    Standing nearby, Colin Vether, the head of the Mage division, narrowed his eyes. Without hesitation, he activated a magical communication link to report to the academy¡¯s headmaster, Professor Ola.


    ¡°Headmaster, the most gifted mage of this year has appeared.¡±


    Paused a bit, to ensure his voice did not tremble.


    ¡°His potential has reached an unprecedented Level 4.3, breaking your record of Level 4.2.¡±


    On the other end of the link, Professor Ola paused for a moment before responding indifferently, ¡°I see.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    His voice was calm, as if this record-breaking talent barely stirred his emotions.


    Another unprecedented prodigy from the nobility¡­


    But so what?


    Would that really make any difference to this continent?


    The assessment continued.


    ¡°Next, BaiYun.¡±


    From within the crowd, a young man with black hair and black eyes ¡ª distinctly an Easterner ¡ª came out with confident, almost leisurely steps.


    A hint of smugness flickered across his face. A self-satisfied smirk played on his lips as if he expected all eyes to be on him. He slowly scanned the surrounding examinees, seemingly enjoying their attention. He looked like a victorious hero acknowledging his admirers as he waved to the audience.


    A dead silence followed. Then, low murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.


    ¡°¡­Who is this guy?¡± someone muttered under their breath.


    ¡°Did he not see what Sigurd did?¡± another examinee whispered, utterly baffled by BaiYun¡¯s bizarre display.


    ¡°Right after Sigurd? I actually feel sorry for him,¡± someone snickered, shaking their head.


    But BaiYun paid them no mind. If anything, the corners of his mouth curled even higher upon hearing the murmurs. He stood tall, his steps firm, as if he were the true protagonist of the day. His eyes glinted with amusement, as if to say:


    "You mere mortals are about to witness what a true genius looks like."


    Colin Vether frowned slightly, patience wearing thin. His tone was restrained but firm:


    ¡°Examinee BaiYun, please proceed with the test.¡±


    The head of the Warrior division, Barrett Raine, made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction. His brows furrowed as he shot Yun a look that says: What the hell are you so smug about?


    Meanwhile, the head of the Rogue division, Min Zhao, didn¡¯t even lift her gaze. Arms crossed, posture unwavering, she made it clear that she simply didn¡¯t care ¡ª as if BaiYun wasn¡¯t even worth acknowledging.


    But BaiYun remained unfazed, his confidence unshaken.


    And why wouldn¡¯t he be?


    Way before the test began, he had already been given an earth-shattering revelation:


    His potential was the highest on the entire continent of all time.


    As he put it, learning spells was as easy as counting to ten, and chanting spells was as effortless as singing Baby Sharks.


    He was ready for his moment of glory.


    Taking a deep breath, filled with anticipation, he placed his hand on the crystal ball.


    In his mind, he was already imagining:


    "What will it be?"


    "A storm of thunder? A sea of flames?"


    "Or perhaps golden mana cascading through the heavens?"


    "I am the highest potential in history, after all¡ª"


    Then¡ª


    The crystal ball lit up.


    Yes. It simply lit up.


    No thunder. No fire. No cataclysmic surge of mana.


    Just lit up.


    BaiYun froze.


    Unwilling to accept it, he let go and pressed his other hand onto the crystal.


    Again, it just lit up.


    The hall was silent.


    Then, finally, someone broke the silence with a low murmur:


    ¡°Hey¡­ doesn¡¯t that kinda look like a giant lightbulb?¡±


    A beat later¡ª


    ¡°PFFFT¡ªHAHAHAHAHA!¡±


    The entire room erupted into laughter.


    BaiYun¡¯s face turned crimson.


    He wanted to disappear. The shame of it all, especially after his earlier bravado, crashed over him like a tidal wave.


    But on the examiners'' side¡ªthe reactions were completely different.


    Colin Vether¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his face going pale as if he had witnessed something beyond comprehension.


    Barrett Raine blinked once before bursting into loud laughter.


    Even Min Zhao, who has always maintained an air of tranquility£¬ found herself staring at BaiYun, as if he were a strange new creature.


    BaiYun felt more fucking embarrassed.


    From his perspective:


    Colin was deeply disappointed.


    Barrett was outright mocking him.


    Min Zhao, simply, was looking at a moron.


    But at that moment¡ªColin Vether¡¯s hands were trembling as he activated his communication link again.


    ¡°Professor¡­¡± He inhaled to gather his thoughts.


    ¡°I was wrong.¡±


    ¡°The strongest potential in history¡­ has just appeared.¡±


    ¡°This Eastern examinee¡­¡±


    ¡°His Mage Potential Rating¡ªLevel 5.¡±

 Chapter 2: This Useless System of His

    Professor Ola heard what Colin said. Loud and clear.


    For a moment, he had this strong urge to ask the question "Are you sure?" But he already knew the answer. Colin was a man of his word; he was always sure.


    Without another word, he stood up and strode out of his office. He needed to see this for himself. Right now.


    A 5.0 potential rating wasn¡¯t just about one level higher than 4. It wasn¡¯t a simple, incremental increase. It was an entirely different concept.


    Sigurd¡¯s potential rated level 4.3 because 4.3 was the best he could reach. BaiYun''s potential rated level 5.0 because 5.0 was the best the measuring instrument could reach.


    Level 5.0 meant "immeasurable."


    However, BaiYun had no idea that he had just caused a stir. He was too busy feeling embarrassed, convinced that his so-called "system" had just played him like a fool¡ªagain.


    "For the love of God..." BaiYun could do nothing but convey his frustrated anger. Thinking back, from the very first moment he encountered this system, he had a feeling¡ªit was an absolute arsehole.


    Five days ago, BaiYun woke up in the middle of a ruined village, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. The grotesque sight of slaughtered bodies scattered around made his stomach churn. Gagging, he scrambled to his feet, heart pounding.


    A quick glance at the tattered clothing of the dead and the medieval-style architecture told him one thing: he wasn¡¯t on Earth anymore.


    "I¡­ transmigrated?" he whispered, still dizzy from the shock.


    For a solid ten minutes, his brain refused to work, and he stood there in stunned silence.


    It was no game. Death was real, as the limbs and heads on the ground told him so.


    Then, slowly, he forced himself to calm down and started analyzing the scene.


    The scattered pitchforks, the fallen bodies in peasant garb, the complete absence of armored warriors¡ªthe sight before him was no battlefield. It was a slaughter.


    But beyond that, he knew nothing. No memories, no guiding voice, no mysterious old man appearing to explain things. Not even a conveniently placed letter.


    "Hello?" he called out, waving his arms to his surroundings, hoping someone would appear.


    Nothing.


    Frowning, he raised his voice. "Isn¡¯t there usually a beautiful goddess or something in these stories?"


    "Did she just drop me here and call it a day?"


    Silence.


    No response. No narrator. No system. No beautiful goddess descending from the heavens to warmly welcome him to this otherworld and enlighten his destiny.


    "Just great," he muttered. "I¡¯m stuck in a blood-soaked ruin, and there¡¯s not even a tutorial."


    He sighed. Standing around wasn¡¯t going to help. He needed shelter first. He started walking, trying to recall how transmigration stories usually worked.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Usually, you have to die first, right?"


    He was pretty damn sure he hadn¡¯t died. The last thing he remembered was having some fried chicken.


    "If one doesn¡¯t die, it usually takes an obsession, right?" He started to figure out why he transmigrated while being not dead.


    Most protagonists had some grand regret¡ªlike hating their boring life or wishing for another chance.


    He tried to remember if he had said anything along those lines before coming here.


    He racked his brain¡­ and then it hit him.


    "I was wanting to get another bucket of fried chicken."


    ¡­No way.


    Could it be¡­?


    For a split second, he seriously looked around the area for fried chicken, just in case.


    "Doesn''t hurt to check." He shrugged.


    And that¡¯s when he heard it¡ªa muffled snort, like someone trying very, very hard to hold back laughter.


    "Pfft..."


    His eyes widened. His brain clicked.


    "I do have a system, don¡¯t I?"


    "And this fucker had been silently watching me run around like a headless chicken, just for fun?"


    He had an idea. He clutched his nose, fanned the air, and gagged.


    "Who¡¯s farting?! Stop the pffting, it stinks!"


    The laughter stopped instantly.


    "Hey! That¡¯s not funny!" the system snapped, clearly offended, as BaiYun compared his laughter to the sound of farts.


    "Oh, my bad. I didn¡¯t realize the mighty Mr. System was so sensitive. What, were you just waiting for me to die first so you could finally give me my first quest?"


    BaiYun then cleared his throat and began mimicking a robotic voice:


    "Quest Name: Lie Down and Be Dead. Quest Requirement: Lie on your side, not on your back. Quest Reward: Unlock ¡®Silent Corpse¡¯ skill¡ªno snoring after death."


    The system was not amused.


    "Alright, alright, I get it," it cut in, clearly exasperated. "Just shut up for a second and let me explain."


    BaiYun went quiet.


    The system waited to make sure that BaiYun really shut up.


    One second. Two seconds. Three¡­


    At five seconds, BaiYun tilted his head. "Care to speak? What, did my free trial just end, so I have to subscribe to unlock the full conversation service? Even shady porn sites let you see some ass first! How about showing me an ad so I get to have another free trial?"


    "I GET IT, OKAY?!"


    The system sounded on the verge of tears. It regretted messing with someone like BaiYun, someone who could keep talking just for the sake of... well, talking.


    But at least it finally got to the point: BaiYun had been pulled into this world because his mage potential was the highest ever recorded. The situation was urgent, so the system had to summon BaiYun directly.


    BaiYun raised an eyebrow. "Urgent?"


    "Well¡­" the system hesitated. "The body you¡¯re in? It belonged to someone named Alan Green. And¡­ uh¡­ he¡¯s been dead for almost two days. If I didn¡¯t pull you over soon, your body would¡¯ve started rotting."


    Realizing that this fact might be a bit hard to take in, it quickly added, "Uh, but we did adjust his body to closely resemble your original one."


    BaiYun stared at the sky, expression blank.


    Then, very slowly, he exhaled.


    "¡­Right. Of course."


    For a moment, he considered ranting again. But then he remembered¡ªthe highest mage potential. A legendary start.


    "¡­Fine," he said at last. "Whatever. Just give me my Starter Pack."


    "Yeah, you wish!"


    The system immediately shut him down.


    Turns out, he wasn¡¯t a cheat system at all. He was more like an encyclopedia, which could only provide publicly available information. For example, he could access any spell techniques written in a published magic book. But if it was an heirloom spell, he might not even know it existed.


    In short, no instant skills, no free magic, no altering the real world¡ªnothing.


    "Oh, and one more thing," the system added. "Your mana level? It¡¯s about the same as a regular person¡¯s."


    "Meaning?" BaiYun asked.


    "Meaning," the system did a rough estimation, "you can cast, like, one Fireball a day before running out of juice."


    BaiYun stared at the sky again. "¡­This world fucking hates me."

 Chapter 3: Bulb Lighter Meets "Pikachu Man"

    <div>


    In the examination hall, Professor Ola¡¯s eyes fell upon the results of the second round of assessment. His expression was a tangled mix of astonishment, confusion, and deep disappointment. The test had been designed to measure mana level on a scale from one to five¡ªa metric distinct from potential, for while mana level could, in theory, be cultivated over time, its true capacity for growth was laughably minimal. After all, no matter how much water fills a bucket, it will never transform into a river.


    BaiYun¡¯s result resembled nothing more than a mere cup of water.


    The professor recalled Sigurd¡¯s performance. Sigurd¡¯s mana level had soared to a staggering 3.8¡ªa number that sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned mages. On this continent, where most practitioners hovered between levels one and three, a score above 3.5 would certainly ensure that a mage becomes exceptionally famous. Even Professor Ola himself, who now boasted a near-mythical mana level of 3.9, had only got 3.2 at Sigurd¡¯s age. Mages reaching a level above four were so rare they could be counted on one hand. Sigurd¡¯s promising beginning nearly touched the very ceiling that Professor Ola had reached.


    And then there was BaiYun¡ªwhose result, when finally revealed, was a paltry 0.2.


    Even for ordinary folk, such a number sat at the lower end of the gene pool. Compared to his potential level, this number sounds like a clumsy joke.


    The reaction among the examiners was immediate and intense. All three directors showed signs of confusion or shock, but none more so than Barrett Raine. With a booming laugh, Barrett pointed his finger at BaiYun and pounded his fist against the table so vigorously that snot even managed to escape before it splattered onto his ginger beard. The force of his amusement left no doubt: Barrett found the result impossibly hilarious.


    BaiYun, aware from the outset that his mana level was low, did not seem overly troubled by the disappointed faces. However, Barrett¡¯s mocking reaction sparked a flicker of anger within him.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s low,¡± BaiYun thought bitterly, ¡°but do you really have to laugh like that?¡± Yet as he glanced at Barrett¡ªwhose muscles appeared as if ready to burst from sheer intensity, and whose half-person-tall, giant battle-axe loomed beside him¡ªBaiYun wisely decided that sometimes silence was the better part of valor.


    Workout, after all, paid off; it forced even the most sharp-tongued critics to pause before speaking.


    The candidates remained unaware of the precise results of the second round again. But as Barrett¡¯s laughter filled the room, they couldn¡¯t help but join in. Their collective mirth only stoked BaiYun¡¯s inner fire, though he eventually resolved to let it go¡ªafter all, he remembered his own foolish strutting during the first round, and felt he deserved some reproof.


    Amid the laughter, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd: ¡°Bulb Lighter, why didn¡¯t you light another bulb this round?¡±


    By the way, the second test had measured the concentration of mana in the blood using precise instruments¡ªno mystical crystal balls involved.


    That absurd moniker, ¡°Bulb Lighter,¡± was the final straw for BaiYun. Unable to hold back his anger any longer, he roared, ¡°Did you even hear your own question? This second test doesn¡¯t even come with a crystal ball¡ªwhat in the hell am I supposed to light a bulb with, your mum?¡±


    Before the man could muster a reply, BaiYun continued with a cutting edge, ¡°Did you forget your prostate at home this morning, so you could actually have asked such a dumb question?¡±


    He scrutinized his accuser¡ªa young man with silver-white short hair and pale blue eyes, exuding a clean, handsome air. Clad in an ostentatiously luxurious noble robe of bright yellow, the young man bore a striking resemblance to a certain cartoon creature.


    If only the people of this world knew of Pikachu, BaiYun might have even bestowed a friendly nickname upon him.


    But he always found alternatives when it came to mocking.


    The young man was wearing his thinking face, clearly still processing the part of ¡°prostate at home¡±. And BaiYun pressed on, ¡°I¡¯m saying you¡¯re thinking with your prostate¡ªno brain at all. No wonder you¡¯re draped in that childish yellow; how many bananas did you have to steal to make a robe like that?¡±


    The hall erupted with laughter at his biting remarks.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Professor Ola felt speechless. He was struggling to reconcile why BaiYun¡¯s mana level and potential were so mismatched, and BaiYun himself had started himself a little stand-up comedy? Besides, the ¡°banana robe¡± was, in fact, the renowned Thorisson¡¯s Raiment of Thunder¡ªa detail he should probably know.


    BaiYun didn¡¯t know all of that, nor did he care. Reveling in the satisfaction of his own verbal volley, he barely noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Suddenly, a massive black magical hand surged through the air toward him.


    Unruffled, BaiYun extended a single finger and pointed directly at the ominous appendage. He¡¯s even got a smiling face towards the owner of this ¡°hand¡±, the ¡°Pikachu man¡±.


    What followed was nothing short of surreal. As the magical hand made contact with BaiYun¡¯s finger, it shuddered violently¡ªlike a thick tree trunk being fed into a wood chipper. The moment of contact caused the very portion that touched his finger to vanish instantly, and then, piece by piece, the entire hand dissolved completely under the influence of his pointed command. None in the hall had ever witnessed such a spell. Not even Professor Ola or the usually haughty Sigurd could hide the spark of curious wonder that flickered in their eyes.


    Before anyone could fully process this strange occurrence, the young man in the garish yellow robe raised his hand, and from his palm, lightning danced as though preparing another assault. But then, a silver-white figure darted from among the examinees, and in a flash, a longsword was drawn and aimed directly at the yellow-robed noble. Faster still, Barrett leaped from his examiner¡¯s seat, his giant battle-axe gripped tightly, and swung it so powerfully that it embedded deeply into the hall¡¯s floor, intercepting the silver-white figure¡¯s path. The intruder paused and glanced toward Barrett, who responded only with a quiet, dismissive shake of his head.


    ¡°That¡¯s Arthur Valtor, the heir to Valtor of Fenrir, one of the Noble Six!¡± The bare-fanged wolf head emblazoned on the silver-white swordsman''s cloak immediately revealed his identity to the other candidates.


    BaiYun was about to express his gratitude to this swordsman for his heroic intervention, but only to notice that he actually met this guy before.


    ¡°Hold on, aren¡¯t you the guy from Dawn Tavern the other day? Why did you dress¡­¡±


    Ignoring BaiYun¡¯s reaction, Colin bellowed, ¡°What do you think you are doing? The academy forbids private duels! Offenders need to leave immediately!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Vether,¡± the ¡°yellow robe¡± announced politely to Colin, ¡°I, Hermann, heir to House Thorrison, request an Academy Duel! I challenge this Easterner.¡± He gestured towards BaiYun.


    Colin was taken aback. Academy Duels were a hallowed tradition at Aurora Academy, a recourse for students with irresolvable disputes. He was about to refuse¡ªthey weren¡¯t even students yet¡ªwhen Professor Ola interjected, ¡°Granted. What is the wager?¡±


    Duels, of course, required stakes. If both parties agreed, Academy Duels could even be fought to the death.


    Colin was initially surprised by Professor Ola¡¯s swift approval, but a glance at the professor¡¯s expression revealed the truth: Ola wanted to see BaiYun in combat.


    ¡°The loser forfeits their admission to Aurora Academy!¡± Hermann declared immediately.


    Colin looked at BaiYun, seeking his assent. BaiYun shook his head and uttered a single, blunt curse word.


    ¡°Dumbass.¡±


    He then turned to Hermann. ¡°What are you, nine? I can¡¯t see why anyone would come up with such a stupid wager.¡±


    His words, though forceful, suggested fear to those present. Having witnessed the electrical energy crackling around Hermann¡¯s hands, BaiYun¡¯s withdrawal was understandable.


    Surely, Hermann seized the opportunity to taunt, ¡°You were so eloquent a moment ago. Now you¡¯re scared? All talk, huh?¡±


    BaiYun remained unfazed. ¡°Let¡¯s say I lose, and I withdraw from the entrance exam. You, however, don¡¯t. The third round is a virtual sparring match against a stone golem. After our duel, do you think you¡¯ll have enough mana to pass that round?¡±


    Hermann stroked his chin, finally grasping the flaw in his wager, but his confidence remained unshaken. He was the heir to Thorrison, and even if House Thorrison wasn¡¯t among the Noble Six, he was confident in his ability to defeat BaiYun, who appeared to be nothing but a commoner.


    ¡°Winning a duel against you won¡¯t take much mana,¡± he retorted.


    BaiYun sighed, exasperated by Hermann¡¯s stubbornness. ¡°Let me rephrase this, hopefully, you¡¯ll understand this time, eh? If I knew I couldn¡¯t win, why would I fight you in a normal way? I¡¯d simply focus on draining your mana throughout the duel, ensuring your fail in the third round. That¡¯s to the best of my interest, isn¡¯t it? And of course, you can do the same.¡± Classic Prisoner¡¯s dilemma.


    He shrugged. ¡°So, what¡¯s the point of this wager? Winning and losing both mean failing the entrance exam.¡±


    Seeing Hermann speechless, BaiYun concluded. ¡°We can duel of course, but the stakes need to be reasonable. I suggest the duel becomes our third round test, and the examiners decide admission based on our performance.¡±


    He then turned to Professor Ola. ¡°Do you agree, Professor Ola?¡± His expression clearly indicated that whether the duel would happen depended entirely on Ola¡¯s desire to witness it.


    Ola paused for a breath, then erupted into laughter, surprising Colin, who had always perceived the professor as solemn.


    ¡°Excellent suggestion,¡± Ola agreed, finding BaiYun¡¯s intelligence and shrewd negotiation impressive.


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish the third round tests for the other examinees. Two hours. The duel between Hermann Thorrison and BaiYun will commence in two hours.¡±

 Chapter 4: Preparation - Reverse Casting

    BaiYun had a lot of questions for Arthur Valtor, the swordsman in shiny silver-white who tried to help him, but Arthur had to proceed with his third round of assessment, and there was no time to talk. With a pat on BaiYun¡¯s shoulder and a sincere "Wish you good luck," Arthur left, heading towards his own challenge. BaiYun sighed and turned his attention to his own situation.


    In short, his odds of winning the duel were abysmal.


    From the starting village¡ªthe Green Village, or what remained of it¡ªhe had managed to bring only a few things: a hefty bag of gold coins, enough to sustain him for a while; some rather basic medicines, most of which were meant for livestock from his family''s barn; a storage ring, which was undoubtedly the most valuable asset; and an assortment of water flasks, cutlery, and other mundane supplies he had shoved into the ring.


    But most crucially, the spells he could currently use were severely limited. Technically, he knew three, but he had never dared to cast Fireball. The system had warned him that using it would put him in a mana depletion state, leaving him completely drained for a full day. That was an unacceptable risk for a lone traveler like him. So, he knew the incantation, the theory, but the practical application remained untested.


    Of the two spells he had tested, one was Arcane Manifestation¡ªwhat Hermann used to conjure that massive magic hand. This spell did not rigidly define what form mana would take; instead, it was a versatile arcane shaping ability. It¡¯s just that Hermann had chosen to manifest a magic hand.


    So did Oliver Enzo.


    That was precisely why BaiYun had chosen to learn it first. Through Alan Green¡¯s memories, he had experienced firsthand the terror of this spell. Literally firsthand¡ªsince memory inheritance in this world transferred not just knowledge but also the raw, visceral sensations of the original owner. Pain, fear, despair¡ªit was all relived as if it were happening in real-time. It did not cause actual physical harm, but the mental trauma was real enough.


    When BaiYun had absorbed Alan¡¯s memories, the sensation of being crushed¡ªhis organs bursting under unbearable pressure¡ªhad nearly broken his mind. The helplessness of being pinned into the dirt had made him question his own worth.


    He swore he would never lose to this spell again. Never again.


    So, after mastering Arcane Manifestation, he devised a counter-technique¡ªa reverse casting method to cancel out the manifestation itself.


    This was an entirely original spell. Of course, it was made possible by BaiYun¡¯s Level 5 potential. That didn¡¯t mean other mages couldn¡¯t develop such a technique, but none could do so within a single day. Even Ola, a grandmaster of arcane spells, would have needed at least a month.


    However, a more practical concern was that Arcane Manifestation wasn¡¯t a particularly powerful spell. It was primarily used to overpower those without magic. There were already numerous ways to counter it, so designing a specialized anti-technique was, in most cases, excessive.


    Still, for BaiYun, it had proven useful against Hermann.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I need intel on Hermann Thorisson,¡± BaiYun requested after finishing his assessment.


    The system quickly scanned for information and responded: ¡°The Thorisson family¡¯s territory is in the western region of Auffre Kingdom, centered around Thunder Fortress, known for its stability and prosperous citizenry.¡±


    BaiYun rolled his eyes and cut in. ¡°Get to the point already. I¡¯m fighting him, not planning a gap year in his hometown. I need combat-related information.¡±


    ¡°He primarily wields lightning magic. His signature spell is called ¡®Stormclad Armor.¡¯ This spell serves both offensive and defensive purposes, creating a two-meter-wide electric field around him. Any opponent entering that range is immediately struck by lightning. In one recorded battle, he fought a marauding griffin in his territory. Despite its aerial advantage and razor-sharp talons, the griffin stood no chance¡ªit was electrocuted before it could even get close.¡±


    ¡°Can you be more specific, eh?¡± BaiYun pressed.


    The system elaborated, still using the griffin battle as a reference. When the beast dove for an attack, Hermann had timed his response perfectly¡ªlashing out with a lightning whip to ensnare it. Then, using the momentum of its dive, he dragged it straight into his electric field. The moment it was within range, he unleashed a Lightning Strike spell. Amplified by the electric field, the griffin was fried alive.


    The phrase "fried alive" made BaiYun briefly wonder if roasted griffin tasted like fried chicken, but he quickly refocused on his preparation.


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal with lightning magic and that whip?¡± he asked.


    The system shifted into an explanatory mode. ¡°Elemental Magic is categorized into four primary elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. Lightning magic is a compound element, created by combining wind and fire. The lightning whip is essentially an Arcane Manifestation infused with lightning magic.¡±


    BaiYun¡¯s mind sparked with ideas. ¡°Wait a second. You¡¯re saying lightning is a combination of wind and fire. So, does that mean lightning spells work by using wind magic to generate high-speed airflow, forcing air molecules to collide violently, which then ionizes electrons and creates charge buildup? And then fire magic is used to ignite the process, triggering the discharge?¡±


    ¡°What a fucking nerd. But yes, if you explain it in Earth¡¯s scientific terms, that¡¯s accurate.¡±


    BaiYun had already learned Fireball, meaning he understood how the ignition process worked. The quickest preparation he believed he could make now was to attempt an inverse spell targeting the ignition process. The idea was simple: if he could disrupt the ignition, lightning couldn¡¯t form.


    The system interjected, ¡°If you want to disrupt ignition, why not just learn a water spell? That would be faster than developing a new counter-spell.¡±


    ¡°Did you even hear yourself? Pouring water onto lightning? Are you serious?¡±


    The system also reminded him that the orthodox counter to lightning spells was earth spells, but BaiYun said it was "not cool," so the system wisely shut up and let BaiYun proceed with his spell development.


    Roughly 90 minutes later, BaiYun had figured out the theoretical framework for counteracting the ignition process of fire-based spells. He hesitated to test it¡ªif it drained too much mana, he might not have enough left for the duel. But he was also terrified that his entire line of reasoning might be flawed. Taking a gamble, he conjured a tiny flickering flame on his left palm, then used his right hand to cast the new spell. To his relief, the fire vanished instantly.


    For his final preparation, BaiYun wanted seawater. He figured that saltwater and lightning would make for an interesting combination. But the academy wasn¡¯t near the sea, so he had to improvise. He headed to the academy¡¯s kitchen, grabbed a large, lidded jar, filled it with water, and dumped a generous amount of salt inside. Then he shook it vigorously until the salt fully dissolved. He put the jar into his storage ring.


    With that, he felt ready for the duel.

 Chapter 5: Jarred and Fried... Literally

    Colin Vether sat in the examiners'' stand, his brows furrowed as he turned to Professor Ola with concern.


    "Professor, please forgive my boldness, but don''t you think this duel is unfair to BaiYun?" he asked.


    "BaiYun may have an unprecedented talent rating of Level 5, but his mana reserve is only at 0.2. Furthermore, his enrolment application does not indicate any prior magical training."


    "Meanwhile, Hermann Thorisson, though a lesser noble, is still from a lineage of mages and has trained in magic since childhood. His talent rating of 3.5 is nothing to scoff at, and his mana reserve is an impressive 2.8. Given time, he is certain to reach beyond Level 3."


    Colin exhaled sharply. "I mean no disrespect, but this fight is a foregone conclusion. BaiYun is going to lose."


    Ola nodded gently, placing a reassuring hand on Colin''s shoulder. "No offense taken, Colin. You''re simply speaking your mind, and I appreciate your honesty."


    Colin, known for his honesty and integrity, was momentarily taken aback. Ola continued, "But Colin, as I always tell you, magic is more than just magic itself."


    He paused, his gaze shifting toward the duel grounds. "After watching this fight, you might gain a new understanding of that idea."


    In the center of the arena, BaiYun and Hermann stood facing each other.


    A transparent magical barrier shimmered around the battlefield, glowing blue-white, strong enough to withstand even some higher-tier spells. The ground was covered with a specialized magical formation that rapidly absorbed excess mana, preventing collateral damage from spreading beyond the dueling area.


    The audience''s anticipation was palpable. A real combat duel was always more exciting than fighting stone golems.


    Hermann smirked, his eyes brimming with undisguised disdain. "Ready, ''Bulb Lighter''?"


    BaiYun lazily shrugged. "Just bring it on already. I need to wrap this up quick, so I can go celebrate at Dawn Tavern."


    In the examiner''s stand, Professor Ola clasped his hands before his chin, his expression calm. The three department heads reacted differently¡ªBarrett, head of the warrior division, watched BaiYun with keen interest, clearly intrigued by his unconventional approach. Min Zhao, head of the rogue division, narrowed her eyes slightly, gazing at BaiYun. Colin, head of the mage division, remained impassive, though inwardly, he was deeply intrigued by BaiYun''s peculiar reverse casting technique.


    As Colin gave the signal, "Begin," Hermann made the first move.


    Another Mage Hand stretched forth, reaching toward BaiYun.


    BaiYun was momentarily puzzled. The first exchange in a duel was usually a probing attack. But Hermann should know that using this magic hand trick against him was a waste of mana.


    At the last moment, BaiYun noticed something within the hand¡ªa subtle streak of electricity, faint but present.


    Deciding to conceal his trump card, BaiYun responded only with his known reverse casting technique, one that Hermann had already witnessed, which could only counter Arcane Manifestations. As for the hidden lightning, he chose to endure it.


    When the electric current struck, a numbing sensation traveled from BaiYun''s fingertips to his elbow before stopping. It wasn¡¯t nearly enough to cause any real harm.


    "Seems that Alan Green''s body is really sturdy. Just a hand tingle?" BaiYun mused. What he didn¡¯t know was that this body¡¯s special traits extended far beyond simple toughness¡ªsomething he would soon discover.


    Still, in the spirit of "committing to the act," BaiYun put on a pained expression.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Colin frowned slightly. "Strange. Hermann¡¯s lightning hit, but BaiYun¡¯s reaction seems off¡­"


    Professor Ola nodded. "He¡¯s faking it."


    Hermann, meanwhile, was verifying his hypothesis. He had deliberately infused lightning into the hand to confirm whether BaiYun¡¯s strange defence technique previously could counter more than just Arcane Manifestations.


    Seeing BaiYun "wincing in pain" and stepping back, Hermann grinned arrogantly. "What¡¯s wrong? Can¡¯t even handle a warm-up?"


    BaiYun clutched his chest, feigning agony, but deliberately retorted, "You call that an attack? My grandma hits harder than that."


    Hermann scoffed, spreading his hands wide. The air around him crackled as arcs of electricity snapped into existence. He unleashed a barrage of lightning strikes, forcing BaiYun to dodge continuously. But no one could outrun lightning forever. He took several direct hits, his grimaces this time genuine.


    From the stands, Min Zhao noted, "His footwork is decent, but evasion alone won¡¯t win him this fight. He needs to attack."


    Barrett, however, caught something else in BaiYun¡¯s expression. "No, he¡¯s observing."


    "Observing?" Colin was not sure what BaiYun could possibly observe.


    "He¡¯s trying to find Hermann¡¯s behavioral patterns," Ola remarked with newfound interest.


    Suddenly, BaiYun halted his dodging, flashing a sly grin. "You keep attacking from distance. That means you¡¯re afraid of close quarter combat, aren¡¯t you?"


    Hermann sneered, "Afraid?" A taunt was on his lips, but then he saw an opportunity¡ªBaiYun was trying to taunt him into close range. If Hermann could trick BaiYun into stepping into his Stormclad Armor¡¯s radius, then with a Lightning Strike, BaiYun would be finished. He could, certainly, try to drag BaiYun into his electrical field using that lightning whip of his, but that strange spell BaiYun used would likely to cancel out the conjure of the whip itself, and only with the lightning left. Just like what happened with the hand earlier.


    "Afraid of close combat? Ha! Do you think you can even get near me, Bulb Lighter?"


    He deliberately left an opening, feigning weakness to lure BaiYun in.


    BaiYun smirked in his head. "Gotcha."


    Both fighters thought they had outsmarted the other, each feeling a surge of satisfaction.


    In the examiner''s stand, Colin tensed. "Why is he recklessly closing in? Didn¡¯t he research Hermann¡¯s abilities beforehand?"


    Ola merely smiled. "Unfortunately, I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s planning."


    Seizing the opportunity, BaiYun dashed forward, stepping into the very edge of Hermann¡¯s electric field.


    Hermann¡¯s eyes gleamed with triumph. "Bulb Lighter, you actually fell for it! Do you seriously believe an opponent would tell you their real weakness? You''re dueling! Use your tiny brain!"


    But BaiYun feigned ignorance, playing along. "Oh, come on, you¡¯re just scared now that I¡¯m up close. Drop the act."


    All the while, he had secretly activated his reverse casting on ignition spells, cloaking himself in an invisible magical barrier.


    His hypothesis? Within the Stormclad Armor, fire-based ignition effects would be nullified, leaving only wind-based magic. As soon as he entered, sections of the electric field would turn into harmless air currents.


    However, upon stepping in, BaiYun discovered a flaw in his plan. Though the lightning was neutralized, the rapid air friction within the storm felt like countless tiny wind blades slicing against his skin. Soon, small cuts formed all over his body. They weren¡¯t serious, but they hurt.


    "Yeah great, there¡¯s always something goes wrong, just like my life."


    Hermann, seeing BaiYun wince in pain, burst into laughter. "So, how¡¯s the taste of my Stormclad Armor?" He wouldn¡¯t give BaiYun a second chance¡ªhe unleashed a full-powered Lightning Strike.


    Thunder roared. Blinding arcs of electricity engulfed BaiYun¡¯s figure.


    Colin¡¯s expression darkened. Barrett muttered, "He¡¯s not gonna be barbecued, is he?"


    Min Zhao, however, remained a calm face and shook her head. "No, he has a plan."


    At that very moment, a jar flew out, straight towards Hermann.


    Hermann was confused, but his instincts took over¡ªhe reflexively struck it with Lightning Strike, shattering it instantly.


    "Is this guy an idiot? He tried so hard to get within attack range, just to throw a jar at me?"


    But as the ceramic shards scattered, the jar¡¯s contents¡ªa torrent of saltwater¡ªkept moving forward from the momentum.


    The moment the conductive liquid splashed onto him, realization struck like a thunderbolt.


    "Saltwater? Conductive?!"


    "Oh, that¡¯s right."


    Lightning surged uncontrollably across his own body, locking his muscles in place.


    "The jar... it holds water..."


    In that instant, Hermann saw the entire fight in reverse. Every move he thought was a trap for BaiYun had actually been a trap for him.


    As the electricity overwhelmed him, he let out one final, furious roar.


    "Fucking... JARS CAN FUCKING HOLD WATER!"

 Chapter 6: You Call That a Fireball?

    The Lightning Strike erupted with a deafening roar, filling the entire dueling arena with blinding flashes of electricity. The spectators were forced to shut their eyes against the dazzling lightning, as arcs of electricity crackled through the air, whipping up thick clouds of dust and obscuring the battlefield.


    A few seconds later, the light faded, and the dust slowly dispersed, revealing the scene within.


    Hermann lay sprawled on his back, his limbs trembling slightly, seemingly unable to move. His mouth, however, was still moving, as if mumbling something. Meanwhile, BaiYun sat on the ground, his body covered in deep cuts, his clothes soaked in blood, and even his face bore several gashes. He looked utterly battered.


    Of course, he hadn''t been harmed by the lightning itself.


    The moment he stepped into the Stormclad Armor''s electric field, BaiYun had realized that even if he neutralized the ignition effect, the wind magic would still harm him. Compared to the electric field''s shocks, the Lightning Strike¡ªbeing an offensive spell¡ªwould undoubtedly be stronger in both fire and wind elements. So even if he managed to strip away the ignition and eliminate electrical damage, the intensified wind magic would probably cut him to pieces.


    But at that moment, there was no turning back. The moment he stepped within range of Stormclad Armor''s attack, he had already sealed his fate.


    Fortunately for BaiYun, the primary function of wind magic in Lightning Strike was to generate free electrical charges. Once the amount of charges reached saturation, the caster wouldn''t reinforce the wind component any further¡ªdoing so would simply waste mana.


    However, fire magic, which fueled the lightning''s energy, dictated the final power of the spell. Thus, rather than drastically amplifying the wind magic, the spell greatly boosted fire magic.


    In other words, while BaiYun had indeed taken significant wind damage, had he chosen to counteract the wind (if he knew how) instead of neutralizing the ignition, he might have been blasted out of the arena by the fire magic. The outcome wouldn''t have been much better than taking the full brunt of the spell.


    Hermann, on the other hand, wasn''t entirely unlucky either. His "Pikachu robe" had absorbed much of the damage. A treasured artifact of the Thorisson house, the robe was woven from the feathers of a Thunderbird, granting excellent resistance to elemental damage¡ªparticularly lightning¡ªand dispersing a portion of physical impacts, significantly reducing injuries. Because of this, despite his seemingly dire state, Hermann wouldn''t take long to recover. With proper treatment, he''d be back to normal in a day or two.


    With BaiYun covered in blood and Hermann appearing unscathed, many spectators assumed BaiYun had suffered the heavier injuries.


    From the elevated examiners'' stand, Colin and Ola had a clearer view of the situation.


    Colin frowned slightly. "Only wind-blade wounds, no signs of electrocution¡­ Could he have¡­?"


    Ola nodded, his gaze fixed on BaiYun. "He must have used another Reverse Casting technique to nullify the fire component of Lightning Strike."


    Colin''s eyes widened in astonishment. "A Reverse Casting technique targeting ignition?"


    Barrett, listening to their conversation, was utterly lost. "What the hell are these mages even talking about?" He thought. "Why not just chop your problems in half with an axe?"


    Meanwhile, Min Zhao furrowed her brows, deep in thought.


    At that moment, BaiYun slowly got to his feet and walked toward Hermann.


    The spectators erupted into whispers. Just moments ago, they had assumed BaiYun was the one worse off¡ªyet here he was, still moving.


    From the beginning of the test, Sigurd had remained silent, but now he let out a cold scoff and shook his head. "This isn''t how a mage should fight."


    As a prodigious mage who outclassed his peers, Sigurd had nothing but disdain for BaiYun''s opportunistic tactics. In his eyes, a mage''s duel should be a fair and honorable contest of power¡ªan outright clash of magic, not a battle won through trickery.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The crowd was divided. Some praised BaiYun for his intelligence and adaptability, calling his victory brilliant. Others condemned his methods as cunning and underhanded. Some even argued that he had simply got lucky.


    BaiYun, oblivious to the discussions, limped up to Hermann, took a deep breath, and asked, "We''re done, eh? Just surrender."


    Hermann''s expression twitched. He gritted his teeth. "I won''t surrender."


    Like many nobles, Hermann was a proud man. Admitting defeat was inherently difficult for him¡ªespecially against someone like BaiYun, who, in his eyes, had relied on nothing but deception and tricks rather than true power. Yielding was simply out of the question.


    It wasn''t entirely unreasonable. Refusing to acknowledge a victory that seemed unfair was a natural response. Besides, Hermann was still wearing the Raiment of Thunder. Even if he couldn''t move, he believed BaiYun lacked the ability to deliver a finishing blow.


    Hermann sneered. "I don''t even have to move at all. With my Raiment of Thunder, do you really think you can even scratch me? Come on, take your best shot!"


    BaiYun regretted not having a shovel in his storage ring¡ªhe could have just dug a hole and buried this dumbass.


    "Isn''t this Hermann kid just being a sore loser?" Barrett huffed. "He can''t even move. What''s he waiting for, a miracle?"


    Colin also saw that the match was effectively over and was about to intervene.


    But Ola, intrigued, stopped him. "Hermann says BaiYun can''t finish him off. Let''s see what he''s gonna do about it."


    Up until now, BaiYun hadn''t used a single offensive spell. Ola was eager to see what he had up his sleeve.


    On the battlefield, Bai Yun let out a quiet sigh and lifted his hand to his chest. He had studied the principles, understood the framework, and now it was time to put theory into practice. Mana gathered at the center of his palm, flickering like embers in the wind, until finally, a Fireball took shape¡ªa tiny one, no bigger than an apple.


    Hermann blinked, then burst into laughter even though it''s painful. "Just that? Is it supposed to hurt me and win you the fight? You call that a Fireball?"


    The audience erupted in laughter. "That''s simply not a proper Fireball."


    Colin leaned toward Ola and muttered, "With only 0.2 magic reserves left, and after using that Reverse Ignition spell for so long, he''s probably down to just enough mana for that tiny Fireball."


    Ola, still watching BaiYun, stroked his chin and remained silent.


    Meanwhile, BaiYun grew irritated at the laughter. "What''s so funny? I''m saving mana!"


    He wasn''t lying¡ªthere was no point in wasting more mana on a fight he had already won.


    But since the fight hadn''t been officially declared over, he sighed and infused more mana into the Fireball, expanding it to the size of a cauldron.


    Colin and Ola exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.


    They had assumed BaiYun''s mana was nearly depleted¡ªbut now, it seemed he still got some.


    Hermann, briefly taken aback, quickly reassured himself: it''s just a standard-sized Fireball. My robe can handle it.


    Smirking, he taunted, "Come on, is that the best you can do, Bulb Lighter? Maybe you should take that thing home and light a bulb with it. Hahaha!"


    Hearing another "Bulb Lighter", BaiYun''s patience snapped. Without holding back, he poured all his remaining mana into the Fireball.


    Instantly, it expanded to 2 meters in diameter.


    The arena fell silent.


    Hermann''s face went pale. Sensing imminent danger, he panicked. "I was joking! I surrender, surrender! You fucking lunatic! That thing will blow up both of us!"


    The spectators were in shock.


    This wasn''t a matter of mana reserves. A Fireball of this size certainly consumed mana, but not an unreasonable amount. The thing is, Fireballs weren''t supposed to grow this large¡ªpast a certain size, they became dangerously unstable.


    Even Sigurd''s expression turned complex. Because he¡ªacknowledged as a spellcasting genius¡ªhad never created a Fireball that massive.


    Colin gaped. "There''s no way he only has 0.2 mana reserves."


    Ola chuckled. "I think I know why."


    Then he turned to Colin. "But first, you''d better handle that Fireball before it blows up the arena."


    Colin snapped back to reality, wiping sweat from his forehead. "BaiYun! Throw it toward the forest on the left! Now!"


    BaiYun glanced at the Fireball in his hands, then at Hermann''s terrified face, shrugged, and flung it.


    The Fireball streaked across the night sky, illuminating the darkness like a comet.


    BOOM!


    The explosion turned the distant forest into a blazing inferno.


    The arena was dead silent.


    Then someone blurted out, "Hey, that thing actually looked like a giant lightbulb."


    Laughter spread through the crowd.


    "He did light a bulb, for sure."


    "Bulb Lighter!!"


    At first, only a few people joined in the shouting, but soon the entire crowd was in an uproar. The sound rose wave after wave, laughter and shouts intertwined.


    "Bulb Lighter!!"


    BaiYun, standing in the center of the duel arena, watched this scene with a twitching corner of his mouth.


    "...Fuck this name."

 Chapter 7: An Enzo and His Explosive Evening

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