Chapter 10: The Second Simulation Chance
The morning sky over Bo City was unusually clear, but the wind still carried remnants of yesterday's storm, scattering petals and leaves across the schoolyard. The annual assessment at Tianlan Magic High School had arrived—a day that would separate the diligent from the mediocre, and the weak from the strong.
Inside Class 7, students busied themselves with the final preparations. The majority were concentrating on controlling the stars of stardust, a prerequisite for any magic. Most students had reached five to seven stars, and a few even boasted about their control.
"Two stars for me!" one student called out.
"Three, and I'll reach four soon!" another chimed in proudly.
"Mu Bai already has five, you all are too slow!" Zhao Kunsan whispered, a smirk tugging at his lips.
But appearances were deceptive. While the bulk of the class could control five to seven stars, few could actually release magic effectively. Many of them simply moved the stardust around, with no real power behind their attempts. Only a handful—Mu Bai, Mo Fan, Zhao Xiaoxiao, Zhou Min, and a few others—could truly channel magic into a powerful release.
Han Sen sat quietly in the back, his calm demeanor hiding his true power. He had reached Level 2 Thunder Magic, but he and Mo Fan had chosen to hide their talents, not revealing even a flicker of their true abilities.
A faint notification in his mind reminded him of the Magic Simulator:
[Magic Simulator Activated]Available Simulation Attempts: 1Simulation Duration: 1 Year (Basic Mage Stage)Functions: Draw Talents → Select Three → Simulate → Obtain Evaluation and Rewards
This was his second simulation chance. Rare, valuable, and only appearing once a year. Han Sen smiled faintly and stored the opportunity.
[Simulation Attempt Stored Successfully][You may retrieve this chance at any future point within one year.]
Satisfied, he returned his attention to the classroom. His talent remained hidden, a faint shimmer in his aura invisible to the untrained eye.
Meanwhile, in a sleek black car heading toward the school, Mu He studied his son, Mu Bai, carefully. "Mu Bai, today is critical. The family will allocate cultivation resources based on the young disciples' achievements. If you fail, our family loses face."
Mu Bai, dressed in a crisp white shirt, straight trousers, and polished shoes, exuded calm confidence. "Uncle, don't worry. I'll perform well. I'll show them the power of Ice Magic."
Mu He nodded, though his eyes betrayed a hint of concern. "And Mu Ningxue… she's attending today as well?"
Mu Bai's lips curved slightly. "Yes. We'll both show our worth. You have nothing to worry about, Uncle."
Inside Class 7, Teacher Tang Yue had just finished her instructions. "Remember, the annual assessment is crucial. Students who fail may be asked to leave, while top performers will gain opportunities and privileges. Focus on your star control and practice releasing magic effectively."
Whispers spread immediately as students compared their progress. Most could manipulate multiple stars, but only a few could truly convert stardust into effective magic.
"I've mastered five stars!" Zhao Kunsan boasted, though he had little idea how to release real magic.
Mu Bai, calm and collected, didn't reply. He knew controlling stars was one thing; unleashing real magic was another. When the time came, his Ice Magic would be precise, strong, and lethal.
Han Sen observed quietly. Mo Fan struggled nearby, sweat forming on his brow. Only the two of them truly knew how dangerously powerful they were—yet both kept their talents hidden, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
The wind swept through the classroom, carrying with it faint traces of magic from the practicing students. The air was thick with energy, but only a few sparks ignited into true magic: Mu Bai's Ice Magic, Mo Fan's limited Thunder Magic, Zhao Xiaoxiao's subtle but precise spells, and Zhou Min's small but potent Fire spells.
Patience, Han Sen reminded himself. The Simulator is waiting. This assessment is just another step.
Outside, the storm had passed, leaving the campus crisp and refreshing. The real challenge wasn't just mastering stars, but turning them into power. And only a few students in Class 7 were ready to take that step.
Han Sen leaned back, a faint smirk on his face. One simulation chance was safely stored, and today, he would blend in, observe, and wait. The real show, he knew, would come later.