n

n

n

"From the data I have here, it says you possess the Fire, Light, and Blessing Elements. You also used Earth Magic during the fight against Ming Hao, but...I'll put that aside for now,

" Song Qian Long said, looking over a piece of paper on his desk. He then glanced at me, a skeptical look in his eyes.

"Quite the versatile trio of elements you have, hm?

"

nFire for attack. Light for utility. Blessing for defense, or rather, support. Indeed, these three elements paired together made me more or less an all-rounder, someone able to play any role in a team. But I didn't really understand his purpose in explicitly pointing that out.

n

"Yeah...what's your point though?

"

n

"Nothing of concern, really...I was just wondering what type of Magic Artifact should I give you,

" he replied, stroking his beard.

"I already gave the Yu sisters both powerful attack-oriented weapons, and student Qing Yue here received a defense-oriented artifact. Student Feng Mian was rewarded a utility-oriented tool that complimented her fighting style. In order to balance out the attack to defense ratio, it makes sense for me to give you a defense-oriented artifact here, but with your three versatile elements, I cannot really settle on a final decision...

"

nAs he trailed off, I sighed and cut to the chase.

"Principal...everyone present right now knows about my true strength, so there's no need to pretend I only have three elements, is there? Don't pretend to have a dilemma when you clearly don't.

"

nHearing this, Song Qian Long chuckled.

"Well, fine. However, you having all 21 Elements just makes it even harder for me to settle on your reward, you know?

"

nI shrugged.

"I'm perfectly fine with not receiving anything. I hate to admit it, but you've already done enough for us. Don't think I couldn't tell - the artifacts you gave these girls were clearly far beyond what a normal tournament would offer.

"

n

"No, no, that won't do,

" the principal muttered, denying my proposal.

"You are the team leader; it would reflect badly on the school if you were to not receive a reward.

"

nI suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.

"Then have you thought of anything suitable to give me?

"

nThe principal stared at me for a couple of moments, before breaking into a smile, and nodding slowly as if he had found the answer.

"Yes...yes, indeed I have.

"

nAs my interest got piqued against my will, Song Qian Long opened his Space Locket once again and took out a tiny object that looked like a wedding ring. However, the silver luster of its frame paired with the bloody crimson colored stone embedded on top of it didn't seem fitting as an engagement gift. It extruded an ominous aura that I couldn't quite explain.

nI knew it was dangerous, but for some reason, I felt drawn towards it. Despite being completely sane, I could've sworn I heard a voice in my head compelling me to sieze the ring immediately. The creepiest part? The voice within my mind sounded like myself, even though I never consciously thought about taking the ring. The only explanation was I, somehow, subconsciously wanted to obtain that object, for reasons I didn't even know myself.

nPutting that mysterious phenomenon aside for now, I fought back the urge to listen to the voice - my own voice, and regained my composure. I decided to ask about the mysterious object.

"What is that?

"

nSong Qian Long shot me a grin.

"To be honest, I do not know myself.

"

n

"You what?

"

n

"Hey now, why do you look so surprised?

" he said with a chuckle.

"I am not some all-knowing god; there are some things I do not understand either.

"

n

"...Then why do you even have this thing?

"

n

"Well, at the auction I found this artifact in, no one else wanted to buy it, so I decided to do it myself.

"

n

"Hold on, so what you're saying is this artifact is worthless...?

" Feng Mian cut in with a puzzled expression.

n

"Oh, no. Far from it,

" Song Qian Long replied with a smile.

"At the time of the auction, we were all sitting too far away to feel it, but once I actually brought this ring home and observed it closely, I could feel a faint magical energy from it.

"

n

"Huh...now that you mention it, yeah...I can indeed feel some energy come from the ring,

" Yu An Yan murmured.

n

"However,

" Song Qian Long continued.

"What is peculiar about that magical energy is not the amount. It is actually the nature, or rather, the element of it.

"

n

"The nature...element?

" Yu An Xue echoed in confusion.

nThe principal nodded.

"Correct. Normally, all artifacts are of a specific element - or of course, multiple elements - but this one...I was not able to identify what element it belonged to, no matter how hard I tried.

"

n

"So, in other words, you pushed onto me a failed product, huh?

" I said jokingly.

"Whatever...I'll take this.

"

n

"Huh?!

" the girls all shrieked in surprise.

n

"H-Hold on, Xuan Kai...are you sure?

" Feng Mian asked in concern.

"From every aspect...this artifact seems to be unusual...and above all else, weak.

"

n

"Yeah yeah, Big Brother Xuan Kai, shouldn't you ask for something else...?

" Qing Yue suggested.

nThe Yu sisters harbored similar thoughts, and had expressions of worry clouding over their beautiful faces.

nI smirked in response to their cries of apprehension.

"Kuku...that's just because no one has been able to use it to its full potential yet.

"

n

"Hm...full potential, you say?

" Song Qian Long murmured quietly.

"Hahaha! Very well, student Xuan Kai. I look forward to seeing what you can accomplish with this ring.

"

n

"Heh. Keep looking, then.

"

nSaying that, I began walking towards the door, since our business here was done. However, I stopped when I realized none of the girls were following. I spun around and faced them.

n

"Uh...why aren't you moving?

"

n

"Huh? Oh! Right...

" Feng Mian snapped back to her senses and began heading towards me.

n

"What were you staring at anyway...?

" I muttered.

n

"Sorry, it's just you and the principal seemed so close for some reason...

" Yu An Yan scratched her hair as Feng Mian nodded in agreement.

nHearing this, however, I stiffened.

"E-Er, really now?

"

n

"Yep!

" Qing Yue joined in, skipping happily towards me.

"Well, maybe the principal just likes Big Brother Xuan Kai?

"

nYeah, he likes me alright. He's my damn godfather...not that I appreciated that fact. I'm definitely not telling any of you about it, though.

n

"A-Ahem...anyway,

" I recomposed myself, and looked at Song Qian Long, still sitting calmly in his chair.

"Thank you for the rewards.

"

nIt didn't matter how much I disliked him. He still gave us very valuable items, and deserved gratitude for it. The girls all bowed down slightly, and echoed my words.

nAfter that, the girls headed for the female dormitories, while I headed back to my own room in the male dorms. I glanced down at the ring, which I had placed on the index finger of my right hand (I didn't want people to think I was married and cause misunderstandings).

n

"Heh...thanks, old geezer.

"

n*****

nAfter getting back to my room, I found Mei Gui sitting on the couch silently, not budging an inch.

n

"Uh, hey?

" I said cautiously, waving a bit.

nThe red-haired girl stood up like an automated robot, looked at me, and bowed.

"Welcome home, master.

"

nI was taken aback at first, but sighed and rubbed her head. However, as I did so, Mei Gui flinched and looked up in surprise.

n

"What...?

" I asked.

n

"Master...that ring, where did you get it from?

" Mei Gui asked, grabbing my hand in a hurry and inspecting the ring closely.

n

"It was my reward for winning the tournament...Song Qian Long gave it to me,

" I replied truthfully.

"Do you recognize it?

"

n

"I do not believe 'recognize' would be the right word, but I can feel a great amount of Chaos energy coming from it.

"

n

"So you do too, huh...

" I muttered.

"From the moment I laid my eyes upon this ring, I felt drawn towards it for some reason. It was as if there was a voice in my head - my own voice - telling me to take it...

"

n

"Apologies, master. My memories are still not complete as of right now...I am unable to provide any useful information...

"

nShe looked really sad and uncomfortable at not being able to help me here, but that was guilt she didn't deserve. I patted her head with my spare hand and smiled.

"Don't worry about it. If you don't know something, we'll just have to find out...together.

"

n

"Mm...okay, master,

" she smiled, leaning into my chest.

nI looked out the windows, closed my eyes, and sighed. When I opened them again, they were full of newfound determination.

nI guess...it's about time, huh? I already killed Xuan Kun, and knowing that bastard's personality, he definitely won't just sit still. I've obtained magic now, and have already become an Intermediate Mage. I think...it's about time to settle things, once and for all.

nMei Gui, as if reading my mind, looked up at me.

"Master, I will help you.

"

n

"Uh...you sure?

"

n

"Yes. No one the same age as you will be able to defeat you in a battle, but in this case, you will be going up against an entire family - and one of the strongest families in this city, no less.

"

nI smiled. She was right.

"Well then...can I count on you to take care of the small fry?

"

n

"Yes, master. I understand this is something you must accomplish alone. Thus, I will make sure no pests get in the way of that.

"

nI grinned, and looked out at the brilliant night sky once more.

n