After the other matches concluded, it was finally Song Jie and Bai Liang's turn.
"Song Jie, Bai Liang!"
When the examiner called their names, Song Jie stood up calmly and walked toward the center of the arena.
Bai Liang followed, feeling a strange unease.
Why is he so confident? He's just a Light Mage…
But since he had initiated the challenge himself, retreating now wasn't an option.
As the two stood opposite each other, the entire hall's attention locked onto them.
"This guy really thinks he can take my magic shoes? How ridiculous," Bai Liang's lackey sneered to himself.
The examiner glanced between them. "Are you both ready?"
Song Jie nodded lightly. Bai Liang did the same.
Just then, Bai Liang smirked. "Oh, there's something I forgot to mention. I'm dual-element."
He expected some reaction, some flicker of shock or fear.
But Song Jie only replied with a disinterested, "Hmm."
That expressionless look made Bai Liang's teeth grind.
He was considered one of the most talented in his generation—yet Song Jie looked at him like he was nothing.
We'll see how you, a mere Light Mage, plan to fight me, Bai Liang thought, his eyes sharp with hostility.
Song Jie turned to the examiner. "Teacher, please react quickly later—someone might get hurt."
"Hahaha! This guy's funny. At least he knows he'll be the one getting hurt," Liu Xiaotian laughed from the audience.
The examiner gave a puzzled look but didn't comment. It was his job to ensure safety, and he was already on alert.
"The match begins!"
The instant the words left the examiner's mouth, Song Jie moved first!
"Glorious Burst!"
A brilliant orb of golden light erupted from Song Jie's palm, streaking toward Bai Liang like a blazing comet.
Before Bai Liang could react, the orb exploded—
BOOM!!
A blinding flash filled the arena, and Bai Liang was thrown back violently.
The crowd fell silent.
Everyone stared, jaws hanging open.
"W-what was that? Isn't Light Magic supposed to be non-lethal at the early stages?" someone muttered.
"Was that… a Light spell?" another asked in disbelief.
The professors sitting above were just as shocked. Even Dean Xiao raised an eyebrow, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
So that's why he was so calm. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Bai Liang staggered to his feet. His clothes were singed, his arm slightly burned. Only the magic armor he wore prevented serious injury.
He finally realized Song Jie's secret—his Light Magic wasn't purely defensive. It was offensive and incredibly strong!
"Dean Xiao, Bai Liang used a magic tool during the fight," a professor pointed out.
"That's fine," replied the Dean of the Lei Family. "Magic tools are part of one's strength."
Dean Xiao didn't comment, so no one else argued.
Bai Liang's face darkened. "You're strong… but that's all!"
He had no intention of dragging the fight out any longer. If he unleashed his full power, he could still turn things around.
Forty-nine stardust points flared in Bai Liang's mind, forming a star path as he began constructing his Intermediate Lightning Spell.
But before the map could connect—
"Radiant Laser!"
Song Jie's voice cut through the air, and a concentrated beam of golden light shot from his palm, faster than lightning itself.
"Basic magic? That won't hurt me!" Bai Liang sneered. He stood his ground, preparing to counterattack.
But before he could complete his incantation—
BAM!
The golden beam struck him square in the chest, sending him flying out of the arena once again!
The hall went silent. Even breathing seemed to stop.
Bai Liang had… lost?
Just like that?
Everyone stared at Song Jie, stunned.
Light Magic wasn't supposed to be this powerful—what kind of monster was this guy?
Song Jie calmly turned to the examiner. "Teacher, it wasn't my fault. I warned you earlier."
The examiner blinked, speechless.
Meanwhile, the professors were all flipping through Song Jie's files again.
There it was—the note under his talent.
Light Element – Mutation Type!
The teacher of the School of Light clapped his hands, laughing heartily. "Hahaha! We've found a treasure this time!"
He hadn't been optimistic before; in fact, he'd assumed the Light versus Thunder duel would be one-sided.
Now, that same Light Magic had utterly crushed the Thunder element—twice!
In the stands, Liu Xiaotian was pale as a sheet. He'd used his brother's Magic Shoe as the bet… and Bai Liang had lost.
"This can't be happening…" he muttered, despair washing over him.
Dean Xiao nodded approvingly. Song Jie's performance had exceeded expectations—not just in power, but in composure.
He didn't gloat, didn't lose control. Calm, confident, and decisive.
Such mental fortitude was rare at his age.
"Alright, everyone, let's give the final scores," Dean Xiao said.
The professors quickly scored the participants.
In the end, Song Jie's total score completely eclipsed Bai Liang's—leaving him not in second place, but third overall.
The humiliation stung more than his burns.
He had entered confident he'd dominate, yet he hadn't even managed to cast a single spell before being defeated.
For someone from one of the Four Great Families, it was an unbearable disgrace.
"You may return to your seats. We'll announce the admissions shortly," the examiner said.
Both nodded and stepped back.
Now, all eyes were on Song Jie—the once "invisible" candidate who had suddenly become the star of the day.
As he sat down, Liu Xiaotian leaned over with an awkward smile. "Song Jie, about that bet earlier… just treat it as a fart, yeah? How about giving me back the Magic Shoe?"
Song Jie smiled faintly. "Sure. You can redeem it—for however much it's worth."