The next day, by the time Song Jie woke up, it was already noon.
After a simple meal, he headed straight to Mingzhu Academy.
When he arrived at the office, two familiar figures were already there.
Dean Xiao smiled and waved at him.
"Song Jie, you're here. Come, have a seat."
Song Jie nodded and sat down in front of Old Man Deng and Jiang Yunming.
"Dean Xiao, did you need something from me?" Song Jie asked, though he already had a good idea of what it might be.
Dean Xiao leaned back slightly.
"Your magic that can replicate summoned beasts—is that also a variation type?"
"Yes," Song Jie replied with a nod.
Dean Xiao seemed unsurprised. He continued, "There's also one more matter—about the exchange student program."
"I've heard about that from Mu Lei," Song Jie said.
Dean Xiao nodded with a smile and patted his shoulder.
"This time, you'll also be one of the exchange students. Do your best, just perform normally."
Song Jie sighed. "My other summoned beast is still at the servant level. I'm afraid I won't perform well."
Old Man Deng and Jiang Yunming exchanged glances and smiled wryly. Having experienced countless battles themselves, they could easily see what Song Jie was hinting at.
Dean Xiao chuckled, shaking his head. "You brat, trying to con me again?"
"How is this conning you? I'm thinking for the good of the school!" Song Jie said righteously.
Dean Xiao wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled.
"Alright, alright. I'll see what I can do. It's that plant-type summoned beast, right?"
"That's right!" Song Jie replied immediately.
He was worried about Little Green—it seemed to be on the verge of advancing! While it could probably evolve on its own, having auxiliary materials would make it much easier.
He needed to be cautious.
That was his "daughter," after all—she had to be raised lavishly!
Old Man Deng and Jiang Yunming couldn't help but think, You really do spoil it.
Dean Xiao went on, "They will be the accompanying team leader and teacher for this trip."
"They're both familiar faces. I even have to thank Professor Deng for gifting me a spiritual magic tool," Song Jie said with a grin, glancing at Old Man Deng.
Bringing up old wounds, huh? Old Man Deng simply ignored him, pretending not to hear.
Song Jie sat down beside him.
"Professor Deng, want to make another bet?"
"What kind of bet?"
Song Jie sighed. "My Summoning Element recently reached the Intermediate Level, and I contracted another summoned beast. I really can't afford to raise them all anymore.
If I win against Imperial Capital Academy, how about giving me a few Spirit Seed fragments—or maybe one or two whole Spirit Seeds?"
Old Man Deng nearly fainted from anger. Did this kid think he was made of money?
He glared at Song Jie but didn't respond.
Dean Xiao chuckled, "Song Jie, don't make things difficult for Professor Deng. He spent nearly all his private savings to buy that magic tool for you."
Song Jie's eyes widened. "Wow, Professor Deng really went all out!"
"Alright," Dean Xiao said, waving them off. "That's enough for now. You'll depart in three days."
Song Jie and the others left the office.
But he realized something—no one had told him which school they were going to!
"Professor Deng, which academy are we visiting as exchange students?" Song Jie asked.
"Imperial Capital Academy," Old Man Deng replied.
He had personally requested to lead the group—after all, he'd spent a fortune on that spiritual magic tool for Song Jie.
The tool was capable of resisting high-level spiritual attacks, so its value was enormous. Dean Xiao had agreed to his request as a form of gratitude.
Jiang Yunming smiled. "Song Jie, perform well this time. Many of our teachers have high hopes for you. But honestly, with your strength, you should have no trouble against them."
"I'll perform normally," Song Jie said with a grin.
Over the next three days, Song Jie focused on cultivating, hoping to break through to the High Level soon.
He tried messaging Mu Nujiao, but she never replied—likely because of what happened before. Later, he learned from Mu Lei that she had gone into seclusion again.
When the day came, Song Jie packed his luggage and headed to the academy gate.
Everyone else was already there waiting.
"You're here!" Mu Lei waved. He had also been selected as an exchange student.
Song Jie looked around and recognized several familiar faces—Ding Yumei, Mu Lei, Bai Liang, Dongfang Ming, Lu You, Xu Liangming, Zhuge Ru, and a sweet-looking girl in a Lolita dress.
Although her outfit was cute, her figure was surprisingly mature.
The Lolita girl stood next to Ding Yumei and beamed when she saw Song Jie.
Ding Yumei introduced her.
"This is the healing-type friend I mentioned before."
"Hello," the girl said brightly. "My name is Huo Yumeng, but you can call me Mengmeng."
"Hello," Song Jie replied politely, secretly impressed. She looked every bit the part of a healing mage—soft, gentle, and overflowing with "healing power."
"Is everyone here? If so, get on the bus," Professor Deng instructed.
The group boarded the bus to the airport, then took a flight to the Imperial Capital.
When they arrived at Imperial Capital Academy, a teacher was already waiting to greet them.
"Are you all from Mingzhu Academy?" the man asked.
"Yes," Old Man Deng replied.
"Great. I'm Teacher Lu, in charge of reception. Please follow me—I'll arrange your accommodations."
He led them to an apartment complex where individual rooms were prepared.
Old Man Deng asked, "Teacher Lu, when will the magic competition begin?"
Teacher Lu frowned slightly. Were they that eager to lose?
"You're actually the first group to arrive," he said with a polite smile. "You'll need to wait a day or two. I'll inform you when everything's ready."
"Wait another day or two? Can't you hurry the other schools? Why are they so slow!" Old Man Deng grumbled.
Teacher Lu's smile stiffened. "Teacher Deng, perhaps your focus should be on preparing for the competition."
"That is my focus!" Old Man Deng said firmly. Urging the competition forward and seeing Song Jie defeat Imperial Capital Academy—wasn't that all part of it?
Realizing persuasion was pointless, Teacher Lu forced another smile.
"Then, during the competition, please show some mercy."
"That's not up to me," Old Man Deng said with a smirk. "You'll have to ask him."
He turned toward Song Jie.
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continued support! 💙