Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, the winter break arrived.
"Another month or two of cultivation, and I should be able to break through to the second level of the Novice Stage,"
Mu Nianbing thought to himself, eyes filled with calm confidence.
He had already mastered the Novice-level Ice Spell Ice Spread a month ago.
Ice Spread was a control-type spell, an area-of-effect technique that slowed an enemy's movement.
However, at Level 1, it could only slightly reduce the speed of Servant-level demons—practically useless in real combat.
But that was normal. At the Novice Stage, even dealing with a single Servant-level demon usually required several Mages working together.
However, Mu Nianbing wasn't an ordinary Mage.
In just one month, he had already begun to create his own ice techniques.
Normally, Mages could only develop their own spells after reaching the Advanced Stage, but under the Blessing of the Ice God, Mu Nianbing had already touched the threshold of elemental control far ahead of schedule.
Still, with his current cultivation, he could only condense a few ice cones the size of a fist—limited but deadly enough for a beginner.
"Today's cultivation task is done. I'll go see Xinxia first."
He had been cultivating since seven in the morning. After six hours, he decided to rest and head out.
Leaving the Mu Family Manor, Mu Nianbing walked toward the residential district.
Ye Xinxia didn't live with Mo Fan and his father, Mo Jiaxing, but instead stayed with her aunt, Mo Qing.
To pay for Mo Fan's schooling, Mo Jiaxing had even sold his house to Mu He.
Ironically, Mu Nianbing thought, for once, that guy actually kept his word.
Jogging through the frosty streets, Mu Nianbing arrived at Mo Qing's house about half an hour later.
"Knock, knock~"
He rapped gently on the door. A middle-aged woman opened it soon after.
Seeing Mu Nianbing, Mo Qing's face showed no surprise.
This wasn't his first visit—she was used to him by now.
"Nianbing, you're here again. Xinxia's in her room upstairs," Mo Qing said with a faint smile, stepping aside to let him in.
As someone who'd seen the world, Mo Qing easily understood the young man's intentions.
Mu Nianbing was polite, handsome, and from a respectable family. He cared deeply for Xinxia. If the two grew closer, she would certainly approve.
As for Mo Fan? That troublemaker barely scraped into Tianlan High School through connections. Mo Qing had long given up expecting much from him.
"Thank you, Aunt Mo."
Mu Nianbing smiled warmly—without the slightest trace of arrogance that young heirs often carried.
Despite the Mu Family's wealth, they were only small-time nobles in Bo City—nothing compared to the great families of the Imperial Capital.
If he had a choice, Mu Nianbing would rather live as an ordinary man.
At the top of the stairs, he saw a gentle girl sitting in a wheelchair.
Her black hair cascaded like silk, framing a delicate, snow-pale face with a faint rosy hue—beautiful enough to make one's heart skip.
"Bother Nian~"
Ye Xinxia's soft voice chimed like a bell the moment she saw him.
Mu Nianbing walked over with a smile and lightly pinched her cheek, her skin as soft and warm as cotton.
"Xinxia, the weather's nice today. I'll take you out for a stroll."
"Mm."
She nodded shyly, and Mu Nianbing gently pushed her wheelchair toward the door.
Just as they were about to leave, a brown-haired young man stepped in through the entrance.
"Mu Nianbing?"
Mo Fan's voice was sharp, his expression instantly darkening.
Tianlan High School was on winter break, so he couldn't stay in the dorms and decided to live at his aunt's place for a while.
But of all people—why did he have to run into this guy?
The sight of Mu Nianbing with Xinxia instantly rekindled old humiliation from his childhood. His temper flared like fire.
If not for being indoors, he would've already thrown a Lightning Seal at him.
Still, Mo Fan felt a bit smug inside. Hmph. I've awakened both the Lightning and Fire Elements now. Let's see how long you can act all high and mighty.
"Mo Fan? What are you doing here?"
Mu Nianbing blinked in mild surprise. What a coincidence.
Mo Fan's lips twitched. That's my line, you bastard!
Seeing Xinxia beside him, his anger exploded.
"You again?! You're trying to abduct Xinxia!"
The word "abduct" made Xinxia's face turn crimson.
"What do you mean, abduct?" Mu Nianbing frowned. "I didn't force her, did I, Xinxia?"
He calmly brushed off Mo Fan's hand from his collar and glanced down at the girl in the wheelchair.
Xinxia lowered her head, cheeks burning red, and softly whispered, "N-no…"
Her gentle voice melted the tension instantly, though Mo Fan looked like he was about to cough up blood.
"Brother Mo Fan, Bother Nian and I are just going for a walk," Xinxia said in a small, apologetic tone.
Mo Fan froze, his heart sinking.
He knew Xinxia's nature—kind, considerate, and obedient. That only made him more anxious.
What if this guy takes advantage of her?!
Mu Nianbing, however, couldn't be bothered to argue.
He simply pushed the wheelchair forward, leaving Mo Fan fuming in the doorway.
The winter break passed quickly. Mu Nianbing didn't waste a single moment—cultivating diligently for six hours every day.
By the day before classes resumed, he had successfully advanced his Ice Element to Level 2.
When the new term began, Mu Nianbing stepped into his classroom, feeling a faint sense of distance—as if everything around him had changed.
"Mu Nianbing, how many Star Particles can you control now?"
The question came from Xu Zhaoting, who sat in front of him, his tone filled with curiosity.
At the end of the previous semester, both of them had tied for first place in the class—each controlling four Star Particles.
Now, a month later, Xu Zhaoting had reached five and was eager to compare again.
"It's already six," Mu Nianbing said casually.
"Huh?!"
Xu Zhaoting's eyes widened. He had meant to show off, not get crushed!
Then he sighed, muttering, "Well, you've probably got resources from your family. It's normal for you to progress faster."
Mu Nianbing just chuckled softly. Resources? If only you knew…
Still, he couldn't deny Xu Zhaoting's point. In this world, resources mattered more than talent.
Even a genius could be stuck forever without them.
One Star River Vein was enough to halt countless mages on their path.
The world was full of geniuses—but only a few ever reached the top.
"You can already control six Star Particles," Xu Zhaoting said enviously.
"Just one more, and you'll be able to cast magic! Man, imagine starting with a Lightning Seal—so cool!"
"I'm just a little faster," Mu Nianbing replied calmly. "You'll catch up soon enough."
If Xu Zhaoting knew his true cultivation, he'd probably doubt reality itself.
Still, Mu Nianbing's gaze shifted thoughtfully.
If I remember correctly, Tang Yue should be teaching the next class now.
With Tang Yue's level of cultivation, she might easily notice that he'd already mastered spellcasting.
Good thing he wasn't in Class 8—otherwise, with how sensitive she was about the Black Vatican, she might even mistake him for one of their people.