Mage Manual-Chapter 1426 - 1040: Review

Lois didn’t stay at the scene, not to escape, but to urge Xiu to run quickly.

As a mage training institution, the university could not and would not want to stop violent confrontations between students. Even if a mage focuses on academics, they must venture into the Void Realm to gather magic power and resources, and the best way to improve combat skills is through [limited area] and [low intensity (non-lethal)] competitive games in reality. Naturally, the university is the most suitable stage for this.

Each university has different rules and regulations. The most lenient, such as Linglan University, only requires that no one dies—no reductions in points, no punishments, causing the campus to be divided by several major societies, resembling a jungle where the weak are the rewards for the strong. To avoid being bullied, one must dominate Linglan and stand at the top.

The reputation of Linglan University is extremely poor, ranking at the bottom of the Jiale City University Alliance, with almost only civilians attending. Yet among the advanced adventurers of the Abyss Series, one-third are mages from Linglan. Statistics show that in nearly a hundred years, the number of Holy Sanctuary Mages born from Linglan University is second only to Truth University—though still only helpless civilians and hot-blooded fools would enter this university.

The rules of Truth University are the strictest. All battles must be applied for with professor supervision, regardless of the reason. Violators will have their credits deducted, and repeated offenders are directly expelled. However, there is a "Combat Power Ranking for Each Grade" within Truth University. Officially defeating opponents allows students to earn more resources and permissions, so geniuses who have conflicts never resort to private fights, but settle it in the arena!

But this tactic can only be used by Truth University, which alone takes two-thirds of the education funding and can afford to share a bit with the students. Sword Flower University’s main funding relies on donations from noble graduates, lacking funds for a "Combat Power Ranking," so its rules are more lenient: In battles without professor supervision, the provocateur will have their credits deducted. If one party clearly states a refusal to fight, but the attacker still assaults, the attacker is expelled and reported to law enforcement as an intentional assault case!

Sword Flower University is a noble school. Hot-blooded mages may want to fight, but bullying is not allowed. If the reputation stinks, who would want their children to adorn the elegant and beautiful Sword Flower?

That’s why Lois and the others weren’t afraid to get into a fight with Iris; none of the three cared about their credits. But fighting is one thing, and death is another!

First, they just wanted to teach Iris a lesson. Even saying they’d toss her into East Lake was just talk; the lake was frozen, so at most, she’d just get drenched in icy water. Second, this was their affair, and there was no reason to let a stranger take the blame.

"You’re not a Sword Flower student, nor do you know us," Lois spoke more agitatedly: "Why are you meddling in our affairs? If you end up killing someone, do you think we’d be happy?"

"I’m very confident it’s a blank shot," Xiu said gently: "I only did it knowing there would be no incident. After all, it’s just a student conflict; I certainly wouldn’t cause a fatality."

"But do you know who you’ve offended? Iris is the daughter of Earl Temo! We may not care since we’re mages, but you’re neither a mage nor a Jiale City resident. It would be very simple for the opponent to cause you trouble within reasonable and lawful boundaries! For instance, Jiale City is currently strictly vetting incoming and outgoing people, and as an outsider, Iris’s family could have the police evict you under the strictest regulations!"

"That does sound like some trouble..." Xiu blinked: "But I’m only staying in Jiale City for a few days, so it’s not a big deal."

"You..."

This indifferent attitude of Xiu’s made Lois even more worried. Xiu smiled: "Don’t worry, I don’t regret helping you all. Not because the opponent was particularly vile, but because you are worthy of assistance."

"If kindness doesn’t receive support, then who would still believe in the glory of justice?"

Lois looked at him in a daze, speaking helplessly: "We are not exactly kind and just..."

At this point, the others caught up, and Adelle slapped Xiu on the back, giggling: "You’re something else! This time Iris really made a fool of herself! Well done!"

"Adelle!" Lois glared fiercely at her: "Iris is not normally quick to anger. She only pulled out a hand cannon this time because you provoked her!"

"She was the one who pulled out the gun, so why are you scolding me!" Adelle pouted: "I didn’t know she had a gun..."

"At least this time it’s not really Adelle’s fault. Even her foul language is justified rather than the usual shameless sophistry." Ingrid said, "Iris mainly couldn’t bear losing; someone with such a strong sense of dignity would use any weapon to defend her face, much like a noble villain in a drama."

"Although I appreciate you defending me, Ingrid, you insult me more than Lois does..." Adelle said with a complicated expression, elbowing Xiu: "Thanks, we couldn’t have settled this without your help."

She sighed, hands in her pockets: "Had I known, I would have ignored that loudmouth. What an awful mood all day..."

"Why in a bad mood?" Xiu asked: "You defended your friend’s dignity, gaining moral high ground. Even if the school penalizes you, your peers will certainly praise your actions. At least..."

"You three young ladies showed me the elegance and beauty of Sword Flower," Xiu gently applauded, smiling at them, instantly brightening the surroundings: "You did great today, later I’ll treat you to milk tea."

Adelle immediately responded: "Building 21, Room 303, if I don’t see milk tea today, I’ll badmouth you to your girlfriend every day!"

"Adelle!" Lois gave Adelle a firm smack on the back of her head.

"However, you can actually do even better." Xiu pondered and said, "For instance, this young lady..."

"I’m Adelle, she’s Lois, and this is Ingrid!" Adelle immediately introduced, "Apart from me, neither of them have a boyfriend!"

"Adelle!" Lois wished she could take off her silk stockings to stuff Adelle’s mouth, even Ingrid felt a bit awkward.

"Well, for example, Miss Lois." Xiu was completely unaffected and asked seriously, "You’re a mage, why didn’t you help just now?"

"Because Ingrid was in the battle, we generally don’t gang up on someone..."

"I know, but you could conjure a Technique Spirit effect, like Miss Adelle gathering a water ball, which could effectively deter the other two. Even if they knew you wouldn’t take action, they would still need to divide their attention towards you, effectively reducing Miss Ingrid’s pressure."

Xiu advised, "You were in a skirmish, not a formal duel, and Ingrid’s opponent was a Two-winged Mage who was much stronger than her. Increasing your winning odds within the rules, shouldn’t anyone blame a few lovely young ladies?"

"Also," Xiu suddenly became serious, "when Miss Ingrid was in danger, your first reaction was to rush over. This is a very dangerous behavior, not only could you get injured with her, but she might also become distracted because of you, leading to a Miracle failure—just now, you almost killed her! The impression you gave me was calm and intelligent, but in emergencies, you turned out to be the most reckless!"

Lois was left speechless, Ingrid couldn’t help but say, "Lois was just concerned about me..."

"Don’t be nervous." Xiu smiled gently, immediately lightening the atmosphere, "I don’t think it’s bad... because I’m that kind of person too, always acting before thinking. I’m not asking you to change, since it’s your nature, follow your instincts."

"Miss Lois, I think you could develop towards guarding Miracles, and the Water Technique Faction suits your outwardly gentle yet tough character. This way, even if you act impulsively next time, you can still be a supportive friend." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lois had actually already done career planning, and both her family and school believed she should follow a healing Water Mage path, which was suitable whether she transitioned into the medical aesthetics industry or as part of her marriage resume. But Xiu analyzed her personality traits with good reasons, and his words held a magical power that was convincing, as she looked into those eyes that seemed to speak, she subconsciously nodded, "I will consider it."

"And then there’s Miss Adelle..."

"Just call us by our names." Adelle said boldly, "We are, after all, friends who treat each other to milk tea!"

"Alright, Adelle." Xiu chuckled, "I think you might have chosen the wrong Magic Faction, perhaps the Spirit Faction is more suitable for you."

"Huh?" Adelle was stunned, "But aren’t Spirit Mages supposed to be deep schemers like Swindlers?"

"Yes, generally speaking..." Xiu was slightly lost in thought, then continued, "But that’s because Spirit Mages are more attuned to other’s emotions, and they’re exposed to too much ugliness in those emotions, they thus shut themselves off. It doesn’t mean they are cold-hearted; in fact, Spirit Mages are empathetic people with a passionate heart beneath the cold exterior."

"They are just too timid, so timid they don’t even dare touch cotton candy for fear of being hurt."

Adelle repeatedly nodded, "I am indeed a melancholic and sentimental girl."

"You have a keen intuition for exposing wounds." Xiu smiled, "You can sense what others want to avoid or hide; you are a natural Spirit Hunter, whether in psychotherapy or on the battlefield, there is space for you to shine brightly."

"Really?" Adelle’s heart skipped a beat, "Even if you flatter me, you still have to treat me, okay? But I can treat you back."

Xiu looked at Ingrid, "As for Ingrid..."

"A truly remarkable fight." He gave a thumbs up, "Although some might think your moves are too standard and lack fluidity, the power of well-honed precision can overcome all obstacles. You’ve chosen the path that suits you best, even though it might be the toughest. Your victory earlier might have been a Miracle, but it was definitely not luck!"

Ingrid stared at him blankly, feeling as if a part of her inner self had been subtly touched. She had been praised before; she was one of the top students in the Sword Skill department, but no one had ever seen through her actions, her cumulative effort over the years, her disciplined sweat, and her ambitious pursuit.

She did not like the current flashy swordsmanship trends and wanted to pursue the path of the ancient swordsmen, proving to the world that even without special Technique Spirit, a thoroughly trained Sword Master could cut through All Techniques!

This thought she had never shared with anyone, it was merely a budding idea because she knew it was foolish... but even when she didn’t say anything, someone could still see her heart, even though they had known each other for less than half an hour.

Ingrid averted her gaze, cradling her left arm with her right, and softly said, "Thank you..."