"Elian, you must listen to Teacher Xiu's words, study hard, and strive to get into the academy to honor our family. If you really can't pass, come back quickly—don't make Mom and Dad worry. Teacher Xiu, I'll entrust Elian to you." Mom hugs me and cries for a long time.
"Okay, honey, stop crying. Elian isn't leaving forever—let them hurry and set off."
After saying goodbye to Mom, Dad, the academy's teachers and classmates (of course, including Od—when I left, he told me to practice magic hard so I can take care of him in the future), Teacher Xiu and I set off for the capital.
"Teacher Xiu, how far is it from here to the capital?"
"It's still very far. We have to pass through 3 provinces—about more than 2000 li."
"That far?"
...
Along the way, we walk an average of 80 to 90 li every day. After more than 20 days of long trekking, we finally arrive at the capital. Neither Teacher Xiu nor I can fly with magic—only advanced wind-type mages can use Wind Flight Spell, and the distance depends on magic power. I originally wanted to use instant teleportation—after all, it can cover 500 meters at a time—but Teacher Xiu didn't let me. Along the way, he taught me many exam tips and some magic applications.
To live up to the expectations of Mom, Dad, and Teacher Xiu, and of course, for my future fat wallet, I worked surprisingly hard along the way—greatly surprising Teacher Xiu, who thought I had changed my nature.
With more than 20 days of hard work plus the two months of meditation before Teacher Xiu came back, the magic power in my body is now full. Teacher Xiu says my magic power has already reached the edge of Advanced Mage.
Since my attack magic is really weak, Teacher Xiu taught me two more light-type magics on the way. One is the Radiant Binding Array—a magic mainly used to trap enemies, belonging to intermediate attack magic (the only attack magic among intermediate light-type magics!). The other is a high-level light-type magic—Light Slash Sword. With my current magic power, I can only use this magic once. Teacher Xiu told me not to use it unless absolutely necessary—after all, I can still run. Hehe.
The capital is truly a big city! The city walls are tall and thick, with 8 city gates in total. The gates are wide, and pedestrians come and go in an endless stream. From time to time, merchants' carts pass by, the sound of wheels echoing endlessly. There are also luxurious carriages with exquisite carvings (probably carrying nobles), crisscrossing and traveling side by side. Truly worthy of being the capital of my motherland—Aixia City.
Teacher Xiu and I wander around the city. It's much bigger than Senke City. There are many various shops on both sides of the road—I really want to go and see what new things there are, but Teacher Xiu doesn't let me. He pulls me and skillfully walks near the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy in the east of the city.
"Elian, look at those magnificent buildings over there—that's the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy. The entrance exam will start in 3 days. Let's find a place to rest nearby."
We find a cheap inn to stay. Teacher Xiu originally wanted to take me to a better inn, but all the slightly decent inns nearby have been booked by nobles from all over the country—so we have to make do here. (Naturally, nobles all hope their children can get into the Royal Intermediate Magic Academy.)
"If we hadn't acted quickly, we might not have even gotten a room here."
"Yes, it's all thanks to Teacher's wisdom." Only now do I understand why Teacher Xiu didn't let me wander around and waste time when we entered the city.
"Elian, come—let me take you out for a walk."
"Great!"
Teacher Xiu and I come to the street. Since it's the capital of a magic kingdom, there are magic shops everywhere. We enter a magic equipment store. Wow, there are all kinds of magic items inside—magic robes, some low-level magic crystals, magic wands, and some Phantom Beast Eggs (Every mage has a Phantom Beast, and their own Phantom Beast needs to be hatched by themselves. The Phantom Beast Eggs sold here are all sealed—blood is needed as a medium to hatch them. The hatched Phantom Beast will recognize the first person it sees as its master. In such ordinary stores, there are only Phantom Beast Eggs below level 4. Advanced Phantom Beast Eggs are very expensive—those above level 7 are even impossible to buy no matter how much money you have—you need luck.)
"Elian, take a look—see if there's anything you like. Teacher will buy it for you."
"Great!, Thank you, Teacher." I don't stand on ceremony and start choosing. In the end, I choose a white Phantom Beast Egg and a magic wand inlaid with white crystals.
"Young master, you have great taste. Among all our products here, this magic wand is the best. This Phantom Beast Egg is a level 1 Phantom Beast—I'll give it to you for free. This magic wand costs 50 gold coins." (That Phantom Beast Egg is light-type—no one wants it at all.)
"That expensive?" Teacher Xiu frowns, but since he promised me, as a teacher, he naturally has to grit his teeth and buy it.
Back at the inn, Teacher Xiu helps me identify them. This magic wand can increase magic attack power by 30%—it's indeed a good wand. That Phantom Beast Egg is very ordinary—just a level 1 Phantom Beast.
"I've given you the gift. You must work hard for the exam in three days! Don't let Teacher down."
This wand has accompanied me for a long time—until I got...
And the Phantom Beast hatched from that Phantom Beast Egg became my most important partner in the future.
Perhaps it's fate—the Phantom Beast Egg obtained by the Son of Light is actually a growth-type Phantom Beast. It played a crucial role in the Son of Light's journey to becoming a Great Magister.
(The Son of Light is about to start his intermediate magic academy career. What will happen to his Phantom Beast?)