He was floating in darkness.
All around him was an infinite void, an expanse of black space stretching endlessly in every direction. Even though he no longer had eyes, he could somehow see the nothingness. Just an everlasting expanse of darkness. Was he Dead? Alive?
He remembered everything. Every detail of what had happened before his death.
"So why can i think? Shouldn't I be dead?" His voice echoed through the void.
He couldn't feel his body—no arms, no legs, no heartbeat. There was nothing. Yet, he could still think, which meant he wasn't truly dead.
"What happened? Don't tell me… did the aliens get hold of me? Are they conducting experiments on me?"
It wasn't an impossible thought. Those bastards had all kinds of strange, advanced technology. Something that could drag him back from the brink of death wasn't outside the realm of possibility.
But then...A shimmer appeared in the void.
"What's that?"
From the endless darkness, something began to take shape. It was a swirling mass of cosmic dust, its colors shifting between black, blue, and faint purples. Despite being dark, the cloud shone with an unnatural brilliance, illuminating the void with its strange glow.
The sight stirred something deep within him—a mix of wonder and dread.
"What is this…?" he muttered.
The cosmic cloud hovered there silently, almost alive, pulsing faintly with energy.
Then, it began to move.
"Wait… is it getting bigger?"
No. On closer inspection, it wasn't growing. It was approaching.
"W-why is it coming near me?! wait. Wait! Wait! Fuckkk-!!" he shrieked.
The cloud surged forward at incredible speed, and he was helpless to stop it. Without a body, without even the ability to move, he could only watch as it rushed toward him.
The moment it touched him, a strange energy coursed through his very being. It wasn't painful, but it was overwhelming—like being submerged in an ocean of raw, incomprehensible power.
Before he could make sense of it, the cloud engulfed him entirely.
And once again, everything went dark.
---
For the second time, his eyes opened.
The sound of water splashing reached his ears, faint and distant at first, then growing louder.
After an eternity of silence and numbness, the sensation of sound felt almost alien. But it meant one thing: he was alive.
His vision blurred as his eyes adjusted to the light. Slowly, the scene in front of him came into focus. It meant he was alive. Somehow.
He was sitting in a bathtub. The water around him was dark red.
It wasn't water.
It was blood.
His blood.
"What the fuck…" he muttered, his voice hoarse.
His brain clearly could not handle so many bizarre events.
First, aliens invade Earth trying to suck its lifeforce.
Then he confronts said aliens.
Dies by a suicide attack.
Wakes up in a dark void.
Gets swallowed by a mysterious stardust.
Wakes up again in a bloody bathtub.
And analysing his body confirms that it's his own blood.
The semi-clogged cut on his wrist is the definite indicator of that.
"Whoever is writing my story," he said with a sigh, "please let me at least have a beautiful girlfriend." He hoped his prayers were heard. (They were heard)
A sudden, sharp pain shot through his head.
"Argh!" He clutched his temples, his fingers digging into his scalp. The pain brought something else with it—memories.
Memories that weren't his.
The memories of a boy named Liu Shan.
"At this point…" he muttered through clenched teeth, "am I even surprised that I am in a different world?"
---
It turned out he hadn't just transmigrated—he'd landed in the world of Versatile Mage.
This was a world filled with danger.
Demons far stronger than humans roamed the lands, killing anything in their path. Humanity was constantly at war, both with these monsters and with itself. Shady organisations like Black Vatican are deeply hidden everywhere.
And he just so happened to be in Bo city! This is the starting point of the resident protagonist Mo Fan.
The same city that will be destroyed in the coming future by demons. Instigated by none other than The Black Vatican.
And the biggest problem is that he doesn't know the full plot! He only read till the start of World tournament, when the national team starts their world tour.
And it was a long time ago! How can he remember everything in detail?
"How the hell am I supposed to survive this?" he muttered.
Needing to clear his head, he stepped outside for some fresh air.
---
His mind was preoccupied, replaying the memories of Liu Shan, trying to make sense of the situation. He was thinking about his plans for the future.
Distracted, he didn't notice where he was going and accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ah…"
A soft, delicate voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Startled, he looked down.
Sitting in a wheelchair in front of him was a beautiful girl dressed in the uniform of Mingwen Girls' School. Her long black hair framed her delicate face, and her soft brown eyes blinked up at him in surprise.
"Xinxia?" he murmured.
The girl tilted her head slightly, then recognition lit up her face. "Brother Liu Shan?"
She smiled, her cherry lips curving upward in a way that warmed the air between them.
His newly acquired memories filled in the blanks. Liu Shan had been part of Mo Fan's childhood gang, and naturally, he knew Mo Fan's stepsister, Ye Xinxia.
"I haven't seen you since last year," Liu Shan said, a faint smile on his lips. "You've grown even more beautiful."
Ye Xinxia knew Liu Shan's character and didn't say anything, but her cheeks still flushed a little.
They talked for a while, exchanging pleasantries, before Liu Shan stepped behind her wheelchair and began pushing her toward Mingwen Middle School.
"Brother Shan, you don't need to push me. I'm old enough to go on my own," Xinxia protested gently.
"To me, you're still the little girl who used to beg me to carry her on my shoulders," Liu Shan teased.
Xinxia's face turned red, and she fell silent. She quietly enjoyed the gentle breeze as her brother pushed her towards Mingwen middle school.
While walking together, neither him nor her spoke much, calmly enjoying the sun and the light wind.
During this time, Liu Shan was busy going over his memories.
Born to a family of Primary mages, Liu Shan could be said to be well off in this small city.
During his childhood, Liu Shan used to sneak into the mountain behind the Mu Family manor, where he met Mo Fan and his gang.
Due to his silent personality, Liu Shan usually just followed them, and with them he met Ye Xinxia, Mo Fan's Step sister.
Due to his silent and calm personality he would usually hang out with her while Mo Fan's gang goes around causing trouble.
So, his relation with her could be said to be quite close.
'This Liu Shan is really similar to me' He thought to himself.
All their personality and actions match way too much.
His face is also almost identical.
His dark black hair is in the same style.
It's like he was not one but two, Both died and now both of them have been merged into one.
While pondering over his existence, Him and Ye Xinxia arrived at Mingwen middle school.
"Thank you, brother Shan, I can cover the rest of the way on my own, your magic awakening is today, I hope you will successfully awaken your desired element" She turned around and said with a smile.
Liu Shan nodded at her with a smile and left towards Tianlan magic high school.
While walking, his eyes drifted towards the wrist of his left hand.
On the wrist was a scar that hasn't fully healed yet.
This guy seriously tried to kill himself.
The previous Liu Shan was under depression due to mediocre results in school, coupled with the death of his parents the guys lost all hope of living.
He tried to end his life by cutting his wrist.
"You did almost succeed" He muttered to himself.
His parents were primary mages, his father was a level 3 Earth mage and his mother was a level 3 fire mage, meaning they were considered somewhat well off.
He is left with a 3-story house, one speed type magic equipment called Breeze step boots and a bank balance of 800,000.
Not enough if seen from the viewpoint of a mage, yet enough for him to live the next 3 years comfortably.
And the speed type magic equipment is definitely worth a lot. But he would definitely not sell something so precious.
Afterall, after 3 years the Bo city disaster will strike.
"What to do.... what to do...."
---
"Class, congratulations on admittance. Presumably, many of you have been waiting for the emotional time today, but before that, there are many things I need to say to everyone."
On the Great Magic Grounds, all of the 1500 new students were divided into twenty classes, forming into squads, as they stood neatly next to each other.
Liu Shan was in class 8, the same class as Mo Fan, so naturally he was standing with Mo Fan and his little puppy Zhang Xiaohou.
They can be said to be childhood friend and were familiar with each other.
"Students, do you know what it means to become a Mage?" The headmaster continued his long and boring speech.
"No matter what kind of Mage you turn out to be, do not forget that we magicians exist to further allow humanity to grow. We protect the most important mission of humanity. Do not forget that outside of this safe city, there are countless Magical Beasts watching us like a tiger watches his prey."
As the Headmaster's speech came to an end, he finally came to the part everyone was looking forward to most.
"Alright, you will begin the awakening ceremony today. I hope you will become rising stars in the future world of magic!"
As the Old Headmaster's words were said, the students on the grounds could no longer hold back the joy in their hearts.
Who doesn't want to wield flaming fires that brim with the power to destroy your enemies?
Who doesn't want to wield ice and freeze the world over? Who doesn't want to dominate and gallop across the world with arrogance?
Who doesn't want to wield the power of earth and resist invaders?
Even though Liu Shan was a transmigrator, he still was looking forward to his magic awakening.
Can he also have dual elements like Mo Fan because he's also a transmigrator?
Maybe a system?
He prayed secretly for some kind of cheat.
Because if not then the future path would be very tough.
The magic cultivation in this world is pay to win.
If you have money, then even with dogshit talent you can become powerful.
To be a second generation in this world is very important.
Liu Shan isn't a second generation, nor does he possess the little loach that Mo Fan have.
To become stronger relying on himself is very hard.
With his knowledge, he may be able to shine at the start, but in later stages, he will definitely fall behind.
He would definitely not allow such a thing to happen.
Ever since that time he confronted those aliens, A fire has started burning in his chest, A desire to gain power. The Helplessness of waiting for death was a feeling he never wished to feel.
There were twenty different classes that would conduct the awakening simultaneously.
Liu Shan was number 42; it would take a long time for his turn to arrive.
The Homeroom Teacher, who was also their Magic Advisor, Xue Musheng, was already standing at the very front. The awakening would be conducted in front of numerous people.
The student's name was called out, and then they would go up front to place their hands on the Awakening Stone in front of the Magic Advisor.
"Hey, the-one-who-entered-through-the-backdoor, you're not gonna fail the awakening are you? I heard that there are certain incapable people who fail the awakening. A dreg like you should just stop wasting the energy of the expensive Awakening Stone," on a different line up, someone said to Mo Fan behind him.
This was Zhao Kunsan, a certified henchmen of Mu bai.
Who's Mu bai? He the level 5 villain you meet at the starting who becomes allies after defeat. The type whose sole purpose is to compare the main character's growth.
"Brother Mo Fan, just ignore this jerk. Wait until you awaken a Fire element and show him. Then he'll know the meaning behind the phrase, 'Look down on people from a dog's eyes.'"
This was Zhang Xiaohou, Mo Fan's little puppy.
"Mu Bai!" the homeroom teacher, Xue Musheng, called out.
"Oh, so that's Mu Bai. He is indeed very handsome, and his grades are the top as well."
"Yeah, I saw him this morning, I like him. I wonder what kind of element he'll awaken? I reckon it won't be any crap elements like Water or Light, will it?"
Liu Shan laughed in his heart; how could it be a Chinese novel without background npc licking?
These guys are there to provide auxiliary information for the readers, without them how could any face slapping happen?
Without these guys how would the readers know that Ming ting is the Young master of Ching Ming clan that's the no. 1 clan in Bing ding province.
It's one thing to read it and another thing to experience.
He really cannot contain his laughter.
It might be rude to call people npc yet they really behave like such.
Calling the female lead Goddess, Admiring the Young master, Fearing the Peng Cheng Clan, Looking down on the low talent trash.
That it, their whole script.
Creak, creak, creak~~~~
A sudden frosty air curled itself around the Awakening Stone.
The air became more and more dense. It slowly froze the surface of the Awakening Stone, forming a layer of frost.
Liu Shan saw this and nodded in his head, Mu bai awakened the ice element, just as he remembered, so far there hasn't been any inconsistencies, meaning his future knowledge is definitely valuable for the time being. Even his mere existence might have started causing changes in the timeline, so he's not sure how long his future knowledge will last.
At least major Event should still happen. Hopefully.
"Ice Element! It really is the Ice Element!!!"
Suddenly, a person behind him began yelling. Following this yell, a few girls screeched.
'Why are you screaming....' he thought in his head.
"Very good. It is a very pure Ice Element. I believe an Ice Element Star Dust should be appearing within your Spiritual World. Cultivate harder, and make it grow even stronger!" the homeroom teacher said, with eyes full of praise.
"Next, Qiu Yueying!"
"Earth element!"
"Next, Lu Xiaobing."
"Hm, Water Element!"
...
...
Zhang Xiaohou's name was called, he went and put his hand on the awakening stone.
As he put his hand on the awakening stone, an odd wind vortex appeared, causing the clothes to move slightly.
"Wind element, good. Cultivate hard, your talent is also not bad"
...
"Next... Light Element."
"Heavens, I'm going to the roof. Don't stop me," the Light Element student said.
"Next… Water Element."
"Classmate with the Light Element, wait for me! I'm coming with you to the roof."
"Next..."
...
...
"Next, Liu Shan"
After some time, it was his turn.
He stood up and walked towards the awakening stone.
There were a few whispered comments around him.
It was natural for people to take notice of him, his appearance was undoubtedly not less handsome than any celebrity.
The face was well proportioned, sharp eyes, angular jaw, dark black hair, purple shinning eyes and a decent physique. In fact, Liu Shan was always a little narcistic about his appearance, in both lives.
Zhang Xiaohou also cheered for him, wishing for him to awaken the fire element.
Liu Shan didn't care what element he may awaken, Afterall every element has its own strength and weakness.
It's just that some elements offer offensive capabilities in the early stages and some don't. Well, His spiritual level should be higher than normal people, right? Maybe if he awakened the Space or Chaos element he wouldn't mind, hehe.
He knew it was wishful thinking, but a man can dream.
Clearing his thoughts, He put his hand on the awakening stone.
Closing his eyes he found himself in his spiritual world.
This so-called Spiritual World could be seen when one closed their eyes, and within their head, a piece of void would emerge.
A normal person would continually imagine in this void, and just like movie fragments, there would be those indistinct scenes. When one emptied their mind and stopped thinking, the mind became a void… just like a sky without a star.
Within the Spiritual World, there was nothing at all.
Actually... "Why are you here..." Liu Shen asked in his head.
In the empty void, there was floating cloud of cosmic dust.
It was very familiar, it's the same stardust that swallowed him in the black space before.
As his hand was on the awakening stone, Liu Shan could feel a sort of power transmitting through his hand towards his body.
Following this, there was suddenly a miraculous power within his Spiritual World.
The void shook as this power gathered in the spiritual world.
Soon a piece of silver stardust emerged in the spiritual world.
It was very tiny, compared to the black cloud present.
Wait.
"Silver?"
Outside, the countless students all had the same reaction.
"What element is the silver stardust? Red is fire, blue is water, gold is light, brown is earth, purple is lighting, light blue is ice, green is wind." Someone said.
Everyone was confused.
The teacher, Xue Musheng was also confused, he's been a teacher overseeing awakenings for many years, yet this was the first time he saw such a thing.
"This student..." Xue Musheng was speechless, how could he, a teacher not know what element his student had awakened? Wouldn't it be a matter of great shame?
Soon Liu Shan opened his eyes and look at the shocked faces of everyone.
"I believe it's the Space elements that only high-level mages can awaken" A voice attracted the attention of everyone.
"Headmaster!" Everyone present greeted the owner of the voice.
"The space element? How is it possible to awaken the space element at the primary level? Isn't it unheard of?"
"What isn't possible? This young friend might possess the innate talent to awaken it" The headmaster said with a light smile.
One of his students was able to awaken the space element, of course he was very happy.
"Student, what is your name?" The headmaster asked Liu Shan.
"Liu Shan"
"Space element is very rare, since you have awakened such an element i hope you will study diligently, if you face any problem you can come to me"
"Yes sir" Liu Shan nodded at the headmaster and returned to his seat.
From the outside, he looked indifferent and unresponsive.
But inside he was thinking very seriously.
Space element aside, the black cloud in his spiritual world is definitely a stardust.
It is similar to the shadow element stardust but not entirely.
What kind of element is this?
As far as the space element is concerned, he's definitely happy with his awakening. The space element is connected to a mages spiritual power.
Since he's a transmigrator-or whatever this type of situation is called, his spiritual level should undoubted not be low.
Soon the crowd died down and the headmaster went back.
The next few awakenings soon continued.
But Liu Shan wasn't paying attention to anything else.
His whole attention was on the black stardust.
Because it was already in his spiritual world before the awakening, meaning he's not a natural dual element. But what is this stardust? It came from the dark space with him.
'Forget it, the awakening ceremony is going to end soon, then I can just go and experiment what this is.' He thought and left his spiritual world.
Soon it was the last person left.
"Mo Fan" The homeroom teacher called.
"It's your turn!" Zhang Xiaohou turned his head around and encouraged him.
"It's him. It seems like he entered through the backdoor."
"Who is this? He looks pretty handsome," a girl asked dreamily.
"A dreg of a student. I was originally from the class next to his," another girl with a mushroom head and large mouth said.
"Is that so? Then his awakening might be bad."
"Whether he will succeed his awakening is the real question."
And the npc's at it again.
Liu Shan knew the plot and watched from his seat lazily.
He really wanted all this to end quickly so he could go home as soon as possible.
"Lighting!"
"Heavens! Someone in the class next to us awakened the Lightning Element!"
On the training ground, a student suddenly cried out in surprise.
"What? Lightning Element appeared?? Shit, that's a whole lifetime's worth of luck."
"Where, where? Woah, what a dazzling and ruthless purple. The homeroom teacher of class 7 must've been quite surprised."
"Uhhhhh, kill me already. Why am I Water Element? Why didn't I get the Lightning Element? Don't stop me. I'm going to the roof."
"Don't bother jumping; you won't die. Beneath it lies the corpse of a Light Element user."
"This Lightning Element student will cause an uproar throughout the entire school!"
Even though Liu Shan awakened the space element, in a small city like Bo, the uproar it could cause was not much, Afterall the people can't grasp it. But lighting is well known as the best primary element in such a place so it will obviously cause an uproar.
While everyone was looking at Xu Zhaoting, the student that awakened the lightning element, Liu Shan was watching the purple glow under Mo Fan's hand.
This purple glow suddenly changed into fiery red.
Mo Fan's eyes also opened at that time.
What he expected didn't happen, no one was paying attention to him.
When his awakening stone turned red his face showed a complicated and confused expression.
'Why is there another stardust?' He thought.
Just when he thought to himself that no one knew of his other element, his eyes fell on Liu Shan.
'Shit!' Mo Fan cursed in his heart.
Quickly, he gestured for Liu Shan to remain quiet.
Liu Shan nodded his head lazily.
"Woah, woah. It's a Fire Element!!"
"Who said he would fail his awakening? It turns out he awakened the Fire Element, that sure makes me envy him."
Soon those that were paying attention to the student in class 7 looked at the awakening stone under Mo Fan's hand and exclaimed.
When Mo Fan returned, he went straight towards Liu Shan.
"Hehe, Brother Shan..." Mo Fan put his hand around Liu Shan's shoulder and said in a low voice.
"This matter...please don't tell anyone." He requested, with a pleading smile on his face.
"Hmm, You don't have to behave shamelessly, I won't tell anyone" Liu Shan said.
Afterall there is no merit even if he discloses this information, in fact the favour of someone like Mo Fan is 100 times more valuable.
So why would he do such a thing? Liu Shan nodded towards Mo Fan, assuring him that his secret wouldn't be disclosed.
Thus, the awakening ceremony came to an end.