Elite Mages' Academy

Chapter 602: Moving Forward The Tournament

Xiao Lin’s expression was frozen. Looking at that 20, he fell into a long silence.

He believed that the numbers could not be fake. After all, he only needed to investigate minimally to verify it, so they definitely did not need to lie to him in that matter.

He only had 20 years of lifespan left!

He remembered clearly that his lifespan had been 100 years before the examination. Even though he had died once during the last semester, he had bought novice Lifewater immediately to compensate.

Once he eliminated the impossible, whatever remained, no matter how improbable, had to be the truth!

Xiao Lin started to remember that during the last fight against the sea god Poseidon, when he had lost all hope, that mysterious and ancient existence hidden within his heart helped him, allowing XIao Lin to combine his Ruin state with his SS-rank talent, activating Myth and causing his entire body’s strength to rise up to a level that rivaled Gold rank.

That energy obviously came at a cost. Even though that voice did not say what the cost was, during that urgent time, Xiao Lin could not have thought about it or hesitated. He initially thought that it would be like using Ruin, and Xiao Lin only needed to recover back his strength after a period of fatigue.

Now he finally understood, the cost of using Myth was his remaining lifespan, and it had taken 80 years!

Xiao Lin bitterly smiled as he sighed; if one looked at it in terms of value, the price was absolutely acceptable. After all, as a Bronze-ranked person, being able to defeat a super boss from Earth’s mythology in such a shocking battle was good enough.

Wang Shengming looked at Xiao Lin’s changing expressions and did not disturb him, choosing to wait quietly.

After a few minutes, XIao Lin composed himself and climbed off the bed. His numb legs had already more or less recovered. He looked at Wang Shengming and said, “Thank you for your treatment. I can’t tell you why my lifespan decreased. It’s not because I don’t trust you or that I’m deliberately lying, but you really don’t have the authority to know of this matter. Other than the dean, I don’t think anyone does.”

Xiao Lin’s tone was calm but firm.

It was very hard for him to explain Myth or Ruin to anyone else because that would definitely involve him having to reveal the fact that he had an SS-rank talent. The dean had repeatedly warned him that the secret should be known by as few people as possible.

Everyone, no matter if they were from Earth or Planet Norma, coveted SS-rank talents. Yet, the holders were not the luckiest people; a heavy burden came with that inexplicably rare talent. Thinking about Ivanovich who died at the hands of his own people, Xiao Lin understood the dean’s reasons.

Xiao Lin was also very confident. For other students, 80 years of their lifespan would definitely ruin them. Even novice Lifewater was worth a thousand points per bottle. It would take up eight thousand redemption points, a number that would bankrupt most new students, to compensate for the years that were lost.

Yet, Xiao Lin never lacked money. Even though the newest batch of Lifewater had yet to come out, he just needed to buy a few bottles at a higher price.

Xiao Lin calculated it well, but Wang Shengming seemed to know what Xiao Lin was thinking as he shook his head and said, “Before this, we’ve given you some novice Lifewater. Regretfully, your lifespan did not increase at all.”

Xiao Lin was frozen.

“I know this is hard to accept, but he really did try various methods, including using middle and high grade Lifewater, but regretfully, while we can verify that the potions were absorbed by you, your lifespan did not recover like we expected.

“That is why I’m asking you what forbidden spell you used. Based on my hypothesis, only those forbidden spells that deal permanent damage to the soul will render Lifewater useless. I think you should have learned about this before, but Lifewater and the resurrection towers can only handle non-spiritual damage. Anything that affects the soul will render them ineffective.”

Xiao Lin obviously understood; the dean being trapped in that special ward is all because the old man had been poisoned in the soul, so no Lifewater could save him. Yet, who could have expected that, not long after, Xiao Lin would be facing a similar problem.

The cost of using Myth was so great!

Xiao Lin suddenly remembered something he had read in a book in the restricted section of the library: ‘power is sacrifice, and only with enough sacrifice can the greatest power be brought forward.’

Only, that result was too much to accept. It meant that Xiao Lin would not even have a second chance to use Myth!

Wang Shengming did not manage to obtain an answer from Xiao Lin in the end, so he left with a face full of disappointment. He also warned Xiao Lin against leaving the area simply. He said it was to observe Xiao Lin, but in truth it was to place Xiao Lin under surveillance. After all, using a forbidden spell was a massive crime in Dawn Academy; so much so that even a department head would be brought away after being found out, let alone a mere monitor.

The scenery outside of Xiao Lin’s window proved that he was still in Dawn Academy, and he was located in the southernmost research center. Regular folk were not allowed inside, and even professors and lecturers needed the clearance to be able to enter. Now that he was locked inside, it was obvious his freedom had been restricted.

However, a little later in the day, Xiao Lin’s room was opened again. When he saw who came, Xiao Lin’s dark expression was finally somewhat lifted.

The ones who came were the president and the captain of the sixth regiment, Yu Mei, both Xiao Lin’s old friends. Of course, they were also considered the dean’s confidants, and would naturally stand with Xiao Lin unconditionally. When they appeared, Xiao Lin’s heart settled a bit as he jumped off the bed, moving his limbs around as he smiled, “I knew you wouldn’t leave me alone! Let’s get outta here!”

Yu Mei laughed, and even the president’s baby-face twitched as he said helplessly, “You really are free. I immediately came over the moment I got the news. We’ve gotten the information on Wang Shengming’s side. Ah, that man is really angry at you.”

Yu Mei laughed, looking like she was not worried if the matter got too big. “I heard you told him he did not have the authority. You did well. I never liked that group of old farts…”

The president immediately coughed dryly to interrupt Yu Mei, not wanting the trend to continue. He said meaningfully, “Professor Wang Shengming was acting in your interests. I won’t ask about how or why you used a forbidden spell, but it’s best you keep a low profile outside. After all, if only we know about this, it won’t be hard to help you conceal it. However, if it were public, it might fall into the hands of others.”

“Is the situation in the New World not good?” Xiao Lin seemed to understand the hidden meaning behind it. The temporary dean had just taken power, and the old dean had been in power for so many years. He had long since spread his influence into every department. Of course, the temporary dean would not stand by and allow himself to be overturned. The inner workings of the struggles and battles was something Xiao Lin could absolutely imagine.

The president did not continue on that topic because Xiao Lin had a lot more to worry about. He sternly said, “I looked for you with Yu Mei this time because we wanted to ask you something; are you going to continue participating in the Inter-academy Tournament?”

“The Inter-academy Tournament?” Xiao Lin paused. He remembered the tournament should have been scheduled for the end of the semester, and he remembered that he was already in the list of participants. Did anything change?

Yu Mei stopped smiling as she said, “We might not have told you earlier because we did not think it was necessary, but every battle in the Inter-academy Tournament is fought with real weapons. Even though everyone has the right to forfeit in the battles, in truth anyone who would dare to participate would not care about dying. After all, with the resurrection tower, it would only be a loss of lifespan. Compared to the prizes they could obtain, the cost of Lifewater isn’t worth mentioning.

“I can tell you a statistic; in all the Inter-academy Tournaments that have been held, the rate of death is around seventy per cent. There’s something else; since the situation in the New World is a bit complicated, after each party had discussed it and after it was approved by the Supreme Council, the tournament will probably be brought forward.”

After a pause, the president emphasized, “I need to remind you, the last competition will definitely be held in the New World. After all, all the participants are at least at Black-iron rank.”

Xiao Lin finally understood what they were here for. Even though dying in the academy would only result in losing 10 years of his lifespan, they would be under the full influence of the New World’s law, so they would lose 20 years of their lifespan if they died there. Yet, he only had 20 years left now, so if he died, he would lose everything.

The president sighed. “What Captain Yu Mei and I mean is, it’s better if you give up on the tournament. The Eternal Fruit is a good prize, but compared to your life, it’s not worth mentioning.”

Xiao Lin fell silent. He never expected that a simple monthly examination would invite so much trouble, even affecting the Inter-academy Tournament.

His greatest problem was that his lifespan could not be replenished. Xiao Lin naturally did not want to die, but he definitely needed to participate in the tournament.

After a long time, Xiao Lin raised his head and asked coldly, “What about Gu Xiaoyue?”

“What?” The president paused.

“Will Gu Xiaoyue participate in the tournament?”

“Yes.” The president furrowed his eyebrows, understanding Xiao Lin’s intentions.

“Oh, then I will participate.” Xiao Lin’s answer was very blunt, as if he just decided on what to eat.

The room fell into silence again. The president and Yu Mei were not shocked at the answer. The two of them exchanged a glance, as if they had already expected the answer. After a moment, Yu Mei held her forehead, bitterly smiling. “Actually, before we looked for you, we looked for Gu Xiaoyue two days ago as well, hoping she would give up on the tournament.”

The president continued. “Gu Xiaoyue’s talent in magic is inconceivable. Even if she is not the only one with that level of potential, only she is willing to go so deeply into practicing support magic. Put in this way; stopping her from participating was an order from the temporary dean.”

“Even the temporary dean interfered?” Xiao Lin was surprised.

Yu Mei did not know whether to laugh or cry. “This is something that concerns the glory of the academy, so it’s naturally something the dean needs to care about. How would he be interfering?”

“Gu Xiaoyue definitely did not agree,” Xiao Lin said.

The president nodded, a little helpless. “When I passed the order to her, she acknowledged it before tearing the paper apart.”

“Hahaha!” Xiao Lin laughed out loud. He could imagine Gu XIaoyue’s cold expression, probably saying she received the order, but she would not follow it. Any decision that stubborn woman made would not be so easily changed by anyone else. He actually really wanted to see that temporary dean’s expression.

“It seems that even if we want you to help convince Gu Xiaoyue, you won’t agree?” The president naturally knew that Xiao Lin was the only person who was close to Gu Xiaoyue.

“It’s not that I wouldn’t agree, but she would definitely not listen. I am the same.” Xiao Lin could not explain Gu Xiaoyue’s sister’s terminal illness because of Gu Chengyun’s questionable bloodline and status. There were some things he did not want too many people to know about due to its sensitivity.

“She will participate, so you will definitely participate.”

“That’s right.”

“Even though the two of you can no longer resurrect.”

“That’s right.”

Yu Mei shrugged at the president. “I told you he wouldn’t agree.”

Looking at the president who seemed to have a headache, Xiao Lin’s heart was warmed. No matter what, those people really cared about him, and he said, “You actually don’t need to worry too much. Even though I can’t reveal anything, I actually gained many things during this examination. I’m confident that, even if I can’t win this tournament, it won’t be a problem protecting myself and Gu Xiaoyue. I won’t play around with my own life, and definitely wouldn’t with Gu Xiaoyue’s.”

“It seems like that’s our only choice.” The student union president could tell from Xiao Lin’s expression that he would not be able to stop it. He then moved a step back and said, “The tournament will be held in two months. It’s best if you properly recover during this period. As for resources, I’ll do my best to get you anything the academy can provide. Other than that, Song Junlang is back, so you can look for him if you’re free. He might have some way to recover your lifespan.”