VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

The journey to Dubai had been a whirlwind of movement and anticipation. Light and his sisters first took a bus to Xiamen, the coastal city nearest their departure point. The ride was filled with the muted hum of their thoughts, the gravity of what was about to happen rendering them unusually quiet. Once in Xiamen, they transferred to a train that would take them to Magic City, Shanghai. The train raced across the landscape, cutting through mountains and urban sprawl like a silent arrow. The city skyline, a mixture of modern skyscrapers and ancient, magical towers, greeted them as they arrived in Shanghai.

As the plane roared into the sky, heading toward Dubai, Light couldn't help but feel a knot of excitement and apprehension tighten in his chest. This is it, he thought, gazing out at the clouds. His sisters sat beside him, each lost in their own world of thoughts, though Athena occasionally glanced at him, her eyes filled with reassurance.

They landed in Dubai, the city of the future, where magic and technology intertwined seamlessly. The skyline glittered in the desert sun, dominated by the colossal Apex Spire Tower. Light's heart raced as they approached the Asia Magic Association's headquarters, housed within the legendary tower. The building loomed ahead, its gleaming structure a testament to the might of the Magician's Guilds. The future awaits, he thought.

The passing crowd on the stairs leading up to the entrance was a mix of normal citizens and powerful magicians. They dressed like ordinary people, but their auras told a different story. Some were on the same level as Light, but many possessed powers so far beyond his that he couldn't even sense their magic. If I can't feel their aura, it means they're leagues above me, Light mused, feeling a thrill of ambition. The thought only solidified his desire to grow stronger.

They entered the Apex Spire Tower, open to the public but with separate paths for tourists and magicians. The latter had a private entrance, and Light and his sisters, seasoned magicians, naturally chose the Magician's Path. They bypassed the exhibition halls filled with magical innovations and historical artifacts, though Light couldn't help but feel a tug of curiosity as they hurried past displays of ancient wands, scrolls, and relics that had shaped magical history.

Once inside, they stepped into a glass elevator that shot up over a hundred meters in seconds, giving them a breathtaking view of the city below. The ride ended in the Lower Sphere, a floor designed for magicians from all over the continent to gather, train, and conduct business. Though it doubled as a sightseeing floor, its primary function was to serve the magical elite.

As they exited the elevator, they were greeted by a grand hall. The room itself was a marvel, a spherical structure with a diameter of over fifty meters. The domed ceiling was adorned with a mural reminiscent of the Western Renaissance, depicting ancient magical battles and celestial beings. The entire space radiated an aura of deep, mysterious magic. I can feel the power in this place, Light thought, taking in the majestic surroundings. The history and magic embedded in the structure seemed to reach out to him, brushing against his senses like a soft whisper.

A woman in a white suit and pencil pants, her smile polished and professional, approached them at the reception. "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Magician?" she asked, her voice smooth as silk.

Light's eyes briefly wandered over her elegant figure before he cleared his throat. "I'm here for an Awakening."

"Let me book a slot for you," she replied, her fingers already flying over a holographic keyboard. "May I have your name?"

"Light," he answered simply, his gaze steady.

"Alright, Mr. Light. Would you like to explore the tower, or proceed directly to the Awakening Room?" Her smile widened slightly, her eyes twinkling with the knowledge of what awaited him.

"Let's go straight to the Awakening Room," Light said, his pulse quickening.

As they moved through the lobby, Light noticed something unusual. The majority of magicians sat in comfortable chairs in a large waiting area, eyes fixed on a massive screen. Others, however, were receiving one-on-one service from the staff, their status obvious from the personal attention they garnered. Who are they? he wondered.

"The screen displays bounties and resources issued monthly by the Magician's Association," the receptionist explained, seeing his curiosity. "Those interested can apply for them directly."

"And the one-on-one service?" Light asked.

"That's reserved for Advanced Magicians, or those who pay for exclusive service. They get personalized assistance, whether it's for trading magical items or obtaining specific bounties." She gave a courteous nod. "You'll reach that level soon enough."

Light nodded, storing the information for later. Advanced Magician, the words echoed in his mind. It was a milestone he was determined to reach.

This time, Light chose not to return to the same awakening house where he had initially awakened his elements. He knew that if the Collector saw his rapid progression—reaching the Intermediate Stage within just two years—it would raise eyebrows. Such a leap in cultivation could easily stir suspicion, with people wondering whether Light had resorted to questionable or forbidden methods to accelerate his growth. Rather than risk attracting undue attention or having his motives questioned, Light opted for a new location, where his extraordinary talent wouldn't immediately draw as much scrutiny.

The Awakening Room they were led to was vast and spherical, filled with rows of Awakening Stones. Their sheer number was dizzying, the air thick with latent power. Each stone pulsed faintly, as though waiting for the next soul to unlock its secrets.

"Mr. Collector, the person here for Awakening has arrived," the receptionist announced, her voice suddenly quieter.

Mr. Collector, an elderly magician with a stoic expression, barely glanced up from the massive book in front of him. "Instruct him to sit there," he said in a monotone.

Light followed the instruction, settling into a seat as the room's dim lighting wrapped around him like a veil. His sisters sat quietly, watching with a mixture of anticipation and concern. They've seen me succeed before, but this is different Light thought.

Mr. Collector turned to his young apprentice. "Prepare the Awakening Stone."

"Which Element's guiding stone should I use?" the apprentice asked.

"Lightning," Light said, his voice steady.

The collector nodded, his expression unreadable as he ordered the apprentice to bring out the best Lightning Element Guiding Stone and the highest-quality Awakening Stone. The apprentice obeyed without question, arranging the stones around the massive central Awakening Stone.

This was no ordinary Awakening House. It was the second-largest in the entire Magician's Association, and the stones here were of the highest grade, usually reserved for the elite. Only those with extraordinary recommendations could access these services for free.

"Come here, kid," Mr. Collector said, stepping forward. His eyes gleamed with the wisdom of countless awakenings. "I must tell you in advance: what you Awaken is up to the heavens and your talent. Even with a Guiding Stone, the success rate only increases marginally. The rest depends on you."

Light nodded, his face set in determination. "I understand. Let's begin."

"You may enter. We won't disturb you during the process," the apprentice said politely, gesturing to the gleaming chamber ahead.

Light stepped forward, entering the fully lit Awakening Chamber. The floor and walls shimmered with luminous stones, casting soft light in all directions. At the center stood the giant Awakening Stone, surrounded by a halo of lustrous purple pearls. He could feel the weight of history pressing down on him, the memories of countless awakenings echoing in the air.

Light placed his hand on the cold, glossy surface of the stone. It responded immediately, blooming with light from its core. The energy it emitted was intoxicating, flooding through his veins like molten lightning.

As the energy poured into his Spiritual Universe, Light felt the familiar sensation of something stirring within. The chaotic expanse of his inner world shifted, the fierce energy swirling like a storm, forming a new territory.

Tiny motes of energy—BLACKISH PURPLE —invaded his Spiritual Universe. They moved with purpose, with a wild ferocity, as though they sought to claim his soul for themselves.

"What is this?" Light's mind raced, his heart pounding as the energy took shape.

And then, in a flash of clarity, he understood.

"BLACKISH PURPLE."

"LIGHTNING."

It was the Lightning Element, raw and unfiltered, merging with his Spiritual Universe. It crackled with unrelenting power, a force that would electrify both his mind and magic.

The Guiding Stone had worked. Light had successfully awakened the Lightning Element.

The room exploded in light, as if acknowledging his success. He stood still, absorbing the magnitude of the moment. His path had just taken a new turn—a path charged with the fury and brilliance of lightning.

Light stood in the middle of the Awakening Chamber, his hand firmly pressed against the Awakening Stone. His heart raced as the realization of his unprecedented achievement washed over him. 3 elements—he had awakened 3 elements at once!

He was about to retract his hand, excitement bubbling within him as he prepared to celebrate, but suddenly—a new sensation shot through his body like a bolt of lightning. The force of it was so intense, so sudden, that he barely had time to process it before the energy coursed through his veins. His hand trembled violently, unable to pull away from the stone, as if the Awakening Stone had bound him to it, unwilling to let go.

Before Light could regain control, another surge of energy flooded into his palms. It was like the first time, yet completely different. His blood vessels felt as if they were on fire, and within his Spiritual Universe, he could sense the birth of another new world, an element waiting to be unleashed.

Light opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His voice was caught in his throat, leaving him speechless as his body reacted to the overwhelming power entering his system. A vivid memory flashed through his mind—the moment he had awakened his first three elements. First, the silver of the Space Element, then the dark, ghostly presence of the Undead Element, and finally, the chaotic storm of Chaos.

But now, it was happening again.

As Light's body trembled, and before he could even fully grasp what was happening, a fourth energy rushed into his Spiritual Universe, expanding the vast realm within him. It was as if the heavens themselves were defying their own laws. A normal mage would be celebrating one or two elements at best, but Light… he had just awakened a fourth.

Just as the realization hit him, a new pulse of power surged through his veins once more. There was no time for celebration, no time to relish the shock and awe. The Awakening Stone hadn't finished with him yet. Light's senses were overwhelmed as yet another wave of energy crashed into his Spiritual Universe—his mind reeled as he understood what was happening.

A fifth element.

He had just awakened a fifth element!

This was unheard of! Mages at the Intermediate Stage typically awakened a second element, possibly a third with extreme luck, but here Light stood, still in his awakening, with five elements swirling inside him. The power of the new stardust exploded in his Spiritual Universe, each element demanding its place within him, each one burning brighter than the last.

"This… This can't be real!" Light thought as excitement surged through him. His heart pounded in his chest, his emotions threatening to burst from him. He wanted to shout, to scream in triumph, but all he could do was stare at the Awakening Stone in disbelief.

His sisters, standing around him, were frozen in place. Athena, Su Xuanhua, and Su Hongxiu exchanged shocked glances, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing. Light was breaking every rule of magic that they knew. Their brother, their youngest sibling, had done the impossible—again.

"Five elements…" Athena whispered, her voice trembling. "How… how is this even possible?"

"I don't know," Su Xuanhua responded, eyes wide, "but Light has just shattered every expectation we had."

Su Hongxiu's face was pale, her lips parted in awe. "He's surpassed Ares… He's awakening three elements again—just like he did in the Primary Stage. This is… this is impossible!"

Light's excitement was tangible, almost electric in the air. His body buzzed with energy as he directed his focus toward the latest addition to his Spiritual Universe. What was this fifth element? He closed his eyes, reaching inward, searching for the new stardust that had appeared alongside the others.

His mind spun as he identified the color.

"SCARLET RED."

"FIRE ELEMENT."

The realization hit him like a thunderclap.

"Fire Element!" Light thought, the thrill of discovery overtaking him. "I have the Fire Element!"

His hands trembled as he held onto the Awakening Stone, still unable to pull away. The sensation of power was intoxicating, flooding every fiber of his being. His sisters, still watching closely, saw the scarlet light flickering from the stone, the unmistakable symbol of the Fire Element.

"That's… Fire?" Athena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's not just Fire…" Su Hongxiu murmured, eyes narrowing in concentration. "It's scarlet… It's not the usual color of Fire."

Light barely had time to celebrate the awakening of his Fire Element before another sensation surged through his body. The Awakening Stone had not released him yet. He was still connected to its endless reservoir of magic. A new pulse of energy radiated from the stone, sending a golden-brown light streaming into his hands.

Light's breath caught in his throat. His heart skipped a beat as the energy flowed into his blood, fusing with his very essence. Another new world was opening within him, a world that pulsed with the life of yet another element.

"What now…?" Light thought, his mind racing.

The golden-brown light continued to swirl around him, entering his Spiritual Universe and forming the stardust of a new element. Slowly, the stars of the new element began to take shape, one after another, until all seven were present.

"GOLDEN-BROWN."

"What is this…?" Light whispered, his voice finally returning.

He stared at the golden-brown color in confusion. What element had he just awakened? The Light Element was supposed to be golden, and the Earth Element was typically brown. But this… this was neither. It was a perfect blend of the two.

His sisters leaned in, their eyes glued to the Awakening Stone as the golden-brown light flickered ominously. Athena furrowed her brow in confusion.

"The Earth Element?" she murmured, uncertainty lacing her voice. "But why would the Earth Element have that hint of gold in it?"

Light opened his eyes slowly, the golden-brown glow still dancing across his pupils. He turned to his sisters, his expression a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

"It's the EARTH ELEMENT!" he blurted out, his voice filled with both joy and confusion.

Su Xuanhua frowned. "Strange… why does your Earth Element look… different? It's not supposed to have that yellow tint."

"I have no idea," Light replied, scratching his head. "But even the Earth Element I awakened seems special… It's golden-brown instead of just brown!"

"Could it be an Innate Soul Seed?" Su Xuanhua suggested, deep in thought.

Light shook his head, a small smile forming on his lips. "No, I think it's something else. It feels more like an additional effect."

"Additional effect?" Athena's sharp gaze locked onto him. "Like the ones high-level Soul-grade Seeds sometimes grant?"

Light nodded, his excitement bubbling over again. "Exactly! I've read about it before. Additional effects like this are rare, but they can happen during an awakening. It depends on the mage's cultivation and the stars they enhance."

Su Xuanhua crossed her arms, deep in thought. "So, this is an enhanced Earth Element…? That's definitely unusual."

"I think all of my elements are enhanced," Light said, his voice brimming with pride.

His sisters stared at him in shock.

"All of them?" Su Hongxiu echoed, disbelief clear on her face.

Light nodded again, unable to contain his excitement. "Yeah! My Lightning Element is blackish-purple, my Fire Element is scarlet red, and now my Earth Element is golden-brown."

Athena's eyes widened in shock. "That's insane! Your innate talent is beyond anything we've ever seen! Even Ares didn't awaken three elements in the Intermediate Stage and even that with enhancements?"

Light smiled, a quiet confidence radiating from him. "I guess I'm just lucky."

The door to the chamber creaked open, and the apprentice from earlier peeked inside. Her brows furrowed as she noticed Light had already finished his awakening.

"Are you done?" she asked, clearly irritated. "You've been in here forever."

Light and his sisters exchanged amused glances before stepping out of the Awakening Chamber. As they walked down the grand hallways of the Asia Magic Association, the weight of Light's accomplishments settled in. The world was about to witness the rise of someone truly extraordinary.

The journey back to Shanghai and eventually Bo City was a quiet one. Light sat in his seat, gazing out of the window, replaying the events of his awakening over and over in his mind. His sisters sat nearby, still reeling from the shock of what had transpired. None of them spoke much, but the weight of what had happened was palpable.

Light had surpassed all expectations. Three new elements, each more powerful than the last. Enhanced, refined, and ready to be harnessed.

As they landed in Bo City, Light could only smile to himself. The world would never see him coming, and soon, even the strongest mages would realize that they had underestimated him.

The future was his to shape.