Lu Jun returned to school, observing the vibrant and cheerful students around him. He felt a bit disoriented, struggling to adjust.
Just moments ago, he was enduring grueling training and engaging in brutal, blood-soaked battles with monsters. Now, he was back in the tranquil and joyful environment of school life. The contrast was overwhelming—like stepping into another world.
As he heard his classmates discussing the "study god" Xu Zhaoting, Lu Jun couldn't help but shake his head with a sigh. Xu Zhaoting, who stood out during his magical awakening with his rare lightning element, seemed destined for greatness before the end of senior year.
However, things would take a tragic turn. When the Bo City disaster struck, Xu lost his entire family—his parents and grandmother. Later, when he finally settled in Shanghai and found someone he loved deeply, he ended up becoming entangled with sinister forces. Driven by vengeance, he pursued these enemies and met a horrifying fate.
Caught in a trap meant for Mo Fan, Xu Zhaoting was captured and turned into a Black Beast Demon, a cruel and inhumane experiment. Controlled by those same forces, he was forced to kill his own girlfriend.
Such examples were countless in this world.
Lu Jun sighed inwardly. He wasn't strong enough yet. But if he could grow stronger and had the chance in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to step in and change the fate of those like Xu Zhaoting.
As Lu Jun walked into the classroom, his clean and refined appearance attracted some attention. Several girls were about to greet him, but his sharp and imposing demeanor made them hesitate.
There was an air about him—difficult to describe—that set him apart. It was as if he wasn't just another ordinary high schooler.
Lu Jun sat down in his seat. Unlike his peers, who were eager to show off their magical progress, he exuded an unapproachable aura. His classmates instinctively felt their minor achievements weren't worth mentioning in front of him.
Soon, Mo Fan arrived, looking spirited and smug. Spotting Lu Jun, his eyes lit up, and he unceremoniously plopped down beside him.
"Hey, Old Lu! How was your winter break?" Mo Fan asked with a grin.
Recognizing the look on Mo Fan's face, Lu Jun immediately knew he was about to show off. Having figured out Mo Fan's dual-element secret, the two had grown closer, their relationship built on a mix of mutual curiosity and camaraderie.
Half-jokingly, Mo Fan had started calling him "Old Lu."
As for why he avoided calling him "Lu Jun," Mo Fan once mockingly explained, "It sounds like something out of a cheesy drama, like a character from a love hotel scene."
Lu Jun didn't mind. Unfazed by Mo Fan's antics, he responded lightly, "Let me guess—you finally mastered your Fire element over the break? Or was it the Lightning element?"
Mo Fan's grin froze as he stared at Lu Jun, feeling a pang of frustration. "How the hell do you always know? No fun at all!"
Seeing Mo Fan's reaction, Lu Jun chuckled inwardly. He already knew that over the winter break, Mo Fan not only mastered his Lightning element but also spent a month in the library memorizing every scrap of knowledge about the magical world.
Before Mo Fan could say more, Zhang Xiaohou arrived. With his usual goofy demeanor, he greeted, "Hey, Brother Lu, Brother Fan! Good to see you both."
Before Lu Jun could reply, the previously noisy classroom suddenly fell silent.
Curious, Lu Jun looked around and saw the boys, including Mo Fan, Zhang Xiaohou, and Mu Bai, staring blankly at the podium.
"Good morning, everyone," came a mature and slightly sweet voice from the front of the room. "Your magic practical instructor is currently on sick leave, so starting today, I will be your new practical teacher. My name is Tang Yue!"
Lu Jun immediately understood. He glanced toward the podium, where a stunningly beautiful woman in a professional outfit stood.
Tang Yue wore a tailored black suit and skirt that accentuated her perfect figure. The white shirt underneath strained against her ample curves, making it seem as though the buttons might give way at any moment.
Her beauty was undeniable. With her mature charm and alluring fox-like eyes, she exuded a seductive aura.
Even Lu Jun was momentarily taken aback. Tang Yue wasn't just beautiful—she was the epitome of allure. Compared to his sister Lu Mei, who had a more composed and gentle demeanor, Tang Yue radiated the confident sensuality of a woman in her prime.
She appeared to be in her mid-twenties.
Still, Lu Jun didn't dwell on her appearance. His knowledge of the original storyline reminded him that Tang Yue was no ordinary teacher. She was secretly a member of the Enforcement Union, sent to Bo City to investigate unusual activity.
The Enforcement Union, a powerful faction directly under the Magic Association, dealt with threats to humanity, especially those posed by dark forces. Its members were elite mages, known for their strength and authority.
However, despite spending two years undercover in Bo City, Tang Yue failed to uncover anything significant and left just before the disaster struck.
The Enforcement Union, directly under the Magic Association, represented its authority and was known for being a powerful force. Its members were tasked with handling various complicated issues, especially those involving dark forces. They held supreme judgment and authority in such matters.
Every member of the Enforcement Union was a standout in their respective intermediate or higher-level domains. The organization offered unparalleled resources, making it the dream destination for most diligent mages.
Lu Jun had considered anonymously reporting Mu He and his associates to the Enforcement Union. However, after recalling the internal situation of the Hangzhou Enforcement Union, he decided against it.
The Hangzhou branch was one of the largest in the nine provinces, responsible for cities like Bo City and those in the Fujian and Zhejiang regions.
The problem was that the Hangzhou branch had traitors in its ranks. Among the high-level members, two were well-known—a councilor's secretary and an enforcement officer from a second-tier city. Even at the lower levels, several hidden moles weren't exposed until much later.
Lu Jun racked his brain for every detail he could remember and realized the depth of the issue. He couldn't help but feel exasperated.
Bo City's problems couldn't be solved by a few intermediate or even advanced Enforcement Union members. Beyond the monsters, the mastermind behind Bo City's disaster was a force to be reckoned with. They were so well-informed that they even knew how many people the Enforcement Union mobilized. How could they be fought under such circumstances? Reporting anything would only alert the enemy.
"Tang Yue might be trustworthy to some extent, but involving the Enforcement Union is out of the question for now. I'll need to pick the right time to approach her," Lu Jun thought to himself.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful teacher on the podium, Lu Jun let out a sigh. "The roots of corruption in the magical world run deep. No matter where you go, the same problems exist. Whether it's Hangzhou or Shanghai, the issues are even more pronounced there."
Moreover, he was still in Bo City. His family wasn't influential enough to arrange a transfer to another city. If he wanted to attend a magic university, he had to finish high school here first.
"All right, everyone, let's head to the training field. I'll demonstrate a basic spell for you," Tang Yue said with a bright and approachable smile, leading the students to the practice grounds.