[Reboot Volume] Chapter 214: Senior Brothers, Why Are You Fighting?

On the hillside stood a pavilion.

Mo Xing and Shi Yan were reviewing their theoretical lessons.

“So that’s the origin behind the names of our school buildings!” Mo Xing exclaimed in surprise. The Guangyi Teaching Building, Hades Training Ground, Rayne Apartments, Polly Cafeteria, and even the Shinra King’s Hall were all named after legendary sacred beasts.

“That’s right, these are key points,” Shi Yan nodded and continued, “They often appear in fill-in-the-blank questions, so you must remember them well.”

“Mm-hmm, got it.” Mo Xing flipped a page. “Are the Four Great Academies also important?”

“Yes, the Saint Sky Royal Academy, the Immortal Spirit Academy, the Crimson Moon Academy, and the Han River Academy are recognized as the four great institutions,” Shi Yan explained. “The Immortal Spirit Academy specializes in training summoners; the Crimson Moon Academy is just a street away from us; the Han River Academy is an old institution that accommodates multiple races; and our Saint Sky Royal Academy is the foremost among them.”

“Oh wow, Shi Yan, you’re amazing,” Mo Xing said in awe. “You’ve distilled the key points so clearly—it’s even better than what the book explains!”

“Not really, I did pass the exam last year,” Shi Yan smiled. “The test isn’t too difficult; it mostly covers common knowledge.”

“That’s good. I’ll review it once more, then prepare for the practical class this afternoon.” Mo Xing continued flipping through the materials.

“Oh, it’s already noon,” Shi Yan glanced at her watch.

“Want to grab lunch together?” Mo Xing asked.

“Thanks, but the student council has work this afternoon, so I’ll head off first. We can have lunch together next time when we’re free,” Shi Yan smiled.

“All right...” Mo Xing stood up and watched her leave. Seeing her running figure, a sudden warmth blossomed in his chest, like savoring a rich, aromatic hot latte.

“Mo Xing, good luck with the freshman assessment!” Shi Yan called out from a distance, waving her hand.

“I will!” Mo Xing responded, recalling the promise they made that evening—they must pass the freshman assessment and become stronger.

“Ah, so you’re having a date here,” a familiar voice called out.

Startled, Mo Xing turned to see Cai Hong standing nearby.

“Senior Cai... what are you doing here?” Mo Xing touched his chest, having been startled from behind twice in one morning.

“Oh, this,” Cai Hong pointed to the other side of the hill. “Mian Hua and I bought lunch and were walking back along the trail when we saw you and Shi Yan here. Mian Hua was furious, so I flew over first to check things out.”

“I see. But we were just studying, not dating!” Mo Xing scratched the back of his head.

“Don’t be modest, junior brother,” Cai Hong smiled. “I support you and Shi Yan being together!”

“Uh...” Mo Xing felt awkward and quickly changed the subject. “By the way, Senior Cai, I read that only at the Honglan stage can one manifest wings, so how come you released yours at level fifty-something in the Qingmu stage?”

“Oh, that,” Cai Hong chuckled. “Because I’m an elemental mage, a bit special. I mastered a skill called Burning Wings at level forty-something.”

“You’re an elemental mage too!”

“Yes,” Cai Hong replied.

“But I remember the book saying Burning Wings is a skill that enhances burst power. You actually use it to fly?” Mo Xing was surprised.

“Books are static, people are dynamic,” Cai Hong smiled. “Besides boosting attack power, Burning Wings also grants flight capabilities. Some people even use its unique luminescence to create spectacular light shows!”

“Light shows my foot!”

A loud roar came from nearby.

Mo Xing looked over to see Mian Hua storming toward them, holding two lunches, suddenly giving off the vibe of a food delivery guy.

“You, Cai Hong!” Mian Hua cursed. “You flew over alone without me! Made me run all this way!”

“That’s because you’re too heavy; I couldn’t carry you!” Cai Hong laughed.

“Enough talk—draw your sword!” Mian Hua placed the lunch beside Mo Xing, then summoned his greatsword from his storage bracelet and pointed it at Cai Hong.

“Where did you get a sword? Everyone’s not a sword merchant like you,” Cai Hong smiled.

“Two lunches: Mo Xing eats one, and the other goes to whoever wins between me and you! How about that?” Cai Hong raised an eyebrow and summoned his staff from his own storage bracelet.

“Sounds good!” Mian Hua swung his greatsword.

“Uh...” Mo Xing was at a loss. These two senior brothers always banter whenever they meet, but he was getting used to it.

“Junior brother Mo Xing, watch closely!” Cai Hong suddenly turned sideways with a smile.

“Huh?” Mo Xing was puzzled.

“See how an elemental mage strategizes!”

Before Mo Xing could react, Cai Hong vanished from sight in a flash—an incredibly fast teleportation skill known as—

Blink!

Cai Hong appeared beside Mian Hua and immediately unleashed “Pillar of Ice,” freezing Mian Hua solid in place.

“Raging Flame Assault!”

Mian Hua unleashed the hidden fire element within him, transforming into blazing fury to assault the ice pillar.

Mo Xing had seen this move in the book—it was one of the berserker’s counterattack skills. Used while being struck, it could break through encirclement and regain the initiative.

“Ice Blade!”

Cai Hong blinked to a safe distance and released a volley of ice spikes toward Mian Hua.

“Raging Flame Trio!”

Mian Hua launched three consecutive attacks forward, shattering the ice spikes and closing significant distance to Cai Hong.

“Dragon Slash—”

Mian Hua channeled fire element into his greatsword, aiming to knock Cai Hong airborne.

But Cai Hong gave no chance, stomping the ground hard. A pillar of fire erupted from the earth, propelling Mian Hua backward.

“Flame Shock!”

One of the elemental mage’s defensive counterskills, it gathers fire element to produce a sudden shockwave that blocks and repels attackers.

Mo Xing suddenly understood: an elemental mage can’t rely on a single element. Senior Cai Hong had mastered water element advanced into ice control, combined with the instantaneous burst power of fire element. The combination of ice and fire unleashed the elemental mage’s full potential.

“I don’t believe I can’t hit you!” Mian Hua roared.

Suddenly, the ground trembled. Mian Hua leapt into the air, swinging his greatsword.

“Take my ultimate move! Raging Flame Impact!”

Raging Flame Impact? Mo Xing was alarmed. According to his review materials, this fire element attack had a wide range. Given the dry autumn atmosphere, releasing it here would surely ignite the surrounding grasslands!

At that moment, snowflakes drifted down from the sky. Cai Hong raised his staff and summoned a blizzard, interrupting Mian Hua’s move.

“Damn! Freezing to death!”

Mian Hua jumped back to the ground and quickly conjured a fireball to warm himself.

“Well? Admit defeat?” Cai Hong teased.

“This sparring doesn’t count,” Mian Hua explained. “You won only because I wasn’t in good shape!”

“Fine, fine.” Cai Hong smiled and walked toward the pavilion. “I’m going to eat lunch first.”

“Share some with me! I want to eat too!” Mian Hua ran after him.

“Loser eats nothing,” Cai Hong said.

“Cai Hong, why are you so serious?”

“Me serious? Mo Xing, you be the judge.”

“Uh... this...”

...

At eight in the evening, Rayne Apartments.

Mo Xing closed his review materials, his mind replaying the day’s lessons and events.

At noon, the two senior brothers had their quarrel then shared lunch with him. In the afternoon, the three practiced simulated combat until after five, during which Mo Xing improved his mastery of the staff. Unfortunately, he still couldn’t advance water element into ice, but Senior Cai Hong said his level was sufficient to pass the test, so Mo Xing finally breathed a little easier.

“Mo Xing, I need to talk to you.”

Senior Mian Hua approached, his face serious. Mo Xing felt a twinge of unease—was he about to confront him?

“Senior Mian Hua, please listen. This morning Shi Yan and I were just studying in the pavilion, not dating—”

Before he could finish, Mian Hua gestured for him to stop.

“I’m not asking about that,” Mian Hua said. “I want to remind you that your exam is tomorrow. You should go take a bath first.”

“Uh... okay.” Mo Xing was a bit stunned, then left his seat. “Thanks, I’ll go wash up.”

“Do you like her?” Mian Hua suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Mo Xing was momentarily speechless.

“If you like her, go for it. Don’t waste this great time.”

“But...” Mo Xing hesitated.

“If you’re scared, forget I asked.” Mian Hua stood and walked to the balcony, lighting a cigarette.

Mo Xing watched his back, suddenly sensing that this man had many untold stories.

...

“Beep beep beep—”

“Wake up! Wake up!”

After two alarms blared repeatedly, Mo Xing finally got out of bed, rubbing his eyes. He noticed both Senior Mian Hua and Cai Hong were gone.

Just as he opened the bedroom door, a waft of delicious food scent greeted him.

“Up already?” Senior Cai Hong greeted him from the living room. “Mo Xing, here’s your breakfast.”

“Oh, thank you, Senior!” Mo Xing said.

“No need to thank me; thank Mian Hua. He bought the breakfast,” Cai Hong smiled. “And he also prepared the exam tools on the table for you.”

“Who would have thought he has a warm side,” Mo Xing thought.

“Really?” Mo Xing was surprised—it hardly seemed like Mian Hua’s usual self. “Where did he go?”

“He said he had some things to handle and went out,” Cai Hong said. “Don’t worry about it. Eat your breakfast first; then I’ll take you to the exam venue.”

“Okay.” Mo Xing nodded.

...

Guangyi Teaching Building, sixth-floor exam hall.

Mo Xing placed his hand on the crystal orb to verify his identity as a candidate, then took his seat to prepare for the test.

Once all candidates were seated, the campus broadcast began reading the exam rules and regulations. Two proctors handed out the test papers, while another stood at the podium, watching carefully for any cheating.

The scene was so familiar that Mo Xing almost felt as if he were still in his previous world—completely natural and seamless.

“Teacher… may I come in?”

At that moment, Mo Xing heard a voice. Looking toward the door, he saw a girl with twin ponytails standing shyly at the entrance.

Such a pure and innocent girl!