C3 The Arcane

In September of the Common Era 2019, a month had passed since the Awakening Ceremony. Senior year students were given a certain autonomy; they could choose to attend school or not, depending entirely on personal preference.

As the sun peeked over the horizon, Liu Feng was already seated cross-legged in the Liu family's courtyard. A gentle breeze caressed his face, carrying a slight chill.

Liu Feng had been practicing Shadow Meditation for several days. This technique involved sinking one's Thoughtform into the spiritual world to expand it, allowing the spiritual universe to grow larger and more expansive. A larger spiritual universe could hold more Magicka, thereby strengthening one's psychic force.

Within the spiritual world, Liu Feng communicated with the fire-type fly ash, a temperamental entity. After two unsuccessful attempts to draw fire power from it, the fire-type fly ash sulked and remained motionless. Liu Feng devoted most of his time to appeasing it.

"Please, stop running away. I'm begging you, fiery one."

The fire-type fly ash appeared to understand and was clearly not pleased with the nickname, responding by hurling a fireball at Liu Feng's face.

Shadow fly ash observed silently from a distance, deep in thought.

"Ouch, why are you throwing fire again?"

"Fire element lady, my apologies."

The fire-type fly ash paused, seemingly content with the new title. It clapped its hands joyfully, much like a child would. Considering their age, they were indeed like children, being only a month old.

"I implore you, Fire Elemental Eldest Miss, bestow upon me your strength!"

Liu Feng extended his right hand, and the fire elemental fly ash did the same. At the moment of contact, Liu Feng felt an intense heat, as if his hand had been plunged into the height of summer. Power surged from the fire elemental fly ash into the Thoughtform.

With renewed vigor, Liu Feng opened his eyes and channeled the fiery energy into the palm of his hand. "Huff, huff, huff—!"

Success! A flame sprang to life in Liu Feng's hand, radiating warmth rather than causing burns.

He took a moment to savor the sensation, then, like tossing a cold grenade, he shouted, "Flame Burst!" The seed of fire spiraled upward from his core like a tornado, scattering a spectacle of brilliant sparks into the sky.

Hahaha, I've finally done it—I've mastered the fire elemental low-level first-tier arcane spell, Flame Burst! There are three tiers within the low-level arcane, and now I can cast spells from the first tier!

Feeling elated, Liu Feng decided to go for a stroll. He had been cooped up at home for a month, spending his time either in Shadow Meditation or communicating with the fire fly ash.

Liu Feng believed it was essential to develop his fire skills first, ensuring he had the means to fend off any demonic beasts. So, he paid no heed to the shadow fly ash. It was rather slow-paced and not in any rush. While Liu Feng was engaging with the Fire Elemental Eldest Miss, the shadow fly ash would either watch or sleep, remaining perfectly still.

Walking down the street, Liu Feng noticed how deserted it was. The area was sparsely populated due to recent relocations. Since his childhood, Liu Feng had enjoyed playing here by himself, and he maintained that habit into adulthood.

"Ah, there's a beast! Help me!" A woman's scream pierced the quiet from an alleyway.

Liu Feng paused, his arcane skills freshly honed, uncertain of the danger he might face in combat. He scanned his surroundings; there was no one else in sight. If he fled, no one would know. But he decided that saving the person was the priority. With resolve, Liu Feng dashed toward the sound.

"Hey, where's the beast?" Liu Feng entered the alley and questioned a girl dressed in a school uniform.

"There, over there!" Luo Lingyu pointed towards a spot in the distance.

Following her gesture, Liu Feng saw a monstrous sight—a rat demon with gleaming teeth and sharp claws scraping the ground, its arms as thick as large trees!

Facing a demon for the first time, Liu Feng felt his fighting spirit drain away. Without hesitation, he grabbed Lingyu's hand and started to run.

The rat demon let out an enraged roar, and a foul-smelling gust of wind blasted from its mouth. Liu Feng reacted swiftly, tackling Lingyu to the ground for cover.

Glancing back, Liu Feng saw the wind had shattered the rocks on the ground where they had just stood. Fear washed over him, leaving his face ashen.

Damn, if that thing hits me, it could kill me, couldn't it? Liu Feng was gripped by a sudden fear.

But it also ignited Liu Feng's rage. He delved into his spiritual world, summoning the fire fly ash.

Flames erupted from Liu Feng's palm. "Take this, you fiend!" he roared, hurling the fireball at the giant rat demon's face.

"Boom!"

The explosion sent sparks scattering, and the swirling flames scorched the rat demon, leaving singed marks on its body.

Though the rat demon wasn't critically hurt, just singed, it was furious. It swiped at Liu Feng, who tumbled awkwardly to avoid the blow.

Undeterred, Liu Feng launched another fiery attack at the rat demon.

"Boom!"

The second Flame Burst only managed to singe the demon further, leaving Liu Feng feeling drained.

The rat demon, now ignoring Luo Lingyu, was relentless in its pursuit of Liu Feng.

From the sidelines, Luo Lingyu had stealthily dialed the city hunters and yelled to Liu Feng, "Hold on just a bit longer, help is on the way!"

Relieved, Liu Feng prepared to unleash another Flame Burst on the rat demon. He reached back into the spiritual world, trying to connect with the fire fly ash, but a sudden dizziness swept over him, threatening to overwhelm his senses. Forced to retreat from the spiritual world, he steadied himself. But in that brief lapse, the rat demon's massive claw was already upon him.

To Liu Feng, the claw loomed larger and larger, dominating his vision. In that moment, he had only one thought: it was too late to dodge, and his arcane career might be at its end.

"Mirror Water!" Out of nowhere, a massive water barrier appeared between Liu Feng and the rat demon.

The barrier was as smooth and flawless as a mirror, reflecting the demon's enormous claw. The reflection and the claw collided with a resounding crash.

"Bang!"

The rat demon was repelled by its own attack, sent flying backward with a thud.

The intermediate-level water arcane, Mirror Water, could reflect attacks within its capacity.

Qu Qi extended a hand to Liu Feng and asked, "Can you still stand?"

Liu Feng nodded in agreement. Qu Qi helped him to his feet and turned to Luo Lingyu, "I'll handle this one. Make sure to protect yourselves."

Step by step, Qu Qi approached the massive rat demon. With each step he took forward, the rat demon retreated.

The rat demon wasn't foolish; it knew it was outmatched and turned to flee.

"Don't bother running; just stay," Qu Qi said coolly, lighting a cigarette.

He then extended his hand and made a squeezing motion. "Rock Palm."

Suddenly, a gigantic stone hand emerged from the earth beneath the rat demon, snatching it up in an iron grip. The rat demon shrieked and writhed to no avail as the Rock Palm crushed it, sealing it within the stone.

"Time to die," Qu Qi declared with an icy tone, as the Rock Palm tightened its grasp.

A chorus of bone-shattering cracks echoed from within the stone, while streaks of crimson seeped through the crevices of the Rock Palm.

From a distance, the giant hand on the ground resembled a statue, but any arcanist passing by would recognize it as the final resting place of a vanquished demon.