Volume One, Chapter Two: Liu Wanqing's Intentions, The Arcane Mage's Scroll!

At this moment, Lin Yi’s heart blossomed with joy. The disappointment of having shifted to an ordinary mage vanished instantly.

In this world, professionals could level up by defeating monsters. However, advancing skills was far more complicated, relying entirely on one’s comprehension of their professional abilities.

Skill levels capped at ten. Generally, reaching level five was already exceedingly rare.

To rise from a novice to a Black Iron professional, one of the thresholds was to upgrade innate basic skills beyond level three.

This barrier deterred countless aspirants.

Those with lesser aptitude might train for over a decade without breaking through the level three ceiling.

Hence, true masters were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

In some respects, those who could elevate their skills beyond level five were even rarer than those with hidden professions.

Yet Lin Yi soared like a comet, directly reaching level ten!

Moreover, max-level skills perfectly compensated for all the shortcomings of the mage profession.

Between level one and ten, all attributes differed tenfold—from mana consumption, attack power, casting speed, to cooldown time.

The implications were clear: this was far more extraordinary than any hidden profession.

Furthermore, as long as Lin Yi’s strength grew sufficiently, he could seek opportunities to ascend to higher-tier professions in the future.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi couldn’t help but smile confidently.

At that moment, Chen Yan asked with slight concern, “Lin Yi, are you alright?”

Snapping back to reality, Lin Yi smiled and said, “Principal, I’m perfectly fine!”

He decided not to reveal his secret for the time being.

Chen Yan nodded, “Good to hear. Life has many paths. Even ordinary professions can achieve greatness.”

“I understand,” Lin Yi said, then slowly stepped out of the ceremony circle.

The much-anticipated prodigy had only awakened as an ordinary mage—a gap that spoke volumes.

“I really didn’t expect this outcome,” someone murmured.

“Do you think Lin Yi’s previous achievements were all fake?”

“Highly likely. Otherwise, how could he have failed to awaken a high-tier profession?”

Amid the whispered doubts and scorn were plenty of sneers.

“Ha, the so-called genius only deserves to be an ordinary mage. Not even as strong as me!”

Li Kuang laughed loudly, finding solace in Lin Yi’s “failure,” as if it eased his own regret for not awakening a special profession.

After all, Lin Yi was even more “miserable” than he was.

Lin Yi sneered contemptuously, his eyes cold.

He knew it wouldn’t be long before someone like Li Kuang was nothing but a mere ant before him.

If they ever crossed paths outside, Li Kuang would learn what true power meant.

Most, however, did not mock Lin Yi.

He was kind-hearted and well-liked.

Those who gossiped maliciously were generally of poor character.

At this time, Wang Dong asked with concern, “Brother Yi, are you really alright?”

Lin Yi shook his head with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’m not so easily defeated.”

Then Liu Wanqing approached gracefully, offering words of encouragement.

“Lin Yi, even as an ordinary profession…”

“You will definitely become very strong. Don’t ever give up!”

Her long-standing secret affection for Lin Yi was deeply woven into her words.

As she spoke, her cheeks blushed shyly, radiating a beauty that captivated everyone’s gaze.

Lin Yi was momentarily stunned, then laughed, “Rest assured, I will never give up.”

Watching Lin Yi’s confident smile, Liu Wanqing became somewhat entranced.

Suddenly, she snapped out of it, hurriedly covering her face and leaving, afraid she might confess her feelings if she stayed any longer.

Around them, students looked on with envy at Liu Wanqing’s bashful demeanor.

Wang Dong grinned teasingly, “Brother Yi, that’s the Storm Archer right there! If I were you, I’d just marry into that softness!”

Lin Yi shook his head gently, his tone calm, “Maybe later!”

What a joke!

With a max-level talent, sooner or later, he would become one of the world’s top-tier powers!

Just then, Chen Yan announced the conclusion of the ceremony.

“Students, the awakening ceremony has ended successfully!”

“In one week, all awakened individuals across Jiang City will undergo a unified trial.”

“At that time, many important figures will be present to watch!”

“Starting tomorrow, the school’s specially prepared dungeons for newcomers will be open to you for free!”

“Give it your all and bring honor to the Interstellar Technology University!”

As his words fell, the students’ passion ignited instantly.

Many had already started forming teams, though the school’s dungeons ranged only from level one to five, their difficulty was no joke.

Usually, teamwork was most efficient.

For these novices, even low-level monsters could cause headaches.

But Lin Yi was different; he had max-level basic skills.

Therefore, he politely declined Wang Dong’s invitation to join a team.

He was eager to go home and tell his mother about his successful job change.

Not long after, Lin Yi returned to a rundown neighborhood.

“Mom, I’m back!”

From the kitchen, a woman emerged, concern etched on her face. “Child, how did your awakening go today?”

Yang Mei’s eyes were filled with nervousness, afraid to hear disappointing news.

Which mother wouldn’t hold high hopes for her son?

Lin Yi smiled and said, “Of course I succeeded. I’m now a mage!”

Joy flickered in Yang Mei’s eyes. “A mage is good!”

“Though not a special profession, you can cast magic from afar. It’s safe.”

She was an ordinary woman without much understanding of these matters.

To become a professional was already more than enough.

Though ordinary people and professionals lived in the same world, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Seeing the gray hairs creeping at his mother’s temples, Lin Yi felt a pang of sorrow and quietly resolved.

When he grew strong enough, he would find a job transfer scroll for her.

Even if just an auxiliary profession, it could prolong her life and strengthen her health.

The two then shared a simple homemade dinner, enjoying each other’s company as they quietly exchanged everyday chatter.

After the meal, Lin Yi planned to return to his room to map out his upgrade plan for tomorrow’s field training.

“Xiao Yi, wait!”

Suddenly, Yang Mei called out, then returned with an iron box. “This was left for you by your father.”

Lin Yi was stunned. “My father?”

Since his transmigration, apart from knowing his father’s name was Lin Zhennan, he knew nothing else.

He only sensed the deep bond between his parents.

“My father… he left before I was born…”

Faced with Lin Yi’s confusion, a trace of sadness passed over Yang Mei’s face.

“He was also a very powerful professional, even stronger than a Golden-tier professional!”

Anger flashed in Lin Yi’s eyes as he asked, “Then why hasn’t he come back after all these years? Why did he abandon you?”

Yang Mei’s eyes reddened as she explained, “I don’t know if he’s alive or dead now.”

“All I remember is that day he left in a hurry.”

“He said it was for an important mission on the border.”

“Don’t blame your father. When he left, he gave you this and hoped you’d become a mage.”

“That’s why I encouraged you to study mage courses.”

Seeing his mother so fragile and sorrowful, Lin Yi immediately dropped the line of questioning.

Yang Mei then retired to rest.

Since she was unwilling to speak further, the truth behind it all could wait.

After all, so many years had passed; Lin Yi was in no rush.

He took a deep breath, fixed his gaze on the iron box in his hands, gently pressed the latch, and slowly opened the lid.

In an instant, a brilliant light spilled forth, revealing a sheepskin scroll.

“Arcane Mage Job Transfer Scroll!”