Yes, that's right—I am the one-in-a-million genius.

A group of six had trekked for two hours before finally emerging from the magical beast forest, arriving at a city built not far from its edge—Collin City.

At the city gates, people streamed in and out incessantly. Most were armed, dressed as mercenaries much like Vivienne and her companions. With the proximity to the magical beast forest, mercenary tasks included not only escort missions but also numerous assignments to hunt magical beasts. Indeed, hunting magical beasts was a lucrative endeavor—their magic cores were coveted by mages and alchemists alike, essential for crafting staffs and brewing alchemical potions.

Among the crowds at the city gate, Mo Fei noticed some with animal-like features. He saw a towering figure wielding a giant axe, sporting a pair of bull horns atop his head. Another was a handsome man with fluffy ears and a long tail trailing behind him. Vivienne explained, “Those are beastfolk. The one with horns is a minotaur, a born warrior among beastfolk. The one with a tail is a foxman; foxmen are typically handsome, the males are highly intelligent and skilled at strategy, making them ideal advisors. Female foxfolk, being extraordinarily beautiful, are often captured and kept as prized possessions by nobles. There are mercenary groups that specialize in capturing beastfolk for slave owners.”

“That’s outrageous! They’re just another race living on this continent—why must beastfolk be enslaved? Don’t they ever rise up in resistance?” Mo Fei was incensed by Vivienne’s words. Raised in the Jade Void Sect, he might have been irreverent before his master, but at heart, he was an innocent young man, never exposed to such darkness.

“I oppose the capture of beastfolk as slaves, too. But in the Empire, power rests with the nobility. Banning the slave trade is far too complicated—it’s difficult to enforce. And among the beastfolk, there are many tribes, often at odds and rarely united. Rallying together for rebellion is easier said than done.” As a princess of the Dragonrock Empire, Vivienne herself held little respect for the actions of certain nobles.

Once inside the gates, the group headed straight to the Collin City Mercenary Guild to submit their completed task.

Inside the guild, Mo Fei watched mercenaries coming and going, taking and delivering assignments. Every profession and race was represented. Along their journey out of the forest, he had learned from Vivienne and the others that this continent had different guilds for each profession—Warrior Guild, Mage Guild, Thieves Guild, and so forth.

The Mercenary Guild differed from these in that it imposed no restrictions on profession or race. Anyone could become a mercenary by paying a single silver coin. Advancement in mercenary rank depended solely on completing missions. Even if you were a Sword Saint or a Grand Mage, upon joining, you started as a Level One mercenary. The Mercenary Guild was the largest professional organization on the continent! Having mercenary status made many things far more convenient when traveling.

A long queue stretched before the task-submission window, but Vivienne and her companions were in no hurry. Mo Fei wandered around the hall, observing the busy mercenaries and thinking their lives seemed quite fulfilling. He resolved to register as a mercenary himself.

Feeling embarrassed, Mo Fei approached Mona, hesitant to ask for money.

“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?” Mona seemed to sense his discomfort and asked preemptively.

“It’s nothing serious. I just want to register as a mercenary, but I don’t have any money on me. Could you lend me some? I’ll pay you back as soon as I can!” Mo Fei said sheepishly.

“I thought it was something important! Here, this is a gold coin—no rush to pay it back, you’ll find plenty of uses for it later anyway.” For students like Mona and the others from the Imperial Academy, money was never an issue; forming a mercenary squad was merely a whim. Unlike other mercenaries, who took up the trade to make a living.

“Forget it, I’ll go with you to register!” Mona, seeing Mo Fei looking like a country boy in the big city, guessed he was unfamiliar with the process and offered to accompany him.

At the registration window, Mo Fei paid a silver coin, and the attendant recorded his information.

Name: Mo Fei
Age: 20
Profession: Mo Fei recalled Hughes’ fireball—once his strength returned, such feats would be child’s play—so he wrote ‘Mage’.
Mercenary Team: Rose Mercenary Squad
Rank: Level One Mercenary

Once the registration was complete, he was handed a Level One mercenary badge, officially becoming a mercenary.

“You’re a mage?” Mona, who had been watching, could hardly believe the profession he’d chosen.

“No, but isn’t it more impressive to have a cool profession when walking with you guys?” Mo Fei replied shamelessly.

“If you claim to be a mage, shouldn’t you at least wear a mage’s robe? No one will believe you’re a mage dressed like that!” Mona remarked, eyeing his odd attire.

“Mona, I’m genuinely curious—how do you mages cultivate your abilities? Could you teach me?”

Mona rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Do you think being a mage is something you can just decide to do? To become a mage, you must first sense magical elements and communicate with them. Not everyone has that talent—only about one in a hundred can become a mage.”

“Mages are that rare? No wonder Hughes always acts so conceited around me!” Mo Fei had thought anyone could learn magic. “So, what are magical elements like?”

“Magical elements exist all around us, invisible to the naked eye. Only mages can sense them. Different types of mages perceive different elements. For example, Hughes is a fire mage, so he senses fire elements. I am a wood mage, so I sense wood elements.”

Mo Fei, enlightened by Mona’s explanation, mused, “So the five elemental energies are called magical elements here. Yet it seems a person can only sense one kind. Why, then, can I sense several types?” He couldn’t help but wonder.

“Mona, is it possible for someone to sense multiple magical elements?” Mo Fei was always quick to ask when unsure.

“I’ve heard that some prodigies can sense two or more magical elements, but such talent is exceedingly rare. Why are you asking so much? Don’t tell me you actually think you’re a mage?” Mona was already growing impatient with Mo Fei’s endless questions.

“Heh, you guessed it! I really can sense magical elements—and not just one, but several. That’s right, I’m the prodigy you were talking about!” Mo Fei, seeing Mona’s irritation, decided to shock her—how dare she underestimate his genius!

Mona’s eyes widened in astonishment, her mouth agape, unable to respond for a long moment. Mo Fei was quite pleased with her reaction. Just as he was about to prompt her further, unexpectedly...

“Ha ha ha ha ha…” Mona suddenly pointed at Mo Fei, laughing uncontrollably, finding his words utterly hilarious. She was laughing so hard she could barely stand.

Vivienne and the others, having completed their task submission, saw Mona crouched on the floor, pointing at Mo Fei and laughing non-stop, and gathered around.

“Mona, what’s got you so amused?” Vivienne asked curiously.

“Vivienne, I can barely stand—this Mo Fei is truly entertaining. He manages to boast with a straight face and not even blush.” Mona finally managed to reply after a good while.

“Boasting? What did he boast about?” Not just Vivienne, but even Crow and the others were intrigued.

“He claims he can sense magical elements around him, and that he’s the genius who can sense multiple kinds! Isn’t that hilarious?” Mona explained.

Everyone turned to look at Mo Fei, whose face was full of innocent bewilderment. Faced with their questioning gazes, Mo Fei could only helplessly extend his palm, using his scant inner spiritual energy to conjure an illusion of a flame, floating above his hand.