8. Gale Mercenary Corps

In the days that followed, Mo Fei immersed himself in the basic class, studying the fundamentals of magic. For someone of his age, these basics were simple enough, easy to grasp. Audrey only needed to explain things once, and he understood immediately.

The knowledge taught in class could not possibly satisfy Mo Fei's thirst for learning. Unsurprisingly, he approached Audrey time and again under the pretense of asking questions.

Audrey was amazed at the speed of Mo Fei's progress. For someone who'd previously known nothing about magic, the concepts she introduced over the past few days were quite profound and difficult. Yet Mo Fei comprehended them effortlessly.

It was not hard to understand why. Though Mo Fei had never studied magic before, he quickly realized that magic shared much in common with the cultivation techniques he was familiar with; both relied on channeling energy to execute attacks. This overlap made his learning swift and straightforward.

Through these days of interaction, Audrey’s bias against Mo Fei softened, and she came to know him better. She learned that he was a prodigy capable of sensing all five magical elements, but his upbringing in a remote region left him without proper instruction, hence his ignorance of magic.

She admired Mo Fei for possessing such talent, yet still declining the invitation of the academy's headmaster—a mage of the highest caliber on the continent—and choosing instead to study quietly in the basic class. At the same time, she felt it was unfortunate for him.

Audrey had the strength of a great mage, more than qualified to teach the basics, but she hadn’t anticipated someone like Mo Fei. Facing his endless stream of questions, she gradually found herself overwhelmed.

Left with no choice, Audrey suggested that Mo Fei seek guidance from other teachers or consult the academy’s library. She felt somewhat defeated; to be stumped by her own student, especially one nearly her own age, was a humbling experience.

For the next month, aside from occasionally visiting the classroom to admire the beauties, Mo Fei spent his days in the library. In the evenings, he returned to his dormitory to attempt cultivation. During this period, Mona and the others came looking for Mo Fei, but seeing him so absorbed in his studies, they left him undisturbed.

Mo Fei read not only all the books related to magic, but—thanks to his formidable spiritual sense—he essentially finished all the other books in the academy's library as well. He gained a solid understanding of the continent and improved his magical abilities, becoming more adept at manipulating the elements of each school. At the very least, he could now cast several low-level spells from each branch.

One day, as Mo Fei was leaving the library, he happened upon Mona, Vivian, and the others who had come to find him. Having learned that Mo Fei had mastered low-level magic, they intended to celebrate his official entry into the ranks of mages and, conveniently, to accompany him to register at the Mage Guild. After more than a month within the academy, Mo Fei welcomed the opportunity to venture outside and agreed.

Their first stop was the Mage Guild, where, guided by staff, Mo Fei completed his registration as a wood mage, becoming a wood magic apprentice.

Why not register as a mage of all five elements? Discretion. For Mo Fei, cultivating quietly and regaining his strength was paramount; he had no desire to attract undue attention. He chose only to register as a wood mage because, though wood mages excelled less in combat, their healing abilities were highly respected throughout the continent. Adventuring, they were sought after by mercenary groups and often became the focal point of protection.

After registering, they selected a tavern to celebrate. Though Vivian and the others came from prominent backgrounds, they carried themselves without a hint of aristocratic airs around Mo Fei. Even Hughes, who often clashed with Mo Fei, was simply irked by Mo Fei's overshadowing presence; deep down, he was sincere. Feeling the genuine goodwill of his companions, Mo Fei truly embraced them as friends.

When the celebration ended and they returned to the academy together, Mona informed Mo Fei that the group would soon begin preparations for their advancement exams and might not be able to visit him often. Mo Fei encouraged them to focus on their studies and assured them he would be fine. He himself was planning to travel for a while, having nothing pressing at the academy. After reminding him to take care during his journey, everyone parted ways.

The next day, finding himself idle in the academy, Mo Fei decided to explore the city at leisure. Wandering aimlessly, he soon found himself in front of the Mercenary Guild.

A crowd of mercenaries had gathered at the entrance, each looking weary. Mo Fei remembered he’d registered as a mercenary too; with nothing else to do, perhaps he could join them on their adventures.

Just as he was about to inquire, a tall, middle-aged man dressed as a warrior approached him.

"Greetings, esteemed mage. I am Simon, leader of the Gale Mercenary Company, a fourth-tier swordmaster. May I invite you to join our team?" Simon had just accepted a mission from the guild and spotted Mo Fei, who was wearing his mage’s robe and the wood mage badge he’d received the previous day. Though the badge only marked him as an apprentice, to mercenaries accustomed to traversing the continent, having a healer as a teammate greatly reduced casualty rates.

Mages were rare enough, wood-element healers even rarer, and those unattached to mercenary companies rarer still. Seeing Mo Fei, Simon wasted no time in extending his invitation.

"Captain Simon, my name is Mo Fei. It is an honor to join your company. My abilities are modest—I am but a magic apprentice—and I do not seek much in terms of reward. I simply wish to experience the continent." As he spoke, Mo Fei muttered softly, casting a Restoration Spell upon the thirty members of the Gale Mercenary Company.

After their arduous journey to the imperial capital, the team was exhausted. Mo Fei’s Restoration Spell instantly relieved their fatigue, and even their depleted fighting energy seemed replenished.

Simon, feeling the changes within himself, stared at Mo Fei in astonishment. Could a magic apprentice’s Restoration Spell really have such effects? Even a great mage’s version couldn’t restore fighting energy! Simon realized he had found a treasure.

Ordinary Restoration Spells could not accomplish this, but Mo Fei’s healing magic drew upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, rather than merely wood magic elements. After more than a month of cultivation, Mo Fei’s reservoir of spiritual energy had grown considerably, making it easy to restore thirty people at once.

Simon placed Mo Fei at the very center of the team, assigning two warriors specifically to protect him. In their eyes, healing mages were the most precious and needed safeguarding.

Mo Fei was surprised at how highly wood mages were regarded within the group.

He took stock of the team's abilities; besides Simon, the fourth-tier swordmaster, most members were second or third tier. The company included not only warriors, but also five archers, three thieves, and two mages.

This time, the Gale Mercenary Company had accepted an investigation mission: to scout a suspicious location fifty miles outside the imperial capital.

"The mission was commissioned by a general of high rank in the imperial army. Last time, passing through that place, he was ambushed. Though he managed to escape, he lost many attendants. Our goal is to…" Simon began explaining the mission, but Mo Fei interrupted him.

"Captain Simon, my abilities and experience pale in comparison to yours. Just tell me what to do when the time comes. You needn’t trouble yourself with the details." Mo Fei simply wanted to broaden his horizons and had no interest in strategizing.

The general who commissioned the mission could have deployed troops, but that would require approval from above and, with a large-scale mobilization, would surely alert their target. Thus, the task was handed to the Mercenary Guild, whose members roamed the continent freely and could investigate without raising suspicion.

The group left the city and traveled some distance. As dusk settled, Simon selected a clearing in the roadside woods for everyone to make camp and rest, intending to continue their journey the next day.