As the combat tests wrapped up, everyone gathered to celebrate the DDF group’s success by having a dinner together.
Cain sat alone at a table. Out of nowhere, Anderson managed to snag an alligator and instructed the cafeteria to whip up a meal from it for Cain.
While eating, Kaelum leaned over and whispered to Mike, “Hey buddy, after we chow down, someone wants to meet you.”
“Can I skip it?” Mike looked troubled. “I’m swamped lately.”
He had only managed to complete less than a third of the 50,000 Wind’s Reach skill books. With just two days left, he had his work cut out for him.
“It’s in your best interest to meet them,” Kaelum said, keeping it mysterious without revealing who it was.
Elena jumped in, “Mike, ever thought about applying to the Washington D.C. superpower universities?”
Before Mike could respond, Elena continued, “With the demon god Vortexarchon stirring up trouble, the future of the wind element class is up in the air. If you’re willing to sign an enrollment agreement with Washington D.C. superpower universities, they’re ready to switch your class for free. Plus, once you’re in, you’ll be treated like an A+ talent.”
Mike’s performance today had turned heads, and the offer from Washington D.C. superpower universities was unexpected. Officially a D-level talent, Mike was being offered the perks of an A-level talent—a generous gesture indeed.
Of course, Elena had played a significant role in this. Over time, she had seen clearly that although the DDF group seemed only loosely connected, they actually revolved around Mike.
Getting Mike into Washington D.C. superpower universities would mean Jessica would follow, essentially getting an S-level talent for the price of a D-level.
Initially, Elena had hoped to secure an S-level treatment for Mike, but that hadn’t panned out. After all, Mike was only dazzling in one fight; his inherent talent was still lacking.
After Elena’s spiel, Kaelum got anxious, “Are you really starting to poach now?”
As mentors, if they spotted a promising student, they were expected to recruit for their alma maters. Elena was from Washington D.C. superpower universities, while Kaelum hailed from New York superpower universities. If Mike transferred, Kaelum would have a hard time explaining it back at his school.
Anderson nodded, “Elena, that wasn’t cool.”
Then, turning to Mike, Anderson made his pitch, “Come to New York superpower universities. Professor Gregory is willing to mentor you personally.”
“Elena, you’re pulling a fast one!” Elena couldn’t stand it and called out Anderson’s bluff, “Any student below B-level talent can study under Professor Gregory at New York superpower universities. That’s not the same!”
Meanwhile, Cain, who was busy chomping on alligator, perked up, “Hey, I wanna go to New York superpower universities too!”
“Quiet, we’re discussing serious stuff here.”
Cain muttered to himself, “We’re both D-level talents. Why is there such a huge difference in how we’re treated?”
Elena ignored Cain’s comment as she added, “We can offer Mike the best resources!”
Anderson spoke with a firm voice, “We have Professor Gregory.”
“Mike could start his career at the Command Center after graduation, starting as a Battle General!”
“We have Professor Gregory.”
“Washington D.C. superpower universities…”
“We have Professor Gregory.”
No matter what Elena said, Anderson responded with the same line.
“We have Professor Gregory.”
“Alright, alright, it’s still early days. Whether I can even stay at the summer camp is another matter,” Mike intervened, putting an end to the farce.
“Let’s focus on something more immediate, like the exchange battle in two days.”
“Speaking of the exchange battle, Mike, did you hear?” Cain, propping up his round belly, squeezed next to Mike and sat down.
“That guy James scored top overall at Magic High School and beat everyone.”
“Just heard about it.”
Mike had almost forgotten about James, the unfortunate guy who, if not for his arrogance, should have been at the summer camp. After the first batch of summer camp seeds left, Florida Magic High School didn’t have many strong contenders, so James swept through as expected.
“Why bring him up?”
“That guy went over to Florida Elemental High School and swept their newly selected seeds too. He’s the talk of the town in Florida now,” Cain explained, glancing at Mike.
“Mike, everyone at Magic High School is saying he’s coming after you for revenge.”
Clearly, losing to Mike had been a huge blow to James, who had even given up his chance to come to the summer camp voluntarily.
When James meets Mike again, it’s bound to be thrilling.
“No big deal,” Mike said nonchalantly. “Let him fight Ethan first. If he beats Ethan, then he can challenge me.”
Everyone was silent.
After the meal, Kaelum led Mike away towards the hospital. Along the way, Kaelum navigated through numerous checkpoints.
There were no fewer than five Battle Chief-level guards!
This made Mike quite curious.
Who was Kaelum taking him to meet that warranted such high security?
“Mike, we’re here,” Kaelum whispered outside a high-end hospital room.
“Mike, When you meet my nephew, be polite. Despite his serious injuries, he’s still a Battle Lord…”
Nephew? Battle Lord?
Mike couldn’t quite connect these words together at the moment.
“Cough, my parents had me late in life, so I’m a bit older. Let’s not dwell on that now, come on in.”
Kaelum pushed open the door and entered the room, warmly greeting the man inside, “Nephew, I’ve missed you so much!”
On the hospital bed, a pale middle-aged man was propped up, clutching a book of skill books as if it were his lifeline.
Hearing Kaelum’s voice, he shifted his gaze to the newcomers.
“Uncle, you’re here.”
“Yes, and let me introduce you to my friend Mike.”
“Mike, huh? Have a seat. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from your uncle,” the man said, then started coughing violently, his voice raspy like a strained bellows, clearly indicating his severe injuries.
After Mike sat down, Kaelum introduced the middle-aged man’s identity.
“Joseph Windrider, former commander of the Hurricane Corps, now the deputy commander of the Nightmare Corps, just back from the front lines.”
Hearing this, Mike raised an eyebrow, “The one you mentioned before…”
“That’s right, he is the strongest Battle Lord in the [Wind Combat Mage] sect.”
Kaelum was quite proud as he mentioned this. Since Mike had chosen the path of the [Wind Combat Mage], and his nephew Joseph Windrider was the strongest in that sect, it was natural for Joseph to be Mike’s idol.
“Uncle, let’s not talk about that anymore.”
Joseph Windrider, sitting on the bed, looked frail but still had the aura of a Battle Lord. His eyes sparkled with excitement, his voice even trembling,
“The [Wind Combat Mage] sect has produced a true genius, the undisputed strongest!”
Joseph’s statement piqued Kaelum’s interest immensely. “Nephew, tell me more.”
Joseph shook his head.
“I can’t reveal too much. In two days, you should know.”
He then lowered his gaze back to the skill books in his hands, his eyes burning with intensity,
“By then, the path of the Wind Combat Mage will become the most dominant force among all elemental mages, no, among all mages!”
His words were firm, coming from a Battle Lord’s perspective, they were not to be taken lightly.
Kaelum grew even more curious, “Nephew, can we not be so cryptic? Did someone create a core skill that fits the Wind Combat Mage?”
As a seed of the supreme being of the wind element, Kaelum knew that what the Wind Combat Mage path lacked was damage.
If there’s a divine skill for damage, it could completely change the ecosystem.
“I can’t say.”
Joseph Windrider pointed to his head, warning, “If I tell you, you won’t be able to leave this room without someone coming to seal your memories. They might even take you away until everything is over, and I would be punished as well.”
“That serious?!”
Only then did Kaelum realize the gravity of the situation, his curiosity about the legendary skill intensifying.
Mike’s gaze also turned to the skill book in Joseph Windrider’s hands.
[Wind’s Reach]
[Creator: Thor]