Chapter 33: The Freshman Tournament

At the moment, Mo Fan didn't really need the Beast Blood, but it could still be exchanged for money.

Although he had about a million in savings, he knew that this amount was virtually useless at his current level.

The reason he entered the school and joined the Summoning Department was to compete for resources!

Most magical resources were controlled by various influential groups. If someone like him, who had no family background or wealth, couldn't seize school resources, it would be impossible to compete with others.

Yes, he had the innate advantage of the Little Loach, which set him apart from many of the heirs of prestigious families. However, innate advantages alone didn't determine everything. Moreover, to further enhance the Little Loach, he needed rare treasures, and acquiring those required him to become stronger first.

Returning to the dorm, he saw that Zhao Manyan had already dealt with that arrogant fire-element student.

Mo Fan, uninterested in such matters, didn't ask about it.

Zhao Manyan, on the other hand, spoke up, "Mo Fan, I've heard that your Summoning Department is in big trouble."

"You mean the trouble with the freshman initiation event?" Mo Fan responded.

"Oh, you know about it?"

"I've heard a bit."

"Hehe, well, I'm looking forward to seeing how you perform!"

"…"

Finally, the day of the freshman event arrived, which was easily the most celebrated day in the Pearl Academy's junior campus.

The older students, who had been at the academy for a while, wouldn't miss the chance to see the freshmen embarrass themselves. Meanwhile, many of the new students, confident in their abilities, were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to become the center of attention.

Each student here had been a star in their respective regions, but at Pearl Academy, it was easy to be overshadowed by the sheer number of magical talents.

Today was a chance to stand out in front of everyone, a moment that would bring immense satisfaction.

The most talked-about event of the day was the afternoon's Beast Battle Tournament, the most popular event in the history of Pearl Academy's junior campus.

The campus was draped with banners featuring various summoned beasts, and it was said that posters of former students who performed exceptionally well in past Beast Battle Tournaments were displayed at the student community entrances.

Simply put, being in the Summoning Department almost guaranteed that one could make a name for themselves early on in their college life.

"Mo Fan, since we're dormmates, why don't you give us a little sneak peek at your summoned beast? It'll help us gauge our chances," asked Zhang Pinggu, one of his roommates, raising his eyebrows.

"It's just a little fire wolf." Mo Fan replied casually.

A fire wolf?

Typically, the wolf family was known for being earth-based, relying more on raw strength and speed. Mo Fan's description only made it harder to understand.

Nearby, Zhao Manyan, who had been adjusting his flashy outfit, paused for a moment, then said, "Looks like your summoned beast is something special."

"Well, you'll see when the time comes." Mo Fan replied mysteriously.

The group eventually arrived at the Qingdu Arena, where Mo Fan parted ways with his roommates.

As the main "stars" of the event, the summoning students had to go backstage to prepare. The Qingdu Arena was massive, larger than a typical football field.

Usually, it hosted large-scale competitions, but today, the arena had been transformed into a gigantic cage known as the "Beast Battle Cage."

The Beast Battle Cage was surrounded by tiered seating, with rows upon rows of seats packed tightly together. The arena could likely hold over ten thousand people, making it one of the grandest in the country—something only a wealthy academy like Pearl Academy could afford to build.

Students had already started gathering. From the moment they finished lunch, crowds began forming, creating an atmosphere of excitement.

By 3 p.m., the entire arena was packed with students. Young, energetic faces filled the seats, and there was no shortage of stunning legs on display. Such sights were rare to come by unless you frequented certain places or universities.

Backstage, summoning student Yang Yi was visibly anxious. "Oh man, look at all the people... I'm so nervous."

Peeking out at the sea of unfamiliar faces in the audience, Yang's heart raced. This was just one section of the arena. He couldn't imagine how he'd feel standing in the center, surrounded by all those eyes watching his every move! He'd probably forget what magic he was supposed to use out of sheer panic.

"What's the big deal? I love crowds like this! I've heard people talking about our summoned beasts all over campus, in the cafeteria, and on the way to the arena. Some even claimed they could wipe out our beasts with ease… I laughed. My White Armored Battle Scorpion will show them what crushing dominance looks like!" Hai Dafu said, brimming with excitement.

Zheng Bingxiao stood calmly nearby, showing no signs of worry.

The other three students didn't show much reaction either, but the gleam in their eyes betrayed their anticipation. They were all excited for this Beast Battle Tournament!

Pearl Academy was a place where elite magicians from across the country gathered. Standing out here would prove their worth.

In college, who didn't want to rise to the top? Not only would it give them access to resources, but it would also grant them priority in, well, other areas.

Although it might sound harsh, once you enter university, you understand the game. Everyone hopes for a romantic encounter, but college girls aren't fools. Why would they choose someone who seems average and unremarkable?

Not everyone is born with movie-star good looks.

It was true before Mo Fan's time-traveling, and it remained true after.

As the crowd settled, the academy's principal, Xiao, took the stage and began his speech: "Before I start my speech, I want to clarify something."

Unlike typical speeches, Principal Xiao didn't begin by asking for silence. Instead, he posed a question to the students.

As soon as Principal Xiao spoke, the bustling arena quieted immediately.

"If your only goal is to become a well-respected magician in society, earning a high salary and living a comfortable life... I must tell you this: you've come to the wrong place."

"The magicians who graduate from Pearl Academy are destined to change the world. They are meant to bear the responsibility of protecting humanity. If anyone here only pursues the former, we can give you a diploma and a letter of recommendation right now. You can live that life, but please don't take up a spot in this academy. We do not lack wealth or fame, but what we lack are hearts that relentlessly pursue the highest form of magic!"

With these words, the atmosphere in the arena shifted. Around 80-90% of the freshmen's eyes sparkled with excitement.

That speech was beyond inspiring. At a time when everyone was chasing fame and fortune, the principal was telling them that by graduating from this school, they would gain all that, but was that all they wanted?

If anyone else had said these words, Mo Fan would have scoffed.

But Principal Xiao was different.

This man was a Forbidden Curse-level magician, serving as the head of an academy.

If such a person didn't care about fame and wealth, then how many people in the world did?

(End of Chapter)