Song Jie's face remained calm and unshaken.
In the next instant, a golden hexagram pattern lit up beneath his feet!
"Glorious Light!"
"Guardian!"
As lightning crackled from above, a brilliant golden radiance burst forth, instantly enveloping Song Jie and his teammates within a shimmering barrier.
The Yaksha slammed down repeatedly, claws flashing with violent energy—but its attacks bounced harmlessly off the golden shield.
"This is…!"
Li Feng's proud Lightning Magic was completely useless—like an egg smashing against stone!
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"That's third-level Intermediate Light Magic!"
"How is that possible?! Reaching the second level is already rare, but he actually cultivated it to the third level!"
"No wonder he's so confident! With Light Magic at that level, how could anyone from Imperial Capital Academy defeat him?"
Even Liu Xiaoxiao stood up in shock.
"How did this guy manage to cultivate to the third level?!"
Jiang Shaoxu didn't speak. She only stared at Song Jie, realizing again how mysterious he was.
Every time she thought she had him figured out, he found a new way to surprise her.
She had thought those two Commander-level summoned beasts were his trump cards.
Who would have guessed… he still had more hidden up his sleeve?
But what she didn't know was that Song Jie had far more than one trump card.
"Shaoxu, this guy is incredible. Maybe you should consider him," Liu Xiaoxiao teased with a grin.
"When did my personal affairs become yours to decide?" Jiang Shaoxu's slender fingers darted toward Liu Xiaoxiao's back.
"Ah—ah! I was wrong, Shaoxu! Don't tickle me, I won't say it again!" Liu Xiaoxiao pleaded between laughter.
Meanwhile, at Imperial Capital Academy, Lu Yiming had been convinced Li Feng was about to win.
But he never expected Song Jie to reveal such terrifying strength—Light Magic cultivated to the third level!
How were they supposed to fight that?!
Shangguan Hong's summoned beast had rebelled, and Song Jie even had two Commander-level beasts helping him!
The faint spark of hope that had ignited in Lu Yiming's chest was instantly crushed.
As long as Song Jie stood there, Imperial Capital Academy had no chance of victory.
The final winner of this Magic Competition could only be Pearl Institute!
They had lost.
Mu Tingying, Shangguan Hong, and the others were frozen in disbelief.
They were supposed to be the top geniuses of Imperial Capital Academy… yet someone had outshone them completely.
"How is this possible?!" Mu Tingying bit her lip, fury and disbelief burning in her eyes.
Song Jie stepped forward, his voice calm but cutting.
"Doesn't Imperial Capital Academy boast of being the holy land of geniuses?"
He slowly raised his palm toward Li Feng.
"Light Radiance!"
"Laser!"
A golden beam of pure light erupted, transforming into a sharp laser that pierced through the air—striking Li Feng squarely in the chest.
Fast.
Accurate.
Ruthless.
Li Feng was blasted backward, crashing hard outside the arena before anyone could react.
The attack had come too suddenly, too swiftly—there was no time to dodge.
"We lost…" Liang Shujun's voice trembled. "We're no match at all."
Mu Tingying clenched her fists. To lose—to someone from Pearl Institute—was unbearable.
Song Jie smiled faintly. "If you surrender, I'll go easy on you."
"Go easy?" Shangguan Hong growled, glaring with bloodshot eyes. "I'll never concede!"
"Oh?" Song Jie's smile widened. "It seems you're not giving up."
He turned his gaze toward the Thunder Python and the Wind-Riding Skyhawk.
The little black cat's eyes flashed in understanding, and both beasts charged at Shangguan Hong!
Elder Deng and Jiang Yunming couldn't hide their joy; grins spread across their faces.
Bai Liang and Dongfang Ming looked equally pleased—watching as if they were the ones crushing Imperial Capital's pride into the dirt.
With the combined might of the Thunder Python and the Wind-Riding Skyhawk, Shangguan Hong was utterly overwhelmed.
In less than ten seconds, his own summoned beast trampled him into the ground!
Lu Yiming clenched his fists and stepped forward, his face dark.
"Teacher Deng, don't you think your student is taking things too far?" he said grimly.
He was the lead instructor for this team, and losing to Pearl Institute was bad enough. But to be humiliated like this?
"Oh, I already told Song Jie to go easy on you," Elder Deng sighed dramatically. "But he never listens to me."
"Teacher Lu, wait a moment—I'll go talk to him."
He hurried toward the edge of the arena.
"Song Jie," he called out, "Teacher Lu just asked me to tell you to go easy on them, not to go overboard."
Song Jie smiled faintly. "Professor Deng, I've already gone easy. Otherwise, they wouldn't have lasted this long."
The members of Imperial Capital Academy clenched their jaws in frustration—but they had no argument.
He wasn't wrong. From the very start, Pearl Institute had completely outclassed them.
"Alright, that's enough. Don't make things too tense," Elder Deng said. "You'll still be training together later."
"Fine."
Song Jie nodded slightly.
The Thunder Python's tail swept out, sending Shangguan Hong flying out of the arena with a heavy crash.
"Are you two coming together, or one by one?" Song Jie asked with a grin.
Mu Tingying and Liang Shujun exchanged a look, then shouted in unison, "We concede!"
They were furious, but there was no point resisting—Song Jie was simply too strong.
They still had upcoming expedition training, and getting injured here would only make things worse.
Song Jie shook his head. "I thought students from Imperial Capital Academy were supposed to be powerful. Guess you're just average. I still haven't even used my biggest trump card."
The crowd buzzed with disbelief.
Yes, he was arrogant—but he had every right to be.
Mu Lei ran up beside him, giving a huge thumbs-up. "That was a perfect flex!"
Song Jie chuckled. "Should I give you a chance in the second round too?"
"I'll pass," Mu Lei laughed nervously.
The students of Imperial Capital Academy were left fuming—no one had ever humiliated them like this before!
"Quick, get the Healing Magic instructors over here!" Lu Yiming ordered.
Everyone in the stands felt like they were witnessing a dream.
Pearl Institute had actually defeated Imperial Capital Academy—and in a total sweep!
"Is this the true power of a Mutated Talent?" many whispered in awe.
"Oh my god, it's true! Pearl Institute really won!" Liu Xiaoxiao shouted, grabbing Jiang Shaoxu's arm excitedly.
"Look at how happy you are." Jiang Shaoxu smiled faintly, though her eyes still lingered on Song Jie.
She was curious—what was that "big trump card" he mentioned?
Just what else was he hiding?
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continued support! 💙