The Magician's Journey

  "Can you repeat what you just said?" The face of that magician named Yang Sen immediately turned into a pig's liver color, and he took a step forward to block my way.

  Tyron immediately pulled me away: "Alright, alright, are you guys free? Debating here?"

  Yang Sen rebuked Tyrone, saying: "Tyrone, don't interfere with this matter. Haven't you heard that he actually insulted the dignity of a high-ranking magician? To maintain my reputation, I must challenge him! Only his life can wash away my shame!"

  "Come on, it was just a joke. Besides, you were the one who made fun of him first. No need to take it seriously, let's just call it even. Today is a day for lectures, don't make a big deal out of this and risk lives. And what's the point of a high-level magician like yourself dueling with a beginner? Winning wouldn't be glorious, and losing would be humiliating. What's the need?"

  Tyrone turned his head and said to me: "You're new here, you insult a high-level magician, don't you apologize?"

  I thought about it, and I was indeed too impulsive just now. As a magician, I've never been insulted before, although I've experienced many life-or-death battles. But being looked down on is a first for me. I lost my temper and made some sarcastic remarks, which was quite arrogant of me.

  Thinking of this, I nodded and said: "So, I apologize to you, Mr. Yang Sen, it was my fault just now."

  Yang Sen rolled his eyes and said, "I'm a high-level magician, even if I spoke sarcastically a few times, that's nothing. You actually dare to insult me, and you think a casual apology like that is enough?"

  I looked at him and said: "So what kind of apology are you looking for?"

  Yang Sen snorted and said, "Alright, kneel down and apologize to me, and this matter will be considered settled. I'm too lazy to bother with a magic novice like you who's only been studying for a few days."

  I almost had a bitter smile, and I said to Yang Sen: "Larson's magician doesn't know how many are as ill-mannered as you? Want me to kneel down and apologize? Don't even think about it!"

  Yang Sen sneered twice and said: "Well, then use your life to prove that you have the qualifications to stand in front of me."

  I nodded and said: "Since you insist on sending yourself to death, I can only reluctantly agree."

  Yang Sen burst out laughing, he laughed loudly for a few times and said to Tyrone: "Look at him, he's so arrogant. If I don't kill this little beast today, how can I still stay here? My teacher Cliff will definitely kick me out of Larson."

  Tyren saw that things had gone too far to be recalled, and said: "Since you both agree on a duel, I'll go ask the Council of Mages of Larsson to preside over this duel."

  The mages around heard about the duel and immediately gathered, surrounding Tyren and asking: "A duel? Great! Who is dueling with whom? It's been years since Larsen has had a mage duel."

  Tyrone said helplessly, "It's Yang Sen the magician insisting on dueling with a new magician in Larsson, and that magician seems to be here to assess intermediate magicians. Alright, alright, trouble everyone to make way, I'll go invite someone from the Magician Council to preside."

  The surrounding magicians said with some disappointment: "The strength difference is too great, I guess there's nothing to see, what a pity."

  "Some magicians also said: "Take a look and relax."

  Yang Sen sneered at me and said, "You're eager to die, come with me. A fool like you must not know the way to the dueling arena, let me kindly take you there."

  I nodded and said: "I don't bother with dead people, you lead the way ahead."

  Yang Sen's face changed color, then immediately returned to normal, and coldly said: "Feel free to say whatever you want, humph, don't come crawling back begging for mercy later, get out."

  So I followed Yang Sen to a tall building, and those magicians who were watching the excitement also followed behind. More and more magicians heard the news and soon a large crowd gathered behind us, surging forward in an overwhelming tide.

  When I arrived at the dueling arena, Yang Sen and I stood face to face in the center of the field. This was a huge stadium with a massive magical canopy surrounding the field to prevent the magic from spilling over and harming the onlookers. Outside the field were rows of spectator stands where all the other wizards sat watching.

  I took a glance around and found that it was already packed with people, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart. Watching excitement and gossip is indeed the common nature of human beings, even magicians who focus on magical research can't escape this either.

  Tyron arrived soon, followed by three old men, who were about sixty to seventy years old. Although they looked quite old, they walked with a brisk pace, without any signs of aging. Each of the three magicians held a magic wand in their hands, with a serious expression, and an aura of authority that commanded respect.

  The three magicians walked to the center of the venue, and the middle magician spoke up: "We three are members of the Larsen Magician Council. We were appointed by the council to preside over this duel. My name is Darrent, the one on my left is Grand Magician Winston, and the one on my right is Grand Magician Hutton. Please state your names, magic levels, and reasons for the duel, and hand over your badges."

  Yang Sen spoke first, saying: "Respected sirs, I am Yang Sen, a high-ranking magician. He has insulted my dignity, so I challenge him to a duel, regardless of life or death." Then he took out a gold magic badge from his pocket, and the pattern on his badge was the same as mine, except that there were three stars in the center.

  Daren nodded and took over Vincent's badge. Then he turned his gaze to me and said, "You report too."

  I smiled and said, "I am novice magician Alick, coming to Larsen for the first time to take the intermediate magician exam. This Yangsen magician made a sarcastic remark about me, which led to some verbal sparring between us. In the end, he challenged me to a duel, so I had no choice but to accept." After finishing speaking, I also took out my own magic badge and handed it over to Dalente.

  Darent took my badge and looked at it, saying: "Your duel with Yang Sen the magician is a mismatch in strength. Are you sure you want to go through with this uneven duel? If you back down now, we can mediate for both of you and resolve the conflict."

  I shook my head and said, "No, thank you for your kindness, I've decided to accept his duel request."

  Darrent was about to speak when a voice outside the arena rang out: "I'll take Magic Master Alick's place and duel this Yangsen High-Magic Master."