IRM Chapter 12

Ji Chi was very clear that he had already died.

He hadn’t died of illness in an empty house, nor had he passed away under the shadowless lights of an operating table.

He had died at the peak of a desolate snow mountain, which was his final battle against fate—unfortunately, it had only ended in a draw.

From birth, Ji Chi had been diagnosed by expert directors from major hospitals both domestically and internationally as unlikely to live past twenty years old, but through sheer stubbornness and gritting his teeth in struggle, he had managed to extend his lifeline by five years.

The price he had to pay for those five years was beyond what ordinary people could imagine. He had never experienced the feeling of running freely in the morning light, nor had he ever tasted the flavors of trendy hot pot and milk tea. His life had been like a cup of tasteless boiled water, until that holographic game appeared.

What did it feel like to achieve mastery in six other professions using a mage’s talent?

Ji Chi could only say he was very happy—it was the second happiest thing in his life after celebrating his twenty-first birthday. He had once again experienced that intoxicating feeling of breakthrough and rebellion against fate.

So much so that after completing the game, he no longer wanted to return to the boring reality.

Then let me gamble with my pale life and go crazy one last time—he thought calmly.

Investigation, learning, planning, preparation, climbing.

Just as he had climbed step by step with all his might to reach twenty-five years old, he had struggled step by step to approach the snow mountain’s peak.

Until his strength was exhausted and his breathing gradually ceased.

Suffocating to death due to exhaustion in the thin air was an extremely painful thing, but Ji Chi felt exhilarated, because in that moment, fate’s grip on his throat for over twenty years had finally loosened.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a strange and bizarre room, complete with a strange little sun that loved to chatter.

Annoying, yet lively.

Having gained another life, Ji Chi actually didn’t feel much surprise. In his view, this transmigration was nothing more than a game even more realistic than the holographic one—he still had his interface, he still had his skills, he was like an out-of-place bug.

However, when the elements sensed his magic power gathering in his palm, Ji Chi suddenly had a heart-racing thought—

Perhaps he could break through once more. This time, he would gain a completely free life.

Ji Chi lowered his eyes, deep in thought, and asked in his mind: “Yuan Yuan, what’s the level cap for Demon Sword Continent?”

[The maximum level for Demon Sword Continent is 99. Player has reached the maximum level. Please proceed to the skill panel to continue your efforts.]

A flicker of amusement passed through Ji Chi’s eyes. “Oh, really? But my skill panel is also maxed out… To level up, I’d have to cheat, wouldn’t I?”

Yuan Yuan: [???]

Yuan Yuan frantically beeped warnings. [Please do not violate game regulations! Please cherish your account and play honestly!]

Ji Chi was indifferent. “Try to ban me if you can.”

Yuan Yuan: [Connecting to network for feedback… connecting… network signal is poor in this area, feedback will be processed later.]

Connect to network? In a past life, maybe. Ji Chi smiled unconcernedly.

He was in a good mood now and temporarily spared Yuan Yuan, who was desperately trying to connect to the network to report the cheater.

He had more important matters to resolve—such as the group of NPCs in front of him who looked like they’d seen a ghost.

“What… what’s happening?” Brandon stared dumbfounded at the colorful magic orb in Ji Chi’s hand. He felt something was very wrong—it seemed like ever since this Eastern little mage had appeared, his world had never been right.

“Wow! You’re amazing! How did you do that?” Evan’s eyes widened as he curiously approached, his face full of amazement.

Saintess Coralie only paid attention for a brief moment before lowering her head and opening her palm, trying to sense the elements once more. As expected, no elements responded to her this time—all the excitement belonged to Ji Chi.

She quietly raised her head and curled her delicate, pale fingertips into her palm.

A commoner genius? This was not a good thing…

The most excited person here was probably Professor Joseph, who was so happy that his entire glasses frame was trembling.

A mage who could use ten types of elements! This was a constitution that even history had no record of! And today, this person was at the Magic Academy! He was his student! Right before his eyes!

And he—would be recorded in history as the enlightening teacher of the all-element mage!

Professor Joseph simply couldn’t imagine what foolish behavior his previous prejudices had been! Using ten elements must involve difficulties that ordinary people couldn’t understand! The reason Ji Chi had repeated a grade must have been due to the wrong teaching methods of previous instructors!

And he—would guide this still-naive genius—toward the pinnacle of magic!

Professor Joseph was moved to tears.

He reached out and grabbed Ji Chi’s arms, his gaze burning. “You will definitely become a top-tier mage in the future.”

Ji Chi withdrew his palm and hesitated subtly. “No… I don’t think so…”

Professor Joseph shook him. “You must believe in yourself! Your current setbacks are only temporary! As long as you work hard, you will definitely surpass everyone on the continent!”

Ji Chi: “I know, but I don’t want to be a mage.”

Professor Joseph: “???”

Professor Joseph: “What did you say?”

Ji Chi said calmly, “Let me tell you a secret—I’m actually an alchemist.”

Professor Joseph let out a cold laugh, his face full of absurdity. “Then I’m also a—”

Ji Chi interrupted, “Melee warrior, right? Actually, I also want to be a warrior, and also a ranger, summoner, engineer, and rogue.”

Ji Chi threw caution to the wind and expressionlessly listed all the professions.

Professor Joseph’s expression went from manic to incredulous, then gradually calmed down. He even sighed with relief at the end, and finally, in a kindly tone used to coax children, he patiently persuaded, “I know that repeating a grade for a year might have made you somewhat resistant to being a mage, but you need to overcome it. All-element magic training is inherently more difficult than for ordinary people, so you need to persist even more.”

Ji Chi secretly rolled his eyes. I knew it.

Fine, given enough time, they would eventually accept this reality.

Professor Joseph believed he had steered the wayward genius back onto the right path and settled down to teach the other little mages. He was a serious and responsible professor, though for some reason, each of his genius students seemed to end up a bit… crooked.

But! This time it would definitely work!

Professor Joseph, who didn’t yet know he would face an unprecedented defeat, thought this to himself.

****

The Saint Trilley Empire was located at the very center of the Demon Sword Continent, with abundant resources and rich produce. Among all the imperial powers on the continent, it could be considered a dominant force. From ancient times to the present, the Saint Trilley Empire had continuously produced many geniuses, with rising stars from various professions emerging in this brilliant kingdom.

However, the appearance of an all-element mage still caused the entire kingdom to boil with excitement, with heat comparable to the mysterious Eastern Saint Alchemist who had appeared at the same time.

Ji Chi pulled his hood tightly over his head, making himself look like a dark lump. He placed his hand on the bronze door handle and said muffled from within his cloak, “Evan, I’m going out for a bit. Do you need me to bring anything back?”

Evan paused in making the protective charm in his hands. “I don’t need anything. Are you going out to buy medicinal materials? Or to exercise?”

Evan didn’t know much about the external commotion, nor was he aware that people outside had already started betting on when this all-element magic genius would become a great mage.

But after sharing a room for several weeks, student Evan had finally accepted the reality—his Eastern roommate really didn’t want to be a mage, he really was an alchemist, and he really wanted to learn other professions…

Evan had become numb to the sight of the rows of gleaming potions on the alchemy table that had been set up beside Ji Chi’s bed. Although his understanding of alchemy wasn’t very deep, he could tell from the appearance of those potions that their grade was definitely not low.

For the first time, he who had been praised as a genius since childhood felt completely overwhelmed by another person.

However, Evan didn’t have any negative emotions about it. He was actually quite happy—he had a good impression of most people who achieved success through their own abilities.

Ji Chi answered him, “I’m going to the potion shop to buy some synthesis tools.”

Evan thought for a moment, then draped the cloak hanging on the coat rack over himself, also wrapping himself into a dark lump. “I’ll go with you. I also want to visit Central Street.”

Ji Chi knew his real intention was to provide cover for him.

Ever since the all-element magic constitution had spread like wildfire, many idle people had traveled thousands of miles to the academy hoping to catch a glimpse of the future big shot and preferably establish good relations with him first.

The academy’s security had become unprecedentedly chaotic. Headmaster Harvey had finally grown a few hairs only to worry them all off again. In his fury, he had set up a magic array around the entire academy to prevent unrelated people from entering and leaving.

But this was ultimately treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. Many people still found wild ways to sneak in and harass students. Ji Chi had no choice but to buy a cloak to cover himself.

Having only one person wear a cloak was also strange, so first Evan also covered himself in black, then Brandon thought it looked cool and bought an expensive, fire-red cloak to wear every day. Saintess Coralie was also a prominent figure who didn’t want to be constantly scrutinized, so she happily donned a white cloak as well.

After that, it became unstoppable. The academy was filled with colorful floating cloaks, like bright poisonous mushrooms growing wildly throughout the campus.

This spectacle temporarily stumped those looking for Ji Chi. However, after hearing that Ji Chi spent most of his time acting alone, they came up with the terrible idea of harassing solitary cloaked figures.

This terrible strategy did drive Ji Chi crazy for a while, so he ruthlessly dragged Evan along for training (as cover) under the pretense of doing it for Evan’s own good.

That’s right, he had gradually discovered that his body was not controlled by the game system. The values on the interface were just indicators, not limitations.

After several weeks of hard training, his physical attributes were slowly increasing. Given time, he would be able to break through the original level restrictions through his own real efforts and continue growing—this was a complete world, this was a free life.

Moreover, it wasn’t just Ji Chi himself. Under Ji Chi’s guidance (coercion), Evan, who was trained to exhaustion every day, also had his attributes slowly improving. Evan could clearly feel his running speed gradually increasing, from the same turtle pace as Brandon to 1.1 times Brandon’s speed.

This had changed Evan from initial confusion and resistance to actively requesting to go out and exercise. His current goal was set at 2.0 times Brandon’s speed, and he was very confident about achieving it.

Just like now, before going out, Evan had specially tied a custom-made sandbag to his leg. He lifted his heavy little thin leg with satisfaction and smiled at Ji Chi. “Let’s go.”