It is said that Mind Element magic does not include mind-reading, but in practice, it is not far off. All Mind Element mages are top-tier psychologists—the self-taught kind. Skilled practitioners do not even need to cast magic to discern the intentions of those around them.
Therefore, befriending a Mind Element mage requires a certain amount of courage. To be their romantic partner requires even more courage, coupled with an open heart or an exceptionally thick skin; otherwise, one simply could not hold up, as every little secret would be laid bare. Casinos, in particular, place signs reading "Mind Element Mages Not Permitted" even before those prohibiting minors—it would be impossible to play, after all.
Ding Yumian is a Calamity Bearer, possessing a heaven-defying mental talent and an innate ability for psychic manipulation. Even though Fang Zhou has impressive mental strength and the power of dreams, Ding Yumian can still sense his intentions whenever his emotions fluctuate.
That afternoon, Fang Zhou summoned Dean Xiao with a single phone call. It must be said, the feeling of an Intermediate-order Mage calling upon a Forbidden Curse powerhouse was quite something; just thinking about it was slightly exhilarating.
"You’ve reached the Intermediate-order so soon?" Dean Xiao had not checked on Fang Zhou’s cultivation progress for a while and was surprised that he had already broken through. The breakthrough was within reason, but the speed was unexpected.
"It’s the real deal. I just broke through this morning; my nebula is still piping hot!" Fang Zhou said with a grin. Since awakening memories of his past life and returning to his youth, he had become full of youthful spirit—though he hadn't been very old when he died in his previous life, either.
"So eager to awaken your Intermediate-order magic element?" Dean Xiao had eaten more salt than Fang Zhou had eaten rice; he saw through the boy's intentions at a glance.
"Ahem… it’s not just me; it’s also for Yumian." Fang Zhou naturally draped his arm around Ding Yumian’s shoulders and smiled.
"Oh?" Dean Xiao’s expression shifted slightly. He was well aware that Ding Yumian had never actively cultivated magic. Was this the talent of a Calamity Bearer? Truly terrifying.
"Then let’s do it together. Tomorrow morning, I will take you both to the Oriental Pearl Magic Tower to see what elements you awaken," Dean Xiao said with a meaningful look. Watching others awaken magic elements was a unique pleasure. Without guidance, the result was like a high-stakes gamble; one could awaken anything. Dean Xiao certainly did not have a gambling addiction, but he didn't mind having a bit of fun.
The next morning, Fang Zhou woke up early and thoughtfully prepared breakfast for his childhood sweetheart. Well, it was the kind consisting of white porridge and pickled mustard greens. It was thoughtful, though; he had also fried an egg for Ding Yumian, shaped like a heart.
"Why are you eating a boiled egg while I get a fried one?" Ding Yumian blinked, looking puzzled.
"Because love～" Fang Zhou sang a lyric without looking up. He wasn't about to admit that when he was boiling the eggs, his mind had wandered, and he had accidentally dropped an egg into the boiling porridge, forcing him to fry a replacement.
Ding Yumian’s cheeks flushed slightly, her delicate nose twitching. Why had this guy become so smooth with such lines? Hmph, "because of love"—it was clearly because he’d forgotten.
After a light breakfast, Dean Xiao took them out of the school gates.
"I feel like I'm finally alive!" Fang Zhou stretched his arms wide, embracing the morning sun. Ding Yumian stood by his side, watching him quietly, a faint smile always gracing her face.
"If you want to go out, I can grant you a pass, but you must return every night. Can you do that?" Dean Xiao asked Fang Zhou suddenly.
Fang Zhou was stunned. He hadn't even asked, yet the Dean was already "lifting the ban." Did the old man possess Mind Element magic, too? He was ecstatic, but quickly calmed down as a thought occurred to him. He frowned and asked, "Only me?"
"Yes. Ding’s situation is more special than yours. She cannot leave Pearl Institute for the time being. You should be aware of this," Dean Xiao replied.
"But—" Fang Zhou tried to argue, but Ding Yumian took his hand and shook her head at him.
At that moment, a sharp light flashed in Dean Xiao’s eyes as he spoke again: "Actually, as long as you can control your emotions, the restrictions will naturally be fewer. This isn't just for the sake of others; it is for your own sake and Fang Zhou's."
"Then what should I do?" Ding Yumian took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions.
"The higher a mage’s cultivation, the stronger and more refined their grasp of magic becomes. Their mental state also strengthens, especially concerning Dimensional, Curse, and Mind magic," Dean Xiao hinted.
In reality, he was saying that the higher one's cultivation, the better one masters their own abilities. Ordinarily, he would not say such things; encouraging a Calamity Bearer to cultivate hard was not necessarily a "good" thing, especially for someone like Ding Yumian. Since her innate talent lay in the mental realm, her cultivation speed would be unfathomable if she put her mind to it. But if her realm rose too quickly while her mindset failed to keep pace, even ordinary mages would feel a sense of detachment, easily leading to trouble. If someone like Ding Yumian lost control, the consequences would be unimaginable.
For Ding Yumian, cultivating her mindset was more important than cultivating her magic. If not for Fang Zhou, Dean Xiao would never have dropped such a hint. However, he was eager to see a powerful mage with Calamity Bearer talents rise. If Ding Yumian could grow up safely, how powerful would she be in the future? He didn't know, but it was worth a try.
Ding Yumian fell into thought. In fact, after breaking through to the Intermediate-order, she had indeed felt an increase in her self-control, though her mental strength also grew rapidly during her nightly rest, offsetting much of that control.
"If my cultivation is higher, once I become an Advanced Mage, will I be able to control myself better?" A glimmer of hope flickered in Ding Yumian’s eyes. Fang Zhou watched her quietly from the side; whether she was frowning or smiling, she was always endearing.
The three of them walked on, each lost in their own thoughts. They passed through countless skyscrapers until they reached the Oriental Pearl Magic Tower. This was also the headquarters of the Magic Association. The Magic Association had always been the most authoritative magical organization in the world. They mostly recruited adult and powerful mages, and any mage was essentially required to abide by the Mage Convention they drafted.
Upon arriving, Dean Xiao finally spoke again, introducing them to the situation and lore of the Magic Association. He mentioned the Mage Convention, highlighting a few crucial points:
First, no mage may use destructive magic beyond the Advanced-order within a city, and using destructive magic below that level requires a reasonable justification.
Second, mages may not use magic against ordinary people; doing so is treated as a murder charge.
Third, mages may engage in private duels; injuries are their own responsibility, but death is treated as a murder charge, to be enforced by the Adjudication Tribunal.
The Mage Convention was something that mages worldwide were required to follow.