Song Jie quickly came up with an idea. Since the other side was turning the tables on him, he'd play defense instead!
He immediately denied it. "Don't talk nonsense! Jiang Shaoxu and I are completely innocent. We didn't do anything. If you don't believe me, you can ask her."
Liu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened as she looked between Jiang Shaoxu and Song Jie, clearly confused about how the two of them even got tangled up like this.
"Shaoxu, you seemed to have gone out last night. Did you go to…" Liu Xiaoxiao whispered curiously.
Jiang Shaoxu rolled her eyes. Her silly, innocent best friend actually believed that? And was even imagining things!?
She glanced at Song Jie, her eyes saying, You're ruthless.
With these two simpletons around, any explanation would only make things worse.
So, she decided to change the subject. "Aren't you curious about the training news?"
At those words, Mu Lei and Liu Xiaoxiao immediately turned their attention back to the main topic.
Watching these two fools, Jiang Shaoxu couldn't help but feel exasperated.
"This time, it's not training between two academies," she said, "but all eight academies together!"
Everyone froze for a moment, shocked.
Normally, training sessions were held between two academies—like the Imperial Capital Academy and the Pearl Institute. But if all eight academies were involved… what kind of training could that be?
"What's our training mission?" Mu Lei asked, clearly curious.
Song Jie didn't doubt it either. After all, he knew who Jiang Shaoxu really was—
a member of a High Commander's family and cousin to a future Forbidden Mage. Her background was extraordinary.
"I don't know the exact details," Jiang Shaoxu replied, shaking her head. "But the difficulty definitely won't be small—especially with so many academy elites gathered together."
She had only managed to get this much information from her uncle, someone well-informed in the military.
"That makes sense," Mu Lei sighed. At least knowing this much helped him prepare.
This time, no teachers would accompany them—everything would depend on themselves.
If they encountered danger and died during training… they'd truly be dead.
Judging by the tone of Jiang Shaoxu's words, this wasn't going to be a simple exercise. Mu Lei knew he'd have to prepare a few life-saving trump cards just in case.
"Shaoxu, since there's no more news," Liu Xiaoxiao grinned mischievously, leaning closer, "why don't you tell us about you and Song Jie?"
"Scram!" Jiang Shaoxu shot back instantly.
Song Jie stifled a laugh. Liu Xiaoxiao really was too naive for her own good.
On the way back, Mu Lei and Liu Xiaoxiao seemed to deliberately create an opportunity for the two of them, hanging back to give them space.
Jiang Shaoxu sighed inwardly. When they got back, she was definitely going to spank that girl's butt!
But then, her thoughts shifted—and her expression darkened.
Song Jie was even more hateful!
Just thinking about that smirk of his and his words, "I just won't tell you," made her grit her teeth in anger.
And then—she thought of the perfect way to get back at him.
Jiang Shaoxu wore a white, ice-silk off-the-shoulder top, and as she walked, it shimmered faintly. She pretended to fan herself, then tugged lightly at her clothes.
"Oh, it's so hot today," she said casually.
Song Jie turned his head to glance at her—and froze.
A pale curve peeked out like the moon behind drifting clouds, then disappeared again.
Jiang Shaoxu adjusted her top and looked at him knowingly. "What are you staring at?"
"Tonight's moon is beautiful," Song Jie replied smoothly.
He caught the faint smile in her eyes and understood immediately.
So, this woman's trying to use a honey trap now?
Typical Jiang Shaoxu—bold and unpredictable.
She noticed him change the subject and look away, realizing he'd caught on. Still, she pressed on, her voice soft but teasing.
"Song Jie, you were talking nonsense back there, and they actually believed it."
Song Jie shrugged. "If they believe it, they believe it. It's not real anyway."
At that, Jiang Shaoxu suddenly turned, slamming her hand against the wall beside his head. She leaned in, face only inches from his.
"What? Words once spoken can't be taken back. Don't you think you should take responsibility?"
Her perfume lingered faintly in the air—sweet, dizzying.
But Song Jie wasn't easily shaken. He'd been through worse temptations before.
He could tell this was her way of getting revenge for what happened earlier.
They'd only known each other two days—it was obviously all an act.
Still, he couldn't deny she was good at playing her role.
Jiang Shaoxu saw the flicker of surprise on his face and felt secretly triumphant.
Trying to mess with me? You're still too green!
Song Jie smirked. "I advise you not to play with fire."
"Oh?" Jiang Shaoxu tilted her head, brushing a finger under his chin. Her red lips curled up. "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly."
Her heart was laughing inside. Just you wait, Song Jie—I'll make you suffer tonight. Let's see if you can sleep after this.
"Didn't hear me?" Song Jie's tone turned calm—but dangerous.
"Then I'll say it closer."
Before she could react, he reversed their positions with a quick movement, pressing her against the wall.
Jiang Shaoxu blinked in shock. She hadn't expected to be reverse-wall-slammed!
"You—you!" she stammered. "I was just teasing you!"
"What's wrong?" Song Jie smiled. "Weren't you pretty bold just now?"
Her face flushed crimson. Seeing his smug grin, she realized he was teasing her back.
"Even if I let you kiss me, would you dare?" she shot back stubbornly.
The next second—Song Jie leaned in, brushed his lips against her cheek, and darted away before she could even react!
Jiang Shaoxu froze for a full second, then touched her cheek, face burning.
"SONG JIE!!!" she shouted, clenching her fists in fury.
Meanwhile, inside a remote base.
A tall man stood silently, watching a researcher in a white coat work on an experiment.
A woman soon entered the lab.
"Has he left the Magic City?" the man asked.
"Yes," she replied. "He's currently an exchange student at the Imperial Capital and is about to go out for training."
"Good," the man said. "Send someone to keep a close eye on him. His Mutated Talent might be the breakthrough point for our research."
The woman hesitated. "Commander… isn't this a bit much? He's still just a student…"
The man's tone was cold and steady. "We're people working to create a new system. There's nothing to hesitate about. If he dies, he dies for progress. We'll remember his contribution."
The woman fell silent.
"Handle this yourself," he continued. "Even if the experiment fails, don't let anyone trace it back to us."
This drug was still in its trial-and-error phase—its mortality rate, one hundred percent.
They needed more subjects—especially those with unique talents.
That's why they'd chosen Song Jie.
If the experiment succeeded, they'd gain invaluable data.
If it failed… they could always recover his body and dissect it for research.
"Understood," the woman said softly before turning to leave.
...
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! 💙