As night fell, the roads grew busy with workers returning home.
Song Jie and the others left the school grounds and headed straight for a barbecue stall outside the campus.
They ordered skewers and two cases of beer, determined to celebrate their victory to the fullest.
"Cheers, Song Jie!" Mu Lei raised his glass with a broad grin.
Today was the most satisfying day of his life.
In the Mu family, he had never been considered an outstanding member—especially compared to Mu Nujiao, whose talent far surpassed his own. That was why this ranking meant so much to him. Teaming up with Song Jie had been a gamble.
Fortunately, he had bet right.
Mu He didn't say much. He simply made sure everyone's glass stayed full, acting as the group's quiet bartender for the night.
"Song Jie, you can't avoid being selected as an exchange student this time!" Mu Lei said with a smirk.
"Exchange student?" Huang Xingli asked curiously. "What exchange student?"
Mu Lei leaned back, explaining, "Every year, our school sends exchange students to compete in inter-academy magic competitions."
"I wonder if I'll get a chance to go," he said, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Huang Xingli giggled. "Anyway, Ding Yumian will definitely make it!"
Ding Yumian just smiled softly without replying.
Meanwhile, Song Jie's mind drifted. He recalled the exchange student arc from the original story and asked,
"Mu Lei, do you know which school the exchange students will go to this year?"
With the strength he'd shown, it was certain the Pearl Institute would nominate him.
Mu Lei shook his head. "No idea. The partner school is chosen by a draw every year. But honestly, with you around, it won't matter which school we face!"
Huang Xingli nodded enthusiastically—she had become Song Jie's number one fan.
Mu Lei slammed his glass down and grinned. "If we draw Imperial Capital Academy, I'll be thrilled! I want to go there with you and crush their so-called geniuses!"
He then downed another beer, and Mu He immediately refilled his glass.
After several rounds, Ding Yumian noticed Huang Xingli's flushed cheeks and decided to stop her from drinking more—knowing full well how wild she got when tipsy.
"Alright, we're heading back first," Ding Yumian said gently.
"Be careful on the way," Song Jie replied.
After they left, Mu Lei raised his glass again. "Come on, Song Jie! Let's keep drinking!"
Song Jie laughed. He hadn't had such a carefree night in ages. Mu He obediently poured another round.
Not long after, a black sedan pulled up by the roadside. A tall girl stepped out, her long hair flowing under the streetlight.
Mu Lei looked up and chuckled. "Jiao Jiao, you're here?"
Mu Nujiao!?
Song Jie turned, meeting her gaze.
It had been nearly a year since they last saw each other, though they still exchanged messages occasionally. She looked even more captivating than before—her aura calm yet elegant.
"Jiao Jiao, come sit with us!" Mu Lei waved her over cheerfully.
Mu Nujiao had been busy preparing for the college entrance exam recently, spending almost all her time cultivating.
"The results should be out soon, right?" Song Jie asked.
Mu Nujiao nodded. "Yes, in the next few days."
"Have you eaten? Want me to order something for you?" he offered.
She smiled faintly. "No need. I've already eaten."
Soon, the boys returned to drinking, while Mu Nujiao quietly watched from the side.
"Ugh!" Mu Lei suddenly groaned, clutching his stomach before stumbling off to vomit.
When he returned, he defiantly grabbed his glass again. "Mu He, pour me more! I can still drink!"
Mu He nodded dutifully—it was practically his only job tonight.
But as soon as Mu He started pouring, Mu Lei swayed his glass left and right, signaling him to stop.
Mu He didn't notice at all and kept pouring, eyes fixed on the glass.
"Brother Lei, stop shaking!" Mu He scolded and held his hand steady, quickly topping up the glass.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
Mu Lei clenched his jaw, swallowing both his anger and the drink in one go. His eyes watered from the effort.
Just as Mu He tried to pour again, Mu Lei grabbed his wrist. "I'm done for the night. Too tired. Let's go, Song Jie—I'm calling it quits."
He slung an arm around Mu He's shoulder and stumbled toward the sedan.
Mu Nujiao watched them leave, then looked back at Song Jie, hesitating for a moment.
"Song Jie, is your place far from here?" she asked softly.
Song Jie stood, slightly unsteady. "Not far. Just a few minutes' walk."
"I'll walk you there, then head back," Mu Nujiao said, stepping forward to support him.
"Alright," he agreed, smiling as he pointed out the direction toward Meteor Garden.
As they walked side by side, Song Jie couldn't help but notice the soft, floral fragrance coming from her. For some reason, he suddenly had the strange urge… to take a bite.
"What perfume are you wearing?" he asked, leaning a little closer.
"None," Mu Nujiao murmured, turning her head toward him—only to find their faces suddenly inches apart.
Her breath caught, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks burning red.
"The streetlamp ahead is broken. Walk slower," she said, trying to hide her flustered tone.
"That one's always broken," Song Jie replied casually. "No one ever comes to fix it."
Each time he turned his head, that faint scent hit him again, pulling him in like a spell. His steps slowed, and before he realized it—
His lips brushed against something soft.
The darkness hid everything, but Mu Nujiao froze instantly.
Song Jie blinked, confused, and even made a soft "smack" sound before realization hit him.
Wait… that was…!
Mu Nujiao's calm voice broke the silence. "Are we almost there?"
"J-Just ahead!" Song Jie stammered, suddenly sober.
"Then I'll stop here," she said quickly and turned around, her ears still red.
Song Jie stood there, watching her retreating figure with a dazed smile.
He couldn't believe what had just happened.
"Well," he muttered, grinning to himself, "her little face was pretty soft."
Mu Nujiao jogged back toward the car, her heart pounding like a startled deer.
Mu He blinked when he saw her. "Miss, are you alright? Your face is red."
"Huh? I-I'm fine," she said quickly, shaking her head.
But when she noticed the dark circles around Mu He's eyes, she frowned. "What happened to your eyes?"
"Brother Lei got drunk and hit me," Mu He said helplessly.
"What? No way—Brother Lei's not like that when he drinks!" Mu Nujiao said, half doubting.
"Not like that?" Mu He muttered, still rubbing his sore eyes in confusion.
...
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! 💙