Chapter 1 - Chen Xi

Dusk fell upon Pine Mist City in the southern territory as the fiery sun set in the west.

For the thousandth time, Chen Xi pushed upon the door and entered the Zhang General Store.

The Zhang General Store was just an ordinary, medium-sized retail store within Pine Mist City that sold self-manufactured talisman-related products to keep itself afloat.

The merchandise that sold the most were first-grade and second-grade talismans. These were the foundation of the Zhang General Store’s survival. While its business wasn’t great, it benefitted from the small but steady stream of income and was barely able to establish itself within Pine Mist City.

“Talisman paper, talisman brush, and ink; it’s impossible to craft talismans without these three materials. It seems simple, but in reality it’s extremely complex. From today onwards, you will all learn how to differentiate between talisman papers, the utilization of the talisman brush, and the composition of the ink. Once you have a solid foundation, I’ll then instruct you in talisman crafting.”

Only now did Chen Xi realize that the store had once again recruited seven or eight talisman crafting apprentices with immature faces. Boss Zhang Dayong’s shriveled voice echoed within the general store.

“I’ll give the lot of you a month. If your skill doesn’t satisfy me after the month is over, then go home and play in the mud. You lot must remember that if you want to become a qualified talisman master, studying diligently and training hard is the only way to get there, as no one is able to easily succeed!”

The newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices had gazes that were filled with excitement and eagerness; they were itching to have a go at talisman crafting.

“Mmm, Chen Xi, you’re here.” Zhang Dayong looked over his shoulder to see Chen Xi and greeted him with a smile on his face.

“Uncle Zhang, these are the 30 Flamecloud Talismans for today.” Chen Xi pulled out a stack of azure talismans and passed them over.

Zhang Dayong waved his hand in dismissal. “There’s no rush. Since you’re here, then help me teach these little kids. These wages will be calculated separately. Hmmm, how about I pay you 3 spirit stones per hour?”

Chen Xi nodded after pondering for brief moment. “Alright!”

30 Flamecloud Talismans could be sold for 10 spirit stones but required five hours of his time to craft, and thus, if calculated in this manner, three spirit stones per hour was indeed generous.

Zhang Dayong smiled before turning to look at the newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices and said in a low voice with a serious expression, “The Dao of talisman crafting is broad and profound, and to better assist you lot in grasping the rudiments, your senior, Chen Xi, will demonstrate how a first-grade Flamecloud Talisman is crafted. I don't dare speak about anything else, but if I were to speak about the solidity of one’s foundation in talisman crafting, then no one in the entire city is more extraordinary than Chen Xi. In this aspect, even I feel ashamed of my inferiority. You lot should look carefully and learn properly, and be sure to not miss out on this opportunity.”

Whoosh!

Seven or eight gazes descended upon Chen Xi in unison, but when they noticed that he was only a youth with a haggardly pale expression and was not much older than them, doubt arose within their eyes. Is this fellow really as formidable as Uncle Zhang says?

Chen Xi remained unfazed, seemingly unable to notice the subtle changes in the atmosphere around him as he moved forward and arrived before the talisman crafting desk. Here he picked up the light azure talisman paper from the side and placed it flat on the desk before lifting his brush and gently dipping it into the ink. He waved the brush in his hand in a fluid and skillful manner as if he was moving his hand without the need to reflect.

The youths hurriedly surrounded Chen Xi when they noticed this scene.

Talisman brush in hand, Chen Xi’s disposition seemed to change as his gaze became focused and tranquil. His wrist swayed like a snake, moving the tip of his brush in an agile and graceful manner, rustling as it moved… Fine and elegant blackish-red lines crept across the Talisman Paper in a natural and smooth manner, seeming to be like wisps of smoke naturally curling into existence.

The newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices didn’t blink; they stared wide-eyed at Chen Xi’s wrist, the talisman brush, and the talisman markings slowly coming into form on the light azure talisman paper. A sense of shock slowly arose within their hearts as they watched.

Talismans were divided into nine grades. The first-grade Flamecloud Talisman was merely one of the most basic talismans, and thus it naturally was also one of the lowest level talismans. The youths originally didn’t take Chen Xi, who seemed not much older than them, seriously. Chen Xi’s movements were limited and repetitive, but they were filled with a graceful and lively aesthetic combined with precise control. Even though his movements weren’t grand, when the youths witnessed Chen Xi craft a talisman with their own eyes, their hearts were instantly conquered by him.

Chen Xi wore a concentrated expression and was completely oblivious to what was going on around him, not noticing the changes in the gazes from the surrounding people. Once he started crafting a talisman, Chen Xi would immerse himself in a profound and tranquil state, and only the fine and intricate talisman markings would remain in his eyes.

Zhang Dayong couldn’t help but laugh heartily when he saw the shocked appearances of the youths. Not to mention these newbies, even he himself couldn’t help but feel a sense of shock within his heart whenever he saw it with his own two eyes. It was exactly as he had said, Chen Xi had indeed achieved an extraordinary level of skill in terms of attainment in basic talismans.

Chen Xi controlled the brush’s tip to dot, flick, hook, stroke, and whirl with sharp and precise force. Following the movement of Chen Xi’s Talisman Brush, a delicate and intricate pattern slowly formed on the thin, light azure pine grain talisman paper.

The time it would take for one incense stick to burn passed.

Whoosh!

The talisman paper shone abruptly, seeming to exhale and inhale before returning to normal.

As he laid down the talisman, Chen Xi’s entire body felt sore and uncomfortable; it seemed like it was about to fall apart, and that haggard and handsome face of his was so pale that it almost seemed translucent.

Before coming to the general store, Chen Xi had already crafted 30 first-grade Flamecloud Talismans, and thus not only was his True Essence on the verge of depletion, even his mental energy was consumed greatly. Therefore, completing this talisman utterly drained him of his True Essence, and his mental energy was emaciated.

The newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices didn’t take note of this, however. They instantly burst into an uproar the moment they saw Chen Xi complete a talisman with such fluidity.

“How formidable! The speed, nimbleness, and precision with which he wielded the brush is really shocking!”

“Wah! Senior Chen Xi successfully crafted a talisman in one go! Such a success rate can only be described as perfect!”

“I must properly ask Senior Chen Xi for advice in the future! I must become proficient in that brush technique!”

...

However, at precisely this moment, a sarcastic voice abruptly echoed within the store.

“Hmph, what’s so great about crafting a first-grade basic talisman? If you lot are given five years, you’ll be able to excel in basic talisman crafting like Deadpan Chen too. Why don’t you lot ask Deadpan Chen when he’ll be able to craft second-grade talismans? With his level of skill, all he can do is overawe newbies like you lot.”

The person who said this was a frivolous young man who stood at the general store’s entrance. He had a long and narrow face, a pair of large eyes filled with a sense of disdain, and his arms were crossed over his chest. It was unknown when he arrived.

The sounds of praise instantly vanished without a trace upon hearing what the young man said, and the originally burning gazes of reverence of the youths now contained a trace of doubt.

He took five years to master first-grade basic talismans? What shitty natural talent!

Deadpan Chen, ha, what a vivid nickname…. Wait, so it’s him!

The new talisman crafting apprentices were finally able to recall who Chen Xi was, and their gazes emitted a weird sense in unison.

The name “Deadpan Chen” was known to every household within Pine Mist City, and Chen Xi was the worthy owner of the title “no.1 jinx.”

On the day of his birth, the Chen Clan, which was originally thought of as a first-rate clan, was annihilated by their enemies in a night. Chen Xi’s grandfather, father, and mother were the only survivors.

When he was one year old, his grandfather was bedridden with a severe illness, which eventually led to his grandfather losing his entire cultivation and becoming a cripple. His family was thus forced to move into Pine Mist City’s commoner district.

When he was two, his younger brother, Chen Hao, was born, but his mother, Zuo Qiuxue, went missing. Rumor had it that she detested the fallen Chen Clan and couldn’t bear with such an impoverished life, and thus eloped with a young and handsome son of a wealthy family.

When he was three, his father, Chen Lingjun, left his family and had not returned since.

When he was four, the Su Clan from the southern territory, which had formed a betrothal contract with him since before he was born, dispatched more than ten Golden Hall Realm masters to Pine Mist City. When they arrived, they stood atop the sky and tore the marriage contract to shreds before the eyes of everyone within Pine Mist City before flying off with a swagger.

Misfortune after misfortune befell Chen Xi continuously for five years, each more stirring than the previous. Pine Mist City wasn’t large at all, so before long, the name of Chen Xi the jinx seemed to have grown wings and spread throughout the city, and it became known to all.

Chen Xi had been reserved since he was young and had a cold and detached expression; no one had seen him smile before. Combined with the dissemination by some busybodies, the nickname “Deadpan Chen” resounded within Pine Mist City.

“Uncle Zhang, I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Chen Xi could feel the strange atmosphere around him. That is to say, he grew up under such gazes in these past few years and had long since gotten used to them. He nodded towards Uncle Zhang before turning around and leaving with a calm expression.

“Hmph!”

Not long after Chen Xi left, Zhang Dayong fiercely glared at the young man at the entrance before scolding him. “Yun Hong, come with me!”

The youth jolted. “Uncle, I…” Before he could explain himself, the young man called Yun Hong noticed that his uncle had long since entered the rear room. As he hurriedly ran to follow, he resentfully muttered, “Incomprehensible. All I did was present some facts about Deadpan Chen. What’s he getting so serious about?”

Right after the two of them left, the group of newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices couldn’t help themselves from discussing what they had just witnessed.

“Heh, so that was Deadpan Chen. If I knew this earlier, I wouldn’t have come. I wonder if I’ll be contaminated with misfortune if I learn talisman crafting from him.”

“Ah! Shit! I accidentally bumped into Deadpan Chen earlier when he was crafting the talisman… This won’t do, I have to hurry home and take a bath.”

“Haha, look at how intimidated all of you are. My father said that Deadpan Chen only brings disaster upon the Chen Clan and doesn’t affect us.”

…

The night sky was as dark as ink and studded with stars.

Under the piercingly cold gale, Chen Xi silently loosened his fist, which was clenched to the point where his joints were pale, then tightened the thin clothes on his body as he swiftly walked towards his home.

When he was about to reach his home, he spotted a thin figure sitting before the door. Thanks to the starlight, he was able to vaguely discern that the figure was his younger brother, Chen Hao.

“Big Brother, you’re home.” Chen Hao, who was only 12, stood up and shouted out in joy before seeming to realize that something was wrong, making him hurriedly lower his head.

Chen Xi walked up and said with a voice that contained a trace of sternness, “Raise your head.”

Chen Hao was like a child that had made a mistake, but he stubbornly refused to raise his head as he spoke nervously. “Grandfather is waiting for you to have dinner. Let’s go inside.”

After he spoke, Chen Hao turned around and wanted to enter the house, but he was grabbed by Chen Xi from behind.

“Did you get into a fight again?” Chen Xi extended his hand to raise Chen Hao’s chin. He frowned slightly when he saw blotches of red and swollen bruises on his younger brother’s small face.

Chen Hao forcefully struggled free of Chen Xi and lifted his head, then he loudly said with a gaze that contained as much stubbornness as before, “They called me a bastard, they called Big Brother a jinx and cursed our family, saying we will all die sooner or later. Of course I had to beat them.”

Chen Xi jolted, then he gazed at his stubborn younger brother, gazed at the sense of rage and unwillingness on his immature and small face, and an indescribable pain suddenly arose within his heart.

Chapter 01: Wind Snow Continent

Night slowly settled in a quiet manner and bright stars began to appear.

On the hillside, a child about six years old was standing in a strange position. The child’s feet were stretched apart, toes touching the ground with the heels lifted, hands raised high above the head, his head tilted up, and faint spiritual energy constantly circled within his small body.

Moonlight shone down, enveloping the child's body.

The boy continued his practice in this bizarre position, inhaling spiritual energy into his body, letting it flow along his meridians.

Night slowly passed.

As the moonlight faded, replaced by the first rays of sunshine, the child slowly lowered his palms. His eyes opened to reveal deep, dark pupils that seemed to have a sharp golden glint deep within them.

Huang Xiaolong breathed out a mouthful of foul air, his eyes staring at the rising sun. From the day he was born to the present day, it had been seven years since he came to this world. He started practicing the Body Metamorphose Scripture at the age of three. Now four years later, he had managed to reach the Third Stage: Palm Propping the Sky Gate.

In his previous life, his ancestors had trained under the banner of the Shaolin Temple and the Body Metamorphose Scripture was an inheritance from his ancestors. Until now, Huang Xiaolong had been unable to understand the reason why someone like him, who was hailed as a martial arts prodigy in his time, was brought to this world.

And the matter that depressed Huang Xiaolong the most was that he awoke in the body of a newborn baby.

Huang Xiaolong looked at his small thin arms and smiled sourly. He had reached the age of seventeen in his previous life, and after fourteen years of hard work, he had managed to train in the Body Metamorphose Scripture up to the Ninth stage, but never could he have imagined that he would have to start all over again.

At this moment, Huang Xiaolong heard the soft rustle of footsteps coming from the direction of the hillside. Huang Xiaolong knew who it was without having to look over his shoulder and sure enough, soon a tender, childlike voice cried out: "Big Brother, I know that you are here to see the sunrise. Dad and Mom are looking for you.”

Huang Xiaolong looked over his shoulder and saw a lovely little five-year-old girl with big round eyes and hair braided into two long braids, trekking up the small hill. This little girl was Huang Xiaolong’s sister, Huang Min.

Other than Huang Min, Huang Xiaolong had another brother, three years younger than him named Huang Xiaohai.

"Mom and Dad are looking for me?" Huang Xiaolong asked. "What is the matter?"

"I don’t know." Huang Min’s voice was laced with innocence, "Brother, let’s go back. If we are late, then Mom and Dad will spank your backside!”

When Huang Xiaolong heard this, he smiled and squeezed Huang Min’s cute little cheeks before saying, "Let’s go then,"

Huang Min rubbed the spot where Huang Xiaolong had pinched her little face, pouted then said sulkily: "Brother, you are truly hateful. I have told you, don't pinch my cheeks!”

However, just as Huang Min finished speaking, her cheeks were once again pinched by Huang Xiaolong, who laughed heartily as he made his escape. Huang Min chased after him screaming, trying to catch up.

"Brother, don’t run!"

The siblings frolicked all the way down the hill until they had made their way back to the Huang Clan Manor situated at the foothills.

Although he was already seventeen in his previous life, being with his sister Huang Min brought out the child in him.

Soon, the siblings got to the Huang Clan Manor.

Back in the manor, Huang Xiaolong headed straight to the Eastern Courtyard’s main hall. When he arrived at the main hall, there was a scholarly looking middle-aged man in his mid-thirties dressed in a white robe, sitting on the head seat. Next to him was a pretty woman. This married couple was Huang Xiaolong’s parents in this life: his father Huang Peng, and his mother, Su Yan.

"Dad, Mom, you were looking for me?" Huang Xiaolong asked as he walked into the hall.

Huang Peng raised his sharp, sword-like brows: "Where did you run off to so early in the morning?"

"It’s fine. Don’t frighten the child." Su Yan interjected with a smile: "Long’er, in a few days you will be seven years old. It’s about time to awaken the Martial spirit in your body. Your father and I are planning to bring you over to the Martial Hall for the awakening ceremony.”

Martial spirit awakening? Huang Xiaolong blanked for a moment.

In this world, humans have an existence termed as martial spirits in their body. Human warriors’ strength was closely related to the talents of these martial spirits, and they were graded into low, average, and high; martial spirits graded ten and above were considered as superb talent martial spirits, a heaven-defying existence. The higher one’s talent, the better it was for their body to absorb the world’s spiritual energy and become a strong Warrior.

Nevertheless, there were also people born without martial spirits and also those that had crippled martial spirits, rendering them unable to train. In Martial Spirit World, these people were labeled as wastes!

Martial spirits... A light flashed across Huang Xiaolong’s eyes for he too wanted to know if he possessed any martial spirit in his body, and if he does, what martial spirit would it be?

Thus, Huang Xiaolong was led by Su Yan and Huang Peng to the Martial Hall of the Huang Clan Manor. When they arrived at the outer area of the sacred hall, it was already packed with people waiting with their children wanting to awaken their martial spirits. Other than Huang Xiaolong, there were also other brothers of the Huang Clan Manor who were present.

...

An imposing middle-aged man stood in the center of the Martial Hall; he had a square face and thick, dense eyebrows, and emanated an oppressive aura. This man was Huang Peng’s older brother, Huang Ming. He was also Huang Xiaolong’s Eldest Uncle. Next to Huang Ming stood a boy the same age as Huang Xiaolong; Eldest Uncle Huang Ming’s second son, Huang Wei, who was also here for the martial spirit awakening ceremony.

Huang Peng and Su Yan led Huang Xiaolong to the center of the hall. Greeting Huang Ming, Huang Peng called out: "Big Brother.”

Huang Xiaolong followed in their greeting and called out: “Eldest Uncle.”

When Huang Ming saw it was Huang Peng and Su Yan, his expressionless deadpan face loosened slightly, he nodded lightly and said: "You’re here."

According to Huang Xiaolong’s memory, he had never seen this uncle of his laugh. Huang Ming was in charge of the Huang Clan Manor’s Punishment and Disciplinary hall; therefore, he was a very strict person.

Huang Ming did not utter another word after that, and Huang Peng knowing his brother's temperament, took no offense.

Not long after Huang Xiaolong arrived, a hearty laughter resounded from outside the hall. As Huang Xiaolong and the others turned to look, a healthy looking old man surrounded by a group of people entered the hall. This old man was none other Huang Xiaolong’s grandfather, Huang Qide, the Huang Clan Manor’s lord for the past forty years, the very person who established the Huang Clan.

"Old Manor Lord!"

Upon Huang Qide’s arrival, residents of Huang Clan Manor present in the hall quickly rushed over to pay their respects.

Huang Ming, Huang Peng and Su Yan also moved forward quickly: "Dad!”

Huang Xiaolong and Huang Wei both came forward: "Grandpa.”

Huang Qide smiled, then nodded his head at Huang Ming’s group before turning to face the rest of Huang Clan Manor’s people-- he smiled and said: "Do not stand on ceremony. Today, I came over just to have a look.” Usually, the Old Manor Lord would not make an appearance during the martial spirits awakening ceremony at the Martial Hall, however, this year was special because of Huang Wei and Huang Xiaolong. This Old Manor Lord exited his closed-door retreat earlier than planned.

Huang Qide walked to the front of the main hall, his eyes swept over the crowd in the hall before finally stopping on an old man in a gray robe standing next to him. Laughing amiably, Huang Qide said: “Since everyone is already here, let’s begin.”

"Yes, Manor Lord." The old man in gray-robe answered respectfully, and then he walked to the center of the hall.

The old man in the gray robe was Huang Clan Manor’s Chief Steward Chen Ying; Huang Xiaolong heard his father say Chen Ying had been a follower of Grandfather Huang Qide for a long time-- even before Huang Qide established the Huang Clan Manor, he was already by grandfather’s side.

Chen Ying stood at the center of the hall, a light glowed in his hands, spreading an overwhelming force around the hall.

Huang Xiaolong’s eyes lit up; is this power of a Ninth Order Warrior’s battle qi? So strong! Even with the strength of his previous life, having trained in the Body Metamorphose Scripture till the ninth stage, he still would not be Chen Ying’s opponent.

With Chen Ying’s channeling his battle qi, suddenly, in the center of the hall, a bright hexagonal pattern shone, forming a beam of light.

"Huang Wei, you first." Huang Qide looked to Huang Wei.

"Yes, Grandfather." Huang Wei answered and stepped forward into the hexagonal patterned light beam. As the beam of light fell on Huang Wei, everyone in the hall focused on Huang Wei who was now standing within the beam of light. Huang Ming’s usually expressionless face showed a faint trace of tension as he watched his son.

The beam of light wrapped around Huang Wei for a brief moment before a black light took over, enveloping Huang Wei. Finally, the black shadow of a tiger gradually emerged from behind Huang Wei. It was a black tiger with three eyes. As the shape of the black tiger condensed and became more corporeal, a ferocious tiger’s roar echoed in the main hall.

Everyone was stunned.

Huang Qide stared at the faint black shadow behind his grandson Huang Wei; his eyes shone brightly as he let out a big laugh, tremendously pleased.

"This is a grade ten martial spirit, the Three-Eyed Black Tiger!" Chief Steward Chen Ying cried out in a trembling voice.

A Three-Eyed Black Tiger martial spirit was considered one of the top among the high-grade martial spirits; it was infinitely the closest to being a superb talent martial spirit.

Huang Wei’s martial spirit turned out to be a grade ten martial spirit, the Three-Eyed Black Tiger!

“Theodore Miller.”“Theodore Miller.”

A man with dark circles under his eyes called Theodore’s name. The man’s thin cheeks pushed his cheekbones higher, giving off a bonier impression. He would’ve been considered a resident of the slums if he had been dressed poorly.A man with dark circle

However, this man was actually a third-grade professor and a 5th Circle master, making him one of the best within Bergen Academy.

The skinny man, Professor Vince, spoke in a businesslike tone, “You should know why I called you.”

Theodore Miller, shortened to Theo, nodded with a shadowed face. This was because he couldn’t bear to open his mouth and answer the question.

He had been prepared for a while, but it felt like his heart was falling apart now that it was actually happening.

“Your written grades are brilliant. You were only deducted three points among all your subjects. Even then, they were just minor mistakes. There was no one else who could answer it except for you, so you can think of it as a perfect score.”

Although it couldn’t be confirmed publicly, some test questions had been ‘designed to be wrong’. It was a tacit rule in the academy so that a full score wouldn’t be granted easily.

Nevertheless, Theo only had points deducted for three questions. Perhaps it was a better performance than some professors. Vince admired the talent of this young man while feeling sad at the very same time.

It was because Theodore Miller lacked the talent to become a magician.

“However, you can’t graduate because your practical results were a failure.” The decisive voice pressed firmly on Theo’s back.

The academy had two graduation requirements: one was to have a written score above 70 points; and the other was to become a 3rd Circle master. The former wasn’t difficult, but the latter condition was the problem.

For Theo, who had been born with a low amount of magic power and sensitivity, the wall of the 3rd Circle was too high for him. Even though he had reduced his amount of sleep just so he could practice, he couldn’t even reach the level of his classmates’ feet. Despite his practice, his magic would pour out wildly.

As a result, Theo hadn’t been able to graduate for three years.

“Hu… Theodore, what circle are you now?” Professor Vince asked with frustration.

He had asked the same question last year and the year before that. However, the answer had never changed.

Theo once again repeated the same answer, “...2nd Circle.”

It was a terrible number.

Most of the academy’s students usually reached the 2nd Circle by the end of the first grade and the 3rd Circle when they entered the third grade. It wasn’t uncommon for excellent students to reach the 4th Circle by graduation.

However, Theo had stayed at the academy for five years and still couldn’t cross the wall of the 3rd Circle.

Additionally, that wasn’t the only problem.

“Have you mastered 2nd Circle magic?”

“...I failed.” Theo's voice died down even further.

If the only that was lacking was just the amount of magic power, then he could supply it from outside sources. This was a bit expensive to do, but if he took reagents made of magic power, he could gain enough power needed for the 3rd Circle.

However, Theo’s sensitivity was close to the bottom, and this was indispensable for using magic. The lack of magic power could be overcome, but there was no method to increase mana sensitivity.

It was why Professor Vince had given up on sponsoring Theo.

‘It is a waste of Theo’s brilliance, but... with poor magic sensitivity, he will never survive as a magician. Spending 5 years and not even mastering 2nd Circle magic, it is hopeless.’

He looked down at Theo with a wistful expression.

Any other student would’ve given up sooner... Theo, who knew better than anyone else that he was without talent, had been trying for three years. That commitment was incomparable to the other students who had grown up like plants in a greenhouse.

If Theo had ordinary levels of magic sensitivity, then the position of chief graduate would’ve been his.

However, reality was too cruel to Theo.

Professor Vince pulled out an envelope from the drawer and hesitated for a moment. This wasn’t the first time, but it felt like the weight of the envelope had increased as the years passed.

It was a letter given to a grade repeater.

“This is my role as a professor, but… I can’t help feeling like I’m doing something wrong to you. I’m sorry.”

“...No, it’s fine.”

“Read it once and discard it. There shouldn’t be anything different from last year, but you never know.”

Theo accepted the envelope calmly.

His fingers were continuously on the verge of trembling, but he managed to resist it somehow. This was his third repeater letter. Receiving it once would make someone an object of ridicule, while receiving it twice would make someone the shame of their family.

Theo was the only student at Bergen Academy ever to have received it three times.

More than anything, the third repeater letter had a separate meaning.

This was the last one.

A fourth letter didn’t exist.

Professor Vince hadn’t said it, but if Theodore Miller didn’t graduate next year, he would be expelled.

It would be a scandal so disgraceful that it would be better for him to quit and defend his honour.

‘Is it only up to here?’

Theo looked down at the repeater letter with empty eyes.

His eyes which had once been filled with dreams were darkening. The young man, who had stepped into the academy to become a great magician, now had to face the grim reality which would cause his knees to buckle.

‘I can do it next year. I can graduate next year.’ Such a hope was now devastating for him, as he stood on the precipice of ruin.

Theodore Miller…

He was born the eldest son of a disgraced noble family. The Miller family, which at one time had served the feudal lords as earls, had been pushed to their downfall 100 years ago. Their attempts at re-establishing their family had left nothing for Theo.

So, Theo had wanted to become a magician. Unlike those who had to undergo harsh training since childhood, children with noble titles were able to enter the academy without much difficulty. He thought he was quite smart, so he convinced his parents and stepped inside, beyond the threshold of the Royal Academy.

However, it was up to there. Theo would go to sleep later and get up earlier than anyone else. He worked enthusiastically in class and reduced his amount of sleep in order to practice his mana. Rather than blaming the scarce environment, Theo had believed he would be rewarded if he put in more effort.

‘Was I too optimistic?’

His classmates had graduated two years ago, and juniors one year younger than him had graduated already. Now, there would be juniors two years younger than him who would accept their degrees.

Even the new students knew his name.

He was the academy’s long-time dunce. Theo would bring dishonour to the fallen Miller family.

‘Where did it go wrong?’

Was it when the spells used in the first test had failed?

When he had realized that it was hopeless with his magic sensitivity?

When he had accepted his first repeater letter a few days before the graduation ceremony?

When he had thought that his efforts had been lacking after receiving two letters?

Or maybe… it had been when he first dreamt about becoming a magician.

‘Dammit.’

So far, he had never resented his own poverty.

There were people who ate less than him and those who couldn’t live in abundance. Even though their status had fallen, Theo was still a noble and had managed to enter the Royal Academy.

However, his patience was reaching its limit.

The magic reagents which other students drank like water?

Theo had given up on those knowing that one bottle would cost two months of the Miller family’s budget.

Hiring another magician as a private tutor?

He wouldn’t be able to afford one even if he sold the Miller estate.

Of course, many students graduated without using such methods. They increased their magic power with natural born talent and didn’t need to be taught separately.

With no talent or no money…

One could still graduate even if they were lacking just one of these things.

However, Theodore Miller had nothing.

“I should be going back.”

As soon as the professor nodded in agreement, Theo turned around.

He wasn’t confident about maintaining this cool composure much longer. His calm face was already half-distorted. At the very least, he didn’t want the professor to see something so ugly.

Bang.

The door closed with a harsher sound than when he’d entered.

With a heavy expression, Professor Vince looked toward the door through where Theo had disappeared, but the professor soon dropped his gaze back down to the book he was reading.

The pages of the book weren’t turned for a long time.

* * *

Ding!

The loud bell could be heard in the hallway.

It was a clock signaling that it was evening.

Due to magic, the volume was constant no matter where it was heard. Students staying in the dormitory couldn’t leave school after this time, while students not staying in the dormitories were required to leave.

As Theo headed to the dormitory blankly, he suddenly stopped moving.

“...Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten dinner yet.”

Should he go to the cafeteria now?

He thought for a moment before shaking his head. Due to the repeater notice in his hand, Theo didn’t have an appetite.

Should he go back to the dormitory and sleep?

No, his drowsiness had been lifted a long time ago.

It would be fortunate if he didn’t get a nightmare while sleeping.

In the end, Theo’s footsteps headed to the same place as always.

It was a place that rarely had visitors, and it was the most comfortable place for him in Bergen Academy—the library.

Extrait
Introduction

Les oiseaux sont uniques, non parce qu'ils volent ou pondent des oeufs, mais parce qu'ils sont les seules créatures dotées de plumes. Ce livre vous aidera à identifier les espèces qui vous sont familières, mais aussi celles issues de milieux spécifiques. Il vous fournira les indications de base pour la plupart des oiseaux communs, avec des termes clairs et des illustrations soulignant les différences entre espèces proches. Chacune a sa forme, ses couleurs, ses cris et ses chants, certaines changeant de couleur selon l'âge, le sexe et la saison. Si ce livre ne peut rendre compte de toutes ces variations, il constitue néanmoins une excellente entrée en matière. Les oiseaux mènent une vie trépidante et assez brève, même si les cygnes atteignent 25 ans et les fulmars 40 ans. Grands voyageurs, des millions d'oiseaux comme les oies ou les sternes migrent sur des milliers de kilomètres deux fois par an. Plus abondants et plus faciles à observer que les mammifères, les oiseaux sont les créatures sauvages les plus accessibles. Il vous suffira de jumelles et d'un carnet, d'un peu de curiosité et d'enthousiasme, pour devenir un ornithologue amateur et profiter des oiseaux !

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La physionomie

Apprendre à reconnaître les oiseaux exige du temps et de l'habitude, mais cela fait partie du jeu. Cela requiert aussi une certaine rigueur : ne vous hâtez pas de conclure, mais examinez avec soin les critères susceptibles d'étayer votre identification, comme la taille, la forme, les couleurs et les marques.

Taille

Elle est délicate à apprécier : deux oiseaux de même longueur peuvent sembler de tailles différentes s'ils n'ont pas la même forme. Vous pourrez ainsi être surpris de constater que deux oiseaux sont de taille similaire, malgré leur dissemblance : un goéland marin n'est guère plus long qu'un goéland brun, mais, à son côté, il paraît «deux fois plus gros» - et il est deux fois plus lourd. Pour les limicoles réunis ici, la taille constitue un élément de distinction essentiel.

Forme

Les experts eux-mêmes peuvent peiner à décrire la forme d'un oiseau : un oiseau «élancé» peut en fait être très «arrondi», mais avec une longue queue ou un long cou, ou sembler mince de profil, mais plus large vu de dos. La meilleure méthode pour apprendre à identifier les oiseaux consiste à mémoriser certaines silhouettes, puis à les comparer avec celles que vous voyez.

Couleurs et marques

Les «critères de terrain» d'identification des oiseaux comprennent bandeaux, barres alaires, stries, taches ou côtés blancs de la queue, s exigent une bonne vision de l'oiseau, et vous y recourrez sans cesse dans un premier temps, avant de vous fier à d'autres détails : ainsi reconnaîtrez-vous bientôt un rouge-gorge ou une mésange bleue à leur silhouette sans avoir entrevu la moindre couleur ! Tout repose sur la pratique, année après année, et vous profiterez toujours davantage des oiseaux au fil des observations.

Extrait de l'introduction

Tout un chacun peut créer ou modifier des pages web. La réalisation de m ces pages ne nécessite pas un QI particulièrement élevé, ni un diplôme d'études supérieures. La création ou la modification de pages web ne nécessite que d'avoir le désir d'apprendre et suffisamment de jugeote pour mener le processus jusqu'à son terme - l'affichage d'une page sur le web.

Dans ce livre, nous révélons les tenants et les aboutissants des langages de balisage, piliers du web, tels que - l'Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) utilisé pour structurer du texte, des images et d'autres contenus, et le langage CSS (feuilles de style en cascade) qui permet un affichage adapté des pages indépendamment du support physique où elles apparaissent.

La connaissance du HTML et des CSS, qui sont les blocs de construction de base de la création de pages web, vous fera entrer dans l'univers des auteurs web et des développeurs de contenu.

Vous avez déjà essayé de réaliser vos propres pages web, mais vous avez trouvé cela trop difficile, détendez-vous... Si vous êtes capable de composer un numéro de téléphone ou de retrouver vos clés le matin, alors vous êtes aussi capable de créer des pages web. Sans rire !

Ce livre maintient un niveau de technoblabla minimum et essaye d'utiliser un français aussi simple que possible. Nous essayons de parler clairement de l'hypertexte du HTML et du web en nous appuyant sur de nombreux exemples, présentant des instructions pour chaque balise afin de vous aider à construire des pages web en toute simplicité, avec un minimum d'effort.

Nous fournissons également des exemples de manipulation de vos pages web après leur réalisation afin que vous puissiez les publier en ligne. Nous expliquons les différences entre les versions de HTML (HTML4, HTML5, et même XHTML) pour que vous soyez en mesure de choisir le style le mieux adapté à vos besoins. Attention : nous pensons que vous devriez choisir HTML5, mais c'est à vous de voir.

Extrait de l'introduction

Bienvenue dans le monde sauvage et merveilleux du World Wide Web, le grand Web mondial ou, plus simplement, le Web. Dans ce livre, nous allons vous révéler les mystères des langages de balisage qui sont au coeur du Web : le langage de balisage hypertexte (HTML) et son successeur, XHTML, ainsi que le langage des feuilles de style en cascade (CSS), utilisé pour contrôler plus finement la présentation des informations. Comme HTML, XHTML (nous utiliserons (X)HTML dans ce livre pour nous référer aux deux versions simultanément) et CSS permettent de créer des pages Web. Nous allons vous apprendre à les utiliser et vous mettre sur les rails pour devenir auteur ou développeur de contenu pour le Web.

Si vous avez déjà essayé de créer vos propres pages Web mais que vous avez trouvé cela trop intimidant, n'ayez plus peur. En effet, si vous savez composer un numéro sur un téléphone ou tourner une clé dans une serrure, c'est que vous disposez de tous les atouts pour devenir un auteur (X)HTML. Sans plaisanter !

Le recours au jargon technique est limité au minimum dans ce livre, qui s'en tient essentiellement à du français accessible à tous. Hormis le propos sur l'hypertexte, (X)HTML et le Web, nous avons inclus de nombreux exemples et des instructions, balise par balise, pour vous aider à créer vos propres pages Web le plus facilement possible. Nous présentons aussi des exemples de ce que vous pouvez faire une fois que vous avez créé vos pages pour les partager avec le monde entier. Nous expliquons également les différences entre HTML 4, HTML 5 et XHTML, afin que vous puissiez décider si vous souhaitez vous en tenir au plus connu et plus vieux des langages de balisage du Web (HTML) ou opter pour son excellent successeur (XHTML).

A propos de ce livre

Considérez ce livre comme un guide amical et accessible dont l'objet est de vous faire découvrir les outils de (X)HTML et de CSS pour créer des pages lisibles et attractives sur le Web. Toutes ces choses ne sont pas difficiles à comprendre mais elles fourmillent de détails que vous devez gérer quand vous créez vos propres pages Web. Parmi les thèmes abordés dans ce livre, vous trouverez :

- Concevoir et créer des pages Web.

- Télécharger et publier des pages Web que tout le monde peut consulter.
- Tester et déboguer des pages Web.
- S'initier à HTML 5 et Cascading Style Sheets 3.

Vous pouvez créer des pages Web sans subir des années de formation, sans faire preuve d'un grand talent artistique, ni passer par des rituels d'initiation à base de jets d'eau glacée. Si vous pouvez indiquer à quelqu'un comment traverser la ville pour se rendre chez vous, alors vous pouvez créer un document Web. L'objet de ce livre n'est pas de faire de vous un Prix Nobel mais de vous présenter les éléments dont vous avez besoin pour créer une page Web lisible et présentable et de vous donner assez confiance pour vous y mettre !

Extrait de l'introduction

Bienvenue dans le monde sauvage, farfelu et merveilleux de la toile d'araignée mondiale : le World Wide Web, que l'on appelle familièrement le Web. Dans ce livre, nous allons vous faire découvrir les mystères de l'hypertexte et du langage HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), utilisé pour construire les pages Web, et ceux de JavaScript le langage qui vous permet d'animer vos sites Web.

Si vous avez déjà essayé de construire votre propre page Web, mais trouvant cette tâche trop ingrate et contraignante y avez renoncé, le moment est venu de reprendre espoir. Si vous êtes capable de composer un indicatif téléphonique ou de retrouver vos clés dans la pénombre, vous pouvez, vous aussi, devenir un auteur HTML et JavaScript. Nous ne plaisantons pas ! Vous allez trouver ici des exemples et des instructions détaillés, balise par balise, qui vous permettront de construire vos propres pages Web avec le minimum de tracas et le maximum d'efficacité.

Les copies d'écran de ce livre ont été réalisées indifféremment avec les versions françaises de Mozilla Firefox et de Internet Explorer. Ces deux navigateurs sont tous deux disponibles gratuitement et le lecteur n'aura aucun mal à les trouver, par exemple sur les CD-ROM inclus dans les nombreuses revues d'informatique traitant plus ou moins de l'Internet.

À propos de ce livre

Bien que les langages HTML et JavaScript ne soient pas bien difficiles à apprendre, ils comportent une foule de détails dont il est nécessaire de se souvenir pour réussir. Voici quelques-uns des sujets que nous allons aborder :

- La conception et la construction des pages Web.
- Le téléchargement sur un serveur et la publication de pages Web que tout le monde pourra venir admirer.
- La création de mises en page attractives.
- Le test et la mise au point des pages Web.
- Création de pages Web interactives.
- Vérification à l'aide de JavaScript des informations saisies par l'utilisateur dans un formulaire.
- Test et mise au point de vos scripts JavaScript.
- Adaptation de vos scripts pour tenir compte des différences entre navigateurs.
- Intégration de JavaScript à d'autres technologies (Java, contrôles ActiveX, plugins de Netscape).

Si vous êtes capable d'indiquer à l'un de vos amis le chemin qu'il doit prendre pour aller de chez lui à votre domicile, vous pouvez certainement construire un document Web conforme à l'idée que vous vous en faites.

Extrait de l'introduction

Vous avez peut-être un site Web qui ne vous donne pas entière satisfaction ou vous projetez d'en créer un et souhaitez qu'il soit absolument parfait. Vous avez visité des sites extraordinaires et n'avez qu'une idée en tête : que le vôtre rivalise d'ingéniosité et d'inventivité avec eux ! Bientôt, votre rêve sera réalité. Dans cet ouvrage, vous découvrirez les principaux outils, techniques, stratégies, trucs et astuces qui vous permettront de créer le site dont vous rêvez.

Si vous n'avez aucune expérience de la création Web, cet ouvrage présente les outils avec lesquels vous pourrez concevoir des animations, des images et des sites, sans que vous ayez à saisir une seule ligne de code HTML, XML, DHTML ou encore JavaScript. «Une ligne de code ?» D'accord ! Votre interrogation montre que ce livre est vraiment fait pour vous.

Au sujet de ce livre

Ce livre n'est pas un ouvrage de plus sur la conception de sites Web. Il s'agit de bien autre chose. Nous avons décidé d'écrire le livre, le seul qui nous eût été vraiment utile pour créer notre premier site Web, tout en sortant des sentiers battus. Nous avons rassemblé et testé une multitude d'outils, de trucs et d'astuces, et de sites Web, afin de sélectionner les meilleurs pour les partager avec vous. Nous sommes impatients de vous les faire découvrir. Parmi la vingtaine d'ouvrages d'informatique et sur l'Internet dont nous sommes les auteurs ou coauteurs, celui-ci est vraiment notre préféré.

À la fois drôle et sérieux, cet ouvrage vous donnera des idées amusantes pour égayer votre site, ainsi que des astuces pour gagner de l'argent grâce à l'Internet.

Pour profiter de ce livre

Chaque chapitre est une entité indépendante. Vous n'êtes pas obligé de lire tout le livre, ni de le lire linéairement. Feuilletez le sommaire, consultez l'index et lancez-vous ! Lorsque vous aurez fini de lire les parties qui vous intéressent le plus, jetez quand même un oeil aux autres, vous y découvrirez une foule d'informations étonnantes et inattendues ! Vous ne le regretterez pas, car tous les chapitres offrent de véritables trésors !

Connaissances de base

Nous partons du principe que vous ne disposez pas forcément d'une expérience en matière de création de pages Web, mais que vous connaissez ce nouveau média et désirez y apparaître un jour ou l'autre pour donner à votre vie une dimension planétaire.

Nous supposons que les commandes et fonctions principales de votre système d'exploitation (disons Windows 7 ou Windows 8) sont acquises. Ainsi, quand nous vous demandons de copier et coller du texte ou de sauvegarder votre fichier, vous comprenez de quoi il retourne.

Conventions utilisées dans ce livre

Cet ouvrage est conçu et organisé avec rigueur. Nous respectons certaines règles de typographie et de mise en forme précises qui vous permettront de vous y retrouver facilement.