Chapter 104: The Battle for Talent

Tch, what's so great about casting? The best casters in the Nine Heavens Continent are always from Mahoraga!

...

After finishing up at the workshop, Luo Yan’s heart was ablaze as he rushed straight to the Rune Academy.

Light as a feather yet heavy as a mountain, meticulous and precise, though somewhat unstable, the skill was remarkable. It was hard to imagine such techniques coming from a young man not even twenty years old.

What rune genius? This is clearly a casting genius! Not letting him learn casting would be a waste of talent, an act that would invite the wrath of heaven!

Old Li, you’re not being fair. Keeping his casting talent hidden, are you trying to keep this genius for your Rune Academy?

Narrow-minded, truly too narrow-minded!

Li Sitan sat in his office, a freshly brewed cup of tea steaming on the table. He rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

He had just finished a meeting that started last night, mainly discussing the core structure of the Zeppelin with several colleagues from the Rune Academy. After working through the night and into the morning, he was about to take a quick nap when Luo Yan burst into the room.

"Old Li!"

"Did you figure out the soul energy core?" Li Sitan perked up, seeing Luo Yan’s excited and hurried demeanor. Surely, Anbolin must have helped with the soul energy core, which was a big deal.

"Done, done, we can talk about that later." But Luo Yan waved it off, beaming with joy: "I’m here to congratulate you!"

"What congratulations?" Li Sitan was taken aback.

"I discovered a casting genius today! I can assure you, he’s the most outstanding one I’ve ever seen since birth! Our Rose Foundry will rise again. With a little nurturing, he’ll definitely contribute to the Zeppelin project!" Luo Yan laughed heartily: "Isn’t this worth congratulating?"

"Congratulations, congratulations." Li Sitan smiled. Luo Yan was competitive but genuinely skilled in casting. Unfortunately, the Rose’s budget had been limited in recent years, leaving no true successor in the Foundry. This was Luo Yan’s greatest regret.

Now, hearing about a highly valued genius, Li Sitan was genuinely happy for him, smiling and asking: "From our academy?"

"Of course! But not from our Foundry," Luo Yan said: "We need to act quickly. I want to ask Karida for a special transfer, but I fear my influence alone won’t be enough. You need to help me!"

Li Sitan was stunned: "What kind of help?"

"Old Li, we’ve known each other for decades. Though we occasionally bicker, it’s just a habit. In my heart, you’re like a dear brother. Do you acknowledge this?"

Li Sitan nodded, growing suspicious: "Who is this genius you speak of?"

"Don’t worry about that. Just admit our relationship, and let me finish." Luo Yan declared earnestly: "This is the first time I’m asking for your help. You have the closest relationship with Principal Karida. Your support for the transfer would be far more effective than mine..."

"Hold on." Li Sitan, though honest, wasn’t stupid, sensing something amiss: "Tell me who this genius is."

"After all these years, you won’t even help me with this?" Luo Yan glared.

"You wouldn’t be talking about our Rune Academy’s Junior Brother Wang Feng, would you?" Li Sitan’s heart sank.

"... Yes, it’s him!" Luo Yan’s face stiffened, then relaxed: "Good job, Old Li. You knew about Wang Feng’s casting talent all along and kept it hidden. That’s dangerous thinking. You’re ruining a true genius! This isn’t doing him any good. Now, I demand Wang Feng be transferred to our Foundry immediately. If you say no, I’ll be furious!"

Li Sitan was both amused and exasperated: "Senior Brother Luo, that won’t do. Junior Brother Wang Feng needs to focus on runes. You know, the Rune Academy is our Rose’s pride, and we haven’t seen such a talented disciple in decades."

"Our Foundry hasn’t seen such a gifted genius in centuries!" Luo Yan grew anxious: "Mastering light-as-a-feather technique before twenty? Can you believe it? Have you ever seen anything like it?"

"It’s nothing unusual. Junior Brother might already have mastered Second Order runes, surpassing Principal Karida’s talent, unprecedented," Li Sitan’s eyes gleamed with pride and admiration. He never imagined Wang Feng could excel in both runes and casting. Smiling, he said: "Senior Brother, your view is too narrow. How could I harm Junior Brother Wang Feng? Casting and runes go hand in hand. He’s still young; let him build a foundation in runes first, then choose casting as a minor, like Vice Dean Bai."

"Pah! I think he should start with casting in our Foundry, then choose runes later!" Luo Yan fumed: "Wang Feng is young and energetic. Do you want him to start learning casting when he’s forty or fifty? No way! Your runes can be learned anytime, sitting at a desk, without needing physical strength!"

"Let’s stop arguing. Old Li, you know my temper. When I decide something, nothing can change my mind!" Luo Yan declared firmly: "I’m taking Wang Feng, whether you like it or not! Otherwise, I’ll make your life miserable!"

To be honest, Old Li was usually a good-natured person. Most times, he’d smile and give in when Luo Yan acted stubbornly.

But this time, no matter how harsh Luo Yan’s words or how much he pleaded, Li Sitan only smiled and shook his head: "Senior Brother Luo, there’s no way I’ll agree. Please leave."

Luo Yan was livid, puffing and glaring. Today, he was determined to play the senior card: "You dream! I won’t leave unless you agree! What, you dare kick me out?"

"Alright, I’ll leave." Li Sitan stood up with his teacup, offering the office: "Stay as long as you like. If you get thirsty, ask Xiao Ming outside to brew some fresh Red Cloud Peak tea."

Luo Yan stared in disbelief as Li Sitan actually left.

This old fox, usually quiet and dull, but sharp when it matters...

Seeing this, even if he stuck around, Li Sitan wouldn’t budge.

Luo Yan had no choice but to try one last option.

Today, even if it meant losing face, he’d force Karida to sign the transfer papers. Once it’s done, Li Sitan couldn’t undo it, no matter how close he was to Karida.

Unexpectedly, rushing over, he saw Li Sitan also approaching the principal’s office with a teacup.

Damn! No wonder we’ve been rivals for decades, thinking alike! Is he here to warn Karida?

He can’t be allowed to speak first!

Luo Yan dashed ahead, almost colliding with Li Sitan as they entered together.

Inside, Karida was reviewing documents, surprised to see the two esteemed professors barging in. Before she could react, Luo Yan blurted out: "Transfer, transfer! Principal, I’ve dedicated my life to the Holy Sanctuary of Rose. After decades of service, I don’t ask for much, but today, you must sign this transfer paper! Wang Feng is a casting genius, born for casting. He must come to our Foundry! If you don’t agree, I’ll stay here, making it impossible for anyone to work!"

"Principal, that won’t do." Li Sitan remained calm, having interacted with Wang Feng and knowing his passion for runes: "Wang Feng is our Rune Academy’s hope, achieving significant results at a young age. Transferring him would ruin a genius and our future."

"Pah, your future is important, ours isn’t? We’re all part of the same family. Stop treating us like stepchildren! Principal..."

The two argued back and forth, leaving Karida bewildered.

What’s going on? Wait, Wang Feng, what trouble has this brat caused now?

"Senior Brother Luo, calm down," Karida soothed: "What’s really happening?"

Luo Yan became animated as he recounted the events from today at the foundry, embellishing here and there, of course, just to add some color: "You all know what kind of person that old fox Anbolin is. I’m telling you now, he’s got his eyes on Wang Feng. Wang Feng loves forging, and if our Rose doesn’t give him a chance, don’t blame them for snatching him away!"

"Senior Brother Luo, don’t exaggerate. Don’t I know my own junior brother? Wang Feng truly loves runes; he was born for runes."

"He loves forging!"

"You’re not Junior Brother Wang Feng, so how can you say that?"

Luo Yan raised an eyebrow, about to argue with Li Sitan again, when Karida quickly waved her hand.

"Stop!"

Big Sister Da was getting a headache: "Please go back for now and give me some time. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

After forging for just a few minutes, he had earned a thousand lios for entry fees. Old Wang thought this business wasn’t bad, but it was only good for pocket money. He wouldn’t do it full-time, given Lao Luo’s modest means.

He was working towards two million lios; did he have time to waste making small change every day? Unless someone like Anbolin, the richest man around, threw a few hundred thousand at him, then he might consider it.

With money in hand, he was pondering where to have a nice lunch when Big Sister Da’s summons came.

She had just had a heart-to-heart with him a couple of days ago. She must be missing him already. Sigh, his charm was irresistible; more and more people were becoming infatuated with him lately.

As usual, he was kept waiting for five minutes while Karida finished her work. When she looked up, her gaze was icy. "Tell me, what’s going on? How did you make Luo Yan and Li Sitan almost come to blows here? And how did you suddenly learn forging?"

Sure enough, Lao Luo had already been here.

With mental preparation, facing such questions didn’t faze him at all.