Versatile Mage: Starting with the White Tiger Pendant-Chapter 205:Battle Between the Institutes

However, seeing Lu Mei remain indifferent without immediately turning hostile, Lu Jun's thoughts became active again there was still room for maneuvering.

He shamelessly leaned in close, just like when they were kids, trying to nuzzle her arm with his face, only to have a fair, jade-like hand press against his forehead and firmly push him away.

Lu Mei kept a cold expression, crossing her arms and saying, "You're filthy. Don't come near me."

Lu Jun gave a sheepish laugh, but he fully embraced his thick-skinned determination and tried to appeal emotionally.

"Hmph!" Lu Mei pressed on aggressively, gritting her teeth, "Lu Xiao-Jun, even if Tang Yue seduced you first, I'll deal with that slutty fox myself when I go to Hangzhou. But you only have two choices: her or me!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jun pursed his lips and said with difficulty, "Tang Yue has done so much for me. Before she chooses to break up on her own, I don't want to abandon responsibility. You don't want me to be a scumbag, do you?"

"That kind of excuse... heh, you're still dreaming about having it all."

Lu Mei's eyes were sharp, piercing into his heart. She turned and headed back to her room. "Then go live with her."

At that, Lu Jun panicked. For the first time, he took the initiative, stepping forward and grabbing Lu Mei's hand, pressing it against the wall beside them. In a low voice, he called out, "Lu Mei, I was wrong."

Caught off guard, Lu Mei's physique couldn't block it in time. Her beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Lu Jun, now close to her chest. Hearing him call her name directly for the first time, she froze.

She felt his warm breath so close, and the scent of male hormones drifted over. Her mind swayed, and her pretty face flushed bright red.

This... this was the first time in memory that Lu Jun had ever taken the initiative, wasn't it?

By the time Lu Jun came to his senses, he realized he had kabedon'd Lu Mei against the wall.

In his view now was her beautiful, mature face filling his entire vision. If Tang Yue leaned more toward a seductive oval face, then Lu Mei had a refined, oval-egg face—charming without losing its noble grace.

Seeing this, Lu Jun gulped, unable to form any words.

Lu Mei took a deep breath, glared at him, and said with a sarcastic tone, "Oh? So now that you've had a taste of meat, you finally know how to make a move, huh?"

"Lu Mei, I can't bear to lose you."

Lu Jun took the initiative to embrace Lu Mei's slender and flexible waist, burying his face in her chest and nuzzling as he said, "I'm sorry."

"You..." Lu Mei's body softened, her breath quickened. She couldn't handle Lu Jun acting like this. Her voice turned teasing and soft, "You... you let go first."

Hearing that, Lu Jun obediently released her and stared at her quietly.

"You really leave me helpless." Lu Mei adjusted her clothes, still sulking as she said, "Seeing as you're honest and sincere, I won't hold it against you. But no matter what, I won't accept Tang Yue. You deal with that yourself. Cold war!"

The more she talked, the more indignant she felt. "I was first, damn it."

Watching Lu Mei return to her room and slam the door, Lu Jun understood no one could accept it easily. The cabbage she had painstakingly raised had been eaten by someone else before she got to taste it.

It was like a childhood sweetheart being stolen by a sudden rival, like a fiancée losing her virginity the night before the wedding. Just thinking about it made his fists clench.

This was probably also why Tang Yue didn't fight or argue she felt guilty.

The one bit of comfort Lu Jun had was that Lu Mei didn't reject him outright. On the contrary, she still deeply loved him. It's just that the grudge in her heart had grown larger, and she was the most hurt party in this whole mess.

Sigh... As for getting the three of them to accept one another, he didn't have the confidence. For now, things were already better than expected. Let it be for the time being.

In the days that followed, Lu Jun didn't go anywhere. He stayed close to Lu Mei at all times, showering her with care and concern.

Eventually, even Lu Mei was worn down, forced to admit defeat by Lu Jun's persistence. She no longer gave him cold faces or harsh words and returned to normal. Only when Tang Yue was mentioned would she explode.

At this point, Lu Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief, and didn't forget to also check in on Ding Yumian at the Academy.

After constructing his Spiritual Mental Palace, his Fourth Realm peak spiritual force advanced even further, vaguely approaching the Fifth Realm. He went to Ding Yumian, whose spirit had already reached the Seventh Realm, hoping to refine himself further, and also using it as an excuse to get closer to her.

It wasn't until the upcoming Head Representative Duel between the various institutes that Lu Jun temporarily broke free from this two-point routine and headed for the Magic Combat Hall.

Originally, Ding Yumian, as the Head of the Fire Institute, was supposed to participate as well, but she politely declined. She even resigned from her position as Fire Element Head and returned the role to Dongfang Lie.

She had already obtained the resources she needed and was preparing to break through to Advanced Fire Magic soon. With the National Institute Battle just around the corner, she didn't want to draw too much attention and decided to lie low again for the time being.

But Lu Jun understood Ding Yumian simply didn't want to fight him over a meaningless representative vote.

He was deeply moved by the silent care from both women and was determined to cherish them.

When Lu Jun arrived at the arena, the other Heads were already present. Over a dozen top-tier Intermediate Mages, all of them possessed innate talents.

When Dongfang Lie and the others saw him arrive, their expressions turned serious, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Lu Jun, clad in a black overcoat, was the first to step onto the stage, looking down at everyone. His mood over the past few days had been awful due to managing the three-way relationship now was the perfect chance to let it all out.

He scanned the dozen or so experts below, expressionless, and said, "Come at me all at once. Don't waste my time."

As soon as the words fell, the tens of thousands of students from the Main Campus seated all around erupted in astonishment. They had heard of Lu Jun's reputation for dominance, but they hadn't expected such madness in a head representative duel.

He dared to take on over a dozen top-tier opponents all at once.

Mu Nujiao, Ai Tutu, Dongfang Ming, and the others in the audience were all stunned.

Ai Tutu, the petite girl, squealed like a fangirl, "Wah! Lu the Butcher is so handsome!"

Down below, Dongfang Lie's face instantly darkened. "Don't regret this."

The dozen institute Heads all sneered coldly. Each of them was proud and arrogant, secretly hoping to make Lu Jun suffer a huge loss and embarrass him in front of the entire school.

Lu Jun remained indifferent, barely sparing a glance as they stepped onto the stage. He didn't even care to learn their names.

"Begin."

The moment the referee gave the order, Lu Jun acted immediately. With a single thought, he summoned a Star Map and first cast [Mind Ripple: Mind Control].

Buzz buzz buzz!

In an instant, his forehead glowed, and his eyes turned transparent and crystalline. A vast spiritual force surged out like a tidal wave, engulfing the entire arena.

A majestic palace projected itself into existence. The air twisted, interfering with reality, manifesting outlines of a semi-transparent structure resembling an octagonal glazed tower that enclosed all the others within.

"What?!"

Each of the dozen participants simultaneously emitted the glow of Concentration Magic Tools, fully aware of Lu Jun's prowess in the spiritual domain. Some among them were even from Curse or Psychic Element institutes and had come well prepared.

Yet now they were horrified to realize that the power Lu Jun was unleashing had already reached the level of Advanced Magic.

After all, a Level 4 Intermediate Psychic Spell, combined with a soul-seed Fourth Realm spiritual force, and even his uniquely self-created Mental Palace, produced results that surpassed normal Intermediate levels.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

No matter what kind of Concentration Magic Tools they used, all of them were shattered one after another. Everyone fell into the labyrinth of the mind. Only those who practiced Mind or Curse Magic could barely stay rational and resist.

Even so, they were completely immobilized, unable to lift a finger.

The situation flipped dramatically in an instant.