After Dan Feng and Roxy obtained five hundred gold coins, several more months passed uneventfully.
Now, only a short month remained until the Armoured Dragon Calendar year 400.
At this time, the Ranoa Kingdom was once again blanketed in heavy snowfall; pure white snow could be seen everywhere.
These months of accumulation had raised Dan Feng's progress bar to forty-nine percent.
Afterward, no matter how much Dan Feng read or comprehended, it no longer increased.
This also confirmed Dan Feng's guess: the current progress bar required completing something specific to break through, just like how in Star Rail, character level caps need to be broken.
So from then on, Dan Feng focused exclusively on mastering spear techniques, and he became increasingly proficient with spear arts.
The High Elder 'Dan Feng' observed Dan Feng's spear skills and noted that while he still couldn't beat him, Dan Feng could now start learning other weapons to achieve mastery in all martial arts.
But Dan Feng expressed his desire to fully master spear techniques first before moving on to other things. The High Elder 'Dan Feng' had no choice but to continue teaching him spear arts.
And today, on this special day designated by the principal for an announcement, word had spread that something extremely important would be shared with all students of Ranoa Magic University.
"Dan Feng, look—even though it's been snowing these past few days, it doesn't feel particularly cold outside," Roxy said while extending her fair, jade-like little hand to catch a falling snowflake.
The snowflake melted quickly in her palm, yet Roxy felt no chill at all.
"After all, winter has just begun, so snowfall is normal and naturally doesn't feel cold," Dan Feng explained to Roxy. At the same time, he too extended his hand to catch a snowflake, just like her.
Since even Roxy didn't feel cold, Dan Feng naturally wouldn't either.
"But we should hurry. The principal is going to speak today." Roxy suddenly remembered this and quickly grabbed Dan Feng's hand, walking briskly toward the place where the principal would address them.
"Yeah, I figure the principal might be preparing to retire and have the vice principal take over the position," Dan Feng murmured thoughtfully as they walked.
Today, the principal had personally insisted that every student of Ranoa Magic University attend, even dragging out many senior students who were busy with experiments.
For example, the creator of the Thundercloud Accumulation paper, Jinas.
At this moment, the sports field was packed with people; looking out, it was a sea of heads.
But Dan Feng and Roxy didn't have to squeeze inside, as special students had positions right at the edge.
Once all the students were in place, the principal of Ranoa Magic University slowly ascended the podium, using his staff as a cane.
Dan Feng immediately noticed that the principal on stage looked unwell, appearing frail.
Yet after glancing at all the students below, he instantly broke into a smile as radiant as the sun.
"It's rare to see even the experiment-focused students here. It seems everyone has more or less guessed what I'm about to do." Though the principal's voice was soft, it clearly reached every ear.
This was likely due to some magical tool that allowed his voice to transmit so clearly to every corner.
"That's right, as you all suspected, I am about to resign from my position as principal of Ranoa Magic University." His words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up waves.
The moment he spoke, the students below erupted in shock, with surprised voices rising one after another.
When the principal had first sent out the message, students had already been privately speculating about what he would say.
Some thought he might announce major reforms, others believed he would adjust school management, and some suspected he might resign.
It turned out some had guessed correctly.
"Of course, this is mainly due to my age and health." The principal continued, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness and fatigue.
"My age no longer suits me for such an important role, and my health has been declining day by day. So now, I only wish to hand over the heavy responsibility of Ranoa Magic University's principal to someone else." As he spoke, the principal's gaze slowly turned to the vice principal standing behind him, as if signaling something.
The vice principal was already an old man himself; even if he took over, he wouldn't last many years before another change.
"Therefore, from now on, the vice principal will serve as the principal of Ranoa Magic University, while I will take on an advisory role." The principal's tone held a sense of relief—it was truly because of his body and age; otherwise, he wouldn't resign.
"Also, the semester's magic test is coming soon. Everyone should continue studying what needs to be studied—even those learning swordsmanship shouldn't neglect magic." The principal had shed his usual sternness, his tone now warmer and more humane.
This principal had devoted half his life here, so naturally, he felt immense reluctance upon resigning.
"Roxy, it seems we'll have to participate in this magic test too. It'll be a perfect chance to demonstrate chantless magic skills in front of everyone."
"Huh? Show chantless magic?" Roxy asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, but we'll save publishing papers and such for after graduation. During the test, we'll first reveal that we can use chantless magic." Dan Feng said slowly. His goal was to showcase it to some students first, sparking their curiosity about chantless techniques.
By then, chantless magic would likely be hyped up as something miraculous.
"Got it." Roxy nodded seriously in response to Dan Feng.
Next, the principal spoke at length to the students of Ranoa Magic University.
Finally, with a serious expression, he said: "I hope everyone can always stay true to their path as mages. May your roads be illuminated by magic. That concludes my speech."
Afterward, the principal slowly descended from the podium, and the vice principal began speaking.
He mentioned that he was also getting old and wouldn't last long in the role, then introduced the new vice principal.
The new vice principal was a middle-aged man around forty, a Saint-class fire magician.
With that, today's school-wide assembly came to an end.
"Dan Feng, that new vice principal doesn't look like a good person," Roxy whispered to Dan Feng.
"Hm? Why do you say that?" Dan Feng looked at Roxy in confusion.
"His gaze feels really unpleasant." Roxy had just been glanced at by the new vice principal, and it made her uncomfortable, as if a creep had stared at her.