[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware-":3,"chapter-just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Just Became a Mage, and My Skills Got Self-Aware? What the Hell?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2356635,4610,"Chapter 25: First Strike Principle","just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>\"Zhang Chao? Who the hell is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master, Zhang Chao is the First Company Commander under Commander Zhao Lei, and also Zhao Lei’s most trusted confidant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongyu spoke, her gaze fixed on the middle-aged man striding toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo nodded in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, his status here is roughly equivalent to Ye Hongyu’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Zhang Chao arrived with two aides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was lean, with sunken eyes, giving off a sinister aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ye Team, long time no see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao greeted with a cold, forced smile, \"Last time we met was half a year ago, wasn’t it? You still look as sharp as ever, Ye Team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Zhang Chao’s pleasantries, Ye Hongyu didn’t even lift her eyelids, her voice icy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get to the point. You know a monster tide is about to hit here—I have no time to chat with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, Ye Team, still as fiery as ever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao wasn’t angered, but his gaze landed on Lin Mo behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of people behind Lin Mo were urgently setting up a temporary camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large, soft bed had been placed in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attending maids were arranging fruit platters and snacks on the nightstand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, a chef was testing a grill on-site, preparing an outdoor barbecue for the Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhang Chao’s eyelid twitched twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d seen people leveling up and wealthy second-generation heirs coming out for a taste of adventure—but he’d never seen anyone move their entire \"home\" right to the frontlines of a monster tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk tsk tsk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao turned his gaze back to Ye Hongyu and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This must be the Young Master of the Lin Commandant’s family? Indeed... quite the show.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true scion of a wealthy family—facing a battlefield like a monster tide, still living as if it’s a vacation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zhang Chao sneered inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What good are levels artificially stacked?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a pile of stats with no matching skills or combat experience—nothing but a super soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And worse, a blank-element mage with no elemental affinity—pure waste of resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Chao, if you’re not going to use your mouth, I’ll sew it shut for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongyu spoke coldly, a short knife appearing in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No no no, Ye Team, just joking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao raised both hands in surrender, \"I came here with serious business to discuss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spit it out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongyu said coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao’s smile faded slightly as he pointed toward the depths of the canyon:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By tradition, when facing large-scale monster tides, we usually join forces to clear them—maximizing efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this time is different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao glanced at Lin Mo, then pointed toward his own side:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Young Master is leveling up. Our Zhao Young Master is leveling up too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s only so much loot to go around. If we mix together, fights over monsters will inevitably break out—and then no one saves face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongyu frowned slightly: \"So?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I suggest we keep our paths strictly separate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao drew an invisible line:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Split along the canyon’s central axis. We handle the western defense zone—monsters there are ours. Your Lin family handles the east—monsters there are yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Each side claims what they earn, no interference.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the inevitable outdoor boss...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao’s eyes flashed with cunning as he added, \"Whoever finds it first and lands the first hit gets it. The other side must not interfere. Deal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongyu didn’t answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proposal sounded fair—arguably the most reasonable solution available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they didn’t divide the zones, the two forces would mix, and a fight over an elite monster could easily escalate into a full-blown standoff between the two armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the ownership of the BOSS followed the unwritten rule of the practitioner circles: the \"First Strike Principle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with the Young Master here, she had no authority to decide alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongyu turned to Lin Mo and asked: \"Young Master, what do you think of Zhang Chao’s proposal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo didn’t overthink it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proposal was perfectly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone plays their own game, BOSS goes to whoever earns it—no issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, makes sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo nodded, expression indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having received Lin Mo’s approval, Ye Hongyu turned back to Zhang Chao and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Young Master agrees. West is yours, east is ours. BOSS goes to whoever earns it. Now, you can leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Straight to the point!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao had achieved his goal and didn’t care about Ye Hongyu’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cast one last glance at the grill being set up on Lin Mo’s side, and at the Young Master turning toward the bed, a wave of contempt rising in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Young Master  fed by servants—even at level 100, he’s still useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we won’t disturb the Lin Young Master’s leisure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao shook his head and turned, striding away with his aides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, in the Zhao family’s defense camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Lin Mo’s relaxed atmosphere, this place was grim and deadly, hundreds of soldiers standing at attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu sat on a chair, eyes closed, resting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vrrr—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His phone beside him vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu opened his eyes and answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A respectful voice came from the other end:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Zhao, it’s done. Xia Qingyue has accepted the three million and promised not to compete with you for the Top Graduate title in the upcoming exam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhao Yu’s lips curled into a sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hung up casually and tossed the phone aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A teammate beside Zhao Yu scoffed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She acted so high-and-mighty before—yet still took the money? Xia, the campus queen, is such an actress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu snorted, a look of disdain on his face: \"My dad’s always overdoing it—wasting money like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if Xia Qingyue leads her team through the Abyss Dungeon, so what? She’s just an A-rank Water Mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu’s face was full of irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his family wasn’t short on cash, he still felt like they’d been played for fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Abyss Dungeon—even at the same level and difficulty—varied greatly in actual challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, that so-called Abyss Dungeon had a very low actual difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how could an A-rank Water Mage possibly lead a team through it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just because she ranked first in theory and combat scores before her career transformation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculous. Career gaps can’t be bridged by a few scores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teammate immediately agreed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bet the dungeon was way too easy. In DPS, how could she compare to Zhao Young Master’s S-rank Flame Mage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhao Young Master’s Multi-Burst Fireballs can split into five—what a talent! No one in Jianghai City can match him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Giving her three million? Just throwing money at dogs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhang Chao strode back in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Zhao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao bowed slightly to Zhao Yu, \"I’ve settled things with the Lin family. West is ours, east is theirs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the boss, follow the first-strike rule—whoever lands the first hit gets it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu let out a light laugh and nodded. “By the way, how’s Lin Mo doing? What’s he up to now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of him, Zhang Chao sighed. “That Lin family’s Young Master… probably lying on his bed playing with his maid right now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bed?” Zhao Yu blinked. “Wait, he brought his bed here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Chao shook his head and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More than that—he brought his maid, his chef, even set up a barbecue grill. The way he’s acting, you’d think he’s on vacation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compared to your professional readiness, Young Master Zhao, the gap is enormous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhao Yu could respond, several teammates nearby burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does this Lin family’s eldest son have a mental defect? Why not just move his whole house here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does he really think high level alone lets him do whatever he wants? No skills, no combat experience—he’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s a rich heir—he values comfort above all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his teammates’ mockery, Zhao Yu could only shake his head helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disdain grew even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t say it that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yu said coolly, “Though he’s a blank mage, with his level advantage, he might still scrape into the city’s top ten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he said this, Zhao Yu couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, before his class transformation, he had always regarded Lin Mo as his greatest rival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, their families were evenly matched, and both their fathers were powerful city defense commanders. Since childhood, everyone compared them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Lin Mo may have seemed lazy, but whether in theoretical scores or combat performance, he kept pace with him—never falling behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Mo was completely ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was destined to enter a top-tier academy and rise to greatness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he transformed his class, they were no longer from the same world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they weren’t even on the same path, why bother treating him as a rival?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be an insult to his S-rank talent.\u003C\u002Fp>",1496,"2026-06-21T04:41:49.398Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","067dff94190e9e7b1dbd038d2d047b324b4b505675331e06878ff641abbab828","just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-26","just-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--chapter-24",374,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjust-became-a-mage-and-my-skills-got-self-aware--cover.jpg"]