Future Plans

After trying to make the clone perform a few simple actions, Lynn controlled the Origin Bead and checked the Talent Clone's specific information.

[Talent Clone (1): Unnamed]

[Life Level: Ordinary Life]

[Race: Ordinary Human (Coiling Dragon World)]

[Talent: Fallen Genius (White Talent)]

"Just an ordinary life? Is that because it was only just created and has no magic or Dou Qi in its body? So it seems... at least for now, the clones created by the Origin Bead don't share my cultivation."

"And since talents can't be shared, the clone didn't inherit my own supreme affinity for the Fire Element, either."

Lynn quickly scanned the clone's status panel and soon noticed the problem. His brows furrowed.

"The white talent, Fallen Genius, doesn't provide elemental affinity. Does that mean this clone of mine is useless?" The possibility crossed his mind, and worry showed on his face.

As if sensing Lynn's concern, the Origin Bead in his sea of consciousness suddenly spun. A line of fresh golden text appeared before him.

(After equipping the white talent [Fallen Genius], regardless of which element is chosen, the user will possess an exceptionally high talent for cultivating that element before reaching Saint Domain. This includes, but is not limited to, divine-level elemental affinity, extraordinary comprehension, a body naturally suited to Dou Qi, and the automatic accumulation of magic...)

Hiss~ Lynn admitted he'd spoken too soon.

Lynn's face instantly lit up with delight. Looking at the still-unnamed Talent Clone, he found himself liking it more and more. His gaze fell on its talent, and he seemed to glimpse the shadow of an old acquaintance.

"As expected of a talent handpicked by Lucky Brother. It's amazing!"

"Fallen Genius... In that case, this clone will introduce himself as Xiao Yan from now on." (The clone could change its soul and appearance.)

Lynn casually gave the clone a name, then had the Talent Clone do some simple exercises, quickly familiarizing himself with how to control it.

Time passed, and before he knew it, the night was over.

The morning sun rose, and a streak of rosy light shone through the window into Lynn's room. Inside, Lynn and Xiao Yan stood facing each other. Almost simultaneously, two different voices rang out.

"Hello, I'm Lynn."

"Hello, kid. I'm Xiao Yan."

As their voices rang out one after the other, smiles appeared on both Lynn's and Xiao Yan's faces.

After a whole night of trying, Lynn had finally learned to multitask, controlling his original body and the clone at the same time.

...The magic academies of the Coiling Dragon World were different from the universities on Blue Star, where Lynn had lived in his previous life. Their academic year lasted a full year, not half of one.

Take the Imperial Capital Magic Academy, for example. Recruitment took place every February, and classes officially began at the end of the month. Students then embarked on a ten-month course of study. The other magic and warrior academies followed roughly the same schedule.

Magic aptitude tests were therefore divided into winter and spring tests. The spring tests took place in February and were generally for nobles and commoners in the central region of the Roland Empire. Since they lived close to the capital, they could apply to the major magic academies immediately after testing.

The other option was the winter test Lynn had taken, held in November. Afterward, applicants had three months to register.

Generally, nobles and commoners in the borderlands of the Roland Empire took the winter test. That way, if they were confirmed to have the aptitude to become mages, they had plenty of time to travel to the capital and apply to a magic academy.

Lucas Province, where Lynn lived, lay in the northern reaches of the Roland Empire, near the border. To reach the capital, they would have to cross at least three provinces—equivalent to traveling across an ordinary kingdom on the Azeron Continent. The journey would take at least half a month.

"After the New Year, we'll set off for the capital. If we wait any longer, we might miss the registration deadline for the Imperial Capital Magic Academy," Leo told Lynn over breakfast.

"I'll listen to you, Father." Lynn bit into a piece of black bread and replied indistinctly. Just as he was nearly finished, while Leo and Irina weren't looking, he snatched the last piece of black bread from the plate.

With a "bang," Lynn pushed open the door to his little room, then quickly shut it behind him. He strode forward and casually tossed the bread he'd swiped to Xiao Yan, who was training.

"I'm such a damn idiot... The clone has to eat, too. I completely forgot about that and nearly starved myself to death!" Watching Xiao Yan eat, Lynn looked a little annoyed.

[Talent Clone: Xiao Yan]

[Life Level: Transcendent Life]

[Strength: Level One Warrior (Physical)]

"But now that I think about it, this white talent is a little beyond my expectations. Xiao Yan has only been using the most basic Qi Cultivation Method, yet his physical strength broke through to Level One Warrior in just three days."

"There are still two months until the New Year. With Xiao Yan's talent, he's all but certain to reach Level Two Warrior before I leave. Reaching Level Three Warrior isn't impossible, either. When the time comes, I can leave him on some mountain where wild beasts roam. With the strength of a Level Three Warrior, he'll have no trouble hunting and surviving."

Watching his clone eat, Lynn thought to himself that, for his original body's safety, he'd have to make the clone suffer.

It wasn't that Lynn hadn't considered keeping the clone by his side. But compared to the sparsely populated Blackstone Town, the capital he was about to visit was the Roland Empire's political and economic center. Countless powerful people gathered there. Advanced Warriors were everywhere, and Saint Domain experts showed up from time to time.

What if some powerful person with nothing better to do discovered the connection between Lynn and Xiao Yan? A little fellow who hadn't even reached Saint Domain had a clone, something only gods were supposed to possess. Surely no powerful person in the Coiling Dragon World would fail to be curious.

In fact, these past few days, Lynn had been a little scared, regretting that he'd created a Talent Clone as soon as he obtained the Origin Bead. What if some bored god had happened to be watching with divine sense at that moment? Lynn would practically have delivered himself to them.

"I have to be careful, careful, and even more careful from now on. The first time can be excused, but if I create another Talent Clone in the future, I have to make sure no one else is around!" Lynn thought, still shaken.

"Once Xiao Yan reaches Level Three Warrior, I have to send him away from Blackstone Town immediately. From then on, as far as outsiders are concerned, Xiao Yan is Xiao Yan and Lynn is Lynn. Even if we reach Saint Domain or become gods, we can't let anything slip."

With that in mind, Lynn began a grueling cultivation regimen the very next day.

He cut his sleep to six hours a day and trained both his original body and his clone. In the mornings, he practiced as a warrior; after lunch, he began meditating to accumulate magic and train his mental strength.

He didn't go to bed until his soul began to ache.

Lynn's days were incredibly busy, but that was exactly why his progress during this time was almost visible to the naked eye. It was no exaggeration to call it a transformation.

His unrelenting daily effort and the gradual accumulation of small gains also changed his bearing. His lively eyes were now filled with determination.

He was like a sword polished to perfection, its keen edge on full display.