"Hello, my name is Linley."
Looking at the young girl before him, Linley spoke gently.
"You're Linley?" Delia's eyes immediately lit up. "I heard you've already taken a Ninth-rank Mage as your teacher. Is that true?"
"Yes." Linley nodded. "My teacher has been rather busy lately, so he sent me to study at the institute."
Linley had told the lie so many times that it slipped out effortlessly, without the slightest embarrassment.
Besides, talking with Delia felt very comfortable.
Especially when she smiled—it made Linley feel as though he were seeing all the beauty in the world.
However, after only exchanging a few words with Delia, Linley sensed someone watching him.
When he turned around, he saw a stern-faced youth with short golden hair. He was about the same height as Reynolds and was staring directly at him.
Linley could even see a trace of hostility in the other boy's eyes.
Linley frowned. He did not remember ever meeting him.
So where had that hostility come from?
"Delia." Linley looked at Delia beside him. "Do you know that guy with the short golden hair behind us?"
Linley's tone was serious. Delia curiously turned around, and when she saw that it was her own brother, she stuck out her tongue.
"You don't know him?" Delia asked Linley curiously. "He's Dixie, the second greatest genius after you."
"He's Dixie?" Linley raised an eyebrow. "No wonder."
Ignoring the murderous look from her brother behind her, Delia tilted her head at Linley. "No wonder what?"
"He keeps looking at me with hostility." Linley shrugged. "I suppose he's unhappy that I took the title of greatest genius from him."
When speaking of the so-called title of greatest genius, Linley's tone remained indifferent, as though it were not an honor worth mentioning.
To be honest, Linley was already an Eighth-rank Mage in the middle stage. Competing with a group of low-rank mages for the title of greatest genius made even him feel as though he were bullying them.
However, Linley did not notice Delia's eyes brighten after hearing his words.
"So you don't find the title of greatest genius appealing?" Delia revealed her little canine teeth as she smiled. "As far as I know, Dixie cares about it a lot."
"If he likes it, I can just give it to him." Linley spoke casually. "Only one's own strength is real. Everything else is empty."
"Well said!" Delia nodded in agreement. "I'll relay those exact words to Dixie."
This time, it was Linley's turn to be surprised. "You know Dixie? I mean, the two of you know each other?"
"Of course." Delia wore a mischievous expression. "Let me introduce myself. Delia, Dixie's younger sister."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Delia's words made Linley cough awkwardly.
Judging someone so freely in front of his sister made Linley feel that, perhaps after his strength had improved, his mentality had become a little too inflated.
Before Linley could explain himself, however, someone entered the classroom and called out, "Everyone, quiet down!"
The man was handsome, with long golden hair draped over his shoulders and a smile on his face. "I am Trey, a sixth-year student. Starting today, I will be responsible for teaching you Wind Element magic."
Once Trey began speaking, Linley had no time to explain anything to Delia.
Although Linley had comprehended the Laws and Profound Mysteries of the Wind Element, he still did not know a single Wind Element spell.
Brother Lin Ke said that every spell is simplified from the Laws of its respective element. Linley watched Trey on the podium as he pondered inwardly. But for the past half year, I've been trying to simplify spells by comparing them to the Laws, yet I've never succeeded. Grandpa Doehring doesn't know Wind Element magic either. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so eager to come to the Ernst Magic Institute.
In fact, Lin Ke had long since listed complete collections of Wind Element, Earth Element, and Fire Element spells in the System Mall.
However, Linley still insisted on coming to the institute to study.
There was no other reason. Linley simply did not want to waste Energy Points on this.
Energy Points were not easy to obtain, and Linley did not want to squander them on such things.
Just as when Doehring had taught Linley in the past, Trey first gave a lengthy argument for why the Wind Element was the strongest form of magic.
Only then did he begin the first lesson: casting Wind Blade.
After Trey explained how to cast Wind Blade and described its characteristics, he allowed the students to practice freely.
After memorizing the incantation for Wind Blade, Linley waved his right hand. A green Wind Blade roughly twenty centimeters long condensed in front of him.
Although it's only a first-rank spell, it contains the Profound Mystery of Wind Element, the Profound Mystery of Wind Walking, the Mysteries of Fast, and the Profound Mystery of Dimension. Linley's eyes widened. Is this Fusion Profound Mysteries? How many Laws and Profound Mysteries must a Chief Sovereign fuse to accomplish this?
Linley immersed himself in his thoughts and insights regarding the Laws, failing to notice just how eye-catching it was for him to casually cast a Wind Blade.
In the back row, Dixie had been repeatedly trying to chant the incantation and cast Wind Blade.
Then, prompted by his deskmate, Dixie looked up and saw a Wind Blade already floating in front of Linley.
Among all the students in the classroom, Linley was the first to successfully cast Wind Blade.
Trey noticed this as well, and his eyes immediately lit up.
"Student Linley." Trey walked over to Linley. "Have you studied Wind Element magic before?"
"No." Hearing Trey's question, Linley waved his hand and dispersed the Wind Blade. "I had been studying Earth Element magic before this."
Linley was not lying this time.
After all, magic was magic, and Laws were Laws.
Although he understood the Wind Element Laws, he truly did not know how to cast Wind Element spells.
Upon hearing Linley's answer, Trey hurriedly said, "Next, I'll teach you the incantation for Wind Shield."
Although they were both first-rank spells, Wind Shield was more complicated than Wind Blade.
Even so, it was still child's play for Linley.
A shield made of green wind elemental essence appeared before Linley.
The fusion of the Profound Mystery of Wind Element and the Profound Mystery of Wind Space. Linley studied the Wind Shield before him. Earth Element magic is the same. The Profound Mystery of Earth Element participates in every spell. It seems that the elemental profound mystery of every element's Laws is the foundation of all foundations.
This time, everyone saw Linley casually cast Wind Shield.
For a moment, the classroom was filled with cries of surprise.
Watching this, Dixie clenched his fists.
Originally, Dixie had believed that he was the best of this year's students.
But Linley's appearance made Dixie realize just how far behind he was.
Linley's spiritual force was clearly only twice as strong as his, yet Linley's talent utterly surpassed his own.
I won't admit defeat. Dixie stared at Linley's back and silently swore, I'll definitely catch up to you—and even surpass you.
Naturally, Linley knew nothing of Dixie's silent vow.
The entire lesson had practically become Linley's personal showcase.
Trey wanted to see where Linley's limits lay.
Thus, after finishing the first-rank spells, Trey began teaching Linley second-rank spells.
Then came third-rank spells.
By the time the dismissal bell rang, Trey had already begun teaching Linley fourth-rank spells.
Although they were much more difficult than first-rank spells, they were still a piece of cake for Linley, an Eighth-rank Mage who had comprehended the Wind Element Laws.
"Linley." Trey looked at him seriously. "Don't waste your talent, and don't apply for graduation early. You may become the youngest seventh-rank mage in history."
Before you continue