Laws and Ripples

Life at the Ernst Institute for Lin Qin was like a clockwork mechanism, precise and regular.

Early in the morning, before the first rays of sunlight had pierced the mist, he had already completed his basic physical training and his first round of meditation. In the dormitory, Luo De was still snoring, while Keane and Karl remained deep in their dreams.

The morning was dedicated to magic theory or elemental guidance classes. Lin Qin always sat by the window, taking notes diligently with a focused gaze. His shortcoming of only having superior elemental affinity was not obvious in theory classes; instead, due to his powerful mental strength and concentration, his understanding of magic models was often deeper than many classmates with higher affinity. Occasionally, when an instructor asked a question, his answers were always concise and hit the mark.

At lunchtime, he still chose to eat quickly in a corner of the cafeteria. Sometimes he would run into Linley and his brothers; both sides would nod in greeting, and occasionally they would have a brief conversation. Linley would share some new insights on stone carving, while Lin Qin would mention techniques he had discovered while practicing basic magic. Their exchanges were simple and direct, yet they all revolved around the core theme of "growth."

In the afternoon, he appeared at the Warrior Division training ground without fail. Ever since their brief spar, Buck seemed to have adopted him as a semi-regular sparring partner. The two often practiced basic swordsmanship without using battle qi. Buck had great strength and fierce attacks, while Lin Qin had a solid foundation and precise counter-attacks. After a few sessions, Buck felt his control over his strength had improved, while Lin Qin gained more experience in dealing with different combat styles.

"Lin Qin, did you sneak in extra training? Why does it feel like your blocking force has become even heavier?" After one sparring session, Buck complained while rubbing his numb wrist.

"Swinging the sword every day, strength naturally grows." Lin Qin sheathed his sword and replied calmly. This was the truth; under the effect of his "Heaven Rewards Diligence," any form of effort would be converted into the most solid growth.

Buck clicked his tongue, having nothing to say. He considered himself hardworking, but compared to someone like Lin Qin, who seemed born for cultivation, he was still far behind.

Evening was Lin Qin's time for magic practice. He still chose that quiet forest behind the mountain. Earth Spike Spear, Earth Wall Technique, Earthquake Technique (a second-level area-of-effect earth magic)... He practiced over and over again, not pursuing maximum power, but the ultimate control. Through his repeated tempering, the Earth Spike Spear could now be cast almost silently and instantaneously, the Earth Wall Technique could be shaped into simple arcs or slopes at will, and the range of the Earthquake Technique's vibrations could be precisely controlled within a tiny area.

When his mental strength was exhausted, he would sit cross-legged on the spot to meditate. When his magic power was drained, he would circulate his Earth Battle Qi. He cycled back and forth until the night grew deep.

When he returned to the dormitory, it was often late at night. Luo De and the others were either reading or chatting. Seeing Lin Qin return covered in dew or dust, they had already moved from initial surprise to habit.

"Back? Left some hot water for you." Keane would usually point to the bucket of hot water in the corner.

"Thanks." Lin Qin replied briefly, picking up his washbasin to freshen up.

Sometimes, if he returned earlier, he would join his roommates' late-night talks. He would listen to Luo De brag about who he had beaten in the Warrior Division that day, listen to Karl complain about the complexity of magic array courses, and listen to Keane whisper rumors he had heard about genius senior students. Most of the time, Lin Qin was a listener, occasionally interjecting a word or two, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

In one magic history class, the instructor spoke of several famous ascetic Saint Realm experts in the history of the Yulan Continent. They did not rely on bloodlines or miraculous encounters, but solely on astonishing perseverance and a persistent exploration of the laws, eventually stepping into the Saint Realm.

"Students, talent is certainly important, but the path to becoming a powerhouse is never just one. Extreme focus and persistent effort can also create miracles." The instructor's words were profound.

Lin Qin sat in the audience, his eyes flickering. He seemed to see the possibility of this path, making his own choice even firmer.

Another day, while training at the Warrior Division, he heard several senior students discussing their experiences in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

"...That pack of Wind Wolves was too tricky, their speed was too fast. If it weren't for my shield being tough enough..."

"I heard there are even more terrifying ones deep inside, some that can even cast innate magic..."

Lin Qin listened silently, keeping this information in his heart. The Magic Beast Mountain Range was a place he would definitely go to in the future.

Days passed one by one. Lin Qin's strength, under the massive amount of "effort" that others could not imagine, was steadily and firmly improving. His battle qi became increasingly thick, his insights into the laws of the earth slowly accumulated through countless sword swings and spell castings, and his magic control developed in a more refined direction.

He remained low-profile. In the Ernst Institute, where geniuses gathered, a student with superior elemental affinity who practiced hard every day was not eye-catching. Only a few people who had contact with him, such as Instructor Matt, Buck, and his roommates, could vaguely sense the potential hidden within this silent youth—a potential as heavy and profound as the earth itself.