Laws and Ripples

Life at the Ernst Institute was like a wound-up clock to Lin Qin: precise and orderly.

At dawn, before the first rays of sunlight had pierced the mist, he had already finished his basic physical training and first meditation session. In the dormitory, Luo De was still snoring, while Keane and Carl were lost in their dreams.

The morning was devoted to magic theory or elemental guidance. Lin Qin always sat by the window, taking careful notes with a focused gaze. His weakness in elemental affinity was not especially apparent in theory class. In fact, thanks to his powerful mental strength and concentration, he often understood magic models more deeply than many classmates with greater affinity. When instructors occasionally called on him, his answers were always concise and to the point.

At lunchtime, he still chose a corner of the cafeteria and ate quickly. Sometimes he ran into Linley and his brothers. They would nod to one another and occasionally exchange a few words. Linley shared some new insights he had gained from stone carving, while Lin Qin mentioned a technique he had discovered while practicing a basic spell. Their conversations were simple and direct, but both revolved around the same core idea: growth.

In the afternoon, he appeared without fail at the Warrior Division training grounds. Ever since their brief sparring match, Barker seemed to have taken him on as a part-time training partner. The two often practiced a few basic sword techniques without using Battle Qi. Barker was strong and attacked fiercely; Lin Qin had solid fundamentals and was precise in his counterattacks. After a few sessions, Barker felt he had gained better control over his strength, while Lin Qin had gained more experience dealing with different fighting styles.

"Lin Qin, have you been sneaking in extra training? Why does your guard feel even heavier?" Barker grumbled after one sparring session, rubbing his numb wrist.

"I swing my sword every day. Naturally, my strength grows." Lin Qin sheathed his sword and replied calmly. It was the truth. Under the effects of Heaven Rewards Diligence, every kind of effort was converted into solid growth.

Barker smacked his lips, at a loss for words. He considered himself hardworking, but compared with Lin Qin, who seemed born to cultivate, he still fell far short.

In the evening, Lin Qin devoted himself to practical magic. He still chose the quiet woods behind the mountain. Earth Spike Spear, Earth Wall Technique, Earthquake Technique—an Earth Element area spell of the second rank—he practiced them over and over. He did not seek to maximize their power, but to bring his control to perfection. Through repeated refinement, he could now cast Earth Spike Spear almost silently and instantly, reshape Earth Wall Technique into simple curves or slanted surfaces at will, and precisely confine the tremors of Earthquake Technique to a tiny area.

When his mental strength was exhausted, he sat down where he was and meditated. When his magic power ran dry, he circulated his Earth Battle Qi. He repeated the cycle until night had grown deep.

By the time he returned to the dormitory, it was often late at night. Luo De and the others would either be reading or chatting. They had gone from being surprised at first to taking it for granted when Lin Qin returned covered in dew or dust.

"Back already? I left you some hot water." Keane usually pointed to the bucket of hot water in the corner.

"Thanks." Lin Qin replied briefly, picked up his washbasin, and went to wash up.

Sometimes, if he returned a little earlier, he would join his roommates' late-night conversations. He listened to Luo De boast about whom he had beaten at the Warrior Division that day, Carl complain about how complicated the magic array course was, and Keane quietly recount rumors he had heard about gifted upperclassmen. Lin Qin mostly listened, occasionally adding a comment or two. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.

During a magic history class, the instructor spoke about several famous ascetics who had reached the Saint Realm throughout the history of the Yulan Continent. They had relied neither on bloodlines nor on lucky encounters. Through astonishing perseverance and a relentless pursuit of the laws, they had ultimately entered the Saint Realm.

"Class, talent is certainly important, but there is never only one road to becoming strong. The utmost focus and sustained effort can create miracles just as well." The instructor's words were full of meaning.

Seated below, Lin Qin's eyes shifted slightly. He seemed to glimpse the possibility of following that path, and his resolve grew firmer.

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

"...Those Wind Wolf packs are such a pain. They're too fast. If my shield hadn't been tough enough..."

"I hear there are even stronger beasts deeper in, and some can even use innate magic..."

Lin Qin listened quietly and committed the information to memory. The Magic Beast Mountain Range was a place he would inevitably visit in the future.

Day after day passed. Beneath an unimaginable amount of "effort," Lin Qin's strength rose steadily and surely. His Battle Qi grew ever more vigorous, his understanding of the Laws of the Earth slowly accumulated through countless sword swings and spells, and his magical control became increasingly precise.

He remained unknown. At the Ernst Institute, where geniuses were everywhere, a student with upper-grade elemental affinity who cultivated tirelessly each day was hardly noteworthy. Only the few who had interacted with him—like Instructor Matt, Barker, and his roommates—could vaguely sense the potential within this quiet youth: a deep, weighty force, as solid as the earth itself.