As the new semester began, the Ernst Institute returned to its usual rhythm. Lin Qin's routine stayed much the same, though he visited the library a little more often.
One afternoon, while looking for materials in the "Magic Array Basics" section, he ran into Aileen again. She was frowning at a book called Analysis of Energy Nodes in Water Element Magic Arrays, apparently stumped by a difficult problem.
Lin Qin walked over and took the empty seat beside her. Aileen looked up, saw who it was, and smiled naturally.
"Having trouble?"
"Mm." Aileen pointed to a complex energy circuit in the book. "I can't figure out this node transition. The magic power always seems to get stuck when it flows through here."
Lin Qin studied the diagram. He wasn't deeply versed in magic array research, but he had an extraordinary understanding of energy flow and structural stability, built on countless hours of practicing magic and controlling Battle Qi.
He picked up a sheet of scrap paper and a pen, then sketched a few simple diagrams. "Try thinking of this spot as a pivot point for channeling Battle Qi. The force doesn't go straight through. It builds up first, then turns at this angle..." He explained it by comparing it to the way of channeling force he knew best.
Aileen listened intently, her eyes gradually lighting up. "I get it! It's the way the flow is guided! Thank you, Lin Qin." Her voice held genuine gratitude and a trace of admiration. She had noticed that though Lin Qin didn't say much, he often looked at problems from an unusual angle and got straight to the heart of them.
"You're welcome." Lin Qin put down the pen. They fell silent, but the quiet between them wasn't awkward.
Aileen hesitated, then asked softly, "I heard you took some mercenary jobs over the break?"
"Mm. A few simple ones."
"Were they dangerous?" There was a faint note of concern in Aileen's voice.
Lin Qin remembered the wound at his side, long since healed, and answered calmly, "It was all right. I ran into a little trouble, but I dealt with it." He paused, then added, "I gained some experience."
Aileen looked at his calm face and could imagine that the "little trouble" had been anything but simple. She said quietly, "Still, you should be careful. My father says the world outside isn't like the Institute."
"I know." Lin Qin nodded. Looking into Aileen's clear eyes, he added something more than usual: "You too. Don't push yourself too hard when you train, and remember to rest."
Hearing that from someone as obsessed with training as he was seemed a little out of place. Aileen froze for a moment, then blushed slightly and murmured, "Mm."
They talked a little more about controlling magic. Lin Qin realized that Aileen had a real talent for Water Element magic, especially precise control, and some of her ideas gave him food for thought as well.
By the time they left the library, it was late. They walked side by side toward the dormitory area, the streetlights stretching their shadows along the path.
"Lin Qin," Aileen said, stopping near the fork in the road and looking at him. "In the future... if I run into a problem with magic, could I ask you about it?"
"Sure," Lin Qin replied.
"Then... good night."
"Good night."
Lin Qin watched Aileen head toward the women's dormitory area. He didn't turn away until she disappeared around the corner. He felt calm, but not bad. Aileen was pleasant to talk to: smart, hardworking, and... not a bother.
When he got back to the dorm, Luo De immediately sidled up to him, waggling his eyebrows. "So, I saw you coming back from the library with Aileen?"
Lin Qin pushed his face away. "We were discussing magic."
"Really? Just discussing magic?" Luo De didn't believe him.
"What else?" Lin Qin retorted, starting to gather the things he'd need for training the next day.
Seeing how matter-of-fact Lin Qin was, Luo De lost interest and muttered, "Talking to you is no fun."
Lin Qin ignored him.
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