Conversation in the Library

The new semester began, and the Ernst Institute returned to its usual rhythm. Lin Qin's life remained disciplined, though he found himself visiting the library a bit more often.

That afternoon, while searching for materials in the "Fundamentals of Magic Arrays" section of the library, he ran into Aileen again. She was frowning at a copy of Analysis of Energy Nodes in Water-Element Magic Arrays, seemingly stuck on a difficult problem.

Lin Qin walked over and sat in the empty seat next to her. Aileen looked up, and upon seeing it was him, a natural smile appeared on her face.

"Running into trouble?" Lin Qin asked.

"Yeah," Aileen pointed to a complex energy circuit in the book. "I can't seem to figure out this node conversion. The mana flow always gets sluggish right here."

Lin Qin looked at the diagram. He didn't have deep research into magic arrays, but he possessed an extraordinary understanding of energy flow and structural stability, a foundation built from thousands of hours of practicing magic and battle aura control.

He picked up a piece of scrap paper and a pen from the side, quickly sketching a few diagrams. "You could try looking at this as a fulcrum for battle aura exertion. The power shouldn't rush straight through; it needs to accumulate first, then pivot through this angle..." He used the method of force exertion he was most familiar with to draw an analogy.

Aileen listened intently, her eyes gradually brightening. "I understand! It's a problem with the guidance method! Thank you, Lin Qin." Her tone carried sincere gratitude and a hint of admiration. She realized that although Lin Qin didn't say much, his perspective on problems was often unique and went straight to the core.

"You're welcome." Lin Qin put away the pen. Silence fell between them, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward.

Aileen hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "I heard you went on mercenary missions during the break?"

"Yeah, I took a few simple ones."

"Was it dangerous?" Aileen's tone carried a trace of imperceptible concern.

Lin Qin thought of the scar on his waist that had long since healed and said calmly, "It was alright. Ran into a little trouble, but I solved it." He paused and added, "Gained some experience."

Aileen looked at his calm face and could imagine that the "little trouble" was anything but simple. She whispered, "Still, be careful. My father said the outside world isn't like the institute."

"I know." Lin Qin nodded. He looked into Aileen's clear eyes and, for once, said a little more, "You too. Don't push yourself too hard with your cultivation; remember to rest."

Coming from a cultivation fanatic like him, the words sounded a bit abrupt. Aileen was stunned for a moment, then her face flushed slightly as she gave a soft "Mm."

The two chatted a bit more about magic control. Lin Qin discovered that Aileen was very talented in water-element magic, especially skilled in precise manipulation, and some of her ideas were enlightening to him as well.

When they left the library, it was already late. The two walked side by side on the path back to the dormitory area, the streetlights stretching their shadows long.

"Lin Qin," Aileen stopped near the fork in the road and looked at him, "in the future... if I run into problems with magic, can I come ask you again?"

"Sure." Lin Qin replied.

"Then... goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Lin Qin watched Aileen's back as she walked toward the female dormitory area until she disappeared around the corner, then he turned to leave. His mood was calm, but it didn't feel bad. Aileen was a good person to talk to—smart, hardworking, and... she didn't make things feel troublesome.

He returned to the dormitory, and Luo De immediately crowded over, winking and nudging him, "Saw you and Aileen coming back from the library together, huh?"

Lin Qin pushed his face away, "Discussing magic problems."

"Really just discussing problems?" Luo De didn't believe him.

"What else would it be?" Lin Qin countered, starting to organize the items he would need for tomorrow's cultivation.

Seeing him so matter-of-fact, Luo De felt bored and muttered, "Talking to a guy like you is so dull."

Lin Qin ignored him.