The evening after the elite tournament ended, Lin Qin trained in the hills behind the academy. The minor internal injuries he'd sustained in his battle with Linley were no longer a concern, thanks to his formidable physique and the Battle Qi he kept circulating. He was focused on reviewing every detail of their fight.
"Your defense is strong, but you rely too much on facing your opponent head-on." A familiar voice came from behind him.
Lin Qin lowered his sword and turned. Linley was standing not far away, wearing a calm smile. Lin Qin hadn't noticed him arrive.
"Linley?" Lin Qin said, somewhat surprised.
Linley walked over and sat down quite naturally on a nearby rock. "That stone wall of yours yesterday took my Meteor Fall head-on and held out for so long. Impressive. But what if I'd targeted the ground beneath your feet or behind you instead of the wall?"
Lin Qin's gaze sharpened. He immediately understood what Linley meant. His defensive instincts really did focus on the front, leaving him poorly prepared for attacks from beneath or from blind spots. It was a matter of experience and how deeply he understood magic.
"You're right." Lin Qin readily admitted his shortcoming. He had no need for false modesty in front of Linley.
Linley smiled. "I only noticed the same problem after fighting other experts. Your fundamentals are more solid than anyone I've ever met. If you can address those details, you'll be even stronger."
The two of them began discussing the finer points of their battle. Linley shared some of his insights into using magic, especially how to create openings for a killing blow with compound spells. Lin Qin, in turn, talked about what he'd learned about controlling his strength and making split-second judgments.
One focused on the many forms magic could take, while the other excelled at building a solid foundation. Their conversation proved unexpectedly complementary.
"Speaking of which," Linley said, his tone growing more relaxed, "do you remember Wushan Town? You used to swing your sword on the training ground before sunrise every day. I thought you were a real oddball."
Lin Qin thought back to those days, the corner of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly. "You used to talk to your ring all the time. I thought you were a little strange, too."
They looked at each other and laughed. Memories of their childhood eased the distance created by the tournament's win and loss, and a bond based on their shared hometown and mutual respect quietly took shape.
"Maybe we can spar again sometime," Linley said, getting to his feet.
"Sure." Lin Qin nodded. Sparring with strong opponents was exactly what he needed.
After Linley left, Lin Qin continued practicing his sword strikes. But now he was thinking not only about his own strength, but also about the tactics Linley had mentioned. He incorporated those ideas into his training, working to improve his defensive stance and awareness of his surroundings.
A few days later, Lin Qin ran into Linley and his friends in the dining hall. Yale enthusiastically invited him to join them.
Over the meal, Yale talked loudly about his plans for after graduation, while Reynolds and George laughed and chimed in. Linley occasionally joined the conversation.
Lin Qin ate quietly. He could sense that Linley seemed weighed down by something, something far beyond his training at the academy. But he didn't pry. Everyone had secrets and burdens of their own.
"Lin Qin, what are you planning to do after graduation?" Linley suddenly asked.
"Keep training and get stronger." As always, Lin Qin's answer was brief and clear. "I might head deeper into the Magic Beast Mountain Range to gain experience."
Linley nodded, a faint glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "Get stronger... Yeah, I need to get stronger, too. I might leave the academy and travel somewhere."
He didn't say where, but Lin Qin could sense the determination behind his words.
"If you need help, you can come to me," Lin Qin said. His words were simple, but they carried weight. He respected Linley as a fellow townsman and a worthy rival, and he was willing to lend a hand when needed.
Linley paused. Seeing the calm sincerity in Lin Qin's eyes warmed his heart. He nodded solemnly. "All right."
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