Ernst Institute's annual entrance examination was a major event for the entire Fenlai Kingdom and even the Yulan Continent. The area outside the institute was packed with people. Young hopefuls from all over, along with their families, had gathered there, and the air was thick with tension and anticipation.
Linley and Lin Qin stood in the crowd, accompanied by Hillman and Hogg. Hogg's expression was as stern as ever.
Lin Qin, however, was much calmer. He wore clean, coarse-cloth clothes, and the broad sword on his back was carefully wrapped in strips of cloth. He looked over the renowned institute, its towering magical buildings and the dense magical elements in the air all attesting to its extraordinary nature.
"Next, Linley Baruch!" the examiner called.
Linley took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed his hand on the enormous magical Crystal Ball.
In an instant—
The light bursting from the Crystal Ball made everything around it seem dim. It was so pure, so dazzling, like the midday sun.
"Elemental affinity: Earth Element, Wind Element... superior! Spiritual force: eighteen times that of his peers, high!" The examiner's voice trembled with excitement.
The crowd erupted.
Superior! And superior in two elements! What did that mean? It meant a future Saint-level Magus, perhaps someone even stronger!
Hogg's body trembled slightly, his clenched fists so tight that his knuckles had turned white. He looked at his son, his eyes filled with pride and relief. The hope of the Baruch Clan rested on Linley.
Linley returned amid a chorus of astonished exclamations, his face flushed with excitement. He looked at Lin Qin, his eyes full of encouragement.
"Next, Lin Qin Baruch!" the examiner called, his voice much calmer now, as though he were still reeling from the shock Linley had caused.
Lin Qin stepped forward with steady strides. He placed his hand on the cool Crystal Ball.
The Crystal Ball lit up with an earthy yellow glow. The light was steady and gentle, far brighter than that of most of the previous examinees, but compared to Linley's sunlike radiance, it was no more than a candle flame.
"Elemental affinity: Earth Element, Wind Element, high," the examiner announced flatly. High affinity in two elements wasn't bad at Ernst Institute, but it was hardly outstanding.
Next came the spiritual force test.
The Crystal Ball lit up again, its radiance indicating the strength of Lin Qin's spiritual force.
"Spiritual force: nineteen times that of his peers, high." A trace of surprise crept into the examiner's voice.
High affinity in two elements and high spiritual force. It was an unusual combination. High spiritual force meant he had good potential as a mage, but only medium elemental affinity would limit the speed at which he could absorb magical elements, potentially restricting his future achievements.
The result prompted some quiet discussion. Compared to Linley's superior affinity in two elements, Lin Qin's performance could only be called decent.
Hogg looked at Lin Qin, his expression complicated.
Hillman, meanwhile, nodded to himself. Lin Qin's accomplishments hadn't come from nowhere.
"Lin Qin Baruch, accepted. Based on your test results, we recommend that you study in the Earth Element Magic Class. You may also train as a warrior at the same time." The examiner handed him an admissions badge.
Lin Qin took the badge without a change in expression, as though he'd expected this result all along. He returned to the group and nodded to Linley.
"Lin Qin, your spiritual force is high!" Linley said happily.
"Yeah. It's enough," Lin Qin replied calmly. He knew where his true foundation lay. Magic was merely a supplement, another path toward understanding the laws of the world. His true roots lay in the Battle Qi that circulated within him without pause, and in the sword he wielded tirelessly.
Ernst Institute would be his next place to "train diligently." Here, he would find more systematic knowledge, stronger opponents, and a wider world.
He looked at the ordinary badge in his hand and clenched his fist.
Here, no one would care what an ordinary student did day to day. That was exactly what he wanted.
His gaze passed over the noisy crowd and fixed on the depths of the institute. There, he would find all the time he needed, and countless mornings and evenings in which he could practice his sword.
His path had only just begun.
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