Apprenticeship

Lin Tian's outstanding talent displayed during the magic assessment was like a brilliant star, illuminating the entire imperial palace.

On the evening of the magic assessment, the imperial palace was adorned with lanterns and decorations as a grand banquet was held to celebrate Lin Tian's astonishing magical talent. Fine wine and delicacies filled table after table, their rich fragrances mingling and permeating the entire banquet hall.

The Leo Emperor raised his wine cup high, his face beaming with pride as he proclaimed to everyone present, "Today, my son Lin Tian demonstrated exceptional talent in the magic assessment. This is not only his supreme personal honor, but also the honor of our Leo Empire! Let us raise our cups together and wish Lin Tian smooth sailing on his future path of cultivation, that he may become a pillar of the empire!"

Everyone raised their cups and cheered in unison, "May the Third Prince cultivate smoothly, and may the empire prosper!" Their voices resounded through the skies, as though they would burst through the palace dome.

After the banquet ended, Lin Tian returned to his chambers. He lay quietly on his bed, watching the bright moonlight stream through the window lattice and spill across it, his thoughts tangled like a mess of threads. He understood that although he possessed outstanding magical talent, Fire Super Grade affinity, and Spirit Super Grade, having talent only in the laws of fire meant he was destined to be unable to follow Lin Lei's path and become a Hongmeng Controller. His greatest future achievement might only be becoming a Fire Sovereign, or perhaps he could at most reach the Paragon realm. This left him somewhat conflicted. What profound mysteries of fire are there again? I only remember Fire Element, Firebody Technique, and Explosive Flame. Those definitely exist. What else was there? There should be one related to the soul. What were the rest? I can't remember. He muttered as he pulled the blanket over his head and tossed and turned in bed. Forget it, I won't think about it anymore. Father and Mother told me to see them tomorrow morning. They're probably going to discuss choosing a school with me. Time to sleep. In the end, burdened by conflict and exhaustion, he fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, sunlight softly streamed through the window and fell upon Lin Tian's face. He slowly woke up, washed up simply, then headed for his father's chambers. When he entered the dining room, his father Hubble Leo, mother Nicole Rossi, older brother Mickey Leo, and older sister Fanny Leo were already seated at the table.

The table was covered with all kinds of exquisite breakfast foods: golden, crisp toasted bread, fried eggs giving off an enticing aroma, and fresh, juicy fruit. However, Lin Tian's mind was not on the food at all.

The Leo Emperor looked at Lin Tian, his eyes full of affection and expectation, and was the first to speak. "Lin Tian, yesterday you displayed exceptional magical talent during the assessment. It is time for you to receive a more systematic magical education. Your mother and I discussed it, and we want you to attend the Royal Magic Academy with your brother and sister. There, you will receive abundant and systematic instruction, along with guidance from many outstanding teachers. It will greatly help your growth."

Lin Tian frowned slightly, set down his utensils, and said seriously, "Father, Mother, I understand what you mean, but I have thought about it carefully. I do not want to attend a magic academy. I feel that in an academy, I might be bound by too many rules, and my learning pace would also follow a unified arrangement. I want to devote more energy to cultivation and explore the mysteries of magic at my own pace."

Nicole Rossi's brows knitted slightly, worry appearing on her face. "Lin Tian, a magic academy has a complete educational system that can lay a solid foundation for you."

Lin Tian looked at his mother resolutely. "Mother, I understand your concerns. But I have confidence in my talent and abilities. Moreover, I have read many magic books in the Library Pavilion and gained some understanding of magical cultivation. I believe I can plan my own path of cultivation."

Mickey Leo also tried to persuade him from the side. "Little brother, there are many people your age at the magic academy. You can make like-minded friends, study and improve together. Wouldn't that be better?"

Lin Tian smiled and shook his head. "Brother, I know you mean well. But I would rather focus on cultivation without too much outside interference."

Fanny Leo said gently, "Little brother, the academy also has plenty of practical activities and opportunities for exchange. They would be very helpful in broadening your horizons."

Lin Tian gave his sister a grateful look. "Sister, I understand that those activities have their benefits. But right now, I want to devote myself fully to an in-depth study of magic. I believe that once I have a certain level of strength, none of those things will matter much."

The Leo Emperor looked at Lin Tian's determined eyes and thought to himself, Although this child is young, he has a clear plan for his future and a firm will. Perhaps we should respect his choice. He then slowly said, "Since your mind is made up, we cannot force you. But if you cultivate alone, we will always be worried. Let us speak with your grandfather and see whether there is a better solution."

Afterward, the Leo Emperor and Nicole Rossi went to the place where Porter Leo lived outside the city. After Porter Leo broke through to the Saint Domain, he moved to a mountain beyond the city, where cultivation was more convenient. He was seated in his study, reading an ancient tome. Seeing his son and daughter-in-law enter, he raised his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Why have you two come? Did something happen?"

The Leo Emperor explained in detail Lin Tian's outstanding performance during the magic assessment, as well as his desire not to attend a magic academy and to cultivate on his own. Upon hearing this, the old emperor revealed a gratified smile. "I never expected my grandson to possess such exceptional talent. This is truly a blessing for our Leo Family! His desire not to attend a magic academy and instead cultivate on his own may be somewhat bold, but it also shows that he has unique insights into his path of cultivation."

The Leo Emperor looked worried. "Father, we are concerned that he may encounter difficulties cultivating alone. After all, he is still young and cannot consider everything thoroughly. Do you have any way for him to cultivate according to his wishes while still receiving professional guidance?"

The old emperor pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I have an old friend, Laun, a Fire Saint Magus. His attainments in fire magic are extremely profound, and he is exceptionally kind. He also does not adhere rigidly to traditional teaching methods. If we can ask him to guide Lin Tian, it may be a good choice."

Hope immediately flashed in the eyes of the Leo Emperor and Nicole Rossi. The Leo Emperor said, "Yes, Father. Then we will have to trouble you to contact Fire Saint Magus Laun and see whether he is willing to guide Lin Tian."

The old emperor nodded. "All right. I will take Lin Tian to see him at once. Given our many years of friendship, coupled with Lin Tian's exceptional talent, I believe he will agree."

Soon afterward, the old emperor immediately took Lin Tian to Laun's residence. Carried through the sky by him, Lin Tian experienced a sensation completely different from flying in an airplane, strengthening his resolve to cultivate.

They soon arrived at Master Porter's residence, a Magic Tower beside a volcano. Lin Tian felt a scorching aura unlike that of the imperial capital wash over him and could not help but marvel, "As expected of a Fire Saint Magus. Even his residence is filled with the aura of flames." Laun wore a long red magic robe embroidered with golden flame patterns along its hem. His black hair cascaded over his shoulders like a waterfall, and his face was kindly, though his eyes held wisdom and depth. He did not possess the slightest bit of the fiery temper one might expect from someone cultivating the laws of fire.

After learning of their purpose, Laun was very satisfied with Lin Tian's talent and agreed to teach him. Since Lin Tian was still young, Laun returned with Lin Tian and the old emperor to Blazing Flame City, settling outside the city as Porter's neighbor so that Lin Tian could conveniently seek his guidance in the future.