Linley's Romance

November, Yulan Calendar 9997.

The Ernst Institute had entered its busiest season of the year—end-of-term exams for all grades were beginning one after another, the library was packed every day, and even the number of people practicing in the back mountains had increased significantly.

Akes and Linley were already sixth-year students, Yale and George had advanced to the fifth year, and Reynolds remained stuck in the fourth year—a configuration that had held for nearly a year, with no one able to advance any further.

The threshold from the sixth rank to the seventh rank was truly not so easy to cross.

That afternoon, the five of them were practicing in the back mountains as usual. An hour later, just as Reynolds was preparing to get up and stretch, he suddenly saw someone walking toward them from a distance.

"Someone's coming," he said.

The group followed his gaze. A blonde girl was walking toward them; she looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old and was wearing a dress common in Fenlai City, clearly not a student of the institute.

Akes felt a stir in his heart.

At this time, in this place—was she here to find Linley?

Alice. Linley's first love in the original story. The girl who made his heart flutter, who made him give so much, and who ultimately broke his heart.

According to the timeline, it was indeed the right time.

"How did you find this place?" Linley asked.

"I asked the guards," Alice said. "They said you might be in the back mountains, so I came in to look for you."

Linley was silent for a moment, then looked at Akes and the others. "I'll be heading off first."

"Go, go," Yale waved his hand with a meaningful smile.

Linley and Alice left side by side.

Once the two were far away, Reynolds was the first to jump up. "Fourth brother is in love!"

"How do you know it's love?" George asked.

"Do you even have to ask? A girl coming all this way specifically to find him—if that's not love, what is?"

Yale stroked his chin. "I think so too. With fourth brother's personality, someone who can make him put aside his cultivation to meet them must be someone special."

Akes leaned against a rock, saying nothing.

He knew the ending of this relationship. But he also knew this was something Linley had to experience. As a brother, all he could do was stay by his side and be there when Linley needed him.

"Third brother, why aren't you saying anything?" Reynolds leaned in.

"It's nothing," Akes stood up. "Let's go, let's head back for dinner."

That night, Linley returned very late.

When he pushed the door open to enter the dormitory, Akes was leaning against his bed reading a book. Yale and George were playing chess next door, and Reynolds was already asleep.

"You're back?" Akes looked up.

"Yeah." Linley sat down on the edge of his bed.

The two were silent for a while.

"That girl..." Akes began.

"Alice," Linley said. "I saved her when I was adventuring in the Magical Beast Mountain Range last time, and we've been together since."

Akes nodded. "What is she like?"

Linley thought for a moment. "She's quite good."

It was only two words, but Akes caught a different nuance. Linley was a man of few words; for him to describe someone as "quite good" was already a rare compliment.

"Then treat her well," Akes said.

Linley glanced at him. "You don't seem surprised?"

"Surprised by what?"

"That someone came to find me."

Akes smiled. "You're not ugly, and your strength is formidable. Isn't it normal for someone to like you?"

The corners of Linley's mouth twitched, but he didn't speak.

Akes closed his book and lay down. "Get some sleep."

"Yeah."

In the days that followed, the frequency of Linley going to see Alice increased.

Sometimes it was on the weekend, and sometimes it was after evening practice. Akes and the others would occasionally see his retreating figure as he hurried off, but no one asked any questions.

On a weekend in early December, Linley appeared at the dormitory entrance with Alice.

"This is Alice," he introduced.

"This is Yale, George, Reynolds, and Akes."

Alice nodded at them, her smile very beautiful. She was wearing a light blue dress, her blonde hair draped over her shoulders, and her eyes were clear and bright.

"Hello," Akes was the first to greet her.

"Hello," Alice looked at him. "You must be Akes, right? Linley mentions you often."

"What did he say about me?"

"He said your cultivation is impressive, and you're a reliable person."

Akes chuckled, "It's rare for him to compliment anyone."

Yale leaned in, "What about me? Did he mention me?"

Alice thought for a moment, "He did. He said the bond in your dormitory is very strong."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Reynolds laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.

George chimed in to smooth things over, "Linley doesn't talk much. It's already quite something that he said that much."

The group chatted and laughed, the atmosphere very harmonious.

In the evening, the five of them, along with Alice, went to Wald to eat.

Linley ignored him.

During the meal, Alice chatted happily with everyone. She had a cheerful personality and a witty way of speaking, quickly hitting it off with Yale and the others. Akes didn't say much, but he would occasionally interject, keeping the mood light.

Halfway through the meal, Alice went to the restroom. Reynolds leaned over to Linley, "Fourth, this girl is great. You should seize the opportunity."

Linley glanced at him but didn't speak.

"Reynolds is right," George nodded, "She has a good personality and is pretty, too. You two are a good match."

Yale patted Linley on the shoulder, "Brother supports you."

Akes didn't say anything; he simply raised his glass and gestured toward Linley.

Linley raised his water glass and clinked it against his.

After Alice returned, the group continued to eat.

When the conversation turned to the future, Alice mentioned that she was also studying at the magic academy in Fenlai City, but her talent was average, and she was only at the third rank.

"Third rank is pretty good," Reynolds said, "I'm at the fourth rank, not much better than you."

"You're at the fourth rank?" Alice was surprised, "How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"That's very impressive."

Reynolds gave Yale a smug look.

Yale rolled his eyes, too lazy to acknowledge him.

After the meal, Linley walked Alice back. Akes and the others paid the bill and left, walking back toward the academy.

"That girl is nice," George said.

"Mm," Akes replied.

"Fourth is serious this time."

Akes nodded. He knew Linley was serious. In the original story, Linley had given his entire heart to Alice, only to be met with heartbreak and growth in the end.

Returning to the dormitory at night, Linley hadn't come back yet.

Akes lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The voices of Yale and George drifted from the next room, while Reynolds was already asleep, snoring softly.

He suddenly thought back to the year he transmigrated.

Back then, he was nine years old, having just entered Ernst, feeling strange and curious about everything. Seven springs and autumns, over two thousand days and nights, had just passed by like that.

Now, Linley was in love, Yale and the others had their own plans, and the day of graduation was drawing closer.

The road ahead was still long, but some people were destined to part ways.

[Ding--Detected that this month's check-in opportunity has refreshed.]

[Do you wish to check in?]

Akes recited silently in his heart: Check in.

[Check-in successful.]

[Reward obtained: Gate of Eternal Life · Rejuvenation Pill ×3--Can rapidly recover injuries; effective for both internal and external wounds.]

Three pale green pills appeared out of thin air. Akes took a look at them and tucked them into his robes.

"Better safe than sorry."