Magnolia Calendar, 9991, February 28
Baruch Mansion was bustling today.
Not only had Moke's family and Grandpa Hiri, the butler, come over, but Hillman had brought his family too.
Ernst Institute began its school year every February 29, so after lunch today, Moke and Linley would be heading there to study.
This meal was a farewell feast for them.
" Moke, Linley, I wish you both success in your studies at Ernst Institute!"
Hillman raised his wineglass and laughed heartily at Moke and Linley.
"Thank you, Uncle Hillman." Moke and Linley raised their glasses of juice in return.
Then Grandpa Hiri, the butler, offered his blessings too. The old butler had drunk quite a bit, and his wine-reddened nose made him look very happy.
He had served three generations of the Baruch Clan, and now he could finally see hope of the clan's revival. Old Hiri was delighted.
"Linley, Moke, I know how hard you both work. But once you're at Ernst Institute, remember to balance work and rest. Don't hurt yourselves with your training."
Hogg looked at his two sons, smiling just as happily.
The past six months had probably been the happiest time Hogg had known since his wife went missing. A smile had graced his face every day.
"Yes, Father!"
Moke and Linley both smiled. Everyone at the table was beaming, in high spirits.
Six-year-old Wharton was eating until his mouth shone with grease, his little cheeks round and plump.
Seeing Hogg smile, Moke felt a little more at ease.
He thought, If I remember correctly, Father won't start investigating the truth behind Mother's disappearance until the sixth year after Linley enters the magic academy.
Six years. If nothing unexpected happens, I have six years to grow stronger.
When the time came, as soon as Hogg began investigating the truth behind Lina's disappearance, Duke Patterson would notice.
That would lead to the king of Fenlai Kingdom, Clayde, a Ninth-Level Warrior.
And the Radiant Church might very well take notice too.
Six years. I can definitely become a Seventh-Level Warrior. After transforming, I'll be in the Saint Realm. But the Radiant Church has no shortage of Saint Realm powerhouses.
Moke felt a strong sense of urgency.
He needed to improve not only his battle qi, but also his understanding of the laws.
For the past five months, I've practiced with the Thunder-Rushing Staff every day. I've started to get a feel for the Weightless as a Feather realm.
That means I'm pretty good at comprehending the laws—at least, definitely much better than Wharton. But I don't know how long it'll take me to fully grasp Weightless as a Feather.
"Young Master Moke, let me toast you. I wish you success in your studies at Ernst Institute."
As Moke pondered, a woman came over with a cheerful smile to offer her congratulations.
She was Hillman's mother.
"Thank you, Grandma Carol." Moke gave her a sweet smile.
"So this is Ernst Institute? It's huge—almost like a small city."
After successfully enrolling at Ernst Institute, Moke and Linley wandered around campus.
Ernst Institute was every bit the equal of a modern super-university, if not better. It had all the basic facilities, including restaurants and bars, while towering trees more than a hundred years old stood everywhere, lending the whole campus a weightiness born of time.
There were a few other freshmen like Linley and Moke, looking around at everything, but most students were older and seemed quite at ease.
After all, Ernst Institute only admitted a hundred new students each year.
"All right, Linley. We've seen enough. You should head back to the dorm."
Moke suggested they part ways by a fountain. He couldn't wait to get back to his room and claim his sign-in reward.
Ernst Institute was renowned in the Coiling Dragon World as a breeding ground for geniuses.
What kind of treasure could he sign in for here?
Moke was eager to find out.
"Huh? All right."
Linley nodded. "Big brother, you have to come visit me often!"
They weren't staying in the same dorm, and their dorms were quite far apart.
Although Moke's spiritual force was relatively weak, his superlative affinity for every element of magic was so rare that Ernst Institute had assigned him an entire manor of his own.
What's more, his manor was right next to that of Dixie, hailed at Ernst Institute as a once-in-a-century genius.
"Linley, why don't you stay with me?" Moke asked with a smile.
"No. I'm going back to the dorm. I'll earn my own manor someday!"
Linley said it with a determined little face.
"Okay. I believe in you." Moke nodded. He actually wanted Linley to stay in the dorm, too.
After all, his roommates were all good people, and this was a rare chance at friendship.
The two parted for now, and Moke headed to the row of private courtyards in the eastern part of the institute.
"Is that him?"
As Moke entered his courtyard, a gaze fell on him from the neighboring one.
"Superlative affinity for every element of magic? What a pity his spiritual-force talent is so weak."
Dixie thought with the maturity of someone older than his years, not considering Moke a rival.
Spiritual force was the key to advancing in rank, and one's rank determined one's strength.
Moke noticed Dixie looking at him and turned to offer him a friendly smile.
He was Linley's future brother-in-law, after all. Moke naturally wanted to get on good terms with him.
But they weren't acquainted yet, so Moke didn't do anything too forward. After smiling, he hurried inside.
Moke's smile caught Dixie off guard. By the time he came to his senses, Moke had already gone inside. Dixie didn't give it much thought and headed out.
His younger sister, Delia, was waiting for him so they could explore the campus together.
After closing the door, Moke's gaze sharpened. A line of small text appeared in his vision.
[Available sign-in location: Ernst Institute] [ Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully signing in at Ernst Institute. ] [ Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Coiling Dragon Universe Top-Tier Comprehension ] [Extract?] [Yes/No]
"Coiling Dragon Universe Top-Tier Comprehension?" Moke, sitting cross-legged on the bed, widened his eyes. Excitement surged through him.
"This, this, this..." He could hardly believe his eyes!
At a little place like Ernst Institute, he'd actually signed in for something like this!
In Moke's eyes, this was far more incredible than a damaged Sovereign Artifact!
"Extract!"
After calming himself down a little, Moke silently gave the command.
In an instant, something profound and mysterious descended into his mind. Moke felt dazed, then toppled straight onto the bed.
When he woke again and checked the time, more than an hour had passed!
"My... my brain!" Moke took a deep breath.
His mind felt clearer than ever. Countless new insights had surfaced about Weightless as a Feather, a hurdle that had troubled him for so long.
Moke had a feeling that if he practiced diligently for just a few days, he would master it completely!
"Good heavens, I've grown a brain!" he exclaimed. He really did feel as if he'd grown one!
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