Linley

In the blink of an eye, several months passed, and another Yulan Festival arrived. Wharton knew that Linley would be returning to celebrate the festival with them this year. He was also curious about this older brother of his. After all, aside from the images left in his memories, this would be the first time he met face-to-face someone who could become a Controller.

It was not until noon that Linley returned to Wushan Town with Hillman. When Linley arrived and saw little Wharton waiting at the town entrance, he assumed Wharton had come specifically to wait for him. Overflowing with affection, he scooped Wharton up and, before Wharton could react, kissed him on the cheek. Wharton was left speechless, convinced that Linley was utterly obsessed with doting on his younger brother.

"Brother, I'm grown up now. I want to walk by myself. And I'm a boy, so you can't kiss me anymore."

"Hahaha!" Everyone burst out laughing at Wharton's words.

"Alright, alright, our little Wharton has grown up!" Linley said with a laugh.

As he spoke, he set Wharton down and took his hand as they entered the town together. This time, Wharton did not refuse. After all, he was Linley's younger brother now. Refusing again would only make them seem distant.

Everyone in the Baruch clan was delighted by Linley's return. Moreover, Linley had already become a Level Two Mage. For an eight-year-old child, that was an extraordinary achievement. Through his conversation with his father, Linley learned that Wharton would be leaving for the O'Brien Empire after the Yulan Festival. Perhaps the two brothers would find it difficult to see each other again for a long time.

Thus, during this Yulan Festival, Linley tried his best to cut down on his training time and spend as much time as possible with Wharton. He accompanied Wharton and a group of children from Wushan Town as they played everywhere. Gradually, Wharton completely adapted to his current identity and fully accepted Linley. He also cherished this family bond deeply. He understood that Linley carried far too much on his shoulders and had always trained diligently. The fact that Linley was willing to set aside time to accompany him was enough to show Wharton's place in Linley's heart.

Linley and Wharton stayed in Wushan Town for more than a month. Wharton only trained a little at night. After the Yulan Festival, Linley would return to Ernst Academy to continue his studies, while Wharton would follow Hiri to the O'Brien Empire to study. Wharton also wanted to leave Wushan Town and see the outside world. The O'Brien Empire was merely his first destination. He was also looking forward to everything that would happen next, as well as Niss, his future wife from the original story.

Outside Wushan Town, Hogg brought Wharton to see Linley off.

"Wharton, when you reach the O'Brien Empire, study hard. Once I graduate, Father and I will come find you," Linley said through tears.

"Mm. I'll definitely train hard. Then we brothers will rebuild the glory of the Baruch clan together," Wharton said, also crying.

Although he had only spent a little over a month with Linley, Wharton had already come to regard Linley as his true elder brother. He knew that after this separation, it would be several years before they met again, and neither of them could bear to part.

"Alright, Linley, you should go first," Hogg said as he watched the two brothers.

"Yes, Father."

Watching Linley and Hillman's figures gradually recede into the distance, Wharton struggled for a long time before finally deciding to give Linley the manual he had revised. He ran after Linley.

"Brother, wait!"

Wharton ran up to Linley and handed him the Dragonblood Manual he had prepared. He told Linley to read it only after reaching Ernst Academy and warned him not to tell anyone else.

Linley was curious about Wharton's mysterious behavior and readily agreed, tucking the item into his clothes. Although he knew Wharton probably did not have anything particularly valuable to give him, he still treasured it greatly and kept it close to his body, promising Wharton that he would read it after arriving at Ernst Academy.