In an inn in Fenlai Royal City, Hogg stroked the red acceptance letter, his eyes full of anticipation. Outside the window, the sunlight fell just right, spilling over the shoulders of passersby and outlining the prosperity and vitality unique to this royal city.
"Linley." Hogg turned around, his voice firmer than ever before. "Let's move the whole family to Fenlai City."
Linley was playing with Bebe on his shoulder. At those words, he abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with surprise. "Move to the Royal City? But our manor..."
"We can leave the manor in Steward Hiri's care." Hogg walked over and patted his shoulder. "You'll be spending many years at the Ernst Institute. You can't keep traveling back and forth. The Royal City has far more resources than Wushan Town, which will greatly benefit your training, and Wharton can receive a better education here too."
Seated nearby, Hillman nodded at his words. "You're right, elder brother. Fenlai City is the kingdom's capital, with a strong magical atmosphere. Training here will be far better for Linley than working in isolation in Wushan Town. And the Royal City is well policed, so the three of you can live peacefully."
Linley looked at the hope in his father's eyes, then at Hillman's affirming gaze, and the hesitation in his heart gradually faded. He thought of his mother. If the family lived in the Royal City, searching for her whereabouts in the future would be easier too.
"All right!" Linley nodded firmly. "We'll move to the Royal City!"
A gratified smile spread across Hogg's face. Over the next few days, the three of them grew busy. Hogg took Linley through Fenlai City's streets and alleys, searching for a suitable home. In the end, they bought a small, elegant courtyard residence in the western part of the city, near the Ernst Institute. Though not large, it had a little garden filled with flowers and plants, making it a very pleasant place to live.
Meanwhile, Hillman also prepared for Linley's enrollment. He went to a magic shop and purchased a magic staff suitable for beginners and meditation scrolls, then bought many books on magical theory, filling Linley's study.
Once all the preparations were complete, Hogg had Steward Hiri put the manor in Wushan Town in order and bring Wharton and the family's valuables to their new courtyard residence in Fenlai City.
On the day they moved into their new home, lanterns and colorful decorations adorned the courtyard. Wharton ran excitedly around the garden, with Bebe following behind him, waving his little paws now and then and making Wharton laugh aloud. Watching his two sons' happiness, Hogg's eyes filled with warmth, and the fatigue of the past several days vanished.
Toward evening, the sunset's lingering glow filled the courtyard. Hogg, Hillman, and Linley sat at a stone table, drinking ale and discussing their plans for the future.
"Linley, you'll be enrolling in a few days." Hogg set down his cup, his tone solemn. "Once you enter the institute, ask your teachers for guidance with humility and get along with your classmates. Don't let your talent make you arrogant."
"I understand, Father," Linley replied with a nod, his eyes full of anticipation.
Hillman looked at Linley, a trace of gratification flashing through his eyes before his expression turned resolute. He raised his cup and drained it, then said gravely, "Elder brother, Linley. I've made my decision. After Linley enrolls, I'll head to the Magical Beast Forest to train."
Hogg and Linley both froze.
"The Magical Beast Forest?" Hogg frowned. "It's incredibly dangerous there, with high-level magical beasts everywhere. Why do you want to go there?"
Hillman stood and gazed into the distance outside the window, his eyes burning. "I'm already at the ninth-level peak, only a step away from Saint-level. But that one step is like an impassable chasm. The comfortable life in Wushan Town has long since dulled my edge. Only by tempering myself in life-and-death struggles in the Magical Beast Forest can I break through my shackles and reach the threshold of Saint-level."
He turned to Hogg, his tone earnest. "Elder brother, Linley now has the Ernst Institute's protection, and you and Wharton will be safe enough living in the Royal City. I'm going to train both to surpass my limits and to better protect you in the future. If I can become a Saint-level powerhouse, then no matter what dangers we encounter, I'll be able to shelter the Baruch Clan."
Hogg fell silent for a moment. He knew Hillman's temperament: once he made a decision, he would not change it lightly. He also understood that, for a warrior, comfort marked the beginning of decline.
"All right." Hogg finally nodded, his eyes full of worry. "You must be careful. Put safety first in everything, and don't push yourself beyond your limits."
Linley stood as well and gripped Hillman's hand tightly, his eyes full of reluctance to part. "Uncle Hillman, you must come back safely."
Hillman patted his shoulder and nodded with a smile. "Don't worry. When I return, I'll definitely be a Saint-level powerhouse, and I'll watch you become the most brilliant magus on the Yulan Continent with my own eyes."
Bebe seemed to understand their conversation too. He jumped onto Hillman's shoulder and rubbed his little head against his cheek, letting out clear squeaks.
The sun gradually sank, and night enveloped the entire courtyard. Candlelight flickered on the stone table, illuminating the three faces.
For Linley, the approaching life at the institute was a new starting point on his path to becoming powerful.
For Hillman, training in the Magical Beast Forest was the necessary path to breaking through to Saint-level.
And for Hogg, protecting this family and waiting for his wife's return were his greatest wishes.
Night deepened, and the scattered lights of Fenlai Royal City shone upon everyone who harbored a dream. A new journey was quietly beginning.
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