Two years at the Ernst Institute

The wind of year 9993 of the Yulan Calendar swept past the towering spires of the Ernst Magic Academy, stirring wisps of cloud like pages of a book and carrying them toward the distant trial forest. Two years had passed since Linley entered the academy.

Two years had been enough for a naive country boy to become a somewhat renowned genius at the academy, and more than enough for the Baruch Clan to break free of poverty entirely. After Hogg awakened his power as a Dragonblood Warrior, the clan rapidly accumulated considerable wealth by escorting merchant caravans and handling magical beast incursions. Far away at the academy, Linley naturally became a young master who no longer needed to worry about expenses.

At that moment, Linley sat beside a window on the library's third floor, lightly tapping the open pages of An In-depth Analysis of Elemental Affinity, his brow faintly furrowed. He wore a brand-new dark blue student robe made from the finest brocade in Wushan Town. Exquisite earth magic patterns embroidered around its collar accentuated his handsome features. The faint earthen-yellow glow lingering around his fingertips complemented the patterns on his robe-the purest aura of the earth element.

"Hmph, foolish boy. The essence of the earth element lies in 'weight' and 'eruption.' If you keep staring at the superficial theory of the Shaping Spell, you'll never reach the threshold of advanced magic." An aged voice sounded in Linley's mind, carrying frustration at his failure to live up to expectations, along with a barely perceptible trace of prickly pride.

A faint, helpless smile curved Linley's lips. Not daring to answer aloud, he merely replied silently, "Grandpa Doehring Cowart, aren't I laying my foundations? You always say studying magic is like building a tall tower: if the foundation is unstable, the tower will fall. Why are you getting impatient now?"

The voice belonged to Doehring Cowart, the soul hidden inside the Coiling Dragon Ring against Linley's chest-a Saint-level Magus whose fame had once resounded throughout the Yulan Continent. Two years earlier, Linley had obtained the ring by chance, gaining a spiritual mentor who was both teacher and friend. Over those two years, it was precisely thanks to Doehring Cowart's unreserved instruction in magical knowledge and practical combat skills that Linley's mastery of magic had advanced by leaps and bounds, far surpassing his peers. Even the academy's long-established geniuses were gradually falling behind him.

"Foundations? Your foundations have been good enough for ages!" Doehring Cowart's voice abruptly rose, echoing through Linley's mind. "With your current earth element affinity and the support of the wind element, you're perfectly capable of trying to compress elements and form a rudimentary Earth Spike Burst. Clinging to these basic texts is simply wasting your talent! Back when I was seventeen, I could already cast eighth-rank earth magic!"

Linley was just about to argue silently that his talent was naturally different from that of a Saint-level Magus when a hearty voice came from beside him, interrupting his thoughts.

"Linley, still studying the Earth Element Shaping Spell?"

The tall Yale strode over, carrying two oilpaper parcels slightly puffed up by steam. A rich aroma escaped through their gaps, making mouths water. Wearing a familiar smile, Yale held one of the parcels out to Linley. "Have a taste. Freshly roasted magical rabbit from the dining hall. I specifically asked the cook to add honey sauce and rosemary. Crisp outside and tender inside-you'll definitely like it."

Linley quickly gathered his thoughts, dispelled the elemental fluctuations around his fingertips, and accepted the warm oilpaper parcel. The aroma of fat immediately spread, but he only took small bites, his gaze still resting on the pages. Meanwhile, Doehring Cowart's instructions echoed in his mind as he carefully pondered the element compression techniques for Earth Spike Burst.

"I've always felt there's more to earth magic than defense and shaping. Perhaps there are sharper ways to attack with it." Following Doehring Cowart's line of thought, Linley spoke, a thoughtful gleam flashing in his eyes. "Look, earth elements are far more cohesive than other elements. If we could compress the earth elements underground to their limit and then release them in a sudden eruption, the power should be considerable. It might even break through the defensive shield of a mage of the same rank."

Yale rolled his eyes helplessly at that, plopped down in the neighboring chair, and took a large bite of magical rabbit. "You're always getting stuck on things," he said indistinctly. "Who in the academy doesn't know you're a genius in both earth and wind magic? In last year's freshman tournament, you used the Earth Element Rock Wall Spell to withstand the seventh-rank water spell Raging Sea head-on, then used the wind Speed Spell to circle behind your opponent and turn the whole fight around with a single Wind Blade Spell. That scene has become a legend the senior students never tire of talking about. The Baruch family isn't short of money now, either. You should relax once in a while instead of spending all your time in the library. I saw Reynolds and George sparring in the arena a few days ago. Want to go take a look together?"

Linley smiled without arguing further. He knew that although his talent was outstanding, what truly kept him ahead of everyone else was Doehring Cowart's guidance and a dedication to hard work far beyond that of others his age. Over those two years, the library's closing bell had been the last sound he heard each day; the morning dew in the trial forest had soaked his robes countless times. He rarely even attended the academy's various banquets and outings, devoting most of his time to studying magic. Under Doehring Cowart's guidance, his earth magic had already broken through to the sixth rank, while his wind magic remained firmly at the fifth rank. Even at the Ernst Institute, where geniuses gathered, that pace was enough to draw the instructors' attention. Several senior instructors had even approached him privately, hoping to take him as their personal disciple.

"By the way, the academy's intermediate mage assessment is next month. You've signed up, right?" Yale suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, a hint of excitement in his tone. "I heard the examiners this time include that famous water Mage-Instructor Kalan. He's notorious for being strict, and the assessment standards are a lot higher than in previous years. But if you can get his guidance, even a single sentence could save you years of taking the wrong path."

"Kalan? His water magic is about the only thing he can show off." Doehring Cowart's disdainful voice sounded in Linley's mind, carrying the pride of a veteran expert. "With those paltry tricks of his, he isn't fit to carry your shoes. Boy, go ahead and use the Element Compression Method I taught you during the assessment. I guarantee you'll leave those examiners speechless. Even Kalan will have to see you in a new light."

Linley's eyes brightened. Suppressing his excitement, he nodded firmly at Yale. "I have. I want to see whether I can create an earth attack spell of my own during the assessment and completely overturn everyone's stereotype that earth magic is only good for defense."

Yale was about to say more and discuss what Linley should watch out for during the assessment when the librarian approached. The old librarian, whose hair and beard were white, usually wore a stern face and treated everyone with unyielding severity. Now, however, there was clear appreciation in his gaze as he looked at Linley. He gave Linley a gentle smile and said in a resonant voice, "Congratulations, Linley. Following a unanimous evaluation by the academy's instructors, both your assessment results and your daily performance have been deemed exceptional. The academy has specially upgraded your borrowing privileges. You may now enter the ancient texts section on the fourth floor to consult its books."

The ancient texts section on the fourth floor housed the academy's most precious magical texts, including unique copies and fragmentary scrolls passed down from ancient times. Ordinary students were not even qualified to approach it. Only a handful of exceptionally gifted core disciples and members of the teaching faculty had the opportunity to enter.

"The ancient texts section? There might be fragments of ancient earth magic texts hidden there!" Doehring Cowart's voice suddenly rose, exploding in Linley's mind with barely concealed excitement. "Boy, hurry up and accept! Once you're inside, focus on finding texts inscribed with the words 'Earth Pulsation.' That's a lost advanced earth spell capable of drawing on earth power, with boundless might! I searched for years back then without finding it. To think you'd have an opportunity like this!"

Linley's eyes lit up at once, his excitement beyond words. He hurriedly rose and bowed slightly to the old librarian, saying sincerely, "Thank you, sir. I'll be sure to treasure this opportunity."

After the old librarian turned and left, Yale patted Linley's shoulder, his voice full of envy. "See? I told you you'd get into the ancient texts section sooner or later. In a few more years, you might become the academy's youngest Mage! Don't forget your brother here when that happens. You'll have to look out for me."

Linley merely smiled without replying. His gaze passed through the library's glass window toward the distant east-the direction of Wushan Town. Sunlight fell across the window frame, casting warm patches of light. Unbidden, images rose in his mind: his father Hogg, his little brother Wharton's sweet smile, the lush Chinese parasol tree in the old family courtyard, and his mother's gentle reminders.

In the two years since leaving home, he had never stopped missing his family. When the clan was poor, he had always wanted to grow stronger quickly and earn money as soon as possible so his family could live well. Now that the clan had become wealthy and his father had awakened his Dragonblood power, he suddenly felt it was time to go home for a visit.

Doehring Cowart seemed to sense his thoughts, and his voice softened. "Homesick? Then go back and visit. The study of magic requires a balance between exertion and rest. Staying tense all the time isn't good, either. Besides, you should go back to see your family and how the Baruch Clan has changed."

Linley took a deep breath, settled the thoughts stirring in his heart, and turned toward Yale with a sincere smile. "Yale, I'm planning to go home tomorrow to see my father and little brother. Consulting the ancient texts can wait until I return."