In the afterglow of sunset, the Ernst Institute party set out along the smooth road outside Fenlai City. Compared with the excitement and apprehension of their departure, the mood of the returning party was distinctly different. Most of the students looked tired, but they also carried a measure of composure gained from actual combat. Their conversations revolved almost entirely around the Baruch brothers, especially Lin Yinuo's earth-shattering finger strike.
Lin Yinuo remained calm, as though he had heard none of it. He spent more of his time silently contemplating the [Incomplete Fire Elemental Law Fragment] and the instinctive responses to danger and his surroundings he had accumulated through [Elementary Danger Sense] in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. He could feel that his control over fire elements was entering the prelude to some kind of qualitative transformation.
Linley's excitement had yet to fade. One moment, he teased the lively Bebe on his shoulder; the next, he could not resist touching the cool, ancient-looking ring tucked against his chest, quietly telling his brother how clever Bebe had been when they discovered it. He had not noticed anything special about the ring and regarded it only as an interesting souvenir, but an inexplicable sense of affinity made him treasure it all the more.
Mage Elwin rode near the front of the party, occasionally glancing back at the brothers with a complicated look in his eyes. Linley's Superb in Two Elements talent and his performance in the field were already remarkable, but Lin Yinuo... Recalling that Flame Ray, condensed to the utmost limit, he still felt shaken. That had certainly been no ordinary magic. The "intent" within it had even sent a flicker of dread through him, a sixth-rank mage.
I must report to the vice principal and principal as soon as possible. This boy, Lin Yinuo, is probably even more formidable than we initially estimated. His training plan needs to be revised. Perhaps... we will need to alert those old Saint-level fellows who spend their years in seclusion.
He could almost see the preferential allocation of resources and factional undercurrents surrounding these brothers that would soon stir up waves within the institute.
By the time they returned to the Ernst Institute, the evening lights had just come on.
After a brief dismissal, the students returned to their dormitories to rest. Lin Yinuo took the still-excited Linley and Bebe, who was tired from playing, back to their small building. After reminding Linley to rest well and consolidate what he had gained, he did not stay, but headed toward the library in the moonlight.
He was not going there to consult books, but to keep an appointment.
Behind the library, in a secluded stone pavilion, a slender figure was already waiting. Her long chestnut hair stirred gently in the night breeze. It was Elena Polenas.
Seeing Lin Yinuo arrive on time, Ailina broke into a bright smile and hurried over. "You're back! I heard about what happened during the trial. Are you and Linley all right?" Her concern was sincere, not merely a matter of their partnership.
"We're fine. Everything went smoothly." Lin Yinuo nodded and sat on a stone stool. "How is the plan coming along?"
At the mention of business, Ailina immediately reined in her emotions, confidence and competence shining in her blue eyes. She took a scroll from the exquisite little bag she carried and spread it across the stone table.
"Very smoothly! Better than expected, even!" Excitement she could not suppress filled her voice. "Based on the climate and mineral forecasts you provided, I used some of the 'pocket money' my family gave me and a secret channel my mother left me to buy a batch of high-quality 'graystone iron ore' in Chier Prefecture ahead of time. Its price was low because it was difficult to transport. Meanwhile, in Fenlai City, I contacted several overlooked but highly skilled blacksmith apprentices and placed an extremely cheap advance order for a batch of decent-quality farming tools and basic weapon blanks they had made for practice."
She pointed to the figures and analysis on the scroll. "During the few days we were away for the trial, the Imperial Military Department happened to issue a new round of orders to establish military farms along the border and strengthen the militia's armaments. Demand for basic metals and standard-issue weapons soared! In just a few days, the prices of our ore and blanks more than tripled! The first shipment has already been sold through our channels, and this is the net profit!"
Ailina quoted a sum that, given their age and initial investment, could only be called astronomical.
A trace of surprise flashed through Lin Yinuo's eyes as well. He had known Ailina was capable, but he had not expected her to act so decisively or judge the timing so precisely. She had not merely carried out his plan; she had used her own business instincts to maximize their profits.
I really did find the right person. Given time, this business talent will surely be able to build the vast network I need.
"Excellent work," Lin Yinuo praised her sincerely. "Keep reinvesting the profits. As we discussed before, use part of them to expand our channels and range of goods. For the other part, focus on developing the 'information network.'"
He paused, then took a small notebook treated with a special solution from inside his clothes—actually from his system space—and handed it to Ailina. "These are some encryption methods for transmitting information that I've compiled, along with ideas for using traveling peddlers, tavern workers, and even marginalized groups such as beggars to establish the most basic intelligence posts. They may be crude at first, but their strength lies in concealment."
Ailina took the notebook. She had only skimmed a few pages before an astonishing brilliance burst into her eyes. The methods recorded inside were simple, but their approach was unconventional and went straight to the heart of the matter, completely overturning the traditional model of relying on family influence to spread an intelligence network!
"This is wonderful, Yinuo! These methods are simply... unheard of!" She clutched the notebook as though it were a priceless treasure. "With these, we can weave a covert network with an enormous reach at minimal cost! Even if the information passed along is not worth much at first, it will add up and is sure to play a tremendous role in the future!"
Under the moonlight, the girl's face was flushed with excitement. Her eyes shone, filled with anticipation for the future and the drive to pursue it.
Looking at Ailina before him, Lin Yinuo seemed to see the beginnings of a future business queen who would command a vast "shadow empire" and influence the continent's affairs from behind the scenes.
Here in this moonlit stone pavilion, the foundations of commerce and intelligence have quietly put down their first roots. This is just as significant as an increase in martial strength alone.
"Here's to our partnership, Ailina." Lin Yinuo held out his hand.
Ailina froze for a moment, then smiled brightly and held out her small hand, lightly slapping his. "Here's to our partnership, Yinuo!"
Their hands touched and parted, yet the gesture marked the formal consolidation of an alliance capable of influencing the future.
The night breeze swept through the stone pavilion, carrying the faint clamor of the distant dormitories and making this place seem all the quieter. Beneath that stillness, a new force was quietly taking shape and growing.
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