Hogg kept the news that Lin Yinuo, the Baruch Clan's eldest son, possessed exceptional elemental affinity in every element under tight wraps. Only father and son knew. But Wushan Town was not completely cut off from the world. Although no outsiders had been beneath the old locust tree that day, the tremendous change in Hogg's spirits over the following days, along with his secret efforts to contact former retainers and raise funds, still drew the attention of certain observant people.
Rumors quietly began to spread in secret. Some said Baron Baruch had discovered treasure in his ancestral home; others said he had found a way to heal his old injuries. Still others guessed that it might have something to do with his two extraordinarily intelligent sons.
Naturally, these rumors also reached Fenlai City, not far from Wushan Town, as well as... the Ernst Institute, which searched throughout the country year-round for children with magical potential.
One day, a carriage bearing the Ernst Institute's emblem-crossed staff and sword, symbolizing the paths of mage and warrior-entered peaceful Wushan Town under the escort of several knights.
A middle-aged man in blue-green mage robes stepped out of the carriage. His expression was gentle, yet he carried an air of authority, and on his chest he wore a badge identifying him as a sixth-rank mage. He was Mage Elwin, one of the admissions officers dispatched by the Ernst Institute.
Having received word beforehand, Hogg waited at the ancestral home's entrance with Lina, Lin Yinuo, and Linley. He was excited, with a trace of nervousness. He knew their opportunity had arrived.
"Honored Mage Elwin, welcome to the Baruch Clan." Hogg stepped forward, placed his right hand over his chest, and offered a formal noble's salute.
Mage Elwin returned the salute with a smile. "Baron Hogg, forgive my unannounced visit. I have heard that Wushan Town is a place blessed with outstanding people, and that the Baruch Clan has a particularly long history. The institute sent me to see whether there are any children with magical talent here, lest any pearls remain buried in dust." His seemingly casual gaze swept precisely over Lina behind Hogg, then Lin Yinuo and Linley standing side by side.
When his gaze fell on Lin Yinuo, it paused briefly. The child had a calm bearing and clear, perceptive eyes. Standing there, he seemed to blend into his surroundings, giving even a sixth-rank mage like Elvin an indescribable sense of... harmony.
This child was born with spiritual gifts!
Forcing down his excitement, Hogg stepped aside and introduced them. "This is my wife, Lina. These are my sons, Linley and Lin Yinuo." He deliberately placed Lin Yinuo's name last, but Elvin's gaze lingered more on Lin Yinuo.
"Very good." Mage Elwin nodded and took a standard elemental affinity testing crystal ball from his spatial ring. It was dozens of times larger than the miniature crystal Lin Yinuo had obtained through signing in, and more precise as well. "Children, don't be nervous. Just place your hand on the crystal ball and clear your mind. Who would like to go first?"
Little Linley looked at the crystal-clear ball with curiosity, then turned somewhat timidly toward his father.
Hogg patted his shoulder encouragingly. "Linley, go ahead."
Linley took a deep breath, stepped forward, and pressed his small hand against the cool crystal ball as instructed.
The next instant, the crystal ball suddenly lit up!
A rich, earthy-yellow light burst forth first, weighty and steady! Then a light, flowing blue-green glow appeared alongside it, the two colors shining together!
"Exceptional Earth Element affinity! Exceptional Wind Element affinity!" A delighted smile instantly spread across Mage Elwin's face. "Superb in Two Elements! A genius! Baron Hogg, your son Linley is a magical genius found only once in ten thousand!"
Although Hogg and Lina had already learned from Lin Yinuo that Linley possessed extraordinary talent, hearing a mage from the Ernst Institute confirm it in person still left them beside themselves with excitement. Lina covered her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Hogg repeated, hugging Linley tightly. The boy was somewhat bewildered, but smiled because his parents were happy.
The townspeople watching also let out cries of amazement and admiration, their gazes full of envy as they looked at the Baruch family.
Mage Elwin nodded in satisfaction, then turned toward Lin Yinuo, who had stood quietly to one side all this time. His voice grew even gentler. "Child, it's your turn."
Everyone's eyes focused on Lin Yinuo.
Hogg's heart rose into his throat. He knew the true shock was about to come.
Lin Yinuo stepped forward calmly, his footsteps steady, without the slightest stage fright. Beneath everyone's gaze, he slowly pressed his small hand against the enormous testing crystal ball.
One second, two seconds...
The crystal ball showed no reaction.
Quiet whispers began to arise among the onlookers. Mage Elwin frowned slightly. Had I misjudged him? Baron Hogg also clenched his fists nervously.
Just then-
"Hummmm!!!!!"
A low hum seemed to rise from within the crystal ball! Then it was as though a seven-colored sun exploded before their eyes!
Red! Yellow! Blue! Green! White! Black! Purple!
Light representing the seven elements-earth, water, fire, wind, light, darkness, and lightning-erupted from the crystal ball simultaneously, with unprecedented, utmost purity and intensity! The seven-colored radiance swirled, illuminating heaven and earth, even briefly outshining the sunlight in the sky!
That light was so dazzling, so vast, as though it contained the essence of every element between heaven and earth!
The entire square of Wushan Town fell deathly silent.
Everyone stared openmouthed at the seven-colored crystal ball and the black-haired boy before it, whose expression remained calm.
The smile on Mage Elwin's face froze completely, then gave way to utter shock and disbelief. Losing his composure, he stumbled forward, his voice turning shrill with excitement:
"All... all elements! Superb in All Elements!! How is this possible?! In all the recorded history of the Yulan Continent... there has never been anything like this!!"
The knights behind him, the surrounding townspeople, even Hogg and Lina-despite having prepared themselves-were all utterly awestruck by this miraculous sight!
Linley, with Superb in Two Elements, was already one in ten thousand, but Lin Yinuo, with Superb in All Elements... had surpassed the realm of "genius." He was a legend among legends! A child of miracles!
Linley tilted his little face upward, gazing at the light before his brother, countless times more brilliant than during his own test. His small mouth formed a circle, and his large, dark eyes filled with pure admiration.
My brother... is amazing!
Mage Elwin suddenly rushed up to Lin Yinuo, his whole body trembling with excitement. He crouched down and gripped Lin Yinuo's shoulders with both hands, his voice carrying an almost worshipful fervor:
"Child! Your name is Lin Yinuo, yes? Come back to the Ernst Institute with me! The institute will devote every resource it has to nurturing you! You will be the future pride of the Ernst Institute... no, of the entire Yulan Continent!"
Hogg watched the scene before him, looking at his eldest son, who appeared all the more extraordinary beneath the seven-colored radiance. An immense surge of pride and heartache welled up within him, making his eyes burn.
After thousands of years of obscurity, the Baruch Clan was finally about to soar! And in such an earth-shattering way!
Feeling the gazes of shock, fervor, and admiration around him, Lin Yinuo merely looked calmly at the deeply excited Mage Elwin, then at his equally excited parents and his younger brother, whose eyes were filled with admiration, and nodded gently.
The Ernst Institute... I've finally taken a firm first step. Linley, our journey has begun.
The seven-colored light gradually faded, but the breathtaking sight would remain forever etched in the hearts of everyone who had witnessed it, heralding that the curtain had already risen on a legend.
Before you continue