The Ernst Institute, the foremost magic academy on the Yulan Continent, stood on the outskirts of Fenlai City and occupied an immense area. Its ancient buildings nestled among lush trees, and the air was thick with magical elements and the weight of knowledge.
Mage Elwin personally arranged temporary accommodations for the Baruch family in the institute's guest quarters and swiftly reported the astonishing news that geniuses who were "superb in all elements" and "superb in two elements" had appeared at the same time. It was foreseeable that fierce discussions over competing for Lin Yinuo and Linley, or plans for their training, were underway among the institute's senior officials.
The next day, amid Hogg and Lina's deep reluctance to part and countless reminders, Lin Yinuo and Linley officially completed their enrollment and moved into a small two-story building in a quiet part of the Freshman Dormitory Area. This was special treatment the institute granted to exceptional geniuses.
That night, moonlight spilled through the window like quicksilver, spreading across the floor.
Little Linley lay on his soft new bed, tossing and turning. The shocks of the day, his reluctance to leave home, and the unfamiliarity of his new surroundings intertwined, keeping him awake.
"Big Brother," he called softly to Lin Yinuo in the neighboring bed, "are you asleep?"
"No." Lin Yinuo's voice was as calm as ever, carrying a soothing power.
"Big Brother, you're amazing." Linley's voice held admiration and a trace of dependence he had not noticed himself. "Superb in all elements... everyone was so shocked. I only have two..."
There was a hint of dejection in his tone. He was only a four-year-old child, after all, and his brother's brilliance was so dazzling that it made him feel pressured.
Lin Yinuo rolled onto his side to face his younger brother's bed. In the moonlight, he could see a little bewilderment in Linley's sparkling eyes.
Sure enough, he's still a child. He needs guidance, not just constant protection.
"Linley," Lin Yinuo said, his voice gentle but firm, "talent is only the starting point. The earth element is solid and weighty, and the wind element is light and nimble. Working together, they may not be any worse than having all the elements in the future. What matters is how we use them."
He paused, then continued, "Father taught us that the Baruch Clan's glory needs strength to defend it. We came here to gain that strength. So don't overthink it. Working hard at our training and growing stronger is what we should be doing most right now."
As Linley listened to his brother, the bewilderment in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by resolve. He nodded vigorously. "Yes! Big Brother, I'll work hard! I'll definitely become a powerful mage and restore our clan's glory!"
The brothers' nighttime conversation dispelled the unease in Linley's heart and made his goal clearer to him.
Over the next few days, the institute arranged a common set of classes for the new students, mainly covering basic magic theory, an introduction to the Meditation Method, and a general history of the Yulan Continent.
With his adult soul, his increasingly powerful spiritual power, and the [Basic Magic Theory Fragments] he occasionally obtained through the Sign-In System, Lin Yinuo grasped this material extremely quickly. However, he did not stand out excessively, keeping his performance within the bounds of being "bright."
Although Linley possessed extraordinary talent, he was still young, and he struggled somewhat to understand the tongue-twisting pronunciations of incantations and the complex models for channeling magical power. A troubled expression often appeared on his little face.
One evening, the brothers tried meditating in the open space behind their dormitory.
Linley sat cross-legged, doing his best to sense the elements of the world according to the method their instructor had taught them. Yet he always felt as though a thin veil stood between them, making it difficult to truly catch and guide those lively motes of light. Sweat broke out on his forehead in his anxiety.
Lin Yinuo sat beside him, seemingly meditating as well, but in fact silently invoked the sign-in.
[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations, host, on signing in at the Ernst Institute dormitory area. Reward obtained: [Magic Origin Comprehension Orb (earth, wind elements)]!]
Here it is!
An almost imperceptible streak of rainbow light flashed at his fingertips and vanished into his body. At the same time, an exceedingly simple insight that nevertheless went straight to the heart of the earth and wind elements' nature surfaced in his mind.
He opened his eyes and looked at his frowning younger brother, already having a plan in mind.
"Linley," he said softly, interrupting Linley's agitated attempts, "don't rush to 'grab' them."
Linley raised his head in puzzlement.
Lin Yinuo extended a hand, palm upward, as though feeling the evening breeze flow past. His voice carried a peculiar rhythm as he described the insight he had just gained in the plainest language:
"Close your eyes. Don't think about controlling them. Feel them first."
"Imagine the soil beneath your feet. Isn't it solid and steady? It's always there, supporting everything. Try to draw close to it and feel its 'steadiness.'"
"Then feel the wind around you. Isn't it free and nimble? It's everywhere, passing through mountain forests and brushing over the water. Try to understand its 'change.'"
"Treat them as friends, not tools. When you truly understand them and draw close to them, they'll naturally respond to you."
Lin Yinuo's words seemed to carry a kind of magic, resonating with his spiritual power, which had been strengthened by the [Soul Dust] he had obtained through signing in, and quietly influencing Linley's spiritual perception.
Linley closed his eyes as instructed, abandoning his earlier intention of forcibly capturing the elements, and began simply to "feel" them as his brother guided him.
Gradually, he "saw" them-the countless ocher motes of light were no longer elusive. They were tranquil and warm, as dependable as Mother Earth; the cyan motes were lively and cheerful, dancing around him like free spirits.
An unprecedented sense of closeness arose within him.
He tried again, no longer "commanding" or "capturing" them, but extending an "invitation" with goodwill and understanding.
The next moment, as naturally as water flowing into a channel-
The surrounding earth and wind elements seemed to answer a call, gathering toward Linley cheerfully and obediently. They passed through his skin, merged into his body, and finally flowed into the tiny Magic Source he had only just opened!
It worked!
Linley's eyes snapped open, his face filled with incredulous joy! He had felt it! Magical power flowed through his body like a gentle stream, unmistakably real!
"Big Brother! I did it! I felt magical power!" Linley jumped up excitedly, grabbed Lin Yinuo's arm, and shook it in his excitement.
Watching his younger brother's excitement, Lin Yinuo also gave a gentle smile.
Very good. This will make the early part of your path much smoother. Grandpa Doehring, I'm sorry for temporarily "borrowing" your role, but please rest assured. I'll safeguard his growth in my own way.
Under the moonlight, the brothers' shadows stretched long. One was steady as a mountain, guiding the way ahead; the other was nimble as the wind, beginning to show his brilliance.
Their lives at the Ernst Institute officially began with this successful moment of guidance and the brothers' support for each other. Lin Yinuo was also certain that, as he continued signing in around the institute, he would gain more resources and insights that he could "reasonably" share with his younger brother.
Their path of magic was destined to be completely different from the original story.
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