After successfully guiding Linley to sense magical power for the first time, little Linley's enthusiasm for cultivation soared to unprecedented heights. He devoted almost all his free time to meditation and constructing basic spell models, making tremendous progress every day.
Lin Yinuo, meanwhile, turned his attention to Ernst Institute's continent-renowned library after settling his younger brother in and confirming that his cultivation was on track.
The library was a magnificent domed building with a vast interior. Circular bookshelves several stories high were densely packed with countless books and scrolls, covering nearly every field, including magic, Battle Qi, history, geography, magical beasts, and alchemy. The scent of old paper and a faint fragrance of ink filled the air, quiet and solemn.
To Lin Yinuo, this was not merely an ocean of knowledge, but also an excellent check-in location.
He stepped into the library's main hall, gazed up at the towering bookshelves and dome, and silently said:
"Check in."
[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations to the host for checking in at the Ernst Institute Library. Rewards received: [Memory Enhancement (minor)] and [Essentials of "The Rise and Fall of Chambers of Commerce in the Modern History of the Yulan Continent"]!]
A cool stream of energy flowed into his mind, and Lin Yinuo immediately felt his thoughts become clearer. His past memories, whether fragments of his previous life or details of his present one, became exceptionally distinct. At the same time, a wealth of information about the rise, struggles, and decline of major chambers of commerce on the Yulan Continent over the past few centuries, their key figures, and their business models imprinted itself on his memory like neatly organized documents.
Memory Enhancement... and commercial history? Was the system... laying the groundwork for another path for me?
Something stirred within him as he vaguely grasped the system's intention. Pure martial strength was certainly important, but a vast commercial and intelligence network that reached everywhere was also an indispensable foundation for a powerful force. Perhaps this was the first step toward building his future "Shadow Empire."
Rather than rushing to browse books on magic, he followed the newly acquired "knowledge" in his mind to the section housing books on history, the humanities, and social sciences. He wanted to verify the accuracy of the information in his mind and find more details.
As he wove between the towering bookshelves, a girl's slightly urgent, deliberately lowered voice came from beside him:
"Watch out!"
Lin Yinuo reacted extremely quickly, halting his steps and turning sideways to move out of the way.
Almost simultaneously, a rolling wooden ladder used to reach books on higher shelves tilted slightly because of the uneven floor. Several heavy volumes slid off it and landed with a series of thuds, scattering across the spot where he had just been standing.
A girl in an exquisite pale blue dress, who looked about seven or eight years old and had long, smooth chestnut hair and blue eyes, was climbing down the ladder in a somewhat flustered state. Her face showed lingering fright and a trace of apology.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't hold the ladder steady. Those books nearly hit you." The girl hurried over to Lin Yinuo and apologized sincerely. Her graceful bearing made it clear that she came from a good family, but her eyes were lively, without the spoiled arrogance typical of noble young ladies.
Lin Yinuo's gaze swept over the covers of the books scattered on the floor-"An Overview of Mineral Distribution Across the Continent," "Identifying Basic Alchemical Materials," and "A Preliminary Study of the Fischer Chamber of Commerce's Operating Model."
A girl interested in commerce and resources? That was rather rare at her age.
He shook his head and said calmly, "It's all right. None of them hit me." He crouched down, helped gather the scattered books, and handed them back to the girl.
"Thank you." The girl took the books and studied Lin Yinuo curiously. She noticed that although this boy looked several years younger than her, his gaze was unusually steady. He had handled both the accident and her apology with complete composure, nothing like an ordinary child. "Are you a new student? I don't think I've seen you before."
"Yes. A new student, Lin Yinuo Baruch."
"Baruch?" The girl blinked, seemingly recalling something. "The... Baruch Clan that produced two extraordinary geniuses? You're Lin Yinuo, the one who is Superb in All Elements?"
There was surprise in her voice, but it was more a matter of confirming information than blind admiration or astonishment.
Lin Yinuo nodded slightly without denying it, then asked, "And you are?"
"Elena Polenas." The girl introduced herself with easy confidence, then waved the copy of "A Preliminary Study of the Fischer Chamber of Commerce's Operating Model" in her hand. A faintly critical expression, at odds with her age, appeared on her face. "I don't think this book's section on distribution channel optimization goes deep enough. Too many of its assumptions are overly idealistic. Actual losses in transit and the exactions of local nobles are far more complicated than the book makes them out to be."
The Bolenas Family? Delia's older cousin? Lin Yinuo understood. She was a character only briefly mentioned in the original story. He had not expected to meet her here in this manner, and she seemed... quite out of the ordinary.
Independent, opinionated, with a keen eye for business operations... she certainly had the potential to be a "supportive wife" and the "helmswoman of the Shadow Empire." The commercial history the system rewarded me with might serve as a bridge to establish a connection with her.
"Indeed," Lin Yinuo replied. Drawing on his newly acquired [Memory Enhancement] and [Essentials of "The Rise and Fall of Chambers of Commerce in the Modern History of the Yulan Continent"], he casually cited several actual cases in which the Fischer Chamber of Commerce had suffered major setbacks after overlooking local powers. "Especially around Chier Prefecture and the Northeast Province, the influence of local nobles cannot be underestimated. Simple business models are difficult to apply there."
Ailina's eyes instantly lit up as though she had discovered a treasure. She had not expected this rumored magical genius to possess such distinctive insights into commerce and history as well! Even she had only stumbled upon the cases he mentioned in some long-neglected internal family records.
"You're absolutely right!" Ailina's voice carried the excitement of meeting someone who understood her, and she lowered it. "Those scholars always sit in their studies daydreaming. They don't understand the difficulties of actual operations at all. Oh, could you tell me more about that case involving ore transport in Chier Prefecture? I find the way the profits were divided very interesting..."
The two stood between the bookshelves and began conversing quietly, oblivious to those around them. Ailina did most of the asking, while Lin Yinuo drew upon the system-granted "knowledge base" in his mind to answer concisely or guide her thinking.
One possessed commercial historical records and insights that transcended the era; the other had an innate business sense and enthusiasm for practical application. As their ideas met, the initial curiosity in Ailina's gaze as she looked at Lin Yinuo gradually turned into admiration and the joy of finding a kindred spirit.
His magical talent wasn't just astonishing-even his vision and knowledge were so far-reaching! Lin Yinuo of the Baruch Clan... he truly was an incredible person.
Watching the young girl speak confidently before him, her eyes sparkling with intelligence, Lin Yinuo felt the blueprint for the future in his mind seem to grow a little clearer.
Perhaps the intelligence and commercial network could begin taking shape here. Elena Polenas... would be an excellent partner.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass of the library's high windows, casting multicolored patterns of light and shadow over the boy and girl as they spoke quietly, as though gilding this picture of wisdom and the future with a warm, hopeful golden border.
Before you continue