At the beginning of the year, Linley arrived at the college early, before the holiday was even over.
The three brothers who shared the same dormitory hadn't gone home because their families lived far away. Although they had rented houses in the countryside of the Fenlai Kingdom for the New Year, they all returned to the dormitory after hearing that Linley had come back.
"What's wrong with the third child? It's a holiday, but he's studying even harder than when he's in school."
At seven o'clock in the morning, Yale got up early, only to find that Linley's bedding was already made, and only Bebe on the bedside table next to him was still sleeping in.
"I have a feeling something's happened to him." The youngest, Reynolds, stroked his chin, looking serious as he analyzed the situation.
George had also woken up long ago and said, "Before the annual leave, I heard from the third brother that Ms. Monica was going to visit his house, but something probably happened along the way."
Yale thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead. "Monica, the most popular music teacher in the college? The one who's so pure and pretty, with a great figure!"
"Oh, I remember now!"
Yale and Reynolds envisioned a dramatic love story between a teacher and student, one that was forbidden by their families.
George, knowing the two brothers were full of unreliable ideas, reminded them, "Before I came to the academy, my family told me about our 'Teacher Monica.' She's said to be a very mysterious Saint-level expert, Peak Saint being comparable to the Rock Sword Saint Hederson!"
Yale and Reynolds came from different backgrounds: one a merchant family, the other a military family. Compared to George's ancient and prestigious family, they knew far less about the Saint-level.
Yale and Reynolds immediately stopped their colorful fantasies; a Peak Saint expert was not someone they could afford to offend.
"Squeak!" Bebe's annoyed voice rang out, clearly having been woken up by the three people's noise.
Linley was reading a book in the library.
School hasn't officially started yet, and Linley's schedule is very regular: he reads books in the library in the morning, practices stone carving in the afternoon, and meditates to refine his magic power in the evening.
In the library, Linley not only reads magic books, but also some history and humanities books, since his current knowledge and education are still lacking.
I stumbled upon an atlas on the bookshelf and frowned as I turned to the page on the Rhine Empire.
"The Rhine Empire, with its capital in Rhine City, is ruled by the Rhine Clan. Established for over 4,300 years, the Rhine Empire is renowned throughout the continent for its powerful cavalry and Necromancy, and has even fought numerous large-scale battles against the O'Brien Empire and the Yulan Empire without suffering a defeat."
Linley was momentarily lost in thought as he read the introduction.
Suddenly, an envelope floated in slowly and landed steadily in the crevice of the atlas in my hand.
Linley was startled, and a voice came to his ear. "This is a letter from Wharton. Remember to burn it after you read it."
"Ms. Monica?"
"Don't be surprised, nothing happened during the school break. I'll still be a teacher at the college, and you'll still be my student. If you still trust me, the classes after school every afternoon will continue."
Linley picked up the envelope and stuffed it into his pocket. "Thank you, Professor Monica. How is Wharton?"
"He's currently in a forbidden area of the Rhine Clan, which is the safest place I can find on the Yulan Continent. Other powerful figures might not agree to shelter Wharton."
"I see."
"Oh, right. If you discover any danger, bring your father to me, and I can take you away from the Fenlai Empire. But try not to do that, as I fear being hunted down by the Radiant Church. I am no match for the entire Radiant Church."
"Okay, thank you, teacher."
Linley left the library and headed towards the back of the mountain.
Finding a secluded corner, Linley eagerly tore open the envelope.
"Brother, I'm fine now, don't worry about me--" Wharton's own words were crooked and his choice of words was very childish.
"Aunt Veronica? A Saint Warrior is in charge of teaching Wharton?" Linley felt much more at ease upon hearing this.
Although there was suspicion of being forced to pledge allegiance to the Rhine Empire, the learning environment was absolutely excellent; O'Brien Academy didn't have any Saint Warrior attending classes; moreover, the security was something the current Baruch Clan couldn't provide.
Even if Wharton stays in the Rhine Empire after he comes of age, it's not a big deal. These days, Doehring Cowart has been working on Linley, and he's come to terms with it.
The Radiant Church, an early ally of the Baruch Clan, offered no assistance after the family's decline. Regardless of their motives, Linley had no intention of remaining loyal to the Radiant Church.
As long as the Dragonblood Warrior ' fame can once again resound throughout the Yulan Continent, changing the family's settlement location is not a big deal.
Linley had already made up his mind that once he reached the Level Seven Mage, he would visit his younger brother in the Rhine Empire under the guise of traveling.
Linley turned the page of the letter and saw new content.
"Will Wharton's training in Life Magic and Necromancy cause any conflicts?"
Doehring Cowart also revealed himself. "Oh? Life and Necromancy, good news! Linley, don't worry, the Four Edicts are the fundamental laws governing the world, there's no such thing as conflict. Especially with the characteristics of your family's Dragonblood Warrior, if you add the restorative and binding abilities of Life Magic, and the Necromancy, that's like adding wings to a tiger!"
Linley was finally relieved.
"Grandpa Doehring, look at this passage." Linley pointed to a passage in his mind.
Doehring Cowart took a closer look. "Oh? So there are people in the Rhine Empire who know that Blue Heart Grass can neutralize the domineering effects of Dragonblood?"
Wharton learned from his master that Dragonblood combined with Blue Heart Grass could activate the bloodline of the Dragonblood Warrior, and that he would find Dragonblood for Linley and Hogg when he grew up.
"The Rhine Clan— " Doehring Cowart murmured.
"What's wrong, Grandpa Doehring?"
"Oh, I've been thinking about some things from the past. The Rhine Empire hadn't been established when I was still alive. But I have heard of a Rhine Clan; I wonder if they are the royal family of this Rhine Empire." Doehring Cowart stroked his beard.
"I remember Grandpa Doehring, your incident happened in the year 4280 of the Yulan Calendar. The Rhine Empire was initially established as a Grand Duchy in the year 4573 of the Yulan Calendar, and officially became an Empire in 4968." Linley had just read the introduction to the Rhine Empire and still remembered some of it.
"They're skilled in Necromancy, so it's very likely them." Doehring Cowart's expression was grave.
"Is this Rhine Clan really that powerful?" Linley sensed something was off about Doehring Cowart's expression.
"That's enormous! They built it from the descendants of Demon from the Abyss!"
"Abyss! Demon!" Linley was only ten years old and had not learned the specific definitions of these two terms in detail, but he had heard many folk tales about them.
After a long silence, Linley tentatively asked, "Will Wharton be alright?"
"Don't worry, they're just hybrids of Demon and humans, not Demon. The fact that they've been able to establish an empire and maintain peace with the War God and the High Priest shows that they're not as unapproachable and indiscriminately killing as the Demon of the Abyss."
"Oh." Linley looked at the letter again, then reluctantly lit a flame and burned it.
He had made up his mind that once he reached the Level Seven Mage, he would definitely go to the Rhine Empire to visit his younger brother.