Chapter 36: Son, Give It Your All!

The next morning.

Lin Mo rolled over half-asleep and reached out to feel the nightstand.

A servant who had been waiting immediately handed him a cup of warm honey water.

“Young Master, drink up…”

Lin Mo moistened his throat, finally fully waking up.

He stretched out comfortably.

“Ah, so good~”

That sleep had left him utterly refreshed.

As usual, Lin Mo mentally activated his personal attribute panel.

【Name: Lin Mo】

【Class: Mage】

【Level: Lv.17 (92%)】

“Huh?”

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow and instinctively glanced at his skill bar.

【‘Fireball’ yawned, looking exhausted yet utterly satisfied: Ah… is this what dawn feels like?】

【‘Fireball’ glanced at Lin Mo: Awake? Last night I wiped out every last member of the wild monsters in that area.】

【‘Fireball’ declared proudly: No need to thank me—this is all necessary accumulation on the path to forbidden spells.】

【Status: Sage Mode after Extreme Excitement (slightly sleepy, but still ready to fight! Urgently needs fire-element food.)】

Lin Mo couldn’t help but sigh.

“Little Fire, little Fire…”

“If I had the means, I’d give you an ‘Annual Best Grind King’ trophy and parade you through the streets with a red ribbon.”

【‘Fireball’ snorted: Empty honors—I care nothing for them. I care only for power!】

“Alright, alright.”

Lin Mo was in high spirits and got out of bed.

Soon after washing up, Lin Mo strolled into the dining room humming a tune.

Lin Tianhao and Su Wan were already seated.

The atmosphere today was more solemn than usual.

Lin Tianhao wore a crisp military dress uniform, his chest adorned with rows of gleaming medals; his presence radiated authority, commanding respect without a word.

Su Wan had changed into a formal black long dress, her hair neatly coiled, appearing elegant and efficient.

“Dad, Mom, good morning.”

Lin Mo pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing a slice of toast, “This is quite the occasion. Someone might think you’re being promoted to city governor today.”

Lin Tianhao’s eyebrow twitched, and he said sternly:

“Brat, today’s the big exam—everyone in the city is watching. I’m one of the chief examiners. Don’t you think I should dress properly?”

Su Wan ladled a bowl of 【Crimson Flame Beef Stew Porridge】 into Lin Mo’s bowl and said softly, “Eat more. The exam is physically demanding—don’t show up hungry.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Lin Mo took the porridge and savored a sip.

Lin Tianhao then reminded him:

“By the way, Lin Mo, today the recruitment officer from the Dragon Sequence Class at the Capital’s Heavenly Dragon Academy will be here. Perform well.”

“Dragon Sequence Class?” Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. “Is it that impressive?”

Lin Tianhao scoffed, “Son, let me put it this way: every year, hundreds of thousands take the Professional Exam across the entire Dragon Nation.”

“Only one in a million make it into Heavenly Dragon Academy.”

“And the Dragon Sequence Class? They never admit more than twenty students per year!”

“Whoa…”

Lin Mo sucked in a breath. “That really is impressive.”

“Of course it is!”

Lin Tianhao continued, “Once you enter that class, you’re essentially joining the nation’s privileged elite—even during school, you’re granted authority to execute first and report later. Understood?”

“Yeah, yeah, got it, Dad. Don’t worry—I’ll make you proud.”

Lin Mo mumbled through his porridge.

To him, the exam was just a way to impress his parents—he’d go anywhere.

His skills would level up on their own; his insights would come naturally.

Watching his son’s confident demeanor, Lin Tianhao and Su Wan exchanged glances, filled with quiet pride.

“Good! That’s the spirit!”

Lin Tianhao laughed loudly, stood up, and clapped Lin Mo on the shoulder:

“Since you’re confident, I’ll rest easy.”

Su Wan also rose, straightened Lin Mo’s collar, and said gently:

“Just do your best—don’t pressure yourself. Whether you get into the Dragon Sequence Class or not, you’re already our best.”

Lin Tianhao glanced at his watch, his expression turning sharp:

“Alright, time’s up.”

“Your mom and I have to head over and hold the ground.”

“Today’s a major day. As senior officials, we must arrive early to inspect the exam site’s defenses.”

“You finish breakfast and take the family car over.”

Lin Mo nodded:

“Got it. You two go ahead—I’ll take my time.”

…

…

Jianghai City, Professional Exam Monitoring Command Center.

Inside the massive circular hall, hundreds of high-definition screens monitored every corner of the exam sites in real time.

Lin Tianhao and Su Wan had already reached the VIP monitoring room on the second floor.

At that moment,

“Old Lin, if you dragged me all the way from the capital only for me to watch nothing, I swear I’ll never forgive you.”

A slightly lazy voice rang out.

Lin Tianhao turned his head.

Xu Lao was walking over, two walnuts in hand.

“Hahaha, how could I? We’ve been friends for how many years? When have I ever tricked you?”

Lin Tianhao laughed heartily and rose to greet him.

Xu Lao rolled his eyes and plopped down on the sofa:

“Don’t give me that. What’s coming out of your mouth is never ivory.”

“You said your son simultaneously mastered four skills in fire and earth, and that he controls them like extensions of his own limbs?”

“And fire-earth combo techniques? Are you writing a novel?”

“Honestly, if it weren’t for our old dorm-room-bunk-buddy days, I wouldn’t have come.”

Lin Tianhao only smiled mysteriously and poured Xu Lao a cup of tea:

“Whether it’s fiction or not—you’ll find out once the exam starts.”

“I’ll say this: if you don’t admit my son into the Dragon Sequence Class today, it’ll be your greatest loss—and the nation’s!”

“Don’t give me the national-interest speech…”

As the two bickered, Zhao Lei arrived with several subordinates.

His gaze immediately locked onto Xu Lao, his pupils contracting slightly in surprise.

“Huh? Isn’t that Old Xu? What are you doing here?”

He couldn’t fathom why Xu Lao had shown up.

Could it be… because of his own S-rank-talent son?

The thought filled Zhao Lei with delight.

Looks like his reputation was big enough—he hadn’t even called, and Xu Lao had come running.

Xu Lao turned his head slightly at the sound.

The three of them had been classmates in university.

Back then, Lin Tianhao was universally recognized as the battle-obsessed powerhouse, far ahead of everyone else.

Zhao Lei was the eternal second-place finisher, forever trailing behind Lin Tianhao.

As for Xu Lao himself, he was the spectator who always loved the drama.

For decades, Zhao Lei had been burning with the desire to beat Lin Tianhao once—something no one in their old circle was unaware of.

“Hahaha, Old Zhao, long time no see.”

Xu Lao didn’t rise, only smiled faintly. “I came at Old Lin’s invitation.”

“At… Old Lin’s invitation?”

Zhao Lei blinked, his tone turning strange:

“Old Xu, you’re not joking, are you?”

Xu Wenchang spread his hands. “Yeah, Old Lin went on and on about his son—called him a once-in-a-millennium genius, insisted I come see for myself.”

“Pfft—”

Zhao Lei couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

He pulled his hand back, straightened his collar, then plopped down on the sofa across from them.

“Old Lin, Old Lin—what kind of place is the Dragon Order Class? It’s for raw power, not fluff!”

“You brought Old Xu here—are you trying to sneak your son in through back doors?”

“Or… did you give Lin Mo a one-time skill scroll to cheat?”

Zhao Lei added sternly: “I advise you not to entertain such thoughts—cheating in the exam carries severe consequences.”

Lin Tianhao didn’t even lift his eyelids, blowing gently on the steam rising from his teacup:

“Zhao Lei, your vision is this limited?”

“Always judging gentlemen by your own petty standards—no wonder you couldn’t win me back then, and now… in the next generation, you still can’t.”

“You—!”

Zhao Lei’s face darkened.

But soon he calmed, snorting coldly: “Hmph, let’s see what kind of miraculous performance your son puts on.”

With that, Zhao Lei ignored Lin Tianhao and turned to Xu Wenchang:

“Old Xu, I suggest you pay more attention to my son, Zhao Yu.”

“S-rank fire affinity—Flame Mage! I’ve been drilling him nonstop these past few days—his skill proficiency, his casting speed—just look at it…”

Zhao Lei raised his thumb, beaming with pride:

“He’s definitely this year’s top graduate candidate for Jianghai City!”

Xu Wenchang listened to Zhao Lei’s boasts and gave a polite smile:

“S-rank fire mage? Indeed impressive.”

“But… the Dragon Order Class recruits based on fate and on-the-spot performance.”

“Let’s all wait and see—no rush.”

Xu Wenchang’s reply was flawless—neither agreeing nor outright refusing, the classic move of empty politeness.

Seeing this, Zhao Lei leaned back against the sofa.

He was overjoyed inside.

His son, with his S-rank talent, had never even been given a chance to show himself to the Dragon Order Class recruiters.

But now Lin Tianhao had invited Xu Wenchang here.

Perfect—no matter how extraordinary Lin Mo’s blank-slate mage talent might be, how far could it possibly go?

It wouldn’t impress the Dragon Order Class recruiters at all, while giving his own son Zhao Yu the perfect stage to shine.

This was a godsend!

Thinking of this, Zhao Lei picked up his phone and sent a message to his son Zhao Yu:

【Son, perform well—Dragon Order Class recruiters are here!】