Chapter 4: If You Obey, You

In the dining room.

Lin Tianhao was about to ask what was wrong, but his gaze swept over Lin Mo, and he too stiffened, eyes nearly popping out.

“Level 3?!”

He shot to his feet, face filled with disbelief.

“Wait, Mo’er, you were Level 1 before bed last night—how are you Level 3 now?”

Faced with the stunned gazes of his parents, Lin Mo’s heart skipped.

Dammit, got so caught up in the thrill, forgot how to cover it up.

Say the skill went out on its own to kill monsters?

No, that’s too shocking.

In this world, skills developing self-awareness is unheard of.

If exposed, I can’t predict what consequences might follow.

And this is my biggest secret—I must never reveal it lightly.

Lin Mo’s mind raced, and in less than a tenth of a second, he switched to an expression of slight embarrassment mixed with stubbornness.

“Dad, Mom, actually…”

Lin Mo scratched his head and sighed: “After dinner last night, I lay on the bed thinking—I still felt uneasy.”

“Even though I’m a blank-element mage, I’m still the son of Lin Tianhao and Su Wan.”

“So after you both fell asleep, I slipped out to train a bit.”

As he spoke, Lin Mo’s eyes were clear, his tone sincere:

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry—I may have no elemental affinity, but I’ll still work hard to grow stronger. Even if I’m just a clumsy bird, I want to take two flights first.”

The dining room fell silent for several seconds.

Lin Tianhao and Su Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes instantly reddening.

Look! Look!

Who says my Mo’er is a lazybones?

This child is so considerate it breaks your heart!

He talks about mooching off us, but secretly stays up all night leveling just so we won’t worry!

As for how Lin Mo rose to Level 3 overnight, the two elders didn’t find it strange at all.

Their son always got cash in big handfuls—he must’ve paid a few high-level adventurers to train him.

It’s extravagant, but for the Lin family, is that even a problem?

“Good! Good kid!”

Lin Tianhao, moved, clapped Lin Mo on the shoulder, “With this heart, Dad’s already satisfied! If you want to train, I fully support you!”

After speaking, Lin Tianhao waved his hand and shouted toward the door:

“Hongyu!”

The moment he spoke, a sharp figure pushed the door open.

A young woman in black fitted leather armor stood there—tall, curvaceous, every curve in all the right places.

Her wine-red hair was tied into a high ponytail, giving her a fierce, martial air, her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Commander.”

She bowed slightly, voice cool and clear.

Lin Tianhao nodded slightly, then turned to Lin Mo:

“Since you’re serious about leveling, stop sneaking out—it’s unsafe.”

“After breakfast, Hongyu will take you into the wilds. Train however you like—safety first!”

Lin Mo glanced at Ye Hongyu, the woman his father had summoned with one shout.

He knew her—his father’s loyal subordinate, formidable in strength.

Sigh…

Looks like I’ve got no choice but to go out.

Little Fire’s temper’s too wild—if I keep lying around at home, it’ll keep demanding to go out and kill monsters.

Then I’d have no way to explain how I leveled up just by lying down.

Fine, I’ll go out.

After all, Little Fire kills monsters without draining my mental energy—wherever I lie down is the same. Might as well treat it like a walk.

“Thanks, Dad! Thanks, Mom!”

Thinking this, Lin Mo broke into a bright smile.

“Ah, ah, good, good, good…”

Lin Tianhao, watching his accomplished son, smiled with satisfaction.

Su Wan urged Lin Mo to sit and eat.

Just as he picked up his chopsticks again, Lin Mo remembered Little Fire’s message.

Fire-element food?

So my skill needs constant replenishment of elemental energy—and doesn’t drain my own mental power during battle?

Lin Mo thought for a moment, then looked at his mother Su Wan.

“Cough, uh… Mom.”

“For breakfast, do we have anything with strong fire-element energy? Like Flame Fruit or Infernal Rhino steak?”

Su Wan paused, then her smile deepened.

Clearly, her son, lacking “fire-element affinity,” wanted to compensate through diet.

Though this method was negligible compared to innate talent, this “ferocity” and “drive” was rare indeed!

“Yes! Of course we do!”

Su Wan immediately turned to the butler:

“Quick, bring the crate of ‘Magma Heart Fruit,’ and the fresh Infernal Rhino tenderloin from yesterday—have the kitchen sear it right away!”

“If Mo’er wants it, even the liver of a fire dragon from the heavens—I’ll get it for you!”

…

Ten minutes later.

A series of expensive dishes sat before Lin Mo.

The dense fire-element aura made Ye Hongyu, standing nearby, glance over in surprise.

This breakfast’s value equaled a common family’s annual expenses.

Lin Mo didn’t hesitate—he grabbed a small tomato-like Magma Heart Fruit and tossed it into his mouth.

Boom!

A wave of heat surged instantly from his throat through his entire body.

At the same time,

Lin Mo clearly felt Little Fire’s skill icon stir violently.

【Ding! ‘Fireball’ tasted high-purity fire element!】

【Mood: Joyful (like drinking an ice-cold cola on a scorching day)】

【‘Fireball’ roared: AHH! That’s the taste! I feel stronger than ever! Where are those damn monsters? Let me out! I’ll burn them to ash!】

“….”

Lin Mo’s hand paused mid-cut of the steak.

Little Fire’s temper is insane.

I can’t let it go out right now…

“Little Fire, calm down, calm down. As my skill, can’t you show a little restraint?”

Lin Mo mentally soothed this volatile brute.

【‘Fireball’ sneered: Restraint can’t be eaten. Stop wasting time—take me to the wilds! My blade is starving!】

Lin Mo sighed, silently thinking:

“Eat first, but we’ve got rules.”

“First, once we’re in the wilds, don’t stray far—stay within five hundred meters of me, understood?”

【‘Fireball’ snorted: Ugh, so annoying. Fine, for this meal, I’ll listen. Hurry up and eat—we’re starting soon!】

“Second point.”

Lin Mo continued mentally: “When others cast fireballs, they fire one and it explodes. You? You just float there after firing, hunting the next target—is that normal?”

“So you need to learn to disguise yourself—after firing, vanish instantly, got it?”

【‘Fireball’ exploded: You want me to run after firing? I’m destined to become a forbidden spell—how can I do sneaky stuff like that? I’ll float in the sky and make monsters tremble in fear!】

Lin Mo: “…”

This skill is ridiculously dramatic and melodramatic…

“No! If you keep floating around, people will notice something’s off with me. Then they’ll dissect me—who’ll feed you this top-tier monster meat?”

Lin Mo said, deliberately skewering a sizzling Infernal Rhino steak and waving it near his mouth.

“See? One piece costs tens of thousands. If you don’t obey, I’ll drink plain congee every day—no spark for you!”

【‘Fireball’ fell silent.】

The originally menacing icon flickered twice, as if locked in intense internal conflict.

It was a battle between dignity and food.

A few seconds later.

【『Fireball Spell』compromised: Fine, fine, fine! As long as there’s enough meat, anything goes!】

【『Fireball Spell』grumbled in addition: But remember this isn’t cowardice—it’s… it’s tactical retreat! For greater, longer-lasting slaughter!】

“…”

Lin Mo twitched his lips, then shoved the fire-element beef into his mouth.

Fine, whatever—tactical retreat, slaughter, whatever makes you happy.

“That’s the spirit, Little Fire.”

“As long as you listen, I’ll get you even the heart meat of the Crimson Flame Dragon as a snack.”

【『Fireball Spell』’s anger instantly dropped to zero; status changed to: Anticipation.】

Done!

Lin Mo’s mood lifted; he finished the meal in a few bites, wiped his mouth, and stood up.

“Dad, Mom, I’m done eating.”

“Miss Ye, let’s go to the Darkwood Forest.”

Upon hearing the words “Darkwood Forest,” Su Wan’s right hand froze mid-utensil.

“Darkwood Forest?”

“Mo’er, that’s a Level 3 to Level 5 mixed training zone—it’s filled with packs of Shadow Wolves and venomous spiders…”

“You have no real combat experience, and you’re a fragile mage…”

Su Wan looked at her son with concern.

Before Lin Mo could speak, Lin Tianhao burst into laughter and waved his hand dismissively:

“Hah! Wife, you worry too much!”

He pointed to Ye Hongyu standing nearby, his tone brimming with trust in his subordinate:

“With Hongyu with you, what’s there to fear?”

“Hongyu is the youngest elite squad leader of our Jianghai City Garrison Special Forces—her strength is unmatched.”

Hearing the commander’s praise, Ye Hongyu bowed slightly.

Though her strikingly fierce face remained expressionless, her eyes radiated absolute confidence and calm.

“Lady, rest assured.”

Ye Hongyu’s voice was cold and resolute: “As long as I draw breath, I will not let Young Master suffer a single scratch.”

Su Wan glanced at Ye Hongyu, then at her husband and son, and finally sighed helplessly.

“This… fine.”

She softly admonished:

“Since your father says so, go ahead.”

“But Mo’er, remember—we don’t need to push ourselves so hard. If danger arises, hide behind Hongyu. Don’t be reckless, understood?”

Lin Mo nodded obediently:

“Don’t worry, Mom—I’m the type who values his life most.”

Seeing this, Lin Tianhao laughed heartily, then turned to Ye Hongyu.

His cheerful expression instantly hardened; the commander’s authority radiated unmistakably:

“Hongyu, I entrust Mo’er to you.”

“If you encounter uncontrollable danger—whether human or monster—eliminate them immediately, no need to report!”

As he spoke the final half-sentence, a flash of iron-blooded slaughter surged through the dining room.

“Yes, Commander!”

Ye Hongyu snapped to attention, saluting, her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Alright, don’t make it sound like a farewell forever.”

Lin Mo, unable to bear the atmosphere, waved his hand and strode toward the villa’s front door: “Dad, Mom, see you later! Tonight I’m eating stir-fried Crimson Flame Dragon!”

【『Fireball Spell』salivated; mood: Excited and Anticipating; Damage +100%】

“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll have someone prepare it right away!”

Su Wan called out from behind.