Chapter 198: with translation of chapter title

202. Chapter 202 Hold the thigh tight

It's both painful and joyful.

This is Lin Ke's current mindset.

After ending the "multithreaded thinking" state, Lin Ke lay on the rocking chair, suddenly feeling listless.

His whole body went limp like a salted fish.

Earning money to support the family is truly a curse you can't escape anywhere.

"Lin Ke, what's wrong with you?"

After finally suppressing the fluttering feelings in her heart, Mo Li returned to the study, and the Lin Ke she saw was a brand‑new version she had never seen before.

Without his usual steadiness and ambition, his whole person was listless and dispirited, utterly listless to the extreme.

"Ah! Nothing."

Lin Ke's whole body seemed to be releasing his weight, and when he spoke only his lips moved: "Just thinking about how poor I am makes me feel a bit uneasy."

Mo Li, upon hearing that, couldn't help but roll her eyes.

She thought, at this rate of spending, even more Magic Stones wouldn't be enough for you to craft.

230 standard grade‑2 Magic Stones, converted, equal 260,000 standard grade‑1 Magic Stones — something many people could never earn in a lifetime.

In just one afternoon, they were all used up.

Still couldn't see where those Magic Stones had gone.

If it weren't for your "Superbrain" potion and the newly launched potent body‑refining potion that doesn't harm the brain, they would be priced in standard grade‑2 Magic Stones.

You'll be even poorer!

After silently complaining, Mo Li looked at Lin Ke's extremely listless appearance and couldn't help but conjure a mischievous idea.

That idea was really too tempting.

Mo Li was eager to act, hesitated a bit, then simply went ahead.

Anyway, today she's already being so open‑hearted, so a little more doesn't matter.

Thus, Mo Li imitated Witch Serryn's alluring gait, imitated Witch Serryn's mature‑sister aura, walked up to Lin Ke, looked down, touched his brow, and coquettishly teased: "Little brother, call me 'sister', and I'll keep you!"

Upon hearing that, Lin Ke instantly stopped being listless.

He shivered and jerked, immediately straightened his posture, and said solemnly: "You're underestimating me. I, Linke Grand, a first‑rank official wizard, how could I possibly live off a girl's soft meals? And you even want to keep me?"

Saying this, Lin Ke deliberately cocked the corner of his mouth, his tone especially solemn and serious: "We need more money!"

Mo Li instantly broke character from being teased; the posture, aura, and tone she had learned all went out the window, and she laughed doubled over.

After teasing like that, adjusting his tumultuous mood, Lin Ke returned to normal.

He once again became that sunny, open‑hearted big boy.

Seeing that, Mo Li also stopped playing around.

Each of them read books and studied.

Mo Li needed to prepare for her innate witchcraft, taking the materials and literature catalog that Lin Ke had previously organized, and went through them piece by piece.

The wizard's aptitude improved, but only in the speed of learning meditation, the difficulty of entering witchcraft, casting speed, and witchcraft power, etc.

The knowledge that needs to be learned still requires diligent study.

Lin Ke thought for a moment, and temporarily did not go back to complete the zero‑level will, rule, and element runes of the whole system, nor the zero‑ring witchcraft of the whole system, nor the first‑level runes and first‑ring witchcraft of the whole system.

Instead, he continued to study materials concerning the soul and the sea of consciousness.

After finishing the few remaining materials at hand, Lin Ke will focus on looking up related data and literature on meditation methods.

Along the way, he will also purchase a portion of relatively gentle meditation methods.

Similar to the "Water‑Wood Mutual Growth Meditation Method", even a fragment would do, at least as a reference.

The last half month of the midsummer vacation passed in head‑down study.

Because of the matter of the "seed" evolving into a "small world", Lin Ke's original plan to visit Witch Serryn was cancelled.

Until that day, the elementary and advanced academies both began another autumn semester.

Witch Serryn came to find Lin Ke on her own initiative, also bringing along Rui Nie. Ke La Ke, who only gave a brief glance, and Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, who fixed Lin Ke with a wild gaze the moment they met.

Several people met outside Lin Ke's villa, preparing to go together to the advanced academy.

Mo Li, who had originally prepared to oversee the "Do Anything Free" election, was directly notified to let Ba Ke and Lin En host instead.

She herself stayed by Lin Ke's side, vigilant and on guard against Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, that slut.

To prevent Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke from taking advantage of her absence to sneak in.

She hasn't forgotten the incident last time when someone stole a kiss.

Witch Serryn, seeing this, looked at Lin Ke with a half‑smile, her eyes full of meaning.

After a moment, Rui Nie. Ke La Ke broke the slightly awkward atmosphere, saying:

"Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke was promoted to official wizard a few days ago and also needs to pursue further study at the advanced academy."

"Lin Ke, you have relatively richer experience and a steadier temperament; I hope you can look after Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke a bit more."

After a pause, Rui Nie. Ke La Ke's face showed a smile: "Asan De entrusted me to convey his greetings to you."

"Thank you."

Lin Ke nodded in response: "Please convey my regards to Asan De, and tell him I'm waiting for him to experience my mount."

"All right, he'll definitely be happy."

Rui Nie. Ke La Ke was very pleased that Lin Ke understood her words and also pleased with his reply; her smile grew even brighter.

Her bearing matched her looks, making her whole person appear ever more graceful and tranquil.

There was no trace of that day when she'd drunk a little wine and flared her eyebrows in angry scolding, a fiery temperament.

Mo Li, standing nearby, heard this and clenched her silver teeth.

This green pool actually got promoted?

Damn it!

Won't it be even harder to defend against from now on?

Mo Li secretly decided in her heart that she too must advance as soon as possible.

She's already 15, not young anymore.

Even if she's not mature enough, she's no longer as naive as when she first came to the academy.

We can't waste time on trivial matters; advancing to become a formal wizard as soon as possible is the proper course.

Mo Li sensed the danger and also made up her mind.

Sensing the change in the people's aura around him, Lin Ke felt a faint joy.

Having some stimulation is indeed quite good.

"It's getting late, let's go."

However, to avoid overstimulation, Lin Ke took the initiative to suggest.

"You go ahead, I still have things to do."

At this point, Mo Li changed her mind and no longer intended to accompany them.

By then, having to return alone would make her seem even more lonely and at a disadvantage.

"Wizard Selin, sorry to leave you."

With an apologetic smile, she bade farewell to Wizard Selin, and Mo Li turned and walked toward the base of "Do Whatever You Want."

The big sister is unhappy today; she needs to find someone to spar with.

Let off some steam.

After Mo Li left, the group didn't stand around chatting idly; they boarded a boat and headed for the advanced academy across the lake.

Lin Ke was no stranger to the advanced academy; he had spent a long time soaking in its Library.

He had read every book he could get his hands on.

Wizards Selin and Renee had each done a year of advanced study at the academy; revisiting the place still evoked many memories.

Even those memories were mainly of research, experiments, and magic practice.

They were rather dull, but that was also youth.

The only one who hadn't come before, Iris, had her heart wholly set on Lin Ke; she never even thought of observing her surroundings.

Her eyes were fixed on Lin Ke, sparkling, as if reflecting stars, the very picture of a fangirl.

Wizards Selin and Renee merely circled the periphery once, then made up some excuse and left the advanced academy.

They left time and space for the two young people.

"Lin Ke, Lin Ke..."

As soon as the two who could barely keep her in check left, Iris couldn't hold back and excitedly asked, "War across the heavens—do you fight every day, boom boom boom, constant explosions? Have you been to the front lines? Have you killed enemies and earned merit?"

Lin Ke looked at Iris doubtfully: "Didn't Asande tell you?"

"I asked, but he wouldn't tell me, saying it's legion secrets!"

Iris immediately pouted, looking unhappy: "I even helped him come up with ideas to chase after my sister back then, and translated a few classic love letters for him." "Mmm..."

Lin Ke selectively ignored words like "love letters" and said seriously, "Legion secrets aren't convenient to disclose."

"Boring!"

Iris gave a dismissive snort, feeling unhappy.

Soon, her demeanor switched, her rationality kicked in, and she asked solemnly, "This year, what do you plan to major in, and what to minor in?"

The course setup at the advanced academy is completely different from that of the elementary academy.

The elementary academy lasts four years, all required courses, to solidify the foundation.

The advanced academy is one year, all electives, for advanced improvement.

Here, one can also attempt to switch from an elemental wizard to a true spirit wizard, body-training wizard, artifice wizard, or beastmaster wizard.

However, since the Ruowuosuosi Academy is located on the west coast, its reserves of knowledge for the other four wizard schools are relatively scarce.

To reach a high position will be much harder than for an elemental wizard.

These are purely personal choices.

The academy will only offer reminders, not interfere, respecting the wishes of each formal wizard.

"I plan to major in all elemental wizard courses and minor in true spirit wizard-related courses."

Lin Ke confessed frankly.

There's nothing to hide about it.

After the school term starts, as long as one pays attention, one can infer it from Lin Ke's schedule.

"You're not taking electives like potions and alchemy?"

The rational Iris was puzzled by Lin Ke's choice and couldn't help but ask, "Alchemy I can understand, but you're not studying potions at all—what do you think?"

Lin Ke laughed: "If time permits, of course I'll take them; we'll see."

Iris stared at Lin Ke for a moment; seeing his mind made up, she said nothing more, merely stating her own decision: "I also plan to major in all elemental wizard courses and minor in alchemy."

After a pause, Iris emphasized, "Another part of me loves explosions; the store-bought ones never have enough power, and I can't keep bothering my sister to modify and add to them, so I might as well learn it myself."

"Hmm."

Lin Ke nodded, offering no comment.

Personal preference, personal decision, personal responsibility.

The two walked all the way to the administration building of the advanced academy, where they completed registration on the super-large-screen office smart brain in the first-floor lobby.

The lakeside villa where Lin Ke lives is not a privilege that every formal wizard studying at the advanced academy can enjoy.

Although Aeris also got promoted early within four years, and even before the start of the fall semester of the third year, it was already considered extremely fast.

However, in terms of treatment, compared to Lin Ke, she still lagged a bit.

The residence she obtained was a high-end apartment.

Although she didn't live right by the lake, she was situated not far from the lakeside, with a nice view.

Aeris, whose rationality had dipped slightly, quite wanted to invite Lin Ke up for a sit, but Lin Ke firmly refused.

He bade farewell to Ares, who was about to tidy up her apartment, and detoured to the Advanced Academy Library.

After his permission level increased, he had not yet come to the Library, unsure whether entering the advanced literature repository and the "credit" exchange page here could refresh some advanced materials and documents.

Especially those related to the soul, consciousness sea, and meditation methods.

Lin Ke does not turn away anyone who comes.

Unfortunately, this trip yielded nothing.

Leaving the Library, he strolled slowly all the way to the lakeside, gazing at the tranquil expansive water surface, Lin Ke fell into contemplation.

He encountered a moderate trouble.

There wasn't much relevant material and literature for Lin Ke to consult and reference.

It's not that the academy's knowledge reserves are scarce, but given Lin Ke's current permission level, the public knowledge he can access is limited to just these.

Even though Lin Ke is not lacking in credits now, he still cannot find more of the materials and documents he wants.

Before Lin Ke lay two options:

One is to go to Ruowosuosi City to scavenge, especially the black market, where one can always find something;

Two is to seek help from Selin Witch and/or Paro Sage.

They can surely provide some genuine advanced literature that Lin Ke cannot find no matter how he searches.

After all, Ruowosuosi Academy still has a main headquarters that uniquely occupies a realm.

Only those of Second Rank Witch or higher may enter it.

After some deliberation, Lin Ke made a decision.

Many lice don't cause itch.

Anyway, I'm already tightly bound to the Paro Sage lineage; it wouldn't hurt to tie it even tighter.

Being a hanging machine on the thigh is also not bad.

It's just some materials and documents; just ask them for them.

Going to scavenge myself not only consumes time and energy, but may not even yield good finds.

Having decided, Lin Ke immediately took out his Portable Smart Brain and arranged a solo meeting with Selin Witch.

Selin Witch and Renie Witch had not actually gone far; they were just chatting and catching up in Kodi Witch's office.

Upon receiving Lin Ke's private message, Selin Witch did not hide it from her two close companions, directly laughing and saying: "You guys keep chatting; Lin Ke that little rascal, I've arranged a private talk with him."

Kodi Witch had no reaction.

Renie Witch joked: "Selin, don't treat little Paro as the real Paro, okay."

Selin Witch gave Renie Witch a glance: "Don't talk nonsense; what little Paro, real Paro—utter nonsense."

After saying that, Selin Witch left Kodi Witch's office and headed toward where Lin Ke was.

"Selin still hasn't given up?"

Kodi Witch suddenly asked.

He rarely cares about companions' private affairs, but today on a whim he casually asked.

Renie Witch said: "How could they give up? It's been decades, and I don't know when those two will stop being entangled. Paro really, if you don't like it, don't lead them on—this neither-here-nor-there situation, sigh..."

When it involved Paro, Kodi Witch said nothing more.

Stepping down to let the worthy take over is just that; every aspect must be watched.

It's also quite hard to do.

Lakeside.

Selin Witch directly drove her hovercar to stop in front of Lin Ke, opened one door: "Get in."

Lin Ke got in and sat in the passenger seat.

The hovercar whooshed straight up vertically; once it surpassed the height of all academy buildings, it immediately switched to supersonic flight mode.

In just two minutes, they arrived at the northern district of Ruowosuosi City, at Selin Witch's villa.

If this hovercar did not have the relevant permission, it would have long been shot down by the Ruowosuosi Academy's or Ruowosuosi City's anti-air system.

The two got out of the car, walked all the way into Selin Witch's study, and activated the anti-eavesdropping mode.

After doing that, Selin Witch then asked: "Go ahead, what do you want to discuss privately?"

Lin Ke honestly replied: "I've recently been researching the soul, consciousness sea, and meditation methods; lacking many materials and documents for reference, I'd like to trouble you to help me find some."

"Soul, consciousness sea, meditation methods?"

Selin Witch's brows slightly furrowed, then she asked: "Is your soul having problems?"

Saying that, she herself dismissed it: "You have the world's favor; your soul couldn't possibly have problems—you're just a 'foreign guest.' Consciousness sea, meditation methods... I understand."

Selin Witch stared into Lin Ke's eyes: "I won't ask what happened to you, but I want to remind you that researching meditation methods is fine, creating your own meditation method is also fine, but you must not change your practiced meditation method too frequently in a short time, as that easily leads to problems."

"Mm, I'll take care."

Lin Ke responded solemnly.

"That's good, go out for a moment; I'll contact Paro."

"Okay."

After Lin Ke left the study and casually closed the door, Selin Witch took out an encrypted communicator from the drawer and sent a communication request to Paro Sage.

"What is it? Speak!"

From the communicator came Paro Sage's voice, slightly cold and stiff.

Faintly, the abyssal demon's dying roar could still be heard.

"Wizard, you won this time, but don't get cocky—the Will of the Abyss will avenge me!"

"The Abyss is watching you, the Abyss is watching you… hahaha… you won't last long!"

"The Abyss is watching you!"