Chapter 57: Probe

The five brothers can form a team, not without reason.

Their various behaviors share a common point: the words and deeds of all five appear crazy and foolish.

They are easily driven by petty gains, bully the weak and fear the strong, admit defeat quickly, seeming heartless, gutless, and brainless.

In short, they are nothing like a proper genius of Five Grade Aptitude.

Lin Ke, however, does not look down on them because of that.

One person acting foolishly is possible; perhaps their family background was poor, shaping such a character from childhood.

Two people acting foolishly is also possible; such a coincidence exists.

But five people acting foolishly together is unlikely, unless someone's foolishness is an act.

From beginning to end, the only person who has had direct verbal communication with Lin Ke has been the same individual.

What does this indicate?

This indicates that there is a clear division of labor or seating order among the five.

A truly foolish person would not lightly acknowledge a big brother; once they do, they follow wholeheartedly.

Whatever the big brother says, that is what it is.

Even if they have opinions in their heart, they would only express them privately.

When Lin Ke first came into contact with the five brothers, he discovered that the one speaking out externally was not the real boss.

After all, a true boss usually speaks decisively; how would they consult the younger brothers' opinions on every matter?

Therefore, Lin Ke reasonably surmises that the five are merely banding together for warmth due to this or that reason.

There is no distinction of big brother or not; everyone is a big brother, status equal.

They discuss matters together and present a united front outwardly.

However, when they direct their retorts at Lin Ke outwardly, they end up being lectured and threatened.

If the matter ends here, it would not be a big deal.

From now on, it's enough to avoid further contact.

Can't afford to provoke, can dodge.

However, the five brothers, under Lin Ke's threat, ended up swindling Lifusi Fulansi out of a magic stone.

Now it's a case of mud falling into the pants—whether it's feces or not, it's feces.

Moreover, the incident has come to light, and someone has reported that they associate closely with Lin Ke.

The President of the Newblood Mutual Aid Society, seeing that one of its Vice Presidents and a core member have suffered a confinement and a miserable death, must necessarily take some action to emphasize authority.

The five brothers had bad luck, ran into the line of fire, and received a sound beating.

This undoubtedly damages the five brothers' reputation.

Given the five brothers' usual behavior, they are fully capable of doing something that would astonish people.

For example, they might approach Lin Ke, bow and call him big brother, then wave flags and shout, cheering the newly sworn big brother to go regain face.

Based on many factors, Lin Ke judges that this is a multi-faceted probe from various sides.

First is the President of the Newblood Mutual Aid Society.

Since Lin Ke entered the academy, he has consistently kept a low profile, burying himself in study.

Even when threatened and intimidated by Lifusi and Enrike, he made no retaliatory response.

This calm persisted for several weeks.

Suddenly, one day, the President was informed that his capable subordinates, Vice President Lifusi and core member Enrike, had gotten into trouble due to Lin Ke's instigation.

The two fell out, broke relations, and came to blows.

One was confined by the academy, subsequent punishment unknown;

the other was burned into a cripple, suffering severe injuries hard to heal.

Not long after, the crippled one's attempted revenge failed, and instead was killed by Lin Ke.

This inevitably makes the President suspicious.

He might suspect that Lin Ke secretly joined the Newblood Mutual Aid Society's rival organization, or suspect that Lin Ke might forcefully enter the Society to vie for power and influence……

In short, regardless of what the President suspects, he has the need to probe a little, to see if he can discern Lin Ke's intentions.

Thus, the President can then decide on a strategy toward Lin Ke—whether to fight, to pull in, or to simply ignore.

The martial world is not just about fighting and killing; it's about human relations and worldly wisdom.

Next are the five brothers.

In several encounters with them, Lin Ke's performance has been very dominant; he is also the third person in this year's Newblood cohort to report promotion news to the academy, and his grades are exceptionally good.

Unlike the first person who reported promotion news to the academy, who later became conceited amid everyone's flattery and failed to rank in the top twenty on the midterm exam.

The five brothers originally flew the banner of the Newblood Mutual Aid Society, their own aptitude was also excellent, and they lived very comfortably.

Now, after receiving a beating from the President, continuing to fly the Society's banner is hopeless.

Even if their aptitude is high, it remains only potential.

Potential unfulfilled remains potential, not actual strength.

Relying on their current strength alone, they cannot dominate their Newblood peers, act without restraint, and do whatever they want.

Therefore, upon a reminder from someone with intent, the five brothers thought of flying Lin Ke's banner.

After all, in outsiders' eyes, Lin Ke is also a fierce person among the fierce.

He can scheme against people and dare to kill.

Lastly, it is that person with intent who gave the five brothers the idea.

This person hides their head but shows their tail, their movements are strange.

Previously, they took no action against Lin Ke, but after the exam results were announced, they seized the opportunity and prepared to scheme against Lin Ke.

Inciting the five sworn brothers to seek refuge with Lin Ke, they absolutely harbor malicious intent.

Whether Lin Ke agrees to take in the five sworn brothers as his lackeys or not, the other party's purpose has already been achieved.

Lin Ke suspects that the other party is deliberately setting him up as a target, so that more newcomers will focus their attention on him.

As for what comes next, there definitely will be.

After some thought, Lin Ke felt it was still best not to throw his own formation into chaos; to counter movement with stillness is more appropriate.

Let him be strong as he may; the pure breeze sweeps the mountain ridge.

Let him be reckless as he may; the bright moon shines over the great river.

As long as Lin Ke remains steady and composed, making no mistakes, even if the other party's first move fails, there is an eighty or ninety percent chance they will launch another.

The more the other party does, the more flaws they reveal.

By then, Lin Ke will be able to follow the clues and ferret out the person who may have targeted him because of the Two Districts Grand Comparison, the one pulling strings behind the scenes.

Just so it's decided.

Lin Ke clapped his hands, considered the matter of the five sworn brothers coming to 'seek refuge' settled, and no longer dwelled on it.

He walked straight into the study and took out all the notes he had recorded since his enrollment.

After screening them, Lin Ke picked out all the content concerning runes, witchcraft models, long-term maintenance of witchcraft models, and False Natal Witchcraft.

In practical drills, Lin Ke benefited greatly, not only seeing improvement in his proficiency with False Natal Witchcraft.

It also led Lin Ke to ponder how to further develop the applications of False Natal Witchcraft in daily life, academic research, and combat.

He had formed a rather vague idea.

This idea came from a flash of inspiration, or perhaps it is the effect of Philius Flitwick's spellcasting talent at work.

That is, could one embed one or more instances of False Natal Witchcraft while a normal spell is about to be completed, to achieve the effect of 'double casting' or even 'multiple casting'?

Take the Water Shield Technique as an example.

What Lin Ke practiced today was 'continuous casting': one water shield after another, unbroken.

What he did not practice was 'parallel casting': several water shields simultaneously encircling, guarding his whole body.

And 'double casting' means embedding one water shield within another, increasing instantaneous defensive strength.

This idea is well worth exploring.

Thanks for the tip from reader Xianyu Xinsheng, thank you!

(End of chapter)