#21Second floor of the libraryAI Model: moonshotai/kimi-k2-instruct-0905
Chapter 21 – The Second Floor of the Library
Seven days flitted by in the blink of an eye.
Early that morning, Lin Mo packed his luggage carefully; after checking he'd forgotten nothing, he headed straight for the Dean's office.
He stood at the door, gave a light knock.
'Come in.' The Dean's familiar voice sounded from within.
Lin Mo pushed the door and entered to find Dean Wang seated behind his desk, a document in hand.
Seeing it was Lin Mo, he broke into a smile and set the papers aside.
'Ah, Lin Mo—perfect timing. I was just about to send for you.' Dean Wang beamed. 'All packed? Then let's be off.'
'Everything's ready, Dean.' Lin Mo nodded.
'Good. Come along—the carriage is waiting at the gate.' The Dean rose, walked round the desk, and clapped Lin Mo on the shoulder.
'Just the two of us this time—makes things simpler.'
The pair left the office one after the other and headed for the main gate… where a handsome carriage stood waiting.
It was far grander than the donkey cart Lin Mo had ridden to Nuoding City with the village head: larger cabin, sleeker horses that looked spirited and strong.
The driver, a simple-looking middle-aged man, bowed respectfully the moment he saw Dean Wang.
The Dean merely waved, then led Lin Mo aboard.
The compartment was roomy, the seats cushioned and comfortable.
At the driver's shout the carriage gave a gentle lurch and rolled smoothly forward—faster than expected, yet with far less jolt than Lin Mo had feared.
They rolled out of Nuoding City and along the post-road toward the northeast.
Dean Wang, smiling kindly at Lin Mo across from him, asked,
'Lin Mo, this trip to the Soul Hunting Forest is to secure your first spirit ring.
Have you any definite ideas about what you want for your CharmanderSpirit's first ring—or what sort of Spirit Beast you'd prefer it from?'
Hearing the question, Lin Mo didn't answer at once; he lowered his head and thought hard.
He had pondered this many times already.
During the past half-year in the library he had not idled away the hours; he had learned a great deal about Spirit Beasts and spirit rings.
Coupled with the advantages of a Transmigrator, he had long since mapped out the cultivation path for his twin spirits.
After a moment he lifted his head and calmly laid out the requirements he had already settled on:
'Dean, I've thought it through. Charmander is fire-attributed, and in form it should count as a draconic Spirit Beast—something close to a land-dragon type.'
He marshalled his words and went on: 'So what I most want is a fire-attribute Spirit Beast or one with land-dragon Bloodline.
In terms of attribute compatibility, rings from either should suit Charmander best.'
'Oh? Explain your reasoning.' The Dean's eyes gleamed with interest.
'It's simple,' Lin Mo said. 'A fire-type ring will likely strengthen Charmander's own flames or make flame control easier.
A land-dragon ring might raise the Bloodline quality of Charmanderitself or improve my physical abilities.
Either way—boosting the element or the quality—both help my future Cultivation a lot.'
He paused, then added, 'Of course, Dean, I also know that hunting Spirit Beasts for rings often depends on luck; we can't always choose.
If we can't find a suitable fire-type or land-dragon, then as a fallback any Beast with a powerful Spirit Ability will do.
A strong Spirit Ability also raises combat strength greatly.'
Dean Wang Zongchang's face broke into an openly delighted smile at this clear, logical reply.
He was thoroughly pleased.
It showed that Lin Mo understood his Spirit's traits and potential, and—more rare—had a clear plan for his future path as a Spirit Master.
Most children who have just broken through rank 10 either follow their elders blindly or chase only immediate combat power.
Few thought things through as thoroughly as Lin Mo.
In the Dean's eyes, this clarity of purpose was even more valuable than simple knowledge of the Spirit.
It meant the boy might go farther—perhaps to heights he himself could never reach.
Delighted, he could not resist testing Lin Mo further.
He asked several routine questions about basic Spirit Master Cultivation and about common Spirit Beasts' habits and weaknesses.
Lin Mo pondered briefly and answered fluently.
His answers were not abstruse, but the fundamentals were rock-solid, the details precise.
All this came from spending nearly every free moment during the past half-year in the ground-floor library.
He had read and re-read those seemingly basic books until they were second nature.
Seeing how solid the boy's theory was, the Dean's admiration deepened.
He laughed and slapped Lin Mo's shoulder. 'Good—excellent! That old Su really showed Wisdom Eye this time, letting you roam the library freely.
And you, boy, certainly didn't waste the chance.'
He paused, then delivered news that startled Lin Mo: 'When we return from the Soul Hunting Forest, the second floor of the academy library will be opened to you as well.'
'The second floor?' Lin Mo blinked.
Nuoding Academy's second floor held books a step above those downstairs; normally only teachers had access—ordinary students were barred.
To Lin Mo it was a tremendous windfall.
The ground-floor volumes had long since been exhausted; even if he kept reading, new knowledge would be scant.
The only thing left in Nuoding Academy that could attract him now was the collection on that forbidden second floor.
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