"Spiritual strength is high-grade; qualified as a magician!"
With this announcement, the recruiting officers from various academies immediately surrounded them, enthusiastically introducing their institutions.
"Teacher Meister."
Lin approached a skinny, wrinkled old man with white hair, greeting him with a smile.
"You're Lin!" the elder exclaimed, realizing who he was. "Is this child yours?"
"My son."
Meister smiled, "No wonder, he's even more talented than you were!"
Lin, who had been recruited into the Halley Magic Academy by this elderly gentleman with his high water and low dark elemental affinity, responded with a modest smile.
"How powerful, a level eight magician!"
Although Halley Magic Academy wasn't as renowned as the Natural or Shadow Magic Academies, one still needed at least one high-grade elemental affinity or spiritual strength to enroll!
Three medium-grade talents would only grant admission to a second-tier academy.
A sorrowful elder remarked, "What a pity."
The tester announced, "Fire element medium, light element medium!"
Lin chose to keep a low profile, not revealing his strength as a level eight magician.
"Look at that."
"Hmm."
By the year 5209 of the Violet Calendar, Lin brought his seven-year-old son Cindy to Scott City for the Natural Church's magical talent assessment…
The family's expenses were rising with the increasing number of members, a natural consequence for a noble household that required certain luxuries.
"Alright, you handle it."
Traveling along the main road out of the city, Lin stopped to buy some snacks and toys, amusing Lila and chatting with Serena.
Lin had just broken through, taking deep breaths to adjust his mindset, feeling the abundant and powerful magical energy within him, ten times stronger than before!
Seeing no chance, the other recruiters reluctantly walked away. They all knew they had no opportunity now.
The Natural Magic Academy, with its stringent admission requirements, was one of the two most prestigious academies on the continent.
"Fortunately, our children are not lacking in talent."
Lin observed the scene silently, his expression calm.
After a brief chat with Teacher Meister, Lin turned down all offers from second-tier magic schools and left with Cindy to visit Regulus, the third prince.
Seeing this result, Lin pondered thoughtfully.
Money is essential!
By February of 5206, Violet Calendar, Rich officially began his studies, marking the start of his magical journey. Lin, now 40, was also making progress.
Cindy, though relieved, also showed a tinge of regret, knowing that the lack of high-grade elemental affinity meant he had the weakest talent in the family.
Once a practitioner breaks through to level seven, it's a transformational change, extending life from the human maximum of 120 years to 200 years. For level eight, it's 350 years, and for level nine, 500 years!
Considering Serena's health, Lin couldn't continuously drain her vitality. Three children were enough for now.
After a gathering with his dormitory brothers, Lin discussed his plans for Cindy.
All were patient and prudent.
It was Teacher Meister.
Serena agreed, understanding the importance. This mutual understanding was one reason for their harmonious relationship.
No dramatic love-hate conflicts or intense rivalries, just pragmatic interests.
The second round of spiritual strength testing yielded moderate results again.
Lin smiled meaningfully, "When the time is ripe, it's time to expand our family business."
Life in Black Stone Town returned to its peaceful routine.
Lin was aware of his strengths, status, and connections, never stepping beyond his safety zone.
Not for lack of ability, but because Lin valued discretion and gradual progress.
"I want him to follow the path of a warrior!"
"You should focus on your practice too, aiming to break through to level seven within two years."
For now, the existing market share was sufficient for the family's expenses, with no need for excessive greed.
Parents of all statuses, noble and commoner alike, wore expressions of tension and anticipation.
After leaving the Natural Church with Rich, Lin returned to his carriage, meeting Serena's and Cindy's curious gaze, and Lila's innocent, watery eyes.
If not for the time spent on childbirth, Serena might have reached level seven by now.
Serena was pleasantly surprised and then shocked upon hearing the news.
Many people with only low-grade talent struggled in vain, unsure if they could ever break through to level seven.
In September of 5207, Serena finally overcame her hurdle, liquefying her magical energy to become a level seven magician.
Agreeing with Lin's plan, she felt it was better to wait for a few years.
"You seem to be progressing much faster in your practice."
By 5208, Lin, now 42, also made a breakthrough, purifying his magical energy to advance to a level eight magician.
Serena commented, feeling content.
"Let's go."
Lin noticed and wasn't surprised at all.
"Haha, fantastic! My daughter can become a magician!"
Step by step, steady progress was key.
His rapid advancement from level seven to eight in just 10 years was unusually quick!
Over the years, the Lin family's Black Agate wine had established a solid market presence, though its scale remained modest, holding just over 1% of the market share.
This result was satisfactory, worth the effort.
Life's many facets played out vividly.
The Shadow Magic Academy, an institution under the Dark Alliance, was a rival of the Natural Church.
With a touch of the crystal ball, red and white lights burst forth.
Only one recruiter remained still.
Reality was often much more mundane than fiction or movies, unless one greedily sought mismatched gains.
"High-grade talent! My son has the potential for a level nine magician!"
Serena, who also attended Halley Magic Academy, was three years younger than Lin. With high-grade water, medium-grade light affinity, and high spiritual strength, she was now a 36-year-old level six pinnacle water magician.
At 10, Rich, studying in the second year at Halley Magic Academy, had become a level two wind magician.
...
Lin showed Serena the admission proof, to her delight and satisfaction.
"Ah, just a bit short!"
Rich's enrollment in Halley Magic Academy was a given, given Lin's connections.
After accumulating for eight years, Lin's water magical energy reached the pinnacle of level seven, preparing to break through to level eight.
Lin had observed that Cindy, with a robust physique and boundless energy since age five, was suited for warrior training.
At five, Cindy underwent simple physical training with positive results. Now, two years later, he was close to the level one warrior standard, remarkable for a seven-year-old human child, not some mythical beast's offspring.
"Got it!"
Regulus heartily agreed, "We're brothers, I'll find you a suitable fighting technique manual!"