Chapter 4 : Chapter 4
Chapter 4: As Long As You Obey, There Will Be Good Food
Inside the dining hall.
Just as Lin Tianhao was about to ask what was going on, his gaze swept over Lin Mo. His body jolted, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
“Level 3?!”
He shot to his feet, his face filled with disbelief.
“No, Mo’er, you were still Level 1 before going to bed last night. How are you Level 3 now?”
Faced with the shocked gazes of his parents, Lin Mo’s heart skipped a beat.
Damn it. I got carried away enjoying myself and forgot to think of an excuse.
Should I say my skill ran off on its own to kill monsters?
No, that would be far too shocking.
In this world, the idea of skills developing self-awareness was unheard of.
If it were exposed, he had no way of predicting the consequences.
Moreover, this was his greatest trump card. He absolutely could not reveal it so easily.
Lin Mo’s mind raced. In less than a tenth of a second, he put on an expression that was slightly embarrassed yet somewhat stubborn.
“Dad, Mom, actually…”
He scratched his head and sighed. “After dinner last night, I lay in bed thinking, and I still felt uneasy.”
“Even though I am a Blank-Slate Mage, I am still the son of Lin Tianhao and Su Wan.”
“So after you both fell asleep, I secretly slipped out to grind some levels.”
At this point, Lin Mo’s eyes were clear, and his tone was sincere.
“Dad, Mom, do not worry. Even without elemental affinity, I will still work hard to become stronger. Even if I am just a clumsy bird, I want to try flying a few steps first.”
The dining hall fell silent for a few seconds.
Lin Tianhao and Su Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes instantly turning red.
Look at this! Just look!
Who said my Mo’er is a useless slacker?
This child is so sensible it hurts the heart!
He talks about living off his parents, yet behind their backs he stayed up all night grinding levels just so they would not worry!
As for how Lin Mo managed to reach Level 3 overnight, the two of them did not find it strange at all.
They gave their son generous pocket money regularly. He must have spent it to hire a few high-level Class Holders to carry him through leveling.
Although it was extravagant, was that even an issue for the Lin family?
“Good! Good child!”
Lin Tianhao, deeply moved, slapped Lin Mo on the shoulder. “With this kind of determination, I am satisfied! Since you want to train, I will support you fully!”
After saying that, Lin Tianhao waved his hand and shouted toward the door:
“Hongyu!”
As soon as his voice fell, a sharp and heroic figure pushed the door open and entered.
It was a young woman dressed in black, form-fitting leather armor. She was tall and strikingly built, with curves in all the right places.
Her wine-red hair was tied into a high ponytail, giving her a valiant and capable air. Her gaze was as sharp as a blade.
“Commander.”
The woman bowed slightly, her voice cold and crisp.
Lin Tianhao nodded, then turned to Lin Mo.
“Since you are determined to level up, do not sneak around anymore. It is not safe.”
“After breakfast, let Hongyu take you out to the wilderness. Train however you want, but safety comes first!”
Lin Mo glanced at Ye Hongyu, whom his father had summoned with a single shout.
He was somewhat familiar with her—she was his father’s loyal subordinate and quite powerful.
Sigh…
It seemed that he really had no choice but to go to the wilderness.
With Little Fireball’s temper, if he kept lying around at home, it would definitely keep making a fuss about going out to kill monsters.
At that point, he would not be able to explain how he could level up while lying down.
Fine. If he had to go out, then so be it.
Anyway, Little Fireball killing monsters did not consume his mental energy. Lying down anywhere was still lying down. He could just treat it as going out for a walk.
“Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom!”
Thinking this, Lin Mo immediately revealed a bright smile.
“Good, good, good…”
Lin Tianhao looked at his promising son and smiled with relief.
Su Wan also beckoned Lin Mo to sit down and eat.
Just as he picked up his chopsticks again, Lin Mo suddenly recalled Little Fireball’s message.
Fire-element food?
Could it be that his skill needed to constantly replenish corresponding elemental energy, so it would not consume his mental energy during battle?
After thinking for a moment, Lin Mo looked at Su Wan.
“Ahem, um… Mom.”
“For breakfast today, do we have anything rich in the fire element? Like Flame Fruits or something like Redflame Beast steak?”
Su Wan froze for a moment, then her smile grew even wider.
It seemed her son, lacking the talent of fire elemental affinity, wanted to make up for it through food.
Although such a method could only be considered a drop in the bucket compared to innate talent, this kind of drive and determination was incredibly rare!
“Yes! Of course we do!”
Su Wan immediately turned to instruct the butler:
“Hurry, bring that crate of ‘Molten Heart Fruits,’ and also the tenderloin from that batch of Flame Rhinoceros that arrived yesterday. Have the kitchen pan-sear it immediately!”
“As long as Mo’er is willing to eat, even if it is the liver of a fire dragon from the heavens, I will get it for you!”
…
Ten minutes later.
Plate after plate of expensive dishes was set before Lin Mo.
The rich aura of fire element energy even made Ye Hongyu, standing to the side, cast a sideways glance.
The value of this breakfast alone was enough to cover an ordinary family’s expenses for an entire year.
Lin Mo did not stand on ceremony. He picked up a Molten Heart Fruit, which looked like a small tomato, and tossed it into his mouth.
BOOM!
A surge of heat instantly flowed down his throat and spread throughout his entire body.
At the same time,
Lin Mo could clearly feel that the skill icon of Fireball began to stir violently.
【Ding! ‘Fireball’ has tasted high-purity fire element!】
【Mood: Delighted (like drinking an ice-cold soda on a scorching day)】
【‘Fireball’ roars: Awesome! This is the flavor! I feel power surging through my entire body! Where are those damn wild monsters? Let me out! I am going to burn them all to death!】
“…”
Lin Mo’s hand, which was cutting his steak, paused.
This little fireball was way too hot-headed.
He absolutely could not let it run out like this…
“Little Fire, calm down, calm down. As my skill, can you have a bit more composure?”
Lin Mo could not help but soothe this irritable companion in his mind.
【‘Fireball’ scoffs: Can composure fill my stomach? Cut the nonsense and take me to the wilderness! My blade is already thirsting!】
Lin Mo shook his head helplessly and thought:
“We will go after eating, but we need to set some ground rules first.”
“First, when we get to the wilderness, do not stray too far from me. Stay within five hundred meters, understand?”
【‘Fireball’ snorts: Tch, what a hassle. Fine, for the sake of this meal, I will listen to you. Hurry up and eat. Once you are done, we start working!】
“And the second point.”
Lin Mo continued in his mind, “You need to act a bit. Other people’s fireballs are thrown out one at a time and disappear after exploding. But you—you keep floating in the air after each attack, looking for the next target. Does that make sense?”
“So you need to learn to disguise yourself. After each attack, disappear immediately on the spot, got it?”
【‘Fireball’ instantly explodes with anger: You want me to run after attacking? I am destined to become a Forbidden Spell! How can I do something so sneaky? I will float in the sky and make those monsters tremble in fear!】
Lin Mo: “…”
This skill was truly both hot-headed and embarrassingly dramatic…
“No! If you keep floating outside, people will easily notice something is wrong with me. If I get captured and dissected for research, who is going to feed you this kind of top-tier magical beast meat?”
As he spoke, Lin Mo deliberately lifted a piece of sizzling Flame Rhinoceros meat with his fork and waved it in front of his mouth.
“See this? This piece alone costs tens of thousands. If you do not behave, I will be eating plain porridge every day, and you will not get even a spark!”
【‘Fireball’ fell silent.】
The once aggressive icon flickered twice, as if undergoing an intense internal struggle.
It was a battle between dignity and food.
A few seconds later.
【‘Fireball’ compromised: Fine, fine, as long as there is enough meat, anything is negotiable!】
【‘Fireball’ mutters: But remember this—this is not cowardice. This is… tactical retreat! For more prolonged slaughter!】
“…”
Lin Mo’s mouth twitched as he put the piece of fire-element beef into his mouth.
Fine, call it whatever you want. As long as you are happy.
“That is more like it, Little Fire.”
“As long as you behave, forget Flame Rhinoceros—even the heart of a Scarlet Flame Dragon, I will get it for you as a snack in the future.”
【‘Fireball’’s anger instantly dropped to zero. Status: Anticipation.】
Done!
Lin Mo was in a great mood. He quickly finished the food on his plate, wiped his mouth, and stood up.
“Dad, Mom, I am full.”
“Sister Ye, let us go—to Gloomwood.”
Upon hearing the words “Gloomwood,” Su Wan’s hand holding the utensils paused.
“Gloomwood?”
“Mo’er, that is a mixed leveling zone for Levels 3 to 5. Not only are there packs of Shadow Wolves, but there are also poisonous spiders…”
“You have little combat experience, and you are a fragile mage…”
Su Wan looked at her son with concern.
Before Lin Mo could speak, Lin Tianhao laughed heartily and waved his hand.
“Oh, wife, you worry too much!”
He pointed at Ye Hongyu, his tone full of confidence.
“With Hongyu accompanying him, what are you afraid of?”
“Hongyu is the youngest elite squad captain in the Jianghai City Defense Force’s Special Unit. Her strength is exceptional.”
Hearing the commander’s praise, Ye Hongyu bowed slightly.
Her heroic face remained expressionless, but her eyes radiated absolute confidence and composure.
“Madam, please rest assured.”
Ye Hongyu’s voice was cold and firm. “As long as I still have a breath left, I will not let the young master suffer even the slightest harm.”
Su Wan looked at Ye Hongyu, then at her husband and son, and finally sighed helplessly.
“...Alright.”
She gently instructed:
“Since your father has said so, go ahead.”
“But Mo’er, remember—there is no need to push yourself too hard. If you encounter danger, hide behind Hongyu. Do not act recklessly, understand?”
Lin Mo nodded obediently.
“Do not worry, Mom. I value my life the most.”
Seeing this, Lin Tianhao laughed in satisfaction, then turned to Ye Hongyu.
His cheerful expression suddenly became more serious, the authority of a commander unmistakable.
“Hongyu, I am entrusting Mo’er to you.”
“If you encounter uncontrollable danger… whether human or monster, eliminate it immediately. No need to report!”
As he spoke the last sentence, a chilling aura of iron-blooded killing intent flashed through the dining hall.
“Yes! Commander!”
Ye Hongyu stood at attention and saluted, her gaze sharp as a blade.
“Alright, do not make it sound like life and death.”
Lin Mo could not stand the atmosphere. He waved his hand and walked toward the villa entrance.
“Dad, Mom, see you later! Tonight I want to eat stir-fried Scarlet Flame Dragon!”
【‘Fireball’ drools. Mood: Excited and expectant. Damage +100%】
“Alright, alright, I will have someone prepare it right away!”
Su Wan called out from behind.