Chapter 8 : Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Hard Difficulty · Haunted Castle
“Th-this…”
After a long while, Lin Tianhao finally found his voice again.
The hands that had long wielded war blades and slain countless enemies were now trembling slightly.
“That fireball just now… was that two-stage mental guidance?”
“And…”
“Mo’er was multitasking? He was playing a game?”
As one of Jianghai City’s top combat forces, Lin Tianhao understood all too well what this meant.
For ordinary mages, casting a skill required complete concentration.
Even so-called genius Blaze Mages, if they wanted to control a fireball’s trajectory, had to lock onto the target and focus all their mental energy on guiding it.
But what about his son?
Playing a game while controlling a fireball—and doing so with such precision!
This level of micro-control… even across the entire Dragon Nation, there were probably only a handful of people his age who could achieve it.
My son is no mediocrity. My son has the bearing of an emperor…
“Is this really our Mo’er?”
Su Wan covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening.
“Without elemental affinity, directly forcing control over a skill’s trajectory… Th-this level of talent is terrifying!”
Feeling his parents’ burning gazes, Lin Mo sighed inwardly.
Fine. A genius it is.
He could not exactly tell them that his fireball had developed a mind of its own, could he?
Who would believe that?
Lin Mo pretended to choke slightly, took a sip of soup, and spoke vaguely:
“Ahem… I was just casually playing.”
“Mainly because that ranked match was too important—it was a promotion match. I did not have time to look up at the monsters, so I just threw it by instinct.”
“Dad, Mom, please do not look at me like that. It is kind of embarrassing…”
Lin Tianhao suddenly slapped his thigh, bursting with excitement.
“Well said—‘casually playing’! Well said—‘by instinct’!”
“I knew it! How could the son of Lin Tianhao possibly be useless?!”
The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing uncontrollable joy in each other’s eyes.
Originally, they had even discussed whether to have their son pretend to be ill on the day of the Class Holder Grand Exam, just to avoid him being ridiculed.
But now?
What nonsense—pretend to be sick? Absolutely not!
With such godlike micro-control, letting him stay at home as a useless rich second generation would be nothing short of a waste of talent!
So what if the Zhao family’s son had awakened S-grade fire elemental affinity?
At low levels, when everyone’s skills were similar, he might not even match their Mo’er’s level of control.
Su Wan calmed her emotions and got straight to the point.
“Mo’er, the Grand Exam is coming soon. To get into a top academy, you need to reach at least Level 10 and learn a second basic skill to be safe.”
She turned to Ye Hongyu and instructed seriously:
“Hongyu, over the next two days, focus entirely on helping Mo’er level up. Make sure he reaches Level 10 before the exam.”
“Yes, Madam!”
Ye Hongyu stood at attention and accepted the order, her eyes igniting with determination.
Lin Mo nodded without refusing.
“Alright, I understand. I will work hard.”
In truth, whether he went to the exam or what university he entered did not matter much to him.
After all, his Little Fireball could level up on its own.
Wherever he lay down, it was all the same.
Home was comfortable, but under his parents’ watchful eyes, it felt a bit restrictive.
University would be different.
He had heard that no one managed you in university dorms. As long as you were strong enough, you could sleep all day and no one would bother you.
Moreover, the living conditions in top academies were no worse than at home.
Most importantly, if he could achieve good results and see his parents hold their heads high, beaming with pride… that did not seem so bad either.
After all, in this life, his parents truly treated him with boundless love.
Earning them some pride could be considered filial piety.
Seeing how readily her son agreed, Su Wan’s smile deepened.
“As for your second skill, it is time to start considering it.”
“Our family has basic skill books from all elements.”
She listed them as if reciting treasures:
“Water-type 【Water Arrow】, earth-type 【Earth Shield】, wind-type Wind Blade, wood-type Healing Art… and even the rare lightning-type Thunder Strike.”
“Mo’er, which one do you want to learn? Just say the word, and I will have it brought immediately.”
Hearing this, Lin Tianhao offered his suggestion from the side.
“Son, let me give you some advice.”
“Although your Fireball accuracy is unmatched, mages are still fragile. What they fear most is being closed in on by assassins or focused down by ranged attacks.”
“So for your second skill, I recommend the earth-type 【Earth Shield】.”
“It has the highest defensive value among basic skills. Once you learn it, it is like wearing an extra layer of armor. At critical moments, it can save your life!”
“As long as you are alive, you can deal damage. Makes sense, right?”
Su Wan nodded in agreement.
“Your father is right this time. Safety comes first. We are not seeking to kill many enemies—first and foremost, you must remain unharmed.”
Lin Mo stroked his chin and fell into thought.
A second skill…
Indeed, survival was important.
But what he was most curious about was whether the new skill would also develop a personality—and what kind of temperament it would have.
Hopefully not another hot-headed lunatic like Little Fireball.
One was already more than enough. Another one…
That would be a headache.
【‘Fireball’ lets out a satisfied burp: burp~ Comfortable!】
【‘Fireball’ looks completely content, then reignites with blazing fighting spirit: That dragon liver tasted amazing. I feel power surging through me! Slaughter—I want slaughter! I feel like I am one step closer to becoming a Forbidden Spell!】
Ignoring this gluttonous Little Fireball, Lin Mo looked up at his parents.
“Alright, I will follow Dad’s advice. I will go with the earth type for my second skill.”
“With an extra layer of protection, I will feel safer.”
“Staying alive is what matters. I still want to live a few more years and keep living off you.”
Lin Tianhao burst into laughter, not minding his son’s shameless remark at all.
“Good! Make your own decisions. I am just giving advice. Since the goal is set, then leveling cannot stop.”
As he spoke, Lin Tianhao flipped his wrist.
A simple, ancient scroll emitting a purple-black glow was solemnly placed on the table.
“This is the dungeon scroll for 【Hard Difficulty · Haunted Castle】.”
“I originally planned to give it to you in a few days, but since your leveling speed is so fast and you have that level of micro-control talent, you can use it tonight.”
“The level restriction for this dungeon is Lv.3–Lv.5, so Hongyu will not be able to accompany you inside. But that is fine—I have already arranged a team for you.”
“A team?”
Lin Mo asked instinctively.
Seeing this, Lin Tianhao spoke earnestly:
“Mo’er, I know your micro-control talent is strong, but you must never become arrogant because of it.”
“The monsters in a Hard difficulty dungeon are far beyond those in the wilderness.”
“You only have one life. I do not want to see you come to harm—not even a scratch.”
Lin Mo listened and nodded seriously.
“Dad, I understand.”
“It is always better to be cautious—that is something I know.”
In truth, he did not mind that his father had arranged a team for him.
Although Little Fireball was powerful, he had never entered a dungeon before.
It was his first time, after all. Being cautious was always good. His father would never harm him.
Seeing that his son could listen to advice, Lin Tianhao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Ye Hongyu.
“Hongyu, go to the underground vault. Help Mo’er select the best mage equipment set he can currently wear.”
“Yes! Commander!”
Ye Hongyu turned and left swiftly.
At that moment, the old butler walked in quickly, bowing slightly as he reported:
“Master, Madam.”
“Miss Xia and the others have arrived. Their car is already outside.”
Lin Tianhao checked the time and laughed.
“Oh? Right on cue. These youngsters are quite punctual.”