After mastering the third piece of transcendent knowledge related to airflow, Lesser Tailwind, it seemed that a quantitative change had triggered a qualitative leap. Lynn's understanding of the once-crude White Crow Sword Technique deepened noticeably.
He looked inward, seeing faint golden motes gather together.
In the techniques column, the mastery level of White Crow Sword Technique, Second Layer · Incomplete, had shifted from "Beginner" to "Proficient"!
Closing the light curtain, Lynn stood, fingers flicking as he chanted an incantation.
Moments later, an invisible ripple of spiritual light swept over him.
He tried taking a couple of brisk steps and immediately felt a subtle difference.
Before, fast walking would bring a faint breeze against his face. Now, with Lesser Tailwind active, that breeze was almost entirely gone.
Leaving the meditation chamber for the wider underground room, Lynn broke into a run.
This time, the effect of Lesser Tailwind was even more pronounced!
It felt as if he had leapt from a thick, clinging swamp into a light, buoyant sea of cotton; every restraint around him significantly eased.
Drawing his longsword, Lynn tried a slash.
The blade flashed like white lightning, no longer producing the shrill whistle that full-force swings used to make. The sound was softer now, but the speed was astonishing!
Sheathing his sword, Lynn calmly evaluated his power increase.
If before, his White Crow Sword Technique at full thrust without Lesser Tailwind was comparable to one of the stronger lesser-tier Zero-Ring spells, then now, with Lesser Tailwind enhancing a White Crow Sword Qi thrust, he was nearly pushing the upper limits of that category's power!
And not just instantaneous, it's flexible, too.
Whoosh!
He lightly jabbed forward, and as the magical energy in the White Crow mana cluster decreased, his forearm became wreathed in a layer of White Crow Sword Qi!
Invisible, razor-sharp currents swirled rapidly, making the surrounding space seem faintly distorted.
A faint smile touched his lips. Lynn turned and headed upstairs, bound for the Greenvine Restaurant.
Technically, their magical array maintenance crew didn't have to be on duty every day.
Usually, only monthly routine maintenance was required.
They were only called in for immediate repairs if something unexpected happened.
But that applied to official maintenance staff. Lynn, as a trainee, was required to shadow Faruga for the first three months.
Though he had no intention of seeking the man out again, appearances had to be maintained.
Besides, there was another important reason to visit Greenvine. In learning magical arrays, being able to observe a functioning array at any time is a huge advantage.
Thinking of the vast, intricate array beneath the restaurant filled Lynn with anticipation, and he quickened his pace up the stairs.
…
…
Instead of entering through the front, Lynn slipped in through the back door and used his society badge to head downstairs.
It was quiet here, save for the occasional rustling of the vines.
Good, Faruga's not here.
Lynn glanced around with a faint smile and sat beside the array's central core.
He took out a knowledge crystal and quickly immersed himself in study.
An hour passed before he rose, thoughtful, and turned toward the array.
Removing his badge, he slotted it into the matching groove on the core's surface, then touched a nearby protruding crystal with his fingertip, channeling his mental power into it.
But moments later, the core sent back a denial of access.
Lynn froze, frowning.
He should have had permission for this.
It didn't take a genius to guess Faruga had meddled with it.
Just as he was brooding over this, footsteps came from the stairs.
Expecting Faruga, he turned only to see an unexpected figure: Adeline.
The head server of Greenvine noticed his gaze and greeted him warmly.
"Good morning, Master Lynn. I hope I'm not disturbing you.
"I only came to let you know Master Faruga won't be coming to the restaurant today, and… you're unlikely to catch him at all."
Since her words concerned a second-tier member, Adeline phrased them carefully.
Lynn understood, shaking his head. "I know he won't come. He's probably still waiting for me to go bow my head, but all I can say is he'll be waiting in vain."
Adeline was surprised by his bluntness. She had worked here a long time and seen many new array maintenance recruits.
Plenty had disliked Faruga, but few were as calm, without a shred of hesitation or worry about the consequences, as Lynn.
"It seems… you're quite confident in your array studies, Master Lynn," she said sincerely, then smiled. "Looks like my reminder was unnecessary."
"I do have some confidence," Lynn replied, turning back to examine the array core.
Adeline didn't leave. Watching in silence for a moment, she hesitated, then asked:
"Is there anything I can do to help, Master Lynn?
"In fact, as one of the restaurant's head servers, I do have a certain level of control over the array."
Lynn paused, eyes lighting up slightly, though with a trace of doubt.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"
"Not at all." Adeline shook her head and stepped forward of her own accord.
...
"Alright, Master Lynn."
A moment later, Adeline withdrew her hand and stepped away from the magical array core, making space for Lynn.
Perhaps because what she'd just done went against Greenvine Restaurant's rules, or perhaps for some other reason, Adeline looked a little tense.
Even so, her movements retained the feline grace she always carried.
Lynn had once thought this was the result of strict training, but after more interaction, he realized it was more like her heterochromatic eyes, those strange, beautiful yellow-and-blue irises, something she had been born with.
"Thank you," Lynn said sincerely, turning his attention to the core now loaded with Adeline's permissions.
Her access was limited, so he couldn't see much, but for someone just beginning his study of magical arrays, this living example was still invaluable.
While he was immersed in his work, Adeline hesitated, then mustered her courage.
"Master Lynn, may I invite you to dinner tonight?
"As a proper thanks for saving me yesterday."
Lynn, focused on studying, didn't catch her words clearly and shook his head absentmindedly.
Adeline's expression dimmed instantly, as if a gray shadow had fallen over her.
She bit her lip and tried again.
"It won't take much of your time just here at Greenvine…"
Only then did Lynn register what she'd said. He shook his head and said,
"Sorry, I didn't hear you just now. Of course, dinner is fine.
"But, Adeline, isn't Greenvine a bit expensive for you? We could go somewhere else. I'm not picky about food."
Adeline's yellow-and-blue eyes lit up instantly. She quickly shook her head, her tone light.
"It's fine, Master Lynn, I just came into a large sum… Though yes, Greenvine is pricey, so I can only host you in the main hall."
"I don't mind that at all, Adeline," Lynn said.
"…Then I'll see you tonight, Master Lynn."
She nodded lightly, sealing the arrangement.
After that, she didn't disturb him again, slipping away in high spirits.
Evening.
Greenvine Restaurant.
After a full day of intense study, Lynn emerged from the basement to the first floor, looking a little tired.
He was still frowning in thought over the day's lessons as he headed to the table where he and Adeline had arranged to meet.
Soon, he spotted her waiting by the window.
Tonight, the head waitress wasn't in her black-and-white uniform. Instead, she wore a deep-purple court dress accented with subtle details. The design was simple rather than ornate, yet still refined.
Her silver-white hair, usually tied in a single ponytail, was loose, with the ends bound by a matching deep-purple ribbon.
Adeline was already a beauty; with the care she'd taken tonight, she was even more striking.
Lynn paused mid-step, then detoured to the washroom, where he splashed water on his face and straightened his wizard's robe.
He wanted to look at least somewhat refreshed before going over.
It was clear Adeline had put effort into this dinner.
Though she likely wouldn't have minded if he went as he was, he would have minded.
This was a habit carried over from Earth, one of the few reminders that he had come from another, now unimaginably distant, world.
He didn't want to lose those things.
So, unless a habit could cause real trouble, Lynn saw no reason to give it up.
At least, that's how he felt for now.
Smiling, he walked toward Adeline
…unaware that, at the restaurant's front entrance, just behind him to the side, Elena had just walked in, laughing and chatting with several fellow academy members.
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