Master Bedroom.
Lin Tianhao leaned against the headboard, lighting a cigar with a satisfied expression.
His bare upper body was covered in scars, crisscrossing like medals of honor for a War God.
"Still going strong, Commander Lin."
Su Wan, wrapped in a silk robe, lazily leaned on her husband's shoulder, her fingers gently tracing the scars:
"Seems like that dragon meat wasn't eaten in vain. Your combat prowess hasn't diminished at all."
"Of course!"
Lin Tianhao raised an eyebrow proudly, waving his large hand with a touch of bravado:
"Do you even know who I am? The Raging Thunder War God!"
"In that battle just now, if I wasn't worried about waking Mo'er, I would have unleashed a couple more 'Thunderous Might' moves!"
Su Wan rolled her eyes at him, pinching his arm lightly:
"Stop bragging. Do you want to tear the house down?"
Speaking of which, Su Wan looked worried:
"I hope this time we can have a child with good talent, so if Mo'er ever gets bullied, at least he'll have a younger sibling to protect him."
Lin Tianhao held his wife's hand.
"Don't worry, I have a feeling it'll work this time!"
"Mo'er was... well, an accident. This time, it'll definitely be a little monster!"
Just then.
Buzz—Buzz—
The phone vibrated on the bedside table.
Lin Tianhao frowned slightly, glanced at the caller ID, and his expression turned a bit peculiar.
"Who could it be at this hour?"
Su Wan asked.
"Old Zhao."
Lin Tianhao curled his lip, looking disdainful, "That old Zhao Lei, probably calling to show off."
As soon as the call connected, Zhao Lei's loud voice came through the receiver:
"Yo! Old Lin! Still up at this hour? From the sound of it, you haven't rested yet?"
"Get to the point!"
Lin Tianhao replied irritably, "I'm busy, no time for your nonsense."
"Hehe, it's nothing major, just wanted to share some good news with my old comrade. My boy just awakened."
Zhao Lei didn't get angry, his tone filled with pride.
Before Lin Tianhao could respond, Zhao Lei started bragging.
"Hey, my boy awakened as a Blazing Flame Mage, but unfortunately, his Fire Elemental Affinity is only rated S, just average."
Zhao Lei sighed, feigning humility.
Lin Tianhao snorted coldly.
Blazing Flame Mage, S-grade Fire Elemental Affinity, and you call that average?
Even my Raging Thunder War God's Lightning Elemental Affinity is just S-grade.
A class with S-grade Elemental Affinity is guaranteed to be among the top combat forces in the city.
"Oh, that's not bad." Lin Tianhao's tone was dry, "Congratulations."
"Same to you!"
Zhao Lei pretended not to notice Lin Tianhao's displeasure and continued:
"You know, my son is quite impressive, almost level 3 now."
"By the way, Old Lin, I heard Lin Mo's awakening wasn't great. How about I have my boy help him level up? We've known each other for a long time..."
Beep...
Before Zhao Lei could finish, Lin Tianhao expressionlessly hung up the phone.
The bedroom fell into a brief silence.
Su Wan hugged his arm, speaking softly:
"Angry about what Old Zhao said?"
"Hmph, don't you know what that old guy is like?"
Lin Tianhao leaned back against the headboard again, this time gripping his cigar a bit tighter:
"In college, I overshadowed him, and later in the City Defense Army, I overshadowed him again."
"For decades, Zhao Lei never stood tall in front of me!"
"And now, heaven gives him a son who's an S-grade Blazing Flame Mage..."
"He's been holding back for decades, finally finding a chance to get back at me!"
Su Wan sighed, her eyes showing a hint of helplessness:
"Honey, a Blazing Flame Mage with S-grade Affinity is a genius among geniuses."
"In the Classholder Entrance Examination in three days, that Zhao kid will surely make a big splash, maybe even break city records."
"By then, if Mo'er's results are too poor... there will definitely be gossip."
"He dares!"
Lin Tianhao's eyes widened, a surge of momentum bursting forth, "If he dares to say a word against Mo'er in front of me, I'll tear his mouth apart!"
"Hey, Old Lin, you can shut Zhao Lei's mouth with your fists, but you can't stop the gossip."
"Zhao Lei's son is used to being arrogant and has always been at odds with our Mo'er. He'll definitely stir up some rumors with his little followers..."
Su Wan glanced at Lin Tianhao, a bit worried.
After a while, Lin Tianhao exhaled a smoke ring, his voice turning hoarse and low:
"The exam... for fairness, only allows the most basic Bronze Grade equipment. It's a real test of strength, broadcast citywide, under everyone's watch."
Saying this, Lin Tianhao fiercely extinguished the freshly lit cigar, a resolute look flashing in his eyes:
"No way! I can't let Mo'er suffer this humiliation!"
"Wife, tell Mo'er tomorrow to take a sick leave on the exam day and not go!"
"We have plenty of money. Spend some to get him into any university for a few years."
"Rather than being laughed at by Zhao Lei's family, it's better for him to sleep comfortably at home."
Su Wan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes reddened slightly, nodding:
"Alright. We only have this one son. Face doesn't matter, as long as he's not upset."
Lin Tianhao fiercely extinguished the freshly lit cigar, turning to Su Wan:
"Wife, let's try again!"
"Zhao Lei wants to compete with sons? Fine! We'll go all out with him!"
"As for Mo'er... in this life, we'll shield him from all storms. Even if he's a waste, he's my most treasured waste!"
Su Wan wrapped her arms around her husband's neck, her gaze gentle: "Alright. No one bullies the children of the Lin Family."
...
The next morning.
Lin Mo groggily opened his eyes, stretching lazily.
That sleep was exceptionally sweet.
"Ah, comfortable~"
Lin Mo rubbed his eyes, instinctively opening his class panel.
[Name: Lin Mo]
[Class: Mage]
[Level: Lv.3 (25%)]
[Skills: Fireball (Lv.3), Multiple Explosive Fireballs (Lv.3)]
Lin Mo's pupils shrank suddenly, his sleepiness vanishing instantly.
"Damn? Really level 3?"
In this world, leveling up isn't easy.
Even geniuses from prestigious families, with a whole team, might only reach Lv.3 on the first day.
And me?
Slept through the night, did nothing, and I'm Lv.3?
Plus, the experience bar is 25% full!
"Is this the charm of fully automatic leveling?"
Lin Mo couldn't help but marvel.
He glanced at the skill bar, noticing a status message under [Fireball]:
[Status: Catching up on sleep (snoring loudly)]
[Mood: Extremely tired (even craving a midnight snack)]
[Last night's record: Killed Sharp-Toothed Rabbit x158, Grassland Gray Wolf x135, Venomous Spider x112...]
[Message: Exhausted... Hey, get me some fire element food, or I'm going on strike!]
Seeing this somewhat irritable message, Lin Mo wasn't angry.
Why argue with your own skills?
Besides, it's still helping me level up.
Just then, his mother Su Wan's gentle voice came from downstairs:
"Mo'er, are you awake? Come down for breakfast."
"Coming!"
Lin Mo quickly got out of bed, washed up, changed into casual clothes, and hummed a tune as he went downstairs.
...
In the dining room, his mother Su Wan and father Lin Tianhao were already seated at the table.
"Morning, Mom, Dad."
Lin Mo pulled out a chair and sat down, casually grabbing a piece of toast, in high spirits.
Seeing her son's carefree demeanor, Su Wan felt a pang of sorrow.
Lin Tianhao's words from last night echoed in her mind.
Though asking her son to take a sick leave from the exam was to protect his mental health and avoid gossip, telling him, "You're not good enough, don't embarrass yourself," was truly cruel.
Su Wan carefully considered her words, preparing to bring up the sick leave.
Suddenly, her instincts as a Holy High Priest sensed something amiss.
Lin Mo's aura...
How did it become stronger overnight?
"Hmm?"
Su Wan instinctively looked over.
A [Inspection] was cast towards Lin Mo.
The next second, Su Wan was stunned.
[Lin Mo, Level: LV.3]
3... Level 3?!
Weren't you supposed to stay home and be a rich second generation? Did you sneak out to level up in the middle of the night?