Secluded Study
There were nine orphans headed to the Military School originally, Yang Lin now became their tenth member. The journey inside the carriage was dull and silent, save for occasional disdainful glances exchanged between Yang Lin and the other group of children. Unlike them, who had to go through rigorous training since early childhood, numerous exams, and unspoken hardships, this newcomer actually got a free ride off this island. Of course, Yang Lin understood their feelings, but who's to say he had a fairly decent life himself? What would they know about experiencing pain to the extent of mental breakdown within less than ten seconds of regaining consciousness? Much less experiencing the same process daily, weekly, and for long months ahead.
Of course, they wouldn't know.
Soon enough, due to how fast the demonic horses were, they arrived at the shore. This was of course Yang Lin's first time to experience the salty breeze of a beach, this area is usually restricted to the inhabitants, they could only explore towards the depths of the island and never towards the skirts. Within the past few days, Yang Lin had figured out why.
Ahead of the group was a large cruiser for their sailing, what was to come was a four months journey through the oceans of the North Pole towards the nearest, populated land. During these months, each of them was tasked to read a number of books that elaborate the history of this world; major events, current civilizations, and the common tongues for both the natives and the aliens.
Yang Lin felt depressed deep down, they were basically on house arrest on their ship, to each their own room. It was announced that those who finish their assignments are free to roam the ship, spend time with the other children, and practice even if so they wished. This had already put Yang Lin at a disadvantage, he assumed that these books were information the other children have already gone over, meaning he would most likely be the last person to leave his room.
Thinking about it, he has to learn how to read, write, and study four different languages for each culture; natives and aliens, for a total sum of eight languages.
English, Japanese, Arabic, and Ancient Chinese were the common tongue for the modern civilization of natives. English is the most popular and commonly used language.
As for the language used by the aliens… Modern Elysia, Primordial Asura, Primordial Elysia, and Runic Alphabet. Modern Elysia being the common tongue, whilst the Runic texts are the go-to language for Inscriptions, Cultivation Scriptures, and things of that kind. After thousands of years, the natives were able to not only decipher but translate the alien languages and study their methods.
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In his private room, Yang Lin sat crossed-legged, looking helplessly at the mountains upon mountains of books scattered all around the room. He felt dejected, having hoped to try and clear up any misunderstandings between Ming'er and himself, he was yet to know why did she ignore him even though he was the good guy, not Grandma Mo.
Coincidentally, Xiao Ming was also looking at the pile of books in front of herself, but she had them in dozens instead. Such was the case for those who grew up in the Cloud Mist Orphanage, they've already proceeded with these materials, this was more like a passer-time for them. Nonetheless, her mind was in a cloudly turmoil. Was has he avoided her gaze recently? He hasn't even tried to initiate a conversation with her. If she did something wrong, she can't remember. Worry began to weigh on her heart, pessimistic thoughts ushered to germinate, she could only think of one reason; he too thinks she's just a breeding tole now, a prostitute on hold.
Shaking her head, she seemed to slowly drown whatever feelings that surfaced the moment she saw his image, she then picked up a random book to browse through and disperse her concerns. For now, her goal was clear.
Rewrite her fate with blood. Blood of aliens.
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In his room, to his surprise, studying the alien languages was much easier than he anticipated. Yang Lin didn't know if he should call it studying, all he did was scan the pages with his eyes, and it was as though the characters, words, and mantras would itch into his mind.
Their usage, meanings, and intent would dive into the depths of his consciousness. Unknowingly, he was attentively browsing through hundreds of pages, muttering quietly to himself. One hand flipping the pages, the other hand elegantly stroking about with a pen, writing for hours. He didn't even spare a glance at what he wrote, it was instinctual.
If only there was a mirror, Yang Lin would notice that a profound silver gleam would flicker rapidly through his eyes. Each page he scanned, each character he read, would surface in a diagram within the space occupied by the Silver Fox. Accordingly, they would sink into Yang Lin's subconscious.
He was driven by curiosity and browsed through the alien texts, he was yet to try the native languages, but he was already engrossed within these scriptures. Little by little, Yang Lin forgot the reason behind his anxiousness, and he unknowingly adopted a scholarly temperament with the passage of hours, days, and weeks…