This was a bamboo forest, the verdant leaves swaying gently in the breeze, emitting a rustling sound. In the heart of the grove stood a simple wooden cabin, not very large, suggesting it was the dwelling of a single person. Not far from the cabin, there was a small pond whose water was crystal clear to the bottom, and nearby, a few delicate orchids diffused waves of sweet fragrance.

Quiet, elegant, and detached—though it appeared exceedingly plain, it nonetheless conveyed a feeling of refreshing peace. Just standing there made one feel utterly merged with nature, an indescribable sense of comfort and ease settling in.

"Is this where you live? It’s quite nice," Lin Luo praised sincerely, looking at the surroundings before him.

Touko Aozaki, hailed as a prodigy since birth, possessed top-tier Mystic Circuits and innate Mystic Eyes, senses capable of perceiving the subtle workings of the world. She was, in essence, born for thaumaturgy; from the very beginning, she was destined to be intertwined with magic.

Nurtured as the heir apparent to a pure Magus and potential Mage, she had been the focus of attention, expected to become a Mage. From childhood, she had been separated from her family, living solely within her grandfather/master's magic workshop deep in the mountains, leading an almost reclusive existence. However, this place hardly qualified as a Magus's workshop; it was merely an ordinary residence.

This was only natural. Although Lin Luo had gained the opportunity to converse with Touko Aozaki as a fellow Magus, gaining entry to her master's true workshop was impossible. After all, that was one of the secrets held by every magus family; even other mages were not permitted to see too much.

Therefore, the place Touko Aozaki brought him to was merely her personal resting spot. Lin Luo was neither surprised nor dissatisfied by this fact, as he held no particular interest in a Magic Workshop—it was merely an offshoot of thaumaturgy. What truly captivated him was Touko Aozaki herself.

"It's nothing. Just a place I found by chance and tidied up a bit," Touko Aozaki stated calmly.

Touko Aozaki’s current demeanor was a stark contrast to the image Lin Luo held of her ten years in the future. To call her cold now would be somewhat unfair, as one could see genuine, heartfelt concern for her younger sister, Aoko, reflected in her eyes—a trait a truly cold person couldn't display.

Composed yet reserved, tranquil yet peaceful—perhaps the phrase 'handling the world with detached ease' best described Touko Aozaki at this moment. Lin Luo had initially found it strange, but now he felt a measure of understanding. If a person lived in such isolation for a long time, it would be difficult not to become this way.

"Hahaha, Sister is talking nonsense again. You searched for this place for ages, it’s wrong to lie," Aoko Aozaki chimed in, laughing and exposing her sister's fib. She leaned conspiratorially toward Lin Luo’s ear as if they were old friends, whispering, "Don't let her stiff expression fool you; she’s actually quite manipulative behind the scenes, always saying the opposite of what she means."

Saying the opposite of what she means—wasn't that tsundere?

Lin Luo paused, feeling slightly taken aback. But then again, for a younger sister to badmouth her elder like that, it certainly lacked any sense of propriety.

Shooting Aoko a fierce glare, Touko Aozaki said, "Aoko, this doesn't concern you. Go find somewhere else to entertain yourself."

"Hey!" Aoko pouted in clear displeasure, protesting, "Why are you kicking me out? There’s no one else here; where am I supposed to go play?"

"Then go home. You’ve played enough for today anyway. Don't you have class tomorrow? Go do your homework first," Touko replied dismissively, not even glancing at her.

"Don't talk to me like Mom!" Aoko retorted, her eyes flashing, then she defiantly perched herself on the wooden railing. "Hmph, if you want me gone, I simply won't leave. I'm staying right here today."

A flicker of exasperation crossed Touko's face, and she sighed. "Fine. Stay here if you must. But I am about to conduct a magical exchange with Lin Luo. I don't object to you watching, but if our grandfather finds out you’ve been dabbling in magic and scolds you, don't come crying to me."

"Ugh, that smelly old man..." As if recalling something dreadful, Aoko glanced around guiltily. After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke with regret, "Alright, alright, I'll go. Big deal..."

Saying that, she jumped down from the railing and approached Touko, holding out her hand. "Give it back."

"What?" Touko blinked, clearly not understanding.

Aoko stated matter-of-factly, "My knife, of course! That's the toy I worked so hard to find."

"This thing..." Touko drew the dagger from its leather sheath, examining it for a moment before looking back at Aoko. "This isn't suitable for you. I'll hold onto it for now, so you can leave."

"Huh?" Aoko's mouth dropped open as if she’d heard something outrageous. "But this is mine!"

"I never said it was mine." Without acknowledging Aoko’s protest, Touko slid the dagger back into its sheath, adding a subtle threat: "If you don't leave now, I won't hesitate to use more forceful methods."

"Hmph..." Although Aoko was filled with resentment, she was clearly no match for Touko's firm stance. "Tch, stingy! Fine, I’m going!" She stuck her tongue out, making a face at Touko, and then kicked pebbles along the path as she ran toward the edge of the bamboo forest—a very contradictory person, seeming to complain while simultaneously enjoying herself.

Watching the two sisters engage in what was essentially a childish spat (though they were, in fact, children), Lin Luo felt speechless. Touko's demeanor was one thing, but Aoko... the thought that this energetic, naturally exuberant girl would one day become one of the Five Great Mages was astonishing. Girls truly were the most peculiar creatures in this world.

As Lin Luo was musing, Aoko, who hadn't gotten far, suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back, waving at him. "Mister Magus, you have to beat my sister! Beat her until she’s thoroughly thrashed!"

"..." Lin Luo was at a loss for words. What was all that about? They were just exchanging magic; when did it become a fight? Besides, 'beat her'—why not suggest 'take her down'? Wouldn't that be more affectionate?

He glanced back at Aoko. Although her face was expressionless, Lin Luo could tell her mood had soured somewhat. It was understandable; having one’s own sister unexpectedly side with an outsider was bound to be frustrating.

After Aoko left, the bamboo forest instantly became quiet. Although they were there to exchange magic, a suitable opening line for the conversation seemed elusive... Facing such an imperturbable type put a little pressure on Lin Luo. "Um..."

"Would you like to come in for some tea?" Before Lin Luo could utter two words, Touko Aozaki interrupted him with the invitation.

"I would be delighted," Lin Luo replied with a smile, following her into the cabin.

The interior was extremely spartan. Lin Luo scanned the room at a glance: aside from a few items related to thaumaturgy, there was only a bed, a table and chairs, and some essential daily necessities—nothing else. It felt like stepping back into ancient times.

Lin Luo was astonished. He knew Touko Aozaki lived a hermit-like life in her youth, but this was excessively simple. He couldn't imagine how he would endure such austerity for years, perhaps not even three days.

"Here," Touko gently placed a cup of freshly brewed tea before Lin Luo, then sat down opposite him... Her etiquette was impeccable.

Lin Luo glanced at the steaming tea, then surveyed the room again. He couldn't spot any device for boiling water, so he asked instinctively, "You’ve already integrated magic into your daily life?"

"It's just a form of training," Touko said dismissively and calmly. "Although to inherit the family's magic, I must practice large-scale activation rituals, I personally prefer the finer details..."

"Not pushing the world forward, but recreating what remains of the world into a new form?" Lin Luo picked up where she left off.

"Eh?" Touko was momentarily stunned, surprised that Lin Luo could grasp her meaning. "How did you know?"

"Just a guess," Lin Luo replied noncommittally. Of course, he didn't know through guessing; someone had told him. And if he had to name who, well, that would naturally be the all-knowing 'Baidu.'

"A guess..." Yet, Touko seemed pleased with his answer. Her expression softened from its coldness, becoming one of gentle warmth beneath the detachment. "You are correct. The world cannot be moved solely by one person or by magic. It should be the origin of all things, the cause and effect of everything. Both sorcery and magic are inseparable from the world as this fundamental point. I personally believe that if someone presumes to move the world, the price they pay will inevitably be unbearable for an individual."

"The Root? When discussing magic, those two words seem unavoidable."

"The Root—that is the ultimate pursuit of all mages," Touko nodded in agreement. "The world is fixed. No matter how much one tries to push it, it ultimately won't change because of one person. But, if one could recreate the things that people have forgotten, the remnants of the world, into a new prototype—would that reach a different level of achievement…?"

Touko spoke passionately about her theories, and Lin Luo listened intently. Both the Root and magic were parts of this world's 'reality.' Whether Touko's insights were right or wrong, they would certainly help him in analyzing the world's rules.

Lin Luo could somewhat understand the fervor in her eyes. Isolated in these mountains, she had virtually no one to communicate with except her grandfather and sister. Her grandfather only taught her magical knowledge but wouldn't discuss philosophy with her, and Aoko, not being a magus, obviously couldn't engage in this topic.

Now, suddenly, someone like Lin Luo appeared—someone who wasn't exceptionally outstanding as a magus but could comprehend her philosophy and didn't reject her viewpoints. He felt like a kindred spirit, making it inevitable for Touko to feel the urge to pour out her thoughts.

This was inevitable because communication is the fundamental basis for human existence. If one cannot achieve communion with others, no matter how gifted they are, they remain incomplete.