"Sir, I thought you might change your mind."
"…What do you mean?"
Mod's steps paused slightly as he asked, confused:
"Didn't the people from the Bananka School come to find you?"
"Yesterday afternoon, the Bananka School, for some reason, issued a notice to actively recruit Wild Wizards.
Anyone who is an Intermediate Apprentice or above can join the Bananka School, and among them, the outstanding ones could become official members of the School!"
"Someone like you, an Official Wizard, they should have sent someone specifically to contact you…"
Colin did not rush to ask further but slowed his pace and turned his head to signal Renee to step forward and listen to the bearded salesman's explanation.
He then moved to the back with Mod.
"Such a big move from the Bananka School, has something happened recently?" Colin asked in a calm, low voice.
"This…" Mod frowned and shook his head, "Sir, I've been at home lately, just finished assimilating the power of the Golden Four-leaf Clover, and took the opportunity to advance to an Intermediate Apprentice, so I'm a bit out of the loop... I haven't heard about anything special happening."
Colin nodded, feeling a bit puzzled.
He pondered for a moment and then turned to Mod again:
"Has the Bananka School ever recruited Wild Wizards like this before?"
"Not at all, sir," Mod affirmed with a shake of his head, "I've lived on Bananka Island for nearly sixty years and I've never seen the School do such a thing, joining the Bananka School has always been harder than reaching the heavens for a Wild Wizard..."
"Hmm." Colin's puzzled feeling deepened, and he failed to comprehend.
From simple logic, it could be deduced—
The Bananka School's recruiting of Wild Wizards on the island obviously meant they needed more Wizards.
Thinking in reverse, this also meant the School was lacking Wizards.
But how could the powerful Bananka School suddenly be short on Wizards?
His brow furrowed slightly.
Whoom—
The sound of flames igniting echoed.
"…Are you saying this stove can freely control the intensity of the flame and doesn't require fuel?"
"Yes, it can control the fire's intensity, but it's not like it doesn't need fuel; rather, it uses Magic Stones as fuel, although the consumption is not significant…"
The bearded salesman in the distance was introducing the kitchen to Renee.
Colin withdrew his gaze and continued to ponder.
Normally, if a School wanted to increase the number of Wizards, they would usually choose to cultivate them from childhood.
Only Wizards nurtured from childhood could truly be considered members of the School.
It was rare for a School to recruit Wild Wizards directly, and even if they did, it would be only a small number.
After all, although such recruitment might expand the School's power temporarily, in the long run, the disadvantages far outweighed the benefits.
Unless, there was an urgent need for more manpower for something…
Like discovering a new island that needed expansion, or… encountering some kind of external crisis!
He suddenly remembered the incident six days ago when Qu Laidun tried to recruit him at the trade market.
And…
The captured, emaciated believer.
"Sir, you've seen everything on the ship now, are you satisfied?"
The bearded salesman suddenly asked.
Colin shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts, not delving any deeper.
Now that he was about to leave Bananka Island, whatever happened on the island… it no longer concerned him.
He lifted his gaze.
Although his thoughts had been brief, some time had already passed in reality.
They had moved past the kitchen and arrived at the steam boiler room located on the lowest level.
Neat, orderly cold-colored steel pipes came into view, with shiny mechanical gears beside them, glossed with a thin layer of lubricant, softening their hardness and adding a touch of elegance.
Although inactive at the moment.
Just by imagining, one could guess that when this mechanical heart started, it would be an awe-inspiring sight.
"Alright."
Colin withdrew his gaze and nodded.
"Is there anything else that needs to be modified?" the bearded salesman continued to inquire.
"There is none."
"Okay, sir," the bearded salesman nodded, paused, and then added, "Do you have a permanent berth at the port, sir? We could take it there and moor it for you… or you could choose to temporarily store it in the Denland Shipyard, with a storage fee of one Magic Stone per day."
"No need, I'm already familiar with the operation of the Sea Swallow. I'll handle it myself from here on," Colin declined with a shake of his head.
"…Alright then, I won't disturb you further," the bearded salesman understood and took his leave.
Colin, along with Renee and the others, proceeded along the corridor toward the deck, eventually reaching the captain's cabin at the very top.
"Is everything taken care of?" he asked, looking back at Renee and the others.
"Everything is ready, and we've brought all our belongings," Renee, leading Demi, replied.
"I'm ready as well," Mod quickly added.
"Then, let's set sail," Colin said while turning back, reaching out to press on the pale blue crystal fixed to the table, invoking his Magic Power.
Hum—
A pale blue glow lit up, enveloping the entire captain's cabin in a mysterious atmosphere.
"Welcome to use the Sea Demon's Heart, Captain," a mechanical voice echoed in the captain's cabin.
It wasn't a being like a tower spirit, just a fixed witchcraft device to assist in ship operation.
"Start the Sea Swallow, preheat the boiler," Colin said softly, his eyes flickering with anticipation.
"Right away, Captain."
Click—
The ship shuddered slightly, and the distinctive sound of interlocking mechanical gears began to turn.
Then.
The bearded salesman by the dockside gestured to the distance.
Clang—
The grey steel gate obstructing the Sea Swallow's path slowly lifted, spilling white light in and brightening the previously dimly lit shipyard.