Seeing Colin's somewhat somber expression, the female apprentice changed tacks and spoke again to comfort him:
"But for the vast majority of Wizard Apprentices, they never manage to become Official Wizards in their lifetimes… At least with your current strength, you're considered powerful among apprentices."
Her voice grew softer as she spoke, as though she realized her attempt at consolation was ineffective and simply chose to close her mouth.
After all, if not for the aspiration to become an Official Wizard, to attain greater power, who would go through such effort to join a School…
"It's fine, thank you for letting me know," Colin nodded, not taking the female apprentice's words as mockery.
He simply let out a sigh and gathered his spirit again.
Regardless of how low the chances of becoming an Official Wizard were, as long as the probability wasn't zero, he believed that with his own efforts, he would eventually advance.
Moreover… perhaps because he had made the breakthrough to Advanced Apprentice at the time when his knowledge of the Meditation Method, with the aid of Golden Paper, was at its most profound,
he always felt that the Tainted babbling should not have much influence on him.
Indeed, when he was still in a state of heightened sensitivity, he compared the Spiritual Light of humanity and knowledge on the surface of other Advanced Wizard Apprentices of the Lap School.
Whether it was Berkeley or anyone else... in general, none seemed as thick and pure as his.
Collecting his emotions, Colin stopped dwelling on it and continued to fill out the registration form.
Before long, the Apprentices had nearly completed their forms.
Allyn had them line up to submit their forms one by one, recording each and assigning their destinations based on the information provided.
This time, Allyn didn't ask Colin to line up first.
Thus, Colin went to the end of the line, taking his place at the very back.
Some apprentices looked back at him in surprise when they saw this.
Since the room was small, although the conversation he had with the dark-skinned female apprentice was quiet, nearby apprentices could still overhear parts of it.
This subset of apprentices in the know even cast furtive, schadenfreude-filled glances at him, with the noble male apprentice's being the most conspicuous.
He cast a dismissive look at Colin, pushed past the apprentices in front of him, and walked to the front row, eager for Allyn to record his registration form first.
The apprentices at the front, uncertain of his confidence, subconsciously chose to step aside.
Seeing this, Colin's expression remained unchanged.
When faced with someone more outstanding, especially someone who has overshadowed them, the first reaction of people is often not admiration, but envy.
In such situations, if that person more outstanding suddenly falls from grace, a twisted sense of pleasure would emerge atop the original envy.
He was aware of this but didn't care.
Just as he would choose to work hard to improve and surpass the individual who stole his limelight, instead of turning green with envy.
As for whether that more outstanding person would fall to the dust?
He was unconcerned, and he felt contempt toward rejoicing in others' misfortunes.
Because he understood that it was useless for the real enhancement of his strength, it was just a waste of time.
"You are from the Herbey family?"
At this moment, Allyn's surprised voice came from the front.
"Yes, my name is Mulan Herbey." An elegant voice came from the front, which might have left a better impression if not for the arrogance in the tone.
"An Advanced Wizard Apprentice who Advanced in Miracle City?" Allyn nodded, addressing the Advanced Wizard Apprentice before him.
"Yes," Mulan nodded, a shadow fleeting across his eyes.
He seemed to recall the humiliation when his mother, to secure for him, her illegitimate son, the chance to advance in Miracle City, abandoned her dignity to cater to that man in every possible way.
He also seemed to recall his indignation at having to join this School despite his natural talent and his inclusion in the Herbey family genealogy because, in the end, he could only come here.
The family also claimed it was because they didn't want to waste his talent, for his better development…
But who didn't know this was to sever the possibility of him inheriting the Herbey family at its root.
Allyn nodded and didn't delve any deeper.
Although the Herbey family wasn't a minor family, it wasn't as powerful as the Tin Saint School, either.
It wasn't unusual for members of such smaller families to join a School.
However, Mulan Herbey before him was solid in his knowledge. Although his practical application skills were average, his Magic Power Affinity was First Class… He was indeed a talent.
Thinking this, he assigned Mulan to serve under Lord Lance.
"Take good care of the badge, infuse it with Magic Power to bind it, your mentor will be Wizard Lance, and the paper contains specific information, make sure to check it. There's nothing else, you may leave now, come back to report tomorrow."
Allyn raised his head to give Mulan a brand-new badge and a piece of white paper printed with the mentor's information.
After speaking, he paused for a moment, then beckoned to Mulan, adding in a slightly warmer tone, "If there's anything unclear, you can come to me."
"Very well, Sir Allyn," Mulan said politely, nodding appropriately, but couldn't quite conceal an air of arrogance.
Allyn couldn't help but frown inwardly.
Even though they had both joined the School, even though both were at the realm of Advanced Wizard Apprentice, in terms of seniority, Mulan's address towards him should have been more respectful... rather than on such equal footing as now.
Although he thought this, he had long outgrown youthful petulance and simply nodded impassively in response.
Mulan then walked away, while he withdrew his gaze and continued assigning placements to the next Apprentice.
"I didn't expect him to be from the Herbey family."
In front of Colin, the dark-skinned female Apprentice turned back and started the conversation.
"Yes." Colin nodded without furthering the conversation.
He wasn't interested in the Herbey family, his mind was occupied with figuring out how to find the most peaceful spot for himself within the School.
Seeing this, the female Apprentice hesitated for a moment, and all the prepared words died in her belly.
She shifted her eyes around, then asked, "We haven't introduced ourselves. My name is Leva, and you are?"
"Colin," he replied concisely.
Sensing that Colin was not interested in small talk, Leva decided to get straight to the point,
"How familiar are you with the mentors from the Tin Saint School?" she asked directly. "What I mean is, I know which mentor is the best choice. Would you be willing to choose that mentor with me..."
As she spoke, she lowered her voice, leaned in close, and whispered in Colin's ear, "You just have to bribe Allyn with some Magic Stones..."
"Sorry," Colin shook his head, took a small step backward to create some distance.
He was not comfortable with anyone getting so close to his relatively vulnerable neck.
Leva paused slightly, instinctively explaining,
"I didn't mean anything by it, nor do I need you to do anything for me. I'm just saying it's not so easy to get by within the School, and I was hoping we could support each other when the time comes."
"Sorry, Leva," Colin shook his head again, "I appreciate you were willing to share that information with me before, but I'm looking for a more relaxed mentor."
Although he didn't know which mentor Leva was talking about, he knew the greater the benefit, the greater the associated troubles and dangers. That much he understood.
After all, Leva had approached him clearly because she recognized the relatively good abilities he had shown during his Apprentice period.
But for himself, with the Golden Paper in play, he didn't need too many resources.
Joining the School was merely to avoid being choked of knowledge, to obtain a more secure and stable environment, and a relatively reliable backing.
Seeing Colin's determination, Leva's gentle expression vanished in an instant and she turned her head away coldly.
She must have misjudged Colin... She thought he was an impressive character, but didn't expect him to be so lacking in ambition.
Soon, it was his turn to be assigned a mentor.
"You want to choose a more relaxed mentor?" Allyn asked in surprise.
His plan had been to continue placing Colin within his own Faction, as Colin's potential to advance didn't seem great, but his strength in the Apprentice stage was decent enough to solve some of the Faction's heavy and tedious work.
But he didn't expect Colin to make such a request.
Leva, who had lingered to eavesdrop, saw Colin making such a choice and showed a hint of disdain on her face, extinguishing the last of her hopes and leaving the office.
"Yes, Lord Allyn..." Colin looked back at Allyn and answered,
He then showed a self-mocking smile and explained,
"You're well aware, my lord, of my circumstances, it's practically impossible for me to advance to an Official Wizard... So I don't intend to vie for any more resources, I just want a more peaceful life."
'If you want peace, why bother joining a School, a small nation would be far more comfortable,' Allyn mused sarcastically in his mind, but looking at the medium-grade Magic Stone flickering with soft light in his hand, he still said,
"Fine."
He paused, then continued,
"This mentor, you'll definitely be satisfied."