"This is a barrier set up by our mentor, mainly to prevent unauthorized personnel from intruding," Marjorie said as she walked to the right side of the path entrance.
There was a humble pale white flower there, which, aside from being particularly tall, reaching the waist of an ordinary person, looked like a common wildflower.
"Colin, pay attention to my technique," Marjorie said, turning back to remind Colin before stretching out her arm and pointing her index finger towards the flower.
Although the movement was simple, with her conscious control, the flow of Magic Power coursed clearly through her.
This allowed Colin to see her entire complete skill.
In fact, it was not complicated but rather a small trick of using Magic Power, which was why Marjorie only asked him to take a look.
Swoosh—
At the moment Marjorie's fingertip touched the white flower, it bloomed with a golden color as swift as ink spreading, the entire flower turning a brilliant gold starting from the point of contact.
"After you do this step, then place your finger on it, it will recognize your fingerprint... which is the pattern of your finger," Marjorie explained. "Once the mentor records your information, the whole process can be done in one go, without taking much time."
"Let's go, I'll take you inside first," Marjorie said, leading the way along the stone path entrance.
Continuing her enthusiastic introduction, she said: "That white flower is called Nado; its only function is to recognize patterns and scents...
However, in fact, this ring of trees around us, including the Nado white flower at the entrance, strictly speaking, it's all the same plant life... called Nado, have you heard of it?"
Colin shook his head and looked around.
The dense woods, the vibrant garden, and the neat lawns and bushes... were all the same plant life?
"Nado is a treasured plant unique to the Nolan Continent in the far west, brought back by the mentor from his travels in his younger years,"
Marjorie began to introduce, "This plant is very suitable for home decoration, no need for you to take care of it. Whatever plant you want, sprinkle the seeds to the initial Nado plant, and you don't have to worry about it anymore."
"It will absorb all of the seeds and incorporate them into part of itself, then with a little guidance, you can create the landscaping decoration you want... The only downside is that you might need to replenish some seeds periodically.
Some plants, after being absorbed by Nado, can be permanently maintained, but some others will require regular replenishment."
Colin nodded, Nado seemed like a natural carrier that could graft any plant.
Seemingly thinking of something, he curiously asked Marjorie, "Senior Marjorie, since Nado was chosen by the mentor as a guard plant,
it must not only be for its role in landscaping decoration. In terms of strength..."
Marjorie shook her head and said, "Actually, Nado's strength is not very great, it's only roughly equivalent to that of an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, and since it is not adept at moving, even an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice could easily deal with it if they have the right methods."
Upon hearing this, Colin was slightly startled and couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
Seeing his reaction, Marjorie added, "Inside the School, we don't need very strong guardians, they serve primarily as alerts."
"I see," Colin nodded.
Marjorie was relieved to see this.
In reality, within the Tin Saint School, the Factions fought fiercely; normally, each Faction's residence would be equipped with at least a guardian golem or plant at the Official Wizard level.
Their guardian plants were so weak mainly because... they weren't really considered a Faction.
Feeling the atmosphere suddenly turned silent, Colin broke the pause and said:
"I encountered some very special plants before on an island called Rael in the south of here, the jungles on the entire island seemed to have a living consciousness.
The locals navigated them with ease, moving unobstructed, but outsiders found progress difficult, easily getting lost... If you want to enter the jungle, it's best to be led by a local."
"There's such a marvelous island..." Marjorie exclaimed in surprise.
And so, their conversation continued.
After a short while, Marjorie led him through the sheltering trees, through the modest garden, and to a connected villa outside.
"This will be your place of learning in the future," Marjorie introduced.
Colin looked up.
To be honest, this connected villa wasn't as big as he had imagined; the wings on each side were only two stories high, with the main section in the center being three stories.
Continuing forward, they entered the main building, where Marjorie led him to the outside of a study.
Tap tap tap—
Marjorie gently knocked on the wooden door; the gentle motion juxtaposed against his at least two-meters-tall figure was somewhat comically disproportionate.
"Come in," a sluggish voice came from inside, which, from the sound of it, seemed to be that of an old man.
Marjorie pushed the door open.
Colin instructed the sisters, Renee, to wait outside, then followed Marjorie in.
First to catch his eye were the unusually large French windows, almost spanning an entire wall.
And then there was the tall but gaunt silhouette in an armchair and a desk laid out only with tea utensils.
Nothing else.
"Mentor," Marjorie greeted, bowing respectfully.
"Marjorie, you're here, is it another problem with your practice?" Archibald turned and asked, his slow speech enacting impatience.