As the icy blue crystals cascaded downward to the floor, sketching out the last of its legs...
The ice sculpture seemed to transform from a black-and-white image into a colorful, vivid creation.
A beautiful female instructor with an icy complexion appeared at the podium.
Colin quickly averted his gaze, walked to one side, and didn't breathe a sigh of relief until he had moved out of the classroom's line of sight, until the classroom door closed, shrouded in a dark glow.
Such might... far surpassed even Atbolde, a Second Rank Wizard he had seen before!
This had to be a Third Rank Wizard, or at least a Second Rank Advanced close to Third Rank!
...
Time soon arrived at midday.
The light outside the classroom gradually faded... it seemed that class was over.
Colin stood quietly in the corridor, waiting as the wizards filed out in twos and threes.
Lillian's figure was the last to arrive, leisurely making her appearance.
She frowned, as if pondering some matter.
"Let's go," she said upon seeing Colin, and then took the lead walking forward.
Colin followed closely behind.
Still troubled by some difficult problem, Lillian did not speak.
The two walked in silence.
It wasn't long before they had exited the ancient castle that Lillian finally began to speak slowly:
"Marjorie must have told you, what I know can erase Magic Power is a type of Magic Potion."
"But to be more precise, what I know of is a merchant named Betty, who can get ahold of a Magic Erasure Potion."
At this, Lillian paused, looking up and asked, "Do you know what 'Magic-Affluence Disease' is?"
Her hair, due to her tilting her head back, slowly slid down to the back of her skull, revealing delicate and exquisite ears... not pointed ears, but the shape of ordinary human ears.
Colin imperceptibly withdrew his gaze and replied, "I know some."
So-called 'Magic-Affluence Disease' is actually a broad category. All illnesses caused by an excess of Energy are included within it.
Previously, on Blackstone Island... he had heard that ordinary people tasked with mining Magic Stone Mine in the School could contract a peculiar form of Magic-Affluence Disease related to Magic Power.
"The Magic Erasure Potion is for preventing a certain Magic-Affluence Disease that occurs in Underground Caves," Lillian explained.
"If taken in large amounts, it can achieve the temporary elimination of one's own Magic Power you desire, and moreover, it doesn't have too many side effects."
Having said this, she paused for a moment before adding:
"But as for more specific effects, I'm not too clear myself. You will need to inquire on your own when the time comes."
"Okay," Colin nodded, his heart brimming with anticipation.
Lillian nodded as well, and by now, they had walked outside of the School. She surveyed the surroundings and waved down a public coach.
"Let's go," Lillian motioned Colin to follow. At the same time, she said to the Coachman, "Leia Sacred Road."
Colin hesitated slightly as he got into the coach.
'Leia Sacred Road... Isn't that where my own house is located?'
"What's the matter?" Lillian inquired with confusion.
"Nothing, senior sister," Colin shook his head and seated himself in the coach.
Lillian nodded with no further prying... just as she did not ask why Colin needed a Magic Potion to erase his Magic Power.
Everyone has their own secrets.
Ten minutes later.
The coach stopped in front of a black gate.
They knocked and were greeted by a maid.
Lillian, with familiar ease, trod the path, winding through a garden filled with exotic plants, and finally settled down in a dome-shaped gazebo surrounded by fresh flowers.
Soon after, at the maid's notification.
A mature woman dressed in an ornate black-and-red Lolita gown approached gracefully.
Her lips were as red as roses.
"Lillian, what brings you to me today?" she said, her eyes brimming with surprise as she watched Lillian sitting in the gazebo.
"Betty, I've come to you for a business matter..." Lillian began, ready to get straight to the point.
"Who is he?!"
But Betty interrupted with a frown, pointing at Colin in question.
"I am Rudolph's newly taken Apprentice, Colin Leonard," Colin quickly replied.
"He's my junior brother," Lillian also added.
"So, a junior brother," Betty's face cleared as her smile returned.
"Betty, I've come to ask you to sell some Demon Extinguishing Potion to him," Lillian resumed speaking.
"Demon Extinguishing Potion?" Betty was momentarily taken aback, "That's not easy to handle... Those shares have been divided up long ago, and carving out some means someone will have less... "
"A favor," Lillian bluntly supplemented.
"Are you sure?"
Betty sat down next to Lillian, glancing at Colin with a mix of frustration and disappointment, "I only owe you two favors left. Are you sure you want to use one of them on this?"
Lillian didn't reply, but her stance was clear.
Betty's brows furrowed, nearly touching, as her voice rose.
"Junior brother! Again with the junior brother?!"
"Lillian! You've forgotten the incident with Baldwin..." Before she could continue, it seemed she realized her slip of the tongue and abruptly stopped.
Observing Lillian, whose expression remained unchanged yet whose eyes briefly flitted with a trace of disappointment, Betty let out a sigh,
"I can't argue with you... I agree."
Appearing somewhat exasperated, Betty added,
"Lillian, when will you ever change your character...
Not every Apprentice under the same mentor is worth your tireless help!"
"You only share a mentor, not a father!"
"Baldwin was an exception," Lillian pursed her lips firmly.