"There's still some time left," Atbolde said, glancing at the tree ring-style clock hanging on the study wall. "Is there anything else you want to ask me?"
"No, not for now," Colin shook his head, touching his chest and bowing.
"Thank you, Mentor Atbolde."
"Mm," Atbolde softly acknowledged, a rare flicker of hesitation in his eyes, followed by a sigh, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Colin."
"Life is a brief and hurried journey, unable to carry too much."
"The path of a wizard is long and far-reaching. Being a First Rank Wizard isn't the end, nor is Second Rank, Third Rank, or Fourth Rank... But for most people, reaching Advanced Apprentice is already their endpoint.
Among the remaining few, reaching First Rank Wizard is also their endpoint, and so forth. Very few ever reach the true endpoint of a wizard."
Colin remained silent for a moment before slowly responding,
"I understand, Wizard Atbolde."
He grasped the underlying meaning in Atbolde's words.
Nothing more... It was simply advice to measure his own capabilities.
Life is short, and if one were to devote all their energy chasing an unreachable goal, it would likely be unwise.
"Good, as long as you understand," Atbolde nodded.
Colin quietly nodded, bid farewell to Atbolde, and started walking toward the door.
But quickly, he paused, turned his head, and asked Atbolde:
"Mentor Atbolde, I have one more question."
"Go ahead," Atbolde nodded.
"If I wanted to start learning how to make Magic Potions from scratch, which classes should I choose?"
"You'll need to do a few School tasks first to earn some academic points, take some paid courses, or would regular public classes suffice?"
"At the beginning, the regular public classes in the School should be sufficient. Those courses that require academic points are usually Advanced, or they are specifically for the teaching of certain Magic Potions."
"I'll recommend some courses for you." While speaking, Atbolde pulled out a piece of white paper and picked up a fountain pen from the pen holder on the desk and began to write.
"Foundations of Magic Potions... Encyclopedia of Magic Plants... The Essence of Magic Potions..."
Soon, he handed the written paper to Colin.
"Thank you, Mentor," Colin accepted the paper, deeply bowing with his hand on his chest.
Atbolde's generosity made his own gratitude seem somewhat pale and feeble.
"No need to thank me," Atbolde responded, his face smiling, "Magic Potions is indeed a good choice... It seems you really took my words to heart."
"Accepting one's ordinariness is also a form of wisdom."
Colin remained silent, offering no rebuttal.
He simply bid farewell and left.
Atbolde clearly thought of him as a Wandering Wizard from a remote island who had switched to practicing the Meditation Method... It seemed unrealistic for him to aspire to become an Official Wizard.
He supposed Colin no longer planned to exert too much effort climbing the wizard's path but to learn a skill and enjoy life.
But...
Colin stepped out of the villa, looking at the towering trees around him.
Sunlight dappled across him.
In the distance, a garden swayed continuously, some Magic Plants emitting strange lights, and small elves flitting about amongst them.
This was a scene that had only existed in his imagination in a previous life.
He gently exhaled, clenching his fist tightly.
If there were a stone in his palm, it would have likely turned to dust by now.
The power filling his body was also something that had only existed in his imagination in his former life.
Maybe... Initially, he embarked on the wizard's path merely for self-preservation.
But now... With the opportunity and the capability,
He had no reason not to go see the view from the highest peak!