As Lillian's palm made contact with the ancient tree's bark,
the next second, something invisible descended, a powerful presence enveloping the area, causing Colin to feel waves of palpitations.
It was as if the ancient tree had come to life, its lush branches and leaves rustling and rubbing against each other, making a soft, whispering sound.
"What is it, Lillian?"
A voice, indifferent and majestic, emanated from the tree, as if a crowned king was inquiring.
For some reason, that voice... Colin always felt it was somewhat familiar.
Could it be...?
The next second, Lillian's words confirmed his guess.
"Master," Lillian began with a greeting and then briskly added,
"Colin might be a gifted seed."
"Oh?"
The ancient tree's coarse and aged bark rippled like a tranquil water surface disturbed by a thrown pebble.
A lifelike, vast human face surfaced on it.
It was the likeness of Atbolde... only younger and more majestic.
Colin's pupils suddenly constricted.
Not just because of Atbolde's strange appearance, but because of the overwhelming might Atbolde displayed, far beyond his usual demeanor.
The moment the face appeared, Colin felt a tightening in his heart, as if gripped by an invisible claw, ready to forfeit his life at any moment, making him involuntarily shudder.
Such a sensation of threat... he had previously only felt it with the icy crystal female instructor when he had gone to the ancient castle classroom to seek Lillian.
And that female instructor... was a Third Rank Wizard.
"Tell me in detail," the tree-borne Atbolde murmured, his lips barely moving, asking.
The voice was cold... In Colin's view, it seemed to lack a human touch, as if produced mechanically.
"Yes, Master," Lillian responded.
Then she proceeded to recount Colin's situation, informing Atbolde.
...
"The Meditation Method being compatible with the Tin Saint Meditation Method..."
Atbolde spoke, "What a coincidence."
Despite his words, he was surprised but not skeptical.
After all, such situations were rare but not impossible.
It might very well be that the founder wizard of the School Colin initially joined was once a member of an affiliate School of the Tin Saint School.
The cool summer breeze gently blew, rustling the leaves above Atbolde.
"Colin."
Atbolde pulled himself from his thoughts, slowly calling out.
"Master, I am here," replied Colin, respectfully, his complexion slightly pale.
"Relax your body and spirit," Atbolde continued, "Let me take a closer look at you."
Colin's expression changed slightly, not out of fear of being discovered but due to a natural resistance to such scrutiny.
But he had no choice, nor room to resist.
Before he could react, a glint of gold suddenly spread across Atbolde's originally woody, massive eyes.
Then, a gaze that seemed to penetrate everything landed on Colin, causing him a moment of disquiet.
But quickly, Colin breathed a sigh of relief.
He could clearly feel that Atbolde's gaze was only lingering on his surface, not penetrating deeper, nor inspecting key areas like the Spirit Sea or the Magic Sea.
"Ah..."
Atbolde let out a surprised murmur.
"Colin, are you sure you're an Advanced Wizard Apprentice who advanced in a remote sea island?"
"Not on the mainland, or rather, in the populous center of the Kingdom?"
Atbolde's questioning tone suddenly relaxed slightly, gaining a bit more warmth.
"..." Colin hesitated, "I'm sure, Master Atbolde."
"Hm." Atbolde hummed lightly, commending,
"It seems you have mastered the knowledge of your original Meditation Method thoroughly... Otherwise, advancing on a remote island, neither your humanity nor your knowledge of Spiritual Light would be so pure."
"In fact, with such purity of humanity and knowledge of Spiritual Light, even if you changed your Meditation Method, you would most likely not need to worry about Akent Deterioration... it would merely slightly affect the quality of your Magic Power."
Colin remained silent, just respectfully listening.
Akent Deterioration... obviously, this was what he had always wanted to know, why low quality of humanity and knowledge of Spiritual Light combined with poor compatibility with a changed Meditation Method would have such a significant impact.
Deterioration, indeed...
As for his humanity and knowledge of Spiritual Light being relatively pure.
He had somewhat anticipated this from the beginning.
He also predicted that directly changing his Meditation Method might not have such a significant negative impact on himself.
But he dared not gamble...
Moreover, changing the Meditation Method would affect his aptitude, although not substantially, there was still an impact.
Spending three months to completely eliminate such an effect was always worthwhile.
"Master, based on Colin's talents... perhaps at this year's Alus Association, we could secure a spot for him,"
Lillian suddenly suggested from nearby.
'Alus Association?'
Another thing he hadn't heard of...
Colin maintained his silence, focusing intently on the continuing conversation.
But this time, Atbolde's silence before speaking was notably longer.
The summer wind kept blowing, the vast green meadow surged like waves, and the leaves rustled.
Lillian did not hurry, she merely kept a solemn expression and silently waited.
After what seemed an eternity, Atbolde's voice slowly reached them.
"Lillian, are you certain?"
"I am certain!" Lillian declared without hesitation, her voice firm.