"Rest assured, I have measure, and the flower will naturally wither after a month. At that time, he will return to his original state... but perhaps the process will be somewhat agonizing."
"How dare you do such a thing as a member of the same School!" Robb fiercely questioned.
Atbolde chuckled:
"As a First Rank Wizard, how dare you offend me time and again?"
"He doesn't understand the hierarchy within the School... Or is this, perhaps, your doing?"
Robb's face froze.
Although it wasn't his doing that Herard acted, he had indeed intentionally let it happen...
He could have rebuked Herard loudly right from the start, instead of merely making a half-hearted comment...
Atbolde withdrew his gaze, subdued his expression, and slowly walked away from the castle, leaving behind Robb and his group with unsightly faces.
*
*
*
In the afternoon.
At Colin's residence.
A public horse-drawn carriage rushed and slowly stopped in front of his door.
Lillian, with an ugly expression, stepped down.
Thinking of the outcome Atbolde had described… she was somewhat unsure how to explain it to Colin.
Moreover, what she feared most was—
When Colin learned that he couldn't participate in the Alus Association and discovered the true drawbacks of their faction...
Perhaps, like former Apprentices, he would choose to leave and to switch to another mentor.
Especially considering Colin's current Talent, most factions would be willing to accept him.
Sighing gently, Lillian knocked on the front door.
Shortly after, the door slowly opened.
"Lady Lillian," Renee greeted respectfully.
Following the instructions of the master, she led Lillian to the living room, then headed towards the second floor.
"I'll go inform the master."
Lillian nodded.
Shortly after.
Colin came down slowly from the spiral staircase.
"Lady Lillian, did you come to see me today because the Alus Association matter has been settled?"
He watched Lillian and asked with a smile.
Lillian paused for a moment, her usually fair face showing an uncommon hint of embarrassment.
"Junior Brother Colin, the Alus Association... you might not be able to participate."
Colin was slightly startled.
Then Lillian told him most of the facts, explaining the particular problem of their faction's Apprentices lacking resources… but she did not unveil the underlying reason.
"I see..." Colin nodded, his heart unavoidably sinking.
Seeing Colin's disheartened expression, Lillian fiddled with her hair at her ear and hesitated before speaking:
"So, Junior Brother Colin, if you still want to participate in the Alus Association..."
"You might only be able to consider changing mentors…"
After finishing, she couldn't help but sigh, already anticipating Colin's decision.
'Change the mentor?'
Colin was startled; it appeared to be an enticing option.
But soon, he shook his head. Although he had lived quite peacefully since joining the School a few months ago,
he was fully aware of the intense Faction politics within the Tin Saint School, learning related gossip intermittently from Marjorie and others over the months...
Moreover, after changing mentors, he might never again enjoy the same freedom without obligations.
After pondering for a moment, he continued to inquire:
"Lady Lillian, what exactly is the Alus Association?"
"Well, as I've said, the role of the Alus Association is to help the most outstanding Wizards Apprentices from under the Supreme Council to gain better Talent when they Advance to Official Wizard."
"Okay." Colin nodded, then suddenly asked:
"Why exactly can the Alus Association enhance Talent?"
Lillian organized her words briefly before explaining:
"Saint Peter the Wizard once said, 'The purity of a Wizard's Talent Seed depends on the extent of knowledge one has mastered.'"
"Do you remember the requirement when you broke through to become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice?"
Colin furrowed his brows, somewhat uncertainly:
"To master the Meditation Method knowledge thoroughly."
Lillian nodded.
"There's a similar requirement when Advancing to Official Wizard."
"If one could thoroughly master all the knowledge of witchcraft, meditation methods, etc., before advancing, then a purer Talent Seed can be nurtured."
"But in fact, most Apprentices cannot fully master every piece of knowledge they've learned, thus the purity of the Talent Seed is affected, and so is the Talent."
"The Alus Association possesses a unique magical artifact called 'Alus,' whose sole purpose is to allow you to temporarily forget the knowledge that is not well mastered."
"I see..." Colin responded calmly, yet he felt extremely relieved inside.
Good thing he hadn't managed to participate in the so-called Alus Association!
With the assistance of Golden Paper, he didn't need to worry about not thoroughly mastering the knowledge he had learned!
He just needed a bit more time.