"Is there anything else?" Atbolde gazed at him and asked once more.
Perhaps it was because it was nearing noon, or answering questions had become exhausting.
Colin always felt that Atbolde's tone of voice had slowed down even more, and that tired-looking, creased old face seemed to show a hint of weariness.
"No, Mentor Atbolde."
Colin bowed slightly, pondered seriously for a moment, and then replied.
"Um."
On the lounge chair, Atbolde barely audibly uttered a syllable from his nostrils, then closed his eyes and leaned back, continuing,
"If there are other questions, you can come to me in the early morning."
"Now, if there's nothing else, you may leave first."
His tone was calm, but the urge was unmistakable.
"Yes, Mentor Atelbolde!"
Colin felt a chill in his heart and hurriedly bid Atbolde farewell, "Then I'll go now."
Before turning around, he glanced slightly upward at the wooden clock on the wall nearby.
On the round clock face, the slender hand had just pointed to 11 o'clock.
'It's only just 11 o'clock now... There's still an hour until noon.
Strictly speaking, it's not very early, but it's not late either.'
Colin slightly furrowed his brow in confusion.
He didn't know if he was being overly sensitive, but he always felt that Atbolde seemed to be urging him to leave...
Walking out of the study, he subconsciously looked back.
Using the time the study door was closing, he peeked through the gap in the door and saw Atbolde slowly rising from the lounge chair and walking toward the large Force Field window in front.
Golden sunlight from outside the window shone on his tall frame, casting a deep shadow on the floor that stretched to the door.
As Atbolde approached, the green trees by the window rustled spontaneously, beginning to sway and making rustling sounds.
It was then that Colin suddenly realized that the window of this study where Atbolde often stayed faced directly the villa's rear, where the huge ancient tree, nearly as wide as ten people embracing, stood.
It was only because the lush leaves had blocked it that he had not noticed it until now... It was only when the trees swayed, revealing small gaps, that the ancient tree was exposed to his view...
'The main body of Nado...' Colin suddenly thought, recalling the brief introduction by Lillian when she had taken him to the ancient tree...
Snap.
Although there were many thoughts in his heart, reality was but a moment.
Just then, the study door snapped shut completely, cutting off Colin's view and any sound.
Standing at the door for a moment, Colin gathered his scattered thoughts and began walking downstairs.
Walking on the wide grey stone path of the School, the surrounding Apprentices hustled by, their footsteps as hurried as his.
Occasionally, a carriage would pass by, pulled by horses infused with the blood of Demon Beasts.
Under the influence of their lineage, they often showed distinct features, rugged antlers, fierce teeth, some even sprouting several tails.
These were all the carriages of Official Wizards... In the Tin Saint School, only Official Wizards were allowed to ride in carriages while all other Apprentices had to walk.
At this thought, Colin paused slightly.
'That reminds me, I've never seen Sister Lillian with her own carriage...' he wondered,
'As a First Rank Wizard, Lillian should be able to afford a carriage... I wonder why she always opts for public transportation.'
Colin felt somewhat embarrassed thinking about how he hadn't yet repaid Lillian for the Magic Stone he had borrowed.
'Should I put off advancing for a while, and make a Magic Potion to repay Lillian first?' Colin hesitated, his steps gradually stopping.
But after a moment, he shook his head.
'The more debt, the less worry—after all, it's been over four months, a few more won't hurt.'
'After all, once I advance to an Official Wizard, the quantity of Magic Potions I can make will obviously increase... No, once I've become an Official Wizard, maybe a few thousand Magic Stones will no longer be a problem.'
With that thought, Colin convinced himself and continued walking towards the School's exit.
"I'll talk to Lillian next time I see her..."
He stepped out of the School and hailed a public carriage.
Pfft.
The robust horse snorted loudly.
"Sir, where are you going?" The coachman asked respectfully, taking off his gray wide-brimmed hat.
"To Lieyue Holy Street," Colin replied indifferently.
"Alright, please sit tight."
Clip-clop, clip-clop—
The horse galloped along the road.
After a while, inside the carriage, Colin slightly furrowed his brows.
He reached out to lift the curtain of the carriage window and glanced outside, but the street was not the familiar one that led to his home...
"Stop the carriage."
He wasn't panicky, merely spoke indifferently.
The coachman was just an ordinary knight... probably an Advanced Knight, if Colin wasn't mistaken. Being an Advanced Wizard Apprentice himself, he naturally didn't need to fear.
Moreover, the glowing feather badge of the Tin Saint School on his chest allowed him to move freely in this city without too much caution...
Of course, caution was still necessary, and he had already fortified himself with a Steel Temperature Resistance Field.
"Whoa—!"
Upon hearing him, the coachman promptly pulled on the reins.
The carriage's strong lead horse reared up slightly and came to a quick stop.
"What's wrong, sir?"
The coachman's voice came from the front.
"Why are we taking the long route?" Colin asked indifferently.
"Sir, didn't you know?" the voice of the surprised coachman continued, "The shortest road from Tin Saint Street to Lieyue Holy Street—Litte Street—was sealed off by the Law Enforcement Team this morning."
"Sealed off?!"
"Yes, the entire street was sealed off," the coachman added.
Colin was taken aback. It was just past eleven in the morning, and he had left his home on Lieyue Holy Street for the School around seven in the morning.
At that time, Litte Street was normal... No!
Colin shook his head, recalling that Litte Street seemed less crowded than usual at seven...
It might have been an illusion...
But now, just four hours had passed... Could it be that Litte Street was entirely sealed off during this short time?
"Sir?" the coachman's probing voice came again.
"Keep going," Colin instructed, pausing for a moment before asking, "Do you know why Litte Street was sealed off?"
"Not really..." the coachman mumbled while flicking the whip.
Colin's brows furrowed... Not really sure?
"Sir—"
But moments later, the coachman's voice came from the front again:
"Although I don't know precisely what happened, I heard from a friend who also drives a public carriage—
Shortly after the blockade this morning, several large carts that usually transport slaves were seen leaving Litte Street... I don't know exactly what was inside."
'Slave carts...?'
Litte Street was only one street away from his residence on Lieyue Holy Street... This inexplicably unsettled Colin.
"Change the route, go to Lex Street next to Tin Saint Street."
After pondering for a moment, he spoke to the coachman in front.