A gentle breeze whisked the white clouds away, and golden sunshine poured down.
In the small courtyard opposite the Yista School.
"... and those are the points of attention for the Alus Association," someone said.
"Finally, a reminder, the departure time tomorrow is at 10 a.m., and the gathering place is right here. Anyone who is late will face the consequences on their own."
"Now, you may disperse."
Margaret looked around and, with these last few words, concluded today's meeting before departure.
"Yes!"
The neatly standing Wizard Apprentices responded in unison with respect and then left one after another.
Colin stood behind Margaret, exhaling a deep breath softly.
'It's over, I don't have to stand here and be just a backdrop anymore.'
Throughout the whole process, the four Wizards from the affiliated Schools didn't get a chance to say a single word; they had simply stood behind Margaret, serving as her backdrop.
From start to finish, Margaret had controlled the entire scene, the only time involving them being the brief introduction she made at the beginning.
Margaret seemed to know their names and other details like the back of her hand, which must be because the Yista School had their list...
'Finally, it's over. Would anyone be interested in joining me for lunch later?' Mayer's telepathic message suddenly came through.
From the reactions of both Milo and Sovoc in front, it could be deduced that Mayer's telepathic range was the three Wizards from the affiliated Schools.
The skill of telepathic communication for an Official Wizard like Colin wasn't difficult, and after some experimentation during this period, he had successfully mastered it.
Such a simple telepathic communication was only suitable for everyday conversation; unless encrypted with magic, it was easily subject to eavesdropping.
On the other hand, close-range telepathic communication was hard to detect, only with specialized Detection Magic or the expansion of spiritual power, could one notice the projected spiritual power of the communication.
So even though they were close to Margaret, they didn't need to worry too much about being discovered.
'Tomorrow we depart, and after that, it will be at least two months before we can return. I need to handle some matters later... I won't join you for lunch,' Milo's telepathic message rang out first.
Seemingly feeling a bit bad for the refusal, she added another line.
'When we board the Airship, there will naturally be plenty of time for gatherings.'
'Lady Milo is right; I also need to go back and pack my things,' Sovoc chimed in following her lead.
'That leaves just the two of us, Lord Colin...'
'Let's wait until we're on the Airship and everyone is together before we gather,' Colin declined gracefully.
Although the exchange of words was extensive, thanks to the efficiency of telepathic communication, it had only taken a moment in real time.
"You may also disperse, and come half an hour early tomorrow," Margaret turned around and instructed before she left.
Without a gathering, there was naturally no reason for these Wizards to stay, and they left one by one.
Colin took a few steps when suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Lord Colin!"
Turning around, he saw a young man with a handsome but somewhat gloomy appearance, smiling as he approached.
It was Mulan.
Before Colin could respond, Mulan reached into his pocket and took out a gray coin pouch, quickly extending it towards Colin.
"Lord Colin, inside this is five hundred Magic Stones..."
Colin frowned slightly, and an invisible force field emerged, keeping Mulan's extended hand at bay.
Colin had noticed Mulan while Margaret was speaking, but he hadn't paid much attention...
However, there was no issue; with the enhancement of his Superbrain, he didn't need to devote much effort to notice what was around him; everything was naturally recorded.
Just by reflecting on it now, he could recall the exact scene from earlier, and all its details became clear...
Mulan's shifting facial expressions and the barely moving lips of the Apprentice beside Mulan...
Almost in an instant, he understood Mulan's intentions.
"We're not close, Mulan."
Colin spoke curtly, looking at Mulan whose face showed surprise from the force field's obstruction, his tone calm and detached.
Then, without further delay, he turned and quickly walked away.
Now that he had acquired six thousand Magic Stones, Colin was eager to go back and break his limits.
As for Mulan's five hundred Magic Stones... they might be considerable to an Apprentice like Mulan, but to Colin now, they were but a drop in the bucket.
What's more, just now he had received six thousand Magic Stones, and by tomorrow, without accidents, the School was expected to issue a subsidy of ten thousand Magic Stones.
So, there was no need to involve himself with potential troubles over a mere five hundred Magic Stones.
Standing behind, Mulan's face turned from pale to flushed. Clutching the coin pouch, his hand remained outstretched, frozen in place.
'We're not close... Does that mean he's not going to let me off the hook?'
He replayed Colin's indifferent words in his mind, a sense of panic inexplicably rising within, and his grip tightened on the coin pouch he held.
An Official Wizard and their apprentices, their statuses were worlds apart.
Regarding Colin's words, he simply couldn't afford to ignore them, nor could he help but indulge in wild speculations.
"Sigh—"
Mulan took a few deep breaths of fresh air, trying to suppress the unease in his heart, as well as... the frustration and rage.
But it seemed the unease was only fueling the rage, making his chest feel slightly warm.
'Damn Colin!'
'He's nothing but a lucky cur who just happened to get ahead of me, a petty man gloating!'
'Once I've Advanced to an Official Wizard myself, I'll definitely make him pay!'
After cursively cursing in his mind, he finally calmed down.
Carefully pocketing the grey pouch of coins, Mulan's eyes darted around as he quietly pondered.
'When it comes to interests, any personal grudges can be temporarily set aside... If these Magic Stones can't move Colin, then it must be because the benefits aren't sufficient!'
Besides Magic Stones, he had to obtain more bargaining chips... Mulan secretly made up his mind. He didn't continue to linger, but walked alone towards the exit.
As for new chips beyond the Magic Stones, an idea was already taking shape in his mind.
'It's a good thing Lex, who had been standing by earlier, had already left and didn't witness this scene.' Walking alone, Mulan felt somewhat relieved.
The next second, his pace hesitated slightly, and a flash of insight crossed his mind!
Lex hadn't seen this scene...
That undoubtedly meant that, in Lex's eyes, he was still someone who could climb the ranks by associating with the Alus Association as an Official Wizard!
In that case...
Perhaps, with just a bit of maneuvering, the stakes involving the Magic Stones could be increased!
After all, aside from seeking the support of his backing Family, obtaining more Magic Stones was actually very difficult.
But seeking support from the Family was even more impossible… After securing his qualification to join a School, the Family hadn't provided him any further assistance.
More than two hours later.
In a secret chamber, the Bright Crystals were deliberately dimmed slightly.
Accompanying the serious atmosphere were Apprentices in Wizard Robes, casting a clandestine aura all around.
At the main seat, Mulan was serious-faced, with a smiling Lex by his side.
Click—
An Apprentice, wearing the standard Wizard Robe of the Tin Saint School, pushed open the door to the chamber and hurried to Mulan, handing over a pouch of coins.
"Here, there are two hundred Magic Stones inside, remember your promise."
Mulan gave Lex a meaningful glance, who comprehendingly took the pouch.
"Don't worry... But I must emphasize, the Alus Association's rules are strict. Two hundred Magic Stones can't make that esteemed person do anything, at best they might offer us a slight favor, prioritizing our rescue in life-threatening situations, increasing our chances of survival somewhat."
Seeing that Lex had taken the Magic Stones, Mulan shifted his gaze, looking up at the Apprentice and spoke in a deep voice.
Such a promise, strictly speaking, was almost akin to no promise at all.
But when it came to a matter of life and death, there were always those willing to part with these Magic Stones.
"Mm-hmm, I understand. As long as I can see that esteemed person nod, as long as it adds a bit more safety, that's enough." The Apprentice nodded in response, without any argument.
With Lex's verification, he didn't doubt Mulan's ability to contact that Wizard.
Thus, Apprentices gradually exchanged Magic Stones…
But perhaps because it wasn't broadly advertised, only spreading through close friends in a limited manner,
the number of Apprentices trading Magic Stones wasn't high, with just about ten including Mulan and Lex.
There might still be other Apprentices unfinished with exchanges… but it was getting late.
Mulan pulled out his Pocket Watch and took a glance, deciding it was time to stop.
Although the collection of Magic Stones wasn't substantial, other than Magic Stones, he was actually more inclined toward a different kind of chip.
'After all, for a First Rank Wizard, whether it be five hundred or two thousand Magic Stones, they really aren't much.'
'If I put myself in their place, facing such a situation, merely using Magic Stones isn't enough to sway me... Colin likely feels the same.'
'It's necessary to have chips other than the Magic Stones, perhaps only those carrying significant weight, to move Colin.'
Securing all the Magic Stones on his person, Mulan let out a soft sigh, bid farewell to Lex, and quickly moved on to the next destination.
Perhaps it was the overly cold tone in which Colin had spoken today, or perhaps it was his own previous appalling attitude toward Colin.
The more he thought about Colin's words today, the more unsettled and anxious he felt.
No matter what, no matter how much he despised it in his heart, now Colin was an Official Wizard, and he was only an Advanced Apprentice.
It was like someone he occasionally insulted and had conflicts with suddenly became his immediate boss… in such a scenario, nobody could be sure that the adversary wouldn't make things difficult.
And in the current situation, during this Alus Association meeting, if Colin made things difficult for him, a slight misstep could cost him his life…