Chatting idly, Eliel suddenly asked out of curiosity.
"Almost," Colin nodded affirmatively.
Carefully counting the days, the Alus Association should have concluded by now.
"Then, having just returned from the Southern Sea Domain, have you heard any news about the frontline war?" Eliel pressed on with her inquiry.
These past few days, the hottest topic in Merredith City had undoubtedly been about the war at the forefront.
Whether it was the common folk on the streets or the apprentices like themselves, discussions invariably touched upon it.
"I've heard some," Colin answered.
"Is it true that we're going to continue withdrawing from the Soah Islands?" she asked.
"Continue to withdraw?" Colin's steps faltered slightly, "I haven't heard that news."
"They say although the Soah Islands were defended, several councilmen died... Councilman Nois seemed to be targeted deliberately, sustaining severe injuries," Eliel relayed.
She wasn't surprised that Colin was unaware of the details.
After all, in her mind, Colin was supposed to be a peak Wizard Apprentice who may have journeyed to the Southern Sea Domain on a mission, but not to the battlefield.
As for where she heard such news—
In reality, rumors of this nature were rampant throughout Merredith City.
She merely relayed the most widespread and credible one.
"... It will always be held," Colin paused before continuing, "Wizards are not so easily defeated."
"I hope so..." Eliel sighed, "My mentor said it's all because those lunatics from the Nolan Continent didn't come to support us; otherwise, the situation in the Southern Sea Domain wouldn't have turned out like this."
'Nolan Continent...' Colin fell silent, then lifted his head, and with a slight shock, spoke softly, "We're here."
The joy of reuniting with an old acquaintance was undeniable, but partings were inevitable; they had now arrived at the Transmission Array.
"Let me take you in," Eliel proposed.
Her initial perception of Colin, the wizard who had brought her family from the distant Holy Flame Kingdom to Merredith City, was not one of closeness but rather of fear.
But with time and her growing understanding of wizardry, the mysterious aura and the formidable presence surrounding Colin gradually faded.
And along with it, her fear slowly shifted to respect and gratitude.
"Master Colin, come this way—as a member of the Viting School, I can use the Transmission Array at an eighty percent discount!"
Entering the waiting room, Eliel led him toward the payment counter.
Colin smiled.
Although Eliel and Erica looked remarkably similar, they were still notably different.
"Please show your pass," the apprentice at the counter requested.
Reaching into his Storage Ring, Colin produced the Tin Saint School Badge and handed it over to the apprentice.
Within the Wizard Alliance, the badges of the major schools of the nine cities could all serve as passes.
"Master Colin, do you not usually wear your School Badge?" Eliel asked curiously.
"It's not that... It can just be inconvenient at times," Colin shook his head.
"This esteemed wizard, everything is registered now. May I ask your destination? ... Ah, here's your badge, please keep it safe."
"Neustadt," Colin replied softly as he took back his badge.
"Alright, the total fee is 960 Magic Stones, please pay."
"Why is it so expensive?" Eliel asked subconsciously, "Isn't it only 600 Magic Stones to Neustadt? With the Viting School Badge, it should only be 480 Magic Stones."
The apprentice at the counter was slightly startled, glanced between Colin and Eliel, then explained reflexively:
"That's the price for apprentice teleportation. A First Rank Wizard has a greater consumption, so the cost is twice that of a regular apprentice."
"I see," Colin nodded... no wonder it was different from what he remembered.
He handed over the Magic Stones to the wizard apprentice at the counter but didn't notice that Eliel was already in a state of shock beside him.
It had never crossed her mind that Colin could be a First Rank Wizard!
If she wasn't mistaken, Colin should be about the same age as her sister... and yet he was already an Official Wizard!!
"I happen to be the last one for this batch of transmission; I must be going," Colin turned and spoke kindly to Eliel, "If there is another opportunity, I'll visit Merredith City again."
Click.
The sound of gears turning suddenly started.
The wall at the front of the waiting room slowly rose, revealing a passage about three meters wide.
It led to the Transmission Array.
"Goodbye," Colin glanced at Eliel and Burns, smiling.
There were no drawn-out farewells; as soon as he finished speaking, he turned to walk towards the passage.
"Goodbye, Master Colin!" Eliel, having regained her composure, quickly responded.
Beside her, Burns performed a knight's salute.
If not for Colin, he, too, would likely have perished long ago.
Colin waved his hand, continuing along with the crowd.
Turning a corner, a massive Witch Array emitting a faint glow emerged before him.
After a short while, as the wizards took their places on the Transmission Array, a mechanical countdown broadcast began.
"Three... two... one!"
The Transmission Array flared brilliantly!
Colin felt his vision suddenly darken.
In the next instant, his sight once again became clear.
He was facing the same Transmission Array, seemingly still in Merredith.
But gazing at the different ceiling, different walls...
Colin understood that he had finally arrived at his true destination—
Neustadt!