"Lillian, have I told you about them..."
Colin was momentarily taken aback, somewhat surprised.
However, he was also about to remind Colin of this matter.
"The Hidosh Family is a typical Pureblood Wizard Family."
Atbolde paused before speaking.
His tone was complex, as if filled with anger and yet also disdain.
"Whether it was the injuries I sustained in my early years while strengthening my body, or the recent injuries—
they were all courtesy of the Majeri lineage within their family!"
He spoke briefly, yet did not mention the reasons behind it.
Colin nodded, aware of the disdainful hierarchy that existed among wizards.
"Recently, since you've returned, if the Majeri lineage finds out, they may take the initiative to come to you."
Atbolde turned to look at him.
After a moment of silence, he spoke softly,
"If they extend an offer to recruit you, don't consider my feelings, Colin."
"I am merely clinging to life; with my current physical condition, I can no longer exert the strength of a Second Rank.
Even if you don't wish to join the Majeri family, for the sake of better development, it would be best to change to another mentor..."
Atbolde looked at Colin calmly, his gaze sincere.
"With your talent, this won't be difficult, Colin."
If before he had advised Colin to change mentors mostly out of pride, now it was more out of genuine consideration for Colin.
Of course, Colin shook his head.
With the Golden Paper, he was not in urgent need of resources...
What he needed more was a stable environment and time.
Atbolde's place was quite suitable, with a lack of resources meaning there would likely be no significant internal faction struggles.
Moreover, if he were to leave, what would have been the point of coming to treat Atbolde today?
He was not one to forget favors and betray friendships... Gratitude must be repaid, as must grudges!
"Mentor, I have advanced to a First Rank Intermediate Wizard," Colin suddenly said after a pause.
Atbolde wanted to continue persuading him.
But upon hearing Colin's words, the words he intended to say were suddenly stuck in his throat.
"You've advanced to a First Rank Intermediate Wizard? If I remember correctly, just two months ago, you had just advanced to a First Rank Wizard..."
After a moment, he managed to recompose himself and asked in surprise.
He had lost count of the number of times this student before him had amazed him.
"Yes." Colin nodded honestly.
He still needed to obtain knowledge to advance to a Second Rank Wizard from Atbolde, and his progress in cultivation would inevitably be revealed sooner or later.
So there was no need to hide it.
After all, he hadn't done something as sensational as advancing from a First Rank Wizard to a Second Rank Wizard in two months.
It was just a slight promotion from Basic Level to Intermediate of First Rank within a little more than two months.
A minor rank advancement, with a speed still within the realms of normalcy, was merely a sign of genius, not monstrosity.
Keep in mind, those geniuses from Pureblood Families with both resources and talent have been carefully nurtured from a young age, with many of them reaching Third Rank Wizard before their fiftieth birthdays!
Hearing his frank confirmation, Atbolde fell silent, his heart filled with regret.
With Colin's aptitude, he could have received the best nurturing from the Tin Saint School.
Those Wizards would meticulously break down and explain the Meditation Method to him.
He would surely have secured a place with the Alus Association.
Before advancing to a First Rank Wizard, they would have strived to ensure Colin thoroughly understood all of his knowledge.
Thus, with the help of Alus, they would have minimized the tainting of the talent gained after advancement.
But now, Colin had almost entirely relied on himself to reach his current level.
The help Atbolde had offered was merely providing knowledge about advancement ahead of time, bestowing a piece of Elf Armor, and occasionally answering some questions during cultivation...
"Do you lack any witchcraft now? Have you started strengthening the foundation of your body?"
Atbolde, feeling inexplicably guilty, asked without bringing up the matter of changing mentors again.
Colin was unaware of Atbolde's inner thoughts; otherwise, he would have shaken his head.
He didn't need those meticulous explanations and arrangements at all; he could forge his own path!
"As for witchcraft I lack... I have not yet learned any Healing Magic. Regarding the foundation of my body, I haven't started strengthening it officially.
However, during my time in the Elf Kingdom, my senior Lillian gave me a book on knowledge related to body strengthening, which I am currently studying carefully."
Colin answered.
With the Ancient Tree Heart and the Golden Paper, his intentions for body strengthening were not to follow the beaten path.
Instead, he planned to blaze his own trail.
Atbolde nodded and then pulled out a Knowledge Crystal, handing it to him.
"Natural Healing Skill, a Middle First Rank Healing Magic."
"This witchcraft can accelerate the body's natural healing process.
However, it's worth noting that it does not supplement Life Energy.
So, excessive use may result in a temporary deficit in the body."
"Thank you, Mentor."
Colin paused, then took the crystal.
Suddenly, he thought—
With the right Healing Magic, and using the Golden Paper Limit Breaking's ability, could he heal Atbolde using the magic enhanced after several Limit Breakings?
'It should be possible, but it might not be quick...
And first, I need to find a suitable Healing Magic.'
'This Natural Healing Skill that only accelerates one's own recovery probably isn't suitable for Atbolde's current situation.'