He shook his head inwardly and put away the crystal.
On the other side, Atbolde continued speaking.
"It's a pity I was born into the School; many of the witchcrafts I know have been bound by contracts and cannot be disclosed.
Otherwise, I would have better witchcraft to give you."
"However, this Healing Magic, though not excellent, is at least better than nothing..."
Atbolde sighed, paused, and then added,
"Do you have a preferred plan for body enhancement?"
"Is it Bloodline Transformation or Element Transformation? Hmm... I do not recommend you undergo Mechanical Transformation.
Though Mechanical Transformation can yield the fastest results, it comes with great limitations.
Good metal materials are even rarer and harder to find than good bloodlines."
"Not to mention, both Bloodline and Element Transformations can be continuously purified and strengthened through one's own efforts, but Mechanical Transformation is quite difficult."
Colin pondered for a moment and then said,
"I have not yet decided on a specific direction for the transformation; I am still getting familiar with this knowledge."
"However, I do have some questions about the foundation of body strengthening."
"Atbolde, in the process of strengthening the body's foundation—
after reaching the required energy level, by adjusting the vibration frequency of internal energies such as Bloodline Power and Elemental Power to resonate with the soul to enhance physical adaptability until no further progress can be made, it signifies that the body's foundation has been strengthened...
I want to know if the process of resonating with the soul to enhance physical adaptability can be carried out even before the energy reaches its proper level?"
As they delved into the knowledge of cultivation, Atbolde's demeanor became serious, and he nodded, saying,
"In theory, it is possible, but the efficiency is not as high as after reaching the energy level, nor is it as safe."
He paused, and then continued,
"What we call physical adaptability is actually the body's capacity to withstand the pressure of the soul.
Similar to physical exercise, energy resonating with the soul is like training the body's capacity to endure.
Therefore, the higher the energy, the higher the starting point, and the better the training effect will be."
"I understand."
Colin nodded, suddenly enlightened.
Atbolde's explanation was as vivid and clear as always.
"I have some good plans here for strengthening the body's foundation, mainly Bloodline Transformation.
Once you have made your decision, if it's Bloodline Transformation, you can come directly to me," Atbolde continued.
"If it's another direction for strengthening, you can also come to me, and I will help you apply to the School...
I have the Ancient Tree Spring here; though I cannot really act, I can at least maintain normalcy on the surface, which is not a problem."
"Okay, mentor... but I have just started trying to strengthen the body's foundation, so there's no rush," Colin quickly said in a deep voice.
Using the Blood Energy of a Knight to strengthen one's own body and improve adaptability to the soul is actually the simplest.
After all, Blood Energy comes from oneself and is the purest energy, whereas grafted bloodlines and elements are foreign and come with their precautions to prevent rejection reactions.
Thus, for him, the difficulty in strengthening the body's foundation lies not in the strengthening itself but in the accumulation of Blood Energy.
"Ah, it's about time."
Atbolde nodded, looking toward the brown wall clock on the left that resembled tree rings, and suddenly said.
On the old tree-ring wall clock, the hands had reached eleven forty-five, nearly noon.
Colin's heart tightened, as the mentor's rules had not changed.
After twelve noon, one could no longer enter this study.
And after midnight, one was not allowed to set foot in this residence,
Until the first rays of sunlight the next day.
His thoughts stirred, and he felt like asking about the reason behind this.
But Atbolde had already slowly walked to the desk, seemingly intending to sit down.
Colin hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not speak; he just re-conjured an Ancient Tree Spring and then said,
"Then I'll leave first, mentor, here is a new globe of Ancient Tree Spring water for you to keep."
"Ah, thank you, Colin..." Atbolde took the Ancient Tree Spring, slowly speaking, his tone suddenly weary.
Colin turned and walked toward the study door, preparing to leave.
He was not a curious person by nature, nor did he intend to pry into others' secrets.
"By the way—" Atbolde called out to him as he was opening the door, reminding him, "At the School, your information was that you went missing during the battle at Gubier Island.
But now that you are back and have passed through Zuo Ao and Right Ao at the entrance, I guess someone will come to question you in the next few days to prevent the misuse of the School Badge."
"When that time comes, there's no need to be nervous, just answer truthfully... Of course, there's no need to disclose everything, as long as you can prove your identity."
"I understand, Mentor." Colin nodded, paused in his steps, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly asked:
"Mentor, is there still any way to heal you?"
Atbolde slowly raised his head, his aged face becoming serious, and pointing to the newly left sphere of water from the Ancient Tree Spring, he said gravely:
"Don't worry about this matter anymore, focus on practicing, focus on improving yourself! With the Ancient Tree Spring you brought, I can at least hold on for another three to five years!"
"…Alright."
Colin took one last look at Atbolde, then pushed the door open and left.
He left the School and wandered aimlessly through the streets.
It was noon and the streets were not very crowded, the autumn sun shining down was still somewhat scorching.
'Although Mentor Atbolde's injuries are incurable, they are stable for now, and I have done all that needs to be done…'
He exhaled a breath of turbid air, his tight heart gradually relaxing.
"Everything has come to an end, it's time to focus on cultivation."
He intended to go straight home, but the next moment, Colin looked at the bookstore next to him, felt a sudden impulse, and stopped.
The half-month journey on the Grey Whale had made him develop a habit of keeping up with frontline news.
Colin walked up to the Supreme Council announcement pickup point outside the bookstore.
The news of that Second Rank Wizard on the Grey Whale was also obtained from a Supreme Council announcement.
However, it was not firsthand news, but came through a special method passed on by friends on land.
At this moment, at the Supreme Council announcement pickup area.
A few wizards gathered together, flipping through the announcements now expanded into newspaper style, talking in low voices.
"Who knows how the Nois City Lord is doing, the announcements never mention it..."
The one wearing a tall hat spoke.
"Maybe everything is normal, healthy..."
Another person said.
"How could that be, everyone knows that although the Soah Islands were defended the day before yesterday, the wizards on the island suffered heavy casualties!
Three Fourth Rank councilmen died in battle, and the Nois City Lord was targeted and is now severely injured and unconscious!"
The third person shook his head, analytically stating.
"Rumors cannot be believed."
The last wizard shook his head, trusting the information on the Supreme Council announcement more than the rumors.
"Although they are rumors, there must be a reason for these talks, and these statements are probably not unfounded..."
The third person argued back, continuing:
"Otherwise, those wizards bold enough to claim they exposed the Elf Clan and passed the message to the Nois councilman at such a time would have been dealt with long ago!"
"To think… someone is impersonating themselves?" Colin was a bit surprised.
It only showed how much interests had clouded people's minds…
But immediately after, his heart felt a bit gloomy.
If, as the wizard said, those impersonating "heroes" have not been punished,
Then it's very likely because the Law Enforcement Team doesn't know the true messenger was actually himself, thus unable to discern the truth from the lies, leaving them no choice but to let it go.
'Could it be true, as the rumors say, that the Nois councilman is indeed severely injured and unconscious?
No, it's also possible that he simply hasn't disclosed his information to the public yet.'
Colin shook his head, didn't linger, picked up a copy of the announcement, and quickly headed home.
He was not interested in promoting that he was the wizard who had passed on the news of the Elf Clan's rebellion.
What he needed now was a stable environment to strengthen his foundations and to advance to a Second Rank Wizard as soon as possible.
Reaching Second Rank Wizard would naturally open up a whole new realm.
That was what mattered the most…
The rest was just icing on the cake.