First Rank...is really too low.
However, upon hearing this, Jonah's expression remained unchanged, and after a pause, he said in a deep voice,
"Ocasie, I have always taught you—
never to judge solely based on your own assumptions without any evidence at all!"
"Have you forgotten?!"
"Alright… mentor, I haven't forgotten."
Ocasie's expression tightened under Jonah's stern gaze; he adjusted his glasses and replied reluctantly.
Jonah nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze to Colin, saying softly,
"I believe your words, Wizard Colin."
"It's just that the councilmen of Nois are currently busy with the war at the front lines, and obviously, it's inconvenient to bother them for such a trivial matter by sending a message."
"So, I think it's better to skip this matter for now! Let Ocasie replace the new School Badge for you first."
Watching Jonah's flawlessly sincere demeanor, Colin sighed inwardly, but outwardly he nodded in agreement, saying softly,
"Thank you, Sir Jonah."
He knew Jonah said so, but he mostly held the same attitude as Ocasie.
Even if it wasn't so, disbelief still dominated the majority.
"But, let it be..."
Colin then thought to himself,
"It's good to be misunderstood like this since no one believes I entered the Elf Kingdom on Gubier Island, and they all think I fled at the start of the fight."
"The family behind Margaret will also have lesser suspicion towards me."
Colin's gloomy mood eased a bit; he was never one eager for fame.
As long as he didn't receive actual punishment, it didn't matter.
Besides, once the councilmen of Nois were free, or once his own power grew stronger, all misunderstandings would ultimately be cleared up!
Next,
upon Jonah's instruction,
Ocasie did not speak further, but silently and quickly updated his information and issued a new School Badge.
Seeming unwilling to argue further...
Colin was also pleased about this, taking the new School Badge and quickly leaving without any reluctance.
He walked out of the office in two steps, but Jonah followed him and continued the conversation.
Colin couldn't disrespect Jonah, the Wizard.
This wasn't just because of his Second Rank Wizard status, but also because he had just facilitated an agreement, saving potentially a lot of time.
"Wizard Colin, how is your mentor, Atbolde, doing recently?" Jonah asked inconspicuously.
As Ocasie updated Colin's information, he learned that the famous Atbolde was the mentor of the talent before him.
"...Not optimistic." Colin paused before responding.
The situation regarding his mentor, who had somewhat recovered... it was better to keep it confidential before he advanced to Second Rank, to avoid unnecessary troubles.
"So, do you have any thoughts about joining another faction?" Jonah got straight to the point and continued asking, pausing briefly before adding,
"The leader of my faction is a Third Rank Wizard, Godwin, with your talent, you could definitely receive the best treatment!"
When updating the information earlier, he not only knew that Colin's mentor was Atbolde.
But also learned that this wizard standing before him had joined the School less than a year ago! And at that time, his Rank was just a mere Advanced Apprentice!
It was not surprising for an Advanced Apprentice to advance to a First Rank Wizard in less than half a year.
After all, who knew how many years Colin had been practicing before joining the School.
But combined with what he learned this time, he had advanced a sub-rank in just two months...
Jonah could now assert that Colin in front of him was definitely a talent comparable to the few wizard seeds intensively cultivated by the School!
If such a talent could be recruited to his Faction, the benefits would be substantial!
And even if not, forming a good relationship was also very desirable.
"Not for now, thank you, Sir Jonah," Colin declined gracefully.
Next, Jonah, not giving up, tried persuading him another few times.
Finally seeing Colin's firm attitude, he gave up the attempt.
But before leaving, he said to Colin,
"If after some time... well, if you think of switching factions, feel free to contact me.
I guarantee that Wizard Godwin will give you the best treatment!"
Colin responded perfunctorily and walked out of Black Castle.
He understood that Jonah's so-called "after some time" likely referred to after Atbolde's death...
Click.
Standing at the entrance of Black Castle, Colin pulled out his pocket watch.
Time had unknowingly reached noon, the sun blazing down fiercely.
Colin sighed, feeling somewhat depressed,
"Trivial matters consuming time... it's being wasted just like this."
He moved forward, then thought again,
"Perhaps this is the price of joining a School... but now that my information has been updated, there shouldn't be any more troublesome matters... hopefully."
Colin shook his head, the only thing he was now somewhat worried about, as Jonah had mentioned earlier—Margaret's family behind her.
Thinking of this, he quickened his stride.
'I still need to advance to Second Rank quickly; at that time, if any unexpected incident arises, at least I will have more ability to protect myself...'
However, as he was leaving the School, crossing several intersections on his way home,
he saw a somewhat familiar figure standing by his home's black fence gate.
'That apprentice who yelled for Renee to move out yesterday... what is he doing here?'
Colin's eyebrows nearly met in the middle, sighing inwardly,
"There shouldn't be any more troubles, right..."
He quickened his pace and approached.