"Lord Nade," Hosone paused, then suddenly took out a leather document bag and continued,
"This is the property deed to the villa you currently reside in."
"Although I know this is trivial to you, I still want to give it to you as a token of gratitude."
After speaking, Hosone hesitated, then suddenly continued,
"Besides that, there is this—"
"This is a School Token of the Lantee School from Merredith City."
He took out a black coin from his pocket and handed it to Colin without changing his expression.
This token came into his possession through some fortuitous coincidences.
Hosone understood it was a significant opportunity.
However, he understood even more that his children might not necessarily have the Talent of a Wizard.
And even with Wizard Talent, one might not necessarily succeed in joining a Wizard School just with the help of a School Token.
Of course, these did not diminish the value of the token.
Just that at the moment, since Colin had saved his most precious daughter, he was willing to give this valuable token to Colin.
After all, besides the token, he could not think of anything else he owned that would catch Colin's eye.
"Oh," Colin became interested.
He remembered that Hosone had previously told him about a School Token auction at the merchants' gathering...
It seemed it was indeed the Lantee School.
Noticing Colin's curiosity, Hosone took the initiative to explain,
"Due to some fortuitous coincidences, this token has now come into my possession."
Colin nodded slightly, guessing that behind Hosone's words lay a bloody storm.
"Are you willing to give it to me?" he asked with a smile.
Hosone nodded emphatically and solemnly said,
"I am willing!"
"An eye for an eye, that is the creed I have adhered to from being a commoner to now."
Colin thought for a moment and then took the black coin.
Although the School Token was of no use to him now, it could still be worth some Magic Stones.
All in all, it was better than nothing.
As for the potential risks it might bring, he did not care.
The Lantee School was not considered a major School, and those vying for it were not likely to be too formidable.
At least, they would not be more powerful than him, a formal member of the Tin Saint School—Hosone having obtained the token proved just that.
Holding the coin in his hand, Colin tested it slightly with his Magic Power.
A faint ethereal glow immediately appeared on the coin.
He flipped the coin into his pocket, thinking to himself,
'It is indeed a Lantee School Token.
But the requirements are somewhat harsh... not only must one be under sixteen years old and never have practiced the Meditation Method, but their aptitude must also be above Second Class.'
Seeing Colin accept the token, Hosone breathed a sigh of relief.
He continued to elaborate,
"The people who attacked Wensy last night were from Nate Commerce, but the attack was not because of this token, merely due to business rivalry."
"So, you can rest assured, no one knows that I have obtained this Lantee School Token."
Colin raised an eyebrow—this was unexpected.
He had thought that besides expressing gratitude, Hosone was also looking to part with a hot potato.
But he didn't mind, so he hadn't mentioned it.
But now, it appeared not to be the case.
Hosone was truly giving him a precious token that he had obtained with difficulty.
Rubbing the coin in his hand, Colin thought for a moment and then asked,
"What specifically is the conflict between Nate Commerce and you?"
Hosone was startled, not expecting Colin to inquire about this—perhaps he wanted...
"Don't overthink it; I just want to understand more about Nate Commerce." Colin added, his tone betraying no other implications.
He did indeed have the intention to casually help Hosone, but he first needed to understand the situation before deciding.
Hosone gathered his thoughts and began,
"Nate Commerce, like my Thorne Commerce, primarily deals in real estate.
However, they traditionally operated in areas on the east bank of the Leibo River, while I cover the west bank of the Leibo River and some suburbs of Nanao."
"Previously, our two companies had reached a mutual understanding, so generally, we did not encroach on each other's turf.
But a few days ago, Nate Commerce somehow acquired three Great Knights and then began an unreasonable and aggressive expansion."
"Being right next to them on the west bank of the Leibo River, we naturally bore the brunt... and that's how the conflict erupted."
Hosone's face showed bitterness... Three Great Knights normally wouldn't have gone this far.
He had also voluntarily sacrificed much, choosing to concede.
Although the market is a battlefield, it is also a place of sworn brotherhood.
Having demonstrated such behavior, by the rules, Nate Commerce should have known when to stop.
Especially since he had announced his willingness to sell most of the properties on the west coast to Nate Commerce at a low price.
Taking a step back, even if they were unwilling to stop on their own, they should at least not resort to underhanded tactics.
However, Nate Commerce did the exact opposite, seemingly because of the arrival of those three Great Knights; their methods not only became extremely harsh but also completely disregarded the rules.
"I understand."
It was just three Great Knights, Colin nodded, preparing to speak.
But looking at the coin in his hand, he suddenly had a new idea.
On the other side, Hosone carefully looked at him, saw his silence, and a slight disappointment in his eyes, then continued,
"Thank you very much, Mr. Nade. I won't disturb you any further."
"Wait, please call Wensy here," Colin suddenly lifted his head and said, the black coin flipping at his fingertips.
"Yes…"
Hosone clearly paused, then hurriedly got up to leave.
Soon, the door to the study was knocked again.
"Come in," Colin said indifferently.
A quiet girl cautiously pushed the door open.
After looking at him, she immediately lowered her head.
Colin's expression was calm as he watched Wensy enter and softly said, "Come here, place your hand on the crystal."
After that, he continued to Hosone at the door,
"Come in as well."
"Okay… okay." Hosone gave an awkward smile and followed inside.
He had pondered for a long time as he was going downstairs, ultimately deciding to let Wensy enter the study alone.
However, after Wensy really went in alone, he regretted it somewhat.
He knew nothing about Colin.
But a businessman's experience always made him tend to think the worst.
Wensy obediently walked up to Colin, extending her palm to rest it on the transparent Crystal Ball.
However, she seemed a bit nervous, her fair hand visibly trembling.
"Relax," Colin said gently.
Under the assistance of the Knight Aura, his words seemed to possess some kind of magic power.
Wensy felt her heart suddenly steady, and she subconsciously closed her eyes, sincerely feeling it.
Hosone watched this scene nervously from the side, seemingly realizing something.
A moment later.
A misty fog gradually drifted within the transparent Crystal Ball.
"Not bad, talent slightly above Second Class,"
After careful observation, Colin smiled and spoke.
Then he suddenly handed the black coin he had on him to Hosone.
"Keep the token safe. Your daughter has a Wizard's Talent and meets the conditions for the token."
"This…"
Although he had some guesses, Hosone still found it somewhat unbelievable.
Colin didn't think too much about it; he just felt that a token from the Tin Saint School was not too precious of an item.
He preferred to do things he was more willing to do.
Saving Wensy last night, in his eyes, was just a small effort.
He was already pleased with those experimental materials that were provided, taking an extra token was unnecessary.
After all, he didn't lack such things, and taking it would make him feel indebted.
It was better to return it to its rightful owner and, at the same time, contribute to the strengthening of the Wizards' community.
"By the way," Colin suddenly thought of something and said, "That Nate Commerce, they are unscrupulous in their actions. I believe the owner of Villa No. 6 next door has already been murdered."
"They should be punished. Go convey this message to the authorities in Nanao… um, in my name as a Wizard."
This wasn't just talk.
Last night during the testing of the Knight Aura, he inadvertently learned that villa No. 6 was a death trap.
The residents were apparently a foreign merchant.
He, along with the butler, maid, and mistress, had all been tortured to death.
Those knights from Nate Commerce were not good people.
"…Yes!"
Hosone quickly responded, his face showing excitement.
With Colin's words, Nate Commerce had, beyond doubt, been sentenced to death!