After bidding farewell to Lillian, Colin walked toward his home.
He glanced back at Lillian's white residence and touched his chin.
"I don't know if it's just my imagination, but it seems like the senior sister has become livelier."
Shaking his head, Colin didn't dwell on it.
Perhaps it was because their relationship had improved.
However, Lillian's demeanor made him feel more at ease in her company.
After all, the senior sister usually looked no older than thirteen or fourteen, petite, and standing next to him barely reached his chest.
Though she usually maintained a cold demeanor, based solely on appearance, she seemed more like a child pretending to be serious.
Even her other form appeared to be only around sixteen or seventeen.
So, many times, he found it hard to believe that the petite girl before him was actually many times his age.
Collecting his thoughts, Colin walked briskly.
Although tonight's gathering had ended, his schedule had not.
About ten minutes later, he was home.
The residence had largely retained the appearance it had when he left.
Of course, if one observed closely, they could detect some subtle signs of unauthorized entry.
Colin even speculated that perhaps recently, just like previously at Marjorie's place, there were wizards in ambush here.
Nevertheless, at least today when he returned, no one was here, and objects inside remained largely intact, undamaged.
It was uncertain whether the Hidosh family had withdrawn their people voluntarily or whether the wizards guarding the place had left on their own after Yasi's death.
After briefly greeting Renee and Nasi who were waiting for him, he quickly walked into the Meditation Room.
As for Demi, the young girl had succumbed to sleep due to her tiredness.
Closing the Meditation Room's door, the noise was shut outside, and the Bright Crystals on the walls slowly emitted a soft white light.
Colin didn't stop; he immediately took out the Demon Release Ring, and then began practicing the Deep Red Marking Technique in the empty space.
He planned to master the Deep Red Marking Technique by limit-breaking it tonight as tomorrow he had a meeting with Councilman Nois.
Time passed quickly in his deep practice, and before he knew it, dawn was breaking.
The soft yellow morning light pierced through the mist, dispelling the deep darkness.
In the Meditation Room, Colin, who had not slept all night, still looked energetic.
He kept practicing.
About an hour later, along with a sudden drop in the number of Magic Stones on him, an additional symbol 'I' appeared after the character representing the Deep Red Marking Technique on the Golden Paper.
Unexpectedly, after the improvement, the Deep Red Marking Technique remained a 'Zeroth Rank Upper' witchcraft and did not advance in rank.
This was somewhat similar to the Ancient Tree Heart Witchcraft—after limit breaking, it too was not classified as First Rank Witchcraft by the Golden Paper.
However, the rank of a witchcraft isn't entirely determined by the quality of its effects.
Especially for support witchcraft—it's not like attack witchcraft, which can be observed for clear-cut damage done and categorized by the precise data issued by the Supreme Council.
Support witchcraft is more often classified by the limitation in casting—that is, the minimum wizard capability required for a successful casting in general situations.
The annotations on the Golden Paper are based on his own knowledge, so the method of determining the rank of witchcraft is roughly similar to the outer world's assessment.
That is to say, the limit-broken Deep Red Marking Technique remains a witchcraft that an Advanced Apprentice can use.
Stowing away the Golden Paper, Colin walked out of the Meditation Room.
The mist outside had almost completely dissipated, only the icicles on the eaves showed traces left by the mist.
He planned to have a quick breakfast and then go to meet Nois.
However, before Colin finished his breakfast, people from the Hidosh family had already come knocking.
Three people in total, led by an attractive, shapely and intellectual woman witch.
As for their purpose, there was no doubt—it was to make amends... or rather, to ease the relationship.
These Pureblood Families, most having histories spanning over a thousand years, thus were each more cautious than the last.
Without absolute certainty, they generally preferred to resolve conflicts rather than let situations escalate.
After learning of Colin's situation yesterday, the Hidosh family's senior members immediately started further investigations.
Upon discovering the one from Black Castle unwilling to say much, as well as Colin Golden Feather's identity, they decisively chose to send people over today.
In the study, Colin sat back in his large chair, extended his hand to accept the wooden box that the woman witch handed over, and placed it on the desk beside him.
Seeing Colin's genial expression as he accepted their apology, the woman witch, feeling that the beginning was smooth, softly smiled, smoothed her hair, and revealed her pale, delicate cheeks as she spoke:
"Yasi Hidosh's plan was unknown to the family; otherwise, they would have definitely stopped such blatant violation of School rules!
But now that Yasi has passed away, all grievances have vanished into thin air, and we hope you would not let these matters affect your mood."
"Hmm," Colin responded noncommittally.
If only hatred could be so easily resolved—that would be great; although Yasi had died, Marjorie could never come back to life again.
Moreover, by now, for him, this was not merely about Yasi.
"What about the Steward who inspected the Witch Array?" Colin continued in a low voice.