The two walked out of the True Knowledge Society's residence, and Colin glanced back subconsciously.
The ancient, grey-black castle, the rough footpath, the broken and dry fountain… Although the True Knowledge Society was indeed powerful in terms of experience, its appearance was truly not up to standard.
If not for the intact doors and windows, and the lack of significant filth and damage, he would have surely thought it an abandoned building had he come here alone.
Um… there was also a white-haired witch inside.
"Is there normally only one person on duty at the True Knowledge Society?" Colin thought about it and asked aloud.
"Not necessarily," Ocasie shook her head. "It mainly depends on whether someone is conducting experiments here."
"It seems likely that there is no one today."
"There are laboratories here?" Colin asked, puzzled.
"In fact, the two secondary towers on the left and right are laboratories that one can rent based on the relevant research level."
"The laboratories increase in level from the top down, with a total of twelve First Rank laboratories, six Second Rank, and two Third Rank… and underground there is even a Fourth Rank standard laboratory."
Colin was rather startled—the First Rank and Second Rank laboratories weren't much of a concern, but a Fourth Rank standard laboratory!
What did a Fourth Rank standard laboratory imply?
Not to mention what kinds of precious auxiliary research tools should be equipped, just the defenses alone, at the very least, had to be able to withstand Fourth Rank attacks!
True Knowledge Society truly cannot be judged by its cover!
However, the words Ocasie said the next second quickly shattered the excitement in his heart.
"It's just that most of these laboratories have fallen into disrepair over the years and have largely lost their intended functions; the higher the rank, the more so this is the case."
"The tools in the Third and Fourth Rank laboratories are almost unusable now, and only two Second Rank laboratories remain intact. For the First Rank laboratories, only half are still in good condition."
No wonder few wizards come… it turns out they are mostly practically in ruins.
Colin was somewhat speechless, but to him, whether the laboratories were good or bad didn't make much difference.
His method of studying witchcraft was different from ordinary people.
But soon, as if something had occurred to him, Colin asked again:
"What are the specific prices to rent a laboratory? Is it with points?"
If renting required points, it wouldn't be cost-effective, but if one could rent using Magic Stones and the price was reasonable, then it could be highly beneficial to him!
With Golden Paper, he didn't need to exhaust a large amount of energy to understand and verify principles like a normal wizard in order to advance his magic power level or create new spells.
All he needed to do was practice, practice with all his might.
Other witchcraft might be manageable, but when it came to practicing Attack Witchcraft, it had to be full-force practice.
As his strength improved, the requirements for his practice environment also grew more demanding.
Although he had already fortified the basement of his dwelling, each time he casted spells, he was extremely cautious to focus the power on the target as much as possible.
However, with his current strength, even just the residual effects were beginning to be too much for the basement to handle.
If he didn't want to waste a great deal of time every day leaving the city to find a secluded wasteland for practice, then finding a reliable training ground within Neustadt City was becoming increasingly urgent.
After all, the outskirts of Neustadt were part of the Neustadt Kingdom, and to find a secluded, uninhabited wasteland would take at least a half-day's flight.
Now, it seemed the True Knowledge Society's laboratories might be a good choice—close to home... and quiet with good privacy.
The schools of wizardry or other such places established outside were bound to have more wizards than here.
"Points and Magic Stones are both fine," Ocasie replied. "The price is very cheap, generally it's a monthly rent. For a First Rank laboratory, the best one is a hundred and fifty Magic Stones a month, the worst one a hundred Magic Stones.
Those decommissioned laboratories can also be rented, good for experimenting with the power of witchcraft and such, which is quite nice. You can rent per use, 2 Magic Stones each time, or fifty Magic Stones a month."
The price was not bad; Colin nodded lightly.
If he wanted more secrecy, maybe he could stagger the rentals, with the decommissioned ones rented for a few days occasionally. This way, he could even reduce some expenses.
It was already past four in the afternoon.
The weather had turned a bit gloomy, the warm sunlight from noon had vanished after these few hours, and thick clouds had obscured the blue sky, as if even the heavens had accumulated snow.
Ocasie and Colin walked side by side, though they maintained at least a meter's distance between them—they were, after all, not very familiar with each other.
Once their previous conversation ended, the atmosphere once again became somewhat awkward. Ocasie adjusted her glasses and thought for a moment before asking:
"Mr. Colin, do you hail from Neustadt City?"
"No, I come from a small island in the Southern Sea Domain… cough, from a small kingdom on the south side of the Siya Continent. I was taken to a small island by a wizard from the Southern Sea Domain when I was a child, and became a Wizard Apprentice.
Later, the island was destroyed by the Divine, so I ended up coming to the Siya Continent…"
Ocasie was momentarily taken aback—she thought there was nothing about Colin that could surprise her anymore.
But Colin had such a fantastical personal history; he actually came from a small kingdom without wizards?
"…That must have been very hard," she murmured after a long silence.
"It was alright."
"?!" Ocasie pursed her lips and decided to remain silent, no longer attempting to break the awkwardness of the silence.
But it's quite mysterious how social interactions between people work.