Yanan Calendar, November 28th, morning.
The howling cold wind that had ravaged all night gradually subsided with the first rays of sunlight in the early morning, leaving the once intact clouds torn to shreds, scattered across rooftops and streets.
As a result, the sky revealed its true, transparent self, vast and azure, akin to a distant and profound gemstone.
The weather was cold, and the streets were even more deserted than usual.
The war to the south persisted, and some of its effects began to gradually reach the far-off Neustadt City.
Renee had mentioned the rising prices of ingredients several times lately.
Collecting his thoughts, Colin, in the first-floor reception room, put on a smile to continue entertaining the witch before him.
The witch had soft golden hair and a youthful face. She introduced herself as a First Rank Junior Wizard from the Dominica family.
"I already know the intentions of the Dominica family, but I still need to consider it carefully..."
"That's alright, Lord Colin, please take your time." The witch said with a demure smile, pushing the gift for her visit towards Colin, her gaze tender, "The Dominica family promises that as long as you are willing to join our family, all terms can still be negotiated."
The witch wore a white dress, with a loose collar. She had taken off her grey coat and fur collar after entering the house and placed them aside.
At this moment, as she leaned forward slightly, part of her fair mountainous skin was exposed, a silver necklace swaying in the deep valley, somewhat dazzling.
"I understand." Colin nodded, his eyes unwavering as he accepted the gift box.
"In that case, I shall not impose any further, Lord Colin. The Dominica family awaits your good news."
The witch didn't seem disheartened, smilingly straightened up, and bid farewell neatly.
Watching the witch leave, Colin rubbed his brow, his mind not even on checking what the gift from the Dominica family was.
Just as he treated the earlier visits, he handed it off to Renee to put aside.
He silently picked up the white paper on the oak coffee table in front of him and examined it carefully.
After a short while, Colin shook his head and tossed it aside as well.
The offers from these Pureblood Families varied beyond the basic knowledge of Magic Stones, yet their demands were remarkably similar.
Contracts starting from at least a hundred years and even two hundred years... although for an Official Wizard with an average lifespan of three hundred years, a century was not too substantial.
But he had only turned twenty this year!
Then there were demands for marriage and offspring; marrying one womam was the bare minimum. The last Suitor from the Vilongka Family even insisted on having at least three wives.
Although the idea was to encourage free love and not force any arrangements, the family merely played the role of matchmaker.
Moreover, the timeframe could be extended to fifty or even seventy to eighty years.
But this truly was not what he desired.
More so, even though such a claim was made, who knew how free one could really be once joined with a Pureblood Family; like a lamb in a wolf's den?
Colin sighed lightly and leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa.
In fact, spreading his progeny was not a major concern; he needn't worry about raising children. What was most unpalatable was the length of the contracts.
Servitude to the family for at least a century.
From being a Basic Level Apprentice to where he stood now, on the cusp of advancing to the Second Rank, had only taken him two or three years...
Knock knock knock—
"Master, a member of the Rodrick Faction has come to visit."
Renee's voice came from outside the door, and Colin exhaled softly, sitting up straight.
"Let him in."
In no time, the door to the reception room was gently pushed open, and a mild-tempered middle-aged Wizard walked in. He appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in a black coat, donning a black wide-brimmed hat.
'Finally, it's not a witch.'
Colin felt a sense of relief without knowing why. Those Pureblood Families, having received some news or other, all sent quite attractive young First Rank witches.
Regardless of their true age, they all appeared to be girls of no more than seventeen or eighteen years of age...
"Good day, Lord Colin," the middle-aged Wizard greeted as he took off his hat. "I am Audis from the Rodrick Faction, and I am here to congratulate you on receiving the Golden Feather Token on behalf of our faction."
Factions within the School were divided into two types, one being the Pureblood Families, and the other was like the Rodrick Faction, established around one or more Half-blood High Rank Wizards.
Most members of these factions were Half-blood Wizards, clearly weaker than most Pureblood Families.
Therefore, the benefits offered by the middle-aged Wizard were visibly a notch below those of the previous three Pureblood Families.
At the same time, the corresponding obligations were fewer, and the minimum contract tenure could be as short as seventy years.
Unfortunately... seventy years was still too long.
After seeing off the middle-aged Wizard, Colin gradually made his decision.
These so-called factions, whether Pureblood or Half-blood, were not a good destination for him.
The disadvantages far outweighed the benefits... so why tie himself down unnecessarily? It was better not to join at all.
After all, with the Golden Paper to his name, he believed he could carve out a path even on his own!
That said, Colin still stayed at home for the rest of the morning, continuing to receive the visitors who came upon hearing the news.
After all, one should not waste the constant stream of congratulatory gifts.
And so, from the early morning until the afternoon, more than thirty Wizards had visited in succession!
It seemed they had agreed among themselves beforehand, as there were few instances of them arriving at the same time, and even if they did, they courteously and quickly determined the order of their visits.