"Is it the matter that was mentioned on New Year's Eve?" Colin heard Shelley's words, raised his eyebrows, and asked aloud.
"Yes." Shelley nodded.
Colin hesitated, then asked with some curiosity, "May I ask what exactly you're going to do?"
Shelley watched him, her delicate face showing a rare difficulty.
"If it's inconvenient, you don't have to force it; I was just asking casually," Colin said with a smile upon seeing her expression, "Speaking of which, I will also be leaving Neustadt City for a while tomorrow."
Shelley glanced at him and unconsciously wanted to ask more, but quickly realized it was inappropriate and closed her mouth.
"I'm planning to go to the small countries around to get some materials needed for witchcraft," Colin took the initiative to say without too much concealment.
Shelley nodded slightly but did not continue to ask further.
"Then, let's leave it at that, Lady Shelley, I wish you a smooth journey," Colin paused, then continued with a smile.
Having said that, he turned and walked away.
"Colin—" Shelley watched his retreating figure, her gaze flickered for a moment, and then she suddenly called out to him in a low voice, asking, "What is your view of the Pureblood Families?"
Colin slowly turned around, showing some surprise on his face; he thought for a moment and calmly said, "I don't like them very much."
Although the Pureblood Families were currently abiding by the public order and had not caused him any substantial harm,
That did not prevent Colin from disliking them.
The compulsory task suddenly assigned to him at the beginning of the month, he later bribed an on-duty wizard and got a hint of information—
His task was assigned on the spot… Although there wasn't much information, it was enough for Colin to confirm his suspicions.
The arrival of the compulsory task was clearly the Pureblood Families applying pressure on him.
...Those people were accustomed to nobility, always feeling that everything had to go according to their wishes.
Shelley heard Colin's answer, her face unchanged, she just nodded slightly.
"I wish you a safe journey," she said seriously.
"Mm," Colin nodded.
After he left, Shelley did not return to her laboratory.
As mentioned before, she too would be leaving Neustadt City for a while tomorrow, so naturally, she had to make some preparations today.
She had planned to talk with Colin at noon and then start preparing in the afternoon, but now that Colin had gone, the noon meeting was naturally off.
So Shelley had no reason to stay there any longer.
Walking through the back door of True Knowledge Castle, Shelley put on her hood, concealing her conspicuous white hair, and made her way to a secluded alley.
Then, after making a few turns, she entered an ordinary-looking grey bungalow.
After that, Shelley went to an inconspicuous corner of the room and waved her hand lightly.
The ground in front of her, along with the wall, suddenly cracked open, and moments later, a dark hole silently appeared before her.
Shelley did not hesitate, bent over, and walked down the steps.
The wall behind her closed up quickly without making any sound.
...
The next day, as dawn broke,
After instructing Renee that if anything happened, she could go to the School and seek the help of Instructor Atbolde, Colin stepped out of his home alone.
His sole reason for going out this time was to search for a few materials needed for casting the Black Mist Net.
After he had broken the limits of two Disguise Magic, he then had spare time.
After all, the time for meditation each day was limited, the commissioned task of custom witchcraft had already been completed, and for the moment, he had enough Magic Stone and was not in a hurry to sell the Limit Breaking Witchcraft.
Indeed, rather than earning Magic Stone, Colin preferred to prioritize enhancing his own strength.
And to improve his strength, the Black Mist Net was naturally the first choice.
This witchcraft, which Colin had already mastered, only needed some materials to bring out its desired effect.
Unfortunately, in the vast Neustadt City, there was nowhere where he could obtain the materials.
The Prisoners in Neustadt Kingdom were already booked by the city's Schools.
Otherwise, he would not have needed to travel.
However, fortunately, such witchcraft was not mainstream, and prisoners were still more supplied than demanded.
Without traveling too far, just a bit further away, like the previously visited Fabados Kingdom, he could obtain materials, as the prisoners there were not yet reserved.
Thinking along these lines, Colin stepped onto the Transmission Array.
With a flash of light, his figure gradually disappeared.
Moments later, a female wizard with grey-brown hair and green eyes, wearing thick glasses, also stepped into the hall of the Transmission General Bureau.
She was dressed in a grey robe, and with her thick glasses, she looked like an unremarkable scholar.
Next to the green-eyed witch were two other figures, one tall and one short.
The taller one was female, seemingly ordinary in appearance, but upon closer examination, one could notice tiny orange lightning moving in her blazing white eyes, carrying an oppressive air.
The shorter male wizard was of little note, appearing only as an ordinary elderly wizard with a wrinkled face.
After paying the transmission fee, it wasn't long before it was the green-eyed witch's turn; she stepped towards the Transmission Array.
"Have a safe trip, Lady Ice Mage," the elderly wizard spoke first, with a somewhat husky voice.
"Lady Ice Mage, are you sure you don't need someone to accompany you?" the other female wizard suddenly spoke up, her face showing an unmistakable concern.
"No need," the green-eyed witch shook her head, "Only I can go there, and if there's any danger, having more people is of no use."