"It's very practical, an impressive form of witchcraft," said Colin, nodding slightly in praise.
"Eighty percent of the buildings in Neustadt City were built by mortals."
Colin was slightly stunned, and after thinking for a moment with a frown, he said, "Because it's cheaper to have mortals build them? Or does the Wall Building Skill have some sort of flaw?"
Shelley shook her head, looking at Colin, then suddenly curved her lips into a smile, "You really are different from ordinary wizards; I'm somewhat curious about your upbringing."
Colin remained silent, just looking at her.
Shelley didn't continue to probe, but instead, her smile faded as she went on, "It's a matter of habit. For tens of thousands of years, wizards have left the task of building houses to mortal slaves. Noble witchcraft would not be used for such things; it should be used in the pursuit of power."
"The most valuable witchcraft on the market are always those related to attack, defense, or those that aid in attack and defense.
The True Knowledge Society finally bought out the Wall Building Skill at the price of twenty Magic Stones. However, they still made a loss because no one ever exchanged points for that witchcraft skill again."
A realization dawned on Colin, tinged with a hint of regret. His knowledge from a former life made it easy for him to see the value of this witchcraft skill.
It's just a pity that in this stagnant world, the phrase 'used to it' could negate all new possibilities.
Moreover, in this world, this really isn't a very useful witchcraft skill.
The logic was simple: without this pressing need, wizards really don't need to build houses themselves!
Even the most downtrodden wizard could easily have a place to live if they wanted.
They truly had no reason to learn this witchcraft skill.
What for, to go and build houses for ordinary people?
As for building for wizards... aren't cheap slaves good enough? Keep in mind that the cost of hiring a wizard could buy several strong-bodied slaves.
It was the ordinary people who truly needed the Wall Building Skill, but ordinary people... they couldn't cast witchcraft.
Shelley tidied the stray hairs by her ear and continued, "The Truth Society has two main goals; I told you about one just now, and the Wall Building Skill is another. We hope to develop more witchcraft skills like the Wall Building Skill to make ordinary people wealthier and the world a wealthier place."
Hearing this, Colin finally showed some surprise.
He had thought the Truth Society was just a rebellious organization wanting to overthrow the Pureblood Family's rule and break the knowledge blockade.
But now, it seemed they were a far more noble liberation organization.
Their goal was not merely to overthrow the Pureblood Families; it was far grander and more soul-stirring.
This notion of making ordinary people and the world wealthier was clearly a plan to enlarge the entire world's pie so much that, after dividing it, each person could live prosperously.
In his past life, such an action had a more professional term—liberating productive forces.
"So, what are your thoughts, Lord Colin? Would you be willing to join the Truth Society?"
Shelley watched Colin, then decided to be frank and asked him directly.
The cold wind blew, and Silent Shadow beside him was moving the debris of the house effortlessly, as if carrying foam boards.
Colin fell silent for a moment and ultimately shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Shelley."
A clear look of disappointment crossed Shelley's face.
Colin paused, intending to continue the mental transmission, but noticed Robin approaching him.
After all, Shelley had maintained her invisibility, and their communication was through mental transmission.
So to others, Colin appeared to be standing there silently by himself, which explained why someone came over to disturb him.
"What's the matter?" Colin asked the boy in front of him.
Robin, with a solemn expression, glanced at Silent Shadow, then suddenly knelt down, and said earnestly:
"Lord Colin, I wish to learn witchcraft from you!"
Although he had already been mercilessly rejected by Dempsey once, Robin had not given up.
He still remembered how the wizard before him easily vanquished the Ice and Snow Monster, and he remembered the fear of being utterly powerless against such creatures, forced into a panicked retreat.
There were villagers with broken legs, who had already been declared dead, yet they were still saved by the Wizard before them… and there were Shadows nearby, who could effortlessly lift blocks of ice larger than several people with just one hand…
Robin thought to himself, if he could become a Wizard, then the village would never have to worry about anything again.
And perhaps… He felt the severed finger against his chest, his heart filled with longing.
Perhaps… perhaps after becoming a Wizard, he could even bring back his Trilly!
"I'm sorry…" However, Colin paused for a moment, and then shook his head.
Robin looked up in dismay. Although he had already experienced this feeling not long ago, it still hurt.
The intense desire in his heart made it unbearably painful.
"I… I understand, thank you, my lord." Robin bowed his head, his expression wooden.
But what Robin did not see was that, the moment he lowered his head, Colin suddenly turned his head slightly, a look of surprise in his eyes.
Then, as if repeating someone else's words, he continued:
"If you can cross the snowy plains following the guidance after the cold night arrives, you might have a chance to become a Wizard."
While echoing Shelley's words, Colin passed a copper compass that Shelley had handed to him to Robin.
"It will guide you in the right direction."
Robin looked up, a bit lost, but soon, crystal tears gushed uncontrollably from his eyes, flowing down his somewhat rough cheeks, and falling to the ground, forming ice flowers.
Robin took the small copper compass with both hands and clutched it tightly, unable to speak through his sobs, so he bowed deeply several times, knocking his forehead against the ground with loud thuds.
Colin stepped aside.
Not far away, at the ruins, Mayor Hunter was watching this scene, his expression complex.
"I have to go, Colin," Shelley suddenly said.
"I am leaving this place as well," Colin replied, looking at Shelley with a smile, "I wish you well on your journey."
Shelley's face also returned to calmness, and he smiled,
"And I wish you smooth sailing. After the cold night ends, I should be back in Neustadt City.
Don't forget our fixed noon exchange."
"Mmm," Colin smiled, watching as Shelley's figure slowly disappeared, until he could no longer see him.
Shelley's dream was grand, and the Truth Society was also a great organization.
But Colin deeply understood that the Wizard World was ultimately a fantasy world where mighty power belonged to the individual.
Top-down reform was much more feasible than bottom-up change.
If one day he could reach the Peak, everything he wanted would be realized.
"I should leave this place too," Colin mumbled to himself, drawing back his gaze.
He glanced around, and with the help of Silent Shadow, the ruins of the snow houses had been mostly cleared, leaving only rebuilding to be done.
The young Robin had already put away the copper compass, placing it together with Trilly's severed finger, and then returned to help rebuild the snow houses.
Different from his prior wooden state, the young man's steps were now particularly light, and his face was brimming with an irrepressible smile.
"So amazing!"
"Thank you, Wizard!"
In the midst of it all, Colin could still hear the villagers fixing the houses, softly exclaiming in surprise at Silent Shadow, who was significantly speeding up the entire rebuilding work with their assistance.
"Such mighty power, all used for fighting and killing, can't say it's wasted, but it indeed can do so much more…"
Suddenly, a misty aurora appeared in the sky above, its enchanting light spilling over Ancient North Village, making the domed snow houses seem like something out of a fairy tale world.
Unfortunately, this was not a fairy tale.
Colin stayed there for half a day longer, using his newly acquired Talent to help the villagers rebuild the snow houses, and then set out on his return journey.