At least within the School, he was still Second Rank; Neustadt had indeed seen through his disguise before, but it seemed as if he had no interest in informing others.
Colin behaved as if nothing had happened, since revealing his Second Rank status at the moment would undoubtedly do more harm than good.
The traps set by those Pureblood Families could be easily resolved time and again precisely because of such informational discrepancies.
As the saying goes, prudence is the key to success!
At this thought, Colin somewhat missed the secluded forest he had stayed in a few days ago.
It was sparsely populated, mainly due to the dangers of the dense woods, but in fact, it wasn't far from the city and didn't have much Tainted babbling.
Although the Magic Power wasn't as abundant as in Neustadt City, it could still support the cultivation of a Second Rank wizard, and with his powerful Talent, the difference between here and there was at most ten to twenty percent, which could also be compensated for with Magic Stones.
Furthermore, with the new laws enacted, there was an added benefit—no need to report research.
"Perhaps... it really might be a good idea to find a secluded place outside the city and seclude myself for study, like before."
Colin silently thought to himself as he stood up and prepared to head toward the True Knowledge Society.
How does that saying go again? Life is like a siege, some people want in, some people want out... Hmm, that's not quite what the original saying was about.
But there are indeed moments in life when one might feel this way, and at least for Colin at the moment, this was the case.
The war had come to a stalemate for the time being, and the continent welcomed a brief period of peace, but the currents within this Wizard City seemed to be stirring once again.
As for reporting to the School right now... No hurry, Colin still planned to weigh his options.
Moreover, he was quite curious about how the Law Enforcement Team would monitor those wizards who were unwilling to report.
After all, if one were to shut the door and hide in a basement to study, who would know?
He flagged down a brown public carriage.
Half a quarter hour later.
"Whoa!" Following the coachman's command,
The black horse pulling the carriage gradually came to a stop, snorting, as Colin stepped down slowly.
However, as he took in the scene before him, he paused in surprise.
The True Knowledge Society Castle, which was once desolate and could have been said to be deserted, now had its stone-paved entrance filled with wizards surrounding the damaged fountain.
Of course, it didn't take long to recognize from the insignia on them that these people were not wizards from the True Knowledge Society, but from the Law Enforcement Team.
Thinking about it, Colin realized that he had almost been a member for half a year, yet he had never seen so many wizards here before.
He could even say that, during his half-year with the True Knowledge Society, he had only gotten to know Shelley, with the rare encounter with other members when they occasionally emerged from their labs.
But they all maintained a mutual distance, without much conversation.
At this point, Colin looked up at the castle not too far away.
"It's nearly June, and Shelley still hasn't returned to Neustadt City; I wonder what the reason is."
He felt inexplicably annoyed, but soon dispelled that feeling, donning his School Badge and Golden Feather Token and continued forward.
Although Shelley had said she would return to Neustadt City after the end of the frosty nights, it was not really a formal promise...
"Are you a member of the True Knowledge Society?" A Law Enforcement Team Wizard asked him as he approached.
"Yes," Colin replied calmly, and curiously inquired, "What brings the Law Enforcement Team here... Has something happened?"
Seeing Colin's Tin Saint School Badge on his chest and the Golden Feather Token at his waist, the Law Enforcement Team member's stern expression softened somewhat and continued,
"Have you seen today's decree from the Supreme Council?"
"I am aware, the magical research management regulations."
"That's what we are here for," the Law Enforcement Team Wizard nodded solemnly and continued earnestly,
"According to the regulations, the True Knowledge Society, as an organization specializing in the study of knowledge, is one of the entities that requires special attention."
Colin's expression faltered slightly; if he had not remembered incorrectly, he had read nothing about this in today's proclamation.
Despite maintaining his composure in the face of Colin's puzzled look, Colin already perceived a hint of something amiss in the eyes of the Law Enforcement Team Wizard.
His thoughts whirling rapidly, Colin had an epiphany.
It seemed... this so-called focussed attention might hide ulterior motives.
It was said to be according to the regulatory statutes, but at this moment, it appeared more like someone was using this decree to target the True Knowledge Society.
The Law Enforcement Team Wizard intentionally coughed and continued to speak to him,
"Your Excellency, are you here to research witchcraft? If so, you may need to report to us, the Law Enforcement Team... Given the special nature of this place, the reporting might be stricter, and we might need to ask some additional questions."
"Don't worry, Excellency. The extra questions are all quite straightforward and nothing too sensitive," the Law Enforcement Team Wizard added.
At this point, glancing at the Golden Feather Token on Colin's person, the Wizard hinted, "Of course, if the location of your research isn't here in the True Knowledge Society Castle, you can also report to your associated School, as per the rules."
Colin nodded slowly; he understood what the Law Enforcement Team Wizard meant.
If he reported to a School, many things could be negotiable and wouldn't be as strict as reporting to the True Knowledge Society.
The Law Enforcement Wizard was implying that if he wasn't keen on revealing too much information, he could change his research location.
However, after pondering for a moment, Colin still spoke up, "My research is indeed being conducted here."
Rather than worrying about a few inconsequential additional questions that the True Knowledge Society might ask, he was more concerned about the Pureblood Families using the School reporting as an opportunity to cause trouble.
The Law Enforcement Team Wizard froze for a moment, then without further words, took out a special Witch Tool and proceeded in a businesslike manner, asking,
"In that case, please provide valid identification for registration."
"Alright," Colin handed over the School Badge.
"Firstly, what is the Ability Level of the research?" Taking the badge, the Law Enforcement Team Wizard placed it into a slot of the Witch Tool and began to inquire.
"Second Rank Lower," Colin replied calmly.
If judged only by the strength of the summoned Element, that was indeed the case.
The Law Enforcement Team Wizard looked up at Colin, whom he saw as merely a First Rank Wizard, and felt a trace of surprise.
However, upon seeing the Golden Feather Token at Colin's waist, that flicker of surprise soon dissipated.
"What is the level of danger? From extremely dangerous, majorly dangerous, average, mildly, to safe?"
"Mildly dangerous."
"The research location is the True Knowledge Society Castle, correct?"
"Yes, it is."
The Law Enforcement Team Wizard nodded and continued to say,
"Next, we have some additional questions that are required for conducting research in the True Knowledge Society Castle."
"Please describe the general direction of your research."
"Elemental."
The actions of the Law Enforcement Team Wizard paused momentarily, but he said nothing.
The decree had only just been handed down, so the questions being asked were extra and outside the stipulation of the decree; therefore, the answers were naturally not required to be detailed.
In fact, their arrival here was not due to any statutory requirements.
The Law Enforcement Team Wizard continued to ask mainly inconsequential questions, not scrutinizing their truthfulness, though they were indeed somewhat troublesome.
After about five minutes, the questioning finally neared its end, and the Law Enforcement Team Wizard asked his last question,
"How much longer do you anticipate your research will take to complete, Your Excellency?"
Colin thought for a moment and calmly replied, "Within five days."
Yes, although only five days had passed since he had purchased the Coldthorn Flower, his research into Combined Witchcraft had experienced a breakthrough!
As he had hoped, the enhancement of his Frost Talent indeed brought a crucial opportunity, allowing him to break through an issue in his research on Combined Witchcraft that had troubled him for so long.
Therefore, if nothing unexpected happened, within five days, he should at least achieve some interim results!