"I've also heard that the situation in the city has been complicated lately. I guess our family probably doesn't have the spare energy to pay attention to a Golden Feather anymore." Bale nodded slowly, then added, "It just makes it easier for us to make a move."
"Indeed it does," Bale said with a nod.
The less attention the Golden Feather received, the safer their actions naturally became.
"What's been happening recently in this city anyway? That regulatory ordinance appeared so abruptly and inexplicably," Bale mused, then asked with some worry.
"I don't know," replied Bale, shaking his head, "but I do know that about a month before the ordinance was introduced, the number of accidents caused by wizards' research in the city had increased sharply, one after another non-stop… Perhaps that's why the ordinance was suddenly implemented."
"…Perhaps," Bale nodded noncommittally, though he felt that the reasons behind the issuance of the regulatory ordinance were not that simple.
But he didn't say much more, just stated seriously, "We must be careful in this operation and make thorough preparations."
"Although that Golden Feather is only a First Rank Advanced Wizard, if Joyce really died at his hands… then I think we at least need to treat him like a Second Rank Middle Wizard!"
"You're right," Bale agreed, nodding his head, then thought for a moment before adding, "Just to be safe, let's prepare as if he were a Second Rank Advanced Wizard. We need to ready the auxiliary magic crystals, traps, magic potions, and so on!"
"Alright, it's best to be cautious," Bale nodded, paused, then added, "Although it's unlikely, I'll leave a backup plan before we depart. Should anything unexpected happen, at least the family will know who killed me and it won't be like Joyce—that no one knows what really happened."
After thinking for a moment, Bale nodded, "You're right, I will also leave a backup plan."
He thought for a moment then asked, "But what if Colin really is just a First Rank Advanced Wizard?"
"If he's just a First Rank Advanced Wizard, that means Joyce definitely couldn't have been killed by him, and we'll just leave when the time comes," Bale said nonchalantly.
"Mm," Bale nodded slowly.
If Colin was merely a First Rank Advanced Wizard, then in front of the two of them, who were fully prepared Second Rank Wizards, he could hardly stir up any trouble!
...…
The next day, the sun was bright.
Before dawn had even pierced the early morning darkness, Colin had risen early from bed.
Today's task was still heavy; he planned to at least create a new Ice Element, or it could also be called a Frost Shadow.
The problem, however, was that the first step he needed to take was to find a new place where he could transform the Ice Element.
The Elemental Net was already a Second Rank Upper Wizard technique, and transforming the Ice Element would inevitably generate stronger magic power fluctuations than he had previously reported for a Second Rank Lower.
With the current environment of the True Knowledge Society, continuing to transform the Ice Element there was clearly not possible.
The best approach was actually to leave the city, where the Law Enforcement Team only managed the inside. Outside Neustadt City, there were plenty of places he could perform the Ice Element transformation.
'Should I go to the wilderness forest like last time?'
Just as Colin was planning where to go today in his study, the school badge on his body suddenly lit up.
Colin picked it up and raised an eyebrow.
It was a notification from the school, instructing him to head to General Affairs Castle as soon as possible to receive a compulsory mission.
With a slight sigh, Colin put away the newspaper he was reading and headed toward the school.
Plans always seem to fall behind changes; for now, he just had to go and receive the compulsory mission.
This couldn't be delayed; previously it was because he was outside the city, a force beyond control.
But now, receiving notification from the school also meant the school was aware he was inside Neustadt City. If he didn't go to the school to receive the compulsory mission within twenty-four hours, he would face corresponding penalties.
Passing through the gates guarded by Left Ao and Right Ao, Colin arrived at the familiar General Affairs Castle and made his way easily to a counter on the second floor.
The wizard on duty today was unexpectedly a familiar face; if he wasn't mistaken, it was the same wizard on duty the last time he had come to receive a mission to the Extreme North.
"Good morning, Mr. Colin," the duty wizard clearly recognized Colin the Golden Feather.
Having begun teaching at the Tin Saint School in recent months, Colin had become far more famous than before.
Most of the First and Second Rank Wizards at the school had heard of this up-and-coming Golden Feather, of course, they also knew about this Golden Feather who offered paid tutoring after classes and had not yet joined any faction.
Some were puzzled, others secretly sneered, but most maintained a superficial respect for the Golden Feather.
Because everyone knew that as soon as Colin nodded to a Pureblood Family, he could rise to a level that required their respect.
The duty wizard Bobby was no exception; he smiled broadly and gestured for Colin to take a seat.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're here to receive a compulsory mission," he said.
Colin nodded slightly while handing over the school badge.
Bobby took the badge with a smile, slightly toned down his smile, and said earnestly, "Please wait while I check for you."
A moment later, he appeared startled, then looked up at Colin and said, "Sir, your mission this time is a garrison duty."
'Garrison duty…' A puzzled expression appeared on Colin's face.