Looking out across the Wizard World, there might still be others capable of competing with him, but they were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, and don't forget, Colin was still only a Basic Level Second Rank Wizard.
As his strength increased and his spirit was enhanced, the number of Frost Shadows he could summon with Combined Witchcraft would increase as well.
Not to mention anything else, by the time he reached Second Rank Advanced, even if the number of Frost Shadows just doubled, he would be able to strut around comfortably among Third Rank Wizards!
Moreover, as Colin waved his hand to summon an Ice Element to continue their transformation, he thought to himself:
"Since Summoning Ice Element can merge with the Black Mist Net, there's no reason Summoning Fire Element can't merge with it too!"
"I can't give up researching this aspect. Once I get to the Roon Kingdom, I'll start researching the combination of Summoning Fire Element and the Black Mist Net!"
"It's just... the ability to merge Summoning Ice Element with the Black Mist Net mainly comes from a breakthrough in Frost Talent. And in terms of the Fire Element, I don't have a similar Flame Talent... It probably won't be simple to merge Summoning Fire Element with the Black Mist Net.
But then again, it might be doable, given that there's already a successful case with the Ice Element. Researching further along those lines for the Fire Element might just work..."
Colin silently thought to himself, deciding that once he was in the Roon Kingdom, he would continue to research the fusion of Summoning Fire Element while looking out for treasures like the Ice Spring Essence that Shelley had given him, which could bestow Talent!
Of course, other practices like Meditation Method, Breathing Skill, and others should not be neglected... It's crucial to use these three years in the Roon Kingdom to good effect and grow stronger!
...
Time quickly moved to May 19th of the Yanan Calendar.
That morning, as the dawn's light just pierced the grey-blue sky, Colin pushed open his house's front door.
Standing in front of the door were Atbolde and Lillian, who had come to see him off.
Behind Colin were the lightly-packed sisters Renee, with Nasi sitting on his left shoulder, swaying her little feet as she looked back somewhat reluctantly at the garden now lush with spring.
"Colin, will we come back here?"
"We will," Colin softly replied, pausing before adding, "It's just that it might not be very soon."
"Oh~" Nasi's voice trailed off, clearly disappointed.
Colin smiled, "Once we get to the Roon Kingdom, the place we'll stay will also have a garden. And, it might even be bigger."
"Really!" Nasi's eyebrows and eyes lifted immediately, and upon seeing Colin nod in affirmation, she joyfully exclaimed, "Yay! Nasi wants a bigger garden!"
"Right," Colin nodded gently, approaching the nearest white bud on the ground, leaning slightly to reach out.
A pale green light instantly emerged from the bud in front of him, then the white petals unfolded rapidly like pressing a fast-forward button, revealing a full brown seed at the heart of the flower.
This was the true form of Nado, which controls everything in the yard, and since obtaining it from Teacher Atbolde, it had obviously grown a size larger and its aura had subtly increased.
But compared to Colin's change, it can only be described as minimal, still at most equivalent to an Advanced Wizard Apprentice in terms of strength.
Originally, Nado had been planted in the yard as a defensive measure, but now its sole function was likely just landscaping.
In fact, that was not bad, acting as a highly specialized gardener.
Taking Nado along, with just a scatter of corresponding seeds, regular provision of resources, not to mention a garden, even fruit trees and lawns, any plants could be well maintained without Colin needing to worry anymore.
"Is there anything else we haven't packed?" Colin turned and asked Renee.
Renee looked over the yard, pondered for a moment, and shook her head,
"No, nothing else, master."
"Alright, then let's get ready to leave." Colin took a breath and closed the black iron gate behind him.
With this departure, they wouldn't return until three years later, and even if they continued to settle in Neustadt City, they might not live here anymore.
Yesterday, he had already gone to the School to find the person in charge to check out, and perhaps because of the Golden Feather, he even got a two-month rent refund, which was an unexpected joy.
"Take care on your journey," Atbolde said slowly, patting Colin on the shoulder.
"I will, mentor," Colin nodded.
"Take care, Junior Colin," Lillian said, her delicate face revealing a hint of reluctance.
Colin nodded with a smile and then comforted the two before him, "The Roon Kingdom is not far away, with my speed, I can make a round trip in one day.
If nothing unexpected happens, I will return to Neustadt City once every month, so it's not really a goodbye."
Lillian pursed her lips and said nothing more.
"As a Golden Barley of Neustadt, there are quite a few wizards in the Roon Kingdom. From what I've inquired, the most powerful wizard openly is a Second Rank Wizard."
Atbolde continued to instruct, "In any case, you must be very careful. The distance to the Roon Kingdom is enough to render the Golden Feather Token useless. If you encounter any danger, make preserving your life the top priority."
"I will," Colin nodded earnestly to Atbolde.
Originally, as a Golden Feather, if he were around Neustadt City or even not too far from the Neustadt City Kingdom,
he could summon external assistance through the token if he encountered any danger, which is a protective charm provided by the School to each Golden Feather.
But if the distance from Neustadt City is too far, due to the interference of Tainted Babbling, many methods will lose effect, including the insurance of the Golden Feather Token.
Once he reached the Roon Kingdom, Colin would no longer have such a safety net; he would rely more on himself.
There had already been a farewell party last night, and after Atbolde and Lillian said this, they no longer delayed Colin's departure.
The group headed towards the south gate of Neustadt.
Originally, Colin could have taken an airship to reach the border of the Neustadt City Kingdom and then made his way to the Roon Kingdom.
If he didn't mind the hassle, he could also transfer within the Neustadt City Kingdom and take another airship to the Dilite Kingdom, which is closer to Roon.
However, doing so would be too time-consuming. It might be better to just fly there himself; the only benefit otherwise would be using the time on the airship to study some witchcraft knowledge or engage in meditation.
But since it was his first time going, Colin eventually chose to just take the sisters Renee and fly directly, figuring out the routes to facilitate returning to Neustadt City in a hurry later, without wasting time finding the way.
In the future when he has earned more from the Magic Stones, he could even consider purchasing a Second Rank Flying Witch Tool... That would make travel back and forth even more convenient.
The only drawback is that he is growing too fast; he can't be sure if the Flying Witch Tool could keep up with the improvement of his Flying Witchcraft.
If it needs to be replaced soon after purchase, then it might not be worth buying... With these casual thoughts, Colin and his company finally arrived at the south gate.
They stopped in front of the gate.
The morning sun had risen, the surrounding clouds were scorched by it, emitting a myriad of dazzling colors, with a few fortunate clouds gently drifting above in the blue sky.
Colin looked at Atbolde and Lillian, then looked up at the dense grey-white houses of Neustadt City. Although he knew he would return monthly, his heart still felt a sense of reluctance.
"This is far enough, mentor, Senior Lillian," he said with a smile as he looked away.
Life is always so unpredictable, no one can foresee what tomorrow may bring, the only thing one can do is to grasp what can be grasped.
"Have a smooth journey," Atbolde and Lillian said together.
"Yes."
Colin nodded, no longer lingering, turned, and walked with the Renee sisters along the stream of people, gradually disappearing beyond the city gate.