Sigh~
The carriage came to a stop, and Colin and Luke disembarked, exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and walked together toward the entrance of the Patrol Department.
Pushing open the gate, the large hall with its antique decorations saw many people already seated at the long brown table in the center.
Upon seeing Luke and Colin enter together, a look of joy couldn't help but appear on Carrie and the others' faces.
Carrie watched Luke approach slowly and asked with an inquiring look, "Did he agree?"
Luke shook his head and took a seat beside Carrie and the others.
Colin, however, chose a spot near the corner to sit down.
"What do you mean?" The joy on Carrie's face disappeared as she frowned and asked, "Colin didn't agree?"
"Luke, what exactly happened?" Joseph couldn't help but ask with confusion.
"Colin didn't agree," Luke shook his head and didn't elaborate further, simply stating calmly.
"Didn't agree?" Joseph was surprised, "But that's a hundred Magic Stones! Isn't he tempted at all?"
Luke remained silent, shaking his head.
"I really misjudged him!" Carrie's brows furrowed even tighter as she cursed through clenched teeth, fixing her glare on Luke before continuing, "And you even helped him find the Transformation Technique before... I can't believe he won't even do this small favor now!"
After speaking, she turned her head to stare fiercely at Colin, who was now looking through documents with his head down not far away.
Feeling her gaze, Colin looked up and saw Luke and the others, understanding their thoughts.
He didn't care and continued reading the documents.
Joseph, who hadn't initially felt anything was amiss, began to look more and more solemn and somewhat indignant after hearing Carrie's words.
'This Colin, really is no good!'
But Luke's brows furrowed slightly, he paused for a moment then said in a low voice,
"I found the Transformation Technique for him, but only after receiving payment. Colin owes me nothing!"
Carrie's expression stalled, then she hastily added, "But you're at least friends with him, friends help each other with these small matters... Luke, you got him wrong!"
Luke's brows furrowed deeply, then relaxed. He turned to calmly look at Carrie and said in a stern voice, "Is that really what you think, Carrie?"
"I think Carrie has a point, Luke," added Joseph from the side.
Luke glanced at Carrie, Joseph, and a few other familiar apprentices nearby.
Some had calm expressions, some were just curious listeners, but most were like Joseph, looking at him with questioning and annoyed eyes.
"First of all, though my relationship with him is not bad, it's not particularly good either; we're not close friends... At best, we're just acquaintances," Luke explained in an even tone,
"Secondly, this is not a 'small favor'!
…If it were a small favor, would you be willing to offer those hundred Magic Stones?"
"While we might optimistically estimate that Regina the Great might have plenty and not mind us, the truth is we have no idea what Regina really thinks!"
"Even if Regina doesn't mind us, would her friends be as generous as she is?
…How many benefits did we snatch from them in the past?"
"I don't need to elaborate on the risks involved, do I?"
Having said this, Luke added another line:
"…To expect help as an entitlement, and to hold a grudge when it's not offered..."
He shook his head and said no more.
He had said enough. Those who could understand would have understood by now; those who couldn't, wouldn't get it no matter how much more he explained...
Moreover, this was the perfect opportunity to judge who was still worth interacting with!
Carrie still looked somewhat dissatisfied as if she wanted to retort.
On the other hand, Joseph's anger had subsided. He frowned slightly, pondering to himself.
Tap, tap, tap—
At that moment, Flower descended the spiral staircase, his large frame causing the stairs to creak.
Following him was Regina, still with a pale, indifferent complexion, and the black cat that was always by her side was nowhere to be seen.
"Captain Flower..."
"Great Lady Regina."
The crowd greeted respectfully.
Flower sat down at the head of the long table, with Regina sitting beside him.
"I'm sure some of you already know," Flower began, sweeping his gaze around the room. Your information is correct, "Wizard Regina has indeed successfully advanced to an Advanced Wizard Apprentice and has also been appointed deputy captain of the Patrol Department by Lord Red Flame!"
"I've called you all here today to announce this matter."
The wizards nodded in unison.
Flower paused for a moment, then added, "Aside from that, there are two more things I need to remind everyone about."
"Recently, the Black Pearl Trading Company has arrived, bringing many unfamiliar wizards to the island, and some friction is inevitable."
"Two days ago, an Intermediate Apprentice from the Chiwen Gang clashed with an apprentice from the trading company at the Giant Axe Tavern, and I believe some of you are already aware of the outcome.
Let me briefly summarize: the end result was that the Chiwen Gang unilaterally compensated the Black Pearl Trading Company a hefty sum, and that apprentice, not only severely injured, was also expelled and banished by the Chiwen Gang, and is now... missing."
Colin's ears twitched slightly as he heard someone whispering nearby.
"...Where else could he have gone if not taken aboard their ship?"
"Alas, an unwarranted disaster... I knew that apprentice, he was only targeted by the trading company's apprentice because of the beautiful dancer with him..." someone else added.
"I remind you all, the Black Pearl Trading Company will leave the day after tomorrow, in just two days. Try to avoid any conflicts with them as much as possible."
At this point, Flower paused slightly, and the whispering next to Colin ceased.
Flower looked around at all the wizards present and continued:
"Of course, I'm simply saying not to actively cause trouble. But there's no need to be afraid either! After all, we are the Lap School, not some Chiwen Gang!"
"...If there really is a conflict, Teacher Lap will stand up for us!"
Pride flashed across Flower's face, and all the apprentices present basked in reflected glory.
Colin too showed a proud expression, yet his heart remained undisturbed, like an ancient well.
Perhaps it was because he had traversed from another world, not having grown up in the School since childhood, and the original host's memories were more like a database.
So, although he respected and revered Wizard Lap, and felt a sense of identity and gratitude to the School, he did not share the same level of respect and identification as the School members.
The power of Wizard Lap was just that, Wizard Lap's power; the prestige of the School was also just that belonging to Wizard Lap.
It was not theirs, and even less so, his...
Following this, Flower droned on for a bit more before announcing the meeting's end. He then walked with heavy steps back to his office on the second floor.
Regina, in contrast, was escorted by another group of wizards towards the exit.
"Let's go."
Seeing this, Luke prepared to stand and follow.
Carrie, on the other hand, coldly jeered, "Don't bother wasting your effort. How many times have we tried? To hit a wall again?"
Luke hesitated briefly but said nothing, continuing to walk towards Regina.
"If you ask me, going to ask 'Colin' to mediate for us is the best course!" Carrie looked at the other apprentices nearby and added softly, emphasizing the word "ask."
She had never changed her mind; this matter was clearly trivial for Colin!
His relationship with Regina used to be so good, what risks could there be?
Furthermore... even if there were risks, they would be minor.
But what about them? They were oppressed daily by Regina's sycophants, all their rightful resources were snatched away!
They were the real victims, and besides, they did offer compensation for Colin to intervene. Why wouldn't he help?
A flicker of realization crossed Carrie's eyes, ultimately because—
'Colin is just a cold-hearted bastard!'
Joseph heard Carrie's words and for some reason felt a chill in his heart. He silently hastened away, catching up with Luke who was not far ahead.
At least half of the apprentices made the same choice as him, yet there remained some who stayed back, their faces showing an indescribable expression.
Elsewhere,
Colin was already in the carriage, hurrying home.
The words of Flower did not provide him with any additional sense of security but instead dulled the joy he felt upon breaking through to become an Ultimate Knight.
The fate of the Chiwen Gang apprentice made him acutely aware—
'The current stability of life, although seemingly solid... in fact, entirely relies on Wizard Lap alone.'
'If one day Wizard Lap...'
The breeze lifted the curtain of the carriage window. He shook his head, not wanting to think further.