"Moreover, she particularly enjoys playing tricks on people," Trish continued, her voice tinged with helplessness:
"Sometimes she suddenly appears in my room in the middle of the night, scaring me almost to the point of casting defense magic. But the next second, she’d hand me a cup of hot milk, saying it’s to ’check my alertness.’"
She shook her head, yet the smile in her eyes deepened.
These little anecdotes between master and apprentice gave Ron a glimpse of a completely different Corina, distinct from the intimidating Silver-haired Wizard she was known to be.
"Speaking of which," the girl’s expression suddenly turned somewhat complex, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes:
"I previously signed a ten-year service contract with the School in exchange for resource allocation. But my Master directly paid off the remaining debt, freeing me from the School’s contract entirely."
Ron raised an eyebrow; this was something he had already learned about during his time as an Elementary Apprentice.
The School typically provides resource support to talented apprentices, but in return, apprentices need to sign a service contract, committing to work for the School for a period.
Once such a contract is signed, it is nearly impossible to terminate unless someone is willing to assume the remaining contractual obligations.
"Of course, this also means I am now completely bound to her."
Trish said with a wry smile, her gaze falling on the ripples in her teacup:
"However, considering that the relationship with my Master is quite pleasant, it’s not a bad thing after all."
She looked up, meeting Ron’s eyes:
"The Crystal Tower has broader resources and knowledge, offering more possibilities for people like us."
Ron could detect a hint of something else in her tone, as if implying that he too should consider heading to the Crystal Tower.
But he merely smiled subtly, neither agreeing nor opposing.
"So, since you’re about to head to the Crystal Tower, you should have some understanding of the situations over there, right?"
He asked tentatively, trying to steer the conversation in a direction of his interest.
"Of course." Trish put down her teacup, a look of yearning in her eyes:
"My Master has shown me many images and memory fragments about the Crystal Tower. The scale and grandeur of the place far exceed my imagination."
Her voice became filled with enthusiasm:
"It is said that the resources and knowledge there surpass the Black Mist School by several times, especially in the field of Extraordinary Biology, where cutting-edge research is conducted.
My Master said that the recently completed ’Life Library’ houses detailed information on tens of thousands of extraordinary creatures, from appearance and structure to internal organs, habits, to bloodline traits—everything is covered."
Trish paused for a moment, her gaze turning profound:
"Besides that, the Crystal Tower also has a complete branch of Enchantment studies, which is almost unheard of in other Schools.
It is said that only by mastering the core secrets of Enchantment can one embark on the path of the ’Ancient Alchemist.’"
"Ancient Alchemist..." Ron repeated softly, as the legendary career path had always been one of his pursuits.
"Legend has it that only those who are simultaneously proficient in Magic Potion Making, Alchemy, and Enchantment can attempt to study the two forbidden topics of ’Philosopher’s Stone’ and ’Life Refining.’"
"But now, these are nearly just legends."
Trish added somewhat regretfully:
"The last true Ancient Alchemist died more than a thousand years ago, and now very few people can be proficient in all three subjects, not even in the Crystal Tower."
Ron took a sip of his tea, masking his slightly tumultuous emotions.
These were pieces of information he could indeed find, but his true interest lay with the information more intimately connected with the Crystal Tower, rather than those elusive legends.
"What is the power structure like within the Crystal Tower?" he continued to inquire, a faint plan forming in his mind.
Trish glanced around cautiously and saw that Ailan had already activated the Vine Barrier before lowering her voice:
"Within the Crystal Tower, there are several major Wizard Clans and some independent wizards. The most powerful of these is the ’Crown Clan,’ which is said to have once produced a Great One in its ancestry."
"A Great One?"
A Great One is a respectful title for the Witch King.
Ron’s eyes widened; this existence surpasses even a Great Wizard, and such beings are rare in the history of the entire Ring Abyss Continent Group.
In the world of wizards, above Morning Star Mages are Moonlight Wizards, then Dark Sun Wizards, followed by Great Wizards, with the Witch King being the highest known realm.
At the level of a Witch King, they’ve entirely transcended the realm of ordinary life, and dimension, time, destiny, along with other rules and concepts, are mere playthings in their hands.
Even some native gods of different planes are no match for a Witch King, which is why each Witch King is honored as a "Great One."
As for Demon Gods... they’re too ethereal to even mention.
"Don’t be so surprised." Trish smiled slightly at Ron’s expression, a little satisfied to have brought him such shocking information:
"Although it sounds unbelievable, according to my Master, it’s true.
However, the presence of a Witch King is too powerful and typically wouldn’t linger in the Main World.
It’s said that their life levels are so high that the mere presence of their energy waves significantly disrupts and twists the ecosystem of the Main World.’
Her eyes became more focused, as if recounting a treasured story long-held:
"Therefore, after becoming a Witch King, most would venture beyond the Star Gate into the endless worlds to conquer planes. They only maintain a faint connection to the real world through some special link from time to time."