Altbald's words came out, causing the conversation to pause for a moment.
Then Marjorie hesitated and said:
"Teacher, I heard that the school is going to reduce the subsidies for apprentices, is that right?"
"Reducing subsidies?!" Nahum said in shock.
"Yes," said Atbold, and then added softly,
"But not all apprentices will have their subsidies reduced, only some mentors' apprentices will have their subsidies reduced... Well, unfortunately, I am indeed one of them."
Altbald's voice was calm and slow as always.
But there is also a hint of a different kind of emotion mixed in, like sighing or self-mockery.
There was silence in the hall for a moment, and the exciting and cheerful violin sound suddenly sounded.
Lillian, who had stopped playing the violin and was eating something, put the violin on her shoulder again and continued playing.
As the music played, Colin felt inexplicably refreshed.
The elves in this world are all born artists... As a half-elf, Lilian seems to be no less talented.
This music is probably not just any ordinary music... Colin felt secretly.
When the song ended, the dull atmosphere disappeared.
Everyone started talking again, but they tacitly agreed not to mention what happened just now.
"It is said that the situation in the southern islands is not very good recently," Nahum said.
There was a heavy look of worry on his face.
"Yes, it is said that from Linanca Island to the south, nine out of ten islands have fallen into the hands of the gods." Marjorie added.
"So serious?" Colin asked, joining the chat.
"No way, it's just some remote islands." Fanny interjected,
"During this period, various continents, especially our Siya continent, have been receiving a steady stream of wizards to the defense line, so there is no need to worry."
"That's right. Recently, there seem to be fewer wizards in the school... I'm afraid it's because many of them have gone to Linanka to try their luck."
Nahum said, with a look of envy on his face, and couldn't help but add,
"This school's reward rules are too attractive, but it's a pity..."
It's a pity that other factions are led by mentors... Even if you don't get many benefits as an apprentice, it's still better than being in school.
But they could only stay on the mainland and watch eagerly as the wizards from other factions harvested huge amounts of money.
Even a hair on a god's body is of great value to a wizard's apprentice.
Whether you want to exchange for magic stones or use them for your own research, it's all very good...
"I'm afraid this is also the reason why the school has reduced subsidies for other apprentices..."
"Maybe..." Fanny agreed in a low voice.
Nahum was silent, his eyes flickering.
The topic fell into silence again.
"By the way, Colin." Marjorie suddenly asked, "How is your change in meditation method going?"
"How about changing the meditation method...?" Nahum was a little surprised.
Generally speaking, like the affiliated schools under the Xisheng School, their meditation methods are designed to be generally compatible with the Xisheng meditation method during the apprenticeship period.
Just like a pot can accommodate a bowl, although this metaphor is not accurate enough, the meditation method of Xisheng during the apprenticeship can also accommodate the meditation method of the affiliated school that has been changed by design.
Therefore, apprentices who transfer from affiliated schools generally do not have trouble with revision. Marjorie asked...
"It was just successfully renovated in the past two days." Colin replied to Marjorie.
"Isn't Junior Colin promoted from one of our affiliated schools?" Nahum asked, "...which school or family does he come from in the city?"
"I'm just a wandering wizard." Colin shook his head, "I come from a small island in the far south."
Regarding where he came from, he had already registered it when he joined the school, and he thought people like Nahum knew it.
'No wonder I chose Atbald as my mentor... I'm afraid it's because I don't have any extra magic stones, or maybe I've offended someone.'
"Have you just changed your meditation method?" Marjorie asked in surprise, as if she realized that her words were not appropriate.
He coughed twice and quickly added, "It's a little slow, but keep working hard and restore your magic level as soon as possible!"
"Thank you, Senior Marjorie." Colin thanked him.
"Come on." Fanny also encouraged.
"Thanks."
But Nahum just glanced at him.
Colin didn't pay attention, but turned around and walked to Lilian, who had been eating silently at the dining table, and spoke.
"Senior Lilian, I am practicing in seclusion..."
"What are you talking about?"
For some reason, Nahum suddenly stepped over and interrupted the conversation.
After asking this question, he continued to ask without waiting for Colin and Colin's answers:
"Senior Lillian, are you free this weekend? I have replaced a cook with excellent cooking skills..."
"Sorry, Nahum." Lillian put down the knife and fork in her hand and said calmly.
"..." Nahum paused and said with a smile, "Okay, senior."
Lilian nodded, then turned to look at Colin: "What do you want from me?"
Colin glanced at Nahum, hesitated for a moment, and then continued: "Senior Lilian, I have finished my retreat practice, and I will gradually begin to repay the magic stone I lent you."
In these three months, Lillian never urged him to repay once, and she seemed to have forgotten about it.
But no matter what, no matter what Lilian thinks.
According to his idea, now that the retreat is over, it's time to repay the magic stone.
"Yeah." Lilian didn't express much, she just responded softly.
"Okay." Colin nodded, carrying the dinner plate, and walked to the side.
In this way, everyone was eating and chatting about one thing or another.
During such chats, he learned a lot of interesting information.
For example, the recent world situation and interesting anecdotes in the school of thought.
However, Lilian is always silent and rarely participates in chats.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Just like that, after a while, Altbold announced that the party was over.
Snap.
Colin took out his pocket watch, opened it and took a look.
It was only half past ten in the morning... It was about nine when he left home, and the party would have already started by then.
For such an early gathering, the dishes on the table are extremely solid. Roast squab, roast leg of lamb are everywhere...
I'm afraid that only beings with extraordinary powers like wizard knights don't have to worry about gastrointestinal problems.
"Come with me."
After everyone left, Atbold slowly spoke to Colin.
His tall body was a little stooped, and he moved forward silently. His legs and feet were covered by the wide gray witch robe, making him look like a ghost floating forward.
Soon, Colin followed Atbold downstairs and came to the study.
Sitting half-lying on the ancient wicker chair with dots of green leaves growing on it, Atbold waved, and a quail egg-sized crystal was handed to Colin from a knotted branch.
"This is the part of the Tin Saint Meditation Method to advance to a formal wizard." He looked at Colin and said slowly.
Colin took the crystal, rubbed its smooth surface, and listened intently to Atbold's story.
"Speaking of this, Colin, have you ever learned about the knowledge about advancing to a formal wizard? In other words, do you know what is the biggest superficial difference between a formal wizard and a wizard apprentice?"
"I have learned some relevant knowledge. As for the biggest difference between a wizard apprentice and a formal wizard -" Colin frowned and thought for a moment, then slowly replied: "Could it be... talent?"
"Yes." Atbold nodded, "This is the most obvious difference after a wizard apprentice becomes a formal wizard."
He paused and continued: "But in fact, the most essential difference between a wizard apprentice and a formal wizard is the difference in spirit."
"If the spirit of a wizard apprentice is a lake, then the spirit of a formal wizard is a world."
"And this kind of world is also called the spiritual sea by us!"
"Advancing to a formal wizard is the process of opening up the spiritual sea!"
Colin nodded slowly and agreed:
"The teachers from my previous school once taught us——
'The practice of a wizard is essentially a process of continuous spiritual growth and sublimation.'"
According to my own understanding as a student, those so-called witchcraft or talents should be the external manifestation and application of the spirit."
"Correct conclusion." Altbald praised, paused and added:
"In addition to being an external manifestation of spirituality, talent is actually also a tool for advancing to become a formal wizard."
"The spirit of a wizard's apprentice is a hard and stable little core."
"If you just rely on meditation to absorb magic energy, it will stagnate at a certain point, and there will be almost no improvement... let alone qualitative improvement."
"Talent is just a seed."
"Just like when a plant sprouts, it will burst through the ground. When a gifted seed sprouts, it will burst open the small core and open up the spiritual sea!"
"So, the way to advance to a first-level wizard during the apprenticeship is to cultivate talents. All the preparations made at this stage in the meditation method are also prerequisites for the talents to emerge smoothly."
As if he had been enlightened, Colin let out a breath of turbid air and suddenly realized something.
Regarding the knowledge related to advancing to a formal wizard, he had purchased it on Bananka Island before and read it over and over again.
We also know that the key to advancing to become a formal wizard lies in talent, but what talent is, why we need to cultivate talent, and what is the essence of advancement are all vaguely mentioned above.
But when Attebald came here, he understood it instantly with just a few words.
This is the advantage of having a mentor.
"Thank you, Master Atbold."
Atbold nodded slowly and reminded again:
"Although the part of the meditation method to become a formal wizard has been handed over to you in advance, you have just finished changing the meditation method, and even the magic power has not been restored..."
"Remember not to aim too high. Only a solid foundation can build a tall building. Otherwise, it will be a trivial matter not to be able to build a tall building. If one day, the tall building suddenly collapses... then it will never be undone."
When he said this, Altbold's words were rare and serious, and at the end he continued to add a few words:
"Be sure to remember today's warning. Only when you reach the peak of your apprenticeship and are unable to make any progress is it time to start completing the prerequisites for cultivating your talent and prepare for a breakthrough!"
"I understand, Tutor Atbold." Colin said solemnly.
If the foundation is not strong, the high-rise buildings will collapse, and for wizards like them, it is alienation and degradation...
Although gold paper is good, if you become blindly confident and lose caution because of gold paper... then the outcome may not be much better.
"There is still some time now." Altbold turned his head and glanced at the growth ring-style wall clock hanging on the wall of the study, and said, "Is there anything else you want to ask me?"
"No more for now." Colin shook his head, caressing his chest and bending over.
"Thank you, Master Atbold."
"Yeah." Atbold responded softly, a rare hesitation flashed in his eyes, and then he sighed and said:
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Colin."
"Life is a short and hasty journey that cannot carry too many things."
"And the path of a wizard is long and far away. The first-level wizard is not the end, nor is the second-level wizard, nor is the third-level or fourth-level wizard... But for most people, high-level apprentices are already the end.
Among the remaining people, first-level wizards have already reached the end, and by analogy, only a few can reach the true end of wizards in the end."
Colin was silent for a moment and replied slowly:
"I understand, Wizard Atbald."
He understood what Altbald meant.
Without him... I'm just trying to persuade him to do what he can.
Life is short, and it would be unwise to spend all your energy chasing an unattainable goal.
"Well, as long as you understand." Atbold nodded.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Colin nodded silently, said goodbye to Atbold, and walked out the door.
But soon, his steps suddenly stopped, and he turned to Atbold and asked:
"Teacher Altbould, I have another question to ask you."
"You said." Atbold nodded.
"If I want to learn how to make potions from scratch, which courses should I choose?"
"You need to do a few school tasks first to earn some credits. Just look for paid courses or ordinary public courses."
"At the beginning, ordinary public courses in the school are enough. Those courses that require credit redemption are usually advanced, or simply specific teachings on the preparation of certain potions."
"I recommend some courses for you." As he said this, Altbold pulled out a piece of white paper, then picked up the pen in the desk pen holder and started writing.
"Basics of magic potions...encyclopedia of magic plants...the essence of magic potions..."
After a while, he handed the white paper he had written on to Colin.
"Thank you, mentor." Colin took the white paper, deeply caressed his chest and bowed.
Altbald's requests and requests made him feel that his own thanks seemed a little feeble.
"You're welcome." Atbold responded, with a smile on his face, "Magic potion is a good choice... It seems that you did listen to what I said."
"Accepting one's own ordinaryness is also a kind of wisdom."
Colin remained silent and did not refute.
Just say goodbye to him and leave.
Altbold obviously felt that as a wandering wizard from a remote island, he had modified the meditation method... It was obviously unrealistic to advance to become a formal wizard.
I thought that he no longer planned to spend too much energy on climbing the wizard's path, and was ready to learn a skill and enjoy life.
but……
Colin stepped out of the villa and looked at the towering trees around him.
The sunlight shone dappledly on him.
In the distance is a constantly swaying flowerbed, with some demonized plants emitting a strange light, and accompanying elves flying around in it.
This is a scene that only existed in imagination in previous lives.
He breathed out softly and clenched his fists vigorously.
If there was a stone in the palm of my hand, it would probably have turned into powder at this moment.
The power that fills his body is also a power that only existed in his imagination in his previous life.
Maybe... he started out as a wizard just to protect himself.
But now... I have the opportunity and the ability,
He had no reason not to see the view from the highest peak!
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
I will be looking for a house and moving in these two days, so I will not stop updating, but the updates may not be stable, so please forgive me.