The moon was high in the sky when Colin finished arranging his plans and went back to his room to rest.
Another week went by.
In the stone house.
Colin sat on the edge of the bed, lifting his left hand and then grasping the Knight Sword that lay beside him with his right hand, tentatively making a cut on his left palm.
The metal blade brushed across the center of his palm, yet it remained unharmed!
He pressed the tip of the sword against his palm, gradually increasing the force, the skin on his palm constantly indented.
It was not until he applied the strength of an average adult male that Colin started to feel a slight stinging pain.
He stopped trying and closed his eyes to feel the Life Energy within his body that was completely different from Magic Power.
Just then, he had successfully broken through to Great Knight.
The Life Seed inside him first shattered into surging Blood Energy, spontaneously circulating and transforming his body.
This process lasted for two hours.
During this period, he not only coughed up a large amount of thick, yellow phlegm and excreted an unspeakable amount of filth, but he also sweated foully impure sweat, shedding a layer of skin!
After that, the surging Blood Energy recollected into a mass in his chest.
From then on, Blood Energy could be manipulated at will, and he also gained a new ability—Blood Energy Armor.
When Blood Energy covered his skin, it formed an invisible armor.
After several attempts, Colin roughly understood the strength of the Blood Energy Armor.
It was roughly equivalent to wearing a layer of cowhide armor, a notch weaker than witchcraft Steel Armor in terms of physical attack protection, but it had a certain ability to resist spirit attacks.
All in all, it was quite good.
Of course, what made him happiest was the increase in his life expectancy after the breakthrough.
The Sunlight Breathing Technique was biased towards enhancing vigor, and since vigor was naturally related to Life Force, he surmised that he should be among those who increased their lifespan the most.
Based on the general lifespan range of 130 to 150 years for a Great Knight, he estimated that he could live to at least 145 years old.
145 years was a very long time; for some with shorter lives, it might already have been enough for three reincarnations.
Just as Colin lay in bed, temporarily relaxing and daydreaming, there came a sudden series of urgent knocks at the door.
"Who is it?"
Colin straightened up and walked to the door to ask.
"It's me, Charlie."
The familiar voice came through.
Colin was somewhat surprised; the last time he had declined Charlie's recruitment, Charlie had said he would come to find him again.
But in reality, after that, he had never seen Charlie again... he thought Charlie had given up on recruiting him.
Colin pondered for a moment, then opened the door.
Charlie stood outside with a smile, with Owen and Hayward still by his side.
"Long time no see, Charlie. Do you need something?" Colin asked calmly.
"Long time no see, Colin." Charlie greeted warmly, "After all this time, have you made up your mind?"
Before Colin could respond, Charlie continued as he took an invitation from Owen's hands:
"Don't rush to answer me, I know you still have some doubts about the news I told you."
He stuffed the invitation into Colin's hand.
"Tomorrow night at eight, all those who have not joined the Mutual Assistance Association will be there."
"At that time, I will present solid evidence to prove the things I've told you."
He patted Colin's shoulder.
"After you see the evidence, tell me what you think."
Having said that, he departed without delay, as if he still had to visit another Apprentice.
The trio's figures slowly disappeared into the distance.
Colin closed the door, looking at the brown invitation in his hand. After a moment of thought, he shook his head, casually set the invitation on fire, and tossed it into the kitchen stove beside him.
Despite being very curious about the evidence Charlie mentioned, he would not risk it.
***
***
***
The following evening,
inside a residence in Blackstone City,
Charlie sat at the head of the room and looked towards Owen, who stood at the door, seeking confirmation through gaze.
"No one else is coming." Owen shook his head, his lean face creased with concern.
"Close the door," Charlie instructed emotionlessly.
With a creak, the heavy wooden door closed, and Charlie turned to survey the five apprentices before him.
"Where's the evidence you spoke of, Charlie?" one of the male apprentices asked impatiently, arms crossed over his chest.
Charlie had invited them over but had not spoken a word, leaving them in the dark about his intentions.
Charlie did not respond; instead, he respectfully opened a secret door on the wall behind him.
A middle-aged man in a black robe stepped slowly out of the shadows.
"You've done well, Charlie," he said coolly, and with a wave of his right hand, an invisible barrier enveloped the entire house.
The male apprentice lost his impatient demeanor instantly, and the queries came to an abrupt halt.
Even a fool could sense something was amiss now!
"How dare you, Charlie?!" another female apprentice couldn't help but shout.
Another male apprentice decisively began casting.
The middle-aged wizard chuckled softly, paused, and quietly watched the apprentice casting.
Seconds later, a ball of Magic Power gathered in the hands of the male apprentice, only to dissipate forcefully.
Charlie gave a subtle signal.
Haywood, who had been waiting, quickly stepped forward upon receiving the look, and firmly held down the male apprentice.
The Basic Level Knight's strength was useless against him.
"Stop your futile struggle; you won't be able to cast witchcraft here," Charlie advised the rest of the apprentices calmly.
"We are forbidden to harm each other; that's the School's rule! Aren't you afraid of the School's blame, Charlie?" the male apprentice pinned against the brown table shouted.
Charlie ignored him, turned respectfully to take a brown animal skin parchment from the middle-aged wizard, and walked towards the male apprentice with an expressionless face, murmuring,
"Don't worry, none of you will die, and the School... will find out nothing."
The apprentices' complexions paled; never had they imagined facing danger on the island, given their identities from the Lap School.
Even though they would be expelled from the School in a month.
Now, it seemed someone dared to challenge the authority of the School on the island...
Half an hour later.
"... Then I'll return to the School first, sir." Charlie spoke with deference.
Haywood and Owen, as well as the other apprentices, stood silently behind him.
"Go ahead," the middle-aged wizard commanded calmly, "I recall you mentioned there was one apprentice you've yet to deal with..."
"Within two days, sir, I will have it taken care of," Charlie hurriedly replied, his tone serious, "By my account, even if he doesn't believe it in his heart, he will leave some traces."
"Although... I don't know why he didn't come this time and didn't give me a chance to show the evidence.
But now, all other apprentices have joined the Mutual Assistance Association. I believe if I visit him with the other apprentices, we will definitely succeed!"
"After all, joining the Mutual Assistance Association is all to his benefit; he has no reason not to join!"
"Hmm… You may go back, and remember not to slip up."
"And be prepared; in a week, I will assist you in advancing."
"Yes, sir!"
Charlie answered again with respect, a hint of joy flickering in his eyes.