Charlie pondered for a moment, then slowly began, "Just as you heard the name, the Mutual Assistance Association is an organization where everyone helps each other at the gathering place after this."
"You might feel it's not very useful… but do you know what kind of situation we'll be in when we get to the outside gathering places?"
Colin shook his head.
"Slaves."
Charlie's expression remained composed, "As soon as we leave the School, we lose our protection."
"But for ten years, we have learned a vast amount of knowledge, receiving the most complete wizard education on the entire island."
"This is a huge fortune… a fortune we cannot afford. How many do you think in the gathering place would covet it?"
Colin furrowed his brow, somewhat confused.
"We all have signed magic contracts and cannot teach the knowledge we learned to anyone outside the School…"
"But we are too weak!"
Charlie interrupted Colin, declaring sternly,
"We are merely Basic Level Wizard Apprentices. For ten years, a vast amount of knowledge has consumed most of our time and energy!"
"The instructors have always emphasized advancing, with the ten-year period constantly hanging over our heads."
"Besides simple tricks, who among us is willing to spend the time to learn powerful witchcraft which takes at least half a year just to get the basics?"
He took a step forward, staring at Colin.
"In the gathering place, although Basic Level Wizard Apprentices like us may not have as solid and comprehensive a foundation, over their lifetime, their limit may only be an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice."
"But in terms of combat ability, they surpass us!"
"You are right, Colin, we cannot pass on the knowledge we learned at the School."
Charlie's expression remained calm as he stared at the setting sun slowly sinking.
"But we can be controlled, can be enslaved… all it takes is a simple slavery contract."
"Our talent may not be outstanding within the School, but it is considered medium or even above medium in a gathering place."
"Given time, we could at least be Intermediate Apprentices, perhaps even Advanced Apprentices… "
"So even if they cannot obtain our knowledge, we ourselves are a form of wealth!"
Colin's lips moved slightly as if he wanted to object.
Yet Charlie, seemingly perceiving his thoughts, preemptively responded, "The School won't manage this, Colin."
"The wizards of the School are high and mighty, they couldn't care less."
Charlie sighed, turned his head to look at Colin, his face calm, yet an inexplicable expression flickered in his eyes.
"So, will you join the Mutual Assistance Association, Colin?"
The sun sunk beneath the sea, plunging the earth into darkness.
Buzz—
Behind Charlie, Owen took out a Bright Crystal and cast a spell to illuminate it.
The soft white light emanated from behind Charlie, making his expression even harder to discern.
Colin stood a distance away from Charlie, his thoughts churning silently.
'If what Charlie is saying is true, then joining the Mutual Assistance Association is undoubtedly a win-win.'
'However, if the outside gathering places are really like that, then what is the use of these Basic Level Wizard Apprentices gathering together?'
'When the time comes, not even an Advanced Apprentice could handle it...'
'What's more, although Charlie's words make logical sense, there is no concrete evidence, and the original protagonist never heard of such information…'
Besides, with the Golden Paper, what he needed to do now was to have the Meditation Technique reach the Limit Breaking Point.
If there was still no hope of advancing within three months after Limit Breaking, then it was time to consider leaving the School.
"...Charlie, I need time to think," Colin said, furrowing his brow.
His heartbeat accelerated slightly as he observed Charlie's expression intently.
Golden Paper had been summoned, ready; if Charlie turned hostile, he would promptly apply the Limit Breaking Points to skills like the Ignition Technique, hoping to escape a beating using Limit Breaking Witchcraft.
Since the School forbids its members from harming each other's lives, his life should not be in danger.
"Hmm?" Behind Charlie, the tall, bald, black man Haywood frowned in anger, wanting to jump forward.
Colin's heart skipped.
"Haywood," Charlie said gravely, raising his hand to stop him.
After a moment of silence, he looked at Colin with a smile,
"Haywood is just like that… it's fine, Colin, take your time to think, and I'll come to find you later."
As soon as he finished speaking, he led his three companions past Colin and hurried down the mountain.
Colin turned his head to look at Charlie and his group disappearing in the distance, heaving a sigh of relief.
He hadn't expected Charlie to let him off so easily.
'It seems... I really overthought things, their running into me might just be a coincidence...'
But soon, his brows furrowed again.
'I still feel... something isn't right...'
He pondered for a while, but couldn't come up with an answer. He decided not to dwell on it anymore and released the Ignition Technique, using the faint firelight to hurry towards the Wizard Territory.
As for Charlie's final words about visiting again, he didn't take it to heart.
No matter what secrets there were, no matter what conspiracies... they were merely petty squabbles among Basic Level Apprentices.
As long as he could advance, he would be able to step out of the chessboard, and everything would naturally resolve itself.
...
"Boss, are we just letting him go like that?" Jeff suddenly asked as they walked.
"Jeff, you need to understand... violence is the worst method. Colin will eventually willingly join the Mutual Assistance Association of his own accord," Charlie replied indifferently. He glanced at still somewhat puzzled Jeff and continued:
"Once they know about the threats from external gathering spots, those who originally didn't want to join the Mutual Assistance Association will also start to waver.
In a few months, everyone will leave the Lap School. No one can stand alone... Eventually, they will realize that joining the Mutual Assistance Association is the only way out!"
Jeff nodded emphatically, finally understanding. He had initially been reluctant to join the Mutual Assistance Association too.
But after being beaten up and hearing about the dangers Charlie mentioned, he had started to waver.
And today, Charlie had even taken the initiative to show him the evidence... In fact, he was now completely convinced by what Charlie had said.
Previously, he had wrongly blamed the Mutual Assistance Association, misunderstanding Charlie's intentions...
*
*
*
Inside the Meditation Room.
Colin sat cross-legged on the middle brown mat, reaching out to light the calming incense.
Hardly noticeable smoke accompanied by a comforting aroma appeared.
Light gold particles converged as Colin took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.
He focused his spirit and heavily pressed forward towards the symbol after the Circulation Meditation.
Bang!
Instantly, intricate knowledge appeared out of nowhere in his mind, prompting him to involuntarily close his eyes and enter into meditation.
Time ticked by.
In the night sky, the moon slowly rose overhead, bringing some dim light to the dark Wizard Territory; the Dark Forest to the north was deadly still, while to the south, the coast had waves crashing against the rocks, producing a muffled crashing sound.
Unbeknownst to when, a streak of gold light quietly emerged from the eastern sea level, coating the gem-like blue sea with gold.
In the Meditation Room, Colin, who had sat through the night, suddenly opened his eyes.
It was as if one ring after another appeared in his blue eyes only to quickly disappear again.
His mind stirred, and the Golden Paper appeared before him.
[Name: Colin Leonard]
[Rank: Basic Level Wizard Apprentice (54/100); Basic Level Knight (69/100)]
[Meditation Method: Apprentice Circulation Meditation I (1/100); Sunlight Breathing Technique (100/100) ↑]
[Witchcraft: Ignition Technique (100/100) ↑; Condensing Water Skill (80/100); Light Brightness Skill (85/100)]
[Skill: Basic Level Magic Crystal Making]
[Limit Breaking Point: 1]
The Circulation Meditation had successfully broken through the limit!
Compared to before, the meditation method had an additional blue outline on the Golden Paper after the limit break, and a 'I' had been added, likely signifying a breakthrough.
Of course, the most exciting thing was that the Rank column's progress for the Basic Level Wizard Apprentice had also increased a bit!
'It's just unknown whether it is due to his accumulation or the result of last night's meditation.'
Excitement was hard to contain in Colin's heart. He suddenly stood up and paced around for a while before he gradually calmed down.
'I'll know after another meditation session tomorrow... As for now, the duration for meditation is maxed out; I can't try it again.'
As the excitement faded, sensations of sleep deprivation and hunger followed.
He stood in place and couldn't help but yawn.
Then he walked out of the Meditation Room, undressed, and lay down on the bed, sinking into a deep sleep.