"There's still some time left," Atbolde said, glancing at the tree ring-style clock hanging on the study wall. "Is there anything else you want to ask me?"
"No, not for now," Colin shook his head, touching his chest and bowing.
"Thank you, Mentor Atbolde."
"Mm," Atbolde softly acknowledged, a rare flicker of hesitation in his eyes, followed by a sigh, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Colin."
"Life is a brief and hurried journey, unable to carry too much."
"The path of a wizard is long and far-reaching. Being a First Rank Wizard isn't the end, nor is Second Rank, Third Rank, or Fourth Rank... But for most people, reaching Advanced Apprentice is already their endpoint.
Among the remaining few, reaching First Rank Wizard is also their endpoint, and so forth. Very few ever reach the true endpoint of a wizard."
Colin remained silent for a moment before slowly responding,
"I understand, Wizard Atbolde."
He grasped the underlying meaning in Atbolde's words.
