Roy had indeed heard some things about Chalkland before.
However, most of his time and energy were occupied by meditation and studies, so he hadn't paid much attention to it.
He hadn't expected that things had already progressed to the point of searching for entrances and exploring them.
"Would you be interested in going together?" Olinda suggested. "We could form a team and explore cooperatively."
Roy asked, "Why me? Don't you have your own companions?"
Olinda replied, "Of course, I think you're quite capable and wanted to see if we could work together. My former teammates have gradually fallen behind, far from reaching the level of learning spellcasting."
Roy was speechless upon hearing this.
Why did this situation sound so familiar?
Olinda continued, "I know you might not trust me, but we can sign a pact to ensure our cooperation goes smoothly."
The Seven Towers Alliance was a civilization of plunderers that rose through planar colonization. Wizards plundered and colonized one plane and world after another, internally adhering to something akin to a pirate's code.
It clearly defined various divisions of labor and the distribution of spoils. One could say that the entire order and legal spirit of the Wizard World were built on the two major pillars of "work" and "dividing the spoils."
This included rules such as no fighting within Wizard Towers and the requirement to go out and wage war after promotion, all stemming from this foundation.
This was even engraved into the World's Will, becoming a "Sacred Law" jointly safeguarded by the powers of Fate and Pact.
But Roy still said, "Sorry, I don't have plans to explore that area for now."
"Why?" Olinda was slightly surprised, not expecting him to refuse so decisively.
"Because I have more important matters to attend to and really can't spare the time," Roy explained.
"Alright then," Olinda straightened up and shrugged.
She was quite tactful and didn't press further.
...
Not long after, Olinda left.
Roy, on the other hand, began to busy himself with preparing another batch of diluted Meditation Potions.
In truth, he wasn't just brushing Olinda off; he really did have urgent matters to attend to.
That was advancing to the rank of Advanced Apprentice!
"I won't leave the Wizard Tower again until I become an Advanced Apprentice."
The Wizard Tower's requirement for advancing to Advanced Apprentice was to manifest all 24 Willpower Runes and master at least one Wizardry tradition.
Only from this stage onward would one no longer be easily treated as expendable or cannon fodder.
Roy had already seen clearly that the Seven Towers Alliance promoted elite education. Out of thousands of apprentices, only a few became official Wizards, so their cultivation wasn't easy.
It was akin to truly breaking free from the status of ants or beasts of burden, standing tall and proud like a human being—almost like a slave changing their fate and suddenly becoming a noble.
Becoming an Advanced Apprentice was a major prerequisite for advancing to an official Wizard.
If one had the ability to step onto this new stage, it was best to do so as soon as possible.
"Actually, according to the usual practice, I should be assigned a mentor by now to guide me.
This mentor would be equivalent to a boss, leader, or even a monarch…
But given how things have turned out, I'll have to rely on my own efforts for now!"
As Roy prepared the necessary materials, he silently made up his mind.
...
Time quickly passed, and it was soon evening.
During dinner, Roy gathered with Renien and others and briefly mentioned the place.
"Gale Hills?
The old apprentices had indeed been discussing it, but who would have thought there was such a hidden strangeness!
"However, that place is filled with difficult task points. If we go, we might find ourselves unable to move forward."
The second-year intermediate apprentices and those seasoned old apprentices were indeed on different levels.
What Olinda had been spreading was already widely known, but Renien and the others were still not fully aware of it.
However, because of Roy, they now knew as well.
"No worries, just wander around the area and take on some high-reward tasks to boost your strength.
Isn't the Wizard Tower now releasing a lot of main materials for enhancement modifications, encouraging everyone to improve?
You were even preparing resources for Wizard Body Modification before.
Without strength now, you might have it in two or three months, or half a year."
Roy, in his effort to encourage everyone, was generous with his words.
Renien and Andov, upon hearing this, were moved and also thoughtful.
In truth, they were neither blind nor foolish. From the moment Roy displayed the "Animation Art" in front of them, they had begun to speculate and discuss, gradually forming their own conclusions.
Roy might have already far surpassed his fellow intermediate apprentices!
That casual tone of "boosting up" was not something ordinary apprentices like them could possess.
After Roy's declaration, he didn't pay attention to their reactions but instead closed his door to focus on meditation, striving to manifest the final Willpower Rune.
Before the last mission, he had already reached the stage where he was just one step away.
Success was imminent.
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...
Time flew by, and more than half a month passed.
Roy never left the Wizard Tower during this period, not even stepping out of his residence much.
He put all his effort into this goal, using everything he had.
Self-made Meditation Potions, the Dark Orchard, Screaming Potions, and more were all used in rotation.
December 23rd, in his residence.
"The twenty-fourth, Othala ()...
Finally manifested!"
In the void of his mind, a silver light shone brightly, and the outline of the final Willpower Rune was drawn.
This rune immediately became radiant, as if coated with a layer of shiny metallic silver.
Roy also felt a qualitative change in his mental power.
At this moment, mental power was no longer an intangible internal sensation but a peculiar force that could directly affect matter, much like the power of thought.
Following this, all twenty-four runes lit up like torches one after another, forming a circular secret seal.
It hung in the dark sky like a silver moon, slowly rotating like a dial.
Roy smiled with satisfaction and immediately went to the management office to register and apply for the status and benefits of a senior apprentice.
...
"Roy, how did you become a senior apprentice in the blink of an eye?"
When they met again, not only Renien and the others but even other intermediate apprentices were surprised to find that the color of Roy's apprentice robe had changed.
Junior apprentices wore gray, intermediate apprentices dark gray...
All plain and simple.
Senior apprentices could wear blue robes with certain decorative patterns and designs.
Roy had now chosen such a blue robe.
"Yes, as you can see."
Roy smiled faintly.
"I've just been promoted!"
Since crossing over, he had lived a year and a half in low-key and cautious restraint...
Finally, he was gradually shedding his former image and able to show his true self!
This time, becoming a senior apprentice was a natural and complete transformation!
The faces of the crowd immediately showed surprise and envy, while also stirring with a hint of excitement.
(End of Chapter)