"Senior Olen, we meet again," Roy greeted him with a smile.
From the initial awe and reverence.
To reluctantly standing up against him.
Then to boldly scheming and secretly undermining him...
Now, he could finally face this powerful elite apprentice senior with a relatively calm and equal mindset.
Moreover, he believed that as long as his Alchemy Talent remained, and he acquired a few more practical talents like the [Sulfur-Mercury Theory] and [Blackening], surpassing him quickly was not unimaginable.
Olen's expression changed slightly.
He sensed a genuine confidence in Roy's demeanor.
It was the confidence of someone who had solid backing.
Olen nodded without saying much, only asking about the topics everyone had discussed earlier, and then inquired, "If I recall correctly, the inheritance you received is the [Animation Art]?"
"Indeed it is."
"Good, if there are any related gains, I'll keep an eye out for you."
Like Sophia, he immediately accepted Roy and began to show goodwill.
After all, reaching this point already qualified him to stand on equal footing with them.
However, he soon added, "But my side study in automata making, and Sophia's Wizard Body Modification, might also require similar animation materials."
"Of course, seniors take priority," Roy responded very tactfully.
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions varied, but overall, they were quite satisfied.
After all, who wouldn't like such a useful and polite junior?
...
By the time they left the library, it was already past 9 PM.
Roy reflected on the interactions with everyone, trying to understand their personalities and the possible extent of their powers.
He concluded that all of them had condensed their Source of Magic, making them deeply experienced and continuously vibrant in the apprentice stage.
Only he was just starting out.
"Actually, I have my own trump cards.
Not to mention the Hair Demon Physique...
The Blood Mercury and Blackening Potion I possess are special products of my Alchemy Talent, which normal Warlock Apprentices could never produce in large quantities, at best they might keep some as a trump card!
The Knight Enhancement and Neanderthal Bloodline are the foundations of my physical vitality and mental strength, and the essence of resistance and resilience.
Perhaps enduring one or two more spells could be the turning point for victory."
Roy neither blindly overestimated himself nor underestimated himself, trying to assess the gap between him and these people with a rational and objective attitude.
The result was quite satisfactory.
"However, the body I currently possess is derived from my predecessor's native form.
The foundation of mortal bloodline is weak, and the potential for future development is not optimistic.
Even with the Neanderthal modification, the upper limit won't be very high.
Moreover, using someone else's body feels somewhat awkward.
If there's an opportunity, I should definitely get a new one!"
Roy vaguely had a plan in mind, which was to find a new residence for his soul after being promoted to a formal Wizard.
Even if it couldn't be done immediately, he could, like Sophia, move his brain into a new body.
Only then could he pursue true strength and perfection.
That was something that couldn't be achieved in a short time. It required mastering many other specialized fields and preparing a large amount of expensive materials.
This adventure to Chalkland was an excellent opportunity.
If luck was on his side, perhaps he could lay some groundwork for the future.
...
Over the next couple of weeks, Roy prepared for his journey into Chalkland.
Refining Magic Stones, purchasing materials, stockpiling potions...
"Looking at it this way, I'm still far behind in terms of Automata, Summons, consumables, equipment, and Arcane Objects..."
Without comparison, there would be no sense of inadequacy.
He had vaguely heard that those senior apprentices often had tens of thousands of Magic Stones and hoarded vast resources, which made him increasingly aware of the gap in accumulated foundation.
But he didn't regret exchanging tens of thousands of Magic Stones for a Storage Wizardry Artifact, as it was essential.
Without it, he would likely be unable to move an inch inside.
"Roy, have you heard? Many advanced apprentices are secretly preparing to go in and explore!"
There were quite a few people preparing for this, as the matter of the Dark Star in the Sky had inevitably spread uncontrollably.
Just as Olinda had told Roy, who in turn informed Renien and others.
Every person in the know had their own circle of friends and relatives, all wanting to form alliances and support each other.
Renien was one of them.
Before December 12th approached, he came to Roy to discuss the matter.
"With only the strength of an intermediate apprentice, do you still want to go in?" Roy was somewhat speechless.
Renien, however, took it for granted: "It only happens once every 23 years! For apprentices like us, missing this chance means there won't be another opportunity!"
"But I have to go with Senior Apprentice Sophia," Roy said, half-truthfully.
"Sigh, I knew it. You're different now, you can't team up with us anymore."
Renien was disappointed but could understand.
"Celine will definitely go with the senior apprentice too. On our side, it'll just be me, Andov, Tigro, Tang En, and Zola forming a team."
The Tang En and Zola he mentioned were other intermediate apprentices he knew.
Among this group, not a single one had advanced to a higher level; they were all intermediate apprentices.
"Then you must be careful and act within your means."
Beyond that, Roy really had nothing else to say.
Such an important opportunity, he couldn't afford to team up with Renien and the others; he had to strive for a more capable team.
Later, Roy separately approached Winter and Olinda to inquire and found that neither of them had ever intended to venture inside from the start.
Olinda might have had such thoughts initially, but after her trusted teammates had all perished, she decisively moved into the deacon's sequence, abandoning that hope.
"I'm not as skilled as you all. It's better to be sensible and stay safe, cultivating within the tower."
In the room, on the small bed.
The somewhat attractive female apprentice lay lazily, with a hint of melancholy.
She had once strived for it but paid the price with the successive deaths of her companions, leaving her somewhat disheartened.
"In my opinion, you've already obtained something from inside and are content with what you have, finding joy in it.
"If that thing is useful, you just need to follow the steps to prepare it, and you still have a chance to advance to a higher level, or even go further!"
Roy looked at her for a moment,
then suddenly spoke.
Olinda's body trembled, and she felt a sense of panic as if her thoughts had been exposed.
Roy said, "I have an unreasonable request—could you take it out and let me have a look?"
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