It was an inexplicable intuition, a stage where Spiritual Materialization had reached a perfect transformation. Even hostile gazes would transform into a sensation akin to needle pricks.
The greater the threat, the more pronounced the feeling.
He immediately became alert.
"What could be spying on me?"
Roy continued eating his breakfast, his eyes subtly scanning the surroundings, but he found nothing unusual.
"How strange, they're hiding quite well!
If it weren't for my strong Mental Strength, I probably wouldn't have noticed."
That kind of sensation wasn't something even advanced apprentices could easily react to.
It had to be at the Elite Apprentice level.
...
"What's wrong with you?"
More than an hour later, Celine returned from her patrol and saw Roy sitting by the lake, deep in thought. Unlike the past few days, he wasn't fishing or reading to pass the time, which made her curious.
"Did you notice anything unusual?" Roy asked in return.
"Not really," Celine replied, her expression slightly shifting.
Roy said, "It might be my imagination, but there's also a possibility that something is secretly watching us.
Don't make a fuss, and don't act out of the ordinary. Just observe quietly."
Celine nodded subtly.
Roy then pulled out a few pre-prepared semi-finished products and silently chanted an incantation, beginning to craft something.
...
"Blackening Art"
As the mysterious Wizardry Energy condensed into a Magical Aura, it resembled ink dripping into a glass bottle.
A new Blackening Potion was successfully brewed.
The semi-finished product was made using Aqua Alberti as the solvent.
As he gradually absorbed and digested the knowledge in his mind, his mastery of this technique became increasingly refined.
At that moment, the faint sensation of being watched returned once more.
It seemed that his act of brewing the potion had caught the attention of the observer.
Roy sneered inwardly and suddenly sprang up, dashing toward a large tree and throwing a powerful punch.
Boom!
The massive tree, which would take several people to encircle, shook violently, and a hole was punched straight through it, revealing a hollow space inside.
Inside was a small tree cavity, housing a monitoring device constructed from a Peeping Eye and a Rune Array Platform.
"So it's this thing causing trouble. No wonder it felt a bit strange—there was no sign of a living person nearby."
Roy casually crushed the Wizardry-crafted eye and touched the cable connected to it.
Instantly, his Mental Strength spread like an electric current, swiftly traveling along the cable to a hidden cave over 300 meters away.
"Not good!"
A green-robed apprentice emerged from the cave and immediately began to flee.
"Celine, catch him!"
Roy shouted, issuing an order to his follower.
Celine leaped into action, quickly giving chase.
But moments later, three figures suddenly converged from different directions, rapidly closing in on Roy.
At the same time, several others emerged from the water, stepping on the surface and creating ripples as they approached.
"Going through so much trouble to ambush me? Let's see who you are!"
Roy remained unafraid.
Because what he truly relied on was his own strength—his Alchemy Talent and the results of his training.
His battle with Melina had given him a clear understanding of his own capabilities.
Moments later, the ambushers appeared before him.
The leader of the group was none other than Canilla, the advanced apprentice who had provided Roy with the information about the Sacred Lake Crystal.
The other person was named Koqiade, a relatively senior old apprentice within the Tower.
Even if such individuals hadn't reached the stage of being an elite apprentice like himself, they weren't far off.
And the last person…
"It's you, Pimier!"
Pimier, who had been missing for a long time, had unexpectedly reappeared this time.
At some point, he had attached a new right arm, which looked somewhat bulky and didn't quite match the proportions of his body.
He didn't possess the refined texture of mental strength that elite apprentices had, but for some reason, he carried a faint, unique radiation contamination from the Source of Magic!
Roy had recently been trying to condense the Source of Magic, whether through his own efforts or with the help of Magical Potions, so he had to understand it well.
Thus, he recognized it immediately.
"Roy, long time no see," Pimier said with a smile, though his eyes were icy cold. "If it weren't for you last time, I wouldn't have ended up so miserable!"
Roy ignored him outright.
It was only natural for this person to seek revenge on him, so there was no need to ask.
As for the informant Canilla, who was opportunistic and profit-driven, it wasn't surprising either.
Seeing such a promising hunting opportunity, it was only natural to join in.
"So, it seems you're the mastermind behind this conspiracy, Koqiade!" Roy turned his gaze to him, the imposing aura of an elite apprentice making the advanced apprentice's expression turn grave.
Koqiade's face changed several times, as if he felt deeply humiliated by his own involuntary reaction. "Yes, it's me!"
"I just don't understand, isn't living peacefully enough? Why do you insist on seeking death?"
"Stop bluffing, Roy. You're just a newly promoted elite apprentice. Even if you were lucky enough to enter Chalkland, how much could you have absorbed in such a short time?
Taking this opportunity to kill you and seize those treasures for our own use is the perfect move!
Besides, someone like you, who hesitates even when exercising the rights of an elite apprentice, I don't believe you have any real capability!"
Roy had initially thought Koqiade might have some profound argument, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help but feel slightly stunned.
After a while, he finally said, "Alright, alright, so now it's my fault!
But you're right, I should reflect on this.
I thought too highly of you!"
He suddenly realized that Koqiade neither harbored deep hatred toward him nor had any irreconcilable conflicts with him.
It was simply because, after becoming the chief apprentice, Roy had displayed a demeanor of gentleness and humility that seemed out of place in this world.
His civilized and refined manner…
Was interpreted as weakness, a lack of confidence, and perhaps something that could be tested!
In the eyes of predatory Wizards, if you don't enslave or oppress others, it doesn't mean you're kind.
It just means you lack the strength and confidence.
Koqiade wasn't as afraid of Roy, an elite apprentice, as some of the less experienced juniors were, because he didn't see an insurmountable gap between them.
Unless Roy successfully condensed the Source of Magic and elevated the efficiency of refining Wizardry Energy to a higher level.
Conversely, it could be said that by then, Koqiade would completely lose the qualifications to challenge Roy's position and covet his wealth.
If he didn't act now, it would be too late.
Roy glanced at the three of them: "It seems you've been secretly observing and carefully analyzing me for quite some time.
Even Pimier, who has a grudge against me, has been roped in.
You've really gone to great lengths!"
"Let's move!"
The group didn't bother with further words, slowly closing in before suddenly lunging forward.
(End of Chapter)