Roy stepped out of the dormitory area, and it was already bright outside.
Most of the low-level apprentices living on the ground floor hurried past, as Tower Cleaning Day was approaching, and the atmosphere visibly grew tense.
During this time, he happened to run into a few acquaintances.
These were the low-level apprentices he had once been assigned to work with.
"Roy, are you planning to go shopping on the commercial street?"
"Hehe, I see, you've been quiet, but you're thinking the same thing!"
"By the way, it's been a while since I last saw you. Have you been out doing tasks to earn some money?"
Many had resigned themselves to their fate, contemplating their escape routes.
Smuggling some items from the Wizard Tower back home could fetch a good price.
Even the perfumes Roy had previously concocted were luxury items only the upper class could enjoy.
But the Wizard Tower seemed intent on creating a vast chasm between the mundane world and the world of wizards, unwilling to develop any productivity, and instead deliberately suppressing it.
All benefits came from a single source, forcing people to become wizards and ensuring that only the winners took all.
He glanced at these low-level apprentices who couldn't see the situation clearly, saying little.
"Hey, why is this guy ignoring us?"
"Forget him, let's focus on our own business."
The low-level apprentices were somewhat puzzled but quickly dismissed him from their minds.
With Cleaning Day approaching, perhaps soon they would have no chance to see each other again.
Not long after, Roy saw a few familiar faces again.
These were the senior apprentices responsible for managing the dormitory area, and they were the main organizers of the Cleaning Day.
They were putting up notices along the street, informing everyone of various precautions.
"Today is already July 3rd. The day after tomorrow, on the 5th, is the day for the Tower inspection.
At that time, anyone who has not obtained the status of an intermediate apprentice will be sent to the concentration camp outside the tower to await their fate.
On July 6th, they will be loaded onto ships and sent back to the mundane world!"
Roy paused for a few seconds, then turned and left before they noticed him.
This matter no longer concerned him; he had successfully avoided such a fate.
...
"Place your hand on the crystal ball and meditate on the Willpower Rune."
"Hmm? Indeed, there are already eight."
Soon after, in the registration office on the second floor of the Wizard Tower.
The senior apprentice in charge glanced at Roy's slightly pale face and instantly understood.
Every year in early July, as Tower Cleaning Day approached, there would be a batch of last-minute strivers.
Some succeeded, while others failed.
This was not surprising.
However, for those involved, it was a feat that could change their destiny.
"Congratulations, young man.
From now on, you are an intermediate apprentice and have the qualification to stay."
The person in charge began processing Roy's paperwork while formally fulfilling the obligation to inform him.
The key points included the educational system for intermediate apprentices and the various rules and regulations that needed to be followed.
Roy listened attentively.
This was crucial for his upcoming years as an intermediate apprentice.
He had already had a general understanding of the situation beforehand.
In summary, it involved continuing to manifest more Willpower Runes until reaching sixteen or more, at which point he could begin learning spell models.
Then, there were all twenty-four Runes…
That was the requirement for promotion to advanced status.
...
"Lord Roy, here is your badge and uniform, along with your belongings from your previous residence…"
"Okay, I understand. You can leave now."
Two days later, in the intermediate apprentice dormitory area on the second floor of the Wizard Tower.
Roy dismissed the servant sent by the management and took a shower in his new residence.
The living conditions for intermediate apprentices were naturally incomparable to those of low-level apprentices.
The suite here had its own bathroom, a small alchemy table, a bookshelf, a desk, and even a bed that was a bit larger.
After changing clothes and pinning on his badge, he felt completely refreshed.
In front of the mirror stood a young apprentice in a gray-blue robe, his pale complexion reflecting back at him.
"I've been tense for an entire month, and now I can finally relax a bit and take a breather.
At least for today, I'll take a break."
Not long after, Roy stepped out, intending to wander around.
While relaxing his tightly strung nerves since his arrival, he also wanted to familiarize himself with the environment he would be in for the next few years.
As he walked out, he encountered a few young men and women of similar age.
"Hey, are you also a newly promoted intermediate apprentice?"
A blond, blue-eyed, seemingly sunny and handsome young man approached him and greeted him.
"Uh…"
Roy glanced at the group and instantly understood.
"Indeed."
"We are too! We were all assigned here together; what a coincidence!"
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Renian, this is Nia, and this is Andorf…"
The blond Renian warmly welcomed him and introduced the others.
Roy nodded, "I'm Roy."
After some small talk, they confirmed that they were all six-year apprentices who had just barely made the cut, and they couldn't help but smile at each other.
Renian seemed eager to recruit Roy into their little circle to form his own faction, so he made a deliberate effort to include him.
Before long, they had already become quite familiar.
Renian suggested, "When we weren't promoted, there were many places we didn't dare to go or couldn't go. We've wasted so many years living here. Let's take this opportunity to explore and get to know the environment!"
Everyone agreed, including Roy, who had already had this intention.
Their lives as low-level apprentices had come to an end, but the days of being intermediate apprentices were just beginning.
The Okmi Wizard Tower, like other Wizard Towers, had three levels corresponding to low, intermediate, and advanced apprentices.
Each level had its own commercial street, library, and teaching area for living and studying.
Before they knew it, they arrived at the commercial district.
It was visibly more prosperous than the low-level apprentice area, with numerous shops and stalls, bustling like a mundane marketplace.
Tiny fairies the size of a palm, furry-eared children, long-eared elves wearing collars…
Gems emitting dangerous glows, the claws of unknown creatures, potions of various colors…
There were even wandering souls trapped in crystal balls, prepared corpses, bloody eyeballs, and white brains…
All displayed openly for sale! Various knight armors, bows, crossbows, swords, and more were all available.
Roy understood: "No wonder those guys are thinking of making a fortune before heading home.
Taking advantage of the differences between the Wizard Tower and the mundane world, making money is easy!
Of course, the premise is to avoid various thieves, refugees, and magical beasts, and not to be completely drained by local nobles, tax officials, and lawmen."
In addition, he noticed that the knowledge and resources he saw along the way were almost all obtained from other worlds.
Because the Wizard World, where the "Seven Towers Alliance" was located, was only a medium-sized ordinary world in terms of scale.
If it weren't for venturing into the starry seas and battling in other realms, it would have long been mired in endless internal strife.
However, these matters were temporarily irrelevant to him.
Instead, another issue was more pressing.
"What should I do to earn more Magic Stones?"
(End of Chapter)