Nia's Choice

The suite where the Advanced Apprentices lived was spacious and comfortable, far superior to the residences of ordinary apprentices.

The dark-colored velvet cloth was spread across the table, illuminated by the soft light of the Magic Lamp, making it look even more luxurious and elegant.

Several exquisite fruit platters sat on the table, laden with fresh fruit and snacks.

In front of everyone was also a fruit juice drink Roy had made himself while researching the Dark Orchard. The whole scene looked just like a symposium.

"Everyone looks well. It seems you've all rested well. So, have you come up with any ideas about your Mage Body Modification and enhancement direction?"

Sitting at one end of the long table, Roy looked around at everyone and spoke with a faint smile.

This trip had yielded a great deal, equivalent to several ordinary high-level missions.

In the past, they would have had to toil and travel for a long time to obtain the same gains.

"Actually, I thought about it a long time ago. I'd like to use this opportunity to buy some Physique Strengthening Potions and raise my strength to that of an Intermediate Knight!

"This is the most basic and comprehensive enhancement path without an attribute. It gives the body three times the physical qualities of an ordinary person."

Renion was the first to speak.

"And I can undergo the Mage Body Modification involving the Star Soul Beast Arm that I mentioned before at the same time."

Roy nodded when he heard this. "I have some self-made potions, such as adrenaline. I can sell them to you at cost and let you use them as Rage Potions.

"When the time comes, your Combat Ability will reach an entirely new level!"

Renion said happily, "That would be wonderful!"

Similar potions sold outside were too expensive, and ordinary people could hardly afford them.

Roy selling them at cost was basically a friendship price.

Andov casually picked up the juice on the table and took a sip. It had the flavor of fruit beer mixed with soda, and the more he drank, the more intoxicating it became. "I want to replace one of my eyes with a magic eye possessing Spell Ability...

"Although the money I have is only enough to buy a cheap one, if it has some auxiliary functions, it should be comparable to an Enchanted Item."

Roy coughed lightly, then expressed his approval of Andov's choice. "I'll keep an eye out for one. Things on the third floor are sometimes better than those on the second floor. You can also come by more often under the pretext of looking for me."

Andov wasn't replacing his eye out of boredom. Someone had ruined it, leaving him no choice but to replace it.

He hadn't had any magic stones before, and the few hundred he had earned from the last mission weren't enough either. He had been saving them all along, unable to bear spending them.

Tigro pondered for a while before saying, "I want to find an enhancement path involving an Elemental Antibody, or one that comes with a powerful physique and can withstand Spell Attacks."

He seemed to have been traumatized by his companion's death. After witnessing one tragedy after another, he had decided to find some sense of security.

Little did he know that everyone secretly praised him in unison after hearing this. Such high awareness. He's perfect material for a human shield!

Sailen said, "Sophia had already enhanced me before. Unless my Spiritual Power continues to break through, it will be difficult for me to improve any further, so I'd rather replace it with an Enchanted Item."

Roy and the others all knew that she would eventually cooperate with Sophia in a brain transplant, so they also felt that this was a good idea.

Roy suggested, "If possible, try to replace it with something capable of long-distance reconnaissance, such as a flying bird puppet or a magical pet."

Sailen said, "All right. I'll do my best."

Next, it was Nia's turn to speak, but what she said was somewhat unexpected. "I... I don't plan to enhance myself!"

Seeing everyone, including Roy, staring at her in surprise, she felt somewhat guilty and helpless as she said, "I plan to use this money to bribe one of the administrators in the tower and secure a stable, easy position—the kind exempt from Mandatory Tasks.

"From now on, I'll serve properly and stop going out on adventures..."

Everyone was astonished. "Are you really so certain that you have no potential for future development? You want to spend your days as an administrator?"

"Only the most mediocre old apprentices would make that choice, and most of them are over thirty-five..."

"You're only twenty. What will you do in the future if you stop improving?"

"The future... If I get the chance, perhaps I'll return to my hometown and secure a minor noble title!"

Nia seemed to have genuinely thought it through. She had even planned out her future escape route.

Roy said solemnly, "Nia, are you planning to withdraw while you're still ahead and give up on the Supernatural Path of becoming a wizard?"

"Yes... I'm sorry!"

Nia's eyes darted away, and she didn't dare look at him.

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, either...

"Actually, what happened last time scared me witless. I was dazed and confused throughout the entire journey home. I even had nightmares at night and secretly cried several times.

"I know I can't go on like this.

"The adventures of a Wizard Apprentice are simply too dangerous. Someone as mediocre as me was lucky to survive this time, and there's no guarantee I'll be so lucky next time."

Roy sighed, but unexpectedly, he was very understanding. "Everyone has their own aspirations. You don't need to apologize to me, and you don't need to apologize to anyone else."

Nia's body trembled. "You're not blaming me for breaking up the team?"

Roy shook his head slightly. "How much selfishness is disguised in the name of the collective."

How could he not be annoyed?

Everything had been going well, yet she had suddenly decided to withdraw while she was still ahead. She hadn't even told them privately, instead choosing to announce it when everyone had gathered...

If he were a little more ruthless, treating his companion's remains as a stepping stone to advancement, he would immediately make an example of her and deal with her severely, letting the others see the consequences of quitting.

But people were not plants or trees. How could they be without feelings?

There was no need to go that far.

Moreover, Nia's withdrawal might not be a bad thing. It could even be a very good thing.

It had given him a warning: the human heart was impossible to fathom.

He shouldn't try to grasp something so ethereal and meaningless.

Only by grasping what truly mattered could he become stronger.

What was the key to the Wizarding World? Calling on friends and relying on numbers?

Being socially adept and manipulating people's hearts?

No, neither!

The key was wizardry!

It was a stronger self!

A Supernatural being could stand against a hundred people, or even rise above billions of living beings, without any trouble—and would also possess a long lifespan.

He might not be able to walk very far with this group of mutually supportive apprentice companions. There was no need to spend too much time and energy on them.

So he might as well let her go.

While Roy remained silent, Renion and Andov also fell silent.

They truly had nothing to say.

Tigro had even less standing to speak, so he pretended to be deaf and blind, acting like a puppet.

Sailen, however, comforted her. "That's fine, too. This way, you'll be able to live in peace."

Roy looked at her somewhat strangely.

Weren't you the ruthless one who fought desperately to stay? Why are you envying Nia instead?

But after thinking it over, he felt relieved.

If they had a choice, who would willingly fight so desperately?

Perhaps Nia really would have a chance to return to the Old Continent in the future and live a comfortable life with what she had learned and obtained in the Witch Tower.

Sailen, however, had no such opportunity.