Two days later, Roy returned to the Witch Tower with Winter and explained the situation to Oren, handing over a piece of Chalk Soil as his achievement.
Of course, he did not mention that he had investigated the Corpse Dissolving Pool, but he was frank about the conflict between himself and Pimiel and the others.
As expected, Oren only cared about the accumulation inside. He did not care at all who completed the task.
However, he had not expected Roy to be so audacious as to hand over only a small piece while secretly keeping three large ones.
Through appraisal, Roy had discovered that the three pieces were the essence of the Chalk Soil, containing much more energy.
Of course he would keep the good stuff for himself.
After leaving Oren, Winter said dejectedly, "Lord Roy, as an Advanced Apprentice like you, how exactly do you view people like us?"
Roy asked, "What do you mean?"
Winter sighed. "I don't understand why Pimiel did that."
Roy asked, "How did you meet and become adventuring companions?"
Winter said, "We formed a connection on the ship that brought the apprentices here. After that, we adventured, studied, and traded together...
"When everyone was weak, we banded together for warmth. Gradually, we reached the intermediate level, and we were still as close as brothers.
"But someone as talented as him advanced to the level of an Advanced Apprentice one step ahead of us, and he gradually changed...
"Now that I think about it, he had always been improving, while we remained rooted in place because of our talents, efforts, and various other factors.
"Forget catching up—even keeping pace with him has become increasingly difficult.
"Perhaps we really have become burdens, holding him back..."
*You really have no idea, and you're even unwilling to call