To find out whether there were more buried magic trees underground, Kroya decided to have the Ore-Seeking Gray Ants search the entire island.
Although he felt there was probably only this one tree, and that he could not possibly acquire a whole lot of them so easily, he still had to conduct a search.
What if there were more?
The Air Coral, the secret chamber, and this magic tree that had suddenly appeared all made him suspect that something else might be hidden beneath the island.
And so, under the mage's orders, the newly transformed Ore-Seeking Gray Ants were about to begin their search for more magic trees and ore-they would travel across the entire island, checking for treasures buried deep underground.
To keep the Gray Magic Ants from being stepped on by some careless fool or running into danger, Kroya specifically assigned his apprentice Jamie to accompany them.
All Jamie needed to do was mark the locations. As for what was actually down there, Kroya would dig up the treasures himself.
As his only mage apprentice at present, Jamie held an even higher status than one might imagine.
Of course, Kroya also kept his promise to the Gray Magic Ants.
He found a spot and bought a lump of abyssal clay from the Sacred Spring Trade Guild, intending to use it to make a nest for the Gray Magic Ants.
This special soil, deep yellow in color and somewhat sticky in texture, could only be mined in certain caverns.
It was one of many species of magic ants' favorite nesting materials.
The clay contained earth-element mana, which not only made them feel comfortable and safe but also constantly nourished their bodies with mana, making them stronger.
"Here, go on in." Kroya placed it beside the ant colony.
The Gray