Surviving The Fourth Calamity

The female apprentice named Carpenter who was panicking behind Russell suddenly reacted: ”Clan Leader? Are you saying, we still have a chance?

Is the Tower of Dark Enigma planning to lift the restrictions on mid-level apprentices?”

”It will cost money.” The Chieftain of Haisenal interrupted her.

The two apprentices widened their eyes together, but after exchanging a glance, they quickly turned their heads back to continue looking at their clan leader.

The Chieftain of Haisenal nodded in satisfaction.

Unlike other noble families, the Haisenal Family, due to the precipitous and fearful downfall of its backing, had all those past branches fleeing swiftly, with no one intending to escape together following the main branch.

Otherwise, the whole family wouldn’t be unable to find a few good apprentices all these years... Nobles can sustain in such harsh environments for so many years, because they can secure exceptionally talented children in their territories ahead of time.

Of course, due to the high status of mages, and the sharp vigilance of the Sia Tower, no one dares to use strong measures, but how many commoners can withstand the tactics of nobles?

Besides, it’s a win-win situation.

Otherwise, even if those young apprentices receive some aid from the Mage Tower, their families wouldn’t enjoy benefits.

However, entering the side branches of the Haisenal Family this way, they certainly won’t share much from the main branch’s benefits, so when disaster came, they flew away directly with no one able to complain.

Although, such an outcome indeed made the family live a bit difficult after escaping, but due to deep blood ties, the family was still very united internally.

Just like how Gilbert’s father, who could have replaced them to be the clan leader after Gilbert entered the Tower of Dark Enigma, still chose to step back after careful consideration.

Their family remained stable despite Gilbert’s ongoing concerning state, because everyone stepped back a little between their family and personal interests... as long as it didn’t excessively harm their own interests.

For nobles, this was practically a miracle.

This truly was the result of enduring hardships together in the past.

Therefore, the Chieftain of Haisenal genuinely hoped the newer generation could be a bit united, especially in this time of family crisis.

The two children in front of him, although they only shared one great-grandfather, still managed to stay calm under such strong temptation, waiting for him to clarify his words, which was already very commendable.

”So, Ulrich will take you to meet Mage Gilbert once.” The clan leader looked at the two children overflowing with desire, and solemnly spoke, ”As long as you perform well, and Gilbert confirms you have potential worth nurturing, the family will spend the money.

If both are acceptable, then both will be sent in.

So, you must prepare everything about yourselves; do not hide anything before Gilbert, especially you, Carpenter!

I know you worry about the family sending you out for marriage alliances, so you keep pretending to be foolish, but I can assure you, even if you fail, you will still stay within the family!

You need not worry about the town government; those Archmages in the Tower of Dark Enigma have been unstable in recent moods, they absolutely wouldn’t dare to come out for such trivial matters to pressure the kin of an 11th-level mage.”

Carpenter hesitated for a moment, involuntarily pursing her lips before nodding with difficulty.

She hadn’t expected the elder to know why she had been hiding shyly behind Russell all along.

But what could she do?

When the family needed her to enter the Tower of Dark Enigma for them, of course, the words sounded sweet, but... Would the family have the capacity to shield her from those searching powers if it weren’t such a crucial time?

It’s common knowledge that two mage apprentices are more likely to have children with good potential, who else doesn’t know this?

Especially because of the family having a bit of money, she grew up healthier and prettier than other girls of her age, possibly even being noticed by some mages passing through the town... Though Mage Gilbert has reached level 11, before his Mental Sea fully recovers, the Haisenal Family absolutely won’t drag him out for protection.

Russell understood this too, which is why he always spoke first during problems, allowing her to hide her presence well!

Carpenter glanced back at her cousin, who was closer than her own brother, and then seriously looked at the Chieftain of Hainarson: ”Clan Leader, I understand your point.

But what if neither of us performs well?”

”Then choose the slightly better one to send in,” the Chieftain of Hainarson said decisively, ”But you must understand, if even Gilbert isn’t convinced by you, then you are just the gift box we sent into the Tower of Dark Enigma for the sake of our family’s survival. After the contents are taken away, the fate of the box depends on your own luck.

Even if Gilbert manages to bring you to his side, life probably won’t be easy.

Inside the Magic Tower, it’s not impossible for the weak to survive, but there will always be someone who wishes you to live a bit harder.”

”We understand.” Russell pulled the eager-to-speak Carpenter, pressed her head down, and bowed respectfully, ”Thank you for the reminder, Clan Leader; we will do our best to present ourselves.”

The Chieftain of Hainarson nodded in satisfaction: ”Carpenter has pretended to be foolish to the point of nearly becoming one; you must remind her more.

In front of Gilbert, disguising oneself is the dumbest.”

”Yes!”

After the Chieftain of Hainarson walked away for a minute, Russell finally released the hand pressing down on his silly sister’s head: ”Have you lost your mind?

The clan leader is not your father; do you think he listens to your nonsense?”

Hill, who was crouching and listening to the entire interaction, couldn’t help but freeze for a moment; he thought Russell was a tolerant good brother.

But it seems that’s not the case!

Concern for his sister is there, but not in a mode of full protection just because she is his sister.

Carpenter, on the other hand, was quite used to Russell’s style of speech, but felt dissatisfied: ”He wants us united yet picks among us, why give him a good face?”

”The elders always like to see the juniors united, hence they enjoy playing those probing tricks.” Russell, having already closed the door, and without hesitation activated a small first ring Isolation Array, helplessly tapped her head, ”Since childhood, it’s been like this, hasn’t it?

Why care, as long as we ourselves understand.

Our interests are unified.

Pity we don’t have the aptitude, otherwise, even if one enters the tower, while the other remains outside, life could still rise.”

He looked at the Isolation Array barely wrapping the two of them: ”I have such good aptitude for crafting Defensive Arrays, why am I not good at spells?

Sigh~

Our dreams since childhood are really unachievable.”

”Enough thinking.” Carpenter consoled, patting his arm, ”Isn’t there a chance now?

Let’s go together.”

”No, unless our qualifications are recognized, only I will go in.” Russell firmly stated, ”You are both foolish and slow, if you can’t advance your magic, you’ll probably be deceived and killed within days!

Better stay at the town government!

Just like the family said, they will never send you out for marriage alliances as long as I’m alive.”

He raised his hand stopping Carpenter who was getting emotional: ”I won’t die.

How could I lose to those fools?

I’ve always felt my aptitude isn’t that bad.”

”I know.” Carpenter wasn’t bothered by her brother’s insults, just a bit unwilling over being left out, ”But if that’s the case, don’t you need me for cover more?

Why doesn’t Mage Gilbert entrust the spells for the Defense Tower within the family for us to learn, Isn’t it because only in that tower is it safe!

But you know, you definitely wouldn’t be as cautious as that mage.

Just to become a mage... But even if this won’t attract attention from over there, someone in the Tower of Dark Enigma would find you difficult to control and might even cause trouble for you.

Let me go with you, Russell!”

”It’s meaningless to discuss this now.” Russell said expressionlessly, ”Saying anything is useless.

Everything depends on the judgment of Mage Gilbert that day.

If your performance is good enough, everything being said now is nonsense.”

Carpenter suddenly pouted, making a ’pffft~~’ sound: ”You’re always spouting rubbish!

We’ll see!

At that time, maybe it’s me who gets in, and you’re sent to the town government!”

In fact, these two kids seem to quite understand their abilities and know who is stronger.

Hill blinked; he didn’t always know how to quietly enter that Tower of Dark Enigma, so maybe, possibly impersonate as an old grandpa?

Or Ring Spirit?

Hill rummaged through his storage tools... He remembered there were quite a few storage rings woven from simple fine iron and silver inside.

After selecting one ring with a small deep green olivine embedded on a flat fine iron ring, Hill started the aging process.

-----------------

In preparation for their meeting with Mage Gilbert, Russell and Carpenter started staying at the library.

While flipping through a thick family journal, Russell suddenly felt an anomaly within the cover.