Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Russell understood why the mage told him to sleep before meeting him, after he had actually taken a nap and woke up.

Though he hadn’t advanced in rank, his Mental Sea felt like it had been thoroughly cleansed.

After silently introspecting, Russell felt that it was now a true sea... clear and bright.

Unlike before, when it was tempestuous but always obscured the distant view.

This time, Russell truly had a real epiphany... he could become a high-level apprentice before his 16th birthday, just two months away.

Although the Clan Leader made it sound simple, did their family truly find that much?

It was obviously because they had no choice.

If they didn’t send someone in soon, their family was truly doomed.

However, everyone knew that an apprentice sent in that way would definitely never do anything for the family again... the inevitable sacrifice had already compensated for everything in the past.

But if Russell could enter normally, with an added Carpenter, it would be completely different.

Because an official apprentice could completely shelter a self-funded student.

This would instead give the family considerable room to maneuver.

Russell touched his hand... the delicate copper ring he now wore was a gift from the family for apprentices like him; everyone would have one once they became a mid-level apprentice.

The Defense Tower was very adept at crafting such low-level oddities back in the day, though it could only hold a small backpack measuring 20 cm high, 5 cm wide, and long.

But it was enough for young apprentices; what could they possibly have?

He wondered if the Clan Leader would give him a larger one when he became a high-level apprentice; he really needed

He surveyed his bedroom, collecting important things into the storage ring within his Mental Sea.

Russell felt that he could actually sleep in the Meditation Chamber in the future; he probably wouldn’t return to the bedroom again.

Moreover, he had to show some fervor; otherwise, how could he convince others that he could become a high-level apprentice just by tweaking the precision of runes?

He only hoped Carpenter would understand his intentions; even if he couldn’t become high-level, he should show significant progress.

Russell would never tell anyone the secrets within his Mental Sea.

Everything related to the Defense Tower was dangerous, he couldn’t even tell Carpenter.

Although the Archmage didn’t mention it, Russell knew for sure that even if the Tower of Dark Enigma had methods targeting the soul, it couldn’t detect his existence, hence the Archmage’s indifference to Russell entering that Magic Tower.

Russell suspected the Defense Tower had captured visitors from the Stellar Realm but didn’t hand them over; instead, it divided them.

And although the items Archmage Johnston obtained weren’t exactly powerful, they were well-suited for secrecy.

Otherwise, how would that Magic Tower know of its methods of contact with the outside world, and Johnston’s first response was to look for this reason.

He must have been somewhat aware of similar news and thought the future of the Defense Tower looked grim, which is why he stored part of his True Spirit in that ring and sealed it in an apprentice’s notebook that no one cared about.

Then, over time, waited for someone curious enough to know his identity to look at this notebook.

Russell used his deductions about Hill’s appearance to draw a perfect conclusion and contentedly walked towards his Meditation Chamber. As long as one can convince themselves, everything is fulfilled.

With this mindset, Russell was very enthusiastic about learning.

Even Hill found it puzzling.

After all, while he had tried to control the space within Russell’s Mental Sea to the limits of Russell’s tolerance, he could only manage learning a slightly challenging 0-level spell every three days.

He even spent a whole day on the simple Dance of Light Spell!

Boen learned it in just an hour.

Yet Russell was very satisfied, even jumping in circles, and those subsequent Flash Spell and Light Spell all took three days each.

Hill felt a bit confused... or maybe the elemental reaction of this world is too sluggish?

Regardless, after Hill taught him the entire set of Shaping Spells, Russell then naturally advanced to high-level apprentice.

The kid gleefully spun in circles, muttering all the while, ”Can’t go too fast, gotta wait a few more days, wait a few more days.”

Hill decided to slightly lower his expectations regarding the abilities of mages in this world.

Though this was just the apprentice’s reaction, ever since he felt the strange familiarity with this child, Hill thought Russell might be quite capable.

And rather than disappointment, he preferred a pleasant surprise.

His many plans in mind still needed to consider the aptitudes of the mages.

Hill glanced at Russell, still dancing and celebrating his success, ”Since you think there’s no need to go out now, let’s study other spells!

Although the Dance of Light Spell is simple, it may not suit use in the Tower of Dark Enigma.

But this series is very useful for expanding the Mental Sea, so I let you learn it first.

Since you are already a high-level apprentice, learning others shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Let’s try the Illusion Element... No, let’s first look at the Enchantment Department and Cursing System!

Although there’s only one 0-level spell each, they’re very suitable for helping stabilize the Mental Sea.”

Russell put down his hand from above his head, looking confused at the Archmage... Is this even human language?

Unfortunately, no matter how much Russell wanted to complain, he was still grabbed and taught a new type of spell... He really wanted to say that people with ordinary talents don’t need to learn every type of spell.

Just mastering shaping and protection that can influence each other, and then learning a bit of prophecy and curses, would already be quite good.

It’s a pity the Archmage didn’t seem to think there’s anything difficult about 0-level spells, and that anyone could learn them all.

Even after it took Russell three days to learn the Daze spell from the Enchantment Department, he muttered slowly and quietly: ”Seems like learning 1-level spells in advance isn’t really working.”

He’s not even an official mage yet!

Official mages start learning some complex 1-level spells only after reaching Level 2, right?

Russell felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Fortunately, his willpower was strong enough... He had already fully experienced disappointment when he realized he couldn’t become a high-level apprentice before 16.

Since he had felt the worst emotions, this blow allowed Russell to face it with resilience.

Tch~ Why bother!

Those damn overachievers.

The disparity in life really hits the hardest when you discover your talents, like intelligence and aptitude, have been overshadowed to the bottom by others.

After all, whether it’s environment or family, those are things you can break free from or overcome by yourself, but when you’re born with something lacking, there’s really nothing you can do, poor is just poor.

Always thought that he was just a bit skewed in aptitude, but definitely in the upper tier intelligence-wise, Russell decided that once he got out, he’d go find Carpenter.

That cute yet slightly silly little sister would definitely cheer him up a lot.

..............

Carpenter tilted her head at her brother Russell.

Russell, who was explaining ”Detection Magic” to her, tapped her little forehead with his forefinger: ”What are you daydreaming about? Listen properly!”

”I keep feeling like there’s something off about your tone right now.” The little girl curled her forefinger and rested it on her chin, tilting her head in thought, ”I mean, Brother Russell, why are you speaking to me in Grandpa’s tone?

Life is so beautiful, and there’s so much we haven’t enjoyed yet. Trying to be a dad too early is a waste, and you already want to be a grandpa?”

Russell looked up at the sky... Ah, sometimes his sister wasn’t all that cute.

He then smiled helplessly: ”I just want you to get closer to high-level before time runs out.

You should understand how big this gap is.

Making people think you’re just not adapting well to the sparse magical elements outside, and actually having poor aptitude, are two very different things.

Be honest, be diligent, okay?

At least learn this spell...”

Of course Carpenter understood why Russell was bypassing the protection spells he was better at to teach her this, but she really wasn’t used to Russell’s way of speaking.

Could it be that the person secretly teaching Russell magic was actually a thousand-year-old white-haired old man?

..............

A month flew by.

Carpenter, whose aptitude was indeed not great, learned with difficulty, but Russell suffered even more... After confirming that he definitely couldn’t learn any 1-level spells, that Archmage started infinitely piling on 0-level spells.

Even though Russell, with his strong will and unwillingness to show weakness, finally completed the entire set of 0-level spells except for the Necromancy, why are there so many 0-level spells in Transformation?

Yet Russell also felt his rapid progress.

And truly the ability to compete with some Level 1 mages relying on similar spells to advance.

Then there was the vigilance towards the Sia Tower.

Such a Johnston, not even ranking in the top 100 in that Defense Tower, shows the unimaginable strength of that magic tower.

The level of power in the Tower of Dark Enigma could actually be somewhat surmised by us nobles who had interacted with several magic towers before.

There was simply no way to compare it with the Defense Tower.

This only proves that the highest combat power of the Defense Tower was all suppressed by the Sia Tower back then... That’s terrifying!

He must be extremely careful, absolutely cannot show a hint of oddity!

”Brother Russell!” Carpenter called out to him impatiently, ”What are you thinking? The Clan Leader has summoned us!”

”Today they’ll probably determine the time for heading to the Tower of Dark Enigma. Have you touched the edge of high-level?” Russell asked her.

”No, probably need another half a year.” Carpenter shook her head, ”Still can’t advance before I’m 16.”

”That’s fine too.” Russell smiled, ”Let’s go!”

The two exchanged a glance, Carpenter looped her arm through Russell’s: ”Let’s go~ give them a little surprise, and then they’ll spend money without hesitation.”

Russell couldn’t help but laugh.