Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill leisurely lay on the sofa, beginning to sift through Gilbert’s memories.

Then he realized, there wasn’t much he needed to pay attention to.

Even that Tower Master, Gilbert might not necessarily recognize even from a few hundred meters away... The same goes for even if he wore the Tower Master-specific attire.

A teacher he’s seen only three times in decades wouldn’t be recognized until face-to-face.

It was instead the ordinary mages who manage the day-to-day affairs of the Magic Tower that Hill needed to remember. But even getting them wrong wouldn’t matter.

After all, being directly under the Tower Master, Gilbert, it’s understandable for him to have his chin raised a bit higher.

Even if everyone knows his days aren’t great, those under the same teacher may not care what Gilbert does but care greatly about how others treat him.

Everyone knows that even the most useless fellow students are still part of their Faction and mustn’t give the outside world the impression that any of them can be bullied: Once there’s a first, there’ll be no end.

So although Gilbert seemed to have a hard time, as long as he kept an open mind, things weren’t too bad actually.

Of course, it might also be because he truly gave away everything the teacher wanted, so after confirming this, the teacher was still somewhat satisfied and thus willing to recognize Gilbert’s identity.

Furthermore, with Gilbert’s inherent arrogance, he was fundamentally too lazy to interact with those ordinary mages gossiping behind his back... Over the years, in this Tower of Dark Enigma, he really hasn’t had any friends, even acquaintances are few.

No wonder the Hainarson Clan, despite living in Dark Enigma Town for so long, didn’t make any significant progress, even without making any connections with the town government, unable to position their ordinary apprentices.

Hill didn’t think all these years they had only Russell and Carpenter as Mid-level Apprentices.

Gilbert, as expected, felt somewhat complicated towards his family, loves them but definitely not deeply.

However, Hill nonetheless benefited greatly, so he was too lazy to intervene further.

Just determining the work style in the Magic Tower and the attitude towards the Hainarson Clan would suffice.

Hill gently floated those drapery curtains, staring outside blankly... What was that Red Dragon’s name? What was his plan?

Hill wouldn’t really believe that guy would squat somewhere for decades.

With the irritable temper of a Red Dragon, it would be like killing him to endure so long.

Moreover, he surely intended to create trouble, hence arriving disguised as an Iron Dragon... Such frame-ups are commonplace for both these species.

But Iron Dragons, being Neutral and Lawful, do things less malicious than Red Dragons.

Especially this guy transformed into a rabbit form... Although everyone knows an Iron Dragon might be impersonated, the innate talent to transform into small creatures and maintain it until switching forms was very rare, no, never previously mastered by a Red Dragon.

Indeed, the Ancient Dragons favored by Tiamat are truly capable.

Wonder if some Iron Dragon chewed up his Dragon Nest.

Hill quietly waved his hand... Gilbert was quite sincere, keeping even the spell-related memories clear, but with such flawed content, Hill really couldn’t go through it... A small side door in the hall suddenly opened, and magic books twirled to the table.

Hill picked up the archmage’s magic notes given to Gilbert... Though in Gilbert’s memory, it was the standard student book under Archmage Ruth, Hill still felt some unease: Whether the mage himself hadn’t learned well, or deliberately provided Gilbert with erroneous magic books, Hill needed to ascertain.

As for Archmage Ruth’s attention, he wasn’t very concerned, that one hadn’t activated the monitoring array just now.

Gilbert’s working style was indeed commendable, not playing tricks in front of stronger individuals or those deciding his fate, allowing a somewhat easier existence.

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

Russell awoke in the morning light feeling a bit dazed.

His room was overly comfortable, making the boy who usually thought he lived a decent life a bit confused.

Russell reached out to touch the soft sheets and blankets on the bed: Their Hainarson family’s life was already quite okay, but only with black rough cloth made from large leaves of Black Taro.

He couldn’t even say for a moment what he was sleeping on, slowly reacting... Ah, it was cotton.

Cotton that their family reserved for gifts, even the clan leader couldn’t bear to use!

And this despite claims that the Tower of Dark Enigma was nearing its end.

Even with Master Gilbert’s slightly different standing, even his students could enjoy such conditions... Russell truly realized, having entered the Magic Tower, he was on another path in life.

Indeed, upon entering this room yesterday, he was already quite shocked, but how to say it... At that time, the impact of his name being officially entered into the Magic Tower apprentice registry and becoming Gilbert’s student was greater.

Carpenter likely felt similarly, not that they weren’t excited, but the larger surprise suppressed other emotions.

Until waking from sleep, emerging from the haze.

Compared to the shock of using cotton even on the bed, stepping into the luxurious bathroom, seeing three black apprentice robes made of cotton hanging in the next wardrobe, Russell could smoothly contain his excitement.

Of course, he wouldn’t be surprised by the girl’s scream next door.

Carpenter always loved these things, but even her sole scarf was her grandmother’s wedding gift given when she became an official apprentice.

Especially next to the wardrobe, an open jewelry cabinet, even if holding only silver items, for them having only seen such things on elders was quite joyful.

Russell tidied his attire, wearing the silver bracelet on his hand: He instantly knew its purpose.

The sleeves of a mage robe are indeed cumbersome, sometimes unavoidable, especially before the teacher.

So accessories to bind sleeves were created.

Previously, he’d only used some hemp cloth strips.

Russell walked to Carpenter’s door, still humming a tune, knocking heavily: ”Properly arrange your attire and your mind, we’ll meet the teacher.”

Carpenter quickly quieted down, emerging minutes later only wearing a silver bracelet, not even other ornaments, her long hair tied in a low ponytail with a black ribbon.

”Good.” Russell patted her head, ”Happy days are yet to come, right?”

”Yes.”

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

Hill turned, watching the two apprentices calmly emerging from the rear corridor.

These kids were indeed smart, completely not showing off and unaffected by the sudden shift in living conditions, at least outwardly.

”Good day, teacher.”

”Russell, Carpenter.” Hill smiled gently, ”You should have heard of my teacher, Archmage Ruth.

This is the magic notebook he gave me during my apprenticeship.

You two read it carefully first, seven days later, I’ll solve your queries.

The books on the first bookshelf in the library are freely accessible... Don’t ask questions already answered there.”

Russell momentarily opened his mouth: Even in the Magic Tower, he had to self-study?

”I’ll appear here every seven days.” Hill said again, ”Unless it’s important, don’t seek me.

Of course, such luck only lasts the first year.”

Russell finally understood why even with such a powerful teacher, many magic apprentices never reach becoming official mages.

It really wasn’t much different from outside.

”I’m doing this not because you’re my apprentices, but because you’re Hainarson.” Hill leisurely said, ”In the true Magic Tower system, you might not see your teacher once a year.

My teacher, to date, I’ve probably met him fewer than 10 times... Including times he didn’t even speak.

So, treasure your opportunity, don’t waste time.

If I’m unsatisfied, even the seven-day instruction will be canceled directly, understand?”

”Understood!” Russell swiftly replied, ”We’ll study diligently, strive for independent thinking, no worries, teacher.”