Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill doesn’t plan to have much contact with Russell for the time being.

Although the child will inevitably recognize him in the future, it’s not necessary for it to happen so quickly.

Seven days is enough for the child’s memories to blur a bit.

As for the old man in the ring, Hill has already left a message for Russell... There are things he wants in the Magic Tower, and the Side Tower where Master Gilbert resides is not suitable for a soul’s stay, so he will temporarily leave.

As for the Magic Book, Hill just needs to manifest content consistent with the books Gilbert has here.

In this world, the apprentice period in the Magic Book, although there are subtle differences from orthodox Spells, is caused by the world’s differences, not errors.

Even if Hill could change things, some things can’t be changed... After all, they’re missing too many positive spells.

Of course, positive energy spells can’t be used here either.

But if all pure negative energy spells are used, these mages will become difficult to control later.

Evil erodes people’s hearts, a world full of Evil Mages would be much harder to manage than it is now.

So it’s clear this world uses neutral spells to balance the mages’ inner selves.

But using too many Neutral Faction spells can make mages think too rationally, only considering their own gains and losses.

Otherwise, this world wouldn’t have turned out this way... Frankly, just thinking about how most High-level Mages are like Draculus makes Hill shiver.

It’d be better to be a bit evil and go straight to war.

Fighting a hundred rounds of psychological warfare before a fist is even raised, Hill really doesn’t like this nonsense.

Luckily, organizing apprentice-level spells has been relatively easy for Hill, even though he has to incorporate this world’s slightly biased elemental environment.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have such confidence in letting Russell learn on his own... Once he learns the Standard Runes and 0-ring spells, it’d be like knowing Arabic numerals and multiplication tables along with the rules of four arithmetic operations.

Just like basic math problems, Hill doesn’t need to teach in detail anymore.

After all, Russell’s intelligence is still sufficient.

As for Carpenter, who’s a bit less capable, that’s Russell’s responsibility.

Hill knows full well he can’t teach him.

Because he can’t understand why, when everyone knows to multiply and divide before adding and subtracting, and prioritize brackets, some people still get it wrong.

Things like this are too challenging for him; he’s just not a good teacher.

But there’s another thing that’s more troublesome: he must deduce appropriate Protection Spells based on this world’s Law logic.

Thankfully, Russell grew up conventionally; although his luck and talents are good, they’re just decent, leaving Hill with ample time.

Although this might be because the World Will has lost the ability to give Russell special buffs, on some level, it’s hidden him very well.

Even Asmodeus, who’s seen much, probably wouldn’t think there’d be such a useless Son of Destiny in the Multiverse.

So, if that Queen of Hell can’t resurrect after a long time, Russell might still stage a comeback... Even if Hill doesn’t come, this child will undoubtedly enter the Tower of Dark Enigma and learn many secrets related to the world from Master Gilbert.

Although that Archmage monitors his students, not every moment, especially when overwhelmed and about to be dependent on others, he surely focuses on other matters. Besides, with Russell’s luck, he won’t be that unlucky.

But Hill knows if he hadn’t stirred things up in Toril, with Asmodeus’s capability, it’s quite likely he would’ve attacked Heavenly Mountain sooner.

Thinking of this, Hill’s mood brightens instantly.

Especially when he feels his situation isn’t particularly dangerous anymore... Previously, the World Tree might not have noticed Hill’s mysterious disappearance, but after Hill’s contact with Styx, he definitely would know.

Styx, though no one knows when it originated, was the beginning and center of the Fantasy World’s creation, with everything else born near the World Tree.

Otherwise, this ancestor’s knowledge of all the Multiverse’s secrets wouldn’t be spoken of... The Elemental Realm plus Styx suffices for him to know all secrets.

However, he surely doesn’t focus on every small matter.

Yet, he surely focuses on contact between Styx and its descendants, even with a Red Dragon as the intermediary; when the Force of Nature meets the Force of Death, their roots will feel each other.

After all, the World Tree ancestor actually protects his own very much; he absolutely wouldn’t tolerate Styx casually touching his family.

It’s one thing if the children seek their own demise, but others daring to touch them is definitely not allowed.

At first, Hill hoped for this, but didn’t expect things to go so smoothly.

He was merely considering if caught and pursued by Asmodeus with no escape, he’d just run to Hell... The uppermost layer of the nine layers of hell has Styx flowing through.

Once he jumps into Styx, the ancestor’s roots might reach in.

In that scenario, escaping from the Elemental Realm seems easier.

But this kind of thing is easier done than said; Hill’s embarrassed even to mention it to his Tower Spirit.

Normally, the chance of being fished out is greatest, but... Hill can pretend he doesn’t know about this pathway.

Otherwise, having the ancestor’s roots hit your head isn’t painless.

So, he still entered this world with the hope he might escape.

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

Russell has no idea what his teacher, who renamed himself Hilbert, is pondering over; he just knows this new teacher is harsher than the ancestor who vanished mysteriously.

He wonders if the Hainarson Family has some special educational tradition, as every official mage seems to enjoy pressing students to their limits?

If not for the Magic Analysis Book suspected of being left by the ancestor, relying solely on the bookshelf’s vague brochures, Russell feels he absolutely couldn’t have finished this so-called ’Apprentice’s Notebook’ in seven days, while also helping Carpenter make some progress.

The most troublesome part is their light orb reminds them daily of meditation, meals, and rest... Despite the tense times, they both must sleep at least 4 hours a day.

Due to mages’ strong spiritual power, 4 hours is very adequate for sleep!

Even when there’s nothing much going on, Russell maxes out at 6 hours of sleep.

He genuinely doesn’t understand Master Gilbert’s thoughts, but as an apprentice, Russell has no choice but to comply.

Russell spent an incredibly fulfilling seven days.

Even Carpenter, usually a bit lazy due to lack of talent, was dragged onto a non-stop fast track by him.

So, when the appointed time arrived, walking towards the passage that was hidden from them the past seven days, even Carpenter, who usually overreacts when facing powerful figures, couldn’t resist relaxing for a few moments.

Russell glanced at his sister, whose shoulders were in a relaxed mode, and for a moment genuinely suspected that his teacher did it to make them understand nothing is worth fearing but knowledge.

Yet, looking at the hefty notebook in his hands and the final five questions left after the deletions, he thought he might be overthinking.

Then, with firm steps, he approached Gilbert, who had already turned to look at them.

......

”Good day, Master.” The two apprentices respectfully performed the Mage Ceremony.

”Any questions?” Hill slightly tilted his head, ”It looks like you had a fulfilling seven days; that’s good.”

”Yes, Master.” Russell responded promptly, ”It feels nice not to waste any time.

However, I still have five questions unanswered.”

”Oh~” Hill smiled with interest, ”Tell me.”

He was actually pleased that Russell dared to ask questions after his first learning session... After all, what he said earlier could easily deter people from asking.

Despite knowing he might make mistakes and be punished by the teacher, insisting on asking questions reflects Russell’s genuine strength of will, filled with enthusiasm and yearning for knowledge.

For a nearly sixteen-year-old, such qualities are truly exceptional.

Indeed, talent is very useful in the initial stages, and certainly isn’t useless later, but willpower decides how far a mage can go into the future.

And understanding the weight of knowledge can elevate a mage high above.

Hill quickly noticed Russell’s weakness: the child is genuinely baffled by the principles of Transmutation Spells.

Three out of the five questions concerned Transmutation.

The child feels there must be some connection between Transmutation Spells, but he can’t grasp what links Switching Spell and Light-Banning Spell despite a belief there’s a relationship.

Although the questions are peculiar, such speculation about the Law principles is uncommon among children.

Most people just aim to learn it themselves, not pondering too much, reserving such time for when stronger.

Hill pondered a bit, then chuckled as he said, ”I can’t answer that right now, but you can try it out.”