Surviving The Fourth Calamity

For someone who understands what signs a world exhibits when it reaches the end, Asmodeus is surely aware.

In a world ravaged by devils, even if it could continue, it would no longer be a true world, so even when the World Will is on the brink of annihilation, there will be one last furious resistance.

Many worlds might even choose a mutual destruction approach.

But what if the world’s final resort is to align with Hell?

No wonder this world, even falling into such a state, has devils trying to hide their existence as much as possible.

It seems Asmodeus truly values this world... Thinking about this, Hill couldn’t help but scoff inwardly: It’s just an ordinary new world, otherwise, it wouldn’t be without any resistance.

Therefore, Asmodeus’s cautious behavior only proves that the world he’s eyeing certainly isn’t this little world.

And as for the desert within the multiverse... you might even call it near the fringe galaxy, the only world worthy of such attention from the Lord of Hell is Teraxil.

Though Hill anticipated this long ago, each evidence that supports it still sours his mood.

After hearing Gilbert’s words, the silent Aislin suddenly spoke: ”Gilbert, have you been lying to me?”

Hilbert calmly glanced at her: ”I want to save Carpenter, there’s no need to lie.

Or do you think you can bypass me to deal with my apprentice?

Aislin, don’t forget, you’re only responsible for some trivial matters in the Magic Tower... Small matters are inconsequential, but major ones, especially... huh, don’t assume you can make decisions for him.”

Aislin retorted unhappily: ”How can you be so annoying?

I just came to test that apprentice’s importance to you, and you’re making it an issue of vying for power with the teacher?”

Gilbert, could you not be so vile to your own people?”

Hilbert coldly turned his head away: ”Must I endure everyone’s probing?

Did you speak for me?

When you set your sights on my Side Tower, you should have known I wouldn’t be courteous.”

Aislin furrowed her brows: ”Though the teacher protects his own, he’s never been so...”

”Aislin, Gilbert’s apprentices, Gilbert’s family, why should they be treated according to others’ thoughts and actions?” Hilbert asked seriously as he stared at her, ”Or, does belonging to Aislin mean living according to others’ expectations?”

How did you even become an Eighth Ring Mage?”

”Ha~” Aislin suddenly laughed coldly, ”You don’t actually believe that kind of talk, do you?

Only by walking one’s own path as a mage can you see mountains and seas... such nonsense... haha~

Following the road paved by others, especially those you trust, might not be as exciting, but it’s stable enough.”

Hilbert couldn’t help but sit up: ”Do you know what you’re talking about?”

Mages can indeed walk a path forged by others... but that’s akin to handing your life over to the other party.

The spells invented by others, the laws researched by others, even spiritual power similar to others, if that ’other’ suddenly changes their mind, there’s practically no way to survive.

As for whether the Ninth Ring can be reached above the law, Hill wasn’t interested in asking.

Even Ruth can’t be considered a pure Ninth Ring Mage.

The top combat strength in this world can only be considered Eighth Ring, and many people spend their lives relying on just a few Eighth Ring spells... As long as they can summon meteorites, they are invincible bigshots.

But with Aislin’s talent, she definitely has the potential to advance to Ninth Ring in other worlds.

She can carve out her own path in life.

Yet she... isn’t that just handing herself completely over to Ruth?

No wonder Aislin holds a unique position within the sect, and the skeptical Ruth actually trusts her so much.

Aislin suddenly laughed: ”Ah... Gilbert, you indeed don’t understand my ways!

Also, although you’ve suffered a lot, you made choices fully aware of the consequences.

A person who can make decisions independently and never errs... truly enviable.”

Hilbert resisted the urge to roll his eyes... This woman actually gave up on herself because of those past events?

It’s hard for Hill to understand folks who completely rely on others’ decisions.

He couldn’t help but glance at Aislin’s mature attire, and her slightly deep-V collar: There’s something that feels off.

Hill didn’t believe his intuition was wrong, from the first glance he had of Aislin, he felt this woman was very assertive.

An assertive person wouldn’t let others control their future.

Even after countless setbacks.

Indeed, some people give up on themselves due to personality flaws, but... Aislin isn’t displaying behavior consistent with that.

Perhaps Hilbert’s eyes revealed too much; Aislin rolled her eyes: ”Ah, haven’t I made myself clear?”

Whew... Hilbert let out a conspicuous sigh of relief: ”I almost thought my health was so poor that my eyes had gone blind!”

Aislin reached out and pointed at him: ”Why do you think the teacher trusts me?”

Hill finally felt the slow, weak response of Natural Consciousness: Some things require personal reflection to achieve the best judgment.

Ninety-nine out of a hundred things this woman says are true, but often intermix some creativity, forcing careful discernment.

Luckily, Hill seldom mistakes people’s demeanor.

”Carpenter is quite adept at Illusion Techniques, right?” Aislin asked again.

”Yes.” Hilbert thought for a moment and added, ”Only Illusions, General Magic is like any ordinary mage, the rest... hmm, maybe comparable to those Side Tower apprentices?”

Aislin’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch: ”Clarify, if those apprentices learn those Standard Runes, would Carpenter still be the same?”

”It would be a bit different.” Hilbert transparently replied, ”But is there a problem? As long as she can protect herself, right?”

”Is Russell close with her?”

”Better than your relationship with Norm Oliva.” Hilbert thought and compared it with another Eighth Ring apprentice highly regarded by Archmage Ruth.

If Aislin is mature and sophisticated, Norm Oliva is the straightforward macho type.

Their relationship isn’t bad... but anyone with siblings understands it can be exhausting having such a brother or sister.

People with the same personality tend to either fall in love or clash.

Usually, due to familial ties, direct conflict is avoided, resulting in love-hate relationships.

With these two senior juniors looming overhead, Archmage Ruth’s apprentices rarely seek their help readily.

Just like a while ago, when a senior came to seek Gilbert’s help... even though Aislin would undoubtedly lend a helping hand, he’d rather pay a price to ask Gilbert.

The attitude towards those two has to be balanced.

If Aislin proactively sought Gilbert out, it wouldn’t be an issue.

But if Gilbert reached out first to Aislin... Norm Oliva might wonder what problem his junior sister couldn’t handle, preferring to knock on that useless woman’s door.

Naturally, the reverse holds true.

The two never see any issue with their actions... they’re simply teasing their junior mages! Neither takes it seriously!

But their juniors feel the pressure is too great. Who’d want to endure jokes from two Eighth Ring Mages!

Hill was momentarily perplexed, but after Aislin left, he’d realize: a woman playing games of who do you prefer with a hard-liner like Norm Oliva wouldn’t entrust her life to someone else.

Then, a little puzzled, he gazed out of his window... Aislin suddenly said such words, to whom was she planning to convey this?