Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Russell dragged Carpenter to the hall and directly cut off contact from the outside from the control center.

”Is this enough?” Carpenter still felt a bit uneasy.

”Ah... fortunately, it’s been over a month.” Russell calculated the date, ”Their goal has actually been achieved, so they won’t come looking for you for a while.

West might come knocking soon.”

Carpenter tilted his head, then quickly responded, ”Do they want to know if you have control over the side tower?

Isn’t this place only controllable with the spiritual power of an official mage?”

”Yeah.” Russell nodded slightly, ”So, you don’t need to worry about anyone coming here, nor about our family.

This probing might not necessarily be directed at us.”

What... do you mean?

Carpenter couldn’t understand for a moment: ”Is the Hainarson Family worth such an effort?”

”The side tower has been closed for more than a month.” Russell smiled, ”Whatever they do now is too late... At most, it might affect our teacher’s promotion, but what good would that do?

Archmage Ruth’s students are not limited to our teacher.

When such surprise attacks are ineffective, those people won’t try to drag our side tower down.

But the Hainarson Family might still have some other uses.

It’s not just for that standard runes spiritual power training method, which has surely spread across the world.”

Russell couldn’t help but pout: ”As long as one outsider knows about that thing... Hey~ with the nature of those Hainarson Family guys, it’ll probably be sold to the Tower of Necromancy!”

”What else is the Hainarson Family good for?” Carpenter asked in a drifting tone, ”As long as Ulrich is holding firm... those people can’t affect us here no matter what they do, right?”

”Maybe, because of the Defense Tower?” Russell suddenly chuckled, ”Eh, haven’t you also guessed where the standard runes I found came from!”

”I always feel like you didn’t just learn those things.” Carpenter replied casually, ”My brother Russell definitely wouldn’t easily let go of something good he got after much hard work.

Unless you obtained 100 and gave away a mere 1, that’s the only way you’d be so indifferent.

So, I still can’t know?”

Russell replied slowly: ”Haven’t you benefitted anyway? I learnt it and taught it to you, didn’t I?”

Carpenter looked confused: ”What you taught me, isn’t it all from the teacher...?”

”Hmm~ From Master Gilbert? How do I put it... It’s not entirely... I suppose?” Russell hesitated for a moment and then decisively said, ”I’m not even too sure, but I can tell you, I got more, and better things, don’t worry about what’s given away.”

Carpenter nodded calmly: ”That’s fine, since it’s your secret, it doesn’t need to be told to me.”

She sighed long: ”Looking at the current situation, knowing nothing and living in a blissful ignorance is pretty good.”

”Hey~” Russell shook his head, ”Are you still thinking about your cousin?”

”I used to just think he’s always been so attached, the future definitely won’t be good.” Carpenter said honestly, ”But since you mentioned that potion and talked about official mages, I know his fate might be worse.

Honestly, I’ve always felt, Auntie really shouldn’t have chosen someone she completely doesn’t understand as her lover just out of spite, and now, even her son’s been dragged into it.”

Carpenter, always clever, could easily figure out things Russell didn’t want to say: that potion must have big problems.

If her cousin could still become an official mage, the problem would be even greater... something beyond the reach of small-timers like them.

So, despite his curiosity, Russell still cut off the contact without asking, denying the other party a chance to speak.

Russell certainly wasn’t worried that guy would tempt her with a chance to become a mage quickly... Carpenter actually had quite a confidence in her future.

Their teacher isn’t the type to exaggerate too much, his words are painfully truthful.

Carpenter started not speaking out of shyness, later from feeling overawed.

But similarly, Carpenter, who received Gilbert’s recognition of her talents, wouldn’t resort to shady paths to trap herself, taking things slow isn’t a problem, it’s not like anyone’s forcing her to go crazy.

So Carpenter could easily understand, the outside happening has grown to a point where Russell believes pretending ignorance is the best for them.

Russell tapped her head: ”Which book are you reading now?”

Carpenter looked at him in terror: ”Why suddenly mention such a scary question?”

”If they really cause trouble that makes our teacher come out...” Russell smiled, ”Do you think his first reaction after dealing with them will be to check our homework?

Whether satisfied or not... ah... there’ll be even more detailed arrangements, so buckle up~ my sister Carpenter.”

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

West glanced at the high-level apprentice Felis standing beside him... He was also surprised to know such a young high-level apprentice belonged to the Hainarson Family.

Logically, although he’s a bit older, he still fits the preferential rule for family apprentices by the Tower of Dark Enigma: under-thirty high-level apprentices can enter by paying.

Naturally, such apprentices usually enter the town government of Dark Enigma Town, which is essentially the outer ring of the Tower of Dark Enigma, generally taken under some mage’s wing, saving the need for much money.

Only families who don’t care about the expense and need someone officially in the Tower of Dark Enigma would pay for such apprentices.

But as for the Hainarson Family... West didn’t think they’d let their kids enter factions other than Archmage Ruth’s.

They lack the capital, and the resolve.

Walking the tightrope, especially betting on both sides, isn’t something everyone can afford.

Most of the time, both sides band together to deal with opportunists first, lest there’s treachery mid-battle.

So, what’s the deal with this kid?

He forced down the impulse to observe this inexplicably aligned apprentice Felis Hainarsen, wearing a gentle smile: ”Looks like Russell has cut off the communication.

Mage Gilbert likely gave control of the side tower to Russell before going to train, Carpenter won’t be allowed to contact the outside.”

”Russell, huh~” Felis sneered, ”Always so lucky.”

Then he lowered his head to think: ”For Russell to do this, he’s already an official mage, right?”

”Indeed!” West shook his head, ”Although I’ve long heard from Mage Gilbert that Russell’s talents are remarkable, for it to be this quick is truly astonishing!”

”Remarkable?” Felis laughed more coldly, ”Just fortunate. The secret the Hainarson Family hid for so long, he managed to find!”

Then he glanced at West, speaking unkindly: ”Teacher asked me to tell you, if there’s any movement with Gilbert’s side tower, report immediately. This is Archmage Prut’s order, don’t take it lightly!”

West cautiously nodded in response: ”Of course, of course! Certainly! Certainly!”

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

Standing upstairs, watching the high-level apprentice’s distant back, West couldn’t help but furrow his brows in thought: Such types like Felis, he didn’t care about, seen enough of their ilk.

But such people shouldn’t appear in their faction, nor should they be Rolando Short’s students.

People in their faction are always careful, cautious not to easily offend.

True, West is only Level 11, hardly a chance to ascend to the Sixth Ring, but he’s maintained this position for years, none question his connections or skills?

Even Prutt’s students wouldn’t dare speak so brazenly to him!

Yet, recalling Felis’ appearance and digging for Rolando’s unique nose and ear shapes in memory, West could guess a bit: blood ties indeed embolden one to consider the backstage as theirs.

So, what did Prutt give Rolando that emboldened a Sixth Ring to risk such arrogance?