Surviving The Fourth Calamity

It seems that, feeling the family’s love and the silent yet firm support from behind him, Felis steadily got through the first three days.

Perhaps because the other apprentice was genuinely pouring their heart into merging the potion, Felis, who initially thought there would be no progress, surprisingly received the news: feeling emotionally unstable, always having a chilly sensation at his back, with an impulse to avoid people.

Felis couldn’t help but blink upon receiving the message: during that period, his mood wasn’t great because Rolando insisted he visit Carpenter aimlessly.

He always felt conspicuous no matter where he went... Felis actually disliked everyone knowing he was Rolando’s illegitimate son. Even though such things were common in the Magic Tower, he still felt insecure about it.

Thus, unless assigned a specific task, Felis would stay secluded in his room and not go out.

Additionally, living next to Rolando’s legitimate son, although they hadn’t faced off directly, it was apparent there was discord... No one found his gloomy demeanor strange.

Felis irritably ruffled his hair: he was a bit puzzled his behavior during this time was due to his inherent nature or if the potion was affecting him, yet he hadn’t realized it.

He stood up and sat down again, pacing around the room for a while before suddenly collapsing onto the cold stone floor, closing his eyes to observe his Mental Sea.

Of course, Felis wouldn’t choose to connect his spiritual power to external Magic Power at this time. He merely remembered what Ulrich said when he chose to leave with Rolando: Standard Runes have their limitations; they can only correct the less perfect parts of his meditation technique but absolutely won’t make it excellent from average.

If he could learn the general meditation method given to ordinary apprentices in the Tower of Dark Enigma, it would be best for him.

But, the meditation method in the Tower of Dark Enigma hadn’t been modified by the Archmages yet, and if Rolando didn’t have the skill to methodically correct the Runes, then don’t switch.

The more Felis pondered, the stranger it seemed. Ulrich was never one to waste words.

Initially, Nanali and her two sons utilized him quite condescendingly... because they knew Felis had no other retreat; to survive, he could only rely on them.

However, it was evident that after Carpenter found out Felis got involved in this matter, those people swiftly changed their attitude... Although Carpenter unexpectedly had some status, it also proved one thing: in Carpenter’s heart, Felis was still family.

Felis had always been sensitive, and from Carpenter’s behavior, he confirmed one thing: no one from the Hainarson Clan went to Gilbert to mention his affairs; otherwise, Carpenter’s reaction wouldn’t have taken that long.

This also meant the Hainarson Clan didn’t really plan to abandon him directly, unless he did something he shouldn’t have.

There must be a deeper meaning in Ulrich’s words, but Felis didn’t understand at first.

He observed his Mental Sea a little longer, then abruptly sat up, retrieving the Tower of Dark Enigma’s meditation technique he got from West after entering the Magic Tower, and started reading through it one by one.

Since there was no other way, and he was already entangled in this puzzle, Felis allowed a faintly bitter smile to creep across his lips... then he could only give his all and pull himself up.

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

As time ticked by, when Felis received the fourth message that nearly drove him to despair, he yet again sensed a ray of hope.

Faced with Nanali’s rare honesty, Felis didn’t know whether to be glad: the damn message directly told him the apprentice’s spiritual power was slowly being assimilated by a strange grey energy.

Although that energy wasn’t self-aware, it seemed to subtly alter the apprentice’s mindset, gradually making him gloomy and inclined toward twisted thoughts.

While so far the apprentice was still within control, it’s very likely that, after one or two more instances, it would be impossible to continue getting his genuine thoughts, possibly leaving external observation as the only means to maintain consistency between Felis and the counterpart for some time.

Therefore, Felis must be extra cautious; if someone probes, he should try not to have any slip-ups: after all, overly suspicious individuals will surely set off many alarms internally, so just be mindful of not conversing with the counterpart too much.

Especially concerning Rolando; although he knows nothing, he is the easiest to be exploited... Pay great attention to the people around Rolando.

However, the other side assured Felis not to worry too much; they’ve selected a few more individuals to join and will later identify some commonalities and differences, allowing Felis to choose what image to adopt himself.

Though it was unclear who Nanali’s ally was, Felis sensed their terrifying nature: what kind of means could make someone, upon recognizing they are losing themselves, still insist on speaking earnestly without hiding anything?

Even when realizing they might lose sanity afterward, they nonetheless didn’t plan to give up on continuing to merge the Mental Seas!

Most crucially, after discovering the severity, they quickly found apprentices to test this on and weren’t worried at all about these apprentices rebelling!

Or they didn’t even consider they had the ability to rebel... Obviously, those experiments occur in a completely confined space, and even with the restless soul transitions, those apprentices had no chance to escape.

Even if it were an ally, merely thinking about this sent a chill through Felis: if there wasn’t some support behind him, then... what about him?

Could he escape?

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

Carpenter sat on the low sofa beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing melancholically at the sky.

”What are you doing, Carpenter?” Russell, with his slightly long hair tied up in a thin string, swayed over while holding several thick tomes.

For a moment, Carpenter was unsure how to express herself: seeing her brother’s chaotic tuft of hair sticking up ridiculously made one want to laugh heartily, but the magic books which were about to hit Russell’s chin made her feel a bit cowardly.

After all, if Russell wished to read by himself, he wouldn’t bring out this many... These must be meant for Carpenter.

”Why so many?” At last, the young girl decided to ask the question most concerning her.

”Do you think you should be asking that question?” Russell stacked the heavy books in front of her, ”These, I think, you should have already finished reading.

So, dear sister, when I found these still in their places in the library, do you know how surprised I was?

Didn’t you say you would become a mage within a year?

This... is what you think?”

As he spoke the first sentence, Carpenter, who had been smiling, quickly stood up.

After he finished speaking, the young girl promptly and honestly bowed her head to apologize: ”I’m sorry, Brother.

I have been a bit distracted lately. It won’t happen again.”

”I don’t understand, what about Felis’s affairs is worth making you this flustered?” Russell pressed on his nose bridge, asking helplessly, ”His unfortunate fate isn’t Hainarson’s fault.”

”It was because of an irresponsible mother and an even less moral father.” Carpenter gently closed her eyes, ”But Brother Russell, Carpenter is still a young girl full of beautiful fantasies!”

Russell was a bit puzzled but was never one to delve into such girlish thoughts with his sister... The apprentice dormitory they once stayed in wasn’t occupied by Carpenter alone; there were others older and younger than her.

So, he skillfully bypassed this topic: ”Finish these books, three days.”

Carpenter’s eyes widened abruptly: ”What? Three days!

Brother Russell!

”That’s the debt you owe yourself, Carpenter.” Russell said seriously, ”If you hadn’t wasted so much time daydreaming, you wouldn’t shout at me like this now.

So, remember in the future, when your mind is filled with too many useless things, either go study or meditate.

Humans~ no matter what dull whims make them sensitive and sentimental, it’s really just idleness.

I don’t wish to see you so idle again, understand? My sister.”

Carpenter’s face turned to a mask of indifference, picking up the books and storming past her emotionless brother... The hefty books made her stumble slightly, but fortunately, Russell caught her in time... Without looking back, she rushed to her room.

Russell watched her retreating silhouette, a bit bewildered; he sensed Carpenter wasn’t truly angry, yet why did she act like an unhappy little explosive?

Then he quickly gave up trying to fathom Carpenter’s inexplicable little emotions... He had a reason for sending Carpenter away from the lounge at this time.

Russell walked into the secret chamber, still unsure why Gilbert set up the warning lights this way... Red for danger, yellow for contact, green for daily... He glanced at the surveillance array, which was flashing a yellow warning light.