Surviving The Fourth Calamity

The tiny folded paper resembling a fly quickly transformed into a real bug through Russell’s spell.

However, although he had already learned the level 1 Illusion Element spell Silent Shadow, Russell knew clearly that this trick couldn’t fool anyone’s eyes.

He wasn’t under the illusion that his much-praised talents were genuinely strong... nor did he feel proud because of advancing to an official mage faster than the most talented people Russell knew. He was truly grateful for Gilbert’s always transparent gaze.

That gaze of ”Ah? Is it like this?” and ”Hmm... how should I comfort this student who is not very fast at learning” made Russell constantly doubt if those books praising the ”genius unmatched in the world” from the Great Magic Tower were just dreams conjured up.

Fortunately, he was resolute, and after months of study, he finally confirmed that it wasn’t an illusion... but rather, his teacher truly misunderstood this world.

Plus, with those Magic Books resembling the library in his Mental Sea, even though ”Gilbert” tried hard not to let his academic philosophy overpower the traditional school of this world, he couldn’t resist correcting things he saw as obviously wrong.

Instead of calling them errors, it was more like certain archmages left behind something... In the Magic Tower, these were reserved for mages with inheritance to correct.

The real Gilbert probably never planned on taking students; although he collected many books and resources needed by apprentices due to the Tower of Dark Enigma’s decision, it was quite complex.

Russell, of course, didn’t know all the loopholes, but in families like theirs, which once had official mages, they were usually secretly told some things.

Russell’s suspicion initially rose after months of self-study, realizing those books were too perfectly revised... way more perfect than agreed norms.

Among them were a few common sense items, learned by the Hainarson Clan from the Defense Tower... Russell heard those were the best solutions refined by archmages over thousands of years from the Defense Tower.

Yet, in Gilbert’s books, the best solutions weren’t even deemed worth criticizing, entirely discarded as unnecessary trash.

Russell couldn’t feel this wasn’t right.

Originally, he always felt an oddly familiar vibe from Gilbert... clearly unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar.

Russell initially comforted himself that perhaps it was because Gilbert, uh no, Ulrich, sometimes spoke with a mischievous tone, much like his uncle, giving him that sense of familiarity.

But as time went on, he could no longer deny: mages in this world would never teach students like ”Gilbert” does.

The feeling of ”You should know, how could you not understand, why would you think you can’t comprehend this little thing” was too assertive, only making Russell reflect on how much he was ruined initially in the library of his Mental Sea.

Back then, Russell truly believed his talents were terribly poor, far lagging behind the official apprentices in the Tower of Dark Enigma.

Luckily, he had eyes and ears, and opposite him were a group of apprentices and mages striving each day because they admired Carpenter.

Especially when official mages bragged about learning a certain level 1 spell in a week, and those around them, even if envious and resentful, unintentionally showed a hint of admiration.

Russell clearly knew it was because he had a teacher who analyzed spells thoroughly and accurately, but he also discerned that those people were taught new spells hand-in-hand by their teachers.

Though that was merely imitation, the teaching methods in this world inherently follow a learn-first, then think approach.

Fortunately, his current teacher was Gilbert, no matter what he did, outsiders found it quite normal.

Russell didn’t want to ask where the real Gilbert went... from how his teacher could modify the Magic Tower so comprehensively, it was clear those two must have reached an agreement.

An official mage, when faced with a force powerful enough to absolutely suppress them, can always self-destruct as long as their soul isn’t manipulated by the opponent.

Moreover, based on Russell’s understanding of his teacher, he wasn’t the type to harm innocent souls.

With this in mind, he couldn’t help but lean against the window and fall into contemplation: at that time, was the real Gilbert truly exhausted and merely enduring agony for his family’s sake, desperately holding on?

That must be why he couldn’t wait to give up everything after receiving certain promises.

Ulrich’s dissatisfaction with the family was entirely logical.

Russell sighed: from Archmage Ruth’s other students, Gilbert’s image vividly emerged!

Even in such adverse circumstances for himself, Gilbert displayed considerable courage, making it impossible to discern his truth or deceit.

Even though everyone knew he was in poor health and might even die... yet he still put forth an image of hope as long as he stayed alive.

Russell truly admired Gilbert.

But he pondered for long, feeling he couldn’t emulate it.

He cherished those around him and felt connected to his family, but he wouldn’t sacrifice himself for them.

If everything he cared about were truly destroyed, Russell knew he’d only choose endless revenge, not accompany them to devastation.

He quietly waved his finger, and the agile little bug flew towards the secret passage he’d opened, slowly navigating through the winding tunnel.

Eventually, it landed at the library passage closest to the Apprentice Tower’s exit.

The rest depended on Felis’s fate: if he happened to pass by that path before danger arrived, the bug, already recording his aura, would naturally land on him... with Carpenter, Felis’s cousin, easy to obtain his aura.

Another reason Carpenter refused to believe her cousin had truly betrayed the family, and why Russell was still willing to give Felis a hand... that kid had exchanged spell imprints with Carpenter before she entered the Tower of Dark Enigma.

At least at that time, Felis was still hopeful for his future, not feeling he’d lost the chance to face Carpenter: even if his talents were slightly inferior, he could still progress, albeit more slowly.

Sadly, even though Felis hadn’t placed much hope in his biological father, he didn’t anticipate him pushing him directly into the abyss.

Russell shook his head, walked gently to Carpenter’s door, and lightly knocked: ”My sister, I’ve done my utmost for your unfortunate cousin.

So, you don’t need to ponder on how to help him anymore... please don’t cause me trouble, understand?”

Even though Carpenter’s room was silent, Russell knew the girl truly understood.

Fortunately, his sister had strong opinions but wouldn’t act impulsively.

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

Felis was once again approached by his foolish father.

This time, the father suggested he go out for a walk, ideally visit the Apprentice Tower and the library, to let people from the Tower of Dark Enigma see him more often instead of staying holed up in his room.

Hearing this order and realizing Rolando found this idea very normal and entirely his own intention... Felis truly felt too drained even for a sneer.

If before, he felt disgusted, irritated but somewhat afraid of Rolando, after realizing this guy couldn’t even see those around him clearly, all that remained was... speechlessness.

Really, only speechlessness!

Even mages level 8 and above are considered Intermediate, and in the Tower of Dark Enigma, they can even be regarded as core strength.

Having come this far, such individuals can’t possibly be fools.

Yet, Rolando truly lived his life as a laughing stock.

Felis wasn’t entirely without understanding; he could slightly explain Rolando’s neglect of his family’s issues: after all, although Nana was scheming, her main target wasn’t Rolando.

Speaking of which, her attitude was quite clear, treating Rolando as a convenient tool, and Rolando knew it, even enjoying it, seemingly satisfied with the beauty in his embrace not affecting his outside fun days.

Otherwise, Felis wouldn’t be in this world.

Both lived very self-centered lives, believing they understood each other well... of course, being deceived by a woman is fairly normal.

Especially men who think they’re exceptionally smart, able to toy with women at their whim... without power, Rolando couldn’t even outsmart Felis’s biological mother.

When facing someone who could rival him like Nanali... hehe~

But he utterly failed to understand his child, couldn’t see whom his students truly listened to... seriously, hadn’t Rolando taken the medicine yet?

Why did he seem more erratic than someone who took the wrong medicine?