Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Russell, of course, also noticed Felis frequently appearing near the secret paths.

Although he had a hard time figuring out what that guy was up to, based on Russell’s understanding of Felis’s character, it wouldn’t make sense for him to regularly appear at the last place of escape.

Especially when Nana Li and Aislin exchanged information, Russell heard every word clearly, allowing him to understand that even if Felis can calm his own emotions, paranoia and irritability are unavoidable.

Russell puffed out his cheeks, although somewhat reluctantly, since he was already caught up with Felis, he decided to go and ask what that kid really intended.

On the fifth day of sunbathing, Felis received a second Flying Insect Message at his second home... on the bench.

Although he should immediately go to the Mental Sea to read the message, Felis couldn’t help but clench his teeth and frown: this time the insect was not only more lifelike, but it didn’t disappear directly after he read the message... it was obvious that the sender intended to collect his reply.

Even though he knew Russell’s extraordinary talents long ago, the reality of such tremendous progress in just five days still left Felis feeling bitter.

He forced himself to suppress that bit of bitterness and suddenly understood why the Magic Tower separated ordinary apprentices from such Talented Individuals... when you work tirelessly for a year only to fall short of someone else’s five-day achievement, it truly shakes your confidence.

Even if you repeatedly convince yourself that hard work will yield results, facing that talent gap which can’t be bridged no matter how hard you try, it takes only a slightly weaker will to drive you insane.

At that moment, Felis could somewhat understand West’s complete surrender and Rolando’s desire to rely solely on external forces!

They were people learning and growing alongside those Talented Individuals.

Especially Rolando, with his kind of mentality, the mere reality of not even seeing others’ backs is enough to make him bury his head between his legs, unable to muster the courage to lift it!

Wait a minute!

Felis suddenly slapped himself on the face... his thoughts seemed to have wandered back into contempt for others.

He took a deep breath.

Although he tried his best to avoid his chaotic thoughts and tried to clear his mind, refraining from judging others’ actions, whenever he linked to someone slightly, the first consciousness that appeared in his mind wasn’t mockery and disdain but envy and jealousy.

Felis lay on the bench, his right hand covering his forehead. Although his face was expressionless, his heart was filled with melancholy: he indeed wasn’t a good person, but he was definitely not the kind of waster who resents everything and wants to kick everyone.

Really... who the hell invented such potions, how can they easily evoke the worst aspects of human emotions?

To understand human’s inherent badness so thoroughly that even potions for apprentices can contain such terrible effects?

It’s not that Felis looks down on his apprentice status, but everyone surviving in this world profoundly understands how precious resources are.

Even when it comes to killing, whether to use your cherished weapon or just throw a rock is a dilemma... many who managed to counterattack during sneak assaults did so because the aggressor was unwilling to use his blade.

Therefore, Felis believed, whoever invented this potion, at least, the materials used must not be too rare.

Unless those materials are of a hierarchical nature... yet in this world, the only creatures with a low-to-high formation resembling this might be the Mage.

Felis shook his head in confusion or perhaps he was just ignorant.

Maybe Archmages have access to more secrets.

He slowly closed his eyes... after so many psychological constructs, Felis felt he was calm enough not to expose his incompetence and defects in front of Russell.

Although letting the other party know his predicament might be better, somehow... for now, Felis still had some pride.

Being Carpenter’s brother, Felis even felt his blood connection with Carpenter was deeper than with Russell...talent can’t compare, he could only resign to fate.

That was a fate decided when they were born.

But to actively show weakness in front of Russell, Felis found himself unable to do that... even if the other party was aware of his dangerous situation, at this moment where he could still struggle, Felis truly wanted to rely on himself a bit longer.

Russell indeed came just to ask if there was anything he needed to address.

Felis casually explained his most concerned issues... and then was a bit relieved to find that even for such a Flying Insect Message allowing exchange between both sides, Russell couldn’t make it too fine, as the Magical Energy in the message was only enough for Felis to say two sentences.

Fortunately, he addressed the most crucial issue right at the start.

Feeling the Flying Insect Message flying away from his palm, into the secret paths along bunches of Black Taro, Felis adjusted his position on the bench: not sure when Rolando would instruct him not to continue appearing in public.

If his recent emotional fluctuation was 1, Felis had essentially exhibited 300 times the intensity.

After observing, if the mastermind didn’t want this issue, particularly the aftermath of this potion, to attract too much attention, they definitely wouldn’t allow Felis to parade around like this anymore.

As for the information provided by Nana Li, the first person to take the potion was already showing signs of trying to harm others, Felis instead felt he didn’t have to act on that.

After all, from his feelings, this potion only made him consider the worst in every case... wanting to screw over others, especially those with conflicting interests is very normal but it doesn’t drive him to a frenzy where even under unfavorable circumstances he’d act so obviously.

The reason that apprentice exhibited such behavior should be due to his clear understanding of his predicament, finding it hard to do anything... therefore, those taking the potion, when faced with a desperate situation, should adopt a mentality of ’if I can’t be well, neither should others.’

Even in death, dragging a few down with you.

This is great.

Felis quite liked it.

If he couldn’t survive, he’d definitely drag some down with him... whether it’s Rolando or Nana Li’s sons?

’Smack’! Felis slapped himself again.

Damn it, this potion, how is it so terrifying?

Not mentioning those people, especially whether Nana Li’s son has that deep hatred against him, Felis knew he wasn’t a good person either, blaming others and dragging them down is very normal, but can he really bring down those people?

If he wanted to go down with someone, the first thought should be someone he could really kill!

Why go directly for the most troublesome ones?

He didn’t even possess a poison able to kill a Mage!

Discovering his thoughts once again straying in a bizarre direction, Felis froze momentarily... so, could it be at some stage, someone might offer him poison?

If Carpenter wished to contact him?

This indeed... Felis burst into laughter... so, it makes sense why Russell is guarded toward him, right?

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

Russell looked at the message returning to his hand, slightly puzzled.

”Brother Russell?” Carpenter, already informed of the matter, asked worriedly, ”Did something happen over on Felis’s end?”

”He quite dislikes Nana Li, as well as those two brothers.” Russell answered simply.

”Ah... cooperation was forced by threats, correct?” Carpenter understood instantly.

”Yes, he advised us not to consider Nana Li as an ally, and to be wary of trusting the person collaborating with her.” Russell shook his head, ”Even if he didn’t say, we would do that...”

”So, Felis is pretty good, right?” Carpenter couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose, smiling contentedly.

”No, that’s not the point.” Russell said softly, ”I feel his mood is overly agitated and somewhat... destructive.”

Carpenter stood up abruptly, ”Hasn’t he always failed to merge with that potion? How could it still?”

”It seems this potion, as long as it enters the Mental Sea, releases that kind of energy.” Russell frowned, ”It’s merely a matter of speed.

But this is just too fast.”

”Could it be Felis’s spiritual power isn’t strong enough?” Carpenter asked nervously, ”But... he can’t train...”

”Before retreating for closed-door meditation, our teacher mentioned...” Russell suddenly tilted his head, ”If the mental power training method of the Tower of Dark Enigma is modified with Standard Runes, it could greatly benefit Soul Power.”

”Hmm?” Carpenter looked at him with surprise.

”So, Felis now must choose whether to bide his time, wait for this battle to conclude, then see if our teacher provides a life-saving method when exiting meditation, or... fight for time against the merging speed of the potion and Mental Sea, train mental power from the Tower of Dark Enigma... ah, and first personally modify a Standard Runes version... see if he can complete Soul defense before it gets eroded.”

Russell thought for a moment and decided to send Felis another Flying Insect Message: ”I estimate he’ll soon be confined in the Meditation Chamber, better say it first.”