Surviving The Fourth Calamity

No matter how many twists and turns Carpenter has in her mind, she knows what is most important to her.

Compared to the past, she has already embarked on a much better path, and her character is still firm. She will not waver because of those mistakes.

So, just like her promise to Russell... half a month later, Carpenter quietly became an official Mage.

And indeed, she fully integrated the composite spell formed by combining Dance of Light Spell, Sound Illusion Technique, and Dismaying Gaze into her Mental Sea as the foundation for her advancement.

Mages also have special tricks to circumvent limitations like lengthy spells before mastering fast casting... Long spells are meant to resonate with the Law, allowing mages to control it.

And for casting spells to succeed, one must naturally control it with spiritual power.

Everything must go through the Mental Sea.

Thus, once one becomes a mage, they can gather certain special rune sets in their Mental Sea to achieve fast casting, or even instant casting... And this gathering can only be accomplished upon making a significant leap.

Some people naturally have a talent for fast casting, so they can quickly enable their Mental Sea to have the ability to gather specific runes... Even for such people, the first step is still to gather a basic magic rune set for themselves.

Most people choose this method to lay their foundation when advancing to become an official Mage.

Many mages lack a special talent in later stages precisely due to this initial choice... Many mages without guidance will choose Hand of the Mage as their Mental Sea’s foundational runes.

That’s still considered quite standard.

After all, as the Mental Sea grows stronger, the tasks that Hand of the Mage can perform will also increase.

Many times, mages can merely move their fingers to summon Strange Objects from afar, all by using this spell.

However, this has a major drawback: the foundational runes to form Hand of the Mage are too few.

To compensate for this gap and enable the runes in the Mental Sea to form a basis for fast casting is really challenging.

And in the world of mages, falling behind one step naturally leads to being behind step by step.

Only at the top level can one begin to gradually close this gap... thanks to time.

Yet how many people can rely on slower speed than others to reach such a high position?

So, regardless of which world it is, mages are mostly from Magic Tower, whether at the middle and lower levels or the highest levels.

Grassroots origins might have a more illustrious reputation... but the reason why they would shock the world is precisely because of their rarity!

Just like Carpenter.

Although her talent isn’t considered high, her foundation is extremely strong... especially in this world.

Even Ruth’s students probably wouldn’t be as enlightened as Carpenter, having someone guide her in using mixed Level 0 spells to establish her foundational rune set.

This indeed delayed her advancing time as a mage considerably in some sense, but... the solid and meticulous foundation nevertheless presented Carpenter, who originally couldn’t even touch the Sixth Ring, with an opportunity.

Not to mention Felice’s father Rolando, whose talent is actually much stronger than Carpenter’s, yet he relies solely on his abilities and can’t even touch the edge of the Sixth Ring.

Although Hill wasn’t seriously teaching these two children, his abilities speak for themselves. His casual words highlighted the essence of spells. As long as one listens carefully and thinks deeply, even Carpenter can establish an authentic magic cycle, possessing certain mage characteristics earlier than others... like fast casting, casting without materials, and such.

In the mage’s path, having a teacher who can guide you in the right direction is truly important.

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Underground, Felice finally saw the Carpenter he had long anticipated.

However, he was genuinely a bit bewildered.

The Carpenter in his heart, was an ostensibly proud yet intrinsically sensitive young lady... She had a demeanor with refined upbringing yet knew that everything she received would require some future sacrifice in exchange.

That type, from noble families, possessing sufficiently smart minds, aware of their inability to break free from those bindings and not daring to break free, had a particular aura... Unlike some little girls who lived well, pampered by the notion that simply escaping the cage would allow them to live their true selves, truly playing themselves to death.

Because the world is too cruel, everyone is just struggling to survive, and compassion and mercy only appear in the hearts of those with surplus.

A lone unguarded lamb without horns walking into a group of starving refugees would leave not even a shred of bone... in every sense.

Felice wasn’t without exposure to various historical books. At least, in eras when nobles still held a degree of power, the concept of family was rather illusory.

All depended on the Clan Leader’s sense of responsibility, unlike now, where those without a sense of responsibility can’t become Clan Leaders at all.

Personal selfish interests can exist, but can’t be determined as harming the family’s foundation... Back then, the Clan Leaders were always direct lineage authorities, unlike now, where capable and willing individuals can contend.

This kind of power transition may be terrifying for the upper echelon, but under the suppression of an Elders’ Council, it generally wouldn’t lead to drastic unrest impacting vital elements... Yet for ordinary family members, such outcomes are, of course, better.

Thus, truly understanding what one can and cannot do, even in great pain, these girls choose to live on.

Even though books still record how people lived happily ten thousand years ago, seemingly as free as individuals could live.

However, they didn’t have that luck... In fact, although their oppression is unspeakable compared to those who find even living incredibly difficult, they see it as futile lament.

To gain a voice, they must make themselves strong.

However, this kind of strength isn’t something they can achieve just because they want to.

Therefore, even the most cheerful and lively people, once they understand their situation, cannot hide a hint of melancholy.

The richer their emotions, the more obvious this melancholy.

Carpenter is just such a girl.

Even when her smile is radiant, her big eyes reveal helplessness and sorrow.

Yet her heart is kind, even empathetic toward others’ pain... Felice deeply values Carpenter as his sister because, even in days full of company and familial laughter, Carpenter could perceive his sadness and dissonance.

Even without speaking words, the comfort from her eyes was the most genuine affection Felice received over the years.

So, despite Felice liking to slightly tease Carpenter... a clueless young boy on handling emotions, his care for his sister often makes them wonder if they have a faux brother... But he’s genuinely concerned whether Carpenter can withstand great pressure to advance amid such chaos.

She advanced indeed, and seems not weak.

Yet who is this girl standing in silence before him, merely wanting to dig holes?

When had his Carpenter become so... ah... mischievous?

”I thought you came to see me.” Felice couldn’t hold back.

”You’re living, aren’t you?” Carpenter ponderously tapped her finger twice on the large ice chunk, then rummaged through her small bag, pulled out two familiar Potions to Felice, and poured them in, ”The Potion seems to be running low. I’ll add some more.”

”I’m basically healed now.” Felice barely restrained his irate emotions, striving to speak in a calm tone, ”Really, no need for you to dig another hole!”

Yet he couldn’t quite control himself.

Even after experiencing many things, Felice realized that his past teasing wouldn’t make his sister feel he was impressive, but he suddenly couldn’t face Carpenter who had become even more bothersome than his former self.

”Ah....” Carpenter shook the empty Potion bottle, ”After all, it’s useless stuff. Instead of letting it rot in the warehouse, better to put it to good use.

You see, you’re frozen like this; what would the skin look like once you’re out?

Just imagining it shows how unsightly it could be.

Though, not expecting you to be charming or anything... but you can’t look ugly at a glance!

This way, the skin is neat and clear, fair and supple!”

”What exactly are you here for?”

”Telling you about my advancement! What else~”