Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Even after completing all the tasks according to ”Gilbert’s” requirements, Russell and Carpenter still didn’t understand why time had suddenly become so rushed.

So much so that they couldn’t even go home once.

Even with many involuntary choices, many precautions, Russell and Carpenter’s family was already perfect in this world... Parents who could still spare some energy and affection for their children while satisfying their own interests could only exist in clans like the Hainarson.

Russell and Carpenter didn’t plan to reunite with their families immediately after becoming official mages, but, who would have thought the Tower of Dark Enigma was in such chaos at that time!

Even Gilbert was in hiding, making it even more impossible for them to take the initiative to contact their clan.

The world is so cruel; when you can’t determine the outcome of a situation in an instant, too much concern only brings about greater harm.

Humans have always known best how to harm their own kind.

Felis was their cautionary tale... They didn’t want to end up like Felis’s mother, who had to abandon her son for her own protection without even making the slightest effort.

Even though they wouldn’t necessarily be powerless if it came to a fight... Especially with Gilbert backing them, his standing in the Tower of Dark Enigma wasn’t solely thanks to Ruth’s protection.

But there’s no need.

Carpenter and Russell weren’t the type to get carried away by a bit of power; even though it was unpleasant, being able to recognize reality was also a virtue.

Even if they eventually achieved victory, the things they would lose in between, even the lives of people they cared about, would those not be sacrifices?

Though they were young and spirited, and had moments of impulsive desire, Felis’s shared childhood experience made them make a clear decision.

Then came the shock from Russell’s unfortunate uncles... Truly, even Carpenter couldn’t understand what kind of self-inflation led those people to make such foolish decisions without Russell even showing his face.

Although Ulrich did spare those people’s lives for Russell’s sake, what about Russell’s dignity?

And being spared the first time didn’t ensure it would be the same the next.

However, those who were spared the first time always wanted to test if there could be a second chance.

Even Carpenter could foresee this, how could Russell not?

So, even though Gilbert had officially stepped in and even selected a satisfactory family residence with Ulrich, Russell still hadn’t gone back to take a look.

Carpenter was even less daring to return... She didn’t want to lie to her family, but she also didn’t want to answer the inevitable questions related to Felis.

It’s not that she had never lied before, but if every word out of her mouth had to be a lie, then why say anything at all?

Carpenter did feel her behavior was a bit weak; if it were Russell, his family wouldn’t dare to question anything he chose not to address... Though they might do mischief behind the scenes, they were always honest in person.

Yet Carpenter clearly understood she and Russell were different.

Even as a mage, the deep-seated impression of years of feigned politeness was hard to change.

Even her somewhat informed parents probably couldn’t quickly alter their perception of her.

Can’t be helped, Russell’s talents had always been exceptional, everyone knew his worst-case scenario was still to become the strongest mage apprentice like Ulrich.

The type of person who could utilize other means to temporarily possess the same destructive power as a junior mage.

So the Hainarson family viewed Russell as a future clan elder.

While Carpenter had to exhaust her efforts to avoid being easily married off... Even if she had to marry, at least it had to be to a normal person.

Her acting skills were indeed excellent, making most people think marrying her off could cause problems... But conversely, it also made many think that even as a mage now, she remained the easily manipulated Carpenter.

As long as they flattered her with sweet words and compliments, she would naturally spill the things she shouldn’t.

Just thinking about the flood of various suitors made Carpenter realize she could still wait.

They each had their reasons, but it was surprising they couldn’t go back after all.

Indeed, Russell and Carpenter both understood that now, it was even more impossible to return to the clan.

In their absence, Ulrich could arrange the future mansion’s residence layout according to his rules.

But if they returned... Russell’s errant uncles and Carpenter’s complex family relations would inevitably swarm over them.

But Carpenter and Russell were both clear, Ulrich consulted Gilbert and received approval for this... The magic array diagrams for the mansion were already prepared by their teacher.

Discussing the array issue would only make things more troublesome.

In other matters... In many people’s eyes, being students of Gilbert meant their status in Gilbert’s eyes surely surpassed that of Ulrich, his nephew, who was a lifelong junior mage.

If time allowed, these issues were also ones they could settle... However, the time given by Sia Tower was limited.

The outskirts mages were afraid the Tower of Dark Enigma would abandon them and leave, and there were already disturbances occurring.

Additionally, rumors surfaced suggesting that the potions purchased from Sia Tower were too effective, producing a large number of pseudo-high-level mages in a short time, and Sia Tower wasn’t willing to accept these inadequately skilled mages, leading them to suddenly advance their summons to the Tower of Dark Enigma.

Upon the first rumors, the three tower masters of the Tower of Dark Enigma immediately stood to deny it, openly explaining that the Soul Elixir would drastically change a person’s character... And that’s not something explained by becoming ruthless and unfeeling; it’s about denying one’s past self entirely... All being mages, educated from their youth, they couldn’t ignore such dangers.

Even aside from matters of the soul, the philosophical issue of no longer being oneself deeply resonates with mages.

Yet Sia Tower’s ambiguous attitude left the Tower of Dark Enigma unable to make future-related promises to these outskirts mages... If Sia Tower refused mid-level and above mages entry to the Inner Ring or access to exclusive spells, the three tower masters at the Tower of Dark Enigma had no solutions.

Thus, no matter what decision the outskirts mages made, the tower masters could only observe.

The little leeway the Tower of Dark Enigma had managed to secure due to Felis crumbled instantly in such circumstances.

Especially among members of the Nicholson and Kamente Tower factions, many started preparing for potential future events.

If Sia Tower required certain levels and abilities, they would not shy away from taking a risk.

Although compared to the outskirts mages, they understood the risks better... People are inherently selfish.

What if they were just a tiny bit away?

Not everyone had fallen prey to the Soul Elixir’s harm... Maybe just a small dose would be fine?

Who among mid-level magicians wouldn’t be confident in their soul’s strength?

Hilbert looked somewhat bewildered at the chaos outside: ”Felis only secured time for himself.

Not for the Tower of Dark Enigma.”

”Teacher?”

”The Tower of Dark Enigma has been far too infiltrated.” Hilbert shook his head, ”What little we discovered ahead of time is insignificant in the face of shrinking time!”

”Then what should we do?”

”Mages have always looked after themselves. Knowing this matter ahead of time is already sufficient for those truly clear-headed.” Hilbert tapped on the crystal window before him, ”As for those who don’t understand... they will inevitably succumb to their illusions.

We only need to handle our own matters.

Have you packed your things?”

”Yes, teacher, everything is packed.”

After hesitating for a few minutes, Carpenter finally asked, ”Teacher, may I leave the standard rune magic book copies from the Great Library on the shelves?”

She intended for Felis to read them?

That didn’t matter, those were corrected to standard runes by her, unrelated to Hilbert.

Hilbert nonchalantly said, ”Since you organized it yourself, do as you please.”

Carpenter nodded: ”I will make sure to check thoroughly, thank you, teacher.”

Of course, Carpenter knew Gilbert wouldn’t bother with such trivial matters, nor would he care if she intentionally left some borderline magic books... But she could not defy the rules.

During this period, she had thought a lot.

The style she once relied on, dancing on the edge, was a taboo in the Magic Tower.

From now on, she had to strictly regulate herself, bind herself, to walk smoothly in the future... and not attempt to bypass challenges by relying on tricks.