Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Aislin certainly has no idea how conflicted her teacher and senior brother are.

Even though those junior brothers who don’t have a good relationship with her have sensed something amiss, she herself remains completely unaware.

After all, in her opinion, everything happening now comes from her genuine intentions.

Aislin truly feels that those guys tagging along at the end are a bit bothersome: A group of outskirts mages who don’t respect her or her teacher has no right to delay their journey.

She has completely forgotten that the reason these people are following them is originally due to Ruth’s hope.

Do they really want to go to Sia Tower that much?

The enthusiasm to set off doesn’t mean they have to rush on their way... instead, the slower they go, the better.

However, as the apparent First Tower Master of the Tower of Dark Enigma, Ruth has to bear the responsibility of paving the way; they are indeed the first batch.

Yet, Aislin clearly knows and very much agrees with this point... these people are also arranged according to her initial setup... but at this moment, she instead sees them as a burden rather than support.

Her overly natural and unaware shift in attitude has actually frightened quite a few of her junior brothers and sisters.

Nevertheless, after Ruth and Oliva remained silent, everyone else naturally quieted down as well.

Hill naturally noticed the slightly odd atmosphere within the group.

Moreover, he did not ignore Aislin’s venomous gaze directed towards the rear.

He couldn’t help but furrow his brow and turn to Russell: ”Bring me the list of outskirts mages accompanying us.”

Russell opened the drawer of the side cabinet next to his solo sofa, pulled out a folder from inside, and handed it to Hill: ”Here it is, teacher.”

”Ah... really.” Hill flipped through it several times and found something was amiss.

The accompanying outskirts mages are all affluent, even wealthier than West, who manages apprentices.

Although there are indeed technically skilled mages among the outskirts mages, trying to strike it rich with publicly known mass spells or techniques is simply impossible.

Even in other worlds, attempting to bypass the constraints of magic levels and find an alternative route is a miracle.

Not to mention in this world that originally lacks resources.

So, such a mage, sustaining themselves, and even supporting a large family isn’t too difficult, but wanting to live as these mages in their convoy, raising a bunch of apprentices and having several lovers, children, and grandchildren is simply impossible.

Any Magic Tower will have these types of opportunistic individuals.

No matter how strong the Controller is, they can’t completely sweep away the shadows’ debris; naturally, in places where humans gather, small circles will form.

Even if they can’t appear beneath sunlight, they live well in the shadows.

Archmages indeed prevent some overtly filthy deeds, but privately... they don’t bother to intervene.

Especially in the Magic Tower, many of those being exploited are actually willing... to join the circle they perceive as having a brighter future, they are willing to sacrifice their present.

And for most mages, stupidity is the most incurable mistake.

Originally adhering to ’mind your own business’ at the Tower of Dark Enigma, they would certainly ignore the life and death of those who seem to seek their own path to ruin in their eyes.

Hill carefully reviewed the list again, comparing it with Gilbert’s memory: Although Ruth never paid much attention to the students’ private social circles, he still informed his students of the names of outskirts mages recorded by the Magic Tower who might have committed some ’unreasonable’ actions.

The primary aim is to prevent any student from being exploited due to ignorance... if they are aware yet still want to accept money and proceed, Ruth wouldn’t interfere either.

After all, they’re official mages now; whatever future they choose is their own business, Ruth isn’t interested in safeguarding others’ lives.

If you choose the wrong path, Ruth would simply abandon you.

Never mind that he was always kind to Gilbert, that’s because Gilbert might have had unfortunate times but never chose incorrectly.

Now, those students of Ruth who can still sit on this row of airships, on their journey as mages, might make minor errors continuously but almost never commit major ones... over the years, those who took a wrong turn have long vanished without a trace.

Hill closed the folder and tossed it back onto the coffee table.

”What’s wrong, teacher?” Russell picked up the folder and flipped through it, ”Didn’t you say not to bother about those guys at the back?”

”I was overthinking.” Hill shook his head, ”I should have realized that those mages who are capable and remain relatively clear-headed, even if they want to follow us, couldn’t possibly tidy up all that mess so quickly.”

”After all, it was a last-minute notice!” Russell, who knows a bit more, replied, ”The Magic Tower was so chaotic recently, those who didn’t want to get involved chose to retreat.

Once they heard the news and decided to sort things out again, how could they possibly make it in time?”

”So, the group at the back...” Carpenter asked curiously, ”Isn’t there quite a number of them?”

”Only those mages who have always been ready to move at any moment can be in the first batch.” Russell replied softly, ”And they must have sufficient airships as well.”

Carpenter blinked and suddenly said, ”Then, either they’re rich and not normal.

Or, like Rolando, they’ve sold everything they own except an airship and themselves?”

Of course, there’s also the so-called Soul Elixir.

Russell carefully reviewed it, then nodded towards Carpenter.

”Hmm...” Carpenter glanced at Gilbert, who was already idly gazing out the window, and spoke in a very low voice, ”So, something unfavorable is about to happen to that group of people, but it’s not necessary to be concerned?”

”Probably?” Russell made a slight face, ”Anyway, it’s something we don’t need to deal with.”

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

”Teacher, why should I go to save those people?” Oliva couldn’t help but voice his question onboard one of the large airships in the middle of the convoy, ”Do they have that value?”

”Have you been muddled by recent events?” Ruth couldn’t help but glance sideways at his student, ”Do you want people to think it was me who did it?

Why should I bear this debt on behalf of Aislin?

No matter what kind of worthless things those who were enticed and killed are, they bear the name of the Tower of Dark Enigma and believe in the power of me, Ruth!

They can die, or even be killed by me, but not in this way!”

Oliva felt a bit puzzled: ”But haven’t you confirmed the list of these people and determined you’re sending them to die?”

Ruth sighed deeply... Oliva’s old problem resurfaced.

This guy doesn’t lack understanding but simply doesn’t want to think.

Therefore, Ruth usually entrusted such matters to Aislin... though the girl had a somewhat extreme mind, at least she was willing to think things through and understood the result Ruth wanted to achieve.

Unlike Oliva, who needed everything explained clearly, otherwise, he’d definitely make a mess.

For instance, in situations like this, Aislin would never ask.

Ruth couldn’t help but slap the table: ”I bring them along because I don’t want innocent people to be the ones dying in a sneak attack.

But that doesn’t mean I can watch them being killed without any response!

Now, do you understand?

Know what you’re supposed to do?

Get back to your airship!

I’m going to rest now!”