Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Sia Tower dispatched three Eighth Ring Archmages to greet the first migration team from the Tower of Dark Enigma.

One wore flowing white robes, one dressed in vibrant pink and blue, and another, though clad in black, had red floral patterns intricately embroidered all over his attire.

Completely different from the Tower of Dark Enigma, which revered simplicity and the earthy tones of black and brown.

Thus, when a bright red airship ascended into the sky to meet them, many from the Tower of Dark Enigma suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Some grew wary at this sudden feeling: Mages should focus on their own strength, why did they suddenly feel shaken by external appearances?

Others inwardly felt Sia Tower’s wealth was indeed well-deserved.

Of course, there were rational ones like Russell who turned to his teacher with concern: ”Teacher, is it okay for Aislin to be doing the welcoming? Will there be any problems?”

No matter if Aislin had issues or not, Russell would never forget how arrogant that lady was.

Logically, it should have been someone like Oliva, who appeared friendly at least on the surface, to liaise with the people of Sia Tower, right?

Why send someone like Aislin who was easily agitated?

Moreover, Russell recalled that Oliva had pursued that dragon alongside the Sia Tower people for quite some time... So why send Aislin, who hadn’t participated in the battle, to take the lead?

”Aislin is actually the most suitable, making the best use of resources,” Hill thought as he nodded, watching Aislin—dressed in a white-purple robe—slowly emerge only when the three Eighth Ring Mages had reached the airship.

If Aislin had already transformed into that person, then whether or not the people of Sia Tower knew what was going on, she would have the means to handle these obviously scheming mages.

If she was still Aislin, her usual arrogance might make the welcoming mages subject themselves a bit... After all, Aislin’s reputation for being a little crazy was still quite noticeable.

Moreover, even if Aislin would somewhat restrain herself given the circumstances, her expressions and demeanor when speaking still remained fairly obvious.

That was a drastic emotional fluctuation even Russell could feel.

Though it was unclear whether the lady was pretending, at least Aislin’s patience was quite visible.

The Eighth Ring Mages from Sia Tower certainly understood: if this lady truly encountered something intolerable, she really would cause a scene.

And, her patience was rather limited.

By then, if such a situation truly arose, no one would think the Tower of Dark Enigma was at fault... Even if the other side dispatched an impulsive female mage.

Are you here to welcome or provoke?

Everyone knows, even a temperamental person like Aislin—if merely insulted a little or lightly suppressed—wouldn’t really flip out.

She just doesn’t have strong tolerance, but it’s not like she has none at all.

So as long as things get blown out of proportion, whether or not Aislin gets hurt... those coming to greet would carry a huge burden of blame.

Especially when Ninth Ring Ruth is sitting in the rear—unless trying to capture the entire Tower of Dark Enigma—who dares to hurt his student right in front of him?

The Tower of Dark Enigma still has two teams yet to depart!

The other Magic Towers on the continent are still watching what kind of treatment and attitude the Tower of Dark Enigma will receive!

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What Hill could perceive, those three from Sia Tower naturally understood too.

Upon knowing Ruth appointed Aislin to pave the way, Sia Tower had debated this matter... Though Ruth obviously meant it as a provocation, everyone could understand.

Clearly the Tower of Dark Enigma’s First Tower Master, yet ultimately with various machinations, he became subservient to others—if Ruth harbored no resentment at all, that would indicate a problem.

Thus, although members of Sia Tower wished to establish superiority during this initial contact... They hoped for the Tower of Dark Enigma to become an affiliate rather than Sia Tower’s fourth faction... But also didn’t wish for any disputes to arise on their end.

Of course, if other people stir up trouble, that’s even better.

Thus the current results... Representatives from all three factions—those who had previously visited the Tower of Dark Enigma and met with Aislin and Oliva, without any conflicts—were chosen.

Since the previous interactions were amicable, under no one’s provocation, today’s greeting should not lead to any misunderstandings.

Though it was disappointing the other two factions shared the same thoughts... But... Given that no one gained an advantage, this matter just passed.

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Compared to the easily explosive temper of Aislin, the current ’Aislin’... actually provoked more dislike.

After all, Aislin always knew she was the weakest among the Eighth Rings, despite recklessly roaming the Tower of Dark Enigma under Ruth’s indulgence, she understood her standing once stepping out.

But the current ’Aislin’, though her words and actions were kinder than before, that gentleness could not hide her superiority.

Even the least capable Eighth Ring from Sia Tower could easily defeat Oliva... At higher levels, disparities in resources and knowledge can create vast differences, not to mention the deeper legacies the Tower of Dark Enigma lacks.

Thus, their only label for Aislin was ’Ruth’s management student’.

If she didn’t have this identity, Sia Tower wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of analyzing Aislin’s disposition and past.

These three Eighth Ring Mages from Sia Tower had seen Ruth’s favored student before... Back then, they hadn’t regarded Aislin with the ’insignificant’ look!

The three exchanged glances while conversing with ’Aislin’:

Has the Tower of Dark Enigma received some, um, special backing?

Had Ruth secured allegiance before coming?

No, Ruth couldn’t be that naive, he’s not near death, why decide allegiance so early?

The Mage in the pink robe was almost glowing with excitement... Damn, he couldn’t articulate the entire context!

The other two could only twitch at the corners of their mouths, ceasing to look at him... Was he crazy, trying to engage in small talk now?

’Aislin’ coldly surveyed the three exchanging glances, ignoring her presence, suppressing the indignation of being overlooked.

”The master is expecting you, follow me please!” ’Aislin’, deeming further interaction with these shallow individuals unnecessary, spoke with what she thought was indifference.

The three Eighth Rings from Sia Tower couldn’t help but exchange yet another look.

This time, they were convinced, either Ruth had issues or Aislin was truly crazy.

Though they knew this woman’s brain would get tangled, but...

Yet Ruth, no matter how much he dotes on this female student... Doesn’t seem like the type who’ve taken that soul elixir with residual effects!

The other two focused their gaze on the uniquely handsome male mage clad in pure white robes.

The white-robed mage could only subtly shake his head, accusing the two with eye contact for their overly wandering thoughts: Are you mad?

For an effective soul elixir for Eighth Rings, even with residual effects, Sia Tower has plenty of ancient mages willing to consume it!

’Aislin’ leading in front furrowed her brows: How odd are these mages from Sia Tower?

Sending representatives here signifies Sia Tower’s enthusiastic welcome, does it not?

How dare they act so excessively before her... Was Sia Tower planning something to divide the Ruth Faction, thus completely disregarding her as an Eighth Ring Mage?

Though having seen Aislin’s capabilities in memory, lacking lived experience of disparity, never chasing others’ paces like Aislin, never looking up to anyone—’Aislin’ couldn’t comprehend, nor emulate Aislin’s proud yet self-conscious demeanor, self-conscious yet pitiful self-respect.

Ruth sitting centrally in the hall immediately noticed the subtle tension among them.

Yet he couldn’t comment, merely gestured to Oliva to quickly ease the atmosphere.

As the First Tower Master of the Tower of Dark Enigma, a true Ninth Ring Mage, Ruth couldn’t possibly appear overly amiable at this juncture.