Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Russell couldn’t quite grasp the deeper meaning of his teacher’s words... After all, he was still young. Although he was fairly skilled in noble etiquette, he was not very adept at recognizing the different creatures in group life.

In this aspect, Carpenter was even less proficient than him. The people she had encountered were mostly those from her own family and other noble families similar to theirs, Hainarson Clan. Although they had many faults and weren’t exactly good people, they operated within a certain range of order.

Worldly wisdom, the warmth and coldness of human relations, in essence, all revolve around the concept of human relations.

The worst part of their behavior, the most vicious, would not be displayed in front of the family’s young girls.

And those who did would naturally be excluded from the vision of these noble ladies.

But Russell and Carpenter could certainly understand the most important point: what they didn’t understand, Archmage Ruth understood very well.

The Archmage hoped to use the simplest method to first separate out those who were most eager for success, or in other words, the stupidest people.

Frankly, those who dare to reveal their thoughts on the first day, even if they are enemies, would only be used as short-term pawns, discardable at any time.

But, how should I put it... Sometimes the trouble caused by fools is genuine trouble.

The Wise Ones bring war, whether in reality or in the spirit world.

Once it is a war, all you need to do is concentrate on fighting, but fools... Really can’t use the Fire Wall Spell to burn mosquitoes, can you?

Originally, no one really cared much about such fools; who doesn’t have them in their family?

If you use them, I can also use them.

But now, the Tower of Dark Enigma is in a very awkward position.

After all, they are outsiders, unfamiliar with the personal relationships at Sia Tower... So these proactively emerging individuals naturally become the broken swords and rusty spears thrown haphazardly by the opposing side.

While hiding is not difficult, but what if, by accident, some piece of scrap hits you somewhere?

Even if it’s not serious, it still hurts!

Therefore, it’s better to divide these people out from the start; at least you know which direction the trash will be thrown from, making it easier to avoid.

Most importantly, you need to see if there are Wise Ones using these fools to make contact with the other side.

They also understood another meaning: even if these people emerge, Archmage Ruth wouldn’t directly expel them.

The implication here is probably that the trash from one’s own house can only be placed on one’s own land, it can’t be given away... Well, before, they could throw the garbage out, but now, outside is Sia Tower.

Others don’t want to receive it, so they can’t be sent away.

Whether or not they can recycle and reuse the garbage depends entirely on Archmage Ruth’s willpower, right?

And as such Junior Mages, the only thing they can do is to avoid the trash cans, which may attract unwanted attention.

But when both types of people appear on a road that must be passed, and if you really can’t avoid it, then you’ll have to take the path of the first type.

So, those paths where the fools are showing off their feathers can still be stepped on, that’s what the teacher means, right?

Although they still couldn’t quite figure out exactly where these two types of garbage were, just complying with the teacher’s ideas posed no problem for Russell and Carpenter.

Seeing the two children readily agree, Hill nodded with satisfaction: the best thing about these children is this, maybe they aren’t able to make sense of things, maybe they’ll go astray, but as long as they understand what must not be done, they’ll never act impulsively.

They have a rebellious side, but never rebel against serious matters... Things they don’t understand, they’ll ponder over later, analyze and judge once the results are out, without rashly taking matters into their own hands.

The ability to discern is a very excellent quality, Hill used to merely have a vague feeling about this; however, he himself has a very distinctive self-will and is quite whimsical... Therefore, sometimes he couldn’t differentiate between being decisive and inability to discern.

However, after experiencing those tumultuous events in the World of Aesces, Hill truly understood, really understood.

He sometimes feels that the reason he views Russell with such high regard is entirely thanks to the contrast from that previous world’s World Master and his favorites.

Otherwise, even if Hill had taken some bumps in Toril, he wouldn’t have been so easily moved by a child with brains and understanding.

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Hilbert couldn’t feel the warmth from Ruth.

Nor did he have the patience to pay attention to what was happening in Sia Town.

However, actually, most of the mages in this flying group were restless and tense about the imminent meeting with the great figures... No matter their other intentions, they were all worried about their future situation in Sia Tower.

Hilbert did not care, because... he indeed did not rely on the scant resources provided by Sia Tower.

It’s also due to the teacher’s indifference that Russell and Carpenter had so many thoughts to observe the environments of ordinary people... Of course, this is also related to their origin from the former lord family, Hainarson.

If they had grown up in a Magic Tower as those children who focus only on spells, they would be like other mages, completely indifferent to how civilians lived.

Good or bad, what does it matter to them?

No matter how well ordinary people live, it can’t match the day-to-day life of the lowest apprentice in a Magic Tower.

Especially, those like Ruth and the High-level Mages, who have been detached from ordinary life for far too long; they certainly noticed the good life in the town attached to Sia Tower, but it was just a passing remark for them.

Ruth perhaps wouldn’t be normally this apathetic... But now, he is already annoyed and troubled by the few sparring individuals loudly debating in his hall.

It seems the mages in Pink and Black Robes are jointly stopping any collusion between the mages in White Robes and ’Aislin’... In essence, those three are almost exposing all of Oliva’s backgrounds.

Even though Oliva was meant by Ruth to be the visible target indicating their faction’s lack of ambition... The fact that he couldn’t last half an hour still made Ruth a bit despondent.

Ruth now felt regretful about his previous leniency towards Aislin... He is a man with many secrets, some of which are not suitable for those with strong ambition and desire to know, even those things known by Aislin and Oliva.

So, he just let Aislin take care of those junior apprentices who wanted to rise in ranks by herself... After all, Aislin, in order not to displease her teacher, always lured the opposite into making wrong decisions first.

Though there were surely some collateral damages, the outcome was exactly what Ruth desired... Surviving the collateral damage only meant one’s mind and abilities were lacking.

But who would have thought that the double insurance he set up years ago would become a pool of muddy water?

Ruth quietly raised his head to look at the black airship in front: without Aislin’s cooperation, the Wise Ones at Sia Tower would never believe he would entrust faction responsibilities to a fool like Oliva.

He might have to sacrifice Gilbert.

Gilbert’s talents and capabilities stand distinctive in any Magic Tower; coupled with his student with decent talents, it quite resembles the image of a faction successor.

The thought must be conveyed that Oliva and Aislin were mere shields created for Gilbert... No, he has to ponder... It doesn’t seem viable.

Gilbert, being a Hainarson, can’t have anyone thinking Ruth had secured him under his wing centuries ago... If Sia Tower mistakenly believes that residual Prophecy lies in his hands, the situation would become more troublesome.

The matters of the Defense Tower must also be circumvented.

Ruth wistfully glanced at ’Aislin’... Why is it her?

Has the Tower of Dark Enigma perhaps been cursed; this is such atrocious luck!

He silently reviewed his students in his mind... Finally, he suddenly thought of someone.

Ruth suddenly remembered he had a fairly bright student who got along well with Gilbert, and even had him protect one of his talented apprentices before.

Seems like the name was Ravender Coyle, right?

Ruth recalled this guy had also recently advanced to the Seven Rings, and even accompanied him on the hunt for that ’Black Dragon,’ having dealt with Sia Tower as well... Most importantly, he had a very clear mind, quite aware of whom to seek help from whenever needed.

He is well-versed with the complexities within his faction.

If there’s no other way, then, he will have to bring Coyle out.