Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Ruth turned his head to glance over.

Although the three Ninth Ring Mages of Sia Tower spoke as if only he had special treatment, in reality, the two Eighth Ring Mages, Aislin and Oliva, also had people proactively come to serve them.

Then, perhaps it was because Pet, the elder of the Colorful Clothes Sect, was intimately chatting with his arm linked, that the ones delivering Crystal Balls to his two students were an Eighth Ring Mage from both the White Robe and the Black Robe sects.

Everything seemed to happen naturally.

But to Ruth, who originally suspected a connection between Aislin and Sia, this apparent natural occurrence seemed a bit forced.

Pet truly didn’t know anything.

But what about the Black Robe side?

They were a little too cooperative... but Aislin’s airship incident happened not too long ago, and back then, Aislin was still the same!

Also, it wasn’t the ’Black Artist’ who saw her. Ruth didn’t believe that the methods of the Master of Sia Tower were something an ordinary Ninth Ring Mage could discern.

Ordinary... Ruth couldn’t help but ponder these two words in his mind.

Since when did he start referring to an identity comparable to his own as ordinary?

Taking a deep breath quietly, Ruth smiled gently and continued to engage in small talk with the trio... They certainly couldn’t leave at such a time.

After all, no one knows if some unexpected incident might occur among the mages from the Tower of Dark Enigma who are currently entering the Sia Great Magic Formation.

As for whether they’ll be different from before... Ruth didn’t really care. Would he worry about the safety of Sia Tower?

Even though they had already prepared a record of the mage information intended to be added to Sia Tower and submitted a copy over, that kind of superficial aura could easily be changed by anyone with some skill.

Otherwise, why would a mage’s last resort be only the Great Magic Tower?

Only the main Magic Array of a Magic Tower, built upon the Laws of the World, could bind recorded information to the soul.

Anyway, if Sia Tower can identify issues, it would be due to their own abilities.

But Ruth could assure that he hadn’t tampered with anything.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, a shadow of dark purple suddenly caught his attention.

Hmm?

Gilbert?

Although wearing the same standard robe of the Tower of Dark Enigma, the way Gilbert stood there was particularly attention-grabbing.

Though the posture of his two apprentices beside him was also graceful, for some reason, Gilbert just gave off a feeling of drifting with the wind.

Ruth could understand... during Gilbert’s hardest times, Ruth even felt like his bones were thinning.

Even though he’s recovered now, that feeling of being a fragile grass in the wind probably won’t fade away quickly.

Ruth blinked lightly... and then noticed someone with a mage student approaching Gilbert: was that Ravender Coyle?

Indeed, Gilbert’s temperament wouldn’t become gentle just because of his slender and wiry frame; his sharp tongue was something most people wouldn’t willingly endure.

However, if one had sufficient social skills and clear insight into what to say and do... it was still possible to communicate normally with Gilbert.

The kid just disliked those who wanted to use him, he wasn’t totally displeased with everyone.

Unfortunately, not many wise ones could discern his character before they annoyed him, and find the principles to communicate with him effectively.

Ruth originally thought that the relationship between Ravender Coyle and Gilbert could only allow for exchanging a few words and engaging in simple trades as acquaintances!

Yet, he could actually stay beside Gilbert for so long without getting scolded away?

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Hilbert did not sense the observation from Archmage Ruth... since his attention was primarily focused on Coyle.

Moreover, when he came out, he specially sealed off more than half of his sensitive nerves.

With Sia Tower laying out such a spectacle at the entrance, of course, the observant ones knew they were trying to verify the identity of the people from the Tower of Dark Enigma.

However, each person who passed the inspection received a storage ring, made of precious metals and embedded with beautiful gemstones.

This at least temporarily soothed the already shaky self-esteem of most people from the Tower of Dark Enigma... since the mages were aware of such an event happening as early as their departure.

But, clearly something that could have been ignored, still resulted in offering a bit of compensation... They even used something that most low-rank mages in the Tower of Dark Enigma don’t have to compensate for their nearly broken self-esteem, which made many people genuinely accept reality.

Even though the resources originally owned by the Sia Tower are unmatched by the Tower of Dark Enigma, whether they’re willing to offer these resources concerns their future positioning in the Sia Tower... After all, it seems they can still survive.

For ordinary folks who never thought about power or status and just want to live well, such a result is enough to soothe their turbulent hearts.

Hill could certainly understand this.

Thus, before Koyl greeted them, the three—who had completed the entry task—stood in the corner checking the items they received.

Hilbert, the Seventh Circle Mage, received a platinum ring with a bit of Mithril mixed in it, while the gemstone embedded was a purple Cat’s Eye Stone... The stone was exceptionally pure, with the eye in the center looking extraordinarily beautiful and profound.

The news from Sia Tower is indeed well-informed.

The Hainarson Clan used to own a mine that would produce Cat’s Eye Stone within the Gold Green Gemstone Mine.

So, being bullied by a magic tower near their family’s domain, which succeeded the Defense Tower’s controlled field, forcing them into a clan-wide escape isn’t surprising.

And the honey-colored stone sphere on the Hainarson Clan’s family crest only flashes a bright band in the middle under the family’s secret magic.

Those who knew this stone sphere represented Cat’s Eye Stone—both the family and mages—were mostly wiped out in the Defense Tower disaster.

Hilbert closed his eyes lightly... Of course, someone at the Sia Tower would know.

Although the real traitors at the Defense Tower had been thoroughly crushed by that group of crazy mages, leaving barely any soul remnants, they must have passed on some less critical information to the Sia Tower long before.

Truly... Is this a provocation?

Or do they want to know if he, as someone reliant on the Hainarson Clan, harbors any ill-intention toward the Sia Tower?

A shadow instantly crossed Hilbert’s face, and his gaze turned fierce.

Some Seventh Circle Mages who originally wanted to communicate with him decisively decided to steer clear once they noticed his state... Conversations could be postponed.

No one wants to be verbally bombarded in front of so many people in the Sia Tower... especially when it’s irrefutable, knowing Gilbert enjoys scolding people truthfully.

Russell and Carpenter were also fiddling with the silver storage rings in their palms... Though the light purple Cat’s Eye Stone embedded had relatively low purity, one could still see that thin band under sunlight.

As excellent scions of the clan, they naturally knew about some of their clan’s past, being reminded of Hainarson’s lost glory in such a manner, which put them in a foul mood.

Thus, due to being surrounded by a group of senior siblings... his past benevolence made him a bit awkward at this moment... wanting to find a quiet place with Koyl, resulted in finding this spot, especially spacious due to the cold aura emitted by the occupiers.

”Gilbert, you seem to be in a bad mood?” After exchanging a few pleasantries, Koyl couldn’t help but inquire, ”If there’s anything you need my help with, feel free to ask.”

Hilbert couldn’t help but arch a brow looking at him: ”You, what do you want? Do I have something you’re interested in?”

”Ah! You... really...” Koyl’s tone was somewhat embarrassed, ”Why do you have to expose me?”

”Don’t you know I’m in a bad mood?” Hilbert replied with a cold smile, ”If you wish to perform, make sure your face isn’t directed at me.”

Koyl couldn’t help but laugh: ”Alas~ No choice, regardless of what happened to Aislin, she doesn’t seem interested in working.”

If it was the past Aislin, she would never have separated from Oliva to instruct the mages to line up for information input... She would surely handle the roster herself.

Yet today, she behaved abnormally: neither did she showcase her unique status within the Ruth Faction in front of the Sia Tower’s Eighth Ring ensemble nor did she closely follow Ruth to mingle with the Ninth Ring Mages.

Even though along the way, some of Aislin’s behaviors had puzzled people, today, it really made Ruth’s students realize that their Eldest Martial Sister, who loved taking charge, might step down from the forefront.

Ambitious mages are absolutely numerous... especially reaching the Seven Rings escalates their demand for high-level resources and special materials.

Looking at Aislin, who’s able to smoothly achieve becoming the worst of the Eighth Rings compared to others with not much difference in talent and with a dreadful personality—how could one not feel any jealousy, resentment, or envy?

However, dealing with Aislin’s methods is beyond their ability... Mainly due to Ruth’s favoritism.

But now, clearly, Aislin herself is experiencing issues.

Many are definitely tempted.

Yet, standing up alone, they likely still hesitate.

Not everyone possesses the confidence like Gilbert to directly confront Aislin.

Being someone with good relations with most high-level mages in the faction, Koyl naturally has more opportunities to be courted.

Hilbert casually waved his hand: ”It’s unrelated to me.”

Koyl also stretched the hand wearing a similar ring... though the gemstone on it is purple Sapphire instead... and chuckled lightly: ”So, why should I merely be courted?”