Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Of course, Hilbert didn’t mind Ruth suddenly changing the subject... or rather, they both understood Ruth’s main intention.

Otherwise, just for an eagle, even if Ruth is genuinely interested in the way to create such strange objects, he could wait until his Magic Tower is built to discuss it.

But, for Ruth, the best time was tonight.

His character is inherently intrigued by these things, so if he can’t come up with an answer late at night, he may impulsively look for Gilbert for advice, naturally following the course.

Conveniently, he has a good excuse: although Aislin and Gilbert reconciled, Gilbert still suffered in this situation.

The ring given by Aislin, while rich in resources, considering future development... staying confined in the Magic Tower after reaching the Seventh Ring is not ideal.

A mage needs to have their own understanding of the world, and once they are convinced of this understanding, they can find their path in the Law.

Those who truly reach the Eighth Ring mostly have their own perception of the world, even if it is wrong, but as long as they believe, the world provides feedback, resonating with the Law... though it’s not the Law they envisioned.

Many mages who seldom go out can still find their path... even if it’s a narrow lane, it’s still a path, all due to the quasi-social environment within the Magic Tower, though somewhat distorted.

So, Gilbert being arranged in such a remote place after advancing to the Seventh Ring is indeed a matter that affects his future significantly.

This kind of deficiency cannot be compensated by any amount of resources.

Even though Gilbert could choose to stay in Ruth’s Great Magic Tower, but having to rely on others for scenarios that can be observed from one’s own room... even if it’s one’s teacher, many are unwilling to owe favors for such trivial matters.

No matter what choices Gilbert makes afterward, he’ll face trouble.

It’s natural for Ruth to wish to further compensate his apprentice... after all, it was his own oversight.

But in truth, Hill could understand why he made this mistake: if it were the former Aislin, she definitely wouldn’t act independently on such major issues.

If it were ’Aislin,’ she wouldn’t pull this stunt on a Seventh Circle Mage with whom she has no future interactions.

Only this current blend would cause such trouble.

Indeed, Aislin’s main intent was to remind Ruth of her presence.

However, dealing with Gilbert wasn’t her only option... and it was even the most labor-intensive method.

Yet Hill seems to glimpse why Aislin always targets him, besides the personal vendetta between Aislin and Gilbert, individuals like Glaysia, who live solely by instinct, are always wary towards Sons of Fortune like Hill, or say, Gilbert.

Any encounter between them and Glaysia’s Soul Shard would cause turmoil.

Like Toril’s Black Staff from the past randomly targeting Hill, only to be smacked back in retaliation... on the results alone, Hill indeed brought enormous, even fatal trouble to him.

Causality is a notion that sometimes even deities who oversee fate can’t grasp.

The only relief is, before us stands the powerful Seventh Circle Mage Gilbert, not the barely-official mage Russell, burdened with blood debts, knowing nothing, possessing nothing.

Only those driven to desperate measures would tend to take risks, while the young lad now is happily chatting with a few puppets, directing them to dig the foundation and install steel plates!

The foundations of this world, especially those capable of bearing the weight of a Magic Tower, are challenging to excavate... without puppets, mage apprentices would have to dig with shovels themselves.

However, Ruth’s students, even if not the best, possess at least several puppets.

Although Hill uses Felis as an excuse to keep those puppets in the Tower of Dark Enigma, others wouldn’t squander such precious assets.

Most importantly, if Ruth doesn’t visit Gilbert today, in the upcoming period, he really has no reason to abandon his Magic Tower to comfort a student, even if he is interested in that student’s eagle.

Timing is inherently fleeting.

But Hilbert doesn’t believe Ruth would waste this opportunity.

Hence, he lit up a sagebrush candle... Hill himself surely wouldn’t use this for a candle, and among Gilbert’s stock, sagebrush is the scarcest.

Evidently, he used it before.

This thing might have helped during those times, the agitation due to the Mental Sea’s turbulence made him feel murderous.

However, the medicinal effect is too weak, likely soon lost effectiveness on his troubles.

Hilbert lightly held his bead string and spoke softly: ”When feeling unwell, the Hainarson Clan sent lots of things to soothe emotions and calm the Mental Sea.

All appear to have no mana fluctuations, yet they provide some effect on mages... surely teachers know, these used to be things apprentices made long ago.

Indeed, from the Defense Tower.

I wouldn’t previously use these emblematic items publicly... earlier when Aislin came, I burned osmanthus scented candles.

Apart from the Defense Tower, where else would have such osmanthus clusters!

Sadly, they are all extinct now.

In the past~ I wasn’t too keen on people associating me with the Defense Tower... Hasn’t the Hainarson Clan paid enough for the past?

But now, since someone insists on bringing up those old stories, there’s no need for me to hide.

Besides, it’s not necessary.

Right? Teacher.”

Ruth nodded gently: ”Of course, you’re now my student, and part of the Tower of Dark Enigma.

The Hainarson Clan is merely an affiliated family of the Tower of Dark Enigma.

As for the rest... if those past matters truly need to be settled, Sia Tower would likely have to eliminate the whole world.”

His words were cold and hard, clearly expressing his displeasure towards Richard Dreyfus.

”Pet has already promised to resolve this issue, and Rosero and Mack have agreed to help.

You don’t need to worry...” Ruth softly comforted his student.

”Thank you, teacher.” Gilbert took out a small silver box, ”Teacher seems to really like the scent of sagebrush, but these candles all look alike, and the scent is sealed until lit, so I can’t tell them apart.

Anyway, these are all there is... Teacher needn’t rush to refuse, I was just burning this thing out of spite.

Besides, the scent is too mild; I’m actually not fond of it.”

Then he couldn’t help but lower his head, fiddling with his bracelet, his tone melancholy: ”Moreover, the scent really reminds me of those times when I had to struggle alone, driven mad by myself.

After today, I’m sure I won’t use it again.”

Ruth reached out to take the small silver box, gently patting Gilbert’s back with his other hand: ”Alright, I do quite like the scent of this candle.

Gilbert, your future is sure to be beautiful; don’t immerse yourself in past pains.”

”Got it, teacher.”

Watching Ruth leave, his wish fulfilled, Gilbert then made a small leap and walked into his black airship with a gloomy expression... Today’s act was finally over.

That Ruth, full of suspicions, should now believe he’s still the same Gilbert, right?

To actually suspect him, just because of a puppet falcon... Ah, maybe also because of his black airship?

He might even recall that during this time, Gilbert hadn’t referred to him as teacher.

Though Gilbert is somewhat weak in social matters, he easily reads people’s minds... as long as he sees them face to face.

Luckily, he was prepared in advance.

Touching the bracelet on his hand... the largest cat’s eye stone embedded with tiny broken diamonds shines brightly under the light, making the middle band strikingly prominent.

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

”Teacher, you’re back~” Aislin, who landed her bright red airship directly below Ruth’s airship on the left, sat elegantly atop hers. Seeing Ruth return, she lazily got up.

”Why are you sitting like that too?” Ruth was a bit puzzled.

”Gilbert may not be that great a person, but he is good at finding places to stay.” Aislin smiled cheerfully, ”From here, I can directly see the movements underground.”

In front of the two airships, the mechanical hum from within the huge pit buzzed faintly upwards.

She and Oliva were definitely going to help Ruth complete the Great Magic Tower first before working on theirs... As Ruth’s assistants, many tasks needed to be connected to the Great Magic Tower’s array to proceed.

Therefore, they must wait for Ruth to finally decide on his array type before tailoring their own little homes according to the needs.

Ruth shook his head: ”Your emotions haven’t been stable lately, and... I don’t want to ask why.

Some things can only be grasped by yourself.

As long as you still consider yourself my student, as long as you haven’t harmed the Tower of Dark Enigma, I won’t... because of your abnormality, well...

Sigh~ life is your own.”

He gently waved his hand, also sitting on his airship’s top. Then, from his ring, he retrieved a platinum candle holder and lit one of the scented candles.

Wisps of light smoke slowly dispersed.

Aislin looked curiously: ”Hm? What’s this scent, teacher?

Though it’s sweet, it has a sort of cool feeling.”

”Should be snowgrass.” Ruth replied casually, ”Once, a specialty of the Defense Tower, an herb that clears the mind when feeling dizzy.”