Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill said casually: ”If you want to get more, you have to give up some unnecessary things.

Do you still lack money now?”

Koyl’s problem is that perhaps he has had too little in the past, so he can’t easily let go of the things he has already grasped.

No matter if they are good or bad, they are ultimately his belongings.

The hardest hurdle for a poor man suddenly becoming rich is being too greedy and unable to separate from the clutter... wanting everything, wanting to keep everything, ultimately being dragged down by the past.

Not all the past will want to see you soar... shadows exist everywhere, those that persist without end.

Of course, these are things Hill has read in books many times but could never fully understand.

Until he himself became Hill.

Everything he encountered before turning 16 made him have little real sense of the wealth he possessed, and life in a noble castle, for someone with a decent background, turned out to be a kind of torment.

Even with loads of servants, even when not needing this second young master of the Earl’s Family to tire himself, that life wasn’t as comfortable as when he was rolling around on the construction site.

And when he began to enjoy his enormous wealth, the sky roared, and the Undead Tribe arrived.

Where did Hill have time to consider enjoyment? Grasping time to quickly advance was the only path.

When he finally could enjoy life, Hill, who could already be called a strong individual, could no longer feel the importance of those so-called wealth.

Thus, he never experienced the kind of dilemma someone like Koyl underwent... what choice should be made, whether to give up the wealth that could come continuously.

Even if Koyl knows which choice is more beneficial for his future, he always finds it difficult to let go.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even come to ask Hill.

Regarding the other aspect, the probe that Koyl didn’t dare to voice, Hill had no intention of paying attention.

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

Koyl let out a slight sigh.

Gilbert, though not making it very clear, essentially pointed out the only road for him.

He is just a bit disappointed; it appears Gilbert still fully intends not to let the Hainarson Clan appear in the public eye.

Though he didn’t explicitly say it, he was actually hinting to Gilbert that he has a trade route in hand, and it’s between the Tower of Dark Enigma and other Magic Towers.

Otherwise, how would the greedy people of the Nicholson Family accept his investment... Not to mention, if he had so much capital, he wouldn’t need to be so worried and planning for himself.

He indeed prepared to withdraw his investment from the Nicholson Family caravan, but giving up an already established trade route entirely, Koyl was truly unwilling.

But, how to put it, borrowing the fact that the entire Nicholson Family came to Sia Tower, citing the difficulty of traversing the trade route as a reason to back off is perfectly fine... In any case, it wasn’t just Ruth’s team that encountered an attack.

Unknown if it’s because many Necromancy Creatures were buried on that path, even if those were all burned out, there are still sporadic necromancers appearing.

Therefore, Koyl used this reason to pull out; everyone can discuss it, even if Nicholson Family’s partner knows his real reason for doing it, they won’t be too furious.

Then Koyl absolutely shouldn’t have any movements over at Sia Tower.

The relationship between Archmage Ruth and Great Magician Nicholson is somewhat enigmatic, but obviously, they still consider themselves part of Tower of Dark Enigma... He’s not like Aislin, a madman, definitely wouldn’t openly provoke the other.

Still somewhat unwilling, Koyl thought of the only solution: staying at Tower of Dark Enigma, at least including the Hainarson Clan with two official mages.

Unfortunately, Gilbert didn’t engage at all.

Koyl couldn’t help but feel a bit wistful... Are these Great Nobility truly so deep-rooted?

Not considering how the family’s future should be continued at all!

Mages, and so many mage apprentices, can’t be supported by relying on large tracts of black taro fields alone.

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

Koyl’s thinking isn’t exactly wrong.

If the one sitting here were the real Gilbert, maybe he would have caught this tossed flower ball.

But Hill, having completed the agreement with Gilbert, even greatly exceeded Hill, wouldn’t care about some Hainarson future?

Allowing the Hainarson Family members to survive this chaos is already pretty good.

As for whether Russell in the future will turn to help his own family, that’s his choice, and has nothing to do with Hill.

Koyl sighed again, then stood up: ”Then I shall take my leave first.

I will have Howard Donner... you still remember him, right? The apprentice I asked you to look after, he’s an official mage now.”

Looking at Gilbert’s expressionless face, Koyl helplessly shook his head: ”Forget it, Howard has decent skills, yet they are indeed just decent.

It’s normal if you don’t remember.

Anyway, I will have him contact Russell for an entry token!”

”Carpenter,” Hill said flatly, ”heard Mage Koyl’s words?

Go and inform Russell.”

The young girl who ran out from the side of the high stage, with a clear voice: ”Yes, Teacher!

Mage Koyl, which student of yours is he?

Please just have him come with me. Russell is waiting at the entrance of the Magic Tower!”

Koyl furrowed his brow lightly: What’s going on with the Hainarson Family?

This Carpenter seems to be slightly stronger than Howard.

It’s not surprising to Koyl if Howard falls short compared to Russell... Gilbert can provide his students with resources far richer than what Koyl can.

Even though Koyl doesn’t take in many students, and those with high talents are even fewer, what Howard can gain here is only a little more than a fraction.

A slightly higher talent, but the resources from the other side are several times more, not to mention that Gilbert is clearly quite skilled at teaching... Koyl wouldn’t even compare the two.

But what’s with this Carpenter?

Last time she was seen at the entrance of the Sia Tower, she wasn’t as strong as she is now!

Back then, she had a hint of the rawness of having just ascended to an official mage, clearly having advanced later than Howard!

And how long has it been?

Just as Koyl was about to turn his head and ask Gilbert, his gaze froze on Carpenter’s left hand... there it was, a very intricate and exquisite purple diamond aurora colored steel ring.

Koyl certainly knew the origin of that item, but he couldn’t comprehend why someone would give such a precious ring to an elementary mage!

But he could understand why the girl had grown so quickly... when even a ring meant for Eighth Ring Mages was given to her, what resources wouldn’t be enough?

”Gilbert, is this okay?” he asked hesitantly, ”Won’t Aislin be unhappy...?”

”How odd? Why should I care if she’s happy or not?” Hilbert gently raised an eyebrow, ”I’ve always thought you guys were the strange ones.

Wanting to grab the bread in her hand, yet fearing she’ll notice your intentions.

So how are you planning to grab it? Without daring to look? Guessing blindly?

Waiting for someone else to knock her hand, then picking up a piece off the ground?

I truly don’t understand.”

His cold eyes were filled with: Why would anyone want to eat something so dirty?

Koyl could only smile helplessly: ”Gilbert, not everyone can live as proudly as you do.

For us, living itself already requires putting in all our effort.”

’Ha~’ Hilbert let out a cold laugh, ”It’s fine to fool others ~ just don’t fool yourself.”

Koyl suddenly broke into a warm smile: ”Thank you for the reminder, Gilbert.

I’ll try to change those old habits and place myself a little higher.”

Though Gilbert’s words could be sharp, his content was always pointed on the crux of the matter... he didn’t lie and criticized the most unacceptable parts of human nature.

Of course, whether the listener could bear having their darker sides exposed to public scrutiny was another matter.

Koyl knew very well that the hall of Gilbert’s Magic Tower might not be all that secure... this guy hadn’t even activated the full defensive magic array.

But those who could hear their conversations wouldn’t care about the content of their talks.

When things needed to be confidential, Gilbert would go to the study room.

And he himself had yet to earn that privilege.

However, as long as one could endure Gilbert’s speaking style, they could understand the deeper meaning within his words.

Indeed, Koyl now had to change his behavior patterns to keep pace with Archmage Ruth.

Becoming the manager of the Subsidiary Tower was merely Ruth giving him an opportunity.

Like Gilbert said, if he couldn’t even dare to look at the bread piled loosely in Aislin’s hand, then what could he accomplish?

Archmage Ruth certainly wouldn’t despise those who picked up the bread fallen on the ground; authority was originally meant to gradually trickle down.

But he also absolutely wouldn’t hold them in high regard.

Koyl had done all this, not to remain under others’ feet forever.

He thanked Gilbert once more before leisurely departing.

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

”Teacher.” After Carpenter brought the student designated by Koyl to Russell, she returned to the hall.

She had a lingering question in mind to ask.

”Hmm?”

”Why must Mr. Koyl distance himself from the Nicholson Family?” she asked very sincerely, ”Great Magician Nicholson is originally from the Tower of Dark Enigma, unlike Archmage Karmante, whose character is more radical... and he gets along well with Archmage Ruth!”

Hill glanced at her; this girl was probably thinking about the Hainarson Family.

”Where he lives now is the Subsidiary Tower of Archmage Ruth, a vital stronghold that can directly enter the Main Tower.” Hilbert smiled, ”Allies are not kin.”