Surviving The Fourth Calamity

The outward calmness of Koyl, bolstered by Aislin’s brief silence, quickly grew, reaching deep into his heart.

By the time the surprised Aislin focused on him again, the slightly fake bravado had already turned into genuine confidence.

So, for a moment, Aislin hesitated too.

Fortunately, Koyl, despite gaining some confidence, was not yet bold enough to be arrogant before her, so he immediately smiled at her, ”Although I am not as strong as Gilbert, after all, we are about the same age and are both Seventh Circle Mages, we do have some common ground.

Back in the day, we both learned basic spells from Mage Oliva.”

”Moreover, Gilbert’s temper is not as bad as it’s made out to be.”

Aislin tilted her head slightly and gave him a mocking smile, ”Gilbert indeed isn’t that troublesome, but the premise is that you don’t dare provoke him at all.

Otherwise, even Oliva was...

”Aislin.” Oliva’s helpless voice sounded from behind her, ”The teacher is looking for you, hurry up!

It seems Archmage Nicholson hopes we can assist with the construction of his Magic Tower.

I definitely don’t have the time.

You’ll have to handle it!”

Normally, Aislin would refuse.

Although she likes power, she rarely extends her reach into other people’s territories, much less exert effort for the sake of fleeting glory.

But what decision the current ’Aislin’ would make, even Oliva wasn’t sure.

”I got it.” Aislin pouted.

Before turning to enter the Magic Tower, she glanced at Koyl: ”You better know whose orders to follow, between me and Gilbert!”

Koyl’s brown eyes blinked lightly, and before Aislin’s figure disappeared at the door, he resolutely spoke up: ”I only follow the teacher’s orders.

Other people, unless the teacher says otherwise, have no right to command me.

Including Gilbert, although I have dealings with him, no one is anyone else’s master here.

Mage Aislin, even if you feel I’m not of much use, please respect the teacher you esteem.

Archmage Ruth is the only absolute ruler here.”

Aislin’s steps paused slightly, and her cold face turned towards him, her black eyes piercingly sharp as she looked at him: ”Heh~

Remember the words you’ve said yourself, Koyl, I’ve also remembered you.”

Watching her disappear beyond the doorway, Koyl couldn’t help but take several deep breaths.

Standing by, amused, Oliva laughed and patted him on the shoulder, ”Well done, Koyl.

I’m really surprised that you managed to come this far!

The teacher thought that for you two to stand your ground before Aislin, you needed to at least...”

He shook his head with a smile, leaving the rest unsaid.

Koyl understood what he meant.

It’s that if he and Jenny Rojas could withstand Aislin’s provocations a few times, they’ll either follow behind Oliva or become smarter and more cautious, unafraid of hurt or humiliation, and go straight to Ruth if there’s trouble... only then will they truly stand their ground.

By then, when they manage the Auxiliary Tower, no one will harbor dissatisfaction.

That’s also why Ruth never reminds them.

If they can’t even withstand Aislin, then they definitely can’t withstand the secret sabotage from students who think they’re better than Koyl and Jenny Rojas.

After all, Aislin is, in fact, the one with boundaries.

Her challenges, as long as you maintain inner clarity and don’t let frantic desires and emotions control you—especially greed and fear, aren’t too difficult to handle.

However, others won’t refrain from using cruel and malicious methods like Aislin does.

That lady dares to act this way because she has the capital and strength, not worrying at all about anyone’s retaliation after realizing it.

She’d even be glad for you to retaliate and release her from the bind named ’Ruth’!

So, Ruth often uses Aislin as that line of defense... only those who rely on themselves to get past her are worthy in his eyes.

Just like Gilbert, who always had his own way of dealing with her.

Koyl also realized this as Aislin domineeringly stood at the Magic Tower entrance causing trouble for him.

And Oliva... Koyl smiled gently at him, ”Thank you for coming to my rescue, Mage Oliva.”

Oliva raised his eyebrow, returning a smile, ”This was the teacher’s order, no need to thank me.

By the way, what kind of dealings do you have with Gilbert?

Do you also like the creation of Strange Objects?”

”No, I haven’t reached a point in my spellcasting path where I must halt,” Koyl shook his head, ”Though I’m interested in Alchemy, how should I put it... I lack Gilbert’s talents and can only choose one path.

Rarely has the teacher’s eye fallen on me, how could I get distracted at this time?

The path of a mage is so difficult. I’ll always face obstacles, and I’ll talk about it when the time comes!

I just really like the Hainarson Clan’s mint wine.

But, I can’t just go chat with him whenever I want to drink it.~

No matter how good Gilbert’s temper is, he won’t tolerate me disturbing him every few days.

Luckily, he now has students to manage these miscellaneous tasks, so I insisted that he add the mint wine to the trade list.

Yeah, so he gave me the trade directory.”

Mage Oliva chuckled, ”I didn’t expect that your relationship with Gilbert is actually quite good.

That guy isn’t one to indulge in such boring tasks.

That’s good... with Gilbert’s cooperation, here, you have practically secured more than half.

Those who dare to provoke him really...”

Koyl immediately interrupted, ”Isn’t my only backup here the teacher?

How can someone who dares to act against me under the teacher’s watch be afraid of Gilbert?

He’s just a bit crazy, but not really that strong!”

Koyl squinted and laughed, ”If he were really that strong, I wouldn’t dare to forge a friendship with him.”

Oliva waved his hand and turned to fly up in the sky, ”Heh~ saying it like that, it makes sense.

If you think that way, then keep thinking that way.”

Koyl actually understood that Oliva’s true intent wasn’t to trouble him. Although there was indeed some personal motive, it wasn’t to blatantly incite a rift between Ruth, Gilbert, and him.

But the way he said it was too transparent!

This is a place where everyone can hear.

If Koyl hadn’t reacted quickly to Oliva’s words just now, those people could have created countless rumors!

Just as Gilbert said, Oliva and Aislin each have their own challenges.

Moreover, these challenges are quite natural, not something they deliberately act out.

Compared to Aislin, Oliva is indeed a tougher hurdle.

Especially for someone like him who meticulously processes each sentence entirely, and then takes it in bit by bit.

Koyl glanced at the Magic Tower and then turned his head to look at the rear right... He had long felt the obscure gaze sticking to him, stepping toward his Subsidiary Tower.

Although the road ahead is difficult, at least he already knows which leg to start with and which path to take.

Fortunately, Gilbert, as he expected, has high standards.

Yet the expectations of him are very realistic, never demanding him to surpass his capabilities—or rather, what Gilbert desires is within his range of willingness.

Koyl pondered in a bit of a daze, realizing this is what it means to be an exemplar raised through elite education since childhood!

As long as Gilbert is willing... Hmm?

Koyl suddenly turned around sharply, with a piercing look at another Auxiliary Tower.

Why is Jenny Rojas staring at him?

If she is genuinely concerned that his relationship with Aislin and Oliva will become friendly... Simply put, it’s about whom he sides with, causing both of them to target her first. The scene just now made it clear that he chose himself.

Then all Rojas needs to consider is how she should act.

If she truly feels she can’t manage... Oliva is actually quite easy to latch on to.

Perhaps because he was initially responsible for the foundational education of these junior mages, Oliva wouldn’t refuse their reasonable requests for assistance and following.

However, those around him would immediately face Aislin’s blows, so despite being tempted, many wouldn’t dare act.

But it’s different now!

The inevitable blow from Aislin would require Oliva’s protection to be very necessary.

Koyl plans to rely on himself.

Simply put, with Gilbert around, he can indeed withstand a little... Aislin would inevitably weigh the consequences of being too excessive with him, possibly drawing out that Gilbert, who has a fairly decent relationship with him.

This makes it impossible to use Gilbert’s indifferent, nonchalant nature as a pretext, since his reactions are unpredictable.

Perhaps just to stir up trouble for Aislin with a plausible excuse, Gilbert might directly intervene.

Why would Jenny Rojas target him?

She shouldn’t be foolish enough to want to cooperate with Aislin, right?

Everyone knows why she was promoted—mainly because among Ruth’s Seventh Circle students with ambitions to control power, she is the only woman.

Other female students of Archmage Ruth don’t particularly like Aislin... To say they don’t like is even a euphemism. They would rather squat outside building their own Magic Towers slowly than stay in proximity to Aislin.

Koyl heard a bit about their thoughts: Being too close to Aislin, if one of their prized students someday turns into Aislin, they’d really go mad.