Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hilbert did not know how unique a new assistant Ruth selected, but he quickly understood one thing: the other female mage was not one to be trifled with.

After confirming that although Koyl was cunning, he hadn’t stooped to treating their group of women as offerings for more powerful individuals, and only considered them as opponents, Rohas was invigorated.

She didn’t care about competing with others, even if Koyl would never make concessions to them because of their gender... Even on the surface, when Koyl was fighting with her, he only regarded her as an opponent.

Although Rohas disliked Koyl’s calculating nature, she was very satisfied with Koyl’s attitude.

People born in mage families, and those born in noble families, are completely different indeed.

In the eyes of most people from mage families, anyone competing for interests, regardless of who they are, is a competitor, but they don’t consider things like gender.

Even those who favor beauty, when facing female mages with similar capabilities that cannot be easily subdued, their attitude is similar to how they treat male mages.

Power is the premise for gaining their respect, and it’s something ingrained in them from a young age.

But mages from noble families, whether because they’ve known since childhood that even female members with mage aptitude are intended for marriage, exhibit a different attitude towards women—bewilderment but always with a condescending air.

After all, everyone understands what marriage alliances truly mean: women actually are treated as commodities.

The education they receive from a young age also lets them understand what their future will be like.

Even if their abilities match those of their husbands, and in most cases might be stronger, the imposing family behind their husbands forces them to bow down.

Noble women live very clear-headed lives... They know the cruelty of the outside world, and they understand that relying on comfort makes it difficult to escape their current nests. So, even if unwilling, most have accepted this lifestyle.

Although Rohas doesn’t see anything wrong with it: living is inherently difficult.

Women among the poor live truly harsher lives.

Even noble ladies can choose whom to spend their days with!

She doesn’t sympathize with those girls, although she indeed prefers the more unrestrained personality of female mages from mage families.

Many female mages from noble backgrounds, if unable to shed the brainwashed family upbringing that urges them to find support, will struggle to progress.

Noble female mages are indeed among the easiest to compromise under heavy pressure.

But conversely, if they can shed the marks and binds from past lives, their futures would be much brighter... those who can recognize their past and present are the ones most likely to foresee their future.

Yet, noble male mages tend to treat female mages as commodities for trade.

In their eyes, female mages with insufficient talent and inadequate skills are tools.

And those stronger than them will eventually become tools for even stronger male mages.

Speaking of which, such occurrences are less frequent in the Ruth Faction, mostly thanks to Aislin.

Even though she was constantly deceived, she genuinely treated men as tools... Her love stories seemed to move herself the most.

It’s hard to guess exactly how moved she was, because when she decided to give up, despite being overwrought with grief and heavy losses, she did so resolutely.

This is why although female mages around her may dislike Aislin and always avoid her, they never secretly oppose her.

Female mages reaching high-level status—anyone who thinks she’s stupid is the one truly being foolish.

They may sometimes become overly extreme for certain reasons, seeming a bit mad and frantic, but they undoubtedly act from their own desires.

Rohas also knows that, regardless of the background, there will be individuals who rise above the muck, naturally possessing integrity and understanding how to respect others.

But she, burdened with the fate of so many young women, must tread cautiously, prepare for the worst, and then take the next step.

So, she can only probe little by little, move forward step by step.

But at least for now, the current situation is the best.

Even the one person she couldn’t quite figure out, Koyl, is demonstrating typical mage thinking... As long as this guy doesn’t hit her girls with some vile means, Rohas isn’t afraid of him!

Rohas, her spirit invigorated, dove headfirst into the fray... She may not snatch everything, but she will not easily back down from power that benefits her students’ future.

After all, those she’s competing against with Koyl are all bones Oliva and Aislin discard.

Why not seize as much as possible at this moment? Why wait until later and beg from others for crumbs?

Her students are gearing up to break into the high-level tier, after all!

This teacher, Mage Rohas, definitely doesn’t want to lose.

”Rohas, is that woman a madman?”

Hilbert leaned sideways on the desk, listening expressionlessly to Koyl’s loud complaints.

”If you’ve come to discuss with me why you lost to that female mage, I don’t have time to entertain you.” Hilbert fiddled with his bracelet, speaking coldly, ”Rohas was originally one of the oldest Seventh Circle Mages with the teacher.

She just hasn’t figured out her path yet, but if a real fight happens, she could definitely take down two of you.”

Koyl was stunned for a moment: ”If she’s so strong, why hasn’t she ever stood out?

The teacher has always lacked someone who can help him manage the female apprentices.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stopped accepting female mages in recent years.”

Although Oliva can also teach, his character has always been more rough.

Hmm, teaching methods for both genders aren’t the problem, but forgetting female-specific needs when distributing resources is a bit troublesome.

And although Aislin won’t help him, she is very willing to make a fuss when he screws things up.

So, many talented female mages... those good enough for the three Tower Masters to value, eventually went to Nicholson and Kamente Tower.

After all, when choosing between the Tower Master and the students of the Tower Master, who would abandon the Tower Master over some minor troubles?

Otherwise, Ruth wouldn’t have completely given up the idea of accepting female apprentices... Who cares about male or female when it comes to talented students!

If Rohas had been willing to step up then, relying on Ruth’s protection, and with sufficient strength to counter Aislin... the weakest Eighth Ring isn’t fake, she might not be unable to stand her ground.

”Indeed, mid-high tier female mages don’t like Aislin, but they don’t dislike her either.” Hilbert said leisurely, ”And not everyone is willing to face so many troubles just to stand higher.”

”Hmm?” Koyl asked, puzzled, ”What do you mean?

The Tower of Dark Enigma has such few troubles and she thinks it’s too much, yet she feels she can handle this much at the Sia Tower?”

”That’s naturally because she has no choice in the matter.” Hilbert smiled slightly, ”I quite admire Mage Rohas.

Truly a person with a lot of responsibility and courage!”

In Gilbert’s memory, there are some bits of information related to Rohas, and Hill feels he can guess a little of the reason why that female mage suddenly stepped forward.

Keep in mind, the girls of the Hainarson Family are already quite beautiful, but the occasional glimpse by Gilbert still left him a bit shocked at the extraordinary appearance of the girls behind Rohas.

Although he isn’t interested in many things, he still understands what ’beauty can kill’ means.

It’s just that he’s always too lazy to meddle in other people’s affairs; after all, Rohas’s strength can indeed protect those young girls. With nothing dramatic to watch, Gilbert naturally pays no further attention.

But that was in the Tower of Dark Enigma.

Koyl’s words weren’t wrong, but Rohas had certainly sensed a significant threat.

For a top-level Seventh-Ring Archmage like her... perhaps she has already found her own Law, just that the Resonance isn’t enough. She surely will keenly feel those malignant gazes.

Once you think of who the mistress of the Sia Tower is and her real attributes... plus the unknown number of devils mixed in with those white-robed mages, Hill knew undoubtedly that those alluring female students of hers had been targeted.

Perhaps, the people of the Sia Tower haven’t yet considered targeting the newcomers from the Tower of Dark Enigma, especially Ruth’s direct subordinates, but as time goes by, and the large number of people from the Tower of Dark Enigma integrate into the life environment of the Sia Tower, Rohas might not be able to keep her students safe.

Perhaps, she can never bow under external threats, and Ruth wouldn’t let others suppress his students... But if the people of the Sia Tower can only do things in such a brutal way, the Tower of Dark Enigma wouldn’t have come this far.

Pressure and allure, there are always those who can’t resist.

However, most people wouldn’t stand out in such situations, standing before everyone just to protect a group of girls whose strength isn’t particularly strong and talents aren’t deemed high.

Notably, when the cover is still relatively intact... at least this teacher hasn’t been forced by others to send students away.

Hilbert raised his head and smiled at Koyl: ”If you observe carefully, you might realize that Mage Rohas’ goals aren’t quite aligned with yours.”

”I know, but she competes with me for resources.” Koyl said candidly, ”You know, I’ve already given up my financial resources.

At this point, no matter what difficulties she has, I can’t stop competing with her.”

”Just do it openly, don’t play dirty tricks.” Hilbert warned him blandly.