Hill had no intention of keeping the so-called secret Russell brought confidential, nor did he plan to help with it.
Ulrich might not have understood his uncle's true thoughts, but he knew Gilbert's attitude toward the family perfectly well... otherwise, he would not have rushed into the meditation room the moment he returned home and simply refused to come out.
The Hainalson Family's upper ranks had envisioned things beautifully... at the very least, they could stay ahead for a year or two before the news came out.
However, once several apprentices with utterly unremarkable talent actually became intermediate apprentices, the matter could no longer be kept secret.
Ulrich had been baffled. On the day he finally advanced to Mage, he emerged only to receive this long-anticipated news... back when his father had seen that these family members would not even give Gilbert the slightest concession, he had said that this family could only endure hardship together.
Once it escaped the pressure bearing down upon it, it was bound to fall apart.
His advancement had come at just the right time, especially since Gilbert had once forcibly made him learn quite a few 1st-circle spells... Advanced Apprentices could, with the aid of certain magical items, cast one or two 1st-circle spells.
Otherwise, how could Gilbert have felt at ease letting Ulrich travel back and forth between the Mage Tower and the town? Though the people of Black Mystery Tower certainly would not lay a hand on Gilbert's nephew, there were far more people in Black Mystery Town blinded by profit.
These desperate outlaws might not have had much skill, but they were vicious and decisive enough. If they successfully launched an ambush, they would immediately flee into the Wilds, each man for himself.
But Ulrich's success also provoked the Mages of