Hilbert gave Oliva only a cold smile. "Are you... saying that to me? Here and now?"
Though he did not spell it out, everyone understood what Gilbert was asking Oliva: Were you planning to use Archmage Rute's standing to suppress him right in front of Rute?
Rute shook his head helplessly. Gilbert had not made it explicit because that was the greatest respect he could show his teacher.
And Oliva's habit of becoming flustered whenever trouble arose truly never changed.
Of course, he did not genuinely think that way. But because he was innately unwilling to shoulder responsibility, there was not much difference in what he ended up doing.
The reason Oliva's limits had only carried him this far could not be separated from his somewhat weak character.
Exceptional talent could only bring him this far. Beyond that... with willpower and decisiveness inferior even to Kament Tower's, what could anyone expect?
It would have been nice if Oliva possessed even a little of Aislin's heartless, cruel, and ruthless nature.
Naturally, Rute knew about that flaw in Aislin's nature... Otherwise, looking at those Mages trapped by love, regardless of gender, how many could be like Aislin, repeatedly defeated yet repeatedly returning to fight?
One failure alone was enough to leave them dispirited for a long time.
Not to mention that anyone who betrayed Aislin never met a good end... In the end, even death might have been a release for them.
Yet Aislin had placed the last shred of kindness and humanity in her heart upon him, her teacher.
She was a child who might betray the whole world, but would never betray Rute.
So no matter what, Rute could not abandon this somewhat extreme disciple who was always causing trouble.
After all, he was no good person himself. He would