A Wizard’s Secret

“Fifth-level Darkness-type spell, Garotte Tempest!”

Merlin took out a Fifth-level book and carefully read the introduction of this spell.

Garotte Tempest was a standard Fifth-level Darkness-type spell. Once one had cast the spell, the Darkness Elements around the person would turn into the strongest blow. Along with a powerful illusion, the opponent would be flustered and rendered unable to block the attack.

The reason it was called Garotte Tempest was that the spell was too overpowering. No matter how powerful a Spell Caster was, he would still be greatly injured or die from an overpowering attack. This was considered an extremely strong spell among Fifth-level spells.

“As expected, not only Fifth-level Darkness-type spells have hallucinating effect, but it also has the ability to cause physical harm!”

Merlin nodded. Since the Fourth-level spell, Darkness Nightmare, was already considered the best in illusions, there could not be any Fifth-level spells that was stronger than Darkness Nightmare.

Then, the only breakthrough was their offensive ability. Darkness-type spells also possessed strong actual offensive ability now.

Without a hint of hesitation, Merlin chose the Fifth-level Darkness-type spell, Garotte Tempest.

Following that, he was only left with choosing the Sixth-level spell. Regarding this matter, he had heard from Wizard Leo about the Sixth-level Darkness-type spell, Destructive Light, which was known to be the strongest spell of all!

Destructive Light was a powerful Sixth-level spell that even Wizard Leo was unable to construct back then. No one knew who had created Destructive Light, nor did anyone know when the spell had passed on.

They only knew that Destructive Light was insanely powerful. During the most glorious age of Spell Casters, Destructive Light was, without a doubt, the strongest spell among all Darkness-type spells!

Of course, this was excluding the Seventh-level spells of the powerful Spell Casters. Destructive Light was simply one of the many Sixth-level spells in the world; how did the spell gain its fame and reputation?

In addition, from the ancient times three thousand six hundred years ago, one of the most important criteria to determine whether a Darkness-type Spell Caster was a prodigy was the Spell Caster’s ability to construct Destructive Light.

“Destructive Light is a black light but it contains incomparably strong power – the ability to destroy anything and everything. It’s even more powerful than many Seventh-level spells!”

Thinking about Wizard Leo’s introduction of Destructive Light, Merlin chose to believe his words. It was a spell that even Wizard Leo was impressed with but was not successful in constructing it. Merlin would naturally not choose another spell over this.

There could be numerous genius Spell Casters who were not able to construct Destructive Light, but Merlin had the help of the Matrix. No matter how complex the Spell Model was, he could easily construct it. Choosing Destructive Light almost meant that Merlin could construct it successfully.

In addition, Merlin had cultivated the third-type of Darkness Heart. Should Darkness Heart merge with Destructive Light, its power would be magnified to a fearsome level.

However, this matter was yet too far for Merlin. He had not even thought so far into the future. After taking the spell book of Destructive Light from the shelf, he turned around and approached Wizard Treman.

“Wizard Treman, these are the spells that I’ve chosen!”

Merlin placed the spells of his choice, one by one, before Wizard Treman.

Wizard Treman squinted his eyes and scanned the books. He immediately knew what Merlin had chosen. Although he had recommended Merlin to choose the stronger spells with more complicated Spell Models, he had not expected Merlin to choose such highly difficult spells.

“I don’t care about Darkness Tide and Darkness Vortex. The Fourth-level spell, Darkness Nightmare, is known to be the ultimate hallucinating spell; the complexity of its Spell Model even exceeds many Fifth-level spells. To be fair, it can even compare to some simpler Sixth-level spells. Meanwhile, the Sixth-level spell, Destructive Light, has the reputation of only being constructed successfully by true Darkness-type genius Spell Casters!”

Looking at the spells Merlin had chosen, even Wizard Treman was overwhelmed with surprise so he glanced at Merlin inquiringly.

Merlin was also observing Wizard Treman’s expression. After noticing that his expressions kept changing, Merlin realized that the spells he had chosen could be insanely powerful. Moreover, they were so strong to the extent that even Wizard Treman was speechless.

“Wizard Merlin, these are the spells that you’ve chosen?”

After a long moment, Wizard Treman asked in a low voice.

“That’s right. I’ve already decided that these are the spells I want. Wizard Treman, please undo the Runic Magic Circles imposed on these spell books.”

Merlin knew that there were Runic Magic Circles on these books that could not be forced open. Opening it by force would result in the destruction of the entire book. Thus, he would need to rely on the Spell Casters of Abyss Fort who were familiar with these Runic Magic Circles to undo them.

Upon seeing that Merlin was determined in his choice, Wizard Treman nodded. Following that, he reached out his hands and drew in the air. Mysterious runes danced in mid-air and absorbed into the books.

Then, Merlin sensed that the Runic Magic Circles on the spell books had been undone. He could freely read through the Spell Models recorded in the books anytime.

Merlin flipped the pages open randomly and saw some of the Spell Models and notes on it. Then, he nodded in satisfaction and kept these spell books in his ring. He bowed to Wizard Treman once again and walked out of the library.

Merlin had not only cultivated Darkness Heart in Abyss Fort. This time, he had even obtained Darkness-type spells, ranging from Second-level to Sixth-level. He did not have to worry about finding Darkness-type spells in the future at all.

Hence, Merlin was in a good mood. He had begun to think about when he could construct his first Second-level spell.

Even though Merlin’s Mind Power had reached that of the Third-level, it was still insufficient for him to construct Second-level spells. He would need to accumulate more Mind Power.

However, the increase in Mind Power from Third-level to Fourth-level was a complete change in quality. This meant that Merlin still had a large gap to improve himself. It would not be a problem for his Mind Power to grow by several factors.

Soon, Merlin left the library. Wizard Leo, who was waiting outside, suddenly stretched his red vertical eye wide and calmly asked Merlin, “Have you chosen your spells?”

Merlin was able to gain so much in Abyss Fort thanks to the enormous sacrifices Wizard Leo had made. Therefore, Merlin was grateful toward Wizard Leo and he replied respectfully, “Teacher Leo, I’ve chosen the spells!”

“Great. It’s time for us to leave!”

Wizard Leo heaved a long sigh, then turned to Wizard Hobbes. “Wizard Hobbes, I’ll give the last part of the cultivation method of Darkness Eye to you before I leave Abyss Fort. Now, please send us off from Abyss Fort first!”

“Leaving Abyss Fort?”

Wizard Hobbes frowned slightly. He glanced at Wizard Leo doubtfully. Wizard Leo would not dare to go back on his words for such an important exchange.

Otherwise, Abyss Fort would look for him even if he had returned to the Dark Magic Region.

However, Wizard Leo’s action was indeed strange. There could be some reasons that Wizard Hobbes did not know of behind his actions. After considering it for a long time, Wizard Hobbes still nodded due to his strong anticipation toward the cultivation method of Darkness Eye. “Alright. We’ll send you off from Abyss Fort, but only until we’re right out of Abyss Fort.”

Wizard Leo nodded. Following that, Wizard Hobbes and the other two Seventh-level Spell Casters “guarded” Merlin and Wizard Leo out of Abyss Fort, making sure that they stood around the duo.

…

Outside of Abyss Fort, a few figures appeared from the dark cave. It was Wizard Hobbes, Wizard Leo, and the others.

Wizard Gryzllo and Wizard Bahrain were walking in front, seemingly leading the way for Merlin and Wizard Leo. In fact, they were standing in Merlin and Wizard Leo’s way just in case anything happened.

Meanwhile, Wizard Hobbes was right behind the duo, watching Merlin and Wizard Leo’s moves closely.

“Alright, we’ve left Abyss Fort. Wizard Leo, what about the rest of the cultivation method?”

Wizard Hobbes slowly halted his footsteps and stared enthusiastically at Wizard Leo. At the same time, Wizard Gryzllo and Wizard Bahrain became alerted, fearing that Wizard Leo might make any “unwise” moves.

Wizard Leo directly took the remaining half of the cultivation method from his ring and handed it to Wizard Hobbes. What they were worried about did not occur.

After scanning through the remaining half quickly, Wizard Hobbes brimmed with elation. He said to Wizard Leo with smiles, “That’s great. Wizard Leo, you can leave anytime.”

“Let’s go!”

Wizard Leo did not hesitate at all. Strong fluctuations of Wind Elements appeared around him as he brought Merlin away from Abyss Fort rapidly.

Merlin was filled with unspoken words. He had a strange feeling. ‘Why did Wizard Leo leave Abyss Fort in such a rush? Could it be that something was wrong with the remaining half of the cultivation method?’

However, Wizard Hobbes was a Seventh-level Spell Caster. If there were any problem at all, he should have noticed it earlier; he would not let Wizard Leo go free like this.

Seemingly noticing the questions in Merlin’s mind, Wizard Leo took a glance at Abyss Fort which was becoming further away from them. He smirked. “The cultivation method of Darkness Eye is, of course, real. I’ve indeed devised it personally. However, if they want to cultivate Darkness Eye with my method, Abyss Fort must be prepared to sacrifice the lives of more than a dozen Sixth-level Spell Casters to have one person successfully cultivate it!”

“The lives of more than a dozen Sixth-level Spell Casters?”

Merlin was stunned. There were only about twenty Sixth-level Spell Casters in the entire Abyss Fort; they would not be able to pay such a price for it.

Merlin immediately understood that the cultivation method devised by Wizard Leo might have a fatal flaw that was unable to be made up with anything. With his cultivation method, some might successfully cultivate Darkness Eye. However, the price the person had to pay was far greater than what a small-scaled spell casters’ organization like Abyss Fort could afford!

“Abyss Fort… They’ve truly been taken advantage of completely. They can’t even regret what they’ve agreed to now!”

Merlin took a glimpse at Abyss Fort which had now become a blurred image. He took a deep breath and mumbled to himself.