A Wizard’s Secret

“Trouble? There was some trouble indeed. Thanks to Teacher Leo’s bracelet, I could escape danger and return to the Dark Magic Region safely!”

Merlin lifted his head gently to look at Wizard Leo. He was even more certain now that Wizard Leo had some knowledge of what had happened through the bracelet.

The vertical bloodshot eye on Wizard Leo’s forehead emanated wisps of blood-colored light which enveloped Merlin and only disappeared after a long time. Wizard Leo heaved a long sigh and said, “Indeed, you’ve used the bracelet. Not just that, you’ve practically cast its power to the limits…”

Just as Wizard Leo was about to say more, he seemed to have made a discovery. With a gentle exclamation, he asked, “Eh? Merlin, you… Have you become a Second-level Spell Caster already?”

An average person would not have been able to notice it, but Wizard Leo’s Darkness Eyes had a myriad of mystical abilities and could see through Merlin’s true condition. It did not matter if Wizard Leo would find out about it nor was Merlin surprised that he was able to find out so soon .

Therefore, he nodded and answered, “That’s right. I’ve constructed all Second-level spells by luck and become a Second-level Wizard!”

“Tsss…”

Wizard Leo, who had been through a lot in his life could not help but inhale sharply at that moment. He knew clearly that when Merlin left the Dark Magic Region for the Kurdmansla Islands, he had only been a First-level Spell Caster.

However, within the short span of half a year, Merlin had become a Second-level Spell Caster. Such speed was incomparable, not even with Kleis from the past. He had even surpassed many of the geniuses who were specifically nurtured by many big-scale spell casters’ organizations.

“Merlin, tell me, other than Lava Soil, what else have you obtained this time, having gone so far to the Kurdmansla Islands?”

With one look, Wizard Leo knew that Merlin had probably obtained Lava Soil and completed the cultivation of Fuse Earth. Otherwise, he would not have returned.

However, Wizard Leo also knew that Merlin had gained far more than that. Even the bracelet he had produced had been destroyed, which was enough to indicate that Merlin must have encountered extremely dangerous things.

Merlin fell into deep thought for a moment. Although Wizard Leo was very skillful, he had probably not learned about the Flame Maxim in his Awareness yet. Earlier, when Darkness Eye had been checking him out, Merlin had clearly felt a special fluctuation appearing automatically from the Flame Maxim, inhibiting Darkness Eye from detecting it.

The Flame Maxim was just too important. The implications would be too grave if news about it were to be leaked out. Even the Great Wizards would go crazy. As a result, Merlin could not tell Wizard Leo about the Flame Maxim as well as the Ship of Nikola which he had obtained under the sea, even though he trusted Wizard Leo very much.

Other than the Flame Maxim, there was the Wind-type Speed Pandora Demon Ability, Flash Wind that he had obtained from Wizard Bammou. Perhaps this would be of some help to Wizard Leo.

After all, Wizard Leo had previously expended a lot of effort to help Merlin get Darkness Heart and the Pandora Demon Ability, Fuse Earth. The person Merlin trusted the most in the Dark Magic Region would be Wizard Leo.

“Teacher, other than obtaining Lava Soil on this trip to the Kurdmansla Islands, I’ve encountered some dangers as well. However, it’s because of these misfortunes that I’ve been lucky enough to get a powerful Pandora Demon Ability – Flash Wind!

“Flash Wind is also a Pandora Demon Ability that can be fused with a spell. It’s so fast that its speed is unparalleled, especially when it fuses with a Seventh-level spell. Once the cultivation is complete, I’m afraid that no one will be able to stop it. It should be of some help to you, Teacher!”

Having finished speaking, Merlin took Flash Wind out and presented it before Teacher Leo.

“Eh? You’ve even obtained such a powerful Pandora Demon Ability?”

Wizard Leo was intrigued. He immediately stretched out his hand and grabbed Flash Wind before scrutinizing it carefully.

Slowly, Wizard Leo’s expression changed. Eventually, it became one of utmost solemnity.

“Merlin, this Flash Wind isn’t an ordinary Pandora Demon Ability. It has three stages and can even be fused with spells. This is the apex Pandora Demon Ability even in the Dark Magic Region! Such a Pandora Demon Ability cannot be taken out so casually!”

Wizard Leo looked extremely serious. He passed Flash Wind back to Merlin.

Naturally, Merlin knew the importance of Flash Wind. Ever since he had obtained the records of the Fifth-level freak Wizard on Pandora Demon Abilities, Merlin’s understanding of Pandora Demon Abilities had deepened tremendously. He was no longer the Spell Caster who knew nothing.

Flash Wind had three stages and it could be fused with spells, especially speed spells which was what made it an exceptionally special Pandora Demon Ability. With Flash Wind, even Ninth-level Spell Casters would not be able to kill Wizard Bammou if they did not possess any Pandora Demon Ability that could restrain him.

Back then, Wizard Bammou’s confidence had increased greatly only because he had cultivated Flash Wind to its completion. He had not been afraid, not even of something as dangerous as searching for the Ship of Nikola at the bottom of the sea.

He had felt that he could escape because he had Flash Wind. However, no one had known that it was more difficult to get out from the Ship of Nikola than to get in. Even so, Wizard Bammou had still stayed alive even when he faced the powerful Flame Image and had finally been forced into the Flame Prison to be tortured.

That could prove how effective Flash Wind was when it came to protecting one’s life!

Seeing that Wizard Leo had passed Flash Wind back to him, Merlin lowered his voice and said, “Teacher, wouldn’t it be of great use if you could cultivate Flash Wind to completion? Even if you were to encounter danger in the future, you could escape at any moment.”

Merlin knew about what had happened between Wizard Leo and Ozmu and it was definitely not a simple matter. Ozmu had lost a powerful Seventh-level Spell Caster. If they had the opportunity, they would definitely cause trouble for Wizard Leo.

By then, Wizard Leo would probably be facing powerful Eighth or Ninth-level Spell Casters. With Flash Wind, Wizard Leo would be able to escape with ease.

The vertical bloodshot eye on Wizard Leo’s forehead took a good look at Merlin. Then, a meaningful smile appeared on the corners of his lips as he said, “Merlin, you’re very considerate. This Flash Wind is very powerful indeed. However, its third stage has to be fused with a Seventh-level spell. Only then can Flash Wind reach the level of instantaneous movement.

“However, I’m just a Sixth-level Spell Caster. It’ll be very difficult for me to step onto the level of a Seventh-level Spell Caster in this lifetime. It’s of no use to me if I only complete the cultivation of the first two stages for Flash Wind. Even Darkness Eye would not be able to help me if a Spell Caster threatening to harm me appears. So, do you think the first two stages of Flash Wind would be of any use, Merlin?”

Merlin was slightly stunned. Indeed, Wizard Leo was merely a Sixth-level Spell Caster now, not a Seventh-level Spell Caster. He would not be able to complete the cultivation of Flash Wish.

Moreover, Merlin already had a notion of just how powerful Darkness Eye was when he had unleashed the power in the bracelet created by Wizard Leo on the Ship of Nikola.

Nowadays, there were not many Spell Casters who could threaten Wizard Leo’s safety. They would probably have to be Eighth or Ninth-level Spell Casters who were especially powerful. Facing such Spell Casters, cultivation of only the first two stages of Flash Wind would not be helpful at all.

Merlin quietly put Flash Wind away into the ring once more. Although Wizard Leo had not accepted Flash Wind as a gift, an “ugly” smile was brimming on his face; it was clear that he felt very happy.

“Merlin, I believe that you can feel a hint of abnormality coming off the Darkness Eye, yes? The truth is, the previous time at Abyss Fort when the cultivation method for Darkness Eye was exchanged for Darkness Heart, I lied to the people at Abyss Fort. How could I perfect such a powerful Pandora Demon Ability like Darkness Eye?”

When Wizard Leo initiated the topic on Darkness Eye, Merlin’s expression immediately turned solemn.

Wizard Leo looked at Merlin and continued to speak. “Darkness Eye is a powerful Pandora Demon Ability that I’d come across by chance. Actually, this Pandora Demon Ability had been passed down from the Spell Casters’ most glorious era. A Great Wizard called Oflas had a total of seven forms – so powerful that it was beyond most Wizards’ imagination. Even in Abyss Fort – where the cultivation method for Darkness Eye had always been kept – they had only the most simplified version. Moreover, it’s an incomplete version, not worth comparing at all with the real Darkness Eye!”

Some bold guesses began to appear in Merlin’s mind. During the Spell Casters’ most glorious era, the Pandora Demon Ability, Darkness Eye that the Great Legend of Darkness Wizard Oflas had created during his lifetime would definitely have been spread far and wide.

Perhaps many “copies” and “improved versions” of Darkness Eye had appeared during that period of time. However, those were not actually the real Darkness Eye. They could be categorized as extremely weak Pandora Demon Abilities which were far too different from Darkness Eye of the Legend of Darkness, Oflas.

Those in Abyss Fort were probably the “copies” of Darkness Eye. Even the imitated cultivation method for Darkness Eye was incomplete.

Only Darkness Eye obtained by Wizard Leo was the real Darkness Eye. There was a total of seven forms, which matched the description Merlin had seen in the records on special Pandora Demon Abilities.

When Darkness Eye had been mentioned, Wizard Leo’s expression, despite being one of happiness, also had a slightly worried look which was difficult to hide.

“Merlin, although Darkness Eye is powerful, it’s still very arduous to cultivate it. Moreover, once you start cultivating it, it’s not a path you can return from… Perhaps I’ll consider passing on the actual cultivation method for Darkness Eye to you once you’ve become a Fourth-level Spell Caster!”

Finally, Wizard Leo had talked about Darkness Eye in depth. He really did intend to pass Darkness Eye to Merlin – he just had to wait until Merlin had become a Fourth-level Spell Caster before he made his decision.

Although it was only a promise, Merlin was already feeling deliriously happy in his heart. This special Pandora Demon Ability, Darkness Eye, was extremely difficult to obtain even during the Spell Casters’ most glorious era.

By now, Merlin had obtained so many Pandora Demon Abilities but none of them was a special Pandora Demon Ability. That was enough to show just how precious a special Pandora Demon Ability like Darkness Eye was.

Seeing how excited Merlin was, Wizard Leo shook his head and spoke slowly, “Merlin, remember that the construction of spells is the most important of all. No matter how strong the Pandora Demon Ability is, you won’t become a great Spell Caster if you can’t construct spells!”

It was obvious that Wizard Leo remembered his current condition. He had great powers but could never complete the process of becoming a Seventh-level Spell Caster.

Merlin could do nothing about this. The domain of a Seventh-level Spell Caster was not one that he could understand yet. However, he suddenly remembered Wizard Howl, whom he had met earlier on the first floor of the tower.

Wizard Leo had stayed in the tower for so many years that it would be impossible for him not to know anything about his situation. Thus, Merlin carefully asked, “Teacher Leo, do you know about Wizard Howl’s situation?”

“Howl? He’s already left the Dark Magic Region by now!”

Wizard Leo looked out from the tower calmly. His expression, however, showed that he was slightly emotional. It seemed that he knew a lot about the matters concerning Wizard Howl.

“What? Wizard Howl has left the Dark Magic Region? He was still in the tower earlier… Wizard Leo, what grudge is there between Wizard Howl and Kleis?”

Merlin thought about the twisted expression that had been on Wizard Howl’s face and could not resist asking Wizard Leo about it.