A Wizard’s Secret

“Spell casters’ organization?”

The entire room fell into silence again.

After a long moment, Wizard Sammir heaved a long sigh. “Wizard Merlin, have you ever been troubled about not having spells, potions or casting tools when you were in the Dark Magic Region? I know that you’ll pay an equal price to obtain precious spells, potions, and casting tools in spell casters’ organization. Either way, you’d still have the privilege to obtain the items you require as every type of spell, potion, and casting tool is available in an organization.

“Meanwhile, roaming wizards like us have nothing at all. If we want to buy spells, it’ll cost us an arm and leg to do so. Moreover, even if we have a large number of elemental crystal stones, we won’t be able to buy the spells or potion materials suitable for us. The ancient monument may have some special spells, precious potions or even ancient powerful casting tools. However, how can these things compare to what spell casters’ organizations have? As long as they put in the effort to pay the price, they can get anything they want. The presence of the ancient monument doesn’t attract the wizards in spell casters’ organizations at all, especially strong wizards of Fourth-level and above.”

After a pause, Wizard Sammir took a long look at Merlin, then said with a hint of a smile, “In addition, the location of the ancient monument is far away even for Fire City, the spell casters’ organization closest to us. Hehe, Wizard Merlin should know this better than we do. Spell casters’ organizations such as Fire City, the Dark Magic Region, and the others are busy dealing with Ozmu right now; they won’t have the time to care about whatever ancient monument here.”

Merlin was a little surprised. The fact that the Dark Magic Region, Fire City, Abyss Fort, and Ashes Region had joined forces to deal with Ozmu was well known amongst wizards from spell casters’ organizations.

However, many roaming wizards did not even know spell casters’ organization that well, not to mention obtaining such detailed information on the battle with Ozmu. Obviously, Wizard Sammir had especially fished the information about the situation of spell casters’ organizations before.

Merlin nodded. Wizard Sammir has got a point there. Spell casters’ organizations had a complete endowment, a very comprehensive knowledge system, and an immeasurable amount of resources. The members of spell casters’ organizations only needed to use their contribution points to obtain the spells, potions, and casting tools they needed.

Thus, the spells, potions, and casting tools in the ancient monument were not attractive to the powerful Spell Casters in spell casters’ organizations at all.

However, Wizard Sammir was unaware of the legendary Pandora Demon Ability in the ancient monument. In this case, even powerful wizards of spell casters’ organizations would definitely enter the ancient monument.

Upon thinking of this, Merlin took a knowing look at Wizard Riesen and found the latter in a calm composure. Sensing Merlin’s gaze, he even nodded with a nonchalant smile.

“He hides his feelings too well!”

Looking at the calm Wizard Riesen, Merlin maintained a sharp vigilance against him. Riesen had many tricks up his sleeve, so Merlin would have to be cautious when they enter the ancient monument.

“Wizard Sammir, since there won’t be any Spell Caster of Fourth-level and above, let’s move out as soon as possible. We don’t have to wait until tomorrow. Rather, we can depart to the ancient monument anytime.”

Merlin was cleared of his doubts and agreed to Wizard Bren’s suggestion to enter the ancient monument.

Wizard Sammir nodded. “Alright, let’s not delay further and move out right away!”

Hence, Wizard Sammir prepared a few carriages and let their Alchemy Creatures to drive the carriages. Soon, the carriages ran at full speed out of Floating City and headed toward the mysterious ancient monument.

…

In the early morning, the winter fog lingered as the warm sunlight shone upon a large area of dense forest. The fallen leaves on the ground were soaked by the moist dewdrops that reflected strings of golden light under the sun.

The entire forest was shrouded in the fog to the extent that nobody could see his or her own hands anymore.

However, in such a dense forest, a group of Spell Casters had gathered.

The Spell Casters’ gazes were focused on a small hill in front of them. If one looked closely at the hill, one would find that it was not a hill at all. Instead, it was an ancient-looking tower which was covered in soil where flowers and plants had grown on it.

Only the upper four floors of the ancient tower were visible. Since it was covered by soil all year-round, it appeared just like a small hill. Moreover, such an ancient tower would have at least nine floors in total. In other words, apart from the upper four floors shown above ground, there could be at least six floors buried underneath.

The fact that such a tall tower was buried underground proved that it had stood the test of time of over thousands of years.

Below the ancient tower, there was an area of soil that was charred black; it was obviously scorched by high temperature. It showed that someone had cast Fire-type spells here. Moreover, there was a large hole beside the charred soil, indicating that someone had passed through the hole and entered the underground of the ancient tower.

A large crowd of Spell Casters gathered in front of the tower. They were mostly Entrance-level Spell Casters. They stared intently at the entrance of the tower but did not dare to enter.

“The Spell Casters who entered the tower earlier did not experience any issues. I think it’s not that dangerous in there. Let’s go in quickly.”

There was a small group of Spell Casters amongst the crowd; the one who spoke was Wizard Ken of the Delman clan.

Meanwhile, Wizard Glen, the Four-Elemental Second-level Spell Caster, and Elena stood beside him. With Glen as the leader, the three had arrived at the front of the ancient tower.

This tower was just a part of the ancient monument. There were more floors buried underground which consisted of the entire ancient monument.

“Let’s not rush. The ones who went in are Entrance-level Spell Casters. Even if they entered the monument, how many dangerous zones can they break through?”

Wizard Glen appeared rather composed. He did not rush as he stopped Wizard Ken, who seemed slightly agitated.

“Phew…”

As soon as Wizard Glen finished his words, a violent gust of wind blew suddenly. Following that, an old and thin Spell Caster with white hair strode toward the ancient monument.

This old-looking Spell Caster, albeit taking slow strides, had a gust of whirlwind blowing in front of him. It made a way through the crowds of Spell Casters in front of the ancient monument by force.

“It’s Wizard Hodgdon. He’s a well-known First-level Spell Caster. He possesses a few strong Defensive casting tools in addition to his expertise in Wind-type spells. Tsk tsk. He’s a powerful wizard who can stand against a Second-level Spell Caster.”

There were Spell Casters in the crowd who recognized the old man as they muttered amongst themselves.

“Hodgdon, he’s pretty strong. It’s good to have him clear the path ahead of us.”

Wizard Glen who hid amongst the crowds pulled his robe lower as he spoke in a low voice.

The ancient monument contained many hidden dangers. Although Wizard Glen was confident, he did not want to enter rashly. Thus, he had been waiting all this while for a capable Spell Caster to enter the ancient monument before him. Following the Spell Caster, they could minimize the danger that they would encounter in there.

“Ken, Elena, stay close to me. After Hodgdon has entered the ancient monument, we’ll trail in after him.”

Wizard Glen had completed his preparation. His stare was glued on Wizard Hodgdon waiting for him to enter the monument.

“Hehe, old man Hodgdon, you’ll soon be dead. Even so, you still want to enter the ancient monument and test your luck? But let me go in first. Haha!”

Suddenly, a series of loud laughter rang. A muscular Spell Caster who only wore a basic creature’s skin dashed out of the dense forest. There were many gigantic rings hanging over his left ear, making him look rather daunting.

The Spell Caster with the weird outfit shook off the dewdrops on him and quirked his mouth. He pointed straight at the old man Hodgdon and a hint of fire appeared out of thin air. In the blink of an eye, the fire turned into an endless sea of flames that almost ignited the entire forest.

The old man Hodgdon who was initially emotionless changed his expression drastically after seeing the Spell Caster with the weird outfit. After the flames had appeared, he immediately took a step back. An intense amount of Wind Elements fluctuated around him and his speed had increased significantly.

However, the old man was still one step slower than the weird Spell Caster. His body was covered in flames but there was a grayish light flashing on him. It was obviously a Defensive casting tool that worked to defend against the spell of the Spell Caster with the weird outfit.

“Baslow, you madman. What are you doing? If you want to go in, I’ll let you do it first!”

The old man appeared to be in rage as he yelled.

The Spell Caster named Baslow smirked as he said, “Old man Hodgdon, I haven’t finished my business with you from the previous time! You indeed have a lot of tricks to save your life despite not having any other strength. You better stay away from me. Hehe. Otherwise, I may very well attack you when I’m not in a good mood!”

Baslow seemed to have had arguments with the old man Hodgdon before but he had no means to beat the latter, who was good at escaping and saving his own life.

The old man Hodgdon wore a dark expression. Since he knew that he could not fight against Baslow, he stifled his words. Meanwhile, Baslow could have wanted to enter the ancient monument quickly, so he strode toward the entrance in large steps after he gave his ‘warning’ to the old man Hodgdon.

He was different from Wizard Glen and the others; he did not care about the danger present in the ancient monument and did not want to wait for others to clear the path for him.

“Such stupidity. The ones who enter the ancient monument first die the quickest. But Baslow is a Second-level Spell Caster, so he’s more suitable to clear the obstacles in front for us.”

Wizard Glen hid amongst the crowd and closely observed the other Spell Casters.

Baslow, who wore a creature’s skin indeed had an overbearing attitude, and he had every right to. Before he entered the ancient monument, two figures dashed toward Baslow rapidly, blowing a gust of wind.

“Bang!”

Baslow immediately cast his Defensive spell but he was still thrown off by the strong force. Following that, a sharp voice rang. “The Four Alchemists of Floating City are here. For those who want to live, leave immediately or prepare to die in vain!”

Four figures gradually appeared in front of the ancient monument. After seeing the arrival of the alchemists, Wizard Glen who hid amongst the crowds finally changed his calm expression.

“It’s these four old men… They’re here this time as well. This is bad!”

Wizard Glen frowned slightly. His tone revealed that he knew the so-called ‘Four Alchemists of Floating City’ and he was fearful of them.

“That’s not right. One of them is not here. Hmm? Who’s that?”

Suddenly, the youthful face of a black-robed Spell Caster amongst the four made Wizard Glen speechless for a moment with a hint of surprise in his eyes.