A Wizard’s Secret

Merlin was just about to tell Wizard Leo about his possession of Pandora Demon Ability but Wizard Leo waved his hand lightly. “Whatever Pandora Demon Ability you have, that’s your secret. You don’t have to tell me.

“I’m just feeling gratified. What is Kleis in comparison? You’re far more outstanding than Kleis. Weiss and Bluebird are only the beginning. In the future, you must kill Kleis with your own hands, understand?”

A beam of light abruptly shone out of the crimson third eye on Wizard Leo’s forehead, and he wore a grave expression.

Merlin was somewhat taken aback. According to the pact between the Dark Magic Region and Ozmu, Spell Casters above Fourth-level were not allowed to make any moves. However, Merlin was not a Spell Caster above Fourth-level, but a First-level Spell Caster. Even if he leveled up in a short time, he would still merely be a Second-level Spell Caster.

Only Merlin would have the opportunity to kill Kleis who had betrayed the Dark Magic Region!

“Teacher Leo, I’ll keep this in mind. If I encounter Kleis in the future, I’ll kill him myself!”

Merlin replied in a low voice, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes.

Wizard Leo gave him a desolate smile and slightly bobbed his head. “Very well. Surely you’ve come to find me for some other matter as well?”

Wizard Leo wore a half-smile as he looked toward the direction of the door.

Merlin’s heart leaped, and he hurriedly gestured for Emma to come in, following which he said to Wizard Leo, “Wizard Leo, her name is Emma. Three years ago, I met her outside by chance and saw that she had Spell Caster Quality, so I gave her some spells. I didn’t think that in three years, she would consecutively construct three Zero-level spells. Therefore, I unofficially took her on as my student, and she’s been assigned to your Wizard Tower.”

Merlin briefly explained Emma’s situation to Wizard Leo. Emma, despite seeing that Wizard Leo’s appearance was rather scary, still steeled her nerves and bowed toward him.

“Not bad, Merlin. Since you’ve approved of her, you’ll have to guide her through her cultivation in the Dark Magic Region.”

Wizard Leo did not mind but instead handed the matter over to Merlin. The hardest thing to do for someone with a temper like Wizard Leo’s was to handle a student.

“Oh right, Wizard Leo, there’s one more thing I need your help. I’ve become a First-level Spell Caster, and have found an attendant, who’s also your previous student, Laurinka. As she did not become a First-level Spell Caster, she was stripped off her Dark Magic ring and was sent away from the Dark Magic Region. Thus, now she has no way of entering the Dark Magic Region and is still waiting outside. I need your help, Teacher, to help me apply for an attendant’s Dark Magic ring.”

Merlin quickly clarified the matter of Laurinka. Wizard Leo flapped his hand and appeared rather impatient. “That’s a trivial matter. I’ll send for someone to bring the Dark Magic ring used by attendants, but you understand that according to the Dark Magic Region’s rules, any trouble caused by your attendant is equivalent to trouble caused by you. Therefore, you must be prudent in selecting an attendant.”

Merlin nodded. An attendant was a representative of a Spell Caster, so many Spell Casters even after becoming Second- or Third-level in the Dark Magic Region, still had no attendants. That was because they were judicious in selecting an attendant, so if there was no one suitable at the moment, they could only choose not to accept any attendant for now.

With Wizard Leo’s help, a Spell Caster arrived at the tower soon enough, delivering a Dark Magic ring used by attendants to Merlin. As soon as the ring was delivered, Merlin’s servant, Laurinka, was in fact already in the Dark Magic Region’s records. That way, there would be no errors.

With the Dark Magic ring, Merlin brought Emma away from Wizard Leo’s room. After they came out, Emma heaved a sigh of relief. With some residual fear, she asked, “Teacher, that was Wizard Leo just now? He’s really scary…”

Merlin knew that there were not many people who would be unafraid of Wizard Leo’s terrifying appearance. However, he had known Wizard Leo for a long time and had a clear understanding of Wizard Leo’s character, so he was not frightened.

“Emma, Wizard Leo’s a good person. You’ll learn that after some time. Come on, I’ll bring you to your room. You can rest first, and slowly familiarize yourself with the Dark Magic Region later.”

Merlin helped Emma settled in the tower, and briefly went through a few things she should take note of before he hurriedly rushed back to where Laurinka was.

“Laurinka, put on this Dark Magic ring, then you may return to the Dark Magic Region once again.”

Merlin gave a small smile and handed the Dark Magic ring to Laurinka.

Laurinka appeared to be very moved as she could finally return to the Dark Magic Region. Back then, when she was sent away from the Dark Magic Region, she felt that all her dreams turned to dust like there was no hope left. She would still be a nobody even if she returned to her clan.

However, with Merlin, she had become his attendant now. From this day onward, her chances of becoming a First-level Spell Caster were greatly increased. Moreover, due to Merlin’s extraordinary status, she would no longer be someone insignificant even though she was merely Merlin’s attendant.

“Swish!”

With her stirred up emotions, Laurinka and Merlin went through the Runic Magic Circle together and returned to the Dark Magic Region once again.

…

“Whew…”

Merlin finally returned to his room and heaved a long sigh. Only when he was back in the Dark Magic Region would he feel so relieved and comfortable.

“Earlier, Sir Didimoss deciphered the runes of the Neverending Book. Only then did this legendary treasure revealed its true appearance. Perhaps there really are clues to the second and third volumes of the Neverending Book in it.”

Merlin mumbled to himself, and then quickly retrieved the volume of the Neverending Book from his ring.

Currently, due to its runes deciphered by Didimoss, the Neverending Book no longer looked like it previously did. With its bright shining light, it used to appear plain and unadorned.

However, this was the true appearance of the Neverending Book. Merlin quickly checked the cover of the book, on which appeared some mysterious words in the Molta language.

Merlin began to go through the mysterious Molta language carefully.

“The three volumes of the Neverending Book contained some spells and Pandora Demon Abilities which I created when I had nothing better to do. Initially, it was just something I scribbled in passing, something I planned to destroy. However, after some thought, I felt that it would be a shame to do so. Therefore, I’ve placed the three volumes of the Neverending Book at three different places. The second volume is on a beach somewhere near the Death Sea. Naturally, one would be able to find it with the first volume.

“The third volume of the Neverending Book is at Rock Cavern. One would be able to locate the third volume if one is equipped with the first and second volumes!

“For anyone from future generations lucky enough to collect all three volumes of the Neverending Book, the spells and Pandora Demon Abilities are only a small plaything. On an impulse, I’ve sealed a Maxim in a hidden place. Only by gathering all three volumes of the Neverending Book would one be able to find and obtain this Maxim…”

Having finished reading the words in Molta language of the Neverending Book, Merlin was astounded.

The one who wrote this passage in Molta language was undoubtedly the Spell Caster who passed on these three volumes of the Neverending Book. Nonetheless, in this Spell Caster’s eyes, the spells and Pandora Demon Abilities in the Neverending Book were only a “small plaything”, not worth mentioning.

The bigger treasure left behind by this Spell Caster was a Maxim that he had sealed away.

What was a Maxim? Merlin was not clear on that but he vaguely knew that even the Great Wizards were unable to master Maxims. For instance, the Spatial Rings worn by many Spell Casters, in fact, were implanted with a Maxim. However, the Great Wizards themselves were unable to transfigure such a Maxim.

Even the Bell Space that Merlin had obtained also contained a Maxim.

Therefore, even though Merlin was unsure what a Maxim was, he knew that it was something even Great Wizards dreamed of – to think that a mysterious Spell Caster had left behind a Maxim.

Nevertheless, this required a person to collect all three volumes of the Neverending Book. Merlin had only heard of the Death Sea, but it was too far away. It was not even in the Kingdom of Blackmoon, but further down south, past the different areas of influence belonging to many spell casters’ organizations, where one would finally reach a sea that stretched as far as the eye could see.

That would be the Death Sea. Not even Spell Casters who were above Fourth-level would dare to say that they could reach the Death Sea. It might be that only Seventh-level Spell Casters would be able to reach the Death Sea despite the difficulties.

Although the second volume of the Neverending Book would be difficult to retrieve, there was ultimately still a sliver of hope. As for the third volume of the Neverending Book, it was hidden by the unknown Spell Caster at Rock Cavern. Merlin had never heard of any place called Rock Cavern so it would be almost impossible to find.

With no way of compiling all three volumes of the Neverending Book, one would naturally be unable to obtain the sealed Maxim. Therefore, regardless of how beneficial or tempting it was, it did not matter.

“With my current capabilities, I’m unable to even reach the Death Sea. It’s practically an impossible task to obtain the second volume of the Neverending Book…”

Merlin shook his head helplessly. It was far too difficult to retrieve the second and third volumes of the Neverending Book. Even if it could be done, it would definitely not be completed in a short time.

Following that, Merlin offhandedly kept the Neverending Book, and instead, took out the Pandora Demon Ability, Destructive Wind, which he had taken from Weiss!

This was a Wind-type Demon Ability with decent power. However, Merlin’s Wind-type spells were Speed spells, so he had no way of cultivating Destructive Wind. The Dark Magic Region had Pandora Demon Abilities as well, so Merlin was thinking of exchanging Destructive Wind for another Pandora Demon Ability which he could cultivate now, and which would be helpful to him.

For something as significant as exchanging a Pandora Demon Ability with the Dark Magic Region, the first person who came to Merlin’s mind was Wizard Leo. If he had Wizard Leo’s assistance, then the trading of a Pandora Demon Ability with the Dark Magic Region would surely go more smoothly.

With that in mind, Merlin walked out of the room once more.

…

“Teacher Leo, I’m afraid there’s something I need your help with.”

Merlin stood before Wizard Leo and spoke respectfully.

“Go on, what is it?”

Wizard Leo asked nonchalantly with a calm expression.

Merlin drew in a deep breath, and calmed his turbulent emotions, after which he said softly, “Teacher Leo, I would like to exchange a Pandora Demon Ability with the Dark Magic Region!”

“Hmm? You want to exchange a Pandora Demon Ability?”

Wizard Leo’s initially peaceful face immediately shifted slightly. The blood-red third eye on his forehead flashed open as well, fixing its glare on Merlin.