A Wizard’s Secret

“I’m a dying old man, so I don’t need any more spells.”

The black-robed old man replied and shook his head slightly. Merlin’s face immediately fell into a great disappointment. Then, the black-robed old man smiled and steered the conversation around. “I’m a dying man. Even if it’s not soon, there’s no hope for me in this life to move on any further so I’ll not be needing any more Spell Models. Wizard Merlin, there’s no need for an exchange as I can gift you Earth Guard as a present.”

Merlin was shocked. He looked at the few pieces of white paper handed by the black-robed old man. Those were the sketches of the black-robed old man’s Earth Guard. This was a rather common Defensive spell among Earth-type spells and it was also the same one as Merilung’s.

Perhaps Merilung learned his spells from the Abyss Fort so the strength and stability of his spells way exceeded the black-robed old man’s.

The black-robed old man did not forget to remind Merlin, “Wizard Merlin, Earth Guard is a spell I learned from the army so its stability is not the best. If you want to avoid hidden peril in the Spell Model, you should spend some time and effort into its reconstruction.”

Merlin nodded in response. He was not worried at all because he had the Matrix which could reconstruct more than ten thousand of Spell Models immediately based on Earth Guard’s Spell Model.

“Sorry for disturbing, Wizard Hill. Please have a good rest.”

Merlin stood up and bid goodbye to the black-robed old man. Then, the maidservant guided him out of the house.

“Moss, return to the castle!”

Merlin traced his fingers along the few sketches of Earth Guard’s Spell Model in his hands. He was really satisfied to have achieved his main objective of the visit.

Unfortunately, the only downside was the information regarding spell casters’ organization that the black-robed old man had revealed to him. Merlin knew that the only way he could expand his potential as a Spell Caster was by joining in one of the spell casters’ organizations…

…

Merlin alighted from the carriage. He swept his eyes around and noticed several knights guarding outside the castle. Judging by the way they dressed, they seemed to be Count Selin’s knights.

Merlin threw another quick glance their way before entering the castle. He noticed a familiar silhouette the moment he entered the great hall.

“Master Merlin, you’re finally back. Commander Cook has been waiting for you for quite a while,” the butler whispered as he received Merlin’s overcoat and top hat.

Merlin realized the person in the hall speaking to Old Wilson and Baron Parman was indeed Count Selin’s son, Commander Cook.

Although he noticed Count Selin’s knights outside the castle, Merlin had never expected Cook to pay him a visit. After all, Cook was rather arrogant and seemed not particularly fond of Merlin and the black-robed old man.

“Commander Cook!”

“Wizard Merlin!”

There was a complicated look in Cook’s gaze when he greeted Merlin. After the complimentary greetings, Merlin asked directly without beating around the bush, “Commander Cook, does this visit mean His Lord is in trouble?”

Cook had resumed his usual calm self, but Merlin noticed a change in his previous arrogant attitude. It seemed like he was also affected by the decisive battle between Merlin and Merilung.

After all, the battle caused a major impact on anyone who had witnessed it, especially the eight large fireballs released by Merlin in the end.

“Wizard Merlin, Father would like to see you.”

“His lord wants to see me?”

Old Wilson who appeared as if on cloud nine laughed aloud at Merlin’s puzzled look. “Haha, Merlin, quickly take your leave with Commander Cook. His lord wants to confer you the title of a baron.”

It seemed like Cook had already revealed the news to Old Wilson.

“Title of a baron?”

Merlin was surprised. Although he knew Count Selin would grant him a handsome reward to show his appreciation for saving the entire castle, the conferment of a noble title was too great as a gift.

The class ranking in this world was extremely strict. No matter in the Kingdom of Light or in the Kingdom of Blackmoon, there was a tremendous gap between aristocrats and commoners. It was arduous for a commoner to become a noble.

Old Wilson only received his title of nobility after braving countless dangers in the army for twenty years. That showed that the noble ranks and identities were something difficult to attain.

Now, Merlin, who had only recently arrived in Prakash City, the Kingdom of Blackmoon, was to be conferred the nobility title of a baron. No wonder Old Wilson was overjoyed at the news as it was a great honor to the entire Wilson family.

Merlin nodded in response and quickly went for a change of clothes. Then, he followed Cook to the count’s castle.

“Haha, Wizard Merlin, you came just on time. I was just deciding which territory to reward you.”

Count Selin displayed a radiance of cheerfulness after his biggest obstacle – Merilung – had been dealt with. His face glowed with health as he appeared full of energy. He even became more affectionate at Merlin’s arrival.

“My lord!”

Merlin bowed at Count Selin. He was not too bothered about the territory but it was the fundamental of a nobleman, after all. His future territory was going to be the base of the Wilson family, hence he had to exercise caution in making his decision.

“Wizard Merlin, here’s the map. Is there any land that speaks to you?”

Count Selin pulled Merlin’s hand warmly as he pointed at a massive map.

Allowing Merlin to pick his own territory showed the respect and high regard Count Selin had of him.

Merlin was also not reckless in making his decision. He studied the few territories on the map closely. After careful selection and pondering, he landed his gaze on the piece of territory nearest to Prakash City.

Count Selin understood and nodded at Merlin’s choice. “Wizard Merlin, Conxion Town is a great decision. The town has ample population, fertile land, and iron ore resources, which amount to an abundance of taxes yearly.”

Then, Count Selin made a summary of this territory. Indeed, Merlin had made a good choice. However, he noticed both Count Selin and Cook’s faces revealed peculiar smiles as if they were keeping something from Merlin about this land.

Therefore, Merlin asked straightforwardly, “Is there anything wrong with this territory?”

“Not really, just that this piece of land used to be Baron Nelson’s territory!”

Count Selin revealed after a brief hesitation.

A surprised look washed across Merlin’s face. Baron Nelson was Merilung’s father, who had been ordered to death by Count Selin. Never did Merlin expected to select Nelson’s territory.

However, this was indeed the best territory among all to be taken as the Wilson family’s base. Merlin was not bothered about Nelson at all, seeing that even Merilung, the last member of the Nelson family, was already deceased.

The Nelson family was a history. From now on, Wilson Merlin would be the new master of this territory!