A Wizard's Secret

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Crack!"

An icy blast of air flew from Merlin's finger and wound itself around the scarlet-robed Wizard's Alchemy Creature. Then, the Alchemy Creature stiffened all over, and cracked open like a shattered eggshell, falling apart onto the ground.

"This… This is Pandora Demon Ability?"

The scarlet-robed Wizard had some knowledge of this and was able to tell at a glance that what Merlin had wielded was the Pandora Demon Ability that he yearned for. However, although he longed to have Pandora Demon Ability, he felt how terrifying it was when confronting Pandora Demon Ability in reality.

"Let's go!"

The scarlet-robed Wizard knew instantly that the Merlin standing before him was definitely not someone he should provoke. Even his Alchemy Creature was unable to withstand the attack, let alone the scarlet-robed Wizard himself. It could have been known that the greater part of an alchemist's strength came from the Alchemy Creature that they had transfigured.

"Dark Light Realm!"

However, Merlin had no intention of letting this scarlet-robed Wizard go. He had not learned of Riesen's whereabouts from Wizard Sammir and was feeling ill-tempered. The scarlet-robed Wizard was extremely unfortunate to have infuriated Merlin at such a time.

The light surrounding them began to distort, and the scarlet-robed Wizard and his group immediately observed an inky darkness all around them, which not even their Mind Power could penetrate.

This was Dark Light Realm. Once it was cast, it would twist the light rays to form an area of absolute darkness. Adding on the enhancement of Merlin's Darkness Heart, the spell was able to trap Third-level Spell Casters in the illusion, even if it was not the strengthened version.

The scarlet-robed Wizard and his two companions - all of them Third-level Spell Casters - were currently enclosed in Merlin's Dark Light Realm. The strong illusive effect of the spell, boosted by Merlin's Darkness Heart, made its power terrifying, even though it was merely a First-level spell. The scarlet-robed Wizard and his group were instantly caught up in layers of illusions.

"Fiery Collapse!"

Following that, Merlin uttered a soft command. A burst of white flame appeared instantly, and it appeared exceptionally prominent in the dark.

However, these white flames were frightening indeed. They swallowed the scarlet-robed Wizard and his companions, who were trapped in illusions, one after another, and began to burn furiously. In a flash, the three Spell Casters were reduced to a pile of ash.

Merlin waved his hand once again, dispelling Dark Light Realm and the white flames.

The white flames were, in fact, Merlin's second Pandora Demon Ability, Fiery Collapse. This was the first time Merlin had used Fiery Collapse against an opponent, and its results were rather satisfying. Merlin was very pleased.

"Wizard Sammir, you really don't know where Riesen is?"

Merlin dusted off his hands, looking as if it took him no effort to kill the scarlet-robed Wizard and his group.

Seeing the look in Merlin's eyes, Wizard Sammir felt his heart tremble slightly. Each time he met Merlin, he felt that something had changed as if Merlin's powers were growing every time.

The scarlet-robed Wizard and his group were not average Spell Casters, for they were powerful Third-level Spell Casters. In addition, they had their Alchemy Creatures. As long as they did not provoke Sterling House or the few large Spell Caster clans in Floating City, they could do as they like without restraint. Even Wizard Sammir was apprehensive about these three.

However, these three Spell Casters who ran amuck were slain by Merlin in the blink of an eye. The last time when Merlin killed DeMarco, their powers were still at a comparable level. However, this time, Merlin's might had clearly far surpassed that of a Third-level Spell Caster. The average Third-level Spell Caster would no longer pose any threat to Merlin.

Therefore, under the weight of Merlin's stare, Wizard Sammir seemed to feel a shapeless strain of pressure, so he could only say in a low voice, "Wizard Riesen is secretive about his location, and outsiders would find it hard to track him. I truly don't know where is his exact location."

Merlin looked carefully at Wizard Sammir. Under Merlin's attentive observation, Wizard Sammir could not possibly be lying. He was telling the truth - he truly did not know where Riesen was.

When he came to this conclusion, there was nothing that Merlin could do even if he was reluctant to give up. He could only say throatily, "I must find Riesen. If Wizard Sammir finds out where he is, please let me know as soon as you can. I'll be staying in Floating City for a while to search for Riesen."

"Be rest assured, Wizard Merlin. If there are any signs of Riesen, I'll inform you immediately."

There was a deferential note in Wizard Sammir's tone. It was not like the days of the past. Wizard Sammir no longer put on an arrogant air when he was with Merlin.

"Wizard Elena, let's go. It seems like we would still need to mobilize your clan's influence to locate Riesen."

Merlin turned his head and frowned as he told Elena.

Elena was still caught up in the shock of how easily Merlin had killed the scarlet-robed Wizard and the other Spell Casters. She only "sobered up" upon hearing Merlin's voice, and as she looked at Merlin, her face wore a complicated expression.

A mere First-level Spell Caster, yet he was able to kill Third-level Spell Casters so casually. Not even Kleis of the Dark Magic Region could do that.

"As soon as Riesen appears in Floating City, the Delman clan will surely be able to track him down!"

Elena proclaimed confidently. The Delmans might not be influential in other matters, but no incident in Floating City - no matter how significant or trivial - could be concealed from the Delman clan. As soon as they mobilized the Delman clan's influence, it would not be difficult to find Riesen at all.

Merlin nodded. "Let's go to the Delman clan and locate Riesen as quickly as possible."

After he spoke, Merlin immediately turned and left Wizard Sammir's yard.

After Merlin had left, Wizard Sammir heaved a long sigh. He directed his perplexed gaze onto the direction where Merlin had left, and mumbled softly, "Riesen, how did you provoke Wizard Merlin? I'm afraid that things don't look good for you right now…"

…

A luxurious, black horse carriage stopped gently before a small building. The building had been quietly purchased by a mysterious individual a few months ago, but no one had seen anyone entering the building. This had long attracted the attention of the people living nearby the building.

Still, there were all sorts of strange characters in Floating City. After two months of observation, the ordinary Spell Casters who lived nearby the small building had not seen anyone moving into the building. Thus, they gradually forgot about the mysterious owner of the small building.

However, now that a luxurious carriage had suddenly stopped before the building, the interest of the others was piqued once more. After all, ever since the building was bought, it seemed like no one had moved in.

"Creak."

Nonetheless, the doors of the small building suddenly opened, and a Spell Caster with an aged countenance walked out, hurried to the carriage, and bowed his head in a very respectful manner.

This caused no end of bewilderment to the neighboring Spell Casters. They had always thought that the building was uninhabited, but it was now clear that the mysterious owner had returned a long time ago and had been quietly staying inside the building without anyone noticing.

The owner of the small building stood courteously before the carriage. A handsome young man stepped out from the carriage. His head of dark blonde hair was draped lightly over his shoulders, and the boots he wore stepped on the ground with a crisp sound.

After seeing the old Spell Caster, the handsome man seemed to turn aloof and entered the small building directly without saying a word. As for the old Spell Caster, he lifted his head and scanned his surroundings before entering the building as well.

"You're an associate member of Floating City?"

After entering the building, the young man sat on a stone chair. He narrowed his eyes as he looked over the old Spell Caster standing before him.

The old Spell Caster rose up from his seat politely, and then respectfully replied, "Your Honor Sir Wizard Weiss, I'm an associate member of Ozmu, Riesen. I've received orders from Ozmu to lend my full strength to assist with Sir Wizard Weiss' mission in Floating City."

"Riesen?"

A cold sneer flashed across the young Spell Caster's face. As an official member of Ozmu, he completely looked down on these so-called "associate members".

There were only a few official members of Ozmu - other than true prodigies, they would not go as low as to recruit common Spell Casters. However, as a formidable force that was comparable to large spell casters' organizations, Ozmu naturally would not only employ gifted Spell Casters. They still needed a few ordinary Spell Casters who were not as gifted.

Thus, the associate members were recruited. These associate members had not much of a status in Ozmu and were mostly cannon fodder in the completion of missions.

Therefore, the associate members' status in Ozmu could never be compared to the official members' status.

Of course, there were some benefits to be enjoyed as associate members of Ozmu. In fact, theoretically, these associate members could become official members, except that this was, only theoretical. Being an organization that recruited only prodigious Spell Casters, Ozmu was very cautious and stringent about taking in new members.

In the long history of Ozmu, the number of those who had been promoted from associate member to official member could be counted in one hand.

Thus, as he stared at the associate member - Riesen - standing before him, the young Spell Caster Weiss acted bluntly.

Riesen's expression displayed utmost respect, but inwardly he was aggrieved. He had been an associate member since the development of Ozmu and had always stayed in Floating City to spy on the happenings in Floating City and reported them to Ozmu.

This could not be easier for Riesen, and he had even taken advantage of his position to obtain many benefits from Ozmu. He had even entered a few ancient monuments, and his powers grew very rapidly.

A few months ago, he had entered one such ancient monument and obtained the cultivation method for Pandora Demon Ability. He had been overjoyed, and immediately laid low, hiding in the most inconspicuous places that he owned in Floating City, in order to cultivate Pandora Demon Ability.

However, he only failed in the end, because there were a few rare treasures, which even he had not heard of, that were needed for the cultivation of that Pandora Demon Ability.

Just when his spirits were at their lowest point, Riesen received orders from Ozmu, which explained that an official member of Ozmu, who was a Third-level Spell Caster, would be coming to Floating City to carry out a mission.

This caused Riesen no end of distress. Since the beginning, Ozmu had sent people out on missions mostly to steal the talents of some spell casters' organizations or Spell Caster's clan. If they were careless, an official member of Ozmu would still be able to escape, but an associate member like him would finally have to face the ruthless retaliation of the furious organization or clan.

In that manner, many associate members had inexplicably ended up as cannon fodder for Ozmu.

Riesen had been an associate member of Ozmu for decades now. Of course, he knew that once again, there would be a lot of trouble here in Floating City, and he would soon be caught in a dangerous situation.

However, Riesen dared not express any form of dissatisfaction. The punishment for members who dared to disobey the orders of Ozmu was extremely harsh. Not even the best of the talented ones would dare to disobey the orders of Ozmu, not to mention an associate member like Riesen.

Thus, Riesen could only calm himself down for now, and gingerly lifted his head to look at the young Spell Caster Weiss, before asking softly, "I wonder what mission Sir Wizard Weiss will be carrying out here in Floating City?"

"What mission I'll be completing - is that the business of an associate member?"

The young Spell Caster Wizard Weiss looked at Riesen and barked in cold laughter. He did not seem to think much of Riesen at all, although he was similarly a Third-level Spell Caster.