A Wizard's Secret

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"What's really going on?"

Merlin followed Arrot as they flew towards the testing ground. This was a place for the Wizards to test out their spells. It was enclosed in invisible energy, and not even a Legendary Wizard would be able to cause much destruction here.

Merlin saw two groups facing off against each other on the testing ground. One of the group was headed by someone Merlin already knew, Saturn.

The other group was comprised of Spell Casters who were fewer in numbers and dressed more plainly. Both sides had their daggers drawn, and the atmosphere there did not seem too amicable.

The plump Arrot hurriedly brought Merlin before Saturn, panting as he said, "Wizard Saturn, I've brought Wizard Merlin."

"Saturn, this is who you've summoned? He's only a Fifth-level Spell Caster, how can he defeat Seddon?"

Beside Saturn stood a Wizard with a pale face and handsome features who was wearing a black cape. He was exuding intense Elemental fluctuations all over his body, causing even Merlin to feel a faint sense of threat.

"Wizard Merlin, that is Wizard Vic. We've lost to that group of arrogant mavericks in the match just now. It was Wizard Saturn who asked me to find you and have you join the final round of the match."

Merlin was in a muddle. He did not know what was going on at all. It was a good thing that the plump Wizard Arrot began explaining to Merlin in detail.

All this while, Merlin had been constructing spells by himself and did not realize that the current batch of Potential Wizards was divided into two main denominations.

Favored prodigies like Saturn, who had a Great Legend with four Maxims as a teacher, had been sent here as a Potential Wizard by a Legend who had used up their recommendation for him. There was a great number of them, but they were unevenly matched in terms of quality, and there were rather average Spell Casters among them.

The other denomination was the ones whom Arcane City had personally recruited. These Spell Casters usually did not have much of a background, and simply rose up on their own in their own dimensions. Each of them was a genuine prodigy, and most of them were Five-Elemental Spell Casters.

The latter type was fewer in number but had formidable capabilities. Moreover, they would usually clash with the favored ones like Saturn.

These two types would naturally not see eye to eye with each other and would have conflicts between them from time to time. Before Saturn's arrival, the other party had the upper hand and was suppressing the Spell Casters who had arrived in Arcane City with a recommendation.

Nevertheless, Saturn would of course not let these people step all over him after he understood the situation. Therefore, he had organized this match. Each side would nominate three people, and victory would be determined by best out of three rounds. The losing side must not act all high and mighty before the other party in the future.

Saturn was indeed a Six-Elemental Spell Caster. His strength was actually pretty powerful. He had fought a hard and heavy battle with the strongest member from the other side, Wizard Rael. In the end, Saturn had to use his trump card, a special skill, to be able to finally defeat Wizard Rael.

Merlin eyed the well-built, resolute Wizard Rael from the other side. It was impressive how he was able to force the hand of a Six-Elemental Spell Caster like Saturn. Even Merlin himself could not guarantee that he could defeat Saturn. In a true battle of life and death, Merlin was most likely to lose.

Saturn had won the first round, but the next round would be that Wizard Vic who was standing beside Saturn going against Wizard Olga. Both were Seventh-level Spell Casters and had exchanged blows more than one or two times. Wizard Vic had proved himself to be the one with superior abilities.

The result was tied after two rounds, and the third and final round had yet to begin. Before Saturn had arrived, Wizard Vic had been the strongest among the Potential Wizards who had entered Arcane City by recommendation. Even he had lost the match. Furthermore, their opponents had sent Wizard Seddon, who was only slightly weaker than Wizard Rael. Whoever Wizard Vic sent would surely lose.

Thus, Saturn ultimately asked Arrot to look for Merlin to join the third round of the match.

After understanding what had happened, Merlin frowned slightly. He knew that no matter where he was, there would be cliques. Merlin had entered Arcane City by Wizard Mogan's recommendation, so naturally, he would become a part of Saturn's clique.

If he did not accept the invitation and fight, he would be rejected by this group in the future. Merlin was no lone wolf. He knew that it was important to blend well with the group.

Otherwise, he would be in an awkward position, excluded from both sides.

Nonetheless, Wizard Vic was somewhat worried. "Wizard Saturn, can this Wizard Merlin be trusted? I know Seddon. Not even I can defeat him for sure."

Wizard Vic had some reservations. He knew that Merlin was a prodigy and a genius Six-Elemental Spell Caster at that. This fact had been circulating throughout this batch of Potential Wizards since a long time ago.

If a few years had passed and Merlin had grown to be on par with Saturn, Wizard Vic would not doubt him in the slightest. However, Merlin now merely had the potential to become better, and that potential had not yet been transformed into abilities. It was far too risky to nominate Merlin for the third round of the battle against Wizard Seddon.

Amongst those who could enter Arcane City, who was not a genius? Furthermore, Wizard Seddon had been actively recruited by Arcane City. His talents were acknowledged by Arcane City.

Saturn lifted his head to glance at Merlin, and a strange light flashed in his eyes. Following that, he said firmly and decisively, "I believe that Wizard Merlin won't let us down!"

After speaking, Saturn closed his eyes. Faced with Saturn's manner, Wizard Vic could only shake his head helplessly. Ever since Saturn had arrived at Arcane City, Vic had automatically conceded his "leadership" position to him. Saturn was stronger than him, both in terms of talent and abilities. He had a Great Legend with four Maxims as his teacher. No matter how one looked at it, he was stronger than Vic.

If Saturn had made a decision, he would not change his mind.

After a long while, Merlin nodded. "I'll try my best."

With that, Merlin turned around and faced his opponent, Wizard Seddon!

Merlin wanted to be accepted in their group, so he had no choice but to join this match. Nonetheless, he dared not underestimate this Wizard Seddon in the slightest. His opponent was a Seventh-level Spell Caster with Five-Elemental spells and knew how to combine them with Demon Ability. He could contend directly against most Ninth-level Spell Casters.

There was no assurance that Merlin would win against a genius like this.

Seeing that Merlin had stood out, Wizard Seddon's expression tightened and sunk. He said in a low voice, "You're that Six-Elemental Spell Caster who possesses twelve perfect spells, Merlin?'

Merlin merely nodded calmly at the question, but Seddon began to laugh and spoke in a forthcoming manner, "Not bad, you're a true genius. This match between us is the last resort! Saturn had been too arrogant, but we have our own pride too. We want to prove to everyone that, even without a powerful background, without relying on Great Legends, we're not inferior to anyone!"

These people were proud indeed. They were naturally impressive enough to be able to be recruited by Arcane City. The most important thing was that they were exceedingly industrious and had a great thirst for formidable powers. Once they reached Arcane City, they were like a fish in the water. Their capabilities had advanced very rapidly.

Wizard Seddon was one such case. He was merely a Fifth-level Spell Caster when he arrived at Arcane City a few years ago. A few years later, he was now a Seventh-level Spell Caster. The speed of his growth was outrageous.

Still, a miracle like Wizard Seddon would pop up consistently after some time in Arcane City.

"Swoosh."

Wizard Seddon had made the first move very abruptly. His spell filled the entire sky, shrouding Merlin instantly. The force of the spell was enough to kill a Ninth-level Spell Caster.

Merlin's expression turned grave as he stared at the flames in the sky. Darkness Eye had originally been his trump card and his strongest power, but it was now merely at the fourth form and would be powerless against such a formidable attack.

Therefore, Merlin cast Enervating Halo immediately. His body was then flickering with Wind Elements. His figure drifted about erratically with an astonishing momentum.

If Merlin wanted to escape, he could easily do so with such speed. Nonetheless, this was a match. What Merlin wanted to do was to defeat Wizard Seddon. Thus, he could not run away and could only continuously hide in narrow spaces. Wizard Seddon's spells were all Large-area spells. Their impact was vast, and they had a turbulent momentum. Their power was overwhelming and earth-shattering. Merlin almost could not find a good place to dodge.

Merlin was already at a disadvantage when he made the first move. The situation right now was critical!

Wizard Vic shook his head lightly. 'The difference between their levels is too much. Seddon is not an average Wizard. He's a Spell Caster second only to Wizard Rael, and not even I can be sure of defeating him. I'm afraid that this is too dangerous for Wizard Merlin. What if he surrenders now…"

"Wizard Merlin would not surrender…"

Saturn immediately interrupted Vic. On some level, Saturn held Merlin at the highest regard, even to the extent that Saturn thought of Merlin as his competitor.

Saturn would not surrender, and Merlin was less likely to do so because they bore the pride of geniuses, of Six-Elemental Spell Casters!

Merlin was in a tough situation indeed. He evaded constantly, but space was getting smaller and smaller. He was almost forced into a dead end by Wizard Seddon.

Wizard Seddon's experience in battle was not inferior to Merlin. Indeed, he had started from the bottom and ascended step by step by himself. He was noticed by Arcane City after he had revealed his outstanding talents.

A person like this was difficult to deal with because one wrong step would lead to more mistakes to be made. It was hard for Merlin to regain his opportunity. Up until now, Merlin did not even have the chance to strike and could only dodge incessantly.

"This won't do. I must regain my opportunity and buy some time to unleash my spell fusion!"

Merlin was caught in peril and was in desperate times. He did not even have the time to cast his spell fusion. He would lose if this were to go on. This was the first time he had been in such a hazardous situation when facing a Seventh-level Wizard.

With this in mind, Merlin's face suddenly flushed red and his enormous Mind Power was mobilized all at once. Since he could not cast a spell, he would use the Occult Mind Spell which was invisible and impossible to guard against.

"Occult Mind Spell, Nine Hit Strike!"

With that thought of his, Merlin unleashed an Occult Mind Spell for the first time in a battle, and it was the most advanced one-Nine Hit Strike!