A Wizard’s Secret

Once again, Merlin and the black-robed old man returned to Wizard Burton’s quarters. The black-robed old man rushed off to prepare the Purple Stone Powder Potion while Merlin, who had just gotten the ingredients for Blueberry Potion, went to his room without further discussion.

Merlin was familiar with the steps needed to make the Blueberry Potion and he had nearly perfected his fire handling skill. Thus, the success rate of the Blueberry Potion would have increased significantly.

Merlin quickly grabbed some of the Blueberry Potion ingredients and began preparing the potion, following the instructions according to the Matrix.

…

Three days had passed and finally, Merlin had completed preparing the last portion of the ingredients for Blueberry Potion. The potion he prepared had rapidly increased in success rate. Using nine portions of Blueberry Potion ingredients, he was able to successfully prepare four portions of the potion.

With this success rate, it was clear that Merlin had improved drastically from the first time he prepared the potion.

Upon consuming the four Blueberry Potions, Merlin’s Mind Power increased to a higher level. He sensed a subtle feeling that he could soon try to construct his third First-level spell.

However, this was only true for some First-level spells. If Merlin was to construct Frigid Ice or Dark Light Realm, even with his present Mind Power, he would still find it challenging.

After some thoughts, Merlin decided it was best that he waited until his Mind Power grew stronger before attempting to construct either Frigid Ice or Dark Light Realm. Merlin was in no rush to construct another First-level spell, as long as he had a First-level Defensive spell and a First-level Offensive spell.

Merlin got up and opened the door. As he stepped outside, he realized how nice the weather was. The warm sun peeked through the clouds, and yet, it was not too hot.

“Wizard Merlin!”

Wizard Burton, who had been lying in the courtyard, saw Merlin walked out from his room and gave him a grin.

“Wizard Burton, has Wizard Hill not come out from his room yet?”

Merlin looked toward Wizard Hill’s room and saw that the door was still shut. It appeared that the black-robed old man had not come out yet.

Wizard Burton stared intently at the black-robed old man’s room. He shook his head and said, “Hill has been tormented by the unstable Spell Model in his Awareness for many years. Even though the potion can aid him in stabilizing his Spell Model, he still regrets that he can’t prepare more potions as quickly. With the amount of Purple Stone Powder Potion that I’ve prepared for him, it would take at least half a month before he comes out.”

Merlin nodded his head and smiled. “I think I’ll go for a short walk and take a look around Floating City.”

“Oh! I’m quite familiar with Floating City. Why don’t I keep you company and show you around?”

Wizard Burton smiled as he spoke. It was clear to Merlin that Wizard Burton’s attitude had gotten better.

“That would be very kind of you, Wizard Burton!”

Merlin did not object to having Wizard Burton’s company as he would not need to wander around aimlessly. He would also get to familiarize himself with the city quickly.

With that, Merlin and Wizard Burton left the courtyard and speedily made their way toward Floating City.

…

Merlin, who was dressed in a black robe strolled down the streets of Floating City with Wizard Burton.

The day was still early. The entire Floating City was enveloped in a haze of cloud and mist. Luckily, it held residence to many Spell Casters, whom with their Mind Power, did not have to worry about visibility.

As the sun got warmer, the fog slowly dispersed. Many Spell Casters were out and about, displaying and trading different items on the ground. Amongst some were potion ingredients, casting tools, and even spells, all ready for eager customers.

Merlin looked around the merchants. All the potion ingredients seemed common and the casting tools looked very simple as well. As for the spells, they were just average Zero-level spells. Sometimes, he would come across a First-level spell, but even those were the common ones.

As he saw the disappointed look on Merlin’s face, Wizard Burton chuckled. “Wizard Merlin, these items are aimed at Entrance-level Spell Casters or even First-level Spell Casters. They’re all roaming Wizards, how good can these items be? They just want to earn a few elemental crystal stones. Sure, sometimes you may find some good items here but the chances are very slim. If you really want to see some great items, I can take you there.”

Merlin nodded his head. The items these Spell Casters were selling really disappointed him. Surely in a city as large as this, there were more than just these few items to buy. How else could they attract Spell Casters from spell casters’ organizations?

Merlin followed Wizard Burton and they soon arrived at a small building. The building had three floors, and from outside it looked like a small castle.

“Wizard Merlin, this is Sterling House. Whether it be potion ingredients, casting tools, spells or more, you can find them all in here. This should please you!”

As Wizard Burton finished speaking, he brought Merlin swiftly into the building.

Merlin walked in and saw that most people here were First-level Spell Casters, all of whom were dressed in Runic Robes. The robes had patterns of mysterious runes that signified that the robe possessed Defensive powers.

They may not be as great as the Runic Robes given to the official members of the Dark Magic Region but they were very similar. However, it was very fortunate for Roaming Wizards to even own a casting tool.

Even Merlin had not acquired a casting tool since he had joined the Dark Magic Realm.

Merlin and Wizard Burton entered the great hall. Immediately, a lady with brown hair came to greet the two men. The lady was charming and wore a low-cut, open-collar top that almost showed the skin beneath.

“How may I assist you both?”

The lady spoke with a soft voice that would make one feel completely comfortable.

Wizard Burton did not budge and replied calmly, “Please take us on a short tour.”

The charming lady enthusiastically agreed. “Very well, I shall take you two Spell Casters to see our casting tools.”

As she finished speaking, the lady walked on with Merlin and Wizard Burton following behind.

“Wizard Burton, is she a Spell Caster?” Merlin asked with a hushed voice.

Wizard Burton nodded his head. “Yes, there’s no way for Normies to enter, so she must be a Spell Caster. Do you think that any noble Spell Caster could do this? Haha, you shouldn’t underestimate them. Many roaming Wizards can only dream of entering this place. Once you become a member of Sterling House, you can enjoy all the resources available, whether it be spells, casting tools, potions and more – you could even have an unlimited supply! A Sterling House membership is no less than any other spell casters’ organization membership!”

Upon listening to Wizard Burton’s thorough explanation on the membership of Sterling House, Merlin felt shocked. It was truly unbelievable that being a member of this establishment had the same benefits as a spell casters’ organization member!

It was important to note that Merlin had only joined as a temporary member of the Dark Magic Region. To become an official member, you would have to be promoted to a First-level Spell Caster within three years.

The Dark Magic Region was as so and other spell casters’ organizations were similar. It was not easy to become an official member of such organizations. So, it was unexpected that such a humble establishment offered such good treatment to their members that it was almost comparable to that of other spell casters’ organizations.

All these thoughts occupied Merlin’s mind and before long, the charming lady had led Merlin and Wizard Burton into a great hall on the second floor, filled with a variety of casting tools.

There were a few other guests and stood by them were Spell Casters, like the charming lady, who was also there to introduce their various casting tools.

“Wizards, why don’t you take a look at this magic staff? This staff can increase the range of your spell. You can even use the magic staff on single spells and it’ll be able to attack targets within the small range.”

Merlin and Wizard Burton seemed unimpressed, so the charming lady carried on and introduced another casting tool.

“How about this Runic Robe? Once worn, the three runes inscribed on it allow the robe to withstand any Second-level spell. It’s rumored that this robe is an imitation from a mysterious Spell Caster who was a member of the Dark Magic Region. So, once you wear this Runic Robe, you’ll look no different to a member of the Dark Magic Region.”

Merlin was surprised. He did not expect this robe to be an imitation of the Runic Robe from the Dark Magic Region. When he was in the Dark Magic Region, he saw many of these robes and although they looked very similar, the Runic Magic Circle was what differentiated them.

However, if it could withstand common Second-level spells, it could indeed pass off as a genuine Runic Robe of the official members of the Dark Magic Region.

Merlin pondered for a moment and finally asked the charming lady, “How many elemental crystal stones does this cost?”

The charming lady smiled encouragingly and replied quietly, “This Runic Robe is not expensive, it only costs a thousand elemental crystal stones!”

“A thousand elemental crystal stones?”

Once Merlin heard this, he could not help but smile as he shook his head. Merlin was under the belief that he owned a lot of elemental crystal stones. He had gotten some from the silver-haired old man, and more from the cloaked man, Vyksa, and Wizard Neil. Adding them all, he was still about seven or eight hundred elemental crystal stones short. He could not make up a thousand elemental crystal stones.

“Forget it, let’s look at other items,” Merlin said quietly as he continued to shake his head.

The charming lady tried to read his expression. She could tell that Merlin did not have a thousand elemental crystal stones to spend and so, she took him to a section displaying some cheaper casting tools.

As they arrived at the section, a large variety of casting tools laid in a mess on display. However, before Merlin could take a closer look at them, the Bell Pendant he wore around his neck began to give off a sizzling scent. Merlin immediately became intrigued.

Since Merlin had used up the Bell Pendant for Large Fireball, it had become a useless casting tool.

However, it seemed that the Bell Pendant was giving off a reaction. Merlin was stunned and turned his full attention to the wide range of casting tools laid before him.