A Wizard’s Secret

Merlin lowered his head and watched his finger turned into a faint white. His mind rushed with many thoughts.

Glacial Finger was truly powerful but it was not easy to cultivate. One had to meet many conditions beforehand. Wizard Heghar had reached Glacial Finger for a long time now but he was still unable to fully cultivate the spell. The main reason was that he was already a First-level Spell Caster when he first cultivated Glacial Finger.

However, Wizard Heghar had not even constructed Frigid Ice. Furthermore, he was not as fortunate as Merlin, who was able to retrieve the hundred years’ ice bone marrow.

In order to cultivate Glacial Finger, he would first have to construct the very complicated First-level spell, Frigid Ice. Then, he would have to obtain the precious hundred years’ bone marrow. Only then, he was able to meet the conditions to cultivate Glacial Finger.

Due to a string of lucky coincidences, Merlin was able to cultivate Glacial Finger.

Soon, Merlin walked out of the house. Cultivating Glacial Finger would require an extreme amount of Magic Power and furthermore, he had very few Ice-type elemental crystal stones left. His only option was to visit Wizard Vladi.

…

“Wizard Vladi!”

Merlin, who was dressed in a loose black robe, shouted as he reached Wizard Vladi’s house.

“Oh.”

The large doors burst open. Wizard Vladi popped his head outside and upon seeing Merlin, gave a wide grin. He warmly invited Merlin in and whispered, “Wizard Merlin, who would have thought that even Wizard Sammir couldn’t help you…”

Merlin realized from Wizard Vladi’s shocked expression that Wizard Vladi surely knew Wizard Sammir had looked for him. As he wanted to play it safe, Wizard Vladi did not intervene.

Even if he did intervene, it would not have helped Merlin very much.

Merlin did not think much about the incident and instead said to Wizard Vladi, “I haven’t been back in two months. How’s Alkaline Earth Potion selling?”

Wizard Vladi nodded. “Even though not many were sold in the past two months, the Alkaline Earth Potion you’ve prepared has sold out. Deducting the material costs, we’ve made a profit of six thousand eight hundred and fifty elemental crystal stones.”

Once he finished speaking, Wizard Vladi took out over six thousand elemental crystal stones from his ring.

Merlin nodded lightly. Most of the elemental crystals stones were Earth-type, and what Merlin needed were Ice-type elemental crystal stones.

Hence, Merlin asked Wizard Vladi, “Is it possible to exchange these elemental crystal stones to Ice-type elemental crystal stones?”

“Ice-type elemental crystal stones? Wait here a minute, let me see how many of those I have.”

After searching for a moment, Wizard Vladi looked up and said, “I only have five thousand Ice-type elemental crystal stones, is that enough? If it isn’t enough, I can exchange them at Sterling House. It would only take out a small percentage of interest, and you could exchange all of it to Ice-type elemental crystal stones.”

There were many types of elemental crystal stones. Excluding the Dark Light-type elemental crystal stones, which were worth a little less, the other types were worth more or less the same hence they could be exchanged easily.

“Five thousand Ice-type elemental crystal stones should be enough, there’s no need to exchange the others.”

Merlin asked Wizard Vladi to take out the five thousand Ice-type elemental crystal stones and placed them in his ring.

Wizard Vladi then asked Merlin, “Wizard Merlin, there’s still a demand for Alkaline Earth Potion, just not as much as before. If you have the time, perhaps you can prepare more of it.”

Merlin hesitated for a moment. He had recently tried his best to cultivate Pandora Demon Ability, Glacial Finger and did not have enough Mind Power to prepare more Alkaline Earth Potion. So, he shook his head and said, “I’ve been very busy lately, but let me see if I can prepare more Alkaline Earth Potion.”

Wizard Vladi’s expression showed a hint of regret but did not continue to ask.

So, Merlin turned to leave Wizard Vladi’s courtyard.

Merlin had not walked very far. He had only reached Wizard Burton’s courtyard when he noticed a familiar figure.

“Wizard Sammir?”

Merlin furrowed his eyebrows as he called out to the figure.

Immediately, the Alchemy Creature on Wizard Sammir’s back turned around and stared intensely at Merlin. Wizard Sammir looked delighted as he saw Merlin.

“Wizard Merlin, how wonderful. I was just looking for you.”

Wizard Sammir’s face had a rosy complexion and looked much younger than before. However, Merlin knew this was his illusion. In fact, it seemed that Wizard Sammir had very powerful Mind Power. It was clear that the Edro Potion he had prepared had the ability to stabilize Wizard Sammir’s Spell Models.

“Wizard Sammir, how’s the effect of Edro Potion?”

Merlin, too, had consumed Edro Potion but he was still unsure what the effects were.

As soon as he mentioned Edro Potion, Wizard Sammir’s face lit up. “Edro Potion has had great effects. All my Spell Models have been stabilized. However, I do have doubts. I accidentally found this portion of Edro Potion in an ancient monument, and even though it has truly helped to stabilize the unstable Spell Models in my Awareness, it doesn’t completely eradicate the hidden dangers of the Spell Models.”

Merlin shook his head. In order to completely eradicate the hidden dangers of the Spell Models, one would have to carefully reconstruct the Spell Models anew. Otherwise, even the best potions would not work.

It was just like the black-robed old man, who used Purple Stone Powder Potion to temporarily stabilize his Spell Models. Without completely reconstructing the Spell Models, he would never be able to become a First-level Spell Caster.

In the case of the black-robed old man’s Purple Stone Powder Potion, he would always have to consume many portions of the potion before his Spell Models were stabilized. However, Wizard Sammir only required one portion of Edro Potion before he felt its effects.

Hence, in Merlin’s opinion, it was good news that the potion could stabilize the Spell Models in his Awareness. However, he could not believe that there was not a single potion in the world that could completely eradicate unstable Spell Models, and if that was true, how cautious could other Spell Casters construct their Spell Models?

However, it seemed that Wizard Sammir was not always glad to be a Third-level Spell Caster. His eyes had an abnormal stare as he deepened his voice and said mysteriously, “Wizard Merlin, you have the strength of a Third-level Spell Caster, not to mention you’re also very good at preparing potions. If I ever need to find any potions in the future, I’ll look no further than you. So, I would like to offer you a brilliant opportunity. If you accept, you could receive rewards beyond your imagination.”

“What opportunity?”

Merlin saw how mysterious Wizard Sammir was and felt intrigued.

“An extremely ancient monument – if I’m not wrong, it was left behind from the Molta Empire over three thousand six hundred years ago.”

“An ancient monument from the Molta Empire?”

Merlin’s expression changed slightly. The Molta Empire was recognized as the era where Spell Casters were at their peak. During that period, there were many powerful Spell Casters, be it potions, runology, or alchemy. A new level of excellence was developed in this era.

However, as the Molta Empire collapsed overnight, the powerful Spell Casters seemed to have disappeared, leaving only a few mentions in ancient books. It was truly a historical mystery.

Some of these ancient monuments were established in the Molta Empire by powerful Spell Casters. You would often find ancient potion formulas, alchemy methods, peculiar spells, casting tools, and more.

As soon as an ancient monument was discovered, it would immediately attract the attention of many Spell Casters.

Wizard Sammir saw Merlin’s change in expression and smiled. “I knew you wouldn’t object to an ancient monument from the Molta Empire. I shall bring you to meet a couple of my old friends, and we’ll all go to the ancient monument together. I just need to mention a personal condition. I’m only looking for potions to stabilize Spell Models and potion formulas. You can have everything else we find.”

“Why would you want me to come with you?”

Merlin was unsure and hesitated before he asked.

Wizard Sammir was not secretive, and instead openly replied, “It’s simple. I want a knowledgeable apothecary and a powerful Spell Caster. In Floating City, there’s only you who fits the criteria.”

Many thoughts ran through Merlin’s mind as he carefully analyzed Wizard Sammir’s words.

From what Wizard Sammir had said, it seemed that he still had not given up the idea of completely eradicating the dangers of an unstable Spell Model and wanted to search for the solution in the ancient monument. After all, Edro Potion was accidentally found in an ancient monument hence Wizard Sammir was not ready to give up the opportunity to search the ancient monument.

It was because Merlin was a skilled apothecary and had the strength of a Third-level Spell Caster that he was chosen by Wizard Sammir to come along and enter the ancient monument.

Finally, Merlin asked, “Wizard Sammir, is there any danger entering this ancient monument?”

“Hehe, the ancient monuments were built thousands of years ago by the ancient powerful Spell Casters. No one truly knows the dangers that lie within but the rewards are greater than the risks. If you’re too worried, you may pass on this opportunity. However, it would be such a shame.”

Wizard Sammir stopped talking and waited for Merlin’s final decision.

“The Molta Empire is the golden age for Spell Casters. Since it’s an ancient monument that has been discovered, why wouldn’t I go?”

Merlin looked up with a smile.

The ancient monument could be very dangerous but Glacial Finger which Merlin had constructed was already very powerful. Merlin was entirely comparable to a Third-level Spell Caster. If the ancient monument really was dangerous, he knew he could protect himself.

Hence, this was the real reason Merlin agreed to go to the ancient monument with Wizard Sammir. Otherwise, it would be a pity to pass on the chance to enter a Molta Empire ancient monument.

“Haha, relax, Wizard Merlin. I’ve entered many ancient monuments before, I don’t think this one will be too dangerous. I’ll introduce you to a couple of my friends and then we shall enter the ancient monument together.”

Wizard Sammir finished speaking and led the way as Merlin nodded his head and followed behind.