Chapter 228: Improved Strength
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The marking on Merlin's chest turned darker, just like a black mole. However, it gave off a cool aura as Darkness Elements had gathered at that area.
The Spell Models of Dark Mist and Dark Light Realm in Merlin's awareness had begun to absorb Magic Power at a quicker speed because Merlin had succeeded in cultivating Darkness Heart.
Darkness Heart attracted Darkness Elements by nature. Moreover, it could also enhance the power of Darkness-type spells drastically, especially when Merlin possessed the third type of Darkness Heart.
"Let's try it. Dark Mist!"
Merlin instantly cast Dark Mist and at once, the mist shrouded the entire room. The mist also seemed to continue in spreading outward. 𝓁𝘪𝑏𝑟ℯ𝒶𝑑.𝑐ℴ𝘮
The anechoic chamber was quite spacious. However, Merlin's Dark Mist was much stronger than before where its range was only within less than a hundred meters' radius.
Now, when Merlin cast Dark Mist, he could clearly sense that the marking of Darkness Heart had heated up rapidly. Furthermore, a strange force was imposed on the Spell Model of Dark Mist. Instantaneously, the power of Dark Mist rose as if it was cast by using an Enhancing casting tool.
Even the humblest estimate would suggest that the power of Dark Mist had doubled.
Merlin was gripped with shock. Dark Mist with a doubled strength was completely comparable to a First-level spell. If he cast the strengthened version of Dark Mist, its effect would be fearsome.
Upon thinking of this, Merlin could not wait to cast his First-level spell, Dark Light Realm. This was the crucial point. If the effect on the power of Dark Light Realm was as terrifying as this, Merlin's overall strength would be improved drastically.
Merlin waved his hands and got rid of the mist. Then, he cast Dark Light Realm. Different from Dark Mist, Dark Light Realm was able to refract light and made a certain region go completely dark. Moreover, it had a powerful hallucinating effect.
The hallucinating effect of an ordinary Dark Light Realm was able to pull a Second-level Spell Caster into its illusion, while a strengthened version of Dark Light Realm was able to easily put a Third-level Spell Caster into its illusion.
Now, Merlin wanted to test how far Dark Light Realm could be enhanced after he had cultivated the third type of Darkness Heart.
Along with the refraction of light, Merlin clearly found that the effect of Dark Light Realm was greatly increased. Even an ordinary Dark Light Realm could easily pull a Third-level Spell Caster into its illusion after the enhancement of Darkness Heart.
"Dark Light Realm!"
Merlin cast the spell again. Instead of casting an ordinary Dark Light Realm, he cast the strengthened version. At the same time, the marking of Darkness Heart on Merlin's chest gave off a scorching sensation.
This showed that Darkness Heart was also enhancing the strengthened version of Dark Light Realm. In fact, he was able to enhance all Darkness-type spells after he cultivated Darkness Heart. In addition, only a small number of Spell Casters was able to cultivate the third type of Darkness Heart even during the most glorious ages of Abyss Fort.
Furthermore, the true effect of Darkness Heart would be more apparent after the user had become a Fourth-level Spell Caster. After it was merged with a Darkness-type Fourth-level spell, the power of the final spell could be increased by of five to ten times.
At that time, Merlin's third type of Darkness Heart would be in its most fearsome form!
Now, the ability to enhance the power of spell had proved the strength of Darkness Heart. If it was the first or second type of Darkness Heart, it could only barely enhance the Darkness-type spell by a small amount.
"The strengthened version of Dark Light Realm that has been enhanced is so strong! Even a Third-level or an ordinary Fourth-level Spell Caster won't be able to escape from its illusion."
Merlin exclaimed wholeheartedly. If he cast the strengthened version of Dark Light Realm with the enhancement of Darkness Heart, its power would be fearfully strong. Spell Casters with Third-level Mind Power had no way of blocking it.
Even ordinary Fourth-level Spell Casters would be dragged into the illusion. However, Merlin did not know how strong Fourth-level Spell Casters truly were since he had not fought with them before.
Furthermore, there was still distinctions of strength among Fourth-level Spell Casters. Merlin's Dark Light Realm could not have any effect on the strong ones who had extremely powerful Mind Power.
Hence, the effect on Merlin's overall strength was quite apparent with the addition of Darkness Heart. He would even able to stand against Fourth-level Spell Casters.
"The Matrix, how long have I been cultivating?"
Merlin asked the Matrix.
"You've been cultivating for nine hours!"
Merlin thought about it for a moment. He had cultivated the third type of Darkness Heart in nine hours. This speed was relatively quick. This could also be due to Merlin's strong conviction where no illusions could delude him.
"It's time to go out."
Thus, Merlin stood up and left the anechoic chamber.
Wizard Leo and Wizard Hobbes became wide-eyed when they saw Merlin walking out of the anechoic chamber; their powerful Mind Power kept on sizing up Merlin.
"Merlin, have you cultivated Darkness Heart?"
Wizard Leo asked hurriedly, seemingly anxious as well.
Wizard Hobbes exchanged glances with the others. They had all heard about Wizard Leo but they were under the impression that Wizard Leo was an arrogant Spell Caster with a weird temper. Why would he be so caring toward a student?
Even if Merlin was a Six-Elemental genius Spell Caster, Wizard Leo did not have to help him by giving away such a precious thing – the cultivation method of Darkness Eye.
Looking at Wizard Leo's anxious looks, Merlin was grateful but confused. Wizard Leo had paid a great price in Abyss Fort for him to cultivate Darkness Eye.
Such help seemed to be beyond the defined relationship of a "teacher" and a "student".
However, Merlin stifled the question in his head and answered with a smile, "Teacher Leo, everything went smoothly. I've cultivated Darkness Heart!"
Wizard Hobbes was not surprised that Merlin had successfully cultivated Darkness Heart. When Merlin walked out of Darkness Void, they already knew that it was a piece of cake for Merlin to complete the cultivation of Darkness Heart. Generally, Spell Casters who were able to break through the illusions during the seventh day in Darkness Void could definitely succeed in cultivating Darkness Heart. In addition, they were able to cultivate the third type of Darkness Heart!
"Good!"
Wizard Leo only replied with one word, then revealed a pleased expression. He turned around and took out a delicate, thread-bound book from his ring. He said in a calm tone, "Wizard Hobbes, this is the cultivation method of Darkness Eye that I've devised, but there's only half of it here. You can first have a look."
After saying that, Wizard Leo handed the cultivation method of Darkness Eye to Wizard Hobbes.
Wizard Hobbes, Wizard Gryzllo, and Wizard Bahrain shot passionate glances at the book. They quickly came together and flipped the thread-bound book open, then scanned the pages.
Although there were only a few pages, Wizard Hobbes and the others had read it for half an hour. Even Merlin was a little intrigued by it. This was the cultivation method of Darkness Eye, after all.
On the contrary, Wizard Leo appeared rather calm. He did not rush them. Instead, he simply waited for them to finish reading.
After about half an hour, Wizard Hobbes raised his head and exchanged a glance with Wizard Gryzllo and Wizard Bahrain. The three of them saw the shock in each other's eyes.
"Incredible. Truly incredible. Wizard Leo, even the creator of Abyss Fort, the Great Wizard Damani, won't be able to devise such a cultivation method of Darkness Eye. Wizard Leo is able to devise the method which seems plausible to yield a result. Just by this, I'm truly impressed!"
"That's right. Although this is only half of it, we can understand some situations clearer now. Wizard Leo's cultivation method of Darkness Eye is indeed unique and marvelous!"
The three Seventh-level Spell Casters showered Wizard Leo with compliments after only reading the first half of the cultivation method. It was not surprising that Wizard Leo had directly handed them the first half with such confidence.
"Wizard Leo, when will you be able to give us the other half?"
Wizard Hobbes' eyes were brimming with passion. He seemed to have let go of the fight with Wizard Leo after reading the cultivation method of Darkness Eye.
"After Merlin has chosen his spells, I'll naturally hand the other half to you when we leave Abyss Fort."
Wizard Leo had already thought this through where he planned to pass the complete cultivation method of Darkness Eye to Abyss Fort.
Wizard Hobbes nodded, then said to Merlin hurriedly, "Wizard Merlin, we'll bring you to the library immediately. You can choose whatever Darkness-type spells that you want – from Second-level to the Sixth-level. However, you can only choose one for each level!"
Merlin nodded, and followed Wizard Hobbes to the library. Before having the first half of the cultivation method, Wizard Hobbes and others did not rush at all. However, after reading the first half, they were looking forward to reading the next half. They could not wait for Merlin to finish choosing the spell so that they could obtain the complete cultivation method.
Darkness Eye could only be cultivated after having a Sixth-level Darkness-type spell. In addition, Wizard Hobbes and other Seventh-level Spell Casters had constructed many Darkness-type spells. They would be able to cultivate Darkness Eye if they obtained the complete cultivation method. Thus, it was natural for them to be excited about Wizard Leo's cultivation method.
Soon, after walking past many mysterious passageways, Merlin and the others had reached a place which was rich with Darkness Elements. There were two large stone doors in front of them. On the wall beside the stone doors, there were many weird murals that made the people's skin crawl.
"Alright, this is the library!"
Wizard Hobbes turned around and pointed at the stone doors, with a smile on his face, to Merlin and Wizard Leo.
Chapter 229: The Ultimate Hallucinating Spell!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"The library?"
Merlin raised his head and looked closely at the two gigantic doors in front of him. At two sides of the doors, there were two stone piers with monsters, which Merlin had never seen before, carved on them. They appeared life-like where they sent a chill down people's spine.
A strange aura clinged to the library of Abyss Fort.
Merlin frowned, then glanced at Wizard Leo.
Wizard Leo appeared calm as he said, "Go in and choose the spells you need!"
Merlin nodded, then took a deep breath and walked toward the door.
Right after he stepped onto the stairs, he immediately felt a blanket of darkness before him. It was as if his surrounding had turned dark suddenly. He had lost all senses; he could neither see, hear nor feel anything.
"Illusion?"
Merlin was in shock. Since he had experienced countless illusions when he was in Darkness Void and while cultivating Darkness Heart, he was rather familiar with illusions by now. When he was caught up in situations like this, he immediately knew that this was an illusion.
Soon, without letting out his strong conviction, the marking of Darkness Heart on Merlin's chest began to give off a warm presence. Following that, Merlin felt a numbing and cooling sensation in his mind. Then, he came back to his senses.
This was the ability of Darkness Heart. Obviously, he was attacked by a Darkness-type spell earlier, and Darkness Heart had blocked most of the effects of the spell attacks. With Darkness Heart, especially the third type, it was almost impossible for Merlin to be injured by a Darkness-type spell.
"Who is it?"
Wizard Leo was the first to react. The red vertical eye on his forehead flashed a bloody red, then the light shattered the space and was shot toward a dark place.
"Bang!"
There was a dull sound. Then, a skinny black-robed old man showed up even after taking the attack from Wizard Leo's Darkness Eye. He stumbled forward a little; the blow given by Darkness Eye was apparently harsh on him as well.
"Darkness Eye?"
The skinny old man's expression kept changing with a hint of shock. Then, he glanced at Merlin and exclaimed with a low voice, "Darkness Heart!"
The skinny old man's gaze kept darting back and forth between Merlin and Wizard Leo while wearing a dark expression. He was a Seventh-level Spell Caster, but it turned out that he could not even delude Merlin with his spell. Moreover, he even became flustered by Darkness Eye of a Spell Caster who was barely a Sixth-level.
"Wizard Leo, don't misunderstand. This is Wizard Treman who takes care of the library!"
After Wizard Hobbes saw the skinny old man, he quickly budged in to explain.
Wizard Leo did not cast his Darkness Eye further; he simply stared at the skinny old man with the red vertical eye on his forehead, without the slightest intention to lower his guard.
Merlin also stared at the old man in confusion. The latter had obviously cast a spell earlier, but he did not notice even the slightest movement. This was enough to prove that this old man was at least a Seventh-level Spell Caster.
However, the Darkness-type spell cast by the Seventh-level Spell Caster was easily blocked by Merlin's Darkness Heart. This also revealed another ability of Darkness Heart – the ability to block most of the Darkness-type spells.
In other words, even the Darkness-type spells cast by the Seventh-level Spell Casters would not be able to harm Merlin at all.
After a moment, Wizard Hobbes seemed to have cleared the confusion with the skinny old man, Wizard Treman. Then, he approached Merlin and said, "Wizard Merlin, you can enter and choose your spells now. After choosing them, Wizard Treman will undo the Runic Magic Circles on the spells for you."
Merlin nodded. The library of Abyss Fort was the same as that of the Dark Magic Region where spells were protected by unique Runic Magic Circles. One could only read the content after Wizard Treman had undone them personally.
Thus, Merlin proceeded forward, and the two gigantic stone doors were slowly pushed open. His figure then disappeared from others' sight.
The skinny old man, Wizard Treman, took a long glance at Wizard Leo and said, "Darkness Eye, not bad. You cultivated the true Darkness Eye!"
After saying that, the old man entered the library following Merlin.
Wizard Leo was unmoved regarding the skinny old man's words. The sole eye on his forehead looked at Merlin's back, and the scene slowly coincided with the figure that popped in his mind.
"Raydore... My brother, he looks just like you! Have you returned to me at last?"
Wizard Leo mumbled with his head lowered while revealing a nostalgic expression.
...
Right after he entered the library, Merlin felt a chilly sensation. The library was very different from the Resource Tower in the Dark Magic Region. The Resource Tower was always packed with people and appeared lively while this library seemed quite empty. It seemed as if people had not visited this place for a long time.
Merlin was a little confused. "Does no Spell Caster in Abyss Fort choose their spell here?"
"Abyss Fort is different from the Dark Magic Region. There're not many Spell Casters in Abyss Fort since not all Spell Casters can adapt to Darkness-type spells... Alright, take your pick quickly. Your teacher, Leo, is actually willing to exchange for your chance to choose spells here with his Darkness Eye. You should make good use of it."
Behind Merlin, a sharp and piercing voice rang abruptly. It was Wizard Treman who had quietly attacked Merlin earlier.
Merlin nodded as if he was deep in thought. Then, he began to read a large number of spells available in the library.
These spells were not entirely Darkness-type spells. After all, Abyss Fort was only good at Darkness-type spells. They still needed other types of spells if they aimed to become powerful Spell Casters.
It was just that a major portion of the spells in the library was Darkness-type spells; they took up about thirty percent of all spells.
Merlin easily found the shelves that contained Darkness-type spells. On the shelf, any spell, ranging from Second-level to Sixth-level, was available. Furthermore, there was a wide variety of them; Merlin had a hard time selecting his picks from the vast options.
"If you can construct Six-Elemental spells, I'm sure that you're quite knowledgeable in terms of constructing Spell Models. Since Leo has paid such a great price for you to choose your spells here, surely he doesn't expect you to choose ordinary spells. Hehe, if you're confident, choose your spells from the last row. The most peculiar, powerful, and complicated spells are all kept there."
Wizard Treman was staring at Merlin when he realized that Merlin did not know where to begin, thus he hinted Merlin by pointing at the last row of the shelves.
Merlin was elated. He had the Matrix with him, so he was not afraid of the complexity of the Spell Models. On the contrary, he would need to choose the ones that were most compatible with him and contained stronger power. After hearing Wizard Treman's suggestion, Merlin no longer wasted his time at other places. He headed straight toward the last row of shelves.
Only a small portion of spells was placed here. Merlin took one out randomly and flipped it open lightly. After reading through the introduction, Merlin was immediately hooked on it.
The spells here were not any ordinary spells. They either possessed a special effect or were exceptionally strong. However, their Spell Models were also quite complicated.
Dark Mist and Dark Light Realm in which Merlin had constructed were also kept in this row.
However, this time, Merlin had to choose the spells of Second-level to the Sixth-level. He would pick one spell for each level. In the case of a Seventh-level spell, not a single spell casters' organization would possess any. Once he reached the peak of a Sixth-level Spell Caster, he would need to derive the spell that was most suitable to him if he was to become a Seventh-level Spell Caster. Other spells would not be helpful at all.
Merlin carefully considered all spells on the shelf. He would construct it in his Awareness in the future once he chose a spell, so he would need to think it through before making his choice.
Wizard Treman was not rushing; he squinted his eyes and slowly observed Merlin as Merlin flipped through the available spells without a sound.
After about four or five hours, Merlin finally showed a smile on his face. Currently, there were two books in his hands. This meant that he had chosen two spells.
These two spells were Second-level Darkness-type spell, Darkness Tide and Third-level spell, Darkness Vortex.
The spells both carried a strong hallucinating effect. Should he construct and cast Darkness Tide, the effect of his attack would be even more terrifying than Dark Light Realm. The darkness would befall upon the people strongly like an endless tide.
Meanwhile, Darkness Vortex was well-known for its ability to devour all Mind Power. If a Spell Caster with a powerful Mind Power fell into Darkness Vortex, his Mind Power would be consumed and he would fall into the illusion.
These Second and Third-level spells were extremely powerful and had complicated Spell Models. Many Spell Casters in Abyss Fort did not choose these two spells easily.
Merlin could quickly choose his Second and Third-level spells, but he had to be extra cautious when choosing the Fourth-level.
As soon as he chose the Fourth-level spell, he could merge it with Darkness Heart. Thus, Merlin had to be careful about the spells of Fourth-level and above.
"Darkness Nightmare, the ultimate hallucinating spell. It's able to delude people with its extremely realistic illusion without them knowing it. Moreover, its illusions were layered, making it difficult to differentiate between reality and illusions. It induces fear in people just like a nightmare does..."
Finally, Merlin set his gaze on a spell named Darkness Nightmare. This spell was coincidentally a Fourth-level spell and was considered the ultimate hallucinating spell.
Such a spell could make most Spell Casters fall into his illusions. Of course, if even Darkness Nightmare could not delude the person, no other spells could delude the person at all.
Moreover, once one's Mind Power had exceeded a certain extent, it would be difficult for them to be deluded. It was the same for a spell that was stronger; it could hardly delude the Spell Casters with superb Mind Power.
Hence, the Fourth-level spell, Darkness Nightmare, was considered the ultimate hallucinating spell. Fifth-level spells and above were mainly correlated with illusions and physical attacks. Illusions were mainly just a supportive spell.
Following that, Merlin chose the Fourth-level spell, Darkness Nightmare, without hesitation. Merlin had been in the library for about three days now.
Merlin still had to choose his Fifth-level spell and Sixth-level spell. At this point, this was a whole new area for him because Darkness Nightmare was considered the ultimate hallucinating spell. After this mark, Darkness-type spells would slowly be improved toward the aspect of physical attacks.
After all, a hallucinating effect was not the only good points from a Darkness-type spell!