A whirlwind suddenly formed, lifting dust and bits of stone from the ground, swirling and roaring in the air.
The bandit leader Keane was filled with excitement; this was his first time successfully casting a spell.
Though he lost control due to his excitement, causing the whirlwind to dissipate quickly, Keane was unconcerned. As long as the spell model within his mental domain remained intact, he could continue to practice and refine his skills.
"Not bad. You've grasped the basics of the whirlwind spell. You're now an entry-level spellcaster. From here, you just need to increase your mental energy and find more level-zero spells that suit you, and your power will continue to grow," Merlin said calmly.
He had spent the day with Keane, teaching him fundamental knowledge about spellcasting and points of caution. Merlin also assisted Keane in successfully forming the whirlwind spell model within his mind.
"It's time for me to go."
Merlin stood up. Now that Keane had fully grasped the whirlwind spell, their exchange was complete. Both had gained what they wanted, a fair deal for both sides.
Keane looked at Merlin thoughtfully and then said, "If you're headed to the Black Moon Kingdom, I'll send a small group to escort you. With members of the Hurricane Bandit Gang at your side, you'll be safe from other bandit attacks along the way."
Merlin nodded. Although Old Wilson's heavy knights could easily repel ordinary bandits, having to deal with numerous small attacks would be bothersome. Avoiding these encounters would make the journey smoother.
Keane assigned twenty riders, who bore the Hurricane Bandit Gang's flag, to accompany Merlin and escort him from the valley with great fanfare.
***
"Father, could Merlin be in danger?"
May Snow was practicing her swordsmanship, wiping the sweat from her brow as she asked quietly.
After the Blackwater City incident, May Snow felt her own weakness more acutely than ever, so she trained harder, seizing every opportunity to practice. But the more anxious she became, the less her body seemed to accumulate fire-elemental energy.
Old Wilson could see her impatience, but he had no way to properly address it with her for now. He hoped to guide her correctly once they settled in the Black Moon Kingdom.
"Wilson, do you think anything has happened to Merlin?" Baron Barman asked with a hint of concern.
Old Wilson's expression remained steady, and he replied calmly, "There shouldn't be any problem. We'll wait a little longer. If Merlin hasn't returned by tomorrow…"
Before he could finish, a knight on watch came rushing over. "Baron, Young Master Merlin has returned."
Sure enough, Old Wilson looked up to see Moss driving the carriage slowly toward them. Behind it were twenty bandits.
Merlin jumped down from the carriage, looking unchanged. Old Wilson quickly approached him, eyeing the twenty bandits with a stern look. "Merlin, what's the meaning of these bandits?"
Merlin didn't answer immediately. He spoke softly instead, "Father, I'll explain everything in detail."
He then summoned Captain Pula, instructing him to have several knights surround the carriage and ensure no interruptions.
Inside the carriage, Old Wilson's expression grew serious, sensing that whatever Merlin had to say was significant.
"Merlin, what exactly happened?"
Despite his usual composure, Old Wilson felt uneasy.
Merlin took out three relief sculptures from his pocket, placing them before Old Wilson, and said seriously, "Father, have you wondered how those bandits could be so powerful, with physical abilities matching those of level-one elemental swordsmen? Even their leader was strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with you."
Old Wilson had indeed harbored suspicions, but he hadn't been able to pinpoint the reason. Seeing the reliefs, something clicked in his mind.
"Is it because of these reliefs?"
He examined them carefully, turning them over in his hands but found nothing out of the ordinary.
"Father, these reliefs hold a secret that only those with naturally strong mental energy can uncover. Each relief contains a strange posture. By practicing these postures regularly, one's physical abilities will gradually improve, reaching the level of elemental swordsmen," Merlin explained.
Old Wilson's face changed. Only now did he realize the immense potential hidden within these simple-looking reliefs.
One relief could create a level-one elemental swordsman. With two, three, or even more, a person's physical strength could rival even the most powerful elemental swordsmen.
The military value of these reliefs was staggering. Old Wilson, being an experienced soldier, immediately grasped their potential implications.
"Are these reliefs from the bandits?" Old Wilson asked.
Merlin nodded. "Yes, I traded a spell with them for these reliefs. It was mutually beneficial. The people outside were sent by their leader to ensure we're not bothered by smaller groups of bandits on our way. It will allow us safe passage to the Black Moon Kingdom."
Old Wilson fell silent. Though he had faced many crises, the existence of these reliefs left him momentarily stunned.
Elemental swordsmen were the backbone of a kingdom's strength, its core military power. Training an elemental swordsman wasn't easy, as it required elemental affinity—something only the gifted possessed.
Yet these mysterious postures on the reliefs didn't require elemental affinity. Ordinary people could practice them. In a short period, Keane had trained five hundred bandits to the level of level-one elemental swordsmen, enabling him to dominate other bandit groups.
All of this was due to the mysterious reliefs.
If these reliefs were to spread, the current balance of power across the continent would shift dramatically.
These reliefs involved grave implications, which explained Merlin's caution.
"Merlin, keep these reliefs with you. Don't share them lightly or speak of them to others," Old Wilson advised after a long pause.
Merlin nodded, a small smile on his face. "Don't worry, Father. I understand their importance. I plan to teach you all four postures contained within the reliefs. Once we settle in the Black Moon Kingdom, you can decide who, if anyone, should be taught."
Merlin looked forward to seeing Old Wilson's potential once he mastered the four postures. With his innate strength, he would become incredibly powerful. Even if Merlin were to leave the family one day, the Wilson family would remain strong.