"Third match!"
Merlin glanced at the nine other mages beside him, all assigned to Leo's tower. Perhaps, when they first entered, some of them still had the hope of becoming first-level mages. However, as time passed, they felt increasingly stifled—both by the limitations of their own potential and by Leo's hands-off approach. But now, Merlin's performance seemed to ignite a flicker of hope for them. His two consecutive wins showed he wasn't inferior to the mages from the other towers, so they began to pin their expectations on him.
"Third match: Mage Merlin versus Mage Greeman!"
Finally, the gray-robed mage called Merlin's name, marking the start of his third match.
As Merlin stood up, he felt numerous gazes focusing on him. This was in stark contrast to the first two rounds, when no one had paid him any attention. His consistent victories had finally started to draw notice.
"Round three… now we're in for a show!"
Many of the mages, who had started to grow bored, perked up with excitement. The first two rounds had been tedious due to the sheer number of participants, with even Leo's tower alone sending ten mages. As a result, the skill level in the initial rounds was rather low, making the matches dull and uninspiring.
But now, with the unqualified eliminated, the third round promised to feature some real competition, and Merlin's match was bound to be more thrilling.
Merlin soon stepped up to the platform, facing a man with chestnut hair in a black robe. The two mages sized each other up in silence.
"Merlin!"
"Greeman!"
After exchanging the customary greetings, the rune shield once again enveloped the stage, signaling the start of the third match.
With a sudden burst of fire, Greeman made the first move. He raised his hand, unleashing a blazing flame that covered half the platform. It was a fire spell designed for broad, area-based attacks.
Clearly, Greeman had observed Merlin's previous matches and noted his strategy of using Dark Fog to trap his opponents in illusions before freezing them in place to end the match. By launching a wide-reaching spell upfront, Greeman aimed to suppress Merlin's Dark Fog and force him to fight on Greeman's terms.
"Your Dark Fog can't be cast this time," Greeman said, his voice calm. "You should surrender; otherwise, the flames will reduce you to ashes."
Merlin merely shook his head slightly, looking somewhat disappointed. He had expected a stronger opponent in this third match, but Greeman wasn't living up to those expectations.
"Gale Step!"
With a simple cast, Merlin's figure flickered as he used the wind spell to evade the raging flames, drifting backward. At the same time, he released Dark Fog, instantly shrouding Greeman.
"I surrender!" Greeman declared almost immediately after seeing Merlin dodge his fire attack and envelop him in mist.
"I don't mind losing to someone as strong as you," Greeman admitted, casting Merlin a deep glance before stepping down. Merlin had passed the third round.
Returning to the platform's edge, he found Anlena shaking with excitement, barely able to contain her joy. "Merlin, you won three rounds in a row! That was the same record set by Mage Soren!"
Soren had set a record twelve years ago by winning three consecutive matches, bringing some honor back to Leo's tower. But since then, none of Leo's students had ever matched it—hardly any had even managed to win a single match, let alone three.
Merlin smiled slightly at Anlena's enthusiasm. Though she wasn't exceptionally pretty, her delight made her seem endearing, like a little sister.
At the front of the arena, seated on high stone chairs, were many powerful mages of the fourth level and above. They hadn't paid much attention to the first two rounds, which served to filter out the unqualified. But now, in the third round, some of them started noticing Merlin's duel.
One of them, Mage Nasha, a newly promoted fourth-level mage, chuckled as she watched Merlin decisively defeat Greeman. "Mage Leo, it seems the gray-robed mages have given you quite a gift this time. This Merlin… I recall he joined Dark Territory less than a year ago, right? To construct three spells in such a short time, including a complex one like Dark Fog, is impressive. Perhaps he's the next Soren?"
It seemed Nasha knew Leo well and was familiar with his students, as she spoke with a relaxed tone.
Leo turned slightly, shaking his head with a faint, almost grim smile. "Another Soren? Not quite."
"Oh? Do you think he'll win a fourth round?" Nasha asked, picking up on Leo's expectations. But the fourth round was different from the third. With the previous rounds concluded, they already knew Merlin's next opponent: Mage Valady.
Valady's abilities had been on display, showing not only strong offensive skills but also a high level of mental strength, nearly reaching that of a second-level mage. With his substantial mental power, Merlin's Dark Fog was unlikely to trap him in an illusion. Valady also had defensive spell scrolls and was considered one of the favorites for the tournament's final eight.
Nasha couldn't imagine how Merlin could win against someone like Valady. Leo, however, offered no further explanation, only smiled with a cryptic look, saying, "Just watch. The fourth match is about to start!"
Picking up on Leo's confidence, Nasha grew even more curious. Could Merlin have some powerful scrolls?
"Fourth match: Mage Merlin versus Mage Valady!"
The gray-robed mage's call hushed the crowd as the fourth match began. Even Nasha turned her full attention to the stage, putting aside her doubts.
"Merlin, if you can't keep up with him, just surrender!" Anlena cautioned in a small voice. She had watched Valady's previous duel and couldn't think of a way Merlin could defeat him.
"Surrender?" Merlin's gaze fell on Valady, who stood on the stage waiting for him. Smiling slightly, he muttered to himself, "Finally, a real challenge. Valady, show me what a true talent of Dark Territory is capable of."
Merlin's eyes held a quiet but fierce confidence. In less than a year, he had gone from needing the help of the Bell Pendant to barely defeating a mage like Merilon to facing someone even stronger. This time, however, he felt only excitement.
With a quick step, Merlin joined Valady on the stage, eyeing him from head to toe.
Valady had dark skin, wore a fitted tunic with a black kilt around his waist, and sported large earrings on both ears, giving him a wild, untamed look.
"Merlin."
"Valady."
Once the rune shield had surrounded the stage, they gave each other a nod, acknowledging the match's start.
"Dark Fog!"
Merlin moved first, casting the fog to envelope Valady. Since constructing Dark Fog, it had proven effective against nearly every mage. Most initiates couldn't withstand its effects and fell into illusions.
Within seconds, the thick fog enveloped Valady.
"Ice Freeze!"
Merlin cast his freezing spell without hesitation, sending a wave of frost toward Valady, who was hidden in the fog.
"The Dark Fog is formidable, but it's not enough to trap me in an illusion!" came Valady's voice from within the mist. Following his words was a surge of mental energy—a wave nearly at the second level, close to matching Merlin's own.
With Valady's high mental power, Merlin's Dark Fog failed to ensnare him. When Merlin's ice spell came, Valady, aware of the incoming attack, summoned the power of wind to dodge out of reach of the frost.
In an instant, Valady shot out of the fog, his speed enhanced by wind magic. His mouth curved in a cold smile as he called forth earth energy.
"Earth Bind!"
Valady unleashed an earth-element binding spell. Knowing that Merlin also had Gale Step, he sought to restrict Merlin's movements, using a series of earth-based vines to trap his opponent.
Merlin was immediately bound by the earthen tendrils that wrapped around his feet like heavy vines.
At the same time, Valady raised his hand, and a flash of lightning surged forward. Merlin felt an intense threat; it was a high-powered lightning spell, one with blinding speed that reached him in an instant.
"It's over," Valady murmured with a confident smirk. At this point, Merlin's only option was to surrender, as the sheer force of the lightning spell left no room for hesitation. Otherwise, the lightning would be lethal.