After constructing *Dark Light Domain*, Merlin now had six first-level spells in his mental sea, perfectly balanced.
This balance brought immense benefits. Previously, Merlin had needed a substantial amount of mental energy just to maintain his spell models, fearing an imbalance that could cause them to collapse. Now, he no longer had to exert so much effort to keep them stable.
Becoming a first-level spellcaster also meant that the power limit of his spell models was enhanced, effectively boosting his overall strength several times.
Merlin rose to his feet, feeling the subtle changes within his mind. He was now a first-level spellcaster and finally sensed a true sense of "power."
"It's time for another attempt at the trial."
Having spent over three months in the tower, Merlin now felt equipped to face the trial again with his new abilities.
Just as he exited the quiet chamber, the flame spirit emerged from its statue, eyeing him up and down with a hint of joy. "Congratulations, Merlin. You've finally become a first-level spellcaster! With this newfound power, are you ready to face the trial again?"
"Yes. I intend to secure the relics left by the tower's master and try to master the first stage of *Inferno Burst*. Once I do, I can finally leave this place," Merlin replied with determination.
"Very well. I'll open the chamber. Remember, if you sense you can't defeat Lister, leave the chamber's range immediately—Lister cannot pursue you beyond it."
Merlin nodded, took a deep breath, and entered the chamber.
Inside, he again saw the rabbit guardian curled up in the corner, its white fur gleaming.
"Back again, little one?" the guardian lifted its head, casting Merlin a casual glance. But then, as it rose, its eyes glinted with surprise. "So, you've become a first-level spellcaster in just a few months—impressive!"
Merlin wasn't surprised; if the flame spirit could sense his growth, the rabbit guardian likely had a similar ability.
"Yes," he replied, "and I'm here for the trial."
The rabbit chuckled, "Well, show me your best, then! Last time, you barely put up a fight."
Without responding, Merlin took a calm breath and summoned his *Stone Guardian* spell. Stone pillars encircled him, their faint glow acting as an enhanced shield. Once his defenses were set, he activated his newly constructed spell.
"*Dark Light Domain!*"
Instantly, the dim room grew even darker, twisting into an inky blackness that defied even mental probing.
"A darkness spell?" the rabbit's voice registered surprise, and Merlin felt intense ice energy surge as a thick wall of ice formed around the guardian, encasing it protectively.
While *Dark Light Domain* was only a first-level spell, it was powerful enough to draw even a third-level spellcaster into an illusion. However, the rabbit guardian, with its formidable strength, resisted falling into a trance. Yet, Merlin could tell that it wasn't as relaxed as it had been during their last encounter.
Seeing that a basic *Dark Light Domain* wouldn't suffice, Merlin layered several casts before unleashing an enhanced version of the spell. This filled the room with such deep blackness that even a third-level spellcaster, or perhaps even a fourth, would be trapped in an illusion.
Now surrounded by thick darkness, the rabbit guardian was engulfed in Merlin's enhanced *Dark Light Domain*. With no resistance left, the creature was pulled into a trance, while the thick ice wall around it stood as its only defense.
"*Blazing Fury!*"
Merlin quickly summoned flames, directing their heat with precision. One after another, he released a barrage of fiery attacks, nearly flooding the chamber with intense heat.
Merlin watched closely as his flames overwhelmed the room. Trapped within the illusion, the rabbit guardian couldn't defend itself. Thanks to the powerful illusion of *Dark Light Domain*, even a creature as formidable as the rabbit could be rendered defenseless, allowing Merlin to strike with impunity.
As the darkness slowly lifted, revealing the smoldering remains of his flames, the rabbit guardian's once-white fur was now charred black, a burnt smell lingering in the air.
"Is it dead?" Merlin murmured, narrowing his eyes. Subjected to over a dozen *Blazing Fury* spells, the creature shouldn't have survived.
*Crack.*
Just as Merlin was about to head deeper into the chamber, he heard a faint crackling sound. The rabbit's charred exterior seemed to split, exposing patches of white fur beneath.
"Well done, little one. You may proceed," the rabbit's voice echoed softly.
"You're… not dead?" Merlin asked, taken aback. He had felt the full force of his *Blazing Fury*, and by all logic, even an elemental creature shouldn't have withstood such an onslaught.
"Death?" the guardian chuckled. "Impossible. We elemental creatures were transformed by the master's unique methods. We aren't fully organic—our bodies are merely shells, while we remain composed of pure elemental essence. Within this chamber, we can endlessly revive. Only by destroying the entire tower would we truly perish."
The rabbit's explanation clarified matters. It was only partially transformed, its outer shell a physical body, but within, it was still composed of elemental ice energy. As long as it remained in the chamber, it could resurrect indefinitely. But since Merlin had completed the trial by defeating it once, the guardian no longer saw a need to attack him.
*Rumble.*
With that, a thick stone door at the back of the chamber slowly lifted, revealing a hidden room beyond. This was where the relics of the tower's master were stored.
Merlin nodded at the guardian in acknowledgment and then stepped into the final chamber.
---
The chamber was small, its walls studded with radiant gems that lit the room as if it were daylight.
In the center of the room lay several dusty chests. Merlin wasted no time and opened them, finding countless potions and elemental crystals, particularly fire crystals in such abundance it was almost overwhelming.
"*Essence of Earth Fire*, *Flame Stones*… These are exactly what I need to train *Inferno Burst*!" Merlin recognized the treasures immediately. Besides the fire crystals, there were all the rare resources required for mastering the first stage of *Inferno Burst*—and in generous quantities, enough to sustain his training for a long time.
With a satisfied nod, Merlin carefully stored all the treasures in his ring, knowing they represented an enormous fortune. Confident now that he could fully master the first stage of *Inferno Burst*, he left the chamber, ready to continue his journey to power.