Within the Dark Spirit Domain, Merlin had only ever encountered Sixth-Level Spellcasters like Wizard Leo. The elusive Seventh-Level Spellcasters were a rare sight, even for long-standing official members who had spent decades in the Domain. Now, however, Merlin found himself being led by Wizard Leo into the towering spire of one of these powerful individuals.
Upon entering the spire, a spellcaster promptly approached, bowing respectfully to Wizard Leo. "Wizard Leo, how may I assist you?"
Leo's gaze was calm as he replied, "Yalvis, take me to the Dark Spirit Array. I need to activate it."
"What? Activate the Dark Spirit Array?" Yalvis stared in shock, then glanced at Merlin behind Leo. "That's only done for matters of great importance. May I ask why?"
Leo's expression darkened, his hollow eyes fixed unblinkingly on Yalvis. The blood-red vertical eye on his forehead flickered ominously, exerting immense pressure. Although Yalvis was a Fourth-Level Spellcaster, he dared not question Leo further. He was well aware of the fearsome reputation Leo had earned by killing a Seventh-Level Spellcaster from Osium during the recent war—a feat that had shocked spellcaster organizations far and wide.
"Yes, Wizard Leo. Right this way," Yalvis said, quickly leading them to the spire's summit. There, an expansive open area was inscribed with countless intricate runes—a masterpiece of magical engineering known as the Dark Spirit Array. It governed the Domain's most vital functions and was accessible only to its most powerful members, the Seventh-Level Spellcasters.
Leo stood before the array, his vast mental energy surging. Instantly, the runes began to hum, filling the tower with a soft white glow.
---
"What's this? The Dark Spirit Array has been activated again. Could something have happened?"
"Has there been a new development in the conflict with Osium?"
Across the Domain, Seventh-Level Spellcasters paused their activities—some in the midst of brewing potions, others crafting magical tools or researching advanced spells. Their attention turned collectively toward the spire where the activation had occurred.
The first to arrive was an elder clad in a golden, trim-lined robe, his long hair flowing loosely. "Yalvis, what's going on? Who activated the array?"
"Master Robbia, it was Wizard Leo," Yalvis replied, bowing respectfully.
"Leo?" Robbia's gaze turned toward Wizard Leo, his expression a mix of curiosity and complex emotions. Before he could speak further, more Seventh-Level Spellcasters began to arrive.
"What's so urgent that the array had to be activated?" asked a black-robed spellcaster, Wizard Helcius, who had previously led the defense against Osium.
Leo responded with a rare smile. "Don't be impatient, old man. I'll explain once everyone's here."
Helcius squinted at Leo, then turned his attention to Merlin. "Is this about that young man?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as if piecing something together.
In time, more spellcasters arrived—eight in total, plus Leo, forming an assembly of nine. For someone like Merlin, even seeing one Seventh-Level Spellcaster was a rarity, let alone such a gathering.
When the room finally settled, Helcius spoke. "Leo, tell us what's going on. You know the array isn't to be used lightly."
All eyes turned to Leo, whose calm demeanor remained unshaken. "I've called you here for my student, Merlin," he began.
"Your student? Just a novice spellcaster?" one of the elders scoffed.
"No, he's advanced," another corrected. "Still, why summon us for a mere First-Level Spellcaster? Surely you're not suggesting this warrants activating the array."
The group's skepticism was palpable, though a few, like Helcius and Robbia, who were more familiar with Merlin, seemed intrigued.
"Merlin isn't just any spellcaster," Leo announced, his voice steady. "He is a *Six-Element First-Level Spellcaster*. I trust you understand the significance of such a talent."
The room fell silent, the weight of Leo's words sinking in. Every gaze shifted to Merlin, and he could feel their immense mental energy probing him. While invasive, Merlin could do little but endure their scrutiny.
The spellcasters' shock was evident. A six-element spellcaster was unprecedented in the Domain's thousand-year history. Merlin's mere existence defied expectations.
"Merlin, step outside," Leo instructed softly.
Nodding, Merlin exited the room, leaving the Seventh-Level Spellcasters to deliberate. Though he didn't know what was being discussed, he was certain it would significantly affect his future.
---
Inside, Leo turned to the group with a faint smile, his blood-red eye gleaming. "You've confirmed it for yourselves. Merlin is indeed a Six-Element Spellcaster, and he has expressed his desire to sign a contract with the Domain. Such a prodigy deserves adequate support. I propose a reward of *100,000 contribution points*."
The room erupted. Contribution points were a valuable currency within the Domain, used to acquire rare spells, tools, and potions. Even Seventh-Level Spellcasters found it challenging to amass such wealth.
"Preposterous!" one spellcaster objected. "Even Kress, a Five-Element Spellcaster, only received 50,000. How can Merlin warrant double that?"
Leo anticipated the pushback. "Kress was a Five-Element Spellcaster. Merlin is the first Six-Element Spellcaster not just in our history but likely in the history of any major spellcaster organization. His potential far surpasses Kress's."
Silence followed as the room digested Leo's argument. A Six-Element Spellcaster represented unparalleled promise—someone who could reach unimaginable heights in their craft.
Robbia broke the silence. "100,000 might be justifiable, but how do we ensure Merlin's loyalty? After Kress's betrayal, can we risk history repeating itself?"
This question hung heavily in the air, reflecting the group's collective unease. Kress had used his rewards to defect to Osium, leaving a stain on the Domain's reputation.
Once again, all eyes turned to Leo, awaiting his response.