"Merlin?"
Leo's steps halted as his **Dark Eye** on his forehead flickered uncertainly. His gaze was fixed on the dark entrance of the **Abyssal Maze**, from which Merlin's figure slowly emerged.
"How is this possible? Seven full days in the Abyssal Maze, and he managed to come out alive?"
Hobbes' face showed nothing but disbelief. His eyes remained glued to the figure stepping out of the maze. As much as he didn't want to accept it, the person before him was indeed Merlin, who had spent seven full days within the treacherous maze. It meant Merlin had endured the deadliest illusions of the seventh day—something thought to be impossible.
"Merlin, have you mastered the **Dark Heart**?"
A trace of joy appeared on Leo's face. The **Dark Eye** on his forehead flared with crimson light, enveloping Merlin in its glow.
"**Dark Eye—Illusion!**"
Leo tested Merlin with a fragment of the **Dark Eye's** power, creating a simple illusion. He knew that any spellcaster who had mastered the **Dark Heart** would possess powerful resistance to dark magic attacks. Using just a sliver of the **Dark Eye's** strength, Leo sought to gauge the true extent of Merlin's mastery.
Under the crimson glow, Merlin was immediately pulled into an illusion. However, illusions had long since lost their grip on him. With his hardened resolve, Merlin could effortlessly dispel illusions of this level, even without having mastered the **Dark Heart**.
What intrigued Merlin was the sheer potency of Leo's **Dark Eye**. A single flash of blood-red light was enough to entrap him momentarily in an illusion. It was only a glimpse of its full power, and yet it was extraordinary.
"This illusion can't hold me, Leo," Merlin said with a slight smile, his voice calm. He closed his eyes momentarily, his unwavering belief blossoming within. The illusion shattered instantly.
Leo nodded approvingly, his face showing a rare smile. "Impressive. The **Dark Heart** truly lives up to its reputation. Even with just a trace of the **Dark Eye's** power, it's enough to entrap a fourth-level spellcaster. But you shrugged it off with ease. The **Dark Heart** is even more formidable than I anticipated."
Yet Merlin shook his head. "Leo, I haven't mastered the **Dark Heart** yet. It's just that I've faced so many illusions in the Abyssal Maze that ordinary ones no longer faze me."
"What?" Leo frowned, taken aback. He had gone to great lengths, trading the secrets of the **Dark Eye** for the opportunity to let Merlin enter the Abyssal Maze and master the **Dark Heart.** If Merlin hadn't achieved that goal, his efforts might have been in vain.
Suspicion flickered in Leo's eyes as he turned toward Hobbes and the other spellcasters, questioning whether they had withheld the true method for cultivating the **Dark Heart**.
Hobbes snorted coldly. "Don't look at me like that, Leo. The method we provided was genuine. If I'm not mistaken, Merlin has already surpassed the illusions of the seventh day. He can now cultivate the **third form of the Dark Heart** at will. Isn't that right, Merlin?"
Despite his frustration, Hobbes could not hide his complex emotions. In the fortress's most illustrious days, only a handful of spellcasters had managed to cultivate the **third form** of the **Dark Heart.** Seeing that Merlin could achieve this feat—despite not being part of the **Abyssal Fortress**—stirred a mix of envy and regret.
Merlin nodded in agreement. "That's correct, Leo. I can cultivate the **Dark Heart** at any time. It won't be difficult for me."
Hearing this, Leo's frown eased. He turned to Hobbes. "Hobbes, please arrange a quiet chamber for Merlin so he can complete his cultivation."
Hobbes, though reluctant, nodded. "We have plenty of chambers, but Leo, I hope you will honor your promises. Our patience has limits."
Without responding, Leo followed Hobbes, taking Merlin away from the Abyssal Maze.
---
Inside the silent chamber, Merlin wasted no time. "Let's see just how terrifying the **third form** of the **Dark Heart** really is."
He immediately chose the third form. Having endured the seventh-day illusions of the Abyssal Maze, he had no hesitation. The first and second forms of the **Dark Heart** were far less significant by comparison.
To begin, Merlin needed to inscribe a mysterious black sigil on his body. After some consideration, he decided against placing it near his hands, which already bore the marks of the **Incinerating Flame** and **Icy Grip.** Not knowing how multiple sigils might interact, Merlin opted to be cautious.
Removing his robe, Merlin revealed his muscular chest—a testament to his physical training through years of mystical carving practices. His physical body had reached the peak of a **third-level Elemental Swordsman** and could potentially advance to the **fourth level** within a year.
Merlin pressed his hands against his chest, guiding his mental energy to etch the sigil. Slowly, a strange black mark emerged on his skin. It looked like a drop of ink spilled on a pristine surface, yet its intricate design radiated an inexplicable pull, drawing Merlin's gaze.
"Here we go," Merlin muttered. As his mental energy activated the sigil, a chilling sensation washed over him. For a brief moment, it felt as though he had become one with the darkness, his entire being subsumed by its embrace.
This sensation vanished as quickly as it came. Merlin glanced down at the mark, its dark lines stark against his pale skin. It emanated a mysterious aura, captivating anyone who looked upon it.
"Now for the illusions."
Merlin knew the real challenge lay ahead. Cultivating the **Dark Heart** was a process fraught with endless illusions. For some, it took mere days; for others, weeks. Despite his confidence, Merlin braced himself for the unknown power of the third form's illusions.
Suddenly, a dizzying sensation overwhelmed him. The world spun, and Merlin felt as though he were being swallowed by the abyss.
"Here it comes."
With his inner resolve hardened from his time in the Abyssal Maze, Merlin faced each illusion head-on. No matter how intense or intricate the visions became, his belief remained unshaken. His heart was a fortress, impenetrable to the illusions' influence.
---
Hours passed in the silent chamber. Though Merlin endured countless illusions, his time in the physical world was brief. Each illusion, no matter how vivid or complex, crumbled before his unwavering resolve.
Finally, as the last illusion dissolved, Merlin opened his eyes. A sense of profound tranquility enveloped him. He glanced at the sigil on his chest. A faint, cool sensation radiated from it.
Looking closer, the sigil seemed to pulse faintly, alive with an enigmatic energy. "The **third form** of the **Dark Heart** truly lives up to its reputation. Without the Abyssal Maze, I would have been completely unprepared."
Merlin marveled at the intricate design on his chest. With the sigil fully activated, he felt a newfound connection to the darkness within his spells. His **Dark Fog** and **Shadow Domain** spells surged with enhanced potency, their power amplified far beyond their original limits.
"It's done. Time to rejoin Leo," Merlin said quietly, donning his robe once more. **The Dark Heart was his now.**