Chapter 190: One Strike
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After a few corners and turns, Merlin had followed Wizard Sammir into a small alley. On the right side was a small door – this was Wizard Sammir’s residence.
Merlin looked around the small courtyard. It would take quite a long time for anyone to find this hidden place, which was enough to show that Wizard Sammir was, in fact, a very cautious person.
They walked through the courtyard and came to a long bluestone corridor, which led to the living room. Although Wizard Sammir’s home was hidden, it was very s.p.a.cious.
“Wizard Merlin, please, come and meet my old friends in the living room.”
Wizard Sammir said with a smile as he ushered Merlin in.
Merlin nodded and as he walked into the living room, he noticed three Spell Casters sitting on the left side of the room.
The three Spell Casters wore black robes. One of them, in particular, had only one eye and a big bald head. He had a husky build and looked more like a fierce thug than a powerful Spell Caster.
“Hey, Sammir, is this the one you made us wait for?” The bald, one-eyed Spell Caster sneered.
Merlin felt fierce Mind Power from the three Spell Casters directed at him as soon as he walked into the room. He frowned slightly as it was extremely rude to be immediately judged and examined through Mind Power.
Oftentimes, actions like these could lead to a battle between two Spell Casters. However, the three Spell Casters, all Third-level, knew Merlin was no more than an Entrance-level Spell Caster. Even if Wizard Sammir had mentioned that Merlin could resist his attacks, the three Spell Casters were still very suspicious.
Wizard Sammir nodded and said, “Yes, this is Wizard Merlin. Wizard Merlin, allow me to introduce Wizard DeMarco, a Third-level Spell Caster!”
Wizard DeMarco was the name of the bald, one-eyed Spell Caster. When he saw Merlin, he gave a disapproving look and sat back down in a huff.
Merlin nodded lightly in acknowledgment as Wizard Sammir gestured to another Spell Caster, who had fair skin and looked like he was in his mid-thirties. “This is Wizard Bren. Wizard Merlin, you have very high attainments in potions, however, Wizard Bren has high attainments in alchemy. He even owns two Alchemy Creatures!”
Wizard Sammir said as he kept a strange look in his eyes. Merlin followed his gaze and noticed two Alchemy Creatures next to Wizard Bren.
However, these Alchemy Creatures were both extremely beautiful and s.e.xy women. One of which even laid in the arms of Wizard Bren.
Merlin shook his head in his heart. These alchemists were always so strange.
It would be true that Wizard Bren held high attainments in alchemy as most alchemists only had one Alchemy Creature, but Wizard Bren had two. Some questionable handling would have gone into play as even Wizard Sammir only had one Alchemy Creature.
Unsurprisingly Wizard Sammir gave a strange look when he introduced Wizard Bren.
Merlin nodded his head and Wizard Sammir introduced the final Spell Caster. “This is Wizard Riesen.”
Wizard Riesen looked like a Third-level Spell Caster and seemed the most ordinary amongst the Spell Casters. He smiled and nodded lightly at Merlin.
The three Spell Casters that Wizard Sammir had introduced were all Third-level Spell Casters. They had all formed a temporary coalition in the interest of preparing and entering an ancient monument with Wizard Sammir.
“Hehe, Sammir says that you’re a Third-level Spell Caster, but I don’t believe it! However, little guy, if you can resist just one of my attacks and show us your strength, I’ll agree to let you join us. Otherwise, it would be useless to just take Sammir’s word for it and let you join.”
The bald, one-eyed Spell Caster, Wizard DeMarco, suddenly declared as he gave Merlin a sinister stare.
Merlin glanced at Wizard Sammir, who was expressionless as he stood aside. It seemed that this had already been discussed between them. Otherwise, they would not have even agreed to let Merlin join.
“Fine!”
Merlin’s expression was calm and his voice full of confidence.
“Haha, Sammir, would you look at that! You’ve left this poor Entrance-level Spell Caster helpless, it’s ridiculous! Eye of the Storm!”
Wizard DeMarco mocked him and as his eyebrow twitched, a dramatic gust of Wind Element floated out from his body. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind appeared out of thin air.
The wind was whirling non-stop and a faint but visible eye was forming in the middle of it. The gust of wind whirled with incredible speed. It would be horrific to be strangled to death by it.
This was a Third-level spell but it was not Third-level spells that Merlin valued recently. Wizard DeMarco’s Eye of the Storm was only restricted to a small area and had not destroyed the rest of the living room yet. This meant that Wizard DeMarco had terrific control of his spell; this was something that even Merlin could not do.
DeMarco, who looked more like a thug than a Spell Caster, had left Merlin in an awkward position. His incredible control would also mean that he had strong Mind Power as well. Otherwise, he would not have been able to control such a powerful spell.
“Guardian Monument!”
Merlin cast his spell in succession and placed three layers of the protective net in front of him. Finally, he used an Enhancing casting tool to cast a strengthened version of Guardian Monument, which could match that of a Defensive Third-level spell.
“Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!”
The three common versions of Guardian Monument stood no chance against Eye of the Storm and were instantly struck down, leaving only Merlin’s final line of defense.
However, his last spell, the strengthened version of Guardian Monument was comparable to that of a Defensive Third-level spell, and although Eye of the Storm was powerful, it could not destroy Merlin’s final spell.
Hence, Merlin was safe from Eye of the Storm.
“Sure enough, it’s an Enhancing casting tool!”
Merlin was able to cast the First-level spell, Guardian Monument and even released the strength of a Third-level spell. DeMarco and the other Spell Casters revealed some intrigue.
Wizard DeMarco shouted loudly, his face hid no greed.
He exchanged glances with Wizard Sammir, with slight fear in his eyes before finally breaking off Eye of the Storm. “Not bad but you’re relying on an Enhancing casting tool. You’ve barely qualified to join us in entering the ancient monument.”
Wizard DeMarco was a greedy Spell Caster. His eyes could not hide his interest in Merlin’s Enhancing casting tool. Perhaps Wizard Sammir had warned him before, and hence DeMarco ceased fire.
“Well, why don’t we discuss how we plan on entering the ancient monument?”
Wizard DeMarco asked the others without even looking at Merlin.
Everyone directed their attention to Wizard Sammir. It was clear that they thought it was best that he oversaw this crusade and allowed him to make any suggestions on how to enter the ancient monument.
“Wizard DeMarco, I just blocked one of your attacks and you don’t even dare to take one of mine?”
Suddenly, Merlin raised his head fiercely and asked in a deep voice.
“Huh? Are you challenging me, little guy?”
Wizard DeMarco squinted slightly, and although his tone was calm, everyone could tell that he was now angry.
“Wizard Merlin, even I’m afraid of Wizard DeMarco’s strength. You shouldn’t take what just happened to heart. Wizard DeMarco was just testing your strength. He did not mean to be malicious.”
Wizard Sammir’s expression changed slightly as he explained hurriedly to Merlin.
“Wizard DeMarco, do you not dare to take on my attack?”
Merlin’s tone was still calm and did not heed the persuasion of Wizard Sammir.
“Take on your attack? Hehe, do you really think you stand a chance against a Third-level Spell Caster, little guy? Unlike Wizard Sammir, my darling is too fast, and you won’t be able to escape even if you tried.”
Wizard DeMarco said with a menacing tone. Immediately, the weak-bodied Alchemy Creature on his back transformed and suddenly appeared before Merlin. It waved its sharp fists as it advanced toward Merlin.
“Stop, Wizard DeMarco!”
Wizard Sammir saw DeMarco’s Alchemy Creature advanced and allowed his own Alchemy Creature to come forward and defended Merlin from its attack.
However, DeMarco’s Alchemy Creature was too quick. Wizard Sammir’s Alchemy Creature could not react in time and he could only watch as Merlin drowned in its quick attacks.
“Hehe, he asked for it, Wizard Sammir. If he wanted to provoke me, he should’ve been prepared for the consequences.”
Fire Element began to seep through DeMarco’s body. He was getting ready to cast his most powerful Offensive spell, one that would surely kill Merlin.
DeMarco’s intention was to kill and this was clear from the start. Unlike Wizard Sammir, who needed Merlin to help him prepare potions, DeMarco was only interested in the powerful Enhancing casting tool that Merlin possessed.
Merlin was trapped by the Alchemy Creatures’ ceaseless blows, not to mention DeMarco’s preparation for his powerful attack. Although Merlin’s Guardian Monument could resist, it would not be enough. Merlin would unquestionably be killed.
Wizard DeMarco had absolute self-confidence. Sammir would not be fast enough to escape if he resisted the attack and allowed Merlin to flee. Once DeMarco cast his attack, it would be like a violent storm – the formidable attack would never give Merlin enough time to escape.
“Demon Ability, Glacial Finger!”
Just like that, the shadow beneath the Alchemy Creature let out a cold yet calm voice.
“Crackle!”
The once fierce Alchemy Creature was now covered in ice crystals, which were already slowly beginning to crack. Instantly, the Alchemy Creature shattered into a million pieces as it fell to the ground.
“Is this…?”
The fierce Alchemy Creature had completely disappeared without even a trace of blood. Besides the pieces of ice on the floor, everything was still very clean. However, the looks on the three Spell Caster’s faces had completely changed.
Especially Wizard DeMarco, who stared at Merlin with a terrified look in his eyes.
“Wizard DeMarco, I said just one strike!”
Merlin let out a slight smile as he slowly extended his finger and gently pointed at Wizard DeMarco.