Opening the great door, Merlin walked straight in.

A gigantic hall was in the building. Tiles as bright and smooth as mirrors were set on the floor. A few lively portraits were hung on the white walls all around the place. On both sides of the hall were a few huge and thick pillars, clear and fine as crystals.

Walking into the hall was like being in a dream.

However, there were not many people in the hall – only some Spell Casters dressed in gray robes. Some were sprawled lazily on the tables. It was only when they noticed Merlin's arrival that a few amongst them perked up and stared at Merlin.

Merlin walked forward, bowed slightly, and said, "I'm Wilson Merlin, I've just arrived in the Dark Magic Region. Wizard Haribo let me come here."

"Another new person? Bring your ring over for me to check."

A gray-robed Wizard with a mustache spoke coldly.

Merlin took the ring off his finger and passed it to the person.

This gray-robed Wizard gently caressed the ring. Then, his body emitted traces of Elemental fluctuation, causing the ring to shine with a faint light. The mysterious runes on it became even clearer and more visible.

Following that, the gray-robed Wizard nodded gently and returned the ring to Merlin, before speaking in a calm voice, "Not bad. This is a Dark Magic ring, indeed. Are you Merlin?"

Merlin nodded. The gray-robed Wizard continued, "Wizard Merlin, no matter what your identity was before, the moment you enter the Dark Magic Region, you become a member within this Dark Magic Region of mine. However, you're not a First-level Spell Caster yet, so you cannot be an official member of the Dark Magic Region. You can only be a temporary member."

"If you still haven't become a First-level Spell Caster after three years, your Dark Magic ring shall be confiscated by the Dark Magic Region, and you'll be sent out from the Dark Magic Region."

The gray-robed Wizard had a very strict and solemn expression while explaining some of the rules in the Dark Magic Region in detail.

Merlin listened very intently. It turned out that owning a token would only enable him to be a temporary member of the Dark Magic Region. In addition, he would have to become a First-level Spell Caster within three years or be sent out from the Dark Magic Region.

Becoming a First-level spell Caster was a rigid standard. Even old man Etha had mentioned in the Spell Manual that only by becoming a First-level Spell Caster would one be considered a real Spell Caster.

For a spell casters' organization like the Dark Magic Region, one would naturally have to be a First-level Spell Caster or higher to be an official member.

"Are you clear with all of these?"

"I'm clear."

Merlin nodded. Becoming a First-level Spell Caster within three years was not much to Merlin, who possessed the Matrix. Furthermore, he had already simulated three Spell Models in his Awareness. All he needed was enough Mind Power and he would even be able to commence the promotion to become a First-level Spell Caster.

Three years – even a beginner Meditation Spell would be sufficient for his Mind Power to expand to the standard of a First-level Spell Caster's.

"Very good."

The gray-robed Wizard nodded and continued, "How many Spell Models have you constructed?"

"Three," Merlin answered truthfully.

"Three?"

Contrary to Merlin's expectations, the gray-robed Wizard opposite him shook his head. With a pitiful expression, he seemed to feel regretful that Merlin had already constructed three Spell Models.

"Could it be that three Spell Models are still not enough?"

Merlin furrowed his eyebrows. Three Spell Models were enough to begin the promotion to a First-level Spell Caster. Although the Dark Magic Region was a powerful spell caster's organization, Merlin's current capability would not be considered too bad.

'Why does this gray-robed Wizard have such a sympathetic look, then?'

He did not ask openly as these were merely thoughts that flashed through Merlin's mind.

The gray-robed Wizard shook his head slightly before flipping his hand. A beam of white light flashed past, and a translucent crystal stone appeared on the table.

"Concentrate all of your Mind Power onto the crystal stone."

The gray-robed Wizard pointed at the crystal stone on the table, signaling to Merlin.

Merlin nodded and quickly focused his Mind Power upon the crystal stone. Suddenly, the crystal stone emitted a faint, white light.

Seeing the light from the crystal stone, the gray-robed Wizard shook his head again, and spoke in a low voice, "Alright, your Mind Power is typical as well, and you've even constructed three Spell Models already..."

Following that, a few of the gray-robed Wizards had a discussion amongst themselves before a gray-robed Wizard hurriedly left the hall.

After some time, the gray-robed Wizard returned with a young girl behind him.

"Laurinka, Merlin has just arrived in the Dark Magic Region. Lead him to Wizard Leo's tower. From then on, he'll follow and learn from Wizard Leo."

The gray-robed Wizard pointed at Merlin, speaking to Laurinka as an indication.

Merlin surveyed Laurinka carefully. She did not look to be very old. She had short, wavy blond hair, and a glittery necklace on her fair neck. She looked extremely refreshing and sensual.

"Follow me."

Laurinka spoke coldly to Merlin, before turning around and left the hall.

Merlin followed her from behind closely. After they left the hall, Merlin could not help but ask, "Wizard Laurinka, how's the assignment done in the Dark Magic Region?"

"How's the assignment done? Very simple. The assignment is done according to quality, whether it's good or bad. Haven't you just gone through a test?"

Laurinka shook her head gently, speaking in a cold tone of voice.

"That was a test?"

Merlin frowned. The expressions of those gray-robed Spell Casters earlier could not be considered satisfied.

Laurinka stopped and looked at Merlin from top to bottom, sizing him up. "Are you a roaming wizard?"

Merlin nodded. There was nothing to hide about this.

"Then, how many Spell Models have you built?"

"Three."

Hearing that, Laurinka sighed before saying, "No wonder you've been assigned to Wizard Leo. You've already constructed three Spell Models, which have already become completely set in shape. If the Spell Models are not stable, there'll be no way for you to become a more powerful Spell Caster."

Merlin was already able to sense the meaning behind Laurinka's words. It turned out that not only was it not beneficial for him to have successfully built three Spell Models but it was also a great disadvantage.

In other words, Merlin's capability was too small. He was not being looked upon highly by those gray-robed Wizards. Basically, he was part of a dispensable category of people.

It was a great taboo for any Spell Caster to have unstable Spell Models. Naturally, the Wizards in the Dark Magic Region would not believe that a roaming Spell Caster would be able to construct Spell Models that were substantially stable.

However, only Merlin was clear in his heart that he had the help of the Matrix. Not only were the Spell Models he had constructed not the least bit inferior to the Spell Models within a spell casters' organization like the Dark Magic Region but they were also even better by leaps and bounds.

Therefore, Merlin did not have to worry at all that his Spell Models would not be stable. However, the gray-robed Wizards did not know about this, and it was impossible for Merlin to tell them about the Matrix.

"Wizard Laurinka, what does the white light emitted from the crystal stone I was tested with mean?" Merlin asked.

"White light? That means your Mind Power is very ordinary."

Merlin seemed to have evoked memories in Laurinka, who then continued, "My family is a family of Spell Casters. There are some elders in the family who have entered the Dark Magic Region, which is why I've been familiar with the rules of the Dark Magic Region since the early days. Until I entered the Dark Magic Region, I've not constructed any Spell Models on purpose, even.

"However, my Mind Power was weak during the test. It was so weak that it was incomparable even to yours as it only shone with an extremely weak, white light and I was assigned to Wizard Leo's tower. It's almost three years already but I've yet to construct a single First-level spell Model. Maybe I'll be sent out from the Dark Magic Region before long..."

There was a hint of dejection on Laurinka's face, as her tone of voice betrayed a deep sense of helplessness.