"Matrix, analyze the compatibility between Furious Flame's Spell Models and Fireball's Spell Models!"

Immediately, Merlin gave the Matrix such a command. The compatibility had to do with whether a First-level Spell Model could be successfully constructed, so naturally, Merlin took it very seriously.

"Beep. Analysis complete. There are thirteen thousand, six hundred and twenty-eight Spell Models that do not clash with the Fireball's Spell Model."

The Matrix completed its analysis in a jiffy. In total, there were more than ten thousand Spell Models that did not clash with Fireball. In other words, it was theoretically possible to simulate the over ten thousand Spell Models in his Awareness.

However, Merlin was very clear that this was merely theoretical. He was afraid that the Spell Models with low compatibility levels would still be unstable even if, by some good luck, they were built successfully.

Thus, Merlin had a careful observation. He discovered that the Spell Model with the highest level of compatibility was 91% with Fireball.

As recognized by Spell Casters, if the compatibility between two Spell Models was able to surpass 60%, it would be considered a very safe Spell Model which they could boldly construct it with a peace of mind.

Therefore, 91% was already an extremely high level of compatibility attained for Merlin's Spell Model. However, such a high compatibility level was only positioned at the three hundredth or so in terms of stability amongst one hundred and ten thousand Spell Models.

There were three aspects that needed to be considered before constructing Spell Models, especially those above the First-level. It was necessary for the three aspects – stability, power, and compatibility – to achieve a certain benchmark.

It was only now that Merlin truly knew why the Entrance-level Spell Casters, who clearly had enough Mind Power and possessed suitable First-level Spell Models, were simply unable to level up and become a First-level Spell Caster.

The true reason was that the construction of Spell Models was just too difficult; merely the aspect of stability was enough to stump a huge batch of high caliber Spell Casters. When one also took the even more complicated compatibility level into account, it became an even more difficult task. Unsurprisingly, Spell Casters of Four-Elements and above were so rare in the Dark Magic Region.

Therefore, the most difficult thing to do for an average Spell Caster was to construct a Spell Model where it had nothing to do with their Mind Power!

With the Matrix in his possession, Merlin was able to use it to help him build Spell Models by going through oceans of calculations, and it could even analyze the compatibility level between Spell Models, thus helping Merlin to solve the most difficult problem for a Spell Caster.

This was the real reason why Merlin could break the norm and construct a Six-Elemental spell with one more!

Merlin thought about it carefully again. He could not choose the Spell Model that possessed the highest level of compatibility with Fireball. Although the compatibility was rather good, its stability was just too low. He needed to choose a Spell Model that would have an excellent composite of stability, compatibility, and power.

Finally, Merlin chose a Spell Model which achieved an 81% compatibility level with Fireball. The stability of this Spell Model was encouraging and was listed in the top twenty amongst ten thousand and more Spell Models. Its power was not bad too. It could be regarded as one of the best Spell Models from the aspect of the composite.

After deciding on a Spell Model, Merlin eagerly prepared the final step – simulating the First-level Spell Model in his Awareness.

Merlin closed his eyes gently and started to shift his Mind Power, simulating Furious Flame's Spell Model with all his might.

…

"I've failed..."

After a few hours, Merlin opened his eyes. There was a look of helplessness over his face.

This time, his construction had failed because it had been too forceful. Although his Mind Power was already sufficiently great, nearing that of a Second-level Spell Caster's, his Spell Models were still double of an average Spell Caster.

It was natural, then, that a lot more Mind Power was required to sustain so many Spell Models. Therefore, Merlin had already felt very forceful while exerting his best effort to simulate Furious Flame's Spell Model. As a result, he gave up halfway through the simulation.

Merlin did not suffer any injuries because he had not gone through the simulation in his Awareness – all he felt was some resentment.

"Looks like I've to continue strengthening my Mind Power."

Merlin's failure this time was not directly caused by the weakness of his Mind Power. Originally, he could have formulated a magic potion, but the one he formulated previously had used up four portions of potion materials. Now, there were only two portions of potion materials left inside the ring. Without great certainty, Merlin would not formulate another magic potion.

Moreover, there were only ten or so days left until the conference. There was not much time left to formulate a magic potion so it would be better for him to relax and cultivate the intermediate Meditation Spell.

…

After more than ten days, densely packed runes appeared inside Merlin's house once more. In the midst of the Runic Magic Circle, a half-translucent human face formed gradually.

"Merlin, make a trip to where I am, here..."

Wizard Leo's raspy voice sounded. Merlin thought for a moment and realized that it could be concerns about the conference. He counted the days and tomorrow was the Dark Magic Region's triennial conference.

After ten days of meditation, Merlin's Mind Power had merely increased a little. The Mind Power of a Spell Caster required long periods of meditation before one could see significant improvement.

Previously, the black-robed old man had painstakingly meditated for over ten years for his Mind Power to merely reach the level of a First-level Spell Caster. Merlin's current Mind Power had long surpassed that of the black-robed old man's, so his speed could already be considered extremely fast.

After the meditation had ended, Merlin immediately left the room and arrived outside Wizard Leo's house.

"Come in."

Wizard Leo said coldly from inside the house. Merlin pushed the door open and entered the house.

The bloodshot, vertical eye on Wizard Leo's forehead blinked gently. Merlin then felt a hint of peculiarity. Merlin knew very little about Wizard Leo's Darkness Eye, only that it possessed very mystical powers. He was not clear, however, on exactly what powers it had.

Then, the vertical eye on Wizard Leo's forehead slowly closed. Wizard Leo spoke in a cold tone, "The conference takes place tomorrow. Be here earlier, I shall bring all the temporary members of the Wizard Tower to join the conference."

Merlin nodded, before listening carefully to Wizard Leo as he gave an account of some rules at the conference. One that caught Merlin's attention was that they were not restricted from using casting tools at the conference.

This was extremely disadvantageous to Merlin. If some Spell Caster from a wealthy background brought some Second or even Third-level casting tools, then would there be anything left to anticipate at all?

As though he knew the thoughts in Merlin's mind, Wizard Leo waved his hand and said, "There's no need to talk about what's fair and what's not. The world is unfair in the first place. Compare yourself with the roaming Wizards outside; is it fair for them? To own a casting tool is part of one's capability. Just do your best not to be at the bottom this time and it'll be alright."

After a pause, Wizard Leo continued, "As for whether you're selected by some other Wizards who excel at teaching, this will depend on your own performance. The Spell Casters who rely on casting tools but possesses bad quality, naturally do not have this opportunity. Therefore, all you have to do is to present your strength."

Merlin nodded. Wizard Leo's words had helped him gain a deeper understanding of the Spell Casters' world. The roaming Wizards and the Wizards in the spell casters' organization were already an expression of unfairness in the first place, but what was required in the world of Spell Casters was not fairness, but great power!

There were various objectives for the conference of the Dark Magic Region; the selection of talents was merely one of them. Powerful Wizards who truly wanted to select excellent Spell Casters were not idiots. Naturally, they could tell the inferior and the superior apart. It was not necessary for Merlin to worry about this.

After understanding some of the details concerning the conference, Merlin bade goodbye to Wizard Leo and returned to his room.

…

Under the dusky yellow lamplight, Merlin spread open a piece of white paper on the wooden table. He held a feather pen in his hand, looking out into the pitch black night sky outside the Wizard Tower as he delved into his memories.

He had just counted the days, only to realize that almost a year had passed since he quietly left Prakash City back then.

Celia and Conxion would already be starting to learn how to walk. However, as their father, Merlin was unable to be there with his children as they grew up.

He could write letters in the Dark Magic Region, but it was extremely costly to send the letters out. It required 5 contribution points, and it was impossible to receive letters as no one knew the actual location of the Dark Magic Region.

Five contribution points would be fifty thousand gold coins after conversion. To write a letter costing fifty thousand gold coins would make it the world's most expensive letter.

Merlin did not have any contribution points in the past, so naturally, he would not lavishly spend five contribution points to write a letter. However, he had now obtained one hundred and twenty contribution points gifted to him by Laurinka. In addition to his own thirty contribution points, he had altogether one hundred and fifty contribution points.

One hundred and fifty contribution points would be able to support Merlin's wish to act lavishly for once. After all, his loved ones far away still held a very important position in Merlin's heart.

Merlin was in a deep thought for a long time. Then, he began to write on the clean, white paper.

"Dearest Charise, Avril, please send my regards to Father! Forgive me for not writing to you for so long. There have been some special circumstances in the Dark Magic Region, and sending a letter is also very extravagant here. It's almost a year now, I wonder how Celia and Conxion are.

"I'm living very well in the Dark Magic Region. You don't have to worry about me. Before I left, I've requested Count Selin and Wizard Hill to take care of the Wilson family and our territory. I think there should not be any huge problems there.

"I might return after two years. Please pass on the message to Wizard Hill that there is, indeed, a Spell Model-stabilizing Potion in the Dark Magic Region. I'll think of a way to obtain this potion and will bring it back for him after two years."

Having written thus far, Merlin suddenly felt that there was nothing more for him to write. After some warm words of greeting, he signed his name at the end of the paper.

Under the dim, yellow lamplight, Merlin read through it repeatedly. There was a vaguely warm feeling in his heart, as though he had grown utterly confident about the conference in the Dark Magic Region tomorrow.