"Bang!"

The "rabbit" guardian's sharp claws were like razor blades. With one swipe, it brought a gigantic force that shook Guardian Monument in front of Merlin. It was shaken so hard that it split open; densely packed crack lines appeared on it.

"An immense power, and at such a high speed, my Glacial Finger is absolutely useless!"

A stunned expression washed over Merlin's face. This was such a great power, and at a speed that was just too quick. It was difficult to lock down even with Merlin's Mind Power. Even though he had released Glacial Finger, it was not of much use.

"Thunderbolt Net!"

Merlin released Thunderbolt Net once more. Although it was merely a Zero-level spell, Merlin still wanted to try and see if it could paralyze this "rabbit" guardian.

Lightning flashed all around them. However, just as Merlin had expected, Thunderbolt Net was rather useless. Immediately, Merlin released the strengthened version of Dark Mist once more. Nevertheless, it produced no effect on this "rabbit" guardian; it could not cause the "rabbit" guardian to fall into an illusion.

Perhaps Merlin would be able to cause this powerful Elemental Being to fall into an illusion if he had constructed Dark Light Realm, but it was clearly impossible to do that now.

At such a thought, Merlin's body flashed. He withdrew from the secret chamber before the "rabbit" guardian could launch its second attack.

"How weak. Are you really going to retreat and leave just like that?"

The "rabbit" guardian looked as though it wanted to continue the fight. However, it could only move within this secret chamber as it would become powerless once it left the area. Therefore, it could only huddle up in a corner of the secret chamber and eventually fell asleep soundly with loud snores.

Seeing the "rabbit" guardian turn back into its snowy white self once again, Merlin shook his head helplessly. Who would have thought that such a harmless-looking "rabbit" could be such a horrifying Elemental Being?

Furthermore, the "rabbit" guardian had not shown its ability to control the Ice Element earlier. The most powerful ability of all Elemental Beings was to control the Elements.

The "rabbit" guardian had not exerted its full strength but Merlin was unable to ward off its attacks. It seemed that it was going to be extremely difficult to defeat the "rabbit" guardian.

Very soon, Merlin came before the flame-shaped statue once more. Immediately, the flame sprite flew out from the statue.

The flame sprite spoke in a calm voice, "Were you defeated? Lister is not a weak opponent. I'm afraid it won't be that easy for you if you wish to break through the checkpoint guarded by Lister."

Merlin nodded his head as well, and said, "Very strong, indeed. I was able to hold out against the previous guardian puppet and forced a slow death upon it, but now, I don't have the slightest chance against this "rabbit" guardian, a great and powerful Elemental Being."

Merlin raised the slightly parched finger. He knew that it would be very difficult to fight the "rabbit" guardian by relying on just Glacial Finger. Some method to restrict the "rabbit" guardian's speed was necessary.

"Since you've already lost, undergo a proper cultivation. If I'm not mistaken, you're not even a First-level Spell Caster. Construct the last Spell and become a First-level Spell Caster before you go and challenge Lister again!"

Unexpectedly, the flame sprite could see Merlin's true condition in just one glance. Indeed, Merlin was not a First-level Spell Caster yet. So far, he was just one spell – Dark Light Realm – away from becoming a First-level Spell Caster."

"Alright then. Prepare an anechoic chamber for me. Once I've successfully constructed Dark Light Realm and become a First-level Spell Caster, I'll come and challenge Lister once more!"

Having said that, Merlin walked straight into the anechoic chamber prepared by the flame sprite.

In the anechoic chamber, Merlin carefully recalled the process of the fight he had with the "rabbit" guardian earlier. It was obvious that the "rabbit" guardian was just too fast; Merlin's Glacial Finger was completely unable to lock it down. No matter how great its power was, it was not of much use.

Furthermore, Merlin's Dark Mist was too weak. Although it was already clear that the "rabbit" guardian possessed intelligence and was equivalent to an ordinary person who could be plunged into an illusion, Dark Mist was useless against it. Perhaps Dark Light Realm would be able to plunge the "rabbit" guardian into an illusion.

If he really was to succeed, then there would not be a problem for him to defeat the "rabbit" guardian and break through the secret chamber.

When those thoughts came to him, Merlin became somewhat excited. Dark Light Realm was definitely something he had to construct. The only thing was, at the very least, he would require the Mind Power of a Third-level Spell Caster. Merlin could only use his Mind Power to simulate such a complicated spell as Dark Light Realm if he removed the many Spell Models maintained in his body.

Now, Merlin's Mind Power had almost reached the peak of a Second-level Spell Caster. Hence, he still needed to increase a huge amount of Mind Power before he could successfully construct Dark Light Realm.

If Merlin was to rely only on Mind Meditation Spell, he would need half a year to achieve a breakthrough with his Mind Power and to reach the level of a Third-level Spell Caster.

This could already be considered extremely fast. After all, Merlin was cultivating an advanced Mind Meditation Spell gifted by Wizard Leo. However, Merlin was still unsatisfied with such speed. Other than cultivating the advanced Mind Meditation Spell, he was also preparing Phantasmal Magic Potion.

The original stock of Phantasmal Magic Potion that Merlin possessed had almost been depleted. However, after arriving at the ancient tower and obtaining the rings of the many Spell Casters who had been killed by the patterned spider, Merlin had discovered an abundance of potion materials within those rings.

Amongst them were many of the potion materials necessary for preparing Phantasmal Magic Potion. With these potion materials, Merlin was able to prepare many portions of the potion with a success rate of almost 30 percent.

Thus, with the help of the Matrix, Merlin began to prepare the potion quietly.

...

Three months passed in a flash. Merlin had just awakened from meditation; his Mind Power had already reached the peak and was capable of breaking through at any moment.

"This is the final Phantasmal Magic Potion. Hopefully, it can enable my Mind Power to break through to the level of a Third-level Spell Caster!"

Merlin quickly downed the Phantasmal Magic Potion in the glassware. In mere moments, the Mind Power in his mind increased rapidly at a speed that was almost visible to the naked eye.

Due to having taken so much Phantasmal Magic Potion, the effects of the potion were no longer as obvious as when he had taken Phantasmal Magic Potion for the first time. However, it still showed a fast increment of Mind Power.

"Boom!"

Instantly, Merlin's mind turned blank. Thereafter, a cool sensation appeared in Merlin's mind; he felt that his Mind Power had doubled.

"Have I gotten through?"

Delight sprang in Merlin's heart. He had been on a retreat for three months within the anechoic chamber of the ancient tower, and consuming Phantasmal Magic Potion that he had prepared. However, it was only now that his Mind Power could be considered to have a substantial breakthrough, reaching the level of a Third-level Spell Caster.

The moment his Mind Power broke through, Merlin could clearly feel his Mind Power becoming even more active. It could even pass through thick walls, enabling him to "see" the other side.

This was something that Merlin's Mind Power had been unable to achieve before this. Merlin's previous Mind Power couldn't pass through walls that were slightly thicker. However, now that he had obtained a level of Mind Power on par with that of a Third-level Spell Caster, it could go through walls easily.

Of course, there were many advantages that came with an increase of Mind Power. The greatest advantage was that he could now construct Dark Light Realm. Merlin would become a First-level Spell Caster if he could only construct Dark Light Realm successfully, and officially become a Wizard!

"It's been three months, and with more than two months spent in Floating City, it'd be almost half a year. I'm afraid I won't be able to hurry back in time for Macy and Yaguez's wedding."

Merlin murmured quietly. He still remembered back when he had left Prakash City; Old Wilson had specifically mentioned Macy and Yaguez's wedding to Merlin. However, Merlin was now stuck in the ancient tower. There was absolutely no way for him to hurry back to Prakash City and attend Macy and Yaguez's wedding.

Although Merlin had become a Spell Caster and was growing stronger and stronger, there was still a very important place in his heart for his family. Merlin regretted very much for not being able to attend Macy and Yaguez's wedding.

In just a few moments, Merlin got rid of the messy thoughts in his mind. He settled down slowly and began to activate the Matrix."

"Matrix, analyze the Spell Model for Dark Light Realm!"

"Beep, the analysis on the Spell Model for Dark Light Realm had been done before. Do you wish to begin a new analysis?"

Merlin was somewhat confused. However, after thinking carefully for a few moments, he remembered that he had, indeed, used the Matrix to analyze the Spell Model for Dark Light Realm. Nevertheless, in the end, the construction had not been successful due to insufficient Mind Power.

Back then, the Matrix had reconstructed one hundred and eleven thousand, three hundred and sixty-eight Spell Models for Dark Light Realm, and amongst them, Merlin had chosen an extremely suitable Spell Model. This Spell Model was the best option no matter from the aspect of stability, power or the compatibility with the Spell Model for Dark Mist.

Merlin had failed the construction previously due to insufficient Mind Power. This time, Merlin's Mind Power was already comparable to that of a Third-level Spell Caster. He was also very confident that he would be able to simulate the Spell Model for Dark Light Realm in his Awareness on the first try and become a First-level Spell Caster.

However, the construction of such a complicated Spell Model for Dark Light Realm would take a very long time. Merlin calmed his emotions. Immediately, a Spell Model which looked like a three-dimensional image appeared in his mind. It was a few times more complex than the Spell Model Merlin had constructed for Frigid Ice previously.

Thankfully, Merlin had made preparations earlier. Therefore, he did not dread having to construct such a complicated Spell Model. Immediately, a huge amount of Mind Power began to move and started to simulate the Spell Model for Dark Light Realm in his Awareness.

...

The days passed by one at a time. Merlin sat still in the anechoic chamber with a very solemn facial expression.

Suddenly, Merlin's entire body shook. Endless amounts of Darkness Elements around him converged toward his body madly, practically covering the entire vast anechoic chamber and turning everything pitch-black.

Merlin's body was like a black hole, crazily swallowing up Darkness Elements in his surroundings.

After who knew how long, Merlin finally opened his eyes. A smile appeared at the corners of his lips.

"I've finally succeeded!"

Merlin's Dark Light Realm had finally been constructed successfully. Today, Merlin had become a genuine First-level Spell Caster. That was not all; he was a Six-Elemental First-level Spell Caster. It was extremely rare to find a Six-Elemental First-level Spell Caster even in the huge spell casters' organizations.

Only by becoming a First-level Spell Caster could one be deemed as a true Spell Caster. It was only now that Merlin could be considered to have really stepped upon the path of a Spell Caster!