"Oh? You have an idea?"

Merlin turned around. He narrowed his eyes, staring closely at Wizard Gerson.

Wizard Gerson had met many strong Spell Casters before but that kind of stare Merlin gave him made him feel uncomfortable. He dared not look Merlin in the eyes, so he responded with his head held down. "Wizard Merlin, Lava Soil is indeed found at the volcanoes on the Kurdmansla Islands, but the volcanoes are extremely dangerous. Occasionally, some of them will erupt, so they are unpredictable. Even a Seventh-level Spell Caster will not set foot into the volcanoes without caution.

"However, once you've joined Fort Udon, you'll be able to purchase a map for a lesser amount of elemental crystal stones. In this map, you'll find the records of all thirty-six thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine volcanoes on the Kurdmansla Islands. It'll include information regarding which volcanoes are still active or inactive, how many times they've erupted, and even the chronological pattern of their eruptions, all of which are meticulously analyzed and recorded.

"With such a map, I believe you'll not be put in any danger when you venture into the volcanoes in search of Lava Soil. Fort Udon used many resources, personnel, and up to decades of hard work to complete this map bit by bit, which is why it's only available for Fort Udon's very own Spell Casters. Outsiders don't get to buy this map."

Merlin listened to every word of Wizard Gerson's explanation attentively, and he was indeed somewhat attracted. If this map was really like what Wizard Gerson had described and contained such extensive records, Merlin would then have no reason to worry about his safety when he looked for Lava Soil. Otherwise, even with powers like his, if he had entered an active volcano and it erupted, he would be reduced to ashes by the scorching lava.

Therefore, after a long thought, Merlin finally nodded and agreed. "Very well, Wizard Gerson, I'll need you to recruit me then."

Upon hearing Merlin's agreement to join Fort Udon, Wizard Gerson let out a long sigh of relief, a smile etching across his face.

This time, with Merlin's recruitment into Fort Udon, Wizard Gerson would be entitled to lots of rewards. That was also the most essential reason why Gerson was so insistent on persuading Merlin to join Fort Udon.

"Haha, good, good. With your strength, Wizard Merlin, in Fort Udon, you could even become a gray-robed Wizard."

When Wizard Gerson mentioned the term gray-robed Wizard, a look of admiration flashed on his face.

"Hmm, what's a gray-robed Wizard?"

Merlin asked directly. Since he was going to join Fort Udon, he might as well inquire about the basic information on the organization.

Thus, Gerson started giving Merlin a detailed explanation.

It turned out that in Fort Udon, there was a strict differentiation between Spell Casters. An Entrance-level Spell Caster would not even have the chance to join Fort Udon. Therefore, the weakest Spell Casters in Fort Udon were all First-level Spell Casters.

First to Third-level Spell Casters were black-robed Spell Casters, while Fourth to Sixth-level Spell Casters were gray-robed Spell Casters. For Seventh to Ninth-level Spell Casters, the outer rim of their gray robes would be lined with gold, making them quite eye-catching.

Depending on each Spell Caster's level, their entitled rights and allocated resources would definitely differ too.

After Merlin finished hearing Gerson's elaboration, he furrowed his eyebrows in silence. Even though he had the capability and power of annihilating a Fourth-level Spell Caster, still, he was not truly a Fourth-level Spell Caster himself.

Merlin had only just constructed his first Second-level Magic Power model, hence he was merely a First-level Spell Caster. At the very most, he could only be considered half a Second-level Spell Caster.

If his status was to be determined based on which level of Spell Caster he was, he could only be a black-robe Wizard.

"Wizard Merlin, we're here!"

Wizard Gerson brought Merlin to a considerably spacious place surrounded by many giant castles. These castles had the strangest architectural designs and were starkly different to those in the Kingdom of Blackmoon or the Kingdom of Light.

Moreover, around those castles, Merlin could sense the aura of runes, which indicated that they were all warded by Rune Magic Circles, somewhat similar to the towers in the Dark Magic Region.

Along the way, Merlin met a few Spell Casters as well. All of them had black robes, so they seemed like First to Third-level Spell Casters. Those with gray robes or gold-lined gray robes remained to be unseen.

After all, at Fort Udon, Spell Casters with gray robes or better were not a common sight.

Wizard Gerson led Merlin all the way to the front of a giant castle with white walls and a dome roof. Then, he muttered under his breath, "Wizard Merlin, there's where Fort Udon is tasked to evaluate your skill sets, strength, and status. Remember, in Fort Udon, a higher status will grant you vastly more influence and resources. Therefore, you don't need to hide your abilities, just show them the best that you've got."

Merlin nodded and pushed open the big castle door. He then stepped inside.

"Creak".

Behind the door was a grandiose, lavishly decorated lounge, but there was nobody there. There were only several gray-robed Spell Casters who were lazing around, resting their eyes.

"Hmm? Somebody's here?"

"Finally, there's somebody. I wonder if this one's a black or gray-robed Wizard? Let me recall, the last time a gray-robed Wizard joined us at Fort Udon, was like three years ago?"

"The number of Spell Casters who came from outside of the Kurdmansla Islands gradually lessened, strong Spell Casters even more so. It was so different from a few years back. Back then, we had limitless supplies for cultivation, attracting a large number of Spell Casters to the Kurdmansla Islands."

"True, recently those sea beasts' activities have become more frequent, launching several wide-ranged attacks, inflicting massive losses on the Kurdmansla Islands. As a result, those Spell Casters who came from afar would carefully reconsider their decision after witnessing such occurrences. Some Spell Casters even chose to leave right away."

These gray-robed Spell Casters felt rejuvenated upon seeing a stranger walked in. They fixed their sights on Merlin, scrutinizing him closely.

Merlin too was staring at these gray-robed Spell Casters. The fact that they were donned in gray robes revealed their status. They were gray-robed Spell Casters of Fort Udon and were at least Fourth-level Spell Casters.

Merlin walked to the front of these gray-robed Spell Casters and greeted them calmly, "My fellow Wizards, I've just arrived on the Kurdmansla Islands from a place far away. I've heard that Fort Udon was decent, which is why I'm interested to join!"

"Dear Wizard, how may I address you?"

One of the gray-robed Wizards asked in a peaceful tone.

"Merlin!"

"Wizard Merlin, you're a Spell Caster of which level?"

Merlin paused for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth and answered, "First-level Spell Caster!"

"First-level Spell Caster?"

These gray-robed Wizards who were still enthusiastic not long ago suddenly froze their expressions. Shortly after, one by one, they shook their heads and went back to resting their eyes, leaving only one gray-robed Wizard asking Merlin questions.

This gray-robed Wizard expressed a somewhat disappointed too, but he continued his conversation with Merlin. "Wizard Merlin, due to the fact that you're a First-level Spell Caster, we can only grant you the status of a black-robed Wizard. Even so, you can still enjoy the various forms of benefits offered by Fort Udon…"

The gray-robed Spell Caster continued explaining all the benefits of Fort Udon passionately, only pointing toward one corner of the lounge in the end. It was a see-through room which was built with glazed tiles.

The glazed tiles may look fragile, but they were filled with mysterious runes which covered the entire room. In the color glass room, there were a number of sturdy-looking Alchemy Creatures that wore masks.

"These are all our Fort Udon's Alchemy Creatures – a First, Second, and Third-level respectively. If you can beat them, we'll then be able to grant you your corresponding status and position. Defeating a First-level Alchemy Creature will make you a Novice black-robed Wizard. If you can beat a Second-level Alchemy Creature, you'll become a Middle black-robed Wizard. Let's say you triumph over the Third-level Alchemy Creature, you'll then become an Expert black-robed Wizard. All three yields the same outcome of becoming a black-robed Wizard, but there are huge differences between Novice, Middle, and Expert black-robed Wizards. So, which Alchemy Creature will you choose?"

The gray-robed Wizard set his eyes on Merlin the moment he had finished talking.

Merlin, on the other hand, thought for a moment. He then gently scanned his eyes over those Alchemy Creatures in the psychedelically translucent room, and muttered, "I can pick any one of those Alchemy Creatures?"

"Of course. As long as you're confident, you get to choose any Alchemy Creature. After all, we at Fort Udon don't look at one's Spell Caster level alone. If you have formidable strength and are able to defeat a Second-level Alchemy Creature, we would then give you the privileges of a Middle black-robed Wizard. However, I'd like to warn you that all these Alchemy Creatures are extremely ruthless. If you don't have the confidence, we'd recommend you to pick the First-level Alchemy Creature. Otherwise, you'll be killed by an Alchemy Creature, and that'll be quite a pity."

After hearing the gray-robed Wizard's thorough explanation, Merlin shook his head gently. Instead, he said, "I don't need these three Alchemy Creatures. Give me an Alchemy Creature that's stronger, like that one over there!"

Merlin's sights were set on the last translucent room. There was an extremely burly creature which looked like a tiny giant and had a body full of greenish spikes. It looked terrifying.

At one glance, this Alchemy Creature looked a whole lot stronger than the three Alchemy Creatures that the gray-robed Wizard had introduced earlier.

"Hmm? You'd like to challenge a Fourth-level Alchemy Creature?"

Watching Merlin point at that Herculean Alchemy Creature which looked like a tiny giant, the gray-robed Wizard looked somewhat astonished, expressing a doubtful look in his eyes.

"Correct, the Fourth-level Alchemy Creature!"

Merlin replied calmly. A great deal of confidence seeping from within his words.

"Challenge the Fourth-level Alchemy Creature?"

"Interesting, I thought you're only an ordinary First-level Spell Caster, but I didn't expect that you'd dare challenge a Fourth-level Alchemy Creature. The last time somebody took on a fourth-level Alchemy Creature was like what, ten years back?"

"It seems that we're in for a good show then. Wizard Merlin looks very confident, and I'm intrigued to see how a First-level Spell Caster can beat a Fourth-level Alchemy Creature. If he wins, I'm afraid another evil prodigy will emerge from Fort Udon."

Upon hearing Merlin's wishes to challenge the Fourth-level Alchemy Creature, one after another, those gray-robed Wizards who were lazing around began staring wide-eyed at Merlin, looking at him in awe.

"Alright then, since you insist on challenging the Fourth-level Alchemy Creature, I shall fulfill your wish!"

The gray-robed Wizard did not try telling Merlin off either. Instead, he stood up and led Merlin to the room with the Fourth-level Alchemy Creature inside.