Wizard Finello was dressed in a blue Wizard robe, and not a single strand of his gray-white hair was out of place. He wore two plain rings on his slender fingers, and his aged face looked rather rosy. He appeared to be full of life and vigor, making anyone who looked at him feel reassured.

"Honorable Count Taran, these two Spell Casters are no more than unexpected visitors. Although we don't know who they really are, their boldness in assaulting our Taran City has sealed their fate. My lord, just watch what happens."

Wizard Finello's voice was steady, and he appeared to be completely confident without the slightest trace of panic as if the chaos in Taran City was merely a minor disturbance.

Count Taran looked gloomy, but he had always had the utmost faith in Wizard Finello so he slowly nodded. "In that case, you have full authority to deal with this matter. These two wicked Wizards have brazenly slaughtered the people of my Taran City and must be sentenced to death!"

"As you wish!"

A smile appeared at the corner of Wizard Finello's lips, following which he turned and fixed his gaze on the two tiny black dots in the sky, his eyes glittering brightly.

"Beth, go on, take your people and bring down those two. Remember, we want them alive!"

Wizard Finello extended a pale finger and spoke to a thin, dark Wizard behind him.

The thin, dark Wizard looked up and glanced at the two tiny dots in the sky before nodding wordlessly and quickly lead a few mysterious Spell Casters into the crowd.

…

Taran City was now in utter disorder, especially the section near the rampart. The area was pervaded by black smoke, and the white flames were still burning at countless spots. No one dared to approach these flames. Once they came into contact, they would instantly be burned to ashes.

"Master, someone's coming!"

In mid-air, Wizard Bammou's tremendous Mind Power was focused on Taran City. There was not a single movement in the city-state that could be hidden from him.

"Swish! Swish!"

There was no need for Wizard Bammou's warning. Merlin had already spotted five or six Spell Casters dressed in black robes on the rampart. Their gazes were fixed unwaveringly onto the sky.

Fierce Elemental fluctuations were shimmering all over these Spell Casters. As they gathered and the runes on their bodies flickered, a "powerful" sensation could be felt.

Although Merlin's direct breach into Taran City might seem impulsive and reckless, he had done his research long ago. Wizard Finello of Taran City was a roaming Wizard who specialized in runes.

It was really rare to come across a roaming Wizard who was a master in runology. It was because of this that Wizard Finello had assembled a team of Spell Casters under him. With the combination of various Runic Magic Circles, they formed a powerful force.

These five Spell Casters, when gathered, had the strength of a Fourth-level Spell Caster!

"Activate the Runic Magic Circle, Sky Blockade!"

Down below, a thin, dark Spell Caster was leading a team of Wizards. This was Wizard Beth who was assigned by Wizard Finello.

Wizard Beth led the other Spell Casters in activating the Runic Magic Circle. In an instant, the entire Taran City was enveloped in a faint layer of white light. Moreover, mysterious runes constantly fluttered above Taran City.

This was a Runic Magic Circle that covered the entire Taran city. It was also the Runic Magic Circle on which Wizard Finello had spent several years of hard work – the Runic Magic Circle of which he was proudest!

Wizard Finello raised his head and looked at the sky, his Mind Power sweeping across Taran City. A feeling of control sprang up within him. He had devoted so many years to the research of runology. What he had accomplished now was only a minor success.

However, he was satisfied even so. Among the roaming Wizards, many Spell Casters did not even know what runes were, yet he was able to design such a colossal Runic Magic Circle and was in no way inferior to those powerful Wizards in spell casters' organizations.

"Before my Runic Magic Circle, even Fourth-level Wizards have no way of casting Flying spells. Drop down!"

A fierce light glinted in Wizard Finello's eyes. The runes that covered the entire sky transformed into a huge net as they intersected with each other. The dense rows of runes were cast toward Merlin and Wizard Bammou who were still in the air.

"The Wind Element has been erased?"

Merlin immediately felt that something was out of the ordinary. The Wind Element surrounding him no longer seemed able to support the flight of the Flying casting tool.

He knew that he was restrained by the gigantic Runic Magic Circle. After all, Merlin was only able to fly because he relied on a Flying casting tool.

As for Wizard Bammou, his expression remained unchanged. Despite the Runic Magic Circle flickering over his body, the Wind Elemental fluctuations around his body did not diminish in the slightest. Instead, a disdainful light shone in his eyes.

"Master, this Runic Magic Circle is rather troublesome indeed. Please allow me to destroy it straight away."

Wizard Bammou was rather impatient. He was a Seventh-level Spell Caster and could destroy an entire large city with a single spell. He was considered to be someone frightening and dangerous. If he was placed in a spell casters' organization, he would definitely be part of the core team of higher-ups.

However, Merlin shook his head lightly. "Bammou, don't attack. This matter can only be resolved by me, which is to say, Wilson Merlin. This is key to whether or not the Wilson clan will have influence and might in the future!"

Merlin knew clearly that he held many roles – as a Spell Caster of the Dark Magic Region, as a student of Wizard Leo, and so on. These were all part of his privilege, yet no one ever associated him with the Wilson clan.

If he wanted to turn the Wilson clan into a Spell Caster clan, this was his chance. He must not rely on his advantages but instead display his own powerful capabilities in full. Even if he could not leave the shadow of the Dark Magic Region or Wizard Leo, it must not be like how it used to be, when others would only know of Wizard Merlin from the Dark Magic Region, and not know of Wizard Merlin from Prakash City's Wilson clan!

"Swoosh!"

In an instant, Merlin's figure fell from the sky and landed heavily onto the collapsed rampart. He stood facing the five Spell Casters who were dressed in black robes.

"Kill!"

Seeing that Merlin had landed, the five Spell Casters roared all at once as complex runes flickered over their bodies. Following that, the runes were accompanied by turbulent Fire Element, and a sea of fire flared up into the sky, transforming into a Flame Dragon that rushed toward Merlin to swallow him.

The Flame Dragon snarled unceasingly, and Merlin sensed that this explosive strength was very unstable. This was only a spell forcibly cobbled together by a Runic Magic Circle, thus, its might was able to reach such a terrifying point in a short time.

The five Third-level Spell Casters were able to erupt with the frightening strength of a Fourth-level Spell Caster in this manner.

"Fire-type spell?"

Merlin stared at the ferocious Flame Dragon, yet a cold smirk tugged at his lips, and he allowed the wild flames to burn and gradually engulf his body.

"Sputter."

However, these fierce flames did not turn Merlin into ashes. Instead, it became weaker and made strange noises. The wisps of flames were rapidly absorbed into Merlin's body.

The surging Magic Power flowed within the Spell Models of Merlin's Awareness. With the Flame Maxim, most Fire-type spells would only serve to replenish Merlin's Magic Power.

This strange spectacle would make anyone tremble with trepidation. Even Spell Casters who were widely experienced did not know what to make of it. They had never encountered someone who was able to absorb spells.

"Since all of you like fire so much, I'll return it to you!"

Merlin's eyes turned cold and Fiery Collapse was unleashed with a single thought. Wisps of white flames followed the Second-level spell, Sea of Purgatory Fire, as it erupted.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Sea of Purgatory Fire was merely a Second-level spell but its sheer force was rather astonishing, especially now that Merlin's Magic Power was abundant. Once the raging flames erupted, they formed an actual sea of fire which burned everything it touched, turning all into ashes.

Regardless of whether they were a Third-level Spell Caster or another Spell Caster, no one was able to withstand these white flames. After a moment where they struggled distressingly in the blaze, they did not move anymore.

"Pandora Demon Ability… This is a Pandora Demon Ability!"

At a distance, Wizard Finello saw the white flames that Merlin had unleashed, and he became agitated instantly. As the white flames reflected in his gaze, his eyes filled with a greedy light.

Pandora Demon Ability was something he dreamed of day and night. Even though he had gained great powers through runology, he still had not obtained any Pandora Demon Ability to this day.

Wizard Finello desired it so much that he had even harbored plans to take advantage of Merlin from the Dark Magic Region, but with the sudden appearance of His Royal Highness the eighth prince, he no longer dared to threaten the Wilson clan.

Initially, he thought that he would never obtain a Pandora Demon Ability in this lifetime, but now, an unexpected visitor had appeared, and this visitor possessed the Pandora Demon Ability that he longed for.

"Wizard Finello, think of a plan quickly. That wicked Wizard is fast approaching!"

In contrast to Wizard Finello's excitement toward Pandora Demon Ability, Count Taran was rather worried. Wizard Finello, whom he held in such high regard, was still not able to dispose of the two mysterious Spell Casters even after activating the Runic Magic Circle.

Upon seeing the fearful expression on Count Taran's face, the eyes of Wizard Finello still burned with a feverish passion, and he said hoarsely, "My honorable lord, please be rest assured. I've already surmised the identity of this person…"

"His identity? Wizard Finello, who is this evil Wizard?"

Count Taran turned blank and asked hurriedly.

"Heh heh, my lord, do you still remember the Wilson clan of Prakash City? Someone who possesses Pandora Demon Ability, who arrives on our doorstep so boldly – who else could it be other than that mysterious Wizard Merlin? However, oh foolish Merlin, even if you're a Spell Caster of the Dark Magic Region, you're not allowed to run amuck in a city-state of our kingdom! Doesn't he know that without the advantages of being in the Dark Magic Region, he's not even worth a mention? Some prodigious Spell Caster he is – a dead prodigy is no longer a prodigy!"

A wild and frantic look washed over Wizard Finello's face. This was a once in a million chance for him, a chance to obtain Pandora Demon Ability!

"O Great Modoya, the designated spirit of runes, bless me with your strength!"

Wizard Finello gave a roar. Instantly, the entire Taran City seemed to quake fiercely, and mysterious runes filled the sky and blanketed the ground, enclosing Taran City. Streams of mysterious energy were frantically bestowed upon Wizard Finello, and a fearsome burst of force gradually emerged.