On the quiet beach in the Dark Magic Region, there were still flocks of seafowl frolicking above the sand. It was a calm, serene scene.

"Phew…"

Merlin let out a long sigh. "Thank goodness, everything must still be fine."

What he most worried about was that the Dark Magic Region had suffered an attack from Ozmu. However, from the looks of it, the Dark Magic Region was still peaceful. As for the exact developments that had occurred due to the chaos of the southern Spell Caster world caused by the war between the Three Major Spell Caster organizations and Ozmu – the Wizards of the Mill clan had limited knowledge after all. The Dark Magic Region, being a spell casters' organization, should know the most about this.

Therefore, Merlin wanted to learn of the entire story, so he began to walk quickly toward the Dark Magic stone tablet. This stone tablet appeared to be ancient, marked by the mottled traces of time.

The black cat Didimoss did not appear. Merlin did not give that any thought and hurried further ahead.

"Hum."

A transparent light enveloped Merlin, following which numerous tall towers appeared before Merlin. He was back once again in the familiar Dark Magic Region.

Merlin could not discern what he really felt toward the Dark Magic Region. In terms of feelings, what he had valued most about the Dark Magic Region was Wizard Leo but Wizard Leo was now dead.

Although it appeared as if the Dark Magic Region did not provide Merlin with much assistance, it still had a great influence on Merlin. It was only after he joined the Dark Magic Region that Merlin had truly begun to grow stronger.

Even if his Pandora Demon Abilities were not supplied by the Dark Magic Region, it was linked to his membership in the Dark Magic Region. Furthermore, the Runic Heartprint, the robes he had worn when he was a weakling, and so on, were all connected to the Dark Magic Region.

Besides, Merlin had always been a Spell Caster of the Dark Magic Region. The brand of the Dark Magic Region was firmly imprinted on him. It was just like Wizard Leo, who was formidable thanks to Darkness Eye, which had nothing to do with the Dark Magic Region.

Nevertheless, no matter what, outsiders viewed Wizard Leo as a representative of the Dark Magic Region. This was because Wizard Leo had been deeply marked by the brand of the Dark Magic Region.

It was the same for Merlin. No matter how powerful he was, how terrifying his abilities, he would be seen as a Spell Caster from the Dark Magic Region. He had no way of escaping the influence of the Dark Magic Region unless he acted as Kleis did, and betrayed the Dark Magic Region.

Nonetheless, Merlin had signed a contract of the highest grade with the Dark Magic Region. He could not betray them even if he wanted to. Despite the power of the Maxim residing in his Awareness now, Merlin had no way of terminating a contract of the highest grade.

Initially, Merlin wanted to hurry toward the tower of the Seventh-level Spell Casters, but he directed a glance toward another tower in the distance. This was Wizard Leo's tower.

Wizard Leo was already dead. According to the rules of the Dark Magic Region, the tower would be demolished within a year but Wizard Leo's tower was not yet torn down even now.

Merlin looked at the tower soaring into the clouds and thought of Wizard Leo. He raised a palm and glanced at the crimson eye in his palm. This was the greatest gift Wizard Leo had given him.

It was just that this great gift was now giving him a headache.

"Swish."

Merlin immediately flew into the sky. This time, he was no longer relying upon a Flying casting tool for flight. He was now a true Fourth-level Spell Caster and could utilize a Wind-type spell to fly directly at a relatively decent speed.

Soon enough, Merlin arrived at the towers of the Seventh-level Wizards. This was not a place unfamiliar to him for he had come here a few times before.

There was a servant of the Seventh-level Wizards in the towers. Merlin knew the servant of the Seventh-level Wizard Robia. He was named Arveis.

Upon seeing Merlin, an odd look crossed Arveis' face. He hurried forward and said in a low voice, "Wizard Merlin, this is the tower of Seventh-level Wizards. Without being summoned by them, one isn't allowed to enter without permission. It's better if you leave here quickly."

If it had been anyone else, Arveis would have even chased them off immediately. However, Merlin was a prodigious Spell Caster most valued by the Dark Magic Region, even more so than Kleis had been, and enjoyed an uncommon position in the Dark Magic Region. Therefore, even though Merlin had arrived at the Seventh-level Wizards' towers without permission, Arveis did not dare chase him out immediately.

Merlin's expression did not change. After eyeing Arveis, he said calmly, "Wizard Arveis, where's Wizard Robia? I'm looking for him about an important matter."

"Wizard Robia?"

Arveis was Wizard Robia's servant. Naturally, he knew very well the whereabouts of Wizard Robia. The fact that Merlin had a very important matter to report to Wizard Robia caused Arveis to hesitate for a bit.

Nonetheless, Arveis took into account Merlin's special position and nodded. "In that case, Wizard Merlin would have to wait for a moment. Wizard Robia and other Seventh-level Wizards are discussing a matter of vital importance. It has been two days since they began."

"Discussing a matter of importance? Which is to say that they're in the Dark Magic Hall?"

Merlin mentioned the Dark Magic Hall, which was where the Seventh-level Wizards would convene for meetings to decide major matters of the Dark Magic Region. The entire hall was protected by a Runic Magic Circle and was very secure.

"That's right, the Wizards are in the Dark Magic Hall."

As soon as Arveis had spoken, Merlin was like an apparition, disappearing in a flash. His speed caused Arveis to be unable to see clearly what happened.

"Wizard Merlin, you…"

Wizard Arveis stared after Merlin with mouth agape. He was a Fourth-level Spell Caster too but after seeing Merlin's speed, he knew it was not something he could catch up to.

Moreover, in that instant, Arveis had even detected a frightening force from Merlin. Nonetheless, it had disappeared quickly as if it was just an illusion.

"How could he be so fast?"

Even though Arveis could not catch up to Merlin, he had to hurry after him regardless. Otherwise, if he really allowed Merlin to run into those Seventh-level Wizards, there would be great trouble. Not only would Merlin be punished, even he himself would be out of luck.

Merlin was very fast but he had not cast Flash Wind. Otherwise, he would have been even faster. Merlin was not familiar with this tower but he was more acquainted with the Dark Magic Hall.

Previously, he had been brought by Wizard Leo into the tower. Merlin was no stranger to the Dark Magic Hall, and his Mind Power quickly locked onto the place.

Robia and the other Seventh-level Wizards had gathered in the Dark Magic Hall. Something major must have happened. After all, now that the entire southern Spell Caster world had descended into chaos, one must not be deceived by the appearance of calmness in the Dark Magic Region. The official members of the Dark Magic Region had their own channels of information. They knew as well that chaos had consumed the outside world.

These official members of the Dark Magic Region knew of the situation outside. Therefore, this immediately resulted in the various potion materials, spells, and other items of the Resource Tower to be exchanged for in large volumes. Some Spell Casters were already making quiet preparations. No one could guarantee that the Dark Magic Region would not be caught up in the chaos.

Particularly, Ozmu had announced a threat toward all spell casters' organizations of the entire southern Spell Caster world. They were a mad bunch and would live up to their promise. The Dark Magic Region was at risk as well, being a spell casters' organization.

Therefore, the Dark Magic Region had been making covert preparations.

Soon enough, Merlin reached the entrance of the Dark Magic Hall. He squinted slightly and discovered that the door of the Dark Magic Hall was cloaked in dense runes.

Most Spell Casters would be unable to get past these runes at all. Seventh-level Spell Casters could not even possibly force their way through. However, this was nothing much to Merlin. He possessed the Runic Heartprint, which was able to easily unravel Runic Magic Circles.

In particular, it was even easier if it was a Runic Magic Circle in the Dark Magic Region.

Merlin took a deep breath, after which the Runic Heartprint between his brows gradually twinkled. Mysterious runes quickly flew toward the doorway of the Dark Magic Hall.

"Hum hum hum."

The Runic Magic Circle of the Dark Magic Hall, under the powers of the Runic Heartprint, began to dissolve gradually. The entire Runic Magic Circle lost its effect in an instant.

"Creak."

Merlin easily reached out and pushed the doors open lightly. A distinct sound was emitted by the two doors as they were slowly pushed open.

"Wizard Merlin, no!"

Arveis had finally hurried all the way here but he was too late. When he saw Merlin pushing open the doors, he knew that this time, the punishment was inevitable. Therefore, a look of resentment filled his eyes as he looked at Merlin.

"Who?"

"How impudent – you dare intrude upon the Dark Magic Hall?"

Within the great hall, countless gazes were direct at the doorway. The owners of these gazes were all powerful Seventh-level Spell Casters who enjoyed a lofty position in the Dark Magic Region.

However, once they were disturbed by Merlin, the expressions of these Spell Casters who had already been in a bad mood now darkened even further.

"Merlin?"

Seeing that it was Merlin in a black robe who had opened the door, some Seventh-level Spell Casters frowned slightly. Merlin was a genius Spell Caster highly valued by the Dark Magic Region, to the point where they were willing to gift him with ten thousand contribution points every year. This was the first time something like this had happened in the Dark Magic Region, which showed how highly they treasured him.

However, no matter how much they valued him, the dignity of the Seventh-level Spell Casters within the Dark Magic Region must still be upheld. Therefore, Wizard Robia stood up furiously, and roared toward the doorway, "Arveis, get your sorry self in here now."

Arveis was still bemoaning his misfortune and gave Merlin a fierce glare, following which he entered the great hall respectfully. He said softly, "Wizard Robia, this time Wizard Merlin said that he had an important matter to consult with the Seventh-level Wizards. I was unable to stop him at all."

"An important matter?"

At this, Wizard Robia shifted his attention toward Merlin and sized him up. In fact, what he had noticed in particular was that Arveis had said he could not stop Merlin.

It should be known that Arveis was a Fourth-level Spell Caster, one whom Wizard Robia had personally instructed before. Arveis' capabilities were considered comparatively formidable in the Dark Magic Region. It was unusual that he was unable to stop Merlin.

Nonetheless, after Robia had carefully sized up Merlin, he seemed to notice something, and a strange look glinted in his eyes. With a trace of glee, he asked, "Wizard Merlin, you've broken through?"

"Broken through?"

Upon hearing what Wizard Robia said, the crowd of Seventh-level Wizards in the hall turned serious as they quickly directed their gazes at Merlin.