The Matrix had derived new Fifth-level spells, which were Ice-type and Thunder-type respectively. Merlin was familiar with the process by now, and selected two spells with a hundred percent compatibility.

Merlin's current Mind Power had reached the stage where he could condense a Mind Heart. Even though it was not very strong, it was a piece of cake for it to simulate two Fifth-level spells.

Thus, Merlin mobilized his Mind Power and began simulating the spells in his Awareness.

"Whoosh."

After an unknown period of time, Merlin's eyes flashed open. Intense Ice Element surrounded him, and he was even covered in a layer of frost.

His Ice-type Spell Model had been successfully simulated in his Awareness at last. Merlin named this Fifth-level Ice-type spell as Violent Ice. This was unlike the Fourth-level spell Frozen Space for it would bind completely, and there was even a frantic element of attack.

Otherwise, it would not be named Violent Ice. Of course, its main purpose was still to bind.

Nevertheless, Merlin did not take a break here. He did not even clear away the frost on his body before he began to simulate the Fifth-level Thunder-type spell. In an instant, traces of Thunder Element began to gather around Merlin.

The frenzied Thunder Element grew thicker and thicker, and there were even faint flashes of lightning which melted the layer of frost on Merlin. Occasional bolts of lightning appeared on Merlin's body, the sight of which would cause one's heart to beat faster.

"Crack."

A thunderbolt as thick as an arm fell from the sky, following which Merlin opened his eyes and reached out with one hand. In his hand was a thunderbolt which had appeared from thin air. The bolt flickered incessantly and seemed like an illusion in his hand.

"This Fifth-level Thunder-type spell is even stronger than the Fourth-level spell Infinite Thunder. I'll call it Destructive Thunder!"

Merlin mumbled to himself softly. He had sensed that there was destructive force contained in this Thunder-type spell. After Destructive Thunder had been successfully constructed, an earth-shattering change occurred in Merlin's Awareness as each Spell Model achieved equilibrium.

For a moment, Merlin even felt that his Mind Power had increased, though this was merely an illusion. In fact, it was not that Merlin's Mind Power had increased, but that he had become a Fifth-level Spell Caster. The Spell Models in his Awareness were balanced once again, so he did not need to use up so much Mind Power.

"I've finally become a Fifth-level Wizard!"

Merlin let out a long, easy sigh. Ever since he became a Fourth-level Spell Caster, it had been even harder to level up. Even though he was aided by the Matrix, and did not need to fret about deriving spells, the growth of his Mind Power was rather slow.

On the topic of Mind Power, Merlin immediately thought of the divinity. When he and Wizard Dara destroyed the shrine together, he had extracted a strand of divinity from the apparition of that wicked god's body.

Merlin was well acquainted with the mystical function of divinity. In particular, it had a rather obvious boosting effect on Mind Power.

With this in mind, Merlin promptly placed the divinity in his hand. This divinity was still struggling faintly but it was suppressed by Merlin and could not really move.

The force of the divinity was a gentle one, causing one to feel warm inside, especially when one's Mind Power extended into the divinity. A warm tender feeling enveloped Merlin's Mind Power, making him relaxed and comfortable.

At this point, the Mind Heart within Merlin's awareness was spinning wildly. After this frantic spinning, the Mind Heart gradually expanded from its initial small volume.

Merlin knew that this was the frantic growth of his Mind Power. If this was before he had condensed his Mind Heart, he could even try breaking through.

However, he had the Mind Heart now, which was a Special Mind Heart in Merlin's case. Therefore, he began to compress the Mind Heart fiercely, causing it to shrink continuously.

A Mind Heart could be categorized as an ordinary Mind Heart or a special Mind Heart. Merlin's previous Mind Power had always remained high. He was a Six-Elemental Spell Caster, after all, so the Mind Power he required was a tremendous amount. Thus, he needed to have Seventh-level Mind Power in order to become a Fifth-level Spell Caster. This was because he did not have a Mind Heart.

Once the Mind Heart had been condensed, his Mind Power underwent a transformation, turning more tangible. A great change would come over his Mind Power as well, just like how it was now. Merlin's Mind Power was growing rapidly but he was compressing his Mind Heart ceaselessly, never allowing the Mind Heart to reach its limit while his Mind Power was still growing.

One time, two times, three times…

Merlin did not know how much his Mind Power had grown but he gradually felt his Mind Heart becoming more dense and smooth, and it had nearly reached the maximum compression. His swelling Mind Power was even enough to support the construction of all Sixth-level spells, turning him into a Sixth-level Spell Caster!

Of course, this was merely his impression. Based on that divinity alone, his Mind Power had reached such a terrifying stage, almost surpassing the Mind Power of most Eighth-level Spell Casters. Moreover, his Mind Heart still had not reached its limit. It seemed that there was still some margin before it would reach the limit, and it was still a Seventh-level Mind Heart for now.

"As expected, the amount of Mind Power that a Special Mind Heart can contain is far greater than the average Spell Caster. In the future, when my Mind Heart had level up to the Eighth-level, it could even be compared to the peak of the Ninth-level. If it levels up to the Ninth-level, it might be on par with the Mind Power of a Great Wizard!"

Merlin's heart was burning with unparalleled fervor. After his Mind Power had condensed a Mind Heart, it had demonstrated its terrifying potential. Through the incessant compression, though his Mind Power had not upgraded in terms of level, the amount of Mind Power it contained was far too immense.

With such massive Mind Power, if Merlin wielded Occult Mind Spells, they would not be inferior to the might of Seventh-level, Eighth-level spells.

"Divinity is truly good stuff. If I have enough divinity, my Mind Power could even grow constantly, expanding at all times, reaching an Eighth-level or even a Ninth-level Mind Heart in one go!"

Merlin was burning with endless fervor. The effects of divinity were so excellent. With the Mind Heart, the growth of his Mind Power would not reach a bottleneck as long as he constantly increased his Mind Power.

Nonetheless, divinity was too difficult and rare to obtain. It was something that could only be encountered by sheer luck.

With his boosted Mind Power, Merlin began to polish his fusion of spells. He had already found the critical point between his Fire-type and Thunder-type spells and was able to fuse them together temporarily. The escalation of their combined might was truly fearsome.

On the other hand, the fusion of Ice-type and Wind-type spells did not go as smoothly. He would need to make more attempts and slowly find their critical point. Nevertheless, Merlin knew the method now and was not in a hurry.

…

In a flash, three months had gone by. During these months, Merlin had barely taken a single step out of the building where he meditated. His main focus was on spell fusion.

"Phew…"

All of a sudden, a gale roared through the small building. However, there was also ice and snow among this windstorm. This was the fusion between the Wind-type and Ice-type spells.

After these three months, Merlin had finally located the critical point between the Wind-type and Ice-type spells, finally managing to fuse both spells together.

Presently, Merlin was able to fuse Wind-type and Ice-type spells as well as Fire-type and Thunder-type spells. As for the remaining Darkness-type and Earth-type, it was challenging to fuse them. It was difficult for Merlin to find the critical point.

He could only make slow, steady attempts, testing it out with each spell. In the future, when he would be able to fuse three or even four types of spells, their power would be even more terrifying.

Still, it was not something Merlin could achieve in a short time.

"It's been three months. I should take a look outside."

Merlin stood up. In these three months, his Mind Power did not grow much. Without divinity, he relied only upon meditation, and the rate of the growth of his Mind Power was abnormally slow.

Nonetheless, his current Mind Power was already very formidable.

"Bang."

Merlin's invisible Mind Power immediately flung the doors open. By now, his Mind Power had reached the stage where it could interact with the material world, even things that were bigger and of a certain mass.

Merlin's Mind Power, for instance, was able to move huge rocks. Merlin knew that his Mind Power had reached a certain level, and it was time for him to select a few Occult Mind Spells.

…

Merlin left the small residence and made a beeline for the Glorious Pavilion. As a disciple of Wizard Mogan, Merlin naturally had certain privileges. Although the Glorious Pavilion was open to all Glorious Wizards, there were also rules in place.

Most Ninth-level Glorious Wizards could only enter the Glorious Pavilion a few times each year. Each visit must not take longer than three days. As for Great Wizards, they could enter and exit the Glorious Pavilion as they wished.

As Wizard Mogan's disciple, Merlin was like those Great Wizards, able to freely enter and exit any place of the Glorious Palace. He was able to access even the most secret places.

Merlin was even able to look for Wizard Mogan directly and ask him for guidance. It was this privilege that was the envy of countless Glorious Wizards. Many Ninth-level Glorious Wizards had been in the Glorious Palace for a long time but they might not even have a chance to meet Wizard Mogan.

Merlin did not plan on looking for Wizard Mogan immediately. As long as he could find what he needed in the Glorious Pavilion, he had no wish to disturb Wizard Mogan.

"Swish."

Soon enough, Merlin was outside the Glorious Palace. The Glorious Pavilion was not far from the palace. However, on his way there, Merlin saw a congregation of Spell Casters who were faintly accompanied by intense Elemental fluctuations.

"Someone's fighting in the Glorious Palace?"

Merlin instantly realized that the vigorous Elemental fluctuations came from someone casting a spell, and it was very likely that a battle was going on. In most cases, the Spell Casters in the Glorious Palace would not resort to fighting so easily. Even if there was a need to do so, they would discuss it amongst themselves.

Driven by curiosity, Merlin went closer to understand the situation.

"Wizard Hodge, stay strong, you'll surely succeed!"

"Wizard Hodge, this is your third time challenging the Third Puppet. You mustn't fail this time!"

Merlin gradually approached the crowd and saw a white-robed Wizard who exuded a powerful force all over. A Ninth-level spell was fiercely charging toward a black puppet.

However, that black puppet did not seem concerned for it possessed great speed. It seemed to be winning, causing the situation of the white-robed Wizard to become more precarious.

This was a Glorious Wizard challenging a puppet!