"Swoosh."

Just when Merlin was bored stiff, something finally happened on the ninth floor of the Mind Tower. An old man dressed in black appeared suddenly. Merlin immediately became nervous. He could sense from the Elemental fluctuations of the old man, that this person was a powerful Spell Caster.

In the Mind Tower, other than the other challengers, Merlin had never encountered other Spell Casters. This old man was obviously not another challenger.

"Challenger, you've entered the ninth floor of the Mind Tower, so we'll go by the rules of the ninth floor. Your Mind Power is formidable, and your Mind Heart has reached the limits of the Seventh-level. Moreover, you're a Mind Power Master."

Merlin felt a jolt of surprise. He did not think that the old man in black would be able to learn of his attributes in just a glance.

The old man in black shook his head, and said with a detached expression, "There's no need to look at me like that. It's not I who can discern your secrets but the Mind Tower which was built by the Great Ultimate Arcane Wizard. In here, no one can hide anything."

It turned out it was the Ultimate Arcane Wizard who had ascertained everything. Merlin sensed that although this old man made Merlin feel extremely intimidated, he himself was not that powerful of a Wizard, and should be merely at the Ninth-level.

"You are…?"

Merlin was somewhat unsure about what was odd about this Ninth-level Spell Caster.

The old man in black fixed his gaze on Merlin and said immediately, "Other than a Spell Caster, I have another identity. Like you, I'm a Mind Power Master! It must be said that Mind Power Masters are most authorized to speak about the honing of Mind Power for we're the ones with the most incisive understanding of Mind Power. The Ultimate Arcane Wizard placed us in the Mind Tower to hone the Mind Power of Potential Wizards like you."

Merlin's heart leaped. He did not expect to meet another Mind Power Master. The level of threat this old man posed was clearly not as intense as Wizard Ossais, and his abilities were surely not as strong as Ossais', but his achievements in Mind Power were surely impressive too.

"How will you hone Mind Power?"

Merlin asked meekly.

"It's simple. I'll retain my Mind Power to the level of most Ninth-level Spell Casters and battle with you. It'll be a battle purely of Mind Power skill. Spell and Occult Mind Spells aren't allowed to be used."

The words of the old man in black caused Merlin some doubts. A challenge purely of Mind Power skill – what did this have to do with expanding Mind Power?

As if he sensed Merlin's misgivings, the old man laughed coldly. "After the challenge, you'll know!"

With that, the old man made the first move by mobilizing his Mind Power, which quickly turned into a formless sledgehammer, smashing toward Merlin ruthlessly.

Merlin, who was highly sensitive to Mind Power, was naturally able to tell that the old man in black had made his move. His opponent was wielding a Mind Power attack that was formed on the basis of the average Ninth-level Spell Caster's Mind Power.

Merlin's current Mind Heart had reached the limits of the Seventh-level, coming infinitely close to most Ninth-level Spell Casters in terms of Mind Power. Therefore, he activated his Mind Power instantly which turned into an unseen Mind Power net. Layer by layer, he tried to entangle his opponent's Mind Power sledgehammer.

"Chi."

The old man's Mind Power rapidly transformed into a sharp dagger that slashed open Merlin's net. Following that, his Mind Power crashed heavily into Merlin at the highest speed.

"Bang!"

Merlin's body was immediately sent flying and he fell painfully onto the ground.

The old man in black shook his head slightly, saying in disappointment, "This won't do. You're not flexible in the slightest. Utilizing Mind Power isn't that simple! This is already the first time, and you only have three chances on the ninth floor of the Mind Tower. Once I defeated you three times, you'll be sent out from the Mind Tower."

Merlin stood up slowly. In that previous hit, he had secretly cast Enervating Halo, so the old man's attack did not cause him considerable damage.

As for the lack of flexibility that the old man mentioned, Merlin understood clearly. Merlin's use of Mind Power was clumsy indeed. Even when he had looked for Ossais, it was to learn Occult Mind Spells.

In the present, once he was not allowed to use Occult Mind Spells, Merlin was practically at the level of a "rookie" in terms of using Mind Power.

"If it's solely Mind Power skill, what use does it have toward increasing Mind Power?'

Merlin did not hastily rush into battle. Instead, he carefully pondered the matter. This was the Mind Tower, and its most vital function was to hone Mind Power, inducing remarkable advancements in Mind Power.

Thus, this was definitely not just a mere battle of Mind Power skill. There must be another objective that Merlin had not noticed.

Therefore, Merlin began to think back to every movement of the old man in black. Every gesture and every word that he said were now incessantly flashing across Merlin's mind.

"Again!"

Merlin thought about this for a long time then suddenly stood up. Without further explanation, he mobilized his Mind Power. Invisible Mind Power arrows filled the air, coming from all directions, racing wildly toward the old man in black.

Moreover, there was no angle of escape, and it would be difficult for the old man to evade.

"Heh? Mind Power can also turn into a storm."

The old man's Mind Power, by quickly whirling at an unimaginable speed, took shape as a windstorm in an instant, whistling as it scattered Merlin's Mind Power arrows all at once.

As for Merlin, he was defeated once again. It was the same Mind Power as before with hardly any differences. Although Merlin had the advantage of the first strike, he was still unable to be of any threat to the old man in black. His opponent's storm was not an Occult Mind Spell but simply a pure use of Mind Power skill.

"You have one last attempt."

After saying this to Merlin, the old man in black quietly closed his eyes.

He was left with only one chance but Merlin was wild with joy. He finally knew the old man's intentions. Using Mind Power in such a direct manner as an arm would move a finger, could only be done by completely fusing Mind Power into one's consciousness. At a single thought, Mind Power can be wielded as if by instinct.

Instinct – Merlin finally grasped that his Mind Power must be merged with his instincts, becoming instinct itself. In that manner, his Mind Power would flourish greatly.

"Once again."

Finally, Merlin understood the secret of the ninth floor. Thus, he challenged the old man in black once again. This time, he industriously fused his Mind Power with his instincts, but this was not something that could be accomplished in a day.

"Bang!"

Merlin's body was sent flying once more but a smile had dawned upon the old man's face. "Not bad, you've realized this so quickly. Still, you've failed three times and must leave the Mind Tower. I'll look forward to your next visit!"

"Whoosh."

As soon as the old man in black spoke, Merlin felt his entire being shimmer once, following which he appeared outside of the Mind Tower. Arrot, who had been waiting outside for a long while, asked in exhilaration, "Wizard Merlin, you've made it to the ninth floor?"

Merlin glanced at the Mind Tower. It was a wonderful place indeed. The ninth floor of the Mind Tower had taught him a method to increase Mind Power. Nonetheless, his Mind Power was truly inferior to Wizard Saturn's by some degree as he had only made it to the ninth floor.

"I've only made it to the ninth floor… However, this time I've profited greatly. Let's go, I'll come again next time."

Merlin looked up at the Mind Tower which had sixteen floors in total. He had only made it to the ninth floor with seventh floors left to go. Those would surely be amazingly beneficial toward the honing of Mind Power.

Therefore, Merlin was already eager to attempt the Mind Tower once more. However, before doing so, he would have to obtain a huge sum of Adventure points.