Wizard DeMarco saw Merlin's pale white finger and his expression changed completely as Fire Element began to rise from his body.

"Lava Flames! Go to hell!"

Wizard DeMarco immediately cast the Third-level spell, Lava Flames and soon, the sky was filled with fiery red flames. It was as if a volcano had erupted as the flames hurled toward Merlin.

"Crackle! Crackle!"

Merlin's face was completely calm, and with a single twitch of his finger, a translucent cold breeze flew out to retaliate the fiery red flames.

At first, the flames were almost shapeless but as they collided with the cold breeze, they instantly froze into pieces of ice crystals and came falling to the ground.

It was more common that flames were more resistant to becoming ice crystals. It had to be a very strong Ice-type spell in order to completely freeze the flames. This was also dependent on the difference of levels between the spells. For example, a Third-level Ice-type spell could easily freeze a First-level Fire-type spell.

Wizard DeMarco had cast a very powerful Third-level Fire-type spell. Once released, it was like a volcanic eruption and the violent flames could engulf the opponent in an instant.

However, even a strong Third-level Fire-type spell did not stand a chance against Merlin's Glacial Finger. It was essentially useless as the flames which filled the sky were quickly enveloped by the cold breeze, and instantly, froze into ice crystals and came crashing to the ground.

At the same time, the cold breeze also formed a white shadow and flew rapidly toward Wizard DeMarco.

"No, this is impossible!"

Wizard DeMarco's face turned pale as he stumbled backward, away from the cold breeze that rushed toward him. He quickly cast a Defensive Earth-type spell.

A khaki-colored light was emitted, and an endless volume of Earth Element gathered on his body as it formed a thick layer of armor to protect Wizard DeMarco. It was no less than Guardian Monument that Merlin had cast with the help of the Enhancing casting tool.

Wizard DeMarco seemed relieved after he cast a Defensive Third-level Spell, but before he could fully relax, Merlin's Glacial Finger had reached him.

"Crackle!"

The cold breeze swiftly enveloped Wizard DeMarco and froze the thick Earth Element surrounding his body. This was just a Defensive Third-level spell hence Wizard DeMarco still had some confidence.

However, Merlin let out a slight grin. Although he had cultivated Glacial Finger, he had almost drained all his Magic Power for Frigid Ice and Frost but Merlin knew Glacial Finger was extremely powerful.

"Split!"

Merlin shouted and immediately, the frozen Earth Element surrounding Wizard DeMarco began to crack open. His defense broke as the ice around him shattered.

Wizard DeMarco expressed some pain. It seemed that even the blood that flowed in his body had frozen. As thick ice crystals began to form, his entire body had frozen too.

"Stop, Wizard Merlin!"

Wizard Sammir shouted hurriedly as his eyes glared nervously at Merlin.

However, Merlin shook his head. Merlin understood now that Glacial Finger was too powerful. Once one is frozen, a Spell Caster's weak physical attributes meant that it was impossible to break through it.

"Crackle!"

Just like the Alchemy Creature, Wizard DeMarco's body began to freeze, cracked, and shattered on the ground into a million pieces.

Wizard DeMarco was now dead. Wizard Sammir and the other two Third-level Spell Casters stared at Merlin in horror. They could not believe what they just saw.

Not even a Third-level Spell Caster could withstand a single blow from Merlin, who was an Entrance-level Spell Caster?

They seemed impressed especially as they had no clue what technique Merlin had used just then, but they knew for sure it was not a spell. Merlin was just an Entrance-level Spell Caster, there was no way he could construct a terrifying spell like that.

Wizard Riesen, who had treated Merlin with the most respect so far, gazed at the pile of ice crystals for a long time and finally stared at Merlin's pale white finger as he whispered, "Demon Ability… That was the legendary Pandora Demon Ability!"

Merlin looked up. He did not expect for this quiet, seemingly ordinary Spell Caster to know about Pandora Demon Ability.

Merlin had killed DeMarco because if he had not, DeMarco would have killed Merlin first. However, Merlin was still unsatisfied, mainly because he only wanted to impress the Third-level Spell Casters.

Entering the ancient monument with the other Spell Casters would not be as simple as now. Merlin had too many secrets – whether it was his Enhancing casting tool or Pandora Demon Ability – many Spell Casters would desire them.

Wizard DeMarco did not hide his greed for Merlin's Enhancing casting tool. Wizard Sammir, Wizard Bren, and even Wizard Riesen, who had a slightly better attitude toward Merlin, would also be very intrigued in his casting tool.

Perhaps they were not as eager as DeMarco but it was very difficult to determine what would really happen once they entered the ancient monument. That was why Merlin had to cast Glacial Finger to kill DeMarco and prove himself worthy to the group.

When Wizard DeMarco died, the Third-level Spell Casters were extremely envious of Merlin's Pandora Demon Ability. However, it was just pure jealousy. With Pandora Demon Ability, Merlin now stood on the same level as the Third-level Spell Casters. They would think twice before messing with him, and this was Merlin's plan all along.

Now, as Wizard Sammir and the others stared blankly at Merlin, he knew he had fulfilled his plan.

Finally, Wizard Sammir said, "I never would have thought that Wizard Merlin had cultivated the legendary Pandora Demon Ability. Wizard DeMarco only brought dishonor to himself."

Wizard Sammir's expression was uneasy and he felt remorseful. When he pressured Merlin two months ago, Merlin had not cultivated Pandora Demon Ability yet.

However, Wizard Sammir was also fortunate. If Merlin had successfully cultivated Pandora Demon Ability then, his fate would have been no different to that of Wizard DeMarco.

Merlin listened quietly as Wizard Sammir and the other Spell Casters deliberated. He knew very little about ancient monuments and decided it was best if he did not interrupt. Finally, a decision was made.

"How about we leave for the ancient monument in ten days?"

After negotiating the more specific matters of entering the ancient monument, Wizard Sammir confirmed the time of departure.

Merlin nodded his head. "I have no objections, I can leave anytime."

Wizard Riesen and Wizard Bren nodded in agreement as they all left Wizard Sammir's house.

…

Merlin, who was dressed in a black robe, had a faint cold breeze emitting from his body, warding off other Spell Casters.

This was a slight side effect he gotten from cultivating Glacial Finger. Merlin had no way of eradicating it.

However, just as Merlin was about to reach Wizard Burton's courtyard, he stopped in his tracks. His expression sank as he turned sharply and extended the finger on his right hand, ready to strike with Glacial Finger.

"Wizard Merlin, don't be mistaken, it's me!"

A Spell Caster stepped out from a shadowed area. It was Wizard Riesen, who had just been with Wizard Sammir to negotiate the plans to enter the ancient monument.

Merlin's heart sank. Although Wizard Riesen seemed ordinary, he knew that Merlin's Glacial Finger was a Pandora Demon Ability.

Even though Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren had heard of the Pandora Demon Ability, they did not have a thorough understanding of it as Wizard Riesen did.

Wizard Sammir was a suspicious Spell Caster but his strength was only average. Meanwhile, Wizard Bren was powerful but Wizard Merlin could see through him.

The only thing Merlin was unsure of was Wizard Riesen, who seemed so ordinary. Merlin finally realized that he was not as ordinary as he seemed. Merlin could sense the fluctuations of Elements and that was what warned him that someone had been following him.

He did not expect for it to be Wizard Riesen. He had followed Merlin all the way home and managed to stay hidden in the shadows. Wizard Riesen was clearly talented and unique.

"Wizard Riesen, why have you followed me home?"

Merlin asked coldly. He stayed vigilant, ready to strike with Glacial Finger at any time.

Wizard Riesen smiled and shrugged. "Don't be nervous, Wizard Merlin. I did not even bring my Alchemy Creature. How could I? I don't even dare battle against the horror of your Pandora Demon Ability."

Merlin thought carefully. Wizard Riesen had not brought along his Alchemy Creature. Most alchemists depended primarily on their Alchemy Creatures for their strength. Without bringing one, Wizard Riesen could be truly sincere.

However, Merlin did not let down his guard. He coldly replied, "Wizard Riesen, what's wrong? Why couldn't we speak at Wizard Sammir's?"

Riesen spoke with dignity as he whispered, "I think you'll be interested in what I've to tell you. It's about the ancient monument and it's something that even Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren don't know!"

Wizard Riesen spoke mysteriously. This could have been important.

Merlin pondered for a moment and finally, he nodded. "Since it's important, let's talk inside. Please come in, Wizard Riesen."

Merlin gave way and invited Wizard Riesen inside.