"Betray?"

Wizard Leo smiled as he said calmly, "Kleis and Merlin are two different people; how can we compare them? Does the Dark Magic Region reject all prodigies after our experience with Kleis now?"

"Moreover, if Merlin truly betrays the Dark Magic Region in the future, I'll kill him with my own hands!"

Wizard Leo's tone, albeit calm, revealed a hint of determination that cast away all doubts.

"Hehe, Wizard Leo. You said you'll kill him with your own hands. If Merlin truly acts the same way as Kleis and was tempted by Ozmu to betray the Dark Magic Region, can you still easily kill him when he's under Ozmu's protection?"

One of the Seventh-level wizards suddenly scoffed.

"Hmm? Wizard Sharman, are you doubting my words? Not long ago, the genius Spell Caster of Ozmu, Wizard Osseus, also doubted my words, and he's dead now!"

Wizard Leo's tone was cold and stiff. The red vertical eye on his forehead blinked a faint red light slightly; his hollowed eyes staring at Wizard Sharman. Tension immediately filled the air.

The people glanced at Wizard Leo's empty sleeve and a hint of fear flashed in their eyes. Indeed, even the genius Spell Caster of Ozmu, Osseus, had died in the hands of Wizard Leo. Normal Seventh-level Spell Casters were completely inferior to Wizard Leo who had cultivated Darkness Eye to the ultimate level.

Wizard Leo had chased after Osseus for thousands of miles during the battle against Ozmu. The fact that he had killed the Seventh-level Spell Caster, Osseus, had shaken many spell casters' organizations. Even Ozmu was shocked by the news.

Killing while disregarding the difference in levels was nothing; many prodigies in Ozmu could also do it. However, Wizard Leo had killed the genius Spell Caster of Ozmu while disregarding the difference of levels between them. This was not something that happened every day.

Furthermore, many capable Spell Casters of Ozmu who were sent to fight the joint group of the Dark Magic Region, Abyss Fort, Fire City, and Ashes Region, had all lost because they were affected by Wizard Leo. At last, they had no choice but to agree on a pact with other spell casters' organizations in order to stabilize the situation.

Wizard Sharman opened his mouth and a hint of anger flashed on his face. When he was about to say something, Wizard Heusius waved his hands. "Wizard Leo, Wizard Sharman is not doubting your words. It's just that we need to be more cautious after experiencing the incident with Kleis."

After a slight pause, Wizard Heusius continued. "A Six-Elemental Spell Caster appears in the Dark Magic Region is something worthy of a celebration. After all, many large-scaled spell casters' organizations don't possess such genius Spell Casters. However, once this news gets out, I'm afraid Ozmu will have second thoughts again. Even though we've made a pact with Ozmu, they never have the tendency to keep to the pact. If they wish to, they can send anyone here to tempt Merlin. So, we must be prepared for that.

"How about this? Rewarding one hundred thousand contribution points to a Six-Elemental Spell Caster is nothing, but we can't give it in a lump sum. We'll make it ten years and reward ten thousand contribution points to him every year. This way, he won't be able to exchange for a large number of spells and casting tools, then betray the Dark Magic Region as Kleis did. Moreover, ten thousand contribution points are sufficient for Merlin to exchange for some spells and potions.

"In addition, the contract we sign with Wizard Merlin has to be of the highest grade; it'll be able to bind a Seventh-level Spell Caster. With this, it'll be impossible for Ozmu to terminate the contract with normal Earth Purified Water no matter how much they want to tempt Merlin – they must pay a great price to do it!"

Wizard Heusius raised two suggestions. They would split the one hundred thousand contribution points in ten years. In other words, they would give ten thousand contribution points to Merlin each year. Wizard Leo could accept this suggestion since ten thousand contribution points was considered a large amount.

As for the second suggestion, the contract they signed with Merlin had to be of the highest grade; Wizard Leo had no objections regarding that. When the Dark Magic Region signed a contract with ordinary official members, only the low-grade contract would be used. Its binding power was not excellent, so it could be easily terminated by using Earth Purified Water.

However, in the case of the highest-grade contract, although the Dark Magic Region had to make a little sacrifice to prepare the contract, the price that Ozmu had to pay to terminate the contract was relatively greater than that of the Dark Magic Region. After all, the highest-grade contract was not something that could be easily terminated with just Earth Purified Water.

"Alright, I agree on these two terms. I believe Merlin will agree to them as well."

Wizard Leo nodded and was satisfied with the discussion. No matter how he saw it, these two conditions were beneficial to Merlin. As for the binding of the contract, it would not affect Merlin much as long as he did not betray the Dark Magic Region.

"Merlin, come in."

Merlin was still waiting outside of the room when Wizard Leo's voice suddenly rang in his ears. He immediately felt refreshed, knowing that these Seventh-level Spell Casters had come to a conclusion. Hence, he strode into the room quickly.

"Wizard Leo!"

Merlin slightly bowed to Wizard Leo and the other Seventh-level Spell Casters.

Wizard Leo nodded, then said with a smile, "Merlin, after our discussion, we decided to reward you. Back then, when Kleis leveled up to become a First-level Spell Caster as a Five-Elemental Spell Caster, the Dark Magic Region had rewarded him fifty thousand contribution points. In your case, you've become a First-level Spell Caster as a Six-Elemental Spell Caster. You'll receive a greater reward – one hundred thousand contribution points!"

"Boom!"

Upon hearing the "one hundred thousand contribution points" from Wizard Leo, Merlin felt his mind had gone blank.

One hundred thousand contribution points was almost an unimaginable wealth, it was more than sufficient in supporting his cultivation until the seventh-level.

Unsurprisingly, Merlin heard that Kleis, who had betrayed the Dark Magic Region had become a Third-level Spell Caster after just a few years. It turned out that he was supported by a large number of contribution points given by the Dark Magic Region.

Some First-level spells only cost up to hundreds of contribution points; a Runic Robe only cost about two hundred contribution points. It was enough to prove how large a fortune of ten thousand contribution points was.

It turned out that Wizard Leo activated the Dark Magic Circle because he wanted to negotiate for Merlin's reward. Merlin could imagine how much of a debate Wizard Leo could have gone through with the Seventh-level Spell Casters earlier to finally decide on the reward of one hundred thousand contribution points.

Merlin shot a grateful glance toward Wizard Leo.

However, Wizard Leo's tone suddenly changed and he became serious. "Merlin, I believe you're aware of the incident of Kleis, who was tempted by Ozmu to betray the Dark Magic Region. As a result, we can't reward you the one hundred thousand contribution points in a lump sum. Instead, we'll reward you ten thousand contribution points each year for ten years. You'll need to sign the highest-grade contract with the Dark Magic Region as well. Do you agree to these conditions?"

Ten thousand contribution points each year for ten years was still a huge fortune to Merlin, so naturally, he would not object to that. As for the highest-grade contract, Merlin was rather alerted, so he asked in a low voice, "Teacher Leo, how does this highest-grade contract affect me?"

Merlin was familiar with the basic contract. He just could not betray the Dark Magic Region and there were no other conditions associated with it. Meanwhile, he knew nothing about the highest-grade contract.

"The highest-grade contract is no different than a basic contract in terms of content. You can't betray Dark Magic Region in either of them. However, the highest-grade contract cannot be terminated easily. Even if Ozmu wants to terminate it, they'll have to pay a great price to do that."

Wizard Leo explained briefly to Merlin about the highest-grade contract and Merlin understood the differences. Essentially, the existence of such contract was to prevent the incident of Kleis from happening again.

Hence, Merlin did not hesitate any longer and nodded. "Teacher, I agree to sign the highest-grade contract!"

"Good!"

Wizard Leo nodded and shot his gaze at Wizard Heusius. With a low voice, he spoke, "Wizard Heusius, pass me the contract papers."

Wizard Heusius nodded and from his ring, he took a few completely black papers with a faint golden light.

Wizard Leo took the contract papers and gently threw them into mid-air. Instantly, a strange Mind fluctuation was transmitted from the contract papers as they let out a bright light. Strange runes surrounded the contract papers, giving off a mysterious vibe.

These were the contract papers, an extremely marvelous casting tool. The contract papers were not complicated but they were made of a special material. The better the quality of the material, the stronger the effect of contract papers made.

For example, these contract papers were of the highest grade where it could even bind a Seventh-level Spell Caster. In the Dark Magic Region, they were considered rare and precious.

"Merlin, before you sign the contract, I must solemnly remind you this – if you betray the Dark Magic Region in the future as Kleis did, I'll hunt you down with my own hands no matter where you are!"

Wizard Leo looked at Merlin and the red vertical eye on his forehead continued to blink. His tone was grim.

Merlin took a deep breath and nodded with a serious expression. He extended his Mind Power onto the contract papers and began signing the contract. "In the name of Wilson Merlin, I abide by the ancient contract and will never betray the Dark Magic Region!"

Whenever Merlin said a word, a strange rune would appear on the contract papers and etched on it. After Merlin had finished his words, a strong pulling force appeared from the contract papers and sucked in a small part of his Mind Power.

This signified that the contract had been signed. If Merlin violated the contract in the future, the contract would backfire on him. In serious cases, the contract would make him go mad and caused his Spell Models to crumble apart.

After signing the contract, Merlin was no longer a temporary member. Instead, from this day onward, he was an official member of the Dark Magic Region, a true part of the organization!