In the glorious-looking golden hall, many gray-robed Wizards had been waiting. Their leader was a Middle gray-robed Wizard who seemed friendly and kind. Even if he had to wait for a long time, he did not reveal any impatient gestures.

Soon, Merlin arrived at the hall followed by Wizard Waller, Vadrak, and Bella. They wanted to gain experience from this event.

"Dear Wizard Sakvara, sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Merlin bowed slightly to Wizard Sakvara. As a Fifth-level Spell Caster, Wizard Sakvara deserved a bow from Merlin.

However, Wizard Sakvara was an amiable person. He smiled slightly as he said, "It's alright. I also made you wait because I was making a potion before this. Wizard Merlin, let's start. I'd like to see what made you, a First-level Spell Caster, think you can challenge me."

Merlin nodded, then both entered the translucent room where runes were up all over the place. In this place, attacks from Spell Casters of Seventh-level and below would not be able to cause any damage to the room.

Merlin and Wizard Sakvara exchanged glances, and the latter reminded Merlin, "Wizard Merlin, I heard that you possess a Pandora Demon Ability? However, even if you have one, you would have only cultivated it for a bit – basically to the standard of a Fourth-level spell. In addition, I also have a Pandora Demon Ability. However, this is to test if you truly have the ability of a Fifth-level Spell Caster, so be rest assured. I won't use my Pandora Demon Ability."

Wizard Sakvara had made it clear that Merlin's Pandora Demon Ability would not be effective against his Fifth-level Defensive spell. Thus, it would be utterly impossible for Merlin to win against him with Pandora Demon Ability.

Moreover, Wizard Sakvara also possessed a Pandora Demon Ability, so Merlin should not seek to defeat him. Instead, it was sufficient for Merlin to present his best ability in front of Wizard Sakvara.

Merlin took a deep breath and nodded. It was his first time challenging a Fifth-level Spell Caster; Merlin knew his own condition the best.

Although Fiery Collapse and Glacial Finger were both powerful, they were simply comparable to a Fourth-level spell. Stronger Pandora Demon Abilities were able to compete with the top-class Fourth-level spell where Merlin's Fiery Collapse and Glacial Finger were both categorized as the stronger Pandora Demon Abilities.

Of course, this was meant for the Pandora Demon Abilities that were purely offensive. Meanwhile, the supportive Pandora Demon Abilities such as Merlin's Darkness Heart and Fuse Earth could not be considered on the same scale as the Pandora Demon Abilities were gradually merged into the spells. If the spells were powerful, the extent of enhancement would be great as well – the final strength of the spell would reach a terrifying level.

This was the reason why the Pandora Demon Abilities that could be integrated into the spells were considered the most precious Pandora Demon Abilities during the age of Molta Empire, the glorious period of Spell Casters.

Merlin also did not plan to challenge Wizard Sakvara with his Glacial Finger and Fiery Collapse. His forte was not these two. Instead, it was his Second-level Darkness-type spell, Darkness Tide, which he had constructed just recently.

Darkness Tide, with the enhancement of Darkness Heart, could easily lead a Fourth-level Spell Caster into his illusions. Until now, Merlin had not cast the strengthened version of Darkness Tide even once before.

If the strengthened version of Darkness Tide under the enhancement of Darkness Heart could make a Fifth-level Spell Caster fall under his illusion or affect a Fifth-level Spell Caster even a little, Merlin would be successful in his challenge. Otherwise, he would barely stand a chance against a Fifth-level Spell Caster.

"Wizard Sakvara, I'm about to start!"

Merlin said in a deep voice.

"Go on. Take your best shot or you won't have the chance to do so!"

Sakvara replied in a calm manner.

Meanwhile, all Spell Casters were staring at Merlin and Sakvara closely in the hall, their gazes brimmed with anticipation.

"Darkness Tide!"

Merlin finally moved. He waved his finger and at once, the entire translucent room transformed into darkness itself. The situation in the room could not be seen from the outside.

The crowd could only sense that endless Darkness Elements were gathering toward the room frantically.

"Second-level spell? Although Darkness Tide is indeed powerful and is able to make a Third-level Spell Caster fall into an illusion, is he able to stand against Wizard Sakvara with just Darkness Tide?"

Many Spell Casters were doubtful. Even those Fourth-level gray-robed Spell Casters were full of questions. Only Wizard Waller, who was a Middle gray-robed Wizard, was looking ahead seriously.

Almost all the Spell Casters in the hall did not know that Merlin had made three casts of Darkness Tide. Then, he had cast the strengthened version of Darkness Tide following that.

This was currently Merlin's strongest ability – the strengthened version of Darkness Tide. With the enhancement of Darkness Heart, even Merlin did not know how powerful it could get.

Thus, after he cast Darkness Tide, he watched Wizard Sakvara's actions closely.

Wizard Sakvara's expression remained calm, but he opened his eyes in a sudden movement when Merlin had cast the strengthened version of Darkness Tide. His immense Mind Power immediately surged.

"Not bad, Wizard Merlin. If I'm guessing correctly, you also possess a Supportive Pandora Demon Ability that's integrated into your spell. To enhance a Darkness-type spell so greatly, I can't think of any Pandora Demon Ability other than Darkness Heart… Darkness Heart, huh. That's considered a stronger spectrum of the Pandora Demon Ability during the most glorious times of Spell Casters in the legends. To have Darkness Heart means that you're the person favored by Darkness…"

At this point, Wizard Sakvara could still speak so clearly, indicating that Merlin had failed. His strengthened version of Darkness Tide, even with the enhancement of Darkness Heart, could not make a Fifth-level Spell Caster fall into an illusion.

After a pause, Wizard Sakvara placed his gaze on Merlin. With a hint of a smile, he said, "Such a pity. If you are to become a Fourth-level Spell Caster, the true effect of Darkness Heart will be expressed completely… It has been so many years. I still haven't seen anyone who is able to cultivate Darkness Heart. You're the first. In addition, you have a high possibility of becoming a Fourth-level Spell Caster and bringing out the true power of Darkness Heart!"

Merlin nodded, but he still felt regret that Darkness Heart had not been completely integrated into his spell as this was not the strongest form of Darkness Heart.

"Phew…"

Merlin immediately dispelled Darkness Tide and the room slowly resumed its initial condition. The Spell Casters outside could see the situation in the room again.

Following that, Merlin took a deep breath and said calmly, "I've lost!"

The door of the room opened wide. Merlin bowed to Wizard Sakvara and walked out of the room.

The Spell Casters in the hall stared speechlessly at each other, full of questions. Since the room was filled with Darkness Elements, they did not manage to see Merlin dueling against Wizard Sakvara at all. In the end, Merlin simply announced his loss which was perplexing to them.

"Wizard Merlin!"

Wizard Sakvara also walked out of the room. He scanned the gray-robed Spell Casters around him, then said, "I've confirmed Wizard Merlin's ability. Although he has failed his challenge, his ability is infinitely close to that of a Fifth-level Spell Caster. Such ability deserves to obtain a gold-lined gray robe among the Novice gray-robed Wizards!"

"Gold-lined gray robe? Wizard Sakvara, is Wizard Merlin really that strong?"

Other gray-robed Wizards could not believe this. Even though they also wore a gray robe, their robes were not gold-lined. Everyone in Fort Udon was clear of the significance of getting a gold-lined robe.

"It's my intention to do so. I'll explain the situation to the Seventh-level Wizards!"

Wizard Sakvara said to Merlin again, "Wizard Merlin, please give me some time. I believe that it wouldn't be a problem for you to get a gold-line robe."

Thereafter, Wizard Sakvara directly left the hall, leaving behind many gray-robed Spell Casters. Without exception, all gray-robed Spell Casters shot an envious look toward Merlin.

"Gold-lined robe? It seems that Wizard Sakvara wears a gold-lined robe as well."

Merlin tried to recall his memory. He realized that Wizard Sakvara's gray robe was indeed gold-lined; it was very much different from Wizard Waller who was a Middle gray-robed Wizard.

This gold-lined robe seemed to hold some special meaning.

"Congratulations, Wizard Merlin. With Wizard Sakvara applying for the gold-lined robe on your behalf, I believe that you'll get your gold-lined robe in no time."

"Gold-lined robe, huh. We're just envious since we have no chance of getting one in a lifetime."

Some gray-robed Spell Casters congratulated Merlin. Only Merlin was confused about the situation since he did not know what a gold-lined robe represented at all.

Thus, Merlin could not help but ask Wizard Waller, "Wizard Waller, what's the use of a gold-lined robe? Wizard Sakvara also wore a gold-lined gray robe earlier. You're both Middle gray-robed Wizards; why didn't you wear a gold-lined robe?"

Wizard Waller shook his head helplessly, "How can I compare myself to Wizard Sakvara? Without a doubt, Wizard Sakvara can obtain a gold-lined robe. Even if I have become a Sixth-level Spell Caster, I still won't be able to get a gold-lined robe. Wizard Merlin, you may not know the significance of getting a gold-lined robe – that it represents absolute strength. No matter if it was a gold-lined black robe or gold-lined gray robe, anyone who wears a gold-lined robe is considered the most powerful Spell Casters among their level; these people are considered invincible!

"Wizard Merlin, if you obtain the gold-lined gray robe, despite being a Novice gray-robed Wizard, it means that you're invincible among Fourth-level Spell Casters – no one can stand against you! It's extremely difficult to obtain a gold-lined robe. It's even better than becoming a Middle gray-robed Wizard or Expert gray-robed Wizard. Possessing a gold-lined robe brings about many benefits that you cannot begin to imagine in Fort Udon."

After hearing Waller's explanation, Merlin only understood that the gold-lined robe symbolized a true genius, an absolute prodigy who contained endless potential. Fort Udon should emphasize fostering these people.

Meanwhile, Wizard Sakvara might have realized Merlin's potential, so he was willing to help Merlin to apply for a gold-lined robe. Although Merlin might stand out too much this way, the benefits he would receive were also immense.

After thinking about it for a moment, Merlin still decided to wait patiently for Wizard Sakvara to apply for the gold-lined robe. Then, he would see for himself what sort of benefits would be available to him.