On a quiet beach, a white light appeared, and a few solemn-faced Spell Casters emerged from the light.

"We've finally returned to the Dark Magic Region, Wizard Merlin. The situation at hand is too grave. Let's report back together."

These four were Wizard Envia and the rest of their delegation. The trip to Blacksand Fort had brought about a disastrous situation. The sudden attack from Ozmu had caused Blacksand Fort to be in chaos, and numerous spell casters' organizations suffered irreconcilable losses.

Although most of the delegations were only a small part of their respective spell casters' organizations, they consisted of young prodigies from these organizations. Now that they were killed by the surprise attack from Ozmu, the entire southern Spell Caster world would experience a massive upheaval.

This matter was too grave hence it would have to be reported to the higher-ups of the Dark Magic Region immediately for them to start making preparations. In addition, the Dark Magic Region had lost three Seventh-level Spell Casters including Heusius as well as the powerful Wizard Leo, who possessed Darkness Eye. Thus, the total loss of the Dark Magic Region could be considered massive.

"Yes, let's go together!"

Merlin agreed and quickly rushed into the Dark Magic Region along with Wizard Envia and the others.

"Hum."

Once they stepped through the light veil, several tall towers that stretched into the clouds appeared before Merlin's eyes. The familiar Dark Magic Region materialized before them once again.

"Wizard Merlin, you're back!"

Upon returning to the Dark Magic Region, Merlin was greeted by a Fourth-level Spell Caster. He had been waiting there to welcome them.

"We're back. Bring me to the Wizard Tower of the Seventh-level Wizards. I have an important report to bring to them."

Merlin said in a deep voice.

"Hmm? Wizard Heusius and the others aren't back yet?"

When the Fourth-level Spell Caster who was waiting for them saw that Wizard Heusius and the others did not follow behind them, his face turned anxious.

"There had been some interference, so they'll not be back for a while. We really need to report to the Seventh-level Wizards."

Wizard Envia stepped forward and said with a somber expression.

This Fourth-level Spell Caster was only a follower of the Seventh-level Wizards and was aware that Merlin was highly valued by the higher-ups of the Dark Magic Region. In that sense, Merlin outranked him, therefore he nodded and immediately led Merlin and the others toward the Seventh-level Wizards' Tower.

Since Wizard Envia did not have a flying spell, the Fourth-level Spell Caster flew very slowly, huffing and puffing all the way as he transported Wizard Envia and the others to the Seventh-level Wizards' Tower.

"Please wait here. I'll inform Sir Wizard Morse!"

Subsequently, the Fourth-level Spell Caster disappeared, leaving Merlin and the others to wait alone in the Wizard Tower.

After a moment, an elderly but rosy-looking and burly Spell Caster appeared from the depths of the Wizard Tower.

"Merlin, you have something to report?"

This Wizard was a Seventh-level Spell Caster of the Dark Magic Region. Similar to Wizard Heusius, he was one of the core strengths of the Dark Magic Region.

"Wizard Morse, it's truly something important. It's about our trip to Blacksand Fort."

Merlin stood up and glanced at Wizard Morse's follower who was standing behind him.

Seeing Merlin's gaze, Wizard Morse naturally understood. If Merlin was being cautious, it must truly be a dire situation. In addition, the fact that Wizard Heusius and the others did not come back also raised some questions.

Therefore, Wizard Morse waved the follower away, leaving only the four Wizards and himself.

"Tell me, what happened? Why isn't Heusius and the others back yet?"

Wizard Morse's expression was serious as he gazed at them intently.

"Wizard Heusius and the others are gone. They won't be back anymore. Even Wizard Leo died on the way back trying to protect us."

Wizard Envia was the one who spoke. He gripped his fist tightly, reliving the scene in his head when Wizard Leo had faced-off against the Black-White Great Wizard. They would never forget it as without Wizard Leo, none of them would have made it back alive.

"What? Died? What on earth happened? Tell me clearly!"

Wizard Morse's expression changed violently like he dared not believe his ears. Faint elemental fluctuations began to appear around his body as it was apparent that his emotions were very anxious.

"The Black-White Great Wizard from Ozmu led a team of highly-skilled members of Ozmu and invaded Blacksand Fort. Their sudden attack disrupted the summit and caused massive losses to all the large spell casters' organizations. Although Blacksand Fort managed to force Ozmu into retreating in the end, many large spell casters' organizations were attacked once again by the ambush set up by Ozmu on their way back. Besides a few lucky survivors, almost all delegates from every spell casters' organization are dead!"

Despite Merlin's calm demeanor which expressed no emotional turmoil in his tone, everyone could still feel the heaviness in their hearts. The loss of Wizard Leo, Wizard Heusius, and the others were all the absolute core strengths of the Dark Magic Region.

The Dark Magic Region was a small spell casters' organization, far from its glorious days under the Great Wizard Fidel. Even the loss of one Seventh-level Spell Caster was bad enough. What more to lose three Seventh-level Spell Casters all at once in addition to Wizard Leo who was almost on par with a Seventh-level Spell Caster.

The Dark Magic Region could not afford a loss like this!

Subsequently, Wizard Morse carefully inquired further, which Merlin and the others reported to him in full details according to their knowledge.

"Merlin, did you really cultivate Darkness Eye?"

When Wizard Morse heard that Wizard Leo had given Darkness Eye to Merlin, he looked at Merlin with an astonished gaze.

Merlin did not answer. He raised his hand and showed a blinking blood-red vertical eye in his palm. It looked extremely eerie.

Seeing this blood-red vertical eye, Morse's gaze grew even more astonished. He looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just shook his head.

"Alright, why don't you go back first. I'll inform the other Seventh-level Wizards about what happened. If there are any more questions, we'll inform you immediately."

Wizard Morse waved his hand, and Merlin and the others left the Wizard Tower.

"Phew…"

Once they had left the Wizard Tower, Wizard Envia exhaled heavily. He took a few steps toward Merlin and whispered, "Wizard Merlin, how do you think the higher-ups will manage this?"

"That's for the higher-ups to worry about. Now that the entire southern Spell Caster world is going to descend into chaos, you should hurry back and construct more Fourth-level spells!"

Merlin had a premonition that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Ozmu had not only invaded a large spell casters' organization like Blacksand Fort but also slaughtered a large number of Spell Casters. Such crazy behavior was, in a way, in line with Ozmu's reputation. They had always acted outrageously irrational.

However, this time, Ozmu had gone too far. Their actions might unite the entire southern Spell Caster world. If the three largest spell casters' organizations decided to work together, they would form a formidable alliance.

If and when that happened, then a real confrontation with Ozmu would be unavoidable. As part of the southern Spell Caster world, the Dark Magic Region would most certainly be involved.

Wizard Envia and the rest nodded in understanding. This trip to Blacksand Fort had made them painfully aware of the inadequacies of their own abilities even though they had previously been considered as prodigies and placed on a pedestal in the Dark Magic Region.

Once they arrived in Blacksand Fort, however, they were not even able to clear the first and second rounds. The gap in their abilities was too jarring. Therefore, at a time when the southern Spell Caster was on the brink of descending into chaos, their foremost priority would be to hone their abilities.

"Wizard Merlin, although Darkness Eye is indeed powerful, it's a cursed power. If the situation is not dire, I think you should not use its power lightly."

Wizard Envia took a long look at Merlin and reminded him gently.

"A cursed power!"

Merlin tilted his head to look at Darkness Eye in his palm. He could feel the darkness and stench of death which were oozing from it. He was perfectly aware of the danger posed by Darkness Eye. Right now, his only protection was the Flame Maxim which was suppressing its power.

However, Merlin knew that he could not rely solely on the Flame Maxim to solve this problem as Darkness Eye would slowly diminish the powers of the Flame Maxim. He had to learn to control the third form of Darkness Eye as soon as possible. That was his utmost priority.

Since Merlin owned Darkness Heart and had constructed Darkness-type spells, he was quite familiar with the powers of Darkness-type magic. He was more suited to cultivate Darkness Eye compared to Wizard Leo.

To control the third form of Darkness Eye, the most straightforward method was still to construct a Fourth-level Darkness-type spell. Merlin was lacking Mind Power but fortunately, he had the ingredients for more than one thousand portions of Mokra Potion that were gifted to him from the eighth prince in the Imperial City.

He had such an abundant amount of ingredients that even with a thirty percent success rate, he would be able to produce at least three hundred portions of Mokra Potion. If he consumed all that, Merlin himself was not sure how much further his Mind Power would be enhanced.

Once his Mind Power was enhanced, it would be easy to construct spells. Now Merlin had to deliberate whether to construct the Fourth-level spells using derivation from the consumption of Maxims in the Matrix or to just construct existing Fourth-level spells.

This decision was very important as it would affect Merlin's future paths, so he had to consider both options carefully.

Both options had their merits. If the Fourth-level spells were derived by the Matrix, they would be more suitable for Merlin and surpass existing spells in every aspect. However, it would need to consume the power of Maxims.

Perhaps the Flame Maxim would be temporarily enough for Merlin to derive all Fourth-level spells, but in the future, he would need to derive the Fifth-, Sixth-, and even Seventh-level spells independently.

When it was time, the amount of power of Maxim which it would consume would also be colossal, so Merlin had to consider the long-term consequences as well.

Merlin could not make up his mind on either option. However, before he started constructing Fourth-level spells, Merlin had another place to go – the Runic Tower!

Previously, Merlin was not able to clear the seventh floor but now with Darkness Eye, he was confident to make another attempt on the Runic Tower. After all, once he had successfully constructed a Fourth-level spell and became a Fourth-level Spell Caster, he would not be able to attempt the Runic Tower anymore.

On the seventh floor of the Runic Tower, the treasure left behind by the Great Wizard Fidel still remained. Naturally, Merlin did not want to miss this opportunity.

Thinking along these lines, Merlin decided not to return to the Wizard Tower and flew toward the Runic Tower instead.