History. What Merlin needed to understand most of all right now was the Mobata world's history.

He had stayed in Mandela City for a few days before finally getting his hands on a book which contained the history of the Mobata world. The book was written in the Molta language, so Merlin could read it effortlessly.

The Mobata world, according to the history book, has existed since a very long time ago. Even the appearance of the Mobatans appeared to be a haphazard occurrence. The historical records began with the establishment of the Mobata Empire.

From the very beginning, their history began with the establishment of the Mobata Empire. The records about history before the Mobata Empire could not be found. There were only rumors.

There was an abundance of records about the history of Mobata Empire though. This gigantic empire once ruled over the entire world, and the term of its reign spanned innumerable years. It was more than ten thousand years, at the very least.

However, no matter how ancient an empire was, there had to be a day when it collasped. In an attempt to escape from this eventuality, the last emperor of the Mobata Empire had used his hefty strength to capture dozens of king-level beasts and transfused their blood together in a brazen bid to break through to a whole new realm.

His plan had ultimately failed. For this reason, he paid an excruciating price. The Mobata Empire collapsed.

After the collapse of the Mobata Empire, chaos reigned, thousands of years of chaos. During this period, many Mobatans had no choice but to flee to the forest and live amongst the beasts.

Over time, this group of people could no longer return to the civilized world. They turned into horrific barbarians instead and were constantly in conflict with the Mobatans.

The beasts and the barbarians. These two forces were the greatest threats faced by the Mobatans. Their entire world was split and divided. The strength of the Mobatans was diminishing. In the end, they could only rely on the protection from Ruba City, the former capital of the Mobata Empire, to defy the beasts and the barbarians.

This was the history of the Mobata world that Merlin managed to piece together.

This was a legendary empire that had existed for tens of thousands of years. Even the Molta Empire in its older days was not as glorious.

Nevertheless, Merlin had also made some significant discoveries. The last emperor of the Mobata Empire had fallen because he tried to break through the limit. At that time, he was the number one contender in the entire world. His fearsomeness could be surmised from his ability to capture dozens of king-level beasts all by himself.

The reason for the last emperor's attempt to break through the limit was to rip open space. He had a feeling that there was a vaster world behind the unknown space.

The scribes of history all painted the last emperor of the Mobata Empire as a lunatic. Otherwise, he would not have tried to attempt a breakthrough so madly and caused the downfall of the Mobata Empire.

It could be said that the current forsaken state that the Mobatans were in was caused by the emperor who had foolishly tried to force a breakthrough.

While others might not comprehend the foolish emperor's decision, Merlin understood him entirely. In any other world, or even in the Void Zone, ripping space was easily achieved by anyone who was near the level of a Great Legend.

However, the space composition in this world was just too sturdy. It was impossible for an ordinary Legend to rip it. According to Merlin's conjecture, only an Honored Legend, at the very least, could influence this space enough to shatter it.

According to this line of thought, he deduced that the most powerful contenders in this world were probably the Sanctuary Contenders, and that they were comparable to Great Legends. Perhaps, among the Sanctuary Contenders, there were also differences in strength. Regardless, no matter how strong they were, probably no one could surpass an Honored Legend.

"Phew…"

Merlin finally released a long breath of relief. He had felt pressured ever since he entered this world. Master Aruba in particular, as told by the sphinx in the secret place, has exerted a persistent pressure on him.

This so-called Aruba person was a fearsome existence who could create life. This was a feat that even the Ultimate Arcane Wizards could not possibly achieve. Since this world was also created by Aruba, Merlin had been extremely cautious and dared not act as brazenly as he did in the Glorious Land.

Right now, however, he finally understood the general workings of this world. At Merlin's current level of abilities, he was the most preeminent existence in this world. Even if he did encounter an existence comparable to an Honored Legend, he still had the Atlan civilization's empire-level warship, so he should be able to escape unscathed.

Thus, he could embark on the next step of his plan, which was to find the item left behind by Aruba in this world. This was Merlin's primary goal.

"Time to leave!"

Merlin put down the book and looked outside the castle. Kevin was still practicing the training drills diligently. Despite his sweat-drenched back, he had no intention of stopping.

This twelve-year-old youth already had a steadfast determination.

…

"Sir Merlin, you're really leaving?"

Count Mandela's face was filled with reluctance, but he had long since expected this day to come. Merlin was a Sanctuary Contender. The fact that he could spend a few days in Mandela City was already demanding enough. How could they expect him to stay on?

Merlin smiled and said, "That's right. I'm heading to Ruba City. Thank you for your hospitality over the past few days."

Kevin and Mia were back. Kevin, especially, had a miserable look on his face.

"Come on, Sir Merlin is leaving soon. Let's go and see him off."

Count Mandela, Mia, and Kevin walked out of the castle where the tyrant raptor was already ready to move on. It lowered its proud head and allowed Merlin to jump onto its back when it saw him coming out.

Whoosh!

The tyrant raptor gently flapped its wings and flew into the sky. Merlin's heart rattled. He could feel Kevin's burning gaze on him. The twelve years old youth was giving Merlin a tingling sense of familiarity.

Perhaps, he was just like Merlin years ago!

Hum!

Merlin gathered his Mind Power forcefully and projected it into Kevin's mind. Kevin's expression turned vacant, and his mind turned blank. After a while, unforgettable pictures began to appear in his mind.

The training drills had originally been very hard to remember. Right now, however, every posture and movement played in his mind in a lifelike manner. They would appear at will as soon as he calleed for it.

Many people failed to remember the sequences entirely even after spending a lot of time and effort on them. Kevin was also agonizing about this problem because if he could not remember the complicated training drills, he would not be able to improve on his strength quickly.

Now, on the other hand, the training drills had been seared into his memory. They were so clear that even pictures appeared in his mind. The speed of his training would certainly improve in the future.

"Little guy, since we've already met each other, I'll leave you some benefits. Practice well, remember your dreams and become a great Sanctuary Contender…"

A familiar voice spoke inside Kevin's mind. Then, the voice gradually faded and disappeared.

Kevin whipped his head up, but could only see the tyrant bird turning into a tiny black speck in the sky.

"Sir Merlin, I'll definitely become a Sanctuary Contender. I will!"

Little Kevin clenched his fists tightly. This was the most precious gift a Sanctuary Contender had given to him in order to help him achieve his dream…

…

Merlin did not know that his impulsive action had further strengthened the resolve and determination of the youth. From his perspective, using Mind Power to commit an unforgettable picture to memory was a common feat for Spell Casters.

Most of the Great Wizards could achieve it easily. Merlin, who was a powerful Mind Power Master, was not an exception.

The tyrant raptor flapped its wings happily and flew towards Ruba City. This was probably its first time traveling to such a distant place, but this tyrant raptor who had submitted itself to Merlin still appeared very delighted.

Some of the wild beasts underneath obviously felt a trace of the tyrant bird's aura, so they fled in multiple directions. This reminded Merlin of the animal stampede caused by the tyrant raptor.

"I wonder what would happen if the tyrant bird led all the wild beasts to form a stampede and head towards Ruba City?"

A smile danced on Merlin's lips. Of course, this was just a thought. If he really made it happened, then the Sanctuary Contenders of Ruba City would definitely try to stop Merlin at all cost.

Merlin only wanted to find out about the item left behind by Aruba in the Mobata world. He did not intend to make enemies with the Mobatans.

The tyrant bird's speed was incredibly fast. As a king-level beast that was comparable to a Great Legend, its speed was, needless to say, impressive. Merlin observed the scenary below from above along the way.

He saw some barbarians and beasts, as well as some Mobatan cities. Whenever some of the people saw the tyrant raptor, there would be a flurry of panic. Nevertheless, the tyrant raptor left in a flash and did not pose a threat to anyone.

About two days later, Merlin could finally see a huge city in a distance. Unlike the other cities, Merlin could feel the weight of its history even from afar. This was an ancient city that had existed for tens of thousands of years.

"I've finally arrived. I wonder how will the Sanctuary Contenders treat me?"

Merlin was now quite relaxed and not too worried. His identity as a Sanctuary Contender would surely be exposed upon meeting the real Sanctuary Contenders.

However, what does it matter? Merlin might not be a Sanctuary Contender, but he possessed powers exceeding the Sanctuary Contenders!

…

Inside the watchtower of Ruba City, just as the soldiers were growing drowsy, a black speck appeared in the distant sky.This black speck then grew larger and larger, bringing the rustling of the wind with it.

"Giant… Giant raptor beast?"

The soldiers on the watchtower were no longer feeling drowsy when they saw the black speck for what it was. This was Ruba City, so no beast had ever came to attack this place before.

Nonetheless, just because it never happened before did not mean it would not happen forever. The Mobata world had not been faring well in recent times. People were fearing that the beasts would attack them inside Ruba City.

Hence, the watchtower was built.

"Sound the alarm. There's a ferocious beast!" the soldiers on the watchtower yelled to the people below loudly.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

The crisp alarm sounded for the first time in this ancient city with a ten-thousand-year history…