In Ditas town, Merlin instructed Chablis to prevent anyone from disturbing him.
Merlin began the final step to construct a First-level spell in his room. He simulated the Spell Model with his Mind Power. The Spell Model of the First-level spell, Guardian Monument which was reconstructed by the Matrix was as complicated as Furious Flame back then.
Before this, Merlin's Mind Power had not reached the Second-level. Six Zero-level spells had already used up half of his Mind Power. Thus, when he constructed Furious Flame, the act was quite forced, so he failed in the end.
If he only had four Zero-level spells, he would have probably constructed the First-level spell successfully by now. However, there were pros and cons. If he could become a First-level Spell Caster, his strength would improve significantly as a Six-Elemental Spell Caster and would have a greater potential as well. This was far from what an ordinary Spell Caster could have been.
If it was the Zero-level spell before, Merlin could simulate it in his Awareness with Mind Power in two or three hours since the Spell Model was not very complicated.
However, regardless of Furious Flame or Guardian Monument, the complexity of their Spell Models was far greater than that of a Zero-level spell. Merlin's Mind Power was simulating the complex Spell Model bit by bit now. Guardian Monument's Spell Model was just like a three-dimensional image in Merlin's mind – it was dense and packed with thin lines. One would feel dizzy just by glancing at it, not to mention simulating it in one's Awareness.
If Merlin did not have the aid of the Matrix, it was impossible to reconstruct such a complicated Spell Model. Merlin knew himself well. His talent as a Spell Caster, be it Mind Power or construction of Spell Model, was lacking. Thanks to the Matrix, he was able to take a step further than anyone else and had successfully become a strong Six-Elemental Spell Caster now.
An hour, three hours, five hours, ten hours…
An entire day went by and Merlin was still simulating Guardian Monument's Spell Model. During the last time when he simulated Furious Flame's Spell Model, his Mind Power was barely holding on, so he had no choice but to give up. This time, Merlin's Mind Power had reached that of a Second-level Spell Caster. With such a strong Mind Power, he would not feel tired even if he simulated the Spell Model for two or three days.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, Merlin shivered. The complex Guardian Monument's Spell Model had been successfully simulated with his Mind Power. At once, a storm swept through his mind and endless Earth Elements began to gather around him frantically.
Once the Spell Model had been constructed, it would automatically absorb the Elements and accumulate Magic Power. If he wanted to increase the accumulation of Magic Power, he could, of course, use the precious elemental crystal stones.
Merlin opened his eyes wide and a slight smile appeared on his face.
"Finally, I did it. I've successfully constructed a First-level spell!"
Although he had only constructed one First-level spell, this was a key step to Merlin. A first-level spell was totally different from a Zero-level spell; it was not an exaggeration to say it was the difference between heaven and earth.
However, Merlin was still closely observing the changes of Guardian Monument's Spell Model. Along with the frantic accumulation of Earth Elements in the Guardian Monument's Spell Model, it was also accumulating Magic Power rapidly.
Soon, Merlin became serious as he noticed an imbalance between all Spell Models in his Awareness due to the construction of a First-level spell, Guardian Monument.
Except for Guardian Monument, his other spells were still Zero-level spells. This could cause a momentary imbalance between the Spell Models in his Awareness.
It would be fine if it was only temporary. If it was a long-term imbalance and in serious cases, it could cause some beginner Spell Models to crumble apart. This was also the reason why many Spell Casters had advised him to construct other advanced Spell Models as soon as he had successfully constructed his first advanced spell.
Merlin was not in a rush to increase the Magic Power in Guardian Monument's Spell Model with elemental crystal stones. He was still observing the lower part of the Spell Model.
As expected, a gray horizontal bar appeared. This meant that he could still cast a strengthened version of the spell after he cast three ordinary ones.
Before Merlin constructed his First-level spell, he was afraid that the strengthening effect would disappear. Knowing that it was still here, he let out a sigh of relief.
Thereafter, Merlin began to speed up the rate of accumulation of Magic Power in the Spell Model with an Earth elemental crystal stone.
…
Another month passed by. Merlin finally came out of his room. He seemed no different than before but he knew that he now possessed a First-level spell. He had made a solid foundation to advance into a First-level Spell Caster.
"Wizard Merlin, you've finally come out of your room!"
Chablis was striding outside Merlin's room every day. When he found that Merlin had left his room, he immediately approached him.
"Oh? Mr. Chablis, what's the matter?"
Merlin had been accumulating Magic Power for Guardian Monument's Spell Model with elemental crystal stones during the past month. The Guardian Monument's Magic Power could now support him with thirty casts at any one time.
This would be enough for ordinary battle, so Merlin stopped the accumulation of Magic Power. After all, the accumulation of Magic Power could not complete over a short period. Even though he had enough elemental crystal stones, he still would not waste them. To release thirty casts at once was sufficient for self-protection.
The Spell Model could accumulate Magic Power over a long period just like Fireball and Frost which Merlin had constructed at the very beginning. They had indeed reached their maximum capacity where he could release about ninety casts at once.
Every Spell Model had its maximum capacity of Magic Power. Although he could only release less than one hundred casts, this number was already quite terrifying. The maximum capacity of a normal Zero-level spell was only about thirty casts where stronger ones would probably have forty to fifty casts. Meanwhile, the maximum capacity of Merlin's spell came close to a hundred casts, all thanks to the Matrix. The Spell Models it constructed were all excellent, so they were naturally stronger than others which were calculated manually by other Spell Casters.
Chablis naturally did not know that many thoughts had run across Merlin's mind. He took a careful glance at Merlin and said softly, "The thing is, Sir Baron of Ditas town heard that Wizard Merlin is here, so he wanted to meet you. If you're…"
Before even finishing his sentence, Merlin's expression darkened and shot a sharp glance at Chablis. He replied in a cold tone, "Did you leak the information?"
Chablis immediately felt a chill and held down the unrest in his heart as he quickly denied. "No, no. Wizard Merlin, you've misunderstood. It's not me. It's the knights unit of Ditas town. They found many bandits' bodies in the maple forest. After much inference, they've found me. Please forgive me, Wizard Merlin."
Merlin frowned. Chablis was a merchant, so this matter was more or less related to him. Indirectly, he wanted to rely on Merlin's identity as a Spell Caster to protect himself.
Merlin did not care about these matters, so he waved his hands. "I won't see him. I'll leave Ditas town soon. Call Emma for me!"
After a pause, Merlin's gaze found Chablis again. He resumed a cold tone and said, "Chablis, I hope this matter only happened once!"
Chablis quickly nodded. He knew that Merlin had seen through his thoughts. Although he knew Merlin was leaving Ditas town soon, he could not do anything except calling for Emma as Merlin had instructed so.
After a moment, Chablis brought Emma to Merlin's room. Merlin's Mind Power brushed against Emma and she seemed to sense it too so she felt uneasy.
After Merlin checked her out with Mind Power, he immediately knew Emma's current Mind Power. Indeed, she had a good potential of becoming a Spell Caster. Although she was far from becoming a First-level Spell Caster, it was enough for her to construct one or two Zero-level spells.
"Mr. Chablis, you should go out first. I have something to say to Emma!"
Chablis nodded respectfully and went out of the room. He instructed everyone to not get close to Merlin's room.
After Chablis had left, Merlin smiled as he looked at Emma. "Emma, do you want to become a Spell Caster?"
"Spell Caster? Like you, sir? To have a strong ability?"
Merlin nodded. "That's right. As long as you construct the Spell Model step by step, you can be as strong as I am!"
Emma's gaze revealed her excitement. Then, she answered, "If I can defeat those bandits and protect my parents, I wish to become a Spell Caster. I hope you can help me with that!"
Merlin smiled. This naive girl still did not understand how strong a Spell Caster truly was. If she became a Spell Caster, even an Entrance-level Spell Caster was far stronger than those bandits.
Looking at Emma's determined eyes, Merlin felt as if he was back in Blackwater City. When he received old man Etha's Spell Manual, he wished to be a Spell Caster wholeheartedly and thought deeply about his family.
"It's not easy to become a Spell Caster. First, you must learn how to construct a Spell Model."
Merlin agreed to give a chance to this young girl. Just like old man Etha left the ring with Merlin, old man Etha might have done it out of an impulse. This time, Merlin was the same. Upon seeing that Emma had the quality to become a Spell Caster, he also did it out of impulse and gave a chance to this naive girl.
"I'll leave Ditas town soon, but before I leave, I'll give you three Zero-level spells and also some notes I recorded about the things that need to be noted. You can try to construct these spells in the future. If I have the chance to do so, I'll return to Ditas town three years later. If you've successfully constructed three Zero-level spells, I'll consider taking you as a student!"
Although it was Merlin's impulse, he believed that Emma had the talent. However, he would not remain here to teach Emma so she must depend on herself.
Subsequently, Merlin gave Zero-level spells – Fireball, Frost, and Earth Guard to Emma. She was luckier than Merlin when he received the ring from old man Etha then.
"Alright. Get a carriage for me from Mr. Chablis. I'll depart today and leave Ditas town!"
After Merlin had instructed Emma with the arrangement, he was ready to depart.
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