Chapter 138: The Exchange Tournament

The platform was crowded with people as each participant took a number. Merlin waited until Anlena and the others had all finished drawing before he approached the gray-robed mage, casually picking up a number plate.

Once back on the ground, Anlena couldn't help but ask, "Merlin, what number did you get?"

"Sixteen." Merlin held up his number plate, showing the digit.

Anlena nodded thoughtfully. "I'm twenty-six. I wonder who I'll end up facing."

After about half an hour, the gray-robed mages had recorded each participant's number, and the duels began, with four arenas operating simultaneously.

"The first match: Mage Gera versus Mage Berent!" announced a gray-robed mage.

At his words, two mages emerged from the crowd and stepped onto the stage. After they took their positions, the gray-robed mage exited.

Around the platform, mysterious runes began to flicker, forming a protective barrier that enveloped the entire stage. This protective array was designed to shield the audience below from the force of spells cast during the matches; it was strong enough to withstand even fourth-level spells.

"Gera!"

"Berent!"

The two introduced themselves courteously. Gera wasted no time; he darted forward, moving like a shadow as he closed in on Berent.

"Wind Blade!" he called, releasing a torrent of sharp wind blades that shot toward Berent.

Berent froze at the sight of the oncoming blades, stumbling back in shock. Without any defensive spells prepared, he had no chance against Gera's swift, aggressive attack.

"I surrender!" Berent shouted.

Hundreds of wind blades slashed toward Berent, but as soon as he uttered "I surrender," the runes around the platform emitted a protective light, shielding him from any harm. This protective measure was in place to prevent injuries; surrendering ensured immediate protection.

Merlin shook his head. Although the two mages were evenly matched in strength, Gera's swift initiative and his wind spell gave him a clear advantage, making his victory almost effortless.

Meanwhile, the battles on the other platforms ended just as quickly. Most participants were three-spell mages, and their spell potency was modest at best. Merlin had initially hoped to observe and learn from their techniques, but he quickly lost interest, realizing their abilities were too basic.

"Next match: Mage Merlin versus Mage Ida!" came the gray-robed mage's call.

"Oh? My turn already?" Merlin stood, glancing at the others. Anlena and the rest had yet to be called, but three others were also heading to the stage to face their opponents.

"Merlin, you must win!" Anlena cheered him on, looking more excited than if she were fighting herself.

Merlin ascended the stage, where his opponent awaited him—a large, muscular figure with thick black hair covering his face and body, resembling a wild beast in strength and build.

"My name is Ida."

"Merlin."

After exchanging names, the gray-robed mage exited, leaving the platform's rune barrier to activate, officially starting the match.

A breeze drifted across the stage as both mages stood motionless, sizing each other up. Merlin waited to see if Ida would attack first, but his burly opponent was cautious, showing no intention of casting a spell right away.

Frowning slightly, Merlin decided not to wait. With a swift gesture, he summoned a cloud of mist.

"Dark Fog!"

Thick mist spread, blanketing half the stage. Within seconds, Ida's face went blank as he fell under the spell's illusion.

"Freeze!"

Seeing Ida trapped in the fog's illusion, Merlin cast his freezing spell, encasing Ida in ice effortlessly.

Merlin dispelled the Dark Fog and watched as Ida gradually regained awareness, realizing his defeat. Embarrassed, Ida's face flushed red, and he muttered, "I surrender."

Merlin gave a polite nod before stepping off the platform to await his next match.

"Merlin, was that Dark Fog?" Anlena asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Yes, it was," Merlin confirmed with a nod.

"That's impressive," Anlena remarked, clearly awed. "Dark Fog is a powerful spell, but it's difficult to construct. Many mages would love to learn it, but the spell model is so complex that they eventually give up. I can't believe the gray-robed mages assigned you to Leo's tower."

"Oh? Is Dark Fog really that special?" Merlin asked, intrigued.

"Yes! Dark Fog is a potent zero-level spell with a notoriously complex model. Many mages want to construct it, but because it's so challenging, they often lack confidence and abandon it. The fact that you managed to master it is amazing. It's truly a mystery why the gray-robed mages placed you in Mage Leo's tower," Anlena explained, sounding genuinely impressed.

Merlin now understood why so few mages used Dark Fog; its model was indeed intricate, and it drained significantly more mental energy than other zero-level spells.

Before long, the other three mages returned. They had each gone up for their first matches, but judging by their dejected expressions, it was clear they had lost. Out of the four from Leo's tower, only Merlin had won his first match.

Eventually, the remaining participants, including Anlena, also competed in their first matches. However, none managed to advance; Anlena, with the help of a spell scroll, conceded gracefully without looking as defeated as the others.

At the end of the first round, Merlin was the only one from Leo's tower who hadn't been eliminated. Without him, it was likely that Leo's students would have been wiped out in the first round.

Merlin shook his head, understanding now why other mages were so confident when facing those from Leo's tower.

In the front of the square, the seated mages watched from their elevated stone seats. Leo sat among them, his face impassive, showing no reaction to the performance of his students.

"Second match: Mage Merlin versus Mage Warren!"

Hearing his name called by the gray-robed mage, Merlin rose for his next match.

"It's him! Merlin, that's the mage who defeated me. You have to teach him a lesson!" Anlena exclaimed excitedly. Her enthusiasm spiked as she pointed at Warren, her previous opponent.

Merlin chuckled. "Don't worry."

Confidently, he strode to the platform.

"Merlin!"

"Warren!"

With their names announced, the rune barrier activated, and Merlin wasted no time making the first move.

"Dark Fog!"

Once again, thick mist enveloped the platform. Warren had anticipated it but found that his mental strength wasn't enough to resist the spell's effects. Just as with Ida, Warren fell into a trance, his face going slack.

"Crack."

Merlin cast his freezing spell, encasing Warren in ice and ending the match just as quickly as the last.

From Merlin's first move to the match's end, only a few seconds had passed, and he'd used the exact same spells as before.

"Who is this guy? He's won both matches with just two spells!"

"That's Dark Fog! Any mage who can construct Dark Fog's spell model is no ordinary mage. Who's his teacher?"

"Wait… isn't he heading over to Leo's group? Could he be one of Leo's students?"

Merlin's first win hadn't attracted much attention, but after his second quick victory using the same spells, people began to take notice. When they realized he was one of Leo's students, many onlookers had curious or surprised expressions.

Back among his peers, Anlena was ecstatic. It wasn't just because Merlin had avenged her defeat—he was now the first of Leo's students since Soren to perform so well in the exchange tournament.

"Merlin, keep it up and make it through the third round!" she cheered.

The others, once subdued after their first-round eliminations, were now watching Merlin with fervent eyes, clenching their fists and hoping that he'd continue advancing.