Chapter 218: A Fatal Flaw

After Merlin signed the contract, many of the Seventh-Level Spellcasters departed. Their time was too valuable to linger, much like Wizard Leo, who rarely left his tower.

"Wizard Leo," Wizard Helcius called out, a faint smile on his face.

"Merlin, wait for me outside," Leo instructed, gesturing for Merlin to leave. He then turned to Helcius, the blood-red vertical eye on his forehead flickering lightly. "Old man, what do you want?"

Helcius seemed unbothered by Leo's tone, his expression gradually turning serious. "Leo, are you really all right? The matter with Rydor happened long ago, and now you've killed Oxius as well. That chapter of your life should be over. You should let it go."

Helcius knew all too well about Leo's inner turmoil. Years ago, Leo's younger brother Rydor, a prodigious spellcaster, was lured by Osium into betraying their family. At that time, Leo hadn't yet joined the Dark Spirit Domain. His powerful spellcaster family was vast and influential, but it fell to Leo himself to end Rydor's life.

This tragedy became an unresolved wound in Leo's heart. Only after joining the Dark Spirit Domain and acquiring the method to cultivate the Dark Eye did Leo channel all his focus into mastering it. His relentless efforts culminated in the recent war with Osium, where Leo chased down and killed Oxius, the spellcaster who had manipulated Rydor. This act finally brought him some closure.

"Indeed, I've let go of the past. With Oxius dead, I can finally say I've moved on. From now on, I am just myself—Leo, the Sixth-Level Spellcaster of the Dark Spirit Domain. Don't worry, old man. My focus now is on Merlin. He's the most talented spellcaster I've ever seen. But it's not just his aptitude—it's his determination that reminds me of myself in my younger days," Leo said with a satisfied smile before striding out to meet Merlin.

"Merlin, let's head back to the tower," Leo said. Merlin bowed slightly to Helcius before following his mentor.

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Back at the tower, Leo led Merlin into a private room. He appeared pleased as he spoke in his usual calm tone. "Merlin, now that you've signed the highest-grade contract with the Dark Spirit Domain, you'll receive treatment on par with what Kress once enjoyed. There are some matters I should share with you."

Pausing briefly, Leo continued, "This concerns the outcome of our recent war with Osium. Neither side could gain the upper hand. Osium has made too many enemies, so they didn't send their full strength this time. A truce was negotiated, with both sides agreeing that Osium would cease luring spellcasters to defect from organizations like the Dark Spirit Domain, Abyssal Fortress, and Flame City. In return, these organizations agreed not to pursue the defectors with Fourth-Level or higher spellcasters."

"Osium was clever in this. Their defectors are all geniuses, nearly unbeatable within their own ranks. This agreement shields them from retaliation. However, the Dark Spirit Domain has issued a task in the mission hall: any spellcaster below Fourth Level who can kill Kress will be rewarded with fifty thousand contribution points."

"Merlin, when you become a Third-Level Spellcaster, you'll have a chance to claim this reward. But don't take unnecessary risks until you're confident. Kress was once one of my most promising students, and his strength will have grown significantly in Osium."

Merlin nodded thoughtfully, realizing that while the truce appeared favorable, it ultimately worked in Osium's favor. They had safeguarded their talented defectors while preparing for future conflicts.

Leo's expression grew solemn. "Merlin, your Dark Spirit Ring now contains one thousand contribution points. With that, you can exchange for the spells, tools, and potions you need at the Tower of Myriad Forms. I've done what I can to help you."

Merlin hesitated, but before he could speak, Leo raised a hand to stop him. "I know I'm not the best teacher. Your achievements are your own. Still, as your mentor, I take pride in your success. I can only assist you with two things: my *Dark Eye* and the advanced dark-element spells you need."

Merlin's eyes brightened at the mention of the Dark Eye. He had long suspected it was a form of Pandora's Magic and an exceptionally powerful one at that. As for advanced dark-element spells, they were scarce even in the Dark Spirit Domain, and Leo was the foremost authority in the field.

Seeing Merlin's anticipation, Leo nodded and smiled faintly. "The Dark Eye is a type of Pandora's Magic—a miraculous power passed down from ancient times. With the Dark Eye, I killed Oxius and even influenced the outcome of the war."

"Many covet the Dark Eye, and it's well-documented in the Abyssal Fortress. They've long studied Pandora's Magic related to dark elements, but none have mastered the Dark Eye. Do you know why?"

Merlin shook his head. He had only a vague understanding of the Dark Eye's immense power and difficulty to cultivate.

Leo's blood-red eye fully opened, casting an eerie glow over Merlin, who suddenly felt as though he were in an entirely different world.

"An illusion?" Merlin wondered. Despite his proficiency with spells like Darklight Domain, he found himself defenseless against the Dark Eye's power, underscoring its might.

Leo's expression turned complicated as he explained, "The method to cultivate the Dark Eye is incomplete. That's why no one in the Abyssal Fortress has succeeded. The version I mastered wasn't complete either, but I devised my own approach to forcibly achieve success. This method came at a great cost. I lost my sight permanently, and worse, I can never advance to Seventh Level. The imbalance caused by the Dark Eye has destabilized my spell models, making further growth impossible."

Merlin could hear the deep regret in Leo's voice. The price Leo had paid to master the Dark Eye was unimaginable. Although he had gained incredible power, the sacrifices were profound.

"Merlin, the Dark Eye has fatal flaws, so I cannot pass it on to you. However, I can teach you another dark-element Pandora's Magic, and I'll ensure you have access to every advanced dark-element spell you need," Leo said, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

Merlin felt a mix of gratitude and curiosity as he pondered what lay ahead.