Chapter 259: The Clue (Part 2)
Just as Merlin was about to tell Leo Mentor about his Pandora Spells, Leo waved a hand slightly and said, "The Pandora Spells you possess are your secrets. You don't need to tell me."
"I'm just pleased to see it. Kres? He's nothing compared to you. You're far superior. Viss and Bluebird were only the beginning. In the future, you must kill Kres with your own hands. Do you understand?"
The blood-red vertical eye on Leo's forehead suddenly emitted a piercing light, his expression becoming solemn.
Merlin was momentarily stunned. The agreement between the Dark Spirit Realm and Osm forbade spellcasters above the fourth level from fighting. However, Merlin was only a first-level spellcaster. Even if he advanced rapidly, he would, at best, become a second-level spellcaster.
This meant that Merlin alone had the chance to take down Kres, the traitor who had turned against the Dark Spirit Realm.
"Leo Mentor, I understand. If I ever meet Kres, I will kill him myself," Merlin said, his voice firm, his eyes showing unwavering determination.
Leo's grim face softened with a faint, approving smile. "Good. Now, you didn't come here just for this, did you?"
Leo's gaze shifted to the doorway, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Merlin immediately understood. Calling Emma into the room, he introduced her, saying, "Mentor, this is Emma. I met her by chance three years ago and noticed she had some potential as a spellcaster. I gave her a few basic spells, and surprisingly, she successfully constructed three zero-level spell models within three years. I took her as my student without permission, and now she has been assigned to your tower."
Merlin briefly explained Emma's situation. Though Emma found Leo's appearance intimidating, she summoned her courage, bowed deeply, and respectfully greeted him.
"Not bad, Merlin. Since you've chosen to mentor her, then her progress in the Dark Spirit Realm will depend entirely on your guidance," Leo said nonchalantly, passing Emma's training entirely to Merlin. Given Leo's temperament, teaching students was likely the last thing he enjoyed doing.
"One more thing, Mentor. I need your help with another matter. I've officially become a first-level spellcaster and have found a servant—your former student, Lorinka. However, since she didn't become a first-level spellcaster, she lost her Dark Spirit Ring and was expelled from the Dark Spirit Realm. Now, she's waiting outside the realm, unable to return. Mentor, could you help me apply for a servant's Dark Spirit Ring for her?"
Merlin quickly explained Lorinka's predicament. Leo waved his hand impatiently. "That's a trivial matter. I'll have someone deliver the ring immediately. But remember, in the Dark Spirit Realm, a servant's actions reflect on their master. Choose your servants carefully."
Merlin nodded in agreement. Servants were indeed a reflection of their masters. Many spellcasters, even those at the second or third level, refrained from taking on servants because they were cautious and unwilling to risk the responsibilities that came with them.
Soon, a spellcaster arrived at the tower and handed Merlin a servant's Dark Spirit Ring. From the moment the ring was issued, Lorinka's identity as Merlin's servant was officially recorded in the Dark Spirit Realm's registry.
With the ring in hand, Merlin left Leo's chamber and made his way to Lorinka. Upon seeing him, she looked visibly excited.
"Lorinka, put on this Dark Spirit Ring, and you'll be able to re-enter the Dark Spirit Realm," Merlin said with a smile, handing her the ring.
Tears welled up in Lorinka's eyes as she accepted the ring with trembling hands. Being expelled from the Dark Spirit Realm had left her hopeless, feeling abandoned even by her own family. But now, as Merlin's servant, her chances of becoming a first-level spellcaster had significantly improved. Moreover, being tied to someone of Merlin's status ensured she would no longer be treated as insignificant.
With a flash of light from the rune array, Lorinka and Merlin returned to the Dark Spirit Realm.
---
"Phew…"
Back in his room, Merlin let out a long sigh of relief. Only in the Dark Spirit Realm did he feel such peace and comfort.
"Earlier, Didymos helped unlock the runes on the *Vast Codex*. Now, this legendary artifact has revealed its true form. Perhaps it really does hold clues to the second and third volumes," Merlin thought aloud.
He retrieved the *Vast Codex* from his ring. The codex, now devoid of its radiant glow, appeared more unassuming. This, Merlin surmised, was its true form.
Opening the book, he found lines of mysterious Morta text inscribed on its pages. Carefully, he began to read.
---
"The three volumes of the *Vast Codex* are simply collections of spells and Pandora Spells I created out of boredom. Initially, I intended to destroy them, but on a whim, I decided to scatter them across different locations.
The second volume lies somewhere along the shores of the Sea of Death. Possessing the first volume will naturally guide you to it.
The third volume resides within the Stone Caves of Mo. Only by holding both the first and second volumes can you locate the third.
To the fortunate individual who gathers all three volumes, know this: the spells and Pandora Spells they contain are mere trifles, hardly worth mentioning. However, in a moment of inspiration, I sealed a fragment of a Law in a secret place. Only by uniting the three volumes can this Law be uncovered."
---
As Merlin finished reading, his heart raced.
The Morta text revealed that the creator of the codices regarded the spells and Pandora Spells within them as trivial. However, the mention of a sealed *Law* piqued Merlin's curiosity.
What exactly was a *Law*? Merlin wasn't entirely sure, but he understood its value. Even Archmages couldn't control the Laws. Artifacts like space rings contained fragments of Laws, yet their creation was beyond the reach of modern Archmages.
Even Merlin's Bell Space was said to contain traces of a Law.
Though he lacked full understanding, Merlin knew Laws were treasures beyond imagination. And yet, a fragment of one had been left behind by this mysterious spellcaster—accessible only to those who could unite the three volumes.
The second volume's location, the Sea of Death, was legendary. Situated far to the south, beyond the territories of many spellcaster organizations, the Sea of Death was a perilous expanse that even fourth-level spellcasters feared to approach. Perhaps only seventh-level spellcasters could safely venture there.
As for the third volume, hidden in the Stone Caves of Mo, Merlin had never even heard of such a place.
"To reach the Sea of Death alone is nearly impossible for me right now. Obtaining the second volume would be as challenging as climbing the heavens…"
Merlin shook his head, resigned to the difficulty of the task. Though the rewards were tantalizing, achieving them seemed a distant prospect.
Setting the codex aside, Merlin retrieved the Pandora Spell he had taken from Viss: *Destructive Wind*. Though powerful, it was a wind-based spell, incompatible with his current abilities.
He pondered exchanging it within the Dark Spirit Realm for a Pandora Spell that suited him better.
Such an exchange was a significant matter, and Merlin knew that Leo Mentor's assistance would greatly facilitate the process.
Determined, he left his room once more to seek out Leo Mentor.
---
"Leo Mentor, I have a matter that requires your assistance," Merlin said respectfully upon finding Leo.
"What is it?" Leo asked, his expression calm and indifferent.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Merlin finally said, "I'd like to exchange a Pandora Spell within the Dark Spirit Realm."
Leo's previously composed demeanor shifted. The blood-red vertical eye on his forehead opened wide, fixing an intense gaze on Merlin.