Chapter 105: Novice Mage

The black cat strolled gracefully through the air, its short, stubby tail swaying gently. Strangely, Merlin found the cat's movements unexpectedly elegant.

An elegant cat? Merlin briefly wondered if he was losing his mind.

"Young spellcaster, don't look at me like that! I am the spirit of the great Archmage Fidel's personally crafted monument, the magnificent guardian of Darklight Domain—the mighty Didymos!"

As the black cat went on about its "greatness," Merlin felt both amused and slightly at a loss. This peculiar, arrogant black cat could speak, an ability Merlin couldn't explain, and it seemed connected to Darklight Domain, making it the ideal creature to question.

He bowed respectfully. "Great Lord Didymos, I have brought the insignia of Darklight Domain and come here seeking guidance to enter. I hope you will direct me."

Hearing Merlin's respectful tone, the cat seemed pleased. "Young spellcaster, if you wish to enter Darklight Domain, shouldn't you present some elemental crystals as tribute to the magnificent Lord Didymos?"

"Elemental crystals?" Merlin asked, puzzled. He had never heard of such things.

The cat grew irritated, its voice sharp. "Young spellcaster, show some respect to the mighty Didymos! Elemental crystals may be precious, but you shouldn't be stingy! Fire, ice, earth—any elemental crystal will do. But if you have ice crystals, that would be best! The mighty Didymos has a particular taste for those. Still, earth crystals are acceptable if you have no ice…"

Merlin watched as the cat rattled off the various types of crystals and finally shook his head, saying, "I apologize, great Lord Didymos, but this is the first I've heard of elemental crystals, and I have none on me."

The cat froze mid-sway, its mismatched eyes flashing a hint of dull gray.

"A rookie mage! How utterly disgraceful that the great Lord Didymos has to entertain a novice!"

The cat's tone shifted, now sharply mocking, almost grating on Merlin's ears.

"A novice mage! The mighty Didymos is furious—this won't end well!"

Watching the cat, Merlin could only sigh. The cat's prideful attitude and disdain were a bit much, even for an unusual creature like this one, and being called a "novice mage" left him slightly annoyed.

The black cat began to fade into a shadow, and an ear-piercing shriek burst from it, nearly unbearable to listen to.

"Lazy Popo! Get out here and receive the guest!"

With the cat's shrill command, Merlin noticed faint ripples spreading across the seemingly empty space behind the stone monument.

A figure stepped from the ripples—a stooped old man draped in a dark robe, his face expressionless and eerily stiff.

As soon as he appeared, the black cat dissolved into shadow and returned to the monument.

"'Receiving guests'…"

Merlin looked between the old man and the monument, feeling a strange discomfort.

"Young spellcaster, follow me," the old man said in a flat tone, casting Merlin a quick glance.

"Oh? Don't you need to check my insignia, Master Mage?" Merlin asked.

The old man eyed Merlin briefly and replied, "You may call me Mage Halibo. And no, we needn't check. Without the Darklight Ring, you couldn't activate the rune array. That ring is your proof of entry—don't lose it, or you won't be able to enter Darklight Domain again."

Merlin nodded, realizing the ring was his sole access key. Even if another spellcaster ventured into the Kurd Mountains, they wouldn't be able to locate Darklight Domain without it.

Raising a finger, Mage Halibo revealed a dark ring similar to Merlin's.

"Use mental energy to stimulate the runes on your ring. It's the only way to enter Darklight Domain."

Merlin nodded, channeling his mental energy toward the runes on his ring.

Instantly, a brilliant light surrounded him, and Mage Halibo took a few steps forward, his figure vanishing before Merlin's eyes.

Merlin quickly followed suit, and as he crossed the threshold, his surroundings shifted. The once-empty island was now transformed.

Towering structures stretched into the sky, emitting a soft, eerie glow. Merlin looked up, but he couldn't see the tops of these colossal towers, their heights seemingly endless.

"We're still on the island? I didn't see any of these towers before…" Merlin asked, amazed. He couldn't have missed such a monumental sight.

Without turning, Mage Halibo replied, "Of course, we're still on the island. The entire Darklight Domain is concealed by a rune array. From the island's perimeter, you can't see it. Only spellcasters wearing the Darklight Ring can trigger the array's runes and access the true domain."

Merlin nodded, silently awed. To shroud an entire island in an illusion was astonishing, a feat that could only be accomplished by a formidable spellcaster.

"Who could have created such a vast and intricate array?" Merlin asked.

Without expression, Mage Halibo replied, "The founder of Darklight Domain, the great Archmage Fidel. The spirit of the rune array, Lord Didymos, was crafted by Archmage Fidel. To imbue an array with consciousness—Fidel's mastery of runecraft was beyond comprehension!"

Despite his expressionless demeanor, Halibo's voice hinted at his profound reverence for Archmage Fidel.

"Archmage Fidel?" Merlin memorized the name. As the founder of Darklight Domain and the creator of the island's powerful rune array, Fidel had likely crafted the intricate arrays hidden within the Kurd Mountains as well.

When they reached a massive staircase, Mage Halibo stopped and turned to Merlin.

"There are people inside who will arrange your identity, living quarters, and assign you to a mentor."

With that, Mage Halibo turned and left without another word.

Merlin took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the enormous doors ahead. Steeling himself, he climbed the stone steps and prepared to step into the unknown world of Darklight Domain.