Chapter 192: Slay

Seeing Merlin's pale, frost-covered finger pointing at him, Damasu Mage's expression changed dramatically. Fire elements around him surged.

"Lava Flame! Die!"

Damasu instantly cast his third-level spell, Lava Flame. Suddenly, a torrent of fiery red flames erupted like a volcanic explosion, rushing violently toward Merlin.

*Crack, crack.*

Merlin's face remained calm. He pointed his finger, releasing a translucent chill that collided with the raging flames. In an instant, the flames froze into blocks of ice and shattered upon hitting the ground.

Ordinarily, flames suppress ice, but powerful ice magic can freeze fire if the ice spell is significantly stronger. For example, a third-level ice spell can easily freeze a first-level fire spell. Damasu's Lava Flame was one of the strongest third-level fire spells, capable of overwhelming most targets with its explosive power.

However, as soon as it encountered Merlin's Extreme Ice Finger, the flames were quickly subdued. The entire sea of flames was engulfed in frost, frozen into brittle shards that fell to the ground and shattered.

At the same time, the chilling aura turned into a white flash, swiftly advancing toward Damasu.

"No! This can't be happening!"

Panic-stricken, Damasu paled and retreated rapidly, casting a series of earth-based defensive spells. Earth elements quickly gathered around him, forming a thick armor that emitted a yellowish glow, enveloping him in a barrier comparable to Merlin's enhanced Guardian Monolith.

Damasu's face eased slightly, confident in his shield. But before he could even exhale in relief, Merlin's Extreme Ice Finger reached him.

*Crack.*

The freezing energy enveloped Damasu, and the thick layer of earth-element armor froze over. Although Damasu's confidence was unwavering, Merlin's cold smile remained. Extreme Ice Finger had drained a significant portion of Merlin's power, but he knew its potency.

"Shatter!"

Merlin whispered, and Damasu's earth-armor began to crack. With each shatter, fragments of ice flew off until the armor disintegrated completely. Damasu's blood flow itself seemed to freeze as he was encased in layer upon layer of ice, his entire form locked in a frozen prison.

"Merlin Mage, stop!"

Samir, having snapped out of his shock, looked at Merlin with a mix of emotions. But Merlin only shook his head slightly—he knew the lethal effects of Extreme Ice Finger all too well. For a spellcaster with a physically weak constitution, there was no way to withstand it.

*Crack.*

Just as expected, Damasu's body, encased in ice, fractured and crumbled, scattering across the ground as a pile of shattered fragments.

The room fell into stunned silence as Samir and the other two third-level mages stared at Merlin, their faces filled with disbelief. A third-level spellcaster, killed in one blow by Merlin—a novice spellcaster?

A sense of dread appeared on their faces. They couldn't comprehend what Merlin had just done, nor how he possessed such a terrifying power.

After a long pause, Lyson, who had been the most amiable of the group, examined the icy shards on the floor and, focusing on Merlin's frost-covered finger, said in a grave tone, "It's Arcane Energy... the fabled Pandora Arcane Energy."

Merlin raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn't expected Lyson, who appeared so unassuming, to recognize the Pandora Arcane Energy.

Killing Damasu had served a purpose beyond mere revenge for the attack; Merlin wanted to establish his strength before these third-level mages. Each of them had their own motives for entering the ruins. With Merlin's enhanced spell tool and his newfound Arcane Energy, he knew they might feel tempted. Damasu's clear greed for Merlin's enhancement tool was just a symptom of a greater risk. In the ruins, anything could happen, and Merlin wanted to discourage any thoughts of betrayal.

Now, Samir and the others looked at Merlin with newfound respect. His plan had succeeded.

Finally, Samir spoke, "I didn't expect you to have the Pandora Arcane Energy. Damasu Mage only brought this upon himself."

Samir's face revealed conflicting emotions. He knew Merlin's background and that two months ago, Merlin had not yet possessed the Arcane Energy. This realization filled him with a sense of gratitude; had Merlin possessed this power earlier, Samir's fate might have been similar to Damasu's.

Merlin quietly listened as the remaining mages discussed the expedition into the ruins. He had little knowledge of the plan and took in all that Samir and the others revealed.

"Let's depart for the ruins in ten days. Does that work for everyone?" Samir asked, his gaze moving across the group.

Merlin was the first to nod. "No objections. I'm ready whenever."

Lyson and Buren also nodded in agreement. With the plan set, they each left Samir's residence.

---

Merlin, cloaked in a wide, black robe, exuded an icy aura that subtly repelled the surrounding spellcasters. The frigid energy was a side effect of the Extreme Ice Finger spell—Merlin had no way to conceal it entirely.

Just as he was about to return to Mage Buren's quarters, Merlin suddenly stopped. His face darkened, and he swiftly turned, raising his finger in preparation to use Extreme Ice Finger.

"Don't misunderstand, Mage Merlin—it's me!"

From the shadows, Lyson emerged.

Merlin's thoughts raced. Lyson, while appearing ordinary, had been the only one to recognize Merlin's Pandora Arcane Energy. Though Samir and Buren had heard of the power, only Lyson seemed to truly understand its nature.

"What do you want, Mage Lyson? Why have you followed me?" Merlin asked, keeping his guard up, his hand ready to unleash Extreme Ice Finger at any moment.

Lyson raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "No need to be so wary, Mage Merlin. I didn't even bring my alchemical creature. I'd never dare test Pandora Arcane Energy on myself."

Merlin scrutinized Lyson, noting the absence of his alchemical creature. Since much of an alchemist's strength lay in their creations, Lyson's decision to come unarmed did convey a degree of sincerity.

Merlin didn't drop his guard entirely, though. "Why are you here? If you have something to say, why not speak back at Samir's?"

Lyson's expression grew serious as he replied, "Because what I have to tell you, Mage Merlin, would interest you greatly. It concerns the ancient ruins—and it's something that Samir and Buren know nothing about."

Lyson's mysterious tone suggested he indeed had valuable information. After considering briefly, Merlin nodded. "Very well. Since it's important, let's talk inside."

He stepped aside, allowing Lyson to enter his quarters.