Chapter 100: Awaiting the Birth (Part 2)

The wedding of Baron Wilson Merlin became the grandest event Pagus City had seen in over a decade. Nobles of all ranks from across the city came personally to congratulate Merlin on his marriage, and even those who couldn't attend in person sent representatives.

Earl Selin himself made an appearance at Wilson Castle to offer blessings to Baron Merlin and his two brides. The splendor of the celebration became a story talked about with enthusiasm for years to come.

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"Matrix, activate!"

"Beep. Matrix activated successfully. Please create a task!"

"Analyze the 'Earth's Protection' spell model."

"Beep. Analysis started."

In his room, Merlin activated the analytical functions of the Matrix, beginning the reconstruction of the earth-element spell "Earth's Protection," which he had obtained from the old man in black robes.

It had been a year since Merlin married Avril and Sherlis, and both wives were now nine months pregnant. During this time, Merlin had not remained idle. He continued practicing the poses from the mysterious sculpture, resulting in a significant enhancement of his physical abilities, now comparable to those of a third-level elemental swordsman.

However, advancing from third to fourth level seemed like a barrier, requiring extensive time and effort. Merlin estimated that even with regular practice, he might need several years to achieve the physical attributes of a fourth-level swordsman.

As a spellcaster, Merlin had fewer requirements for physical strength. His current level, on par with a third-level swordsman, was already formidable. Meanwhile, his magical prowess had developed rapidly, enabling him to cast Fireball and Ice spells in succession around fifty times without exhausting his reserves.

His mana reserves had grown significantly, equaling those of the black-robed elder who had accumulated power for years. This progress was largely due to Merlin's refined spell models, optimized by the Matrix. Unlike most spell models that could only support around thirty or forty casts, Merlin's efficient spell models allowed him to harness greater power with stability. The old man's model, though learned from military sources, was unstable and capped at forty casts.

In addition to his increased mana, Merlin's mental power had also grown steadily, though slowly. He could now handle three spell models without issue, allowing him to task the Matrix with analyzing "Earth's Protection" and simulate it as his third spell model.

"Beep. Analysis complete. A total of 87,651 spell models have been analyzed."

The Matrix had produced over eighty thousand models for Earth's Protection, fewer than the 180,000 and 120,000 models for Fireball and Ice spells, respectively. Merlin had deduced that the Matrix's analytical depth depended on the data available. The large number of existing Fireball spell models provided the Matrix with ample reference points, resulting in a high number of optimized models.

The Ice spell, having several models to reference, had produced over 120,000 models. Earth's Protection, however, only had a single model from the old man in black robes, limiting the Matrix's analysis to just over eighty thousand models.

From these, Merlin carefully selected the most stable and powerful model. Witnessing the black-robed elder's struggles, he had resolved that stability was paramount, even at the cost of power. An unstable model could lead to disastrous consequences.

After choosing the model, Merlin proceeded with the final step: simulating the spell model in his mental space. This task posed little danger, as long as his mental power was sufficient.

A soft hum resonated as Merlin spent hours creating the Earth's Protection model within his mind. Soon, he sensed numerous small, earth-colored points of light gathering around him, drawn to the spell model and lending it a dense, weighty presence. He knew these were earth elements; as they accumulated, he would eventually be able to cast Earth's Protection.

With Earth's Protection, a purely defensive spell, Merlin no longer needed to fear attacks from crossbowmen. When Merilong faced the thousands of crossbow bolts within Earl Selin's castle, he had defended himself solely with Earth's Protection. The spell's formidable defensive power had shielded him from the deadly rain of arrows.

Though Merlin had obtained the spell from the black-robed elder, the Matrix's analysis had produced a model far superior in both stability and power. Even Merilong's Earth's Protection, learned in the Abyss Fortress, likely fell short of Merlin's optimized model.

Taking a deep breath, Merlin smiled, feeling the three spell models now present within his mental space.

Having three spell models meant he was now ready to construct first-level spell models, assuming his mental power sufficed and he possessed matching first-level spell models. Success would mark him as a true first-level spellcaster.

The old man's notes described first-level spellcasters as the true entry point into the realm of magic. Such power distinguished them from ordinary people, even extending their lifespan. Many first-level spellcasters could live close to two hundred years—a longevity unimaginable to most.

As his third spell model absorbed mana, Merlin was eager to test its defensive capacity. But before he could, hurried footsteps echoed outside his door.

"Baron!"

Merlin stood and opened the door to see his butler, visibly anxious.

"Quick, Lady Sherlis is about to give birth. Please hurry!"

"About to give birth?" Merlin felt a surge of excitement. It was indeed time; both Sherlis and Avril had been pregnant for nine months now. Without hesitation, Merlin set aside his plans to test Earth's Protection and followed the butler to Sherlis's room, his heart racing with anticipation.