Chapter 106: Assignment

Pushing open the grand doors, Merlin walked in without hesitation.

Inside was an enormous hall, the floor inlaid with tiles as smooth as mirrors. The white walls held lifelike portraits, and a few large columns, clear as crystal, flanked each side, shimmering with a translucent glow.

Entering the hall felt like stepping into a dream.

There weren't many people inside—just a few robed spellcasters in gray, some lounging idly at tables. Only when they noticed Merlin's arrival did a few of them straighten up, focusing their attention on him.

Merlin stepped forward and bowed slightly. "I'm Wilson Merlin, newly arrived in the Dark Spirit Domain. Mage Harribo instructed me to come here."

"Another newcomer? Hand over your ring for inspection."

One of the gray-robed mages, sporting a thin mustache, said this with a detached air.

Merlin took off the ring on his finger and handed it over. 

The gray-robed mage gently brushed the ring, emitting a faint elemental pulse that caused the ring to emit a subtle glow, making the mysterious runes upon it even clearer.

Nodding slightly, the gray-robed mage returned the ring to Merlin and said calmly, "Indeed, it's a Dark Spirit ring. You are Merlin?"

Merlin nodded. The mage continued, "Mage Merlin, no matter what your past identity was, upon entering the Dark Spirit Domain, you become one of us. However, as you're not yet a First-Level Spellcaster, you cannot be a full member; you're only a provisional one."

"If you fail to reach the level of a First-Level Spellcaster within three years, your Dark Spirit ring will be confiscated, and you will be expelled from the Dark Spirit Domain."

The mage's tone was strict as he laid out the rules of the Dark Spirit Domain in detail.

Merlin listened carefully. Possessing a token only allowed him provisional membership, and he needed to become a First-Level Spellcaster within three years; otherwise, he'd be expelled.

A First-Level Spellcaster was a hard requirement. Even Old Man Aita had mentioned in his spell notes that only by reaching this level could one be considered a genuine spellcaster. 

Organizations like the Dark Spirit Domain naturally required First-Level Spellcasters or higher for full membership.

"Did you understand everything?"

"Understood."

Merlin nodded. With the aid of the "Matrix," reaching First-Level Spellcaster status within three years was no issue. He'd already simulated three spell models within his sea of consciousness. With sufficient mental power, he could soon achieve the level of a First-Level Spellcaster.

Three years should be ample time, even with basic meditation, to grow his mental power to the required level.

"Good."

The mage nodded and continued, "How many spell models have you constructed?"

"Three."

Merlin answered honestly.

"Three?"

To Merlin's surprise, the mage seemed disappointed, even shaking his head, as though three models were somehow regretful.

"Are three spell models not enough?"

Merlin frowned. He was close to becoming a First-Level Spellcaster. Given the Dark Spirit Domain's reputation as a powerful organization, his current strength shouldn't be poor by their standards. So why the disappointed look?

This thought flickered through Merlin's mind, but he didn't ask immediately.

The mage, after shaking his head, flipped his hand, revealing a translucent crystal stone on the table.

"Concentrate all your mental power onto this crystal."

The mage indicated the crystal stone, signaling Merlin to proceed.

Merlin nodded and gathered his mental power toward the crystal. Suddenly, a faint white glow emerged from it.

Seeing the light, the mage shook his head once more and murmured, "Alright, your mental power is ordinary, and you've already constructed three spell models…"

The mages conferred for a moment, after which one left the hall hastily.

After a while, the mage returned, accompanied by a young woman.

"Lorinka, Merlin just arrived in the Dark Spirit Domain. Take him to Mage Leo's tower. From now on, he'll learn under Mage Leo."

The mage gestured to Merlin as he spoke to Lorinka.

Merlin took a closer look at her. She appeared young, with short, wavy blond hair and a fair neck adorned with a sparkling necklace. She looked both fresh and alluring.

"Follow me."

Lorinka said indifferently, then turned and left the hall.

Merlin followed closely behind her. Once they were outside, he couldn't resist asking, "Mage Lorinka, how are assignments made in the Dark Spirit Domain?"

"Assignments? It's simple—based on aptitude. Didn't you just undergo the assessment?"

Lorinka shook her head slightly, answering coolly.

"That was an assessment?"

Merlin frowned. The expression of those gray-robed mages hadn't exactly been approving.

Lorinka paused, sizing up Merlin. "You're a wandering mage?"

Merlin nodded. There was no reason to hide it.

"And you've constructed spell models?"

"Three."

Upon hearing this, Lorinka sighed. "No wonder you were assigned to Mage Leo. Since you've already built three spell models, your growth is limited. If the models are unstable, it'll hinder you from becoming a stronger spellcaster."

Merlin understood the implication in Lorinka's words. Successfully constructing three models wasn't an advantage; it was a significant disadvantage.

In other words, his potential was deemed too low, making him practically insignificant to those gray-robed mages.

An unstable spell model was a fatal flaw for any spellcaster. Naturally, the mages in the Dark Spirit Domain wouldn't trust that a wandering spellcaster's models were of stable quality.

However, Merlin knew that with the help of the "Matrix," his models were as stable, if not more, than those of any spellcaster within the Dark Spirit Domain.

"Then what does the white glow I saw on the crystal mean?"

Merlin pressed on with another question.

"The white glow? It signifies that your mental power is rather average."

Lorinka seemed lost in thought, then continued, "My family is a spellcaster family; some of my elders were once part of the Dark Spirit Domain. So I knew its rules well before joining. I didn't even start constructing models until I got here."

"But even with this foreknowledge, my mental power was weak during testing, barely emitting any light. So, like you, I was assigned to Mage Leo's tower. Three years have passed, yet I still haven't built a single First-Level model. Soon, I may also be sent away…"

A hint of sorrow crossed her face, her voice filled with quiet resignation.