Chapter 145: Who Did They Choose?

The Dark Spirit Domain's gathering had ended, but many mages remained, their gazes fixed on the distant, towering spires that rose high into the sky. Everyone knew that the attention of the level-seven mages had briefly focused here, and if anyone caught their eye, they'd be taken to one of the high towers. Becoming the student of a level-seven mage would mean a meteoric rise to the top.

However, level-seven mages only took on students if they saw exceptional potential, so every mage waited in quiet anticipation.

"They're coming!"

Suddenly, Mage Leo's *Dark Eye* glowed faintly red, and he spoke in a calm tone. While Nasha and the others noticed no immediate movement, they trusted in the strange powers of Leo's eye and followed his gaze toward the distant towers.

Indeed, soft lights began to emanate from one of the towers, and a gust of wind appeared, carrying a figure onto the high platform.

"It's Mage Alvis, the servant of Mage Robia. This time, it seems Mage Robia has found someone worth choosing."

Seeing the new arrival, a murmur spread through the crowd. Mage Alvis was a level-four mage, capable of constructing his own tower within the Dark Spirit Domain. But as a servant to level-seven Mage Robia, he did not have the independence to do so. As such, Alvis had remained under Robia's wing, living within the high tower.

His presence here now clearly indicated that he was acting on behalf of Mage Robia.

Mage Alvis bowed slightly, paying his respects to the mages above level four.

"Alvis," Leo suddenly asked, "may I ask who has caught Mage Robia's eye this time?"

Seeing Leo address him, Alvis immediately responded with respectful deference. Other than the level-seven mages, it was well-known that Leo was the most powerful in the Dark Spirit Domain, and even Mage Robia himself had once admitted that he wasn't certain he could counter Leo's *Dark Eye.*

"Mage Leo," Alvis replied humbly, "Mage Robia has chosen only one person, so I've been tasked with bringing them to the tower."

Turning, Alvis scanned the mages gathered below, and for a moment, anticipation flickered across the faces of many, including Merlin, Mage Loane, Mage Ebur, and Mage Cecil. Even those who had been defeated, like Mage Neil, looked up with hope.

Finally, Alvis's gaze landed on Mage Cecil, and with a faint smile, he said, "Mage Cecil, please come with me."

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Merlin, Ebur, Neil, Loane, and many others felt their faces pale, and Merlin's fists clenched tightly.

"Why Cecil?"

Many turned to glance at Merlin—some in confusion, others in regret, and a few with smug satisfaction. To them, it seemed that while Ebur had won the final match with his powerful tools, Merlin had undoubtedly been the most exceptional mage in the gathering, a rare six-element mage—an unparalleled prodigy.

Yet, Mage Robia had chosen Cecil. Though Cecil had mastered complex four-element spells, each requiring five contribution points in the Tower of All Things, and had even constructed a first-level spell, it seemed he still fell short of Merlin.

While the novice mages were puzzled, the higher-level mages—those above level four—showed little surprise.

If Mage Robia hadn't chosen Cecil, they themselves would have vied to take him as a student, as he clearly had the potential to become a first-level mage with a high success rate. Furthermore, his skill in spell construction was undeniable. With proper guidance, he could potentially rise to become a powerful four-element mage.

A mage with stable potential and a high likelihood of progressing smoothly was precisely the kind of student the powerful mages favored most.

When Merlin displayed talent as a four-element mage, some were interested; when he showed himself to be a five-element mage, the interest grew, and there was speculation that he might become the Dark Spirit Domain's next great five-element talent, after Kress. But when he finally revealed himself as a six-element mage, the enthusiasm faded. Although a six-element mage was extraordinarily rare, the odds of progressing to a first-level mage were dauntingly low.

Even the seven-level mages had their doubts. For a level-seven mage to take on a student who ultimately failed to progress to a first-level mage would be an embarrassment.

Alvis gave a slight, regretful glance at Merlin. The high towers had certainly discussed Merlin, each with the same sentiment: bold, courageous, and skilled in spell construction, a promising five-element mage—until he revealed his sixth element.

No such student had ever progressed in the Dark Spirit Domain or even in larger mage guilds. The seven-level mages had agreed that while Cecil represented a stable, predictable choice, Merlin was far more uncertain.

With a simple wave of his hand, Alvis conjured a breeze that gently lifted Cecil from the crowd onto the platform, demonstrating impressive control over his magic.

"Mage Leo," Alvis said respectfully, "congratulations on an exceptional student. If Mage Merlin becomes a first-level mage, the entire Dark Spirit Domain will surely be abuzz, and Mage Robia will personally offer his congratulations."

Then, carrying Cecil aloft on a steady wind, Alvis ascended from the platform, leaving the gathered mages below in awe.

"Truly remarkable!" Mage Nasha murmured, admiring Alvis's effortless demonstration.

"Well, now that the seven-level mages have chosen, it's our turn."

An impatient level-six mage spoke up, eager to make his selection.

"And who caught your eye, Mage Salley?" Leo asked with a faint smile.

Mage Salley's gaze fell on Mage Loane, and he spoke in a friendly tone, "Mage Loane, I see potential in your earth-binding spell, *Earthen Cage.* I happen to specialize in earth-element binding magic. If you join me, you'd make great progress in that area. What do you say?"

Loane was taken aback by the interest. However, his own mentor, Mage Horto, was also a level-six mage and an expert in wind magic, so Loane politely declined, "Thank you, Mage Salley, but I'd prefer to remain under Mage Horto's guidance."

Mage Salley's face showed a hint of surprise and frustration as he eyed Mage Horto. He then spoke to Loane in a sterner tone, "Think carefully, Loane. Horto specializes in aggressive wind spells, while I can offer focused guidance in earth magic."

Before he could finish, Horto intervened, "Mage Salley, are you implying I'm not qualified to teach?"

As the two mages looked ready to quarrel, Leo's voice cut through the tension. "Mage Salley, you know the rules. If a mage declines, they can't be forced to join another."

Reluctantly, Mage Salley backed down, although the pressure from Leo's gaze felt as heavy as if a seven-level mage were watching.

After this brief interruption, the rest of the mages made their choices. Some found students willing to follow them, while others faced polite refusals.

When it seemed that all selections had concluded, Leo frowned slightly. No one had yet chosen Merlin. Leo had assured Merlin he'd release him if a skilled mentor showed interest, as his own lack of interest in teaching was well-known. Yet this outcome was not what either he or Merlin had expected.

Finally, Leo addressed the assembly. "Is there anyone among you who is interested in Merlin? If so, I won't stand in your way."

With Leo's words hanging in the air, the crowd fell silent. The powerful mages exchanged brief glances, but no one spoke, leaving the hall quiet enough to hear a pin drop.