Chapter 257: The Black Cat Didymos

Merlin's body trembled slightly as the mental projection in Bell's Spatial Zone merged seamlessly with his mental energy. Instantly, his mental power began to grow explosively, yet the sensation was neither abrupt nor alien. It felt as if the energy had been cultivated by Merlin himself, as the projection had always been intrinsically connected to him.

Thus, the mental energy cultivated by the projection could fully integrate into Merlin's own reserves, enhancing his mental strength significantly.

The growth was beyond Merlin's expectations. He had assumed that the projection would allow his mental energy to multiply several times over, but he hadn't anticipated that Bell's Spatial Zone had a limit for the amount of mental energy it could hold.

Now, he had no choice but to absorb the projection's energy and then leave another mental projection within the zone to continue cultivating. This method was proving to be faster than even the effects of consuming Illusionary Demon Potions.

"My mental energy is growing stronger... but it's still not quite enough. The second-tier darkness spell *Tide of Darkness* requires an immense amount of mental energy. I might barely be able to construct it now, but the risk would be significant."

As Merlin felt the rapid increase in his mental energy, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

Constructing *Tide of Darkness* was tempting—it would vastly enhance his power. With its superior illusionary effects, he could potentially trap even fourth-level spellcasters in illusions.

However, as the spells he constructed became more complex and higher-level, Merlin grew increasingly cautious. Without sufficient confidence, he wouldn't recklessly attempt to construct a new spell model.

For now, Merlin decided to wait until he returned to the Dark Spirit Realm and further strengthened his mental energy before attempting to construct *Tide of Darkness*.

"It's time to leave Doron City. I can't predict how Osm would react, but it's better to avoid unnecessary risks."

Merlin understood the stakes. He had killed Bluebird and Viss. Even though Bluebird had provoked him, it was unclear whether Osm would abandon their attempts to recruit him and instead treat him as a threat to eliminate.

Such decisions would ultimately rest with Osm's leadership, but Merlin wasn't foolish enough to remain in Doron City and wait for retaliation. Returning to the safety of the Dark Spirit Realm was the wisest choice. Osm wouldn't risk breaching their agreements with the Dark Spirit Realm and other spellcaster organizations just to target a first-level spellcaster.

"Lorinka!" Merlin called out softly.

The door creaked open as Lorinka quickly entered the room, her demeanor respectful. "Merlin, do you need something?"

Seeing her posture, Merlin nodded slightly. Lorinka had fully embraced her new role as his attendant.

A spellcaster's attendant was not a trivial role—it required constant presence and readiness to fulfill their spellcaster's needs at a moment's notice. So far, Lorinka was performing admirably.

"Lorinka, go fetch Emma. I'm preparing to return to the Dark Spirit Realm," Merlin instructed with a smile.

A flicker of excitement crossed Lorinka's eyes. Becoming Merlin's attendant was her ticket back to the Dark Spirit Realm. Only there could she truly reap the benefits of her role, which would greatly aid her journey to becoming a first-level spellcaster.

She bowed and exited to carry out the task. Shortly after, she returned with Emma.

"Teacher!" Emma greeted respectfully.

"Emma," Merlin began, "I'll be taking you to the Dark Spirit Realm. Take this opportunity to say goodbye to your friends. It's unlikely you'll see them again."

Merlin spoke with a touch of melancholy. After joining the Dark Spirit Realm, he had rarely returned home, visiting Pughas City only once over the years. Emma would face a similar fate, with little chance of reuniting with her friends.

Emma's expression dimmed briefly, but she quickly composed herself, having mentally prepared for this moment.

"Teacher, I'll go bid them farewell now," she said, bowing before leaving the room.

As he watched her depart, Merlin's thoughts drifted to his family in Pughas City.

"Meixue and Argus should be married by now. They might even have children. I wonder when I'll get the chance to visit Pughas City again…"

He sighed deeply. Though he felt a pang of longing for his family, he didn't regret the path he had chosen, even if it meant enduring this bittersweet separation.

Soon, Emma returned with Lorinka, both ready to depart.

"Let's go," Merlin said.

He hadn't informed the Sandinson family of his departure, trusting that Lorinka had already taken care of it. Without further delay, he led Emma and Lorinka out of Doron City.

The Dark Spirit Realm was shrouded in mystery. Its exact location was unknown, and accessing it required the use of its rune arrays. Lorinka, familiar with the location of these arrays, guided them to a hidden site.

Merlin glanced at Lorinka. She couldn't enter the rune array without a Dark Spirit Ring. Both he and Emma possessed such rings, granting them access to the Dark Spirit Realm. Lorinka, however, would need Merlin to request an attendant's ring for her after his return.

"Lorinka," Merlin said, "wait here for a while. I'll bring back a Dark Spirit Ring for you through the array."

Lorinka smiled and nodded. "Merlin, there's no danger here. I'll wait patiently."

Satisfied, Merlin entered the rune array with Emma. As they stepped inside, intricate runes glowed and enveloped them in light.

With a flash of white, they vanished.

---

On a tranquil, sunlit beach, a white light appeared, and Merlin and Emma emerged from it.

Merlin was already accustomed to the serene environment of the Dark Spirit Realm. Without hesitation, he headed toward the massive stone monument ahead.

Emma, however, was filled with curiosity, her eyes darting around to take in the sights. Having heard countless tales about spellcaster organizations, she had always longed to witness one. Now, everything she saw fascinated her.

"Master Didymos!" Merlin greeted respectfully as they reached the monument.

Moments later, a burst of light emerged from the stone, gradually forming into the shape of a proud black cat—Didymos, the spirit of the Dark Spirit Realm's monument.

Didymos glanced at Merlin, then shifted its sharp gaze to Emma. In a piercing voice, it said, "Not bad, Merlin. You've brought another spellcaster to the Dark Spirit Realm."

"Master Didymos, here's something I believe you'll enjoy—ice-elemental crystals," Merlin said, pulling a handful of crystals from his ring and tossing them to the black cat.

Didymos devoured the crystals in one gulp, a satisfied expression crossing its face. "Not bad. It's been ages since anyone has fed me this well. Speak—what do you wish for? The great Didymos will grant it!"

The black cat spoke grandly, exactly as Merlin had hoped. This time, Merlin did have a favor to ask.

"Master Didymos," Merlin began, "during my travels, I acquired the first volume of the legendary *Vast Codex*. Rumor has it that this volume contains clues to the second and third volumes, but I've been unable to find anything. I hope you might assist me in uncovering these clues."

Merlin retrieved the *Vast Codex* as he explained, intending for Didymos to use its ancient knowledge to decipher any hidden information within the book.

Didymos, usually aloof, froze at the mention of the *Vast Codex*. Its eyes sharpened as it stared intently at Merlin. The air around them grew heavy, as if an invisible force had descended.

For the first time, Merlin truly felt the overwhelming power of the monument's spirit—a creation of the Dark Spirit Realm's founder, Archmage Fidel. Despite its appearance, Didymos was a being of unparalleled strength.

"You… obtained the *Vast Codex*?" Didymos's voice was no longer casual but laced with gravity.

"Yes, Master Didymos. Here it is," Merlin replied, holding out the glowing codex. Its faint light illuminated the space, radiating an aura of profound mystery.