Meeting

It was somewhat cold outside. Merlin wrapped his big coat tightly around himself and followed Prat. They walked approximately a hundred meters before they came to the bottom of a mottled wall. All of a sudden, Prat halted his footsteps and turned around to speak to Merlin, "Master Merlin, we've arrived. It's here." 

Merlin looked to where Prat was gazing. As expected, not far in front of them, a strange wind had appeared in the air. The area occupied by this strange wind was not large; a vortex was formed, spinning without ceasing at the moment. It was emitting noises like the whimper of a baby.

"That's strange, the wind isn't rising!"

Merlin frowned. This was a really strange wind. Other than this, there was no wind in any other places. Merlin took a few steps forward to get closer to this strange wind. He acutely discovered that this strange wind was not in a disorderly state; it followed a certain regularity, as though some mysterious energy was controlling this strange wind.

"Master Merlin, this strange wind is exceedingly strong. We've had a few knights who'd wanted to check it out, but they were bruised by the flying stones in the strange wind. By the time we waited until the wind had disappeared to take a closer look, we couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. It's extremely odd."

Prat glanced at Merlin and said in a soft voice.

However, Merlin was no longer paying attention to Prat's words. At the moment, he was using his Mind Power to check out this strange wind.

Sensing through his Mind Power, Merlin could feel numerous Wind Elements. They were all very violent, but these violent Wind Elements seemed to have been confined by an orderly energy, so they could only turn according to a certain rule.

The typical characteristic of a spell was to cause Elements to move according to a certain rule! The spells released by a Spell Caster was, in actual fact, Elements operating according to a defined pattern under the effect of Spell Models.

For example, the Fireball that Merlin had mastered at the moment was to operate according to the Spell Model of the Fireball; those violent Fire Elements were condensed into a small fireball, which made it possible for it to possess a terrible destructive power.

The strange wind in front of him seemed to be a sort of spell!

However, this sort of spell was really scattered. Its power had been reduced to the lowest possible, and could only maintain control over Wind Elements within a few square meters. Therefore, this would not have been produced by a Spell Caster prompting a Spell Model, but a spell automatically released by a casting tool without being controlled by anyone.

Casting tools were tools created by Spell Casters to help cast magic. For example, magic staffs and scrolls belonged to the category of casting tools. Merlin had also seen from old man Etha's Spell Manual that every casting tool was extremely precious. Usually, only powerful Spell Casters above the First-level could, after expending great amounts of efforts and materials, create casting tools.

Therefore, even old man Etha had not had any casting tools.

When the thought came to him that the appearance of this strange wind was possibly caused by a casting tool, Merlin's heart became very excited. Any piece of casting tool would be something a Spell Caster had always dreamed of.

However, although Merlin felt very excited in his heart, he did not reveal any changes on his face. Instead, he said in a cool voice, "Uncle Prat, wait here, I'll go near and take a look."

General Prat exhorted, "Master Merlin, you have to be careful. Don't get too close to avoid getting hurt."

Merlin nodded. Following which, he took a few steps forward and approached the strange wind.

The force of the strange wind was very strong, indeed. Furthermore, it was such a cold day; the strange wind sliced across his face, causing a pain that felt as though he had been cut by knives. However, Merlin did not stop. He unleashed his Mind Power and began searching for the source of this strange wind.

He could only find the casting tool that was unleashing the strange wind if he could find its source.

"Uncle Prat and the others have already searched, but they've not discovered anything. This means that, perhaps, the casting tool is not on the ground, but buried underground."

Merlin carefully did his analysis. He had the help of his Mind Power, so he was able to easily explore the source of this strange wind. It was under a corner of the wall, directly stretching down into the ground. Just as he had concluded after his analysis, there was definitely a casting tool buried underground there.

Merlin had found the source of the strange wind and had come to the conclusion. After analysis, it was very possible that a casting tool had been buried somewhere underground. However, with Prat next to him now, watching him, Merlin did not have the opportunity to search for this casting tool. He could only quietly commit the approximate position to memory and wait until daytime tomorrow before he could come and look for it.

Having made a firm decision in his heart, Merlin withdrew. Prat hurriedly took a few steps forward and shone the weak candlelight upon Merlin, asking in a concerned manner, "Master Merlin, are you alright?"

Prat had seen Merlin stand without moving in front of the strange wind just now. He felt that it was strange, and had even thought that Merlin had been injured by the strange wind.

Merlin shook his head gently. "I'm fine. Go back."

Prat took a careful look over Merlin's entire body but did not find any wounds. His felt relief in his heart and followed Merlin from behind, ready to return to the castle.

However, they had just gone halfway when they suddenly heard noises made by the hooves of horses outside. A team of cavalry was directly charging towards the castle.

Delight sprang up in Prat's heart. He hurriedly said to Merlin, "The baron must be back. Master Merlin, let's go and receive the baron quickly."

"Father?"

Merlin murmured in a low voice as his expression kept shifting. It had been a while since he arrived in this world. Finally, he was about to meet with Old Wilson.

Old Wilson was the person closest to Merlin, so he did not know whether Old Merlin would discover some signs.

"Master Merlin, let's go quickly. The baron often talks about you even in the territory."

Seeing Merlin was just standing there without making a move, General Prat hurriedly urged him.

"En, let's go, it's time you should meet up..."

Prat did not notice the change in Merlin's expression. Thus, they speedily walked towards the castle.

After a short while, many servants came out of the castle. They lit up the lights that embellished the inside of the castle, causing the place to look as bright as day, before respectfully welcoming the return of Old Wilson.

"Baron, sir!"

With a quick step, Prat immediately knelt to the floor with one knee and saluted Old Wilson.

Old Wilson was riding on his horse at the moment. He wore a black armor and had a burly body build, thick eyebrows and big eyes. His body emitted an aura that felt as horrifying as a wild beast.

Currently, Old Wilson wielded a greatsword in his hand. There were even some traces of fresh blood left on the body of the sword; it seemed as though he had just been through a great battle.

"Eh? Merlin?"

Finally, Old Wilson's eyes fell on Merlin. His body had just been releasing the aura that felt as terrifying as a wild beast. However, after seeing Merlin, the aura immediately turned into a thick emanation of love, causing Merlin to feel very intimate.

"Father!"

Merli took a deep breath and walked a few steps forward as well, letting out his voice in a yell.