Chapter 144: The Final Battle (Part 3)

"How did Mage Merlin win?"

Many mages below the platform were perplexed when they saw Merlin leave the stage. Due to their limited mental strength, they couldn't see what had happened within the *Dark Fog*, leaving them confused. However, the high-level mages, those above level four, had a clear view of everything that transpired within the fog.

Mage Nasha, frowning, turned to Mage Leo and asked in a low voice, "Mage Leo, did you notice anything unusual? The *Dark Fog* Merlin released at the end seemed different."

Mage Leo, his expression unchanged, replied, "It was indeed different. Perhaps he has some mysterious magical tool, something like my *Dark Eye*. But whatever it is, it's his secret. He's managed to construct six spell models; of course, he's bound to have a few secrets."

Nasha nodded thoughtfully, realizing that Leo was shielding Merlin. With Leo's words, even the other high-level mages wouldn't dare question Merlin's secrets too closely.

After all, Merlin's mentor was none other than Mage Leo. In the Dark Spirit Domain, Mage Leo's students were generally regarded as the least talented, the least promising. They were often scorned by mages from other towers. But, none of the higher-level mages dared to underestimate Mage Leo.

Within the Dark Spirit Domain, Leo was recognized as the most powerful mage below level seven, with the *Dark Eye* said to rival even a level-seven mage in strength. Though much of this was speculation, it hinted at Leo's incredible power. With Leo's protection, no one, apart from the level-seven mages themselves, would risk offending him over Merlin.

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Half an hour later, Merlin was suddenly roused by Anlena, who quickly said, "Merlin, your opponent has been decided. It's Mage Ebur."

"Ebur?" Merlin frowned. He had expected Cecil to win, as Mage Cecil was significantly stronger than Mage Ebur.

The only opponent who had truly seemed formidable to Merlin in this tournament had been Cecil. Yet, to his surprise, Cecil had been defeated.

"How did Cecil lose?" Merlin regretted not watching the match between Cecil and Ebur, as he had been preoccupied with replenishing his mana using elemental crystals.

Anlena looked slightly puzzled and then shook her head. "Ebur won because of his many magical tools… Cecil was completely overpowered by them."

"Magical tools?" Merlin thought of the various scrolls and magical items he had seen other mages use in previous matches, though most only had one or two, usually low-level spells. Even basic spell scrolls were costly for beginner mages.

Just as Anlena was about to explain further, the gray-robed mage called out Merlin's name.

"The final match: Mage Merlin versus Mage Ebur!"

Merlin raised his hand to stop Anlena, his gaze shifting toward Ebur. "No need to explain. In the final round, I'll see for myself."

With that, Merlin stepped up to the platform for the final, much-anticipated showdown.

Merlin and Ebur stood in silence on the platform, but Merlin paid little attention to his opponent. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the distant, towering spires. He sensed that the level-seven mages within those towers had already withdrawn their gaze, no longer observing the final match.

"Have they already made their decision? Or did none of us catch their interest?" Merlin wondered, puzzled at the lack of attention from the level-seven mages, as Ebur began his preparations.

The protective runic barrier slowly enveloped the platform, and only then did Merlin turn to face his opponent.

"Merlin!"

"Ebur!"

The two exchanged a brief, polite nod. Ebur's expression grew stern, and he took several cautious steps back, clearly wary of Merlin.

Merlin frowned slightly. Ebur was just an ordinary four-element mage, with weaker mental power than Mage Holmes and no mastery of higher-level spells. How had he managed to defeat Cecil?

Despite his curiosity, Merlin didn't hesitate. With Ebur's level of mental power, he wouldn't need the enhanced *Dark Fog*—the standard version should suffice to draw him into a trance.

*"Dark Fog!"*

A thick fog swiftly enveloped Ebur, who immediately reacted by pulling out a spell scroll and activating it with his mental power.

*Whoosh!*

A gust of wind roared to life, creating a howling vortex.

"*Wind Gust?*" Merlin was taken aback. *Wind Gust* was a first-level spell, considered unimpressive and often ignored by most mages due to its low power. Yet here it was, scattering Merlin's *Dark Fog* before it could even reach Ebur.

"Interesting. So there's a spell that counters *Dark Fog*?" Merlin thought, a bit surprised. *Dark Fog* had seemed nearly unbeatable, but now it had been neutralized by an unexpected first-level spell.

"Let's try again. *Dark Fog!*"

Merlin continued to cast *Dark Fog*, once, twice, a dozen times—yet each time, Ebur's gusts blew it away. Merlin finally paused, then shifted tactics, releasing powerful bolts of lightning.

*"Lightning Net!"*

A net of electricity spread out, descending upon Ebur. For a moment, a hint of hesitation flickered across Ebur's face before he retrieved another scroll, glowing faintly with a golden light.

*Boom.*

As soon as the scroll activated, a massive burst of elemental energy surged forth. Despite the barrier protecting the platform, the air turned icy, even causing a chill to ripple through the audience below.

*"Extreme Icefield!"*

A strange, vacuum-like field formed around Ebur, extending four or five meters outwards. Anything entering this area instantly froze and shattered.

Even Merlin's *Lightning Net* dissipated upon entering the field, as if the lightning bolts had vanished into thin air.

"*Fireball!*" Merlin called out, sending a dozen fireballs toward Ebur. Yet, as they neared the freezing field, they solidified, dropping and shattering upon impact.

Merlin couldn't help but gasp. He realized that this was a defensive spell, far more powerful than a first-level spell, perhaps even beyond second-level. This could be a third-level spell—or higher!

Merlin tried several more attacks, using enhanced fireballs and *Lightning Net*, but nothing worked. He finally understood why Cecil had lost. Ebur's tools—his scrolls—were simply too powerful. They were so costly that even winning the tournament's contribution points likely wouldn't cover the expenses of such an arsenal.

"Enough. I concede!" Merlin admitted, knowing that nothing he had would break through Ebur's *Extreme Icefield*, not even his strongest magical items.

Ebur seemed to let out a sigh of relief, clearly wary of Merlin's abilities.

"By the way, Mage Ebur," Merlin asked out of curiosity, "what level is the spell on that *Extreme Icefield* scroll?"

Ebur, in a surprisingly modest tone, replied, "It's a fourth-level spell scroll, crafted by my family specifically for protection."

"A fourth-level spell…" Merlin shook his head, realizing that despite his current strength, he was far from reaching such heights. Ebur's family must have been powerful indeed to provide him with a scroll of that level for protection.

"Congratulations, Mage Ebur, on your victory in the Dark Spirit Domain Tournament," Merlin said, stepping down from the platform with a calm smile.

Anlena and several of the other mages from Mage Leo's tower quickly approached him, some looking dissatisfied.

"Merlin, you're the real winner of this tournament," Anlena said, still slightly indignant. "Ebur only succeeded because of his magical tools."

Merlin simply smiled, saying nothing. Ebur may have won, but the real purpose of this tournament was to identify mages with the greatest talent and potential.

Merlin glanced once more at the distant spires, where the level-seven mages resided. He was certain that by now, they had made their selections. All that was left for him to do was wait.