Chapter 353: The Matrix and the Flame Maxim I

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Merlin followed close behind Wizard Fosse through the cold stone staircase. The mechanical female voice of the Matrix kept reverberating in his mind.

“Beep, data integration process is successful. A total of two hundred and thirty-nine Fire-type Fourth-level spells are derived! Data incomplete, please continue to collect data and populate the database!”

The Matrix had actually derived more than two hundred Fire-type Fourth-level spells. Although more than thirty-thousand spells were populated into the database, the Matrix still felt that the data was incomplete hence that surprised Merlin. This amount of data that had been accumulated over the centuries was comparable to that of a large spell casters’ organization. Yet, it still was not enough to populate the database of the Matrix.

“It seems that I still have to continue searching for spells whenever I have the chance and populate the database!”

If there was one person most familiar with the Matrix, it had to be Merlin. Although the data in the database was not really “complete”, but “complete” was only a relative term. If it had indeed been completed, the spells derived from the Matrix would surely be very terrifying, with almost no obvious weaknesses.

Even though the database was still not “complete”, the spells derived were still very powerful. Merlin immediately exported more than two hundred spells derived from the Matrix. He wanted to see what was so unique about them.

In the end, the only problem with the new spells that he had derived was compatibility. When Merlin looked at all the Spell Models, he suddenly realized that all Spell Models actually had more than ninety percent compatibility. Some of the spells had even reached a hundred percent compatibility.

That was really hard to imagine. Even for spells from the same origin, if they were to be constructed in the Awareness, it would still be impossible to reach a hundred percent compatibility.

A hundred percent compatibility could only be achieved by self-derivation and construction, by matching with one’s own Mind Power, previously constructed Spell Models, and so on.

Merlin vaguely understood why the Matrix needed to bind Mind Power previously. It was so that the spells could be derived according to his Mind Power, so that there would be higher compatibility.

These Fourth-level Fire-type spells were mostly Offensive spells. Of course, there were some spells which were Binding-type or had other effects. Nevertheless, after the Matrix followed Merlin and warped into this current world, some changes seemed to have occurred. When it derived spells, it would construct a brand-new spell based on Merlin’s previously constructed spells.

In fact, when it came to constructing new spells, this was also the most common method used by Seventh-level Spell Casters. If the previously constructed spells were basically violent Offensive spells, the new spells must be derived in a similar manner too. Only then would it be easier to derive new spells, of which would have increased its compatibility.

That was precisely what the Matrix had done. It combined spells that Merlin had previously constructed including the Zero-level spell Fireball, the First-level spell Furious Flame, the Second-level spell Sea of Purgatory Fire, and the Third-level spell Condensed Fire.

These four spells were all Fire-type spells that were extremely violent, had immense attacking power, and were absolutely explosive. Therefore, the total sum of more than two hundred new spells derived from the Matrix this time was also equipped with violent characteristics and exceptionally strong attacking power.

A Fourth-level spell was a qualitative improvement from a Third-level spell. Its power would be increased by multitudes, and it would also be much stronger in every aspect. A Fourth-level spell could also fuse with the second stage of a Pandora Demon Ability as well.

Merlin had a concern now. If he were to derive new Fourth-level spells using the Matrix, could he still cultivate his previous Pandora Demon Abilities up to the second stage?

That was Merlin’s concern, but now he had no way of testing it either. He could only wait until he became a Third-level Spell Caster in the future. Nonetheless, he could still experiment by constructing a Fourth-level spell.

Still, even if he could not integrate Pandora Demon Abilities, Merlin could not give up the Fourth-level spells which were derived either. After all, constructing a new spell that would suit oneself best was the highest goal of all Spell Casters. Before becoming a Great Wizard, Spell Models were of vital importance. As for self-derived spells, one need not worry about their stability and compatibility as they were surely the most suited spells for that particular Spell Caster.

In the deep stone-cold staircase, Merlin felt a surge of turbulent emotions. Perhaps, even he himself did not realize what it meant to be able to derive and construct a new spell while still at the stage of a Fourth-level Spell Caster.

Even in the most glorious era of Spell Casters, those who could independently derive and construct new spells while at the stage of a Fourth-level Spell Caster level were the most outstanding, freakish, and genius Spell Casters. Moreover, their ultimate achievements later in life were almost impossible to imagine.

Numerous thoughts flashed across Merlin’s mind. However, a ray of bright light slowly emerged in front of him. He had reached the end of the stone staircase. Merlin hurriedly shut down the Matrix. He still lacked the ability to construct Fourth-level spells, so he could only temporarily store those derived Fire-type Fourth-level spells in the Matrix.

“Swish swish.”

Both Merlin and Wizard Fosse emerged from the stone staircase. The eighth prince had been waiting outside the stone staircase all along. When Merlin came out, a smile etched on the eighth prince’s face as he quickly came to greet him. He asked softly, “Wizard Merlin, how is it? Did you find anything useful in the royal family’s Spell Library?”

Merlin had already calmed the excitement in his heart earlier. Thus, he replied in a calm manner, “The royal family’s Spell Library has a rich heritage indeed. The number of spells inside is beyond imagination. Plus, there’s a myriad of varieties. It has definitely exceeded what the Dark Magic Region has to offer.”

“What Dark Magic Region? Our royal family’s Spell Library could even rival those of the large spell casters’ organizations!”

Wizard Fosse, who was standing beside them said in a dissatisfied attitude when he heard Merlin comparing the royal family’s Spell Library with that of the Dark Magic Region.

Merlin did not mind. He only shrugged it off with a smile. Although Wizard Fosse’s words were very rude, it was the truth. The Dark Magic Region, which was high up and beyond grasp in the eyes of roaming Wizards, was merely a small spell casters’ organization.

Even the most powerful Spell Caster in the Dark Magic Region was only a Ninth-level Spell Caster. Meanwhile, in the Blackmoon royal family, any random Spell Caster who was tasked to guard the Spell Library had turned out to be a Ninth-level Spell Caster. There was really no place for comparison between the two.

The eighth prince quickly diffused the matter by saying, “Wizard Fosse, you can’t put it that way. When the Dark Magic Region was at their prime back at the time, they were actual contenders to those large spell casters’ organizations.”

Hearing what the eighth prince said, Wizard Fosse did not continue to argue. Merlin knew this period in history. Indeed, the Dark Magic Region had their golden days. During their most glorious time, they had indeed shown quality to compete and was comparable to large spell casters’ organizations. They had Great Wizards who personally served there, and they produced endless high-tier Spell Casters too.

Still, that was a matter of centuries ago. At that time, Great Wizard Fidel, the founder of the Dark Magic Region was still around. It was the reason why they had such power.

The eighth prince did not ask Merlin what spells he chose in the Spell Library either. Everyone needed some secrets, and the eighth prince knew this too well. He too had some personal experiences at “concealing information”.

Just as Merlin was ready to depart with the eighth prince, he was stopped by Wizard Fosse.

Wizard Fosse took out a contract paper from his ring and said coldly, “Sign this contract. You shall never pass the spells in the royal family’s Spell Library to others!”

Wizard Fosse had long been ready. Although he had broken the vow once because of the promise to the queen consort by letting Merlin enter the Spell Library, his duty was to guard the royal Spell Library after all. The main purpose was to prevent the spells from spreading to the outside world.

Members of the royal family would naturally not need to sign a contract. Such individuals like the eighth prince had already passed many royal spells to the people outside. This time, Merlin played a very important role in the big battle against the fourth prince. In fact, Perfect Armor, a spell which was a vital gamechanger in the battle, was actually a spell that belonged to the royal family. Yet, it was passed to Merlin by the eighth prince.

Nevertheless, when Merlin had entered the Spell Library, he had more or less memorized some spells. Wizard Fosse would naturally not take another risk and let Merlin pass the spell outside. Hence, he had to sign a contract.

Fortunately, Merlin had already agreed to sign a contract before entering the Spell Library, so there was no hesitation on his part. It was only a procedure to make sure that he would not spread the royal spells to the outside world. He had used the Matrix to integrate the data of many royal spells and had derived numerous new spells, but those were not subjected to any restrictions.

Those brand-new spells could be handled by Merlin in any way he wanted. It was until a point where with the integration of the Matrix, Merlin could continue getting all kinds of new spells limitlessly. By that time, Merlin would no longer be in any need to worry about spells in his quest of turning the Wilson clan into a powerful Spell Caster clan.

The inheritance of spells was not exactly that simple. It was the most basic form of inheritance for a spell casters’ organization. Like Sterling House, even though they had a Great Wizard at their service for almost a century already, they still had not collected as many spells. The incomplete collection of spells also became an obstacle which prevented them from becoming a spell casters’ organization. They could only painstakingly keep themselves running by relying on Great Wizard Sterling, with his own fame and influence as their only source of support.

Merlin had the Matrix and more than thirty-thousand spells from the Blackmoon royal family’s Spell Library. By processing them through data integration, endless new spells of various types could be derived. These would come in an enormous number and there would be a complete array too. Almost single-handedly, Merlin had possessed a heritage of spells which was almost similar to that of a large spell casters’ organization.

As long as adequate time was given, it would not be a problem at all for the Wilson clan to slowly expand and develop to greater heights. At that time, they could even become like those scarcely-seen top Spell Caster clans, where the strength and heritage of one Spell Caster clan alone could rival those powerful spell casters’ organizations.

Before long, Merlin signed the contract with Wizard Fosse. A trace of Merlin’s Magic Power was deposited into the contract paper too. The contract would now effectively exert its constraining effect on Merlin.

“Alright, eighth prince, you can all leave now! Please go back and tell the queen consort that Fosse is grateful for her help, but Fosse is now the guardian Wizard of the Spell Library, and he no longer owes anyone any promises!”

Wizard Fosse’s tone was disrespectful. With a flap of his robe sleeve, he vanished mysteriously. The stone-cold staircase disappeared along with him, leaving only the two vivid black bronze statues on the ground.

The eighth prince took a deep breath. A complex expression flashed in his eyes. This time, he had used up a promise from Wizard Fosse, which could be considered as a huge price.

“Wizard Merlin, let’s leave as well.”

Subsequently, the eighth prince brought Merlin with him and quickly left the Palace.