Chapter 483: Disciple!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"That's right, the war has never ended, and has always been ongoing… The cruel ravages of war had erupted even in the Glorious Land back then. This was why the Glorious Land fell into decline, and the Molta Empire collapsed!"
Upon hearing Wizard Mogan's words, Merlin, in fact, had already vaguely surmised that the collapse of Molta Empire and the decline of the Spell Casters in the Glorious Land were surely linked to that momentous war.
It was just that he had never thought it had been so cataclysmic!
"The Glorious Land had been damaged. Thereafter, the Great Arcane Wizard sealed off the Glorious Land to prevent further damage to it, allowing it to drift around the Void Zone. Even Honored Legends were unable to find any traces of the Glorious Land. The Glorious Land is the homeland of all Spell Casters, the origin of our civilization. It's something of paramount significance to Spell Casters, and the Great Arcane Wizards did not wish for the Glorious Land to suffer disastrous attacks from the cruelty of war.
"Therefore, after it was sealed by the Arcane Wizard, the Glorious Land was sealed by a force. It's comparatively easier to break out of the Glorious Land. A few Great Wizards, as long as they had grasped the trick to it, were able to leave the Glorious Land. However, returning to that place is fraught by countless difficulties, and it's almost impossible for someone to locate the Glorious Land…"
After listening to what Wizard Mogan had said, Merlin's emotions were in turmoil. He had never thought that the decline of the Glorious Land, besides being linked to that terrible war, was also connected to the supreme Arcane Wizard.
It was the Arcane Wizard who had sealed the Glorious Land, letting it drift around the Void Zone. No one could find the Glorious Land, which meant that it was nearly impossible for Merlin to return after having left the place.
This explained why, despite the Glorious Land being the origin of Spell Caster civilization, no Spell Caster had ever returned to the Glorious Land, causing it to fall into decline.
"Hold on. The Glorious Land had been sealed, and it's easier to depart from the Glorious Land into the Void Zone from within, and there are Great Wizards in the Glorious Land. Why haven't I heard of anyone leaving the Glorious Land and entering the Void Zone? Only the Great Wizard Fidel, who had used the methodical plan of expending an entire elemental crystal stone mine, could instantaneously explode with power that would make even a Legendary Wizard tremble. Only then was the passage to enter the Void Zone created!"
Merlin merely swirled these thoughts around in his head. He felt that it was rather strange. Besides this, there was the Church of Light, a church which clearly believed in the God of Light. This worshipping of a natural god was strange. Over three thousand years ago, the powerful Wizards of the Glorious Land had wiped out or banished all gods. How did the Church of Light emerge?
Moreover, that church had such tremendous forces! Evidently, it was linked to the God of Light.
Merlin conveyed a simple account of all this to Wizard Mogan, who frowned tightly and shook his head powerlessly. "I didn't expect that such a great change had come over the Glorious Land, that it would be so difficult just to leave the Glorious Land. Actually, I can still somewhat understand the matter of the God of Light. This god isn't a simple one, having once battled, alone, the two Honored Legends of Darkness and of Storm without losing, and is very formidable!
"In the end, it was the Great Arcane Wizard who had to take on the task to banish the God of Light. However, after the Arcane Wizard sealed the Glorious Land, there wasn't any more news from the Glorious Land, so something might have changed. However, this is all monitored by the Great Arcane Wizard, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Back when Wizard Mogan had left the Glorious Land, he was merely a Great Wizard who was not that strong. His knowledge of the Glorious Land was limited. Even now, when he had become a Great Legendary Wizard, he could not be considered all that powerful. Among the tens of thousands of dimensions, Wizard Mogan was merely a novice Legendary Wizard who had only condensed one Maxim.
After a long moment, Wizard Mogan suddenly asked with a smile, "Merlin, I wonder what's your plan now?"
"Plan?"
Merlin's mind was rather blank. He had initially planned to learn about the dimension coordinates, then locate the Ecuador Dimension or Wizard Saitu's dimension as quickly as he could. He hoped to develop his own capabilities and return to the Glorious Land as soon as possible.
However, after all that Wizard Mogan had told him, Merlin knew that his hope of returning to the Glorious Land was a minuscule one. Not even Honored Legends were able to find any traces of the Glorious Land.
Perhaps only the Great Arcane Wizard would know the location of the Glorious Land. Thus, for now, Merlin could only abandon his plan to return to the Glorious Land.
Seeing that Merlin had fallen silent for a long time, Wizard Mogan continued asking, "Merlin, how about this – I'd like to take you on as my disciple. How's that?"
Merlin became even more astonished and doubtful. He was merely a Fourth-level Spell Caster. Why would the Great Legendary Wizard Mogan accept him as a disciple?
It must be known that a disciple was different from an apprentice. The latter would merely receive the most basic teachings of a Spell Caster, and would not learn of the most profound knowledge on spells, potions, runes, and so on.
However, a disciple was different and would go through thick and thin with the Spell Caster. In the world of Spell Casters, the bond between a teacher and a disciple was a deep one.
When Merlin had joined the Dark Magic Region, the relationship he had built with Wizard Leo was, in fact, one of teacher and apprentice, not the stronger bond of teacher and disciple.
Nevertheless, in the end, Wizard Leo had given his all, passing on even Darkness Eye to Merlin. It was only then that Wizard Leo had treated Merlin as a true disciple.
Due to that, even if Merlin had no real conflict with Ozmu, based solely on the fact that Ozmu had indirectly caused Wizard Leo's death, there was zero possibility of conciliation between Merlin and Ozmu.
Now, a Great Legendary Wizard – Wizard Mogan – wanted to make Merlin his disciple. Naturally, this would astound Merlin, and he was speechless for a moment.
Seeing that Merlin did not answer after a long time, Wizard Mogan did not grow angry, and instead said warmly, "Merlin, in truth, your Spell Caster Quality is the best I've ever seen in a Spell Caster! Perhaps you aren't even aware of that. Your identity as a Six-Elemental Spell Caster, the fact that you're only a Fourth-level Spell Caster, perhaps about to become a Fifth-level one, yet being able to derive new spells all on your own, in addition to your temporary fusion of spells – any one of these would make you a genius among geniuses. With all these together, there's only one word to describe you, which is "freak".
"Merlin, you've only met me. If you encountered other Great Legendary Wizards who are even more suitable than me, they won't hesitate to take you as a disciple as well! A prodigy like you is rare even during the Spell Casters' most glorious era in the Glorious Land. Alright, you can think this over by yourself. I may not be the greatest Legendary Wizard but I won't be stingy toward my disciple!"
One could see that Wizard Mogan was extremely sincere. He had even spoken frankly, saying that with Merlin's gifts, he could become the disciple of any Legendary Wizard that he met.
Merlin was also carefully analyzing what Wizard Mogan had said. Wizard Mogan merely mentioned that he was a Six-Elemental Spell Caster, his derivation of new spells, and his fusion of spells. It was these three factors that Legendary Wizards would value the most. Any one of these would gain recognition from Legendary Wizards.
As for Darkness Eye and Glacier Country which Merlin had cultivated, they were nothing much. At the level of Legendary Wizards, they were more focused on the Spell Caster's own self.
Merlin was naturally overjoyed to have the guidance of a Legendary Wizard, especially for spell fusion. At the moment, Merlin was merely feeling things out by himself. Moreover, Merlin was completely ignorant about the tens of thousands of dimensions. With Wizard Mogan, he could promptly become well versed in these matters.
As he thought of this, Merlin no longer had any hesitation. He immediately fell to his knees, placing his hand on this chest. This was the highest standard of etiquette among Spell Casters, and one would only display such a gesture when one became a disciple.
A smile broke out across Wizard Mogan's face. He used both hands to support Merlin up, following which he nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, Merlin, you've officially become my disciple. There were three other senior disciples before you but they aren't here for they've become Great Wizards, and have wandered off elsewhere."
Thereafter, Wizard Mogan gave Merlin a golden nameplate. With this nameplate, Merlin would be able to enter any place in the Glorious Palace as he wished. His position was even higher than some of the Great Wizards.
"I'll soon announce to the entire Glorious Palace that you've become my disciple. Moreover, I'll be in the Glorious Palace for the time being. If you have any questions, ask me directly."
Merlin was naturally very grateful that Wizard Mogan had arranged everything. Following that, he asked about the dimension coordinates. This was Merlin's most crucial purpose in coming to the Glorious Palace. It was a shame that he did not find any answers in the Glorious Pavilion.
"Dimension coordinates? Although this is common knowledge to many Spell Casters, it's hard to grasp if one doesn't know the whole story behind these coordinates. In truth, the coordinates are marked with the Glorious Land as the origin. The place where the Glorious Land had been before it was sealed by the Arcane Wizard is the origin point. Thereafter, extend in all directions with a certain distance as a node – that's a coordinate. If you want to understand it better, you'll need a map of dimension coordinates, which is something very precious. Throughout these years I've searched many places and collected a few coordinate maps but they're still incomplete. The Void Zone is far too vast, and even an Arcane Wizard would have no way of exploring its entirety. Therefore, a map of dimension coordinates is of vital importance. Otherwise, it'd be hard to take even one step forward. Running around aimlessly is extremely dangerous. Here's a map of dimension coordinates. Take it, and refer to it as much as you like."
Wizard Mogan retrieved a map of dimension coordinates which Merlin kept hurriedly. The locations of thousands of dimensions were crammed onto the map, which also held thousands of coordinates.
Among these, there was a red dot in the center. This was where the Glorious Land had been. Of course, this was in the past. The current Glorious Land drifted around in the Void Zone, and no one knew where it really was.
With this map, Merlin quickly understood the function of the dimension coordinates. Having the map as a guide, Merlin was able to grasp the coordinates of the Ecuador Dimension as well as Wizard Saitu's dimension. The map would help Merlin locate these two dimensions, just that he would have to spend a certain amount of time on the task.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave. Take this nameplate, and someone will arrange your residence! Remember, your top priority now is to construct the remaining two Fifth-level spells, then try again to fuse the spells. Remember not to force the spell fusion. You must be cautious and prudent."
Wizard Mogan warned Merlin with a grave expression. Although Merlin did not know why, based on Wizard Mogan's solemn reminder, there must be a reason. Furthermore, he had been planning to construct the remaining two Fifth-level spells and become a Fifth-level Spell Caster!
Therefore, Merlin took his leave from Wizard Mogan. Wizard Mogan waved his hand lightly, then immediately created a rip in space, sending Merlin into this Spatial Passage.