A Wizard’s Secret
chapter-179

The shelves were brimming with various casting tools. If one did not inspect this dazzling assortment carefully, one would not be able to make sense of it.

Merlin remained collected as he stood in front of the shelves. He did not inspect the items but focused on the warmth emitting from the Bell Pendant at his chest. If this warmth turned scorching, it would mean that he was nearby a casting tool that was linked to the Bell Pendant.

With this in mind, Merlin gradually approached a shelf next to the wall. As expected, the bell pendant at his chest emitted waves of burning energy.

The charming woman immediately explained to Merlin, "There are various casting tools here. Even our Seventh-level Wizards couldn't discern a use for some of them. Some of these might be antiques handed down from ancient times. If fate permits, you two Wizards may obtain a few peculiar and powerful casting tools."

This charming woman was skillful in her pitch. It was possible that Seventh-level Wizards had surveyed the many casting tools here, but if those Wizards could not even discern a use for them, how could they be powerful casting tools?

After all, the chances of finding a treasure overlooked by others were extremely low. However, when the charming woman put it in that manner, some Spell Casters would become excited. Perhaps a few transactions would be made then.

Merlin's mind lit up. Who knew how many promoters like this one he had seen in his previous life? However, regardless if there were overlooked treasures, there would be something here which related to the Bell Pendant that was inducing the change in the pendant. He would consider purchasing it as long as the price was reasonable.

Seeing that Merlin remained indifferent, the charming woman stopped talking. She knew that customers like Merlin had their own purpose and opinions and would not change their minds because of her words. Thus, whenever she encountered folks like him, all she could do was to accompany them while silently waiting for Merlin's final choice.

From a pile of casting tools on the shelf, Merlin picked out a dust-covered pendant. From its appearance, it seemed similar to Merlin's Bell Pendant.

However, there was no name inscribed at the back of the pendant.

Merlin examined the pendant carefully. From his chest, the waves of heat coming from the Bell Pendant were scorching. It was clear that this dust-covered pendant was linked to the Bell Pendant.

The thing was, no matter how Merlin examined it, the pendant was not special in the slightest. He was unable to infuse it with his Mind Power – it seemed as if it was just an ordinary pendant. Perhaps because the pendant was obviously from an ancient era, it was regarded as a casting tool and was placed on the shelf.

"How many elemental crystal stones for this pendant?"

Merlin asked the charming woman in a straightforward manner.

The charming woman smiled slightly, and her eyes shone craftily. She gently said, "This pendant was found, after much difficulty, at an ancient monument by a Seventh-level Spell Caster from Sterling House. Although at present, we don't know what type of casting tool it is, it must be really extraordinary. How's this – we'll take just five hundred stones for it. What do you say?"

"Five hundred elemental crystal stones?"

A smile broke out across Merlin's face. Perhaps Sterling House did have a Seventh-level Spell Caster, but in that case, they would occupy a revered position. Why would they casually peddle something that had been found in an ancient monument?

It was likely that Sterling House had spent only a handful, or dozens of elemental crystal stones to obtain this pendant from a Spell Caster. Now that Merlin was here, they wanted to provide such an exaggerated boast.

Merlin immediately placed the pendant back, and said to Wizard Burton, "Wizard Burton, let's go."

Wizard Burton smiled half-heartedly at the charming woman. "Sterling House had really made a mistake this time. Wizard Merlin is no ordinary roaming Wizard but a Wizard from a spell casters' organization! How could his judgment be lacking? Therefore, you should quote a more realistic price."

Wizard Burton had heard about Merlin's identity long ago from the black-robed old man. A Spell Caster from the Dark Magic Region was unlike any common roaming Wizard.

It was because of Merlin's position that Wizard Burton had adopted such a humble stance and accompanied Merlin to Floating City.

"Oh? So, it's a Wizard from a spell casters' organization!"

The charming woman's eyes revealed her amazement, and she said softly with a smile, "Since you're a knowledgeable Wizard, I'll quote you a realistic price. Fifty elemental crystal stones! What do you think, Wizard Merlin?"

The charming woman instantly lowered the price by ten-fold, from five hundred elemental crystal stones to only fifty.

Merlin hesitated and thought that this was an acceptable price, so he nodded. "Alright, fifty elemental crystal stones!"

With that, Merlin fished out some elemental crystal stones from his ring and handed them to the charming woman. Thereafter, he grasped the pendant in his hand. Instantly, the Bell Pendant at his chest turned scorching once again.

However, it was inconvenient for Merlin to be examining it closely here, so he placed the pendant into the ring. Once he was back, he would inspect the pendant in detail and find out what exactly was its link to the Bell Pendant.

Having completed a transaction, the charming woman was overjoyed, especially now that she knew Merlin was a Wizard from a spell casters' organization. These Wizards were much wealthier than the average roaming Wizard.

Therefore, the charming woman asked, "Is there anything else that Wizard Merlin would like to purchase? Here, we have casting tools, potion formulas, potion materials, and even alchemy materials."

After muttering to himself for a while, Merlin said, "Take me to look at your potion materials."

The charming woman brought Merlin and Wizard Burton to a large, quiet hall. In this hall, potion materials were laid out everywhere in vast quantities.

Merlin quickly spotted the Blueberries. This was the potion material that he needed the most.

However, after inquiring about the Blueberries' price, Merlin shook his head. It was too expensive. Gathering the material for one batch of Blueberry Potion would require at least five hundred elemental crystal stones. A price like this was much too high. Even if he wanted to make the purchase, he would only be able to buy enough for one batch of Blueberry Potion.

Following that, Merlin cautiously inquired about the materials for Phantasmal Magic Potion. He was surprised to find out that Sterling House had these materials, but the price was exorbitantly high.

After having a long look, Merlin was clear – Sterling House had all the materials for Blueberry Potion and Phantasmal Magic Potion. The potions materials here were much more abundant compared to the Dark Magic Region. Merlin recalled that when he was in the Resource Tower, he could not find the materials required for Phantasmal Magic Potion.

Very soon, Merlin and Wizard Burton left Sterling House. Merlin posed a question to Wizard Burton. "Wizard Burton, this Sterling House seems rather remarkable. It contains so many casting tools, potion materials, and many items that even the Dark Magic Region lacks. Isn't it comparable to a spell casters' organization?"

"Comparable to a spell casters' organization? Heh, Wizard Merlin, if you knew who founded Sterling House, you wouldn't ask this question."

Wizard Burton shook his head slightly, his face wearing a strange look.

"Oh? Who was it?"

Merlin asked hastily.

"It's the Great Wizard Sterling!"

Wizard Burton's expression suddenly became dignified.

"The Great Wizard Sterling? Great Wizard?"

Merlin's face shifted slightly as he was stunned. He was not a roaming Wizard who knew nothing, but a Spell Caster from the Dark Magic Region.

After entering the Dark Magic Region, Merlin picked up some general knowledge on Spell Casters. Among this was the fact that the term Great Wizard was not an honorific, but a symbol of real strength!

Great Wizards were Spell Casters who were of Ninth-level and above, possessing an inconceivable realm of power. The Great Wizard Fidel who established the Dark Magic Region was one such Spell Caster above the Ninth-level, only that he went missing. Perhaps he died or he went to another place. In short, the Great Wizard Fidel never appeared again.

As for the Great Wizard Sterling, founder of Sterling House, was one of the exceedingly rare Great Wizards in the entire Spell Caster's world. He was still around, which was how Sterling House was able to expand so rapidly. His strength was comparable to some medium-sized spell casters' organizations, let alone smaller-sized spell casters' organization such as the Dark Magic Region.

"There are wonderful items in Sterling House indeed, but most of them are too expensive. Normally, a roaming Wizard like me will not even consider going to Sterling House."

Wizard Burton glanced behind at Sterling House, shaking his head hopelessly. It was difficult for roaming Wizards to become powerful Spell Casters as it was hard to cultivate resources.

In comparison, it was relatively easy to obtain contribution points in the Dark Magic Region. Unsurprisingly, many roaming Wizards were crazy about entering a spell casters' organization.

Merlin did not wander around anymore and headed back to the residence with Wizard Burton.

Upon returning to his room, Merlin took off the Bell Pendant hanging at his chest and took out the pendant he had bought at Sterling House. Immediately, the Bell Pendant emitted waves of burning energy.

These two pendants appeared to be extremely similar. However, the Bell Pendant had space within to store spells whereas the pendant purchased from Sterling House contained no such space at all. It did not even appear to be a casting tool.

Ever since Merlin had cast all Large Fireballs stored inside the Bell Pendant, it had practically turned into a useless casting tool with no further use.

However, the Bell Pendant was undergoing a sudden change now. This made Merlin wait expectantly as he wanted to see what changes the Bell Pendant would bring.

Merlin carefully compared the two pendants and he gradually saw a way forward. These two pendants appeared to be two sides of a whole that had been torn apart for some unknown reason.

Having arrived at this conclusion, Merlin instantly joined the two pendants together. A dazzling beam of light flickered from the Bell Pendant, immediately swallowing the other pendant.

The two pendants were shrouded in blinding white light and subtle changes began to happen. Merlin was full of expectation as he observed the Bell Pendant closely.