Inner Hall (Part One)

The passage was pitch-black. Merlin could not see his hand in front of his face. It seemed to lead deep underground, where a trace of cold lingered that even a Spellcaster's Spells could not keep out.

Hiss.

A flicker of fire appeared before Merlin. He had cast a Spell, lighting the entire passage. Only then did he see that it was not very wide—just enough for two people to walk side by side.

The passage also bore signs of having been carved by hand. Strange murals covered its uneven stone walls. Merlin gently ran his fingers over one, and the cold touch gave him a sudden sense of the ages that had passed.

"These carvings are ancient..."

Merlin could almost feel the passage of time in the stone. The passage had certainly not been built in the last few decades. It had stood for thousands of years, perhaps since the era of the Molta Empire.

"Wizard Merlin, the Southern Spellcaster World once found this place and nearly destroyed it. We've been here many times, but it still feels mysterious."

Wizard Tamo spoke softly as he looked at the carved murals. The Osum Headquarters had always held an air of mystery, but apart from Osum's two ancient Great Wizards and Klais, none of its other Great Wizards knew the secrets within.

Merlin continued down the passage and soon spotted a glimmer of light. Just as he was about to step out, Wizard Tamo called urgently from behind him. "Wizard Merlin, I know you're powerful, but there are still many Great Wizards at the Osum Headquarters. Klais has always been arrogant. Even when he went to fight the Northern Spellcaster World, he took very few Great Wizards with him. Most are still here. It could be dangerous to charge in like this."