In recent days, Zhao Yu had been exceptionally low-key.
Each morning he attended classes with the Grand Sorcerers, then stayed in his room—never venturing out.
There was a reason for his caution: Casillas's betrayal was inseparable from him.
He feared the Supreme Sorcerer might suspect his involvement.
How could he explain it then?
He certainly couldn't tell her, "Master, it's because Casillas was too fragile in mind…"
So Zhao Yu exercised extreme care these days.
Luckily, the Supreme Sorcerer had not yet returned.
One afternoon, he came back from Master Wang's tutoring.
Lately, the Supremes' lectures had lost their effect, and his Magic advancement stalled in a bottleneck—only Master Hamir's instruction still yielded some improvement, albeit unsatisfactorily.
"Well, it's better than nothing," he thought.
"Faster than solo practice, at least. I can't ask for more."
He glanced at his system panel:
Host: Zhao Yu
Age: 18
Rank: Magic Apprentice
Magic Shield: Level 6 (32%)
Mirror Dimension: Level 5 (42%)
Chains of Vishanti: Level 5 (23%)
…
Spatial Blade: Level 3 (42%)
Reviewing his gains, Zhao Yu felt pleased: his strength was growing.
Yet the system still labeled him "Magic Apprentice," even though he sensed he had outclassed many Kamar-Taj Grand Sorcerers.
"How does the system judge one's power?"
He shook his head and entered his room.
But the moment the door opened, alarm bells rang in his mind.
Something was wrong with the space inside—a masterful use of Mirror Dimension so perfectly fused with reality that only one Sorcerer in Kamar-Taj could achieve it…
Casillas!
Zhao Yu tensed, but he was no longer a novice.
He spoke calmly,
"Master Casillas, since you're here, why sneak about?
This isn't the conduct of a Grand Sorcerer.
You truly are remarkable."
A cold voice answered, and ripples spread across the room's space like water.
Casillas stepped through the distorted Mirror Dimension.
But something was different: his eye sockets were black voids, the whites of his eyes gone—looking into him felt like staring into darkness itself.
"Master Casillas, it's not too late to turn back," Zhao Yu urged.
He recognized the signs:
Casillas had overused Dormammu's power, even merging with Dormammu for immense strength—a bargain with a terrible price.
One day he would lose himself entirely, becoming part of the dark dimension
in exchange for the promised immortality.
But Casillas seemed unconcerned, even enticed by the pact.
"Turn back? Why would I?" he jeered.
"This power… eternal life, ah!"
A look of ecstasy lit his face.
"It's glorious!"
Zhao Yu realized Casillas was lost.
He spoke earnestly,
"Master Casillas, I don't know why you're here—Kamar-Taj is in grave peril.
If you leave now, I will overlook what you've done for the sake of the high-level Magics you've taught me."
In spite of Casillas's past kindness, Zhao Yu could forgive him—Casillas had indeed been the ultimate Experience Baby, granting him several powerful Magics.
"No, Zhao Yu, you don't understand—I have come for you,"
Casillas said quietly.
Zhao Yu sighed,
"Master Casillas, I am merely an apprentice—"
"No!
You are no ordinary apprentice,"
Casillas interrupted, voice unsteady with zeal.
"You are the most gifted person I have ever known!
Therefore, I invite you to join me—to share in endless life and explore the true nature of time!
After all, this is power coveted even by the Ancient One!"
"What if I refuse?"
Zhao Yu asked.
He would never become Dormammu's puppet—better to die than endure that fate.
"Then I will force you," Casillas snarled, and a transparent blade hummed into existence in his hand: the Spatial Blade.
"It seems there will be no peaceful end," Zhao Yu said, bowing respectfully.
A second blade appeared in his hand—the Spatial Blade Casillas had taught him, now far more potent than before.
"You truly are the most gifted I've seen!"
Casillas raved.
"Join us, and share eternal life!…"
"Sorry," Zhao Yu replied.
Clang!
The two blades collided, sparks and shockwaves erupting as if from real swords.
Clash after clash, their blades met a hundred times in seconds.
Zhao Yu's room—already a Mirror Dimension—was shattered into ruins.
"Zhao Yu, your talent is extraordinary.
But you chose the wrong path…"
Casillas intoned between blows.
"All things must end—temperatures fall, worlds perish!
But in the dark dimension, time means nothing…
This world need not die; it can, like others, become part of Dormammu—a beautiful part."
Zhao Yu noticed a red sigil appear on Casillas's brow, his eye sockets blackening further, flesh torn as the mark spread—yet Casillas seemed oblivious.
To him, merging with Dormammu was a blessing.
Zhao Yu sighed.
Once one of Kamar-Taj's greatest Grand Sorcerers, now reduced to this!
It was tragic—but who could blame him?
"Master Casillas, I will not follow this path," Zhao Yu said firmly.
Four red rings of light circled around him—the Rings of Raggadorr!
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。