The most powerful wizard in the magic world

The dangers that Gerling experienced in the "Blood Battle in the Secret Realm of Mankro" made him deeply aware of the importance of strength. It was late at night, and the moonlight shone through the thick leaves on his tired body. He sat on a rock, and the powerful spells of the senior wizard flashed repeatedly in his mind, almost making him lose his mind.

"What are you thinking about?" Locke beside him interrupted his thoughts and looked at his friend worriedly.

"It feels terrible to be defeated again." Gerlin's eyes were confused and his fists were clenched. "I need more power to survive a battle like this."

Locke was surprised by Garlin's reaction. "You want to pursue higher power? This is a dangerous decision, Garlin. In many cases, the greater the power, the greater the risk."

"I understand, but if I don't do this, even the danger will be too common." Gerling's tone was firm. "I can no longer rely on others to protect me." He stood up and looked into the distance, as if he saw the unknown future.

"How do you want to improve your strength?" Locke stood up, frowning slightly.

"I heard that there is a hermit in the mountains. He is proficient in various ancient magics and may be able to teach me some secrets." Gerlin already had a plan in his mind, with a strange light flashing in his eyes.

"Go find that hermit? I heard he is very weird and doesn't welcome any visitors." Locke reminded.

"I won't give up easily." Gerling's voice was low but full of power. "I need this experience. I will go no matter what."

"Okay, I'll go with you." Locke sighed. Although he was nervous, he knew that Gerling needed his support.

The two set out on the road leading to the mountains. The thorns and rocks were intertwined, and the steps became more and more difficult. "Do you really think the hermit will teach you anything?" Locke asked, a little uneasy.

"It's better than waiting to die here." Gellin responded with a firm tone. He remembered the cold eyes of the senior wizard and his own meaningless struggle. The fear in his heart was gradually replaced by determination.

After several hours of trekking, they finally found the hermit's hut on a misty mountaintop. It was a seemingly abandoned building, but in fact it contained ancient power. The air around them became heavy, as if it was condensed with countless traces of magic.

"It's empty here, is there anyone here?" Locke asked in a low voice, his voice sounding particularly sharp in the silence.

"The hermit should be here." Gerlin walked forward and knocked on the door gently. The heavy wooden door slowly opened in his hands, revealing a white-haired old man.

"Who are you?" The hermit's voice was like sand, carrying a kind of majesty.

"I want to learn stronger magic." Gerlin said, looking at the old man without fear. "I have experienced failure and understand the importance of strength."

The hermit was slightly stunned, then smiled, "Young man, do you know the price of power?"

"I'll pay any price," Garlin responded without hesitation or fear.

"Are you sure?" The hermit's gaze was like an icy blade, piercing Gerlin's heart. "Power is not something that can be obtained easily. It requires sacrifice and the baptism of blood."

Gerling was shocked, but he did not back down. "No matter how much it costs, I can bear it."

"Well, in that case, come on." The hermit's attitude suddenly changed, and a rare excitement appeared in his voice. "Let me see the limit of what you can endure."

Gerlin followed the hermit into the hut, which was filled with ancient books and unfinished magic circles. The dense magical atmosphere made him feel excited and nervous.

"First, you need to learn how to harness the power of the elements." The hermit flipped open a thick ancient book and raised his palm. The power of the elements instantly gathered in his hands, and water droplets in the air began to emerge and rotate.

"This is the skill of controlling water elements. Let's try it." The hermit pushed his palm forward, and water elements rushed out from his hand, forming a vortex.

Gerlin took a deep breath, tried to imitate the hermit's movements, silently chanted the spell in his mind, and raised his palm slightly. Soon, he felt a breath of water gathering from the surroundings, but he could not fully control it, and only formed a small mist around him.

"Failure." The hermit said coldly, without a trace of warmth on his face. "This is just the beginning. The real strength comes from inner determination and focus."

"I will try my best." Gerling wiped the sweat from his forehead and regained his confidence.

In the days that followed, the hermit continued to give Gerlin rigorous training, teaching him how to forge elements and how to strengthen his heart. Every time he cast a spell, Gerlin had to go through the limits of his body and mind, often feeling exhausted and his will shattered.

"You know what?" Locke asked Gerling, watching him practice late at night. "If this road is too difficult, we can stop and go back."

"No, Locke, I can't." Gerling stared straight ahead, his voice low but powerful, "I have lived in fear for too long. Now is the time to break through."

"I hope you can understand that some things cannot be solved by determination alone." Locke was helpless, but he also knew that he could not stop Gerling.

Finally, after countless times of practice, Gerlin finally mastered the control of water at dawn. With a wave of his hand, the surrounding air condensed into a body of water, sparkling, as if the whole world was flowing at his fingertips. The hermit's eyes softened at this moment, and he seemed to praise the young man.

"Not bad," the hermit praised, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "You are beginning to understand the true meaning of power."

"Thank you, Hermit." Gerlin said excitedly, and this time, there was more confidence in his voice. "Next, I want to learn more powerful magic."

"Of course you can, but remember, with power comes responsibility. You must always be vigilant and not be fooled by power," the hermit warned.

"I will." Gerlin's eyes were firm, and the fire in his heart gradually ignited.

In the following weeks, Gerlin immersed himself in learning, from the element of water to the element of fire, and then to wind and earth. His strength grew day by day, and his faith continued to be consolidated.

"No matter how powerful the power is, it must be used wisely." The hermit's teachings lingered in Gerlin's ears, and he began to realize that power is not the only pursuit.