The most powerful wizard in the magic world

"Gerlin, are you okay?" Nora's voice interrupted his inner struggle. She was standing not far away, her face full of worry. Nora had fought side by side with him for many years, and she was always able to keenly perceive Gerlin's emotional changes.

"I'm fine." Gerling forced a smile, but his tone was a little stiff. "It was just a momentary power fluctuation."

Nora took a few steps closer, staring into his face. "You are lying, Gerlin. When you cast the Touch of Darkness just now, I could feel the horrible aura. You rely too much on this power."

"This is not something I can control." Gerling's voice was low, like a ghost swallowed by darkness. "I want a stronger power to protect all of us. However, I didn't expect this power to make me feel so out of control."

A trace of difficulty flashed across Nora's face. She knew where the power of the Touch of Darkness came from. "But this power has a price. You need to be vigilant at all times."

Gerlin looked at her, and the determination in his eyes suddenly became fragile. "I know, but in this world, the weak do not deserve to survive. In order to protect you, I am willing to pay any price..."

"But you can't lose yourself!" Nora's voice became louder, and she became more nervous. "You have to remember that you are Gerlin, not a slave of darkness!"

"I just don't want to lose you." He lowered his head helplessly, like a huge rock that had been crushed. A wave of painful self-blame passed through his heart, and he knew that he was facing a dangerous choice.

"We are all on this road, you are not alone." Nora reached out and held Gerlin's hand, trying to give him warm strength.

At this moment, a low whisper came from all around, like an ancient spell. Gerlin's heart was shocked, and he raised his head suddenly. A chill suddenly came over his whole body, as if a hand in the darkness was pulling at his soul.

“This is…” Nora’s voice was suppressed and her face suddenly turned pale.

"We have to go!" Gerling reacted quickly, holding Nora's hand and running deep into the forest. Their footsteps left heavy marks on the wet soil, mixed with uneasy gasps.

"Hurry, we can't stop!" Nora chased after him, feeling uneasy. "What's that sound? I feel like something is chasing us!"

"I don't know, but we must find a safe place!" Gerlin's heart beat violently, and all kinds of illusions and temptations brought by the touch of darkness emerged in his mind. The power seemed to be tempting him, whispering to him to surrender.

Just as he was struggling, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of him and approached quickly. Gerlin was unable to react and immediately drew out his wand and shouted at the shadow, "Who is it?"

"Hmm..." A deep voice came from the shadows, with a hint of mockery in it, "Little Gerlin, it seems that you have lost yourself in the darkness."

The shadow slowly walked out, revealing his true appearance: it turned out to be a man in a black cloak with a sinister smile on his face. "My name is Carl, I came here to find you and give you real power."

"Who are you and why are you disturbing us here?" Gerlin asked in a low voice, full of vigilance.

Carl looked around with a sinister and cunning look. "I am the true messenger of the Touch of Darkness. Only I can teach you how to harness this power. Follow me, Gerlin, and you will gain immense power. Even... she will not be able to compete with you."

Nora suddenly became alert and leaned forward, trying to protect Gerlin. "Don't listen to him, Gerlin! This is a trap, he will only lead you into deeper darkness!"

Gerlin's heart tightened, and the touch of darkness rolled behind him, as if calling him to embrace that power. He muttered in a low voice: "But... I want a stronger power..."

"Do you really want it?" Carl raised a meaningful smile. "In just a moment, all the shackles will disappear, and you will be the most powerful magician in this land."

"Don't believe him, I beg you!" Nora shouted desperately, her eyes full of fear. "The unpredictable darkness will never bring you light. In the end, you will only lose yourself and become a puppet of endless darkness!"

A fierce struggle ignited in Gerling's heart, and the powerful force and warmth in his heart intertwined with each other. Carl's hand slowly reached out to him, as if waiting for his choice.

"I..." He hesitated, his eyes becoming confused.

"This is your only chance, Gerlin." Carl's voice was low and charming. "Choose me and open the source of power. Reject me and you will only return to powerlessness and weakness."

"Choose me, Gerlin." Nora's voice became urgent and pleaded, "I believe you can overcome this temptation. Darkness will not be your destination!"

At this critical moment, Gerlin felt the warmth of Nora's palm, which seemed to ignite a glimmer of hope in his heart. He suddenly woke up, and a strong sense of resistance surged in his heart. "I... I will not let the darkness control me!"

Nora's eyes suddenly sparkled, and her lips trembled slightly: "Yes, that's it, Gerlin, drive away this dark phantom!"

“You…” Karl’s voice suddenly became gloomy, with a hint of anger in his eyes, “Do you really want to refuse such a huge power?”

"I would rather be a weak person than a slave to darkness." Gerlin responded loudly, and the magic wand in his hand instantly burst out with a quiet and dazzling light, dispelling the shadows around him.

"You will pay for your choice!" Carl roared, turned and galloped towards the deep forest behind him, as if the roaring shadow was getting farther and farther away.

Nora breathed a sigh of relief and held Gerling's hand tightly. They looked at each other, and Nora's lips curled up with a warm smile. "I knew you would make the right choice."

"Thank you, Nora." Gellin's voice was filled with relief and persistence. "I will never be deceived by the darkness again, never!"

"Let's go together and never separate." There was a firm light in Nora's eyes. A warm breath flowed between the two of them, invisibly building an unbreakable barrier.