The Magical Energy Furnace Came to Life?!

"I am extremely satisfied with the work you have done on this project; in fact, I couldn't be more satisfied."

At this moment, he put away his previously nonchalant demeanor and generously expressed his sincerest gratitude to Rovey.

"Hmm... Is that so? Then it means that Artoria really started her journey as I suggested?"

Rovey immediately realized what was happening and figured out the answer.

In other words...

—The World Line has truly changed.

Some of the original history was indeed changed because of his words.

However, this change is different from Artoria's original madness and grand plan to save Britannia. It is just some simple little things that happened on the basis of Britannia's destruction.

The Age of Gods was destined to perish, and King Arthur, the last king, also entered his final funeral with his era, disappearing without a trace.

Some say that Arthur's soul entered Avalon after his death, while others say that King Arthur was taken to Rome by his knights to seek medical treatment, but ultimately died. Still others say that King Arthur did not die, but simply went on a journey in despair over the destruction of his kingdom.

In short, the story of King Arthur is full of mystery, and many of its elements exist in multiple versions, which are not worth scrutinizing. As long as the ending is the fall of Britannia and the death of King Arthur, minor changes to history will not matter.

In other words...

After relinquishing her identity as King Arthur Artoria really did go on a journey.

Merlin lived from that era into this one.

Therefore, the correct order of this timeline is that he accepted the commission, then punched Saber, earnestly enlightened her, Artoria let go of her obsession, returned to her pre-death state and made a new choice, giving up her identity King Arthur and starting a new life and journey. Merlin had already guessed this in the past, which is why he waited until this day to complete the whole loop.

Merlin's perspective was actually—

Battle of Camlann, Artoria was severely injured at the Camlann Artoria. Artoria remained unconscious for three days and three nights. At the last moment, Artoria entered a dream. Upon waking, Artoria made a new choice, which changed her tragic fate. She deduced what had happened in the future. It wasn't until the Fourth Holy Grail War that it was confirmed that the point of divergence that could directly affect the past was Rovey Crowley, the previously unseen Outsider.

In other words...

"That's right. There are never any coincidences when people meet. Everything is inevitable. I knew about your special connection with little Artoria from the very beginning. That's why I kept helping you and trying to contact you through dreams."

Upon seeing that Rovey understood everything, Merlin smiled happily, "All I've done from beginning to end is follow the traces of fate. As long as I play the role that is most suitable for me and guide you, things will definitely return to the right track that we saw 1,500 years ago, and many more memories will be added to my mind."

"You... you actually knew about this beforehand?"

"No, no, don't misunderstand. During that time, I only had a vague feeling, not that I knew the whole story. After all, timelines are something I can't see clearly. The cause and effect that originated 1,500 years ago has come all the way to this era, completing a perfect closed loop. No one can guess where the beginning is or where the end is. This is what you call the 'the Circle of Reason' in your book."

"Actually, it's the effect that comes first, followed by the cause; that's how it should be explained according to the law of cause and effect."

Rovey nodded, and then expressed his own feelings about Merlin's words.

"The cause that began at the end of the 20th century ended before the 5th century, spanning 1,500 years. The law of cause and effect, fate (Fate) and time are indeed elusive things."

"Yes... I only remembered the whole story after everything was closed." Merlin smiled and nodded. "But thank you so much, Crowley. Without you, a point of divergence that doesn't belong to this world, things would never have gone so smoothly. After all, breaking fate is never as simple as just talking about it."

"It doesn't matter. After all, you've helped me a lot and owe me a huge favor, haven't you? A favor that you couldn't refuse even if it meant going through fire and water... You should remember that, right?"

"A favor... Haha, I remember, of course I remember."

Merlin nodded. "I promised you back then that I would do anything to solve Artoria's problem."

"That's right."

Seeing that Merlin wasn't going to renege on his promise, Rovey laughed, "But what happened to our Sleeping Beauty in the end?"

"Well, she's traveled all over the world, leaving her footprints everywhere. She also appears under an alias in many heroic epics. In short, it's a complicated story, but if you pay more attention to archaeological news, you'll always find clues." Merlin smiled and then kept everyone in suspense.

"Finally, thank you again for letting me witness a completely different and beautiful story. Even a heart that had not beaten for a thousand years has been revitalized at this moment. I have personally tasted the flavor of happiness. Humans... are truly special."

Merlin clutched his chest and looked at Rovey, speaking earnestly.

The look of ecstasy on his face made it seem as if he truly possessed a heart.

"Now, let's talk about the issue of our compensation."

"Yes, as I said, I will help you resolve Artoria's inner conflict. You will be my Magecraft teacher, guiding me on some Magecraft- related issues, as well as your specialty, illusion magic." Rovey nodded.

"Hmm, this reward is actually quite simple for me, but... your goal isn't to reach the Root, it's just to gain more power, or something further?"

Merlin stroked his chin and began to think seriously.

"In the beginning, I really held the attitude that power was just enough, and there was no need to blindly pursue it or allow it to expand without limit."

"Oh? Enough is enough? Do you mean that you've drawn most of the Holy Grail's magic power, forged a Mythic Rune, mastered the foundation of Northern Europe Magecraft, revived and perfected Angel Summoning and Hallcraft, and become the true master of the Law Book? Then your 'enough is enough' is really more than enough."

"Who told the opponent to be the King of Heroes... Rather than saying this level is just the threshold for fighting him."

"That's true. The strength that king displayed could be described as a god reincarnated. To fight against a god, one must be prepared in this way to be considered respectable."

Merlin smiled. "However, I think the Jewel Magician would be more suitable than me to become your apprentice. With your aptitude, you might even be able to inherit the Second Magic."

"How about it? Do you want me to introduce you? I know him very well. Just say the word and this will definitely be done."

"... What grudge do I have against you? You actually want to repay kindness with enmity?"

Rovey's lips twitched.

There's a big joke circulating in the mysterious world, and it's called—the disciple of the Jewel Magician.

Although Jewel Magician is the renowned Second Magic User, a ruthless individual who shattered Crimson Moon, he is one of the most powerful figures in this world.

--but!!

This guy's ability to educate his apprentices is absolutely terrible. So far, no matter how good the prospects or how talented the students are, they have all been ruined by this old man. The only exception is Tokiomi Tohsaka's ancestor, Nagato Tohsaka.

So when Merlin mentioned handing himself over to the Jewel Magician, Rovey wanted to slap him across the face.

"No need. If I want to become an apprentice of the Jewel Magician, I can just go and talk to him myself. The Jewel Magician still owes me compensation for this Holy Grail War. Besides, the Jewel Magician won't retire, and the use of the Second Magic isn't suitable for me, so it doesn't matter."

"Compensation... what does he want to give you?"

When asked about compensation, Merlin inquired with some curiosity.

"True Magic girl's transformation device, and the right to inherit the Third Magic."

Rovey Wei replied expressionlessly.

Thump thump—!

"Huh? You just said he wants you to inherit the Third Magic?"

"Yes, the Jewel Magician did say it was possible, but I don't intend to inherit the law."

"Why?"

Merlin asked in confusion, "For you, if you want to become stronger quickly, the power of magic is undoubtedly the fastest shortcut, right?"

"Yes, you're right. However, this has nothing to do with the strength of power; it's just that I'm not ready to master the law yet."

"Let's not even talk about whether it will succeed."

Rovey shook his head. "Right now, I haven't finished my own path of magic. The system of the Law Book is the most suitable path for me. I'm still in the process of exploration, so even if I inherit the law, I'm afraid it will be difficult to fully understand it. In the end, I'll most likely be led by the nose by the law. However, although I don't plan to become a True Magic, I think the Third Magic is indeed a good thing and worth studying."

"Heh, that's quite rare. Magus who doesn't waver in the face of magic. But you're right. Magic can make you rise to the top in one step, but it will most likely limit your future. If you inherit magic, the nature of your magic and soul will also change drastically. Some of the Magecraft you are good at will probably have to be rendered useless."

Merlin chuckled. "However, even without inheriting the law, your soul and status alone cannot be inferior to the law. In any case, since you have chosen me, I cannot refuse."

"Although you're not a cute little girl like Lily, nor the older sister type that I prefer, you're still someone I can have fun with. If it's just illusions and Magecraft, I'm quite confident."

"Heh, you old pervert."

Rovey's lips twitched. Especially when he heard Merlin so brazenly use the word "amusement," he had a vague feeling that something was amiss.

However, he also knew that Merlin couldn't adopt a teacher-student attitude towards him; their relationship was more like that of close friends and frenemy friends, and...

In the dream, this guy was being utterly defeated by himself. If he didn't want to suffer a terrible fate, he probably wouldn't have acted recklessly.

"Haha, we're on the same page. From now on, I'll be your illusion teacher. If you have any Magecraft problems, I can help you figure them out. After all, in Magecraft, especially illusion, my skill is in no way inferior to the Queen of the Land of Shadows's Rune."

Merlin paused, still wearing that happy smile, "I'm also very curious to see what level Magus combines the Queen of the Land of Shadows, the Magus of Flowers, and the creator of the Law Book can ultimately reach."

"However, before we begin, I must reintroduce myself... I am Merlin, the Camelot court Magus and Magus of Flowers who has some knowledge of swordsmanship, and I will be your illusion teacher from now on."

"I am Rovey Crowley, an ordinary student. Please take care of me, Merlin."

"Yes, very good."

"Well... shall we leave it at that for now? Is there anything else? You should get some rest. Big brother, I must take my leave now..."

"Wait a minute, you can't leave."

Just as the chat was about to end and Merlin was about to leave, Rovey suddenly called him back.

"What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

"Yes, the old man Jewel Magician has already bought the request from me to do something unconditionally."

"What? Wait..."

Upon hearing this news, Merlin's expression froze slightly. Then, as if he suddenly realized something, his expression changed abruptly. Before he could say anything, Rovey, the master of the dream, gently pointed his finger at him.

"Oh dear? Big brother, how did I suddenly become like this? Are you playing tricks on me?"

Looking again, in the blink of an eye, Merlin had transformed from a young man into a beautiful young woman with an ethereal appearance. Her white True Magic robe had been replaced with a simple white long dress, but her voluptuous figure and the tight black stockings on her legs made Merlin feel somewhat uncomfortable for a moment.

In short, Merlin became Merry.

Furthermore, it was Rovey who made the changes based on Lady Avalon from FGO's memories, which is also the prototype of Merry.

This was also the first time he had ever become a woman. In the past, he had only used illusion magic to disguise himself as a woman, but this time it was a direct physiological change.

This feeling is really strange.

However, it is indeed very strange...

"So it really was that Jewel Magician's trick? Honestly... did he have to do something so pointless?"

Merlin, no, I should say Merry.

She scratched her hair, and said with a hint of helplessness, "So, you're just going to use your request like this? To make me stay a woman forever?"

"Okay, let's use it like this. The price offered by the Jewel Magician is higher, and his unconditional offer is more useful than yours."

"Damn it... you're underestimating me, but never mind... anyway, Nightmare don't really have genders, it's just that I prefer to appear as a male, but I can get to know females better. But..."

As she spoke, Merry suddenly gave Rovey a charming look, then said playfully, "Big brother, oops, big sister has never tried this before. Since you seem to like it too, let big sister keep you company~"

It seems this pervert quickly adapted to his new identity.

"...roll."

Rovey was speechless.

You actually accepted the fact that you went from Merlin to Merry so easily? You're really something to be this twisted.

"Hey, don't be so cold. I was forced to become your favorite Merry, you know. Since that's the case, let's have a good chat. We can even have some special tutoring~" Merry leaned closer and gave a not-so-pleasant smile.

"Get out of here! You perverted freak, get away from me right now!!"

Faced with the approaching Merry, Rovey felt a chill run down his spine and quickly slapped her away like a spinning top.

Now, seeing this pervert lunging at him again, he suddenly regretted the deal he had made with the Jewel Magician.

Chapter 100 The Mana Reactor Has Come to Life?!

"The Holy Grail War has ended just like that, how desolate..."

At Ryūdō Temple on Mount Enzō, Aozaki Touko, having used the spare doll she had arranged in Fuyuki City to perform a suicidal teleportation, rushed back to Fuyuki City at top speed. At this moment, she sat quietly next to Rovey with her arms crossed, looking at the direction of the rising sun with emotion.

"Could it be... because I'm not addicted yet? That's why it all feels like a dream."

"Because you never lifted a finger. You were always working behind the scenes, arresting people, covering up, and escaping, transporting goods... I was the one who faced the pressure head-on."

Rovey, who was leaning against her, opened his eyes and complained, "Seriously, did you really rush back in such a reckless way? Didn't I already tell you not to come back... It was very dangerous here before."

"Yes, the battles of heroes in mythology are indeed dangerous, but no matter how dangerous they are, they are definitely not as dangerous as you, who are always caught in the middle of the battlefield and starting to jump left and right."

"I came back to check if you'd crashed. If you really died, I'll try to find a way to retrieve your brain and body, and then try to piece you back together. Thanks to you, through my research on the Third Magic, I've gained quite a bit of insight into the realm of the soul. So, as long as you're not completely dead, I should be able to find a way to bring you back to life~"

Aozaki Touko blinked, then looked down at Rovey beside her and made a joke to him.

"How about it? Aren't you touched? A beautiful senior like me actually came back and risked everything for a junior like you who likes to cause trouble."

"Hehe... I'm so touched, so touched that I want to try dying myself, Senior Aoko."

"Hmph, since you're so looking forward to it, then it doesn't matter if you die once, right?"

Seeing that Rovey was still restless even when lying down and still had the mood to banter with her, Aozaki Touko gently tapped his body with her finger.