Ten years later, Camelot.
In the castle's open grounds, more than a dozen boys and girls were receiving instruction from the great wizard Merlin.
"Gestures, incantations, wands, faith—these are the foundations of magic. Only years of training can bring you to true mastery." The leader of the Order of Merlin, the current "Merlin," swept his stern gaze over the young wizards before him.
"Godric!" His eyes settled on one boy. "What is that on you?!"
The boy named Godric seemed especially lively. He drew a sword from his waist. "Teacher, this is my sword!"
Merlin frowned and held out a hand. The sword flew into his grasp, and with a tap of his wand, it melted into molten iron.
"Ah—my sword—I paid three gold coins for it—"
"Idiot!" Merlin tossed the hilt to the ground. "The power of magic far surpasses this mundane iron! You are a wizard, not a knight!"
"Who says a wizard can't become a knight! I'll become one of the Knights of the Round Table too and follow King Arthur into battle!"
"Fool." A black-haired boy beside him sneered. "You're not the eldest son, so you can't inherit your father's title. Unless your brother dies, you'll never become a knight in this life."
"What did you say?!" Godric Gryffindor flew into a rage, but the other boy ignored him and turned to Merlin instead.
"Teacher, I heard that wizards are the children of gods. We can cast spells because we carry divine bloodlines. Is that true?"
"You are Salazar Slytherin?"
Merlin looked at the frail boy. "Your meager magic is inferior even to a Goblin's. If you also have divine blood, then you must be a bastard."
A few snickers rose from the crowd. Salazar's pale face immediately flushed red. He clenched his fists but said