In a clearing within an ancient forest.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the dense branches and leaves, casting fragmented patterns of light around Merlin. A gentle breeze stirred, making the leaves rustle, while an utterly astonished expression covered his face.
Having endured the passage of countless years and long since grasped many of the world's secrets, ordinary matters could scarcely move him anymore. Yet at that very moment, he truly found himself unable to keep it together.
Ian stood especially clearly beneath the blazing sun. He held what appeared to be an ordinary wand, but the light flickering at its tip gave Merlin a wave of palpitations. That was the Magic Power Fluctuation unique to a Legendary Wizard—powerful and profound, as though it contained endless mysteries and the power to overturn the world.
"Fuck!"
Under normal circumstances.
Merlin was a cultivated gentleman who would not casually swear, but this was clearly no normal circumstance. The immense magic power suddenly erupting around Ian was like a surging flood, proving to Merlin, a Legendary Wizard, that he truly possessed the qualifications to challenge him. The other's young—or rather, childish—face was so strikingly conspicuous.
"This..."
Merlin's mouth parted slightly. He wanted to say something, yet the sudden shock caught in his throat. He stood frozen in place as though rooted there.
Only one thought filled his mind—how was this possible? Merlin muttered under his breath, his eyes full of disbelief. He had seen countless geniuses, but never had he encountered someone capable of standing on equal footing with him.
No matter what, this had inevitably nurtured pride within Merlin. There were countless prodigies in the world, yet none could compare to him in the slightest. To Merlin, such pride was an entirely reasonable state of mind.
Yet.
Now.
A boy who looked no more