The group returned to the enormous oak tree.
Seeing that Matthew was unharmed, Irina and Kadir finally let go of the worry hanging over their hearts.
The oak's branches swayed gently without wind, and several fruits emitting a verdant glow flew toward them.
Merlin's voice echoed in their minds. "Take these fruits. They will grant you the ability to communicate with nature."
After everyone accepted the fruits, Matthew's consciousness returned to the dream once more.
The oak behind Merlin was no longer as lush as it had been before. Many of its leaves had withered. Activating the Heart of the Oak had taken quite a toll on him as well.
Merlin shook his sleeve and took out a black ant.
Matthew's heart stirred. "Is this Morgan? Wasn't she dead?"
Merlin smiled faintly. "She did indeed die in reality. Back when we were not yet enemies, she learned from me a spell that allowed her to hide her consciousness within dreams."
"I see." Matthew understood. Morgan had tried to escape death by fleeing into a dream at the end, but Merlin had erased her final hope.
Merlin continued, "I examined her consciousness and extracted the memories you need. With this, you will be able to return to your original Timeline."
Matthew could not help feeling curious. Morgan's memories were actually connected to his return to his original Timeline.
Merlin crushed the black ant, and a wisp of green smoke drifted toward Matthew.
A moment later, Matthew said quietly, "Transfiguration Clone?"
The memories Morgan had provided contained another application of the Shapeshifting Technique: using it to create clones.
"That's right. Use it carefully. This Shapeshifting Technique is quite difficult. Morgan turned into so many black ants because she failed while casting Transfiguration Clone once, splitting herself into a swarm of black ants