"Since ancient times, wars between mages had remained unknown to the world. Merlin the Supreme possessed the Book of Magic and protected humanity's fate."
Balthazar began recounting the history of mages to Russell. "He entrusted the secrets of the Book of Magic to three mages he deemed worthy of trust: me, Veronica, and Maxim. But Maxim betrayed Merlin the Supreme and revealed the book's secrets to the ambitious Morgani. She seized the Book of Magic and obtained the forbidden spells of mages."
"Merlin the Supreme died because of that betrayal. Veronica sealed herself together with Morgani, trapping them both inside the Soul Vessel. Over the following centuries, I pursued Maxim and eventually sealed him away, until I met David..."
As he spoke, Balthazar could not help glancing at his useless disciple. David smiled sheepishly and lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.
"I followed Merlin the Supreme's last wishes and searched for an heir to the Dragon Ring—David. But he had the damned luck to release Maxim, allowing the war to continue to this day."
"So that was it..."
Russell stroked his chin in thought, feeling as if he had seen this plot somewhere before. He equated Merlin the Supreme with the old man, the Ancient One, and the treacherous Maxim and Morgani with Kaecilius and Dormammu respectively. Once he substituted them into the roles, there was not the slightest sense of incongruity.
It was hard to say whether David was Doctor Strange, but Merlin the Supreme was probably like the Ancient One—whether he was really dead or alive was anyone's guess.
After all, Balthazar had said Merlin the Supreme was an old man. Looking at similar figures like the Ancient One and Gandalf, it was easy to see that these ancient monsters were very hard to kill.