Chapter 66: Arc 2: Chapter 21: Meeting Old Friends

"What a shame."

In some unknown place, a mysterious expert wearing a full black robe, an eye patch on his left eye, and a dead-cold temperament let out a pitiful sigh.

He was 'Death'.

In the projection in front of him, Merlin was bidding agent Garrett farewell, while young witch Hermione was hiding in the face across the street.

Next to the expert's hand, the light representing 'Luck' was slowly dimming, which meant that the 'Luck' he had given Merlin had run out.

"So close, right?"

Opposite to him was his opponent.

An expert wearing full casual clothing and a gem-embedded wristband 'Overlord'.

Overlord's hands were placed on the starry gambling table, next to his hand, a light representing 'Demon' was shattering like glass.

This meant that the 'Demon' effect that the expert had placed onto Merlin had come to an end.

The two had engaged against each other using this method, and on the surface, the engagement ended in a tie.

"He was this close to turning into a real demon, one last step, and he would've fallen into endless darkness."

Overlord also felt pity, he reached out and grabbed the dice at the center of the table; the dice only had 6 sides, but dazzling images were flickering on each side, each representing something symbolic, as well as major events that Merlin will experience in his future path.

It was a mysterious hundred-sided dice left from the last multiversal era, called 'Fate'.

As the name suggests, it decides fate every time it is rolled.

"But Merlin was lucky enough."

Death says indifferently:

"He has treaded away from the path of the demon, so your hopes towards the darkness have failed."

"Oh?"

Overlord let out a weird smile as he looks at Death across the table, he says:

"Has it really failed?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"You must know, Lord Tyrion, the Dice of Fate is a special marvel; the fates it brings to Merlin's life are all connected, our dice-throwing are merely insignificant preludes.

"It's like a pair of invisible hands, continuously disrupting Merlin's future. That future is uncertain, but...the repeated stacking of multiple factors will eventually push him into the finale of fate. A good gambler has to learn to make use of the situation. By stacking those insignificant factors little by little, and achieving the goal that he wants."

"What I'm telling you is, the seed to darkness...has already been planted!"

Overlord acted as if he had already won, and throws the heavy dice in his hand; the dice rolls on the table and firmly lands at the center of the gambling table, an illusory image appears above the dice.

It looked like a night sky, and in that night sky were flashing stars.

"Ho, Starry Night!"

Overlord taps on the table and laments:

"The stars illuminate the path ahead, but danger still lurks in the darkness...take a guess, whether or not our little Merlin, can discover the hidden dangers around him in the next round?"

"I don't know."

Death answers straightforwardly, he hooks his finger, and the heavy dice flies into his hand. He throws the dice and says deeply:

"But, isn't the unknown what's fun about gambling?"

"Bam"

The dice rolls in the air and lands on the table, a different image appears above the dice.

It was a group of soldiers holding a flag, shields, and swords while surrounding a knight on a horse, seemingly charging towards the battlefield.

"Loyal Guards."

Death looks at the image and lightly says:

"Even if danger and death lurk in the darkness, loyal guardians never betray their friends. It would seem that Merlin will no longer be treading on the path of darkness alone anymore."

"Those with friends are never scared of failure."

"Huhu. Don't be so optimistic...let's see what happens."

Overlord smiles and turns his head, at the front of the table, at the center between the two experts, a middle-aged-looking old man with a weird hairstyle and a wide robe, spread his arms, and like a referee, announced firmly:

"The first round of the story has ended!"

"Both sides best be prepared. Friendly reminder, if you wish to cheat, then you best do it wisely...don't get caught by me!"

"The second round of the story has begun!"

"Shwa"

Light spreads out like the first light of a newly born universe, illuminating the stars at this very moment.

Yet, it was like nothing had happened.

---

"Are you sure you don't want to go have a checkup in the hospital? Merlin."

At the entrance of the restaurant, Garrett looks at Merlin with concern and says:

"Frequent nose bleeding isn't a good sign, maybe you're already sick, it's just that you don't know about it."

"I know, I understand my condition very well."

As Merlin used a coat to cover up the bloodstains on his shirt, he told Garrett:

"Calm down, John, I'm sure I'm alright. You go take a rest first, do remember to call me when it's time to head for Paris."

"Forget about it."

Garrett pats on Merlin's shoulder and with a concerned tone, he says:

"There's nothing urgent in Paris that needs your help, stay in London for now, and have a good rest. Tell me if anything happens. Kohler's influence may not reach Europe, but be wary of other organizations."

"Mmm, got it."

Merlin nods and says:

"I'll stay in touch with you."

"Alright, have an early rest, I'll be on my way now."

Garrett bids Merlin farewell, the elderly cowboy nods at Merlin, sits into a black car that's waiting next to him, and leaves.

As he sees Garrett off, Merlin lets out a breath.

He raises his head and looks towards the cafe across the street; by the window, young Hermione, who had just saved his life, was waving at him.

Merlin looks at the 15-year-old girl, anticipation and uneasiness flicker in his heart.

The appearance of this young witch whom he had met once before meant that Merlin had finally found the key into the world of magic; if he's lucky enough, he'll be able to discover a way to suppress the ever-growing dark mana inside his body from young Hermione.

That is...if things go as planned.

Merlin walks into the cafe and sits opposite to Hermione, he looks at the young girl who was eating ice cream with a spoon.

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Young Hermionee's appearance did not change much from 3 years ago.

She still had the same hairstyle as before, long blonde hair spread onto her shoulders. Her often pursed lips made her look serious, but the light that flashes in her eyes meant that she was not a very obedient, traditional young girl.

Mmm, well-behaved girls don't wander alone outside at night.

"Why were you in the restaurant?"

Merlin asks, which the girl takes a scoop of ice cream and casually replies:

"I'm having dinner with some friends, and my home is nearby. Why are you in London? And who was that uncle back there?"

Hermione asks with interest:

"The uncle looked cold, like a killer from the movies."

"He's my colleague."

Merlin did not disclose much, he tells Hermione:

"I'm here in London on a business trip, I'm staying in Europe for some time...speaking of which, when did you become a witch? I remember the last time I saw you, you were just a regular little girl; mmm, a bold one at that.

"About a year ago."

Hermione shrugs and tells Merlin:

"I received a letter delivered by an owl, then I registered in a castle-like school I've never heard of before, and then...I became a witch."

"Mmm."

Merlin could not even imagine what Hermione had experienced; a few seconds later, he says stiffly:

"Sounds like a cool story."

"You look like you've been through a lot of cool adventures too, Merlin."

Hermione suddenly lets out a smirk and reaches out her hand in an attempt to grab Merlin's glasses, but with his dark senses, Hermione's movements were slow, and Merlin easily dodged her hand.

"What're you doing? Little girl."

Merlin reaches out and presses the glasses used for camouflage, he looks at Hermione and says:

"That's not good."

"Tch, don't talk like a grown-up."

Hermione sits back on her chair and tells Merlin:

"You're not a lot older than me...take off your glasses and let me see, Merlin. I'm a witch, you can't hide your eyes from me."

Merlin hesitates for a moment, he spread his dark senses to ensure nobody is looking, then he takes off his glasses. His pair of burnt ash-like eyes are revealed to Hermione.

The young witch's eyes went wide, and she couldn't help but admire:

"Cool!"

"Not cool at all, alright?"

Merlin puts his glasses on and sips on his coffee, he asks Hermione:

"Since you're a witch, do you know a way to cure my condition?"

"I don't."

Hermione had a helpless expression as she said:

"You have to at least describe to me your condition. Magic-related problems are complex, sometimes the same problem may have dozens of possible causes."

"First, what's with your eyes? They look like enchanted organs from fantastic beasts, I've read in a book, that enchanted organs usually have a multitude of effects, any other abnormalities with your eyes?"

"I can see phantoms, demons, and other beings not from the human realm."

Merlin did not hide anything, and like a patient seeking help from a doctor, he tells Hermione:

"After concentrating, I can see the emission of mana. Just like the gold and blue mana flowing around your body, the crimson red, and black mana emitting from my body; lastly, if I need to, when I close my eyes, I can still 'see' my surroundings, along with a lot of small details that regular people may not be able to see."

"Mmm, an alienated Magical Eye."

Hermione takes out a notebook and pen, and while recording, she spoke without lifting her head:

"I've read on books. Supposedly, Matagots and Treasure Moles, along with the mysterious yet dangerous Thestrals, all have these kinds of eyes. In the middle ages, wizards that survived the impact of a massive mana burst also gained such eyes. But this is my first time seeing it. Keep talking, Merlin, how did you get them?"

As Hermione urged, Merlin summarizes and tells her about his encounter with a demon, the contract, and the soul transformation.

Following Merlin's description, Hermione recorded at a faster speed, and lastly, she finishes recording and looks up at Merlin.

There was not a smile on her face, instead, there was a serious expression.

"Merlin, all wizards hate demons and devils, more so by official wizards, it's dangerous of you to keep staying in London."

Hermione lowers her voice, she looks around as if she was being scared of something, and says:

"The Ministry of Magic is located in Central London, it's easy for you to bump into Aurors here, mmm, like magic detectives and police officers. You might get caught if they find out about your connection with some bad things."

"I don't wanna stay here either, Hermione."

Merlin strokes his aching forehead and says:

"I've been feeling exhausted ever since I came to London. As you saw just now, I almost died. I don't know why, but the dark mana inside me was stable when I was in New York, yet it became active as soon as I reached London."

"That's because there's a Detection Ward in London!"

Hermione reaches out and touches Merlin's cold fingers, she says with concern:

"Apprentice wizards aren't allowed to use magic during holidays, because Miss McGonagall told us not to."

"There are the Ministry of Magic's Detection Wards all across London and some other major cities, once we break the rules, it's easy for the Aurors to catch us. Let me guess, you walked into the ward, and the positive energy clashed with the dark mana, causing it to become irritated."

"You have to leave as soon as you can, because the longer you stay, the more danger you're in."

Merlin shakes his head, he looks at the young witch in front of him and pleads:

"I will, but Hermione, I have to find a way to suppress the dark mana, and I can't find a method in the present world. You're the only qualified wizard I've met thus far...so please, help me!"

"Of course, I'll help you!"

Hermione holds onto merlin's cold hands and tells him seriously:

"I've not forgotten how you saved me and my mother that day, I'll help you, just as you helped me, but I have to go look through some ancient books."

Hermione pats on her head with slight depression and tells Merlin:

"I know about those symptoms you spoke of, I'm sure I've read about it somewhere...sigh, my memories' still too bad, maybe I should learn to make some 'Wisdom Potions', but don't worry, Merlin."

"You leave London for now, I'll send you the method the moment I find it."

The little girl pats on Merlin's arm, light flashes in her eyes as she tells Merlin:

"Don't be scared, Merlin, I'll definitely help you."

 

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