"Reincarnation of Merlin? Supreme sorcerer?" David swallowed hard, fingers tightening around the dragon ring he'd worn for ten years. He shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He remembered the strange man in the antique shop all those years ago, remembered how much trouble followed that encounter. His life was stable now. Ordinary. He didn't want to be dragged back into anything involving hidden magic or ancient wars.
"That's fine," Rowan said calmly. "Then let me tell you a story. An old wizard once told it to me."
David didn't interrupt, but his expression made it clear he remained unconvinced.
"In the year 740," Rowan continued, settling into the chair, "two great magical traditions clashed. Ever since then, one man has been searching for Merlin's reincarnation. The fact that you carry that ring already answers most questions."
"No," David said quickly. "That ring was an accident. You're mistaken."
Rowan shook his head. "Whether you accept it or not doesn't matter. Morgana's followers will find you eventually. And when they do, they won't ask questions."
David's breath hitched. "They're not going to… kill me, right?"
"They'll tear you apart piece by piece," Rowan said evenly, voice soft but merciless. "And they won't stop there. Your soul would be burned with magical fire every day for a year. Slowly. Until nothing remains."
David's hands began to shake.
Rowan waited until the fear settled deep, then asked, "So. What do you think of my offer?"
"If you can really protect me," David said after a long pause, "then… if I ever become what you say I am, I'll help you return to human form."
He hesitated, then added, "But if you're wrong, that's not on me. And if you stay here, food is your responsibility. I can't afford to feed a panda."
Rowan smiled faintly. "Fair enough. Go back to sleep."
He left the bedroom and sat on the living room sofa, opening the heavy Book of Morgana and beginning to read.
David lay awake for hours, staring at the ceiling. What had just happened felt more unreal than anything he'd experienced ten years ago. He needed time to think.
In the living room, Rowan's brow furrowed as he skimmed the book's foundational theory.
"So this world quantifies magical growth," he murmured.
According to the text, mages advanced through a thousand stages. Beginners started at the first, growing stronger through meditation and comprehension. Once past the midpoint, aging ceased entirely. Only two beings had ever reached the final stage.
Morgana. And Merlin.
By the time dawn crept in through the windows, Rowan was still reading.
Around six, David emerged from his room, dark circles under his eyes.
"Morning, David."
"Morning… panda."
"You can call me Rowan."
David hesitated. "Rowan, I was thinking—"
Rowan raised a paw. "One second."
He gestured toward the kitchen. Metal clinked, heat flared, and within moments a full breakfast appeared on the table, steaming and fragrant.
Another wave of magic swept through the apartment. Dust vanished. Clothes folded themselves. The room looked professionally cleaned.
Finally, Rowan pointed at the battered refrigerator. The dents smoothed out. The hum stabilized. It looked brand new.
"Now," Rowan said, "what were you saying?"
David stared, eyes shining. "…Nothing. I was just wondering if sleeping on the sofa is uncomfortable. Maybe I should buy you a bed."
In that moment, his doubts evaporated.
Protection from mysterious enemies was one thing. But a panda who cooked, cleaned, and repaired appliances with a gesture was something else entirely.
"No need," Rowan replied. "Most of the time, I'll stay in this."
He produced a small box, opened it, and climbed inside.
David watched, dumbfounded, as a full-grown panda compressed into a container small enough to fit in his palm.
"Magic really is incredible," he whispered.
After breakfast, David slipped the box into his pocket and headed to university.
Inside the box, Rowan summoned Drake and began intensive instruction. Theory. Structure. Meditation. The foundations of this world's magic.
A week passed.
No attacks. No sign of Balthazar or Horvath. Whatever prison held them remained intact.
Rowan's grasp of Morgana's magical system deepened rapidly. He mastered the meditation method used to accelerate magical growth and learned a powerful amplification spell.
Inside the box, Rowan opened his eyes.
Red flames bloomed around him. His hands moved in precise patterns, runes forming in the air until they locked into a glowing circular array.
The Ring of Morgana.
Standing within it, a mage's learning, meditation, and spellcasting efficiency multiplied.
Rowan exhaled slowly.
This world was starting to open its doors.
...
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