Rowan's explosive spell slammed into the stone giant's torso and shattered one of its arms on impact. Stone fragments rained across the floor. Seeing the effect, he immediately cast again, this time targeting the giant's leg.
The blast tore through the stone.
With its left leg destroyed, the construct's movement slowed dramatically. Rowan didn't give it time to recover. A third explosion followed, then a fourth, then a fifth. By the time the stone giant managed to stagger within a few steps of him, its body had already collapsed into rubble.
"Let's see which of us runs out first," Horvath sneered.
Before the dust even settled, the ancient wizard raised his staff again. The ground rippled, and a second stone giant clawed its way up from the floor.
Horvath was confident. He had lived for over a thousand years, his magical reserves vast and deep. Even if this panda could destroy one construct, could it destroy five? Ten?
Rowan almost laughed.
"Trying to outlast me?" he thought, calmly raising his paw again.
In raw magical reserves, Rowan knew he was inferior. Horvath's centuries of accumulation gave him a clear advantage. But Rowan's recovery speed was absurd. His magic replenished itself faster than Horvath could burn it away. A prolonged exchange favored him, not the ancient mage.
Explosions echoed through the space in rapid succession.
One stone giant after another crumbled. Horvath's expression slowly shifted as he felt his magic thinning, while his opponent showed no signs of strain. Rowan moved with relaxed precision, as if this were practice rather than a life-or-death battle.
Something was wrong.
Before Horvath could reassess, a sharp cry split the air behind him.
He turned just in time to see a massive metallic eagle descending from the sky, wings spread wide, talons gleaming. Standing atop it was the one man Horvath hated most.
Balthazar.
"Tch," Horvath spat. "You're all persistent."
Surrounded and outmaneuvered, he made his decision instantly. He thrust his staff toward a nearby shop window.
"Mirror World."
The glass rippled like water.
Horvath leapt forward and vanished into the reflection, leaving the shattered battlefield behind.
Rowan did not pursue.
"That spell," he murmured, eyes narrowing. "Very useful."
Mirror World magic was recorded in the Book of Morgana as a high-tier spatial art. Mirrors served as gateways into a reversed dimension, a place layered alongside reality. It was ideal for escape. Unless an enemy understood spatial magic, pursuit became nearly impossible.
It was also perfect for infiltration. Enter the mirror realm, travel unseen, emerge from another reflective surface. And if used offensively, one could trap an opponent inside by destroying nearby mirrors, forcing them to search for an exit.
A versatile, dangerous spell.
"He got away," Balthazar said, leaping down as the metal eagle landed. There was frustration in his voice, but no surprise.
He glanced at David, then at Rowan.
"The police are already on their way," Balthazar added. "We should leave. Get on the eagle. We can talk somewhere safer."
"You're the wizard who gave me the ring," David said suddenly, recognition flashing across his face.
Rowan jumped onto the eagle first and replied mentally, "Sounds good."
Balthazar's mimicry skill was clearly on par with Horvath's. Rowan studied the construct beneath his feet with interest. Once he mastered the technique, filling the school grounds with dormant metal guardians suddenly felt like an excellent idea.
David followed Rowan onto the eagle, sitting beside him. After what had just happened, his trust in Rowan had solidified completely.
Balthazar climbed on last, still stealing glances at the panda.
In over a thousand years, he had seen dragons, liches, and monsters long thought extinct. A telepathic, spellcasting panda was new.
The eagle launched into the sky, carrying one man, one student, and one very unusual guardian. Minutes later, it touched down atop a towering skyscraper. Rowan recognized it immediately. This was the same building he had once used to observe the city when he first arrived in this world.
They stepped onto the rooftop.
Conversation followed swiftly.
After ten minutes, Balthazar spoke again. "So you were transformed by a unique form of magic, and you want David to restore you once he awakens as Merlin."
"That's right," Rowan replied mentally. "Though if you can do it, I'd be grateful."
Balthazar studied him carefully, then shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't see any trace of transformation magic. It's as if this form is your natural state. Only my master, Merlin himself, might have been able to help."
He wasn't lying. Rowan's magic felt deep and powerful, easily rivaling veteran sorcerers. If Balthazar had to guess, Rowan's strength hovered somewhere beyond three hundred. The fact that he had fought Horvath head-on for so long was astonishing.
David exhaled slowly. "I don't want to be involved in this anymore. I can't help you fight him."
Balthazar nodded, surprisingly gentle. "That's fine. Help me retrieve the nesting doll that seals Morgana and Horvath goes back into prison. After that, I won't disturb your life again."
He paused.
"Otherwise, even if we disappear, Horvath will return. You are Merlin reborn. He won't stop until you're dead."
Balthazar knew David still cared about magic. The ring had never left his finger for ten years. All it would take was time.
And time, Balthazar had in abundance.