radicalducati Chapter 212, Section 211: Merlin, the Sore Loser
Chapter 212, Section 211: Merlin, the Sore Loser
Chapter 212, Section 211: Merlin, the Sore Loser
In a clearing in an ancient forest.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting delicate shadows around the plum grove. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and his face wore an expression of utter disbelief.
Having weathered countless years, he has long since grasped many of the world's mysteries, and ordinary things are hardly enough to move him anymore.
However, at that moment, he really couldn't hold back anymore.
Ian's figure stood out sharply in the blazing sun. He held a seemingly ordinary wand in his hand, but the light emanating from its tip sent a chill down Merlin's spine. It was the unique magical aura of a legendary wizard.
Powerful and profound, it seemed to contain endless mysteries and the power to turn the world upside down.
Holy crap!
Under normal circumstances.
Merlin is usually a very cultured gentleman who wouldn't swear casually, but this situation is clearly not normal.
The powerful magic that suddenly erupted from Ian's body was like a surging torrent, proving to this legendary wizard that he indeed had the right to challenge him, whose young, or rather immature, face was so striking and conspicuous.
"this-"
Merlin's mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but the sudden shock choked him up.
He stood frozen in place, as if he had been immobilized.
He had only one thought in his mind—how could this be? Merlin murmured softly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He had seen countless geniuses, but he had never encountered anyone who could rival him.
In any case, this inevitably fostered arrogance in Merlin. There were countless geniuses in the world, none of whom could compare to him. For Merlin, his arrogance was a completely reasonable mindset.
however.
now.
A boy who looked no more than ten years old, and whose actual age was probably also only ten years old, appeared before Merlin. Merlin never expected that the other party was actually a legend.
A legend in his teens?
Ten years or even longer before me?
Did this guy start studying magic from the womb?!
Even if that's true, it's still quite an exaggeration!
"So, this is what gives you the right to challenge me." Merlin's pupils flickered slightly. He was still deeply shocked, but he understood why the little wizard in front of him dared to make a bet with him.
It wasn't because of courage.
Rather, it's because newcomers want to test their skills against their predecessors. As for the gems and such that the little girl next to him mentioned, Merlin felt that probably no legendary wizard would be tempted by that.
Excuse.
It's probably just an excuse.
Just as Merlin was lost in thought, Ian had already made his move. He first tapped his wand lightly, and as runes appeared, an invisible forbidden spell instantly formed, firmly locking the struggling shadow creature in his hand.
The shadow creature let out a sharp screech, but that didn't stop Ian from casually tossing it to Morgan.
Ian always felt uneasy about fighting wizards of the same level with this thing in his hands; no one knew if this sinister contraption would pull any tricks during the battle.
He couldn't let it interfere with getting his three large gems. Of course, there was also the time converter; Ian was having trouble deciding which side was the most important item to him.
"Keep an eye on it."
Ian spoke softly.
"Okay, teacher."
Morgan took the shadow creature, curiously wanting to play with it, but her attention was quickly drawn to Ian's next move, and the magical life form in her hand suddenly lost its appeal.
All I saw was...
Ian swung his wand again, this time with even greater speed and ferocity. A burst of intense flame erupted from the tip of his wand, instantly transforming into enormous fire dragons.
They roared and charged toward Merlin. The blue fire dragon seemed capable of devouring even the soul; it symbolized the raging fire that incinerated everything and powerful shapeshifting abilities.
The raging fire spread with incredible speed, mercilessly devouring everything in its path. The surrounding thick trees were instantly ignited by the flames, crackling and burning, turning to ash in mere seconds, billowing thick smoke that quickly filled the air, shrouding almost everything in darkness and terror.
This scene deeply shocked Morgan Jr.
Simultaneously.
It also allowed Merlin to glimpse a different magic system.
"Look what I've encountered, a legend in his teens." Merlin was already on high alert; it was out of respect for his senior that he gave the first move to Ian.
Seeing the fiery flames spread all around, sealing off every area, a hint of surprise flashed in Merlin's eyes. He did not take any action, and the fiery flames rushed towards his body but passed through the golden ripples.
This is some kind of magic.
It could also be a power derived from bloodline.
Just as the raging flames were about to engulf him, his body suddenly became illusory, sometimes clearly visible, sometimes not.
It seemed almost within reach; yet at other times it became blurry and illusory, like a fleeting phantom. As if merging with the surrounding air, the fierce flames passed through his body but failed to cause him any harm.
Magic cannot reach things that do not exist.
"Such extraordinary talent, you come from the Age of Gods?" Merlin stared at the little wizard surrounded by Fiery Blaze, who resembled a demon god, and began to speculate about Ian's origins. It's not surprising that Merlin would have such a sudden thought, after all, he had already sensed the discordant fluctuations on Ian and knew that Ian did not belong to this time.
therefore.
In his view.
Only an era of miracles and divine intervention could produce such astonishing geniuses—the era of the gods was the most mysterious time in the wizarding world, and legend has it that wizards of that era frequently interacted with deities.
Unlike today, where miracles are rarely seen, only such an environment could create a legend in a teenager.
At least that's how Merlin judged it.
but.
Ian did not respond to this. His gaze remained calm, as if he had long expected that Fiendfire could not harm Merlin. He tapped his wand lightly in the air once more.
A surge of magical power erupted.
The power of paradox was locking onto the future where Merlin would inevitably be struck by Fiendfire—Merlin's eyes shifted slightly, and he immediately sensed Ian's intention.
"Is this the essence of your legend?"
Merlin could clearly sense that his abilities were failing, but he didn't panic. "Exposing one's true nature so early is not the choice of an experienced wizard."
The instant his body transitioned completely from illusion to reality, Merlin spread his hands, and countless golden flames erupted forth, colliding with Ian's Fiery Blaze.
It was as if a giant thunderclap was constantly exploding between heaven and earth.
The blazing flames illuminated half of the sky.
A wave of scorching heat rushed towards us, making us feel as if we were in a sea of hellfire. The surrounding air was distorted by the high temperature, making a series of "sizzling" sounds.
The two flames clashed in the air, producing a deafening roar. Little Morgan was so frightened that she took several steps back, but her gaze remained fixed on the colliding magic.
"This is the magic I've been craving!"
Golden and blue flames intertwined, like two raging dragons tearing at each other, distorting and shattering the surrounding space beneath their collision. And at the center of this clash...
Merlin and Ian's figures were faintly visible, as if they were moving through the firestorm.
Amidst the roaring flames.
Morgan's bright eyes reflected the boundless sea of fire and the figure within it.
They have unprecedented ambitions.
By this time, it had already taken deep root in her heart and sprouted.
"Boom! Boom!"
The fierce flames and golden fire clashed and struggled, creating a magnificent yet dangerous scene. They intertwined and tore at each other, constantly devouring and counter-devouring each other. Under the impact of this powerful magic, the surrounding space began to distort and fluctuate, as if a crumpled mirror could shatter and collapse at any moment.
The entire sky seemed to have been torn apart, with fierce fire and golden flames spreading across it. Each flame pulsed with terrifying magic, baking the land within a ten-mile radius into a field of white bones.
Countless animals suffered.
Fortunately, Ian provided protection for Morgan.
"It's too intense."
Merlin looked at the intense battle scene before him, his brows furrowing into a deep frown. He shook his head helplessly. "It seems this place isn't suitable for our battle. Let's find another spot."
In the confrontation with Ian.
He could also spare the time to raise his hands and create intricate hand seals in the air. This was a technique of casting spells using both hands, requiring no external aids whatsoever.
All I saw was...
Merlin raised his hands above his head, forming hand seals and chanting ancient and mysterious incantations. As he chanted, the surrounding space began to change drastically. The forest, which had been shrouded in Fiery Blaze, gradually became blurred, with trees, grass, and streams all becoming indistinct under the influence of this mysterious power.
"Hmm?" Ian raised an eyebrow slightly; he sensed a powerful spatial fluctuation. The next moment,
His body was enveloped by an invisible force, and the surrounding scenery rapidly changed. The forests, lakes, and flames vanished in an instant, replaced by an endless desert.
Ian and Merlin were thus transported to this desert by Merlin's magic.
The scorching sun shone unbearably on the golden sand, reflecting a blinding light. A howling wind swept through, whipping up clouds of dust, as if the entire desert was shrouded in a yellow veil, emitting a mournful sound, as if telling the story of this land's vicissitudes and loneliness.
"Spatial magic, unlike Apparition." Ian pondered. Merlin was amazed by his magic system, and Ian was equally astonished by the magic Merlin used.
"This is the battlefield that suits us best," Merlin said in a low voice, his tone still steady. Even though Ian was a legend, he still possessed the confidence to win.
"What was that spell you just used?" Ian asked, his actions continuing as he tapped his wand again, and Fiendfire erupted from it once more.
It collided with Merlin's golden flames. The flames intertwined, as if to burn the entire desert to ashes. The yellow sand was scorched into a barren wasteland by the flames.
The scorching wind blew against their robes.
"Want to learn? Then beat me and let me taste the bitterness of defeat," Merlin replied softly, his voice surprisingly carrying a hint of anticipation.
"Your wand is also very interesting. I'd like to study it. I can sense that your fire stick is quite special." This was clearly another round of betting.
Ian remained noncommittal.
"What a coincidence. Since I started learning magic, I have never truly lost, and I will not lose now." Ian's eyes were calm, and boundless magic power was revealed as he waved his wand.
A raging green plague covered his feet and quickly spread in all directions. This was the Avada Kedavra Plague, a terrible black magic that kills upon contact.
Unlike his battle against the young Dumbledore, Ian clearly had no reason to hold back against Merlin. If Merlin were to die, it would only prove that the Wizarding King, celebrated throughout history, was merely a figurehead.
no way.
Ian knew full well that his white magic could not defeat Merlin.
Black magic is Ian's true forte. If his white magic is 1, then his black magic is 100. In the blink of an eye, the Avada Kedavra plague had spread to Merlin's feet.
"Bloodborne?" Merlin sensed the terrifying nature of the Avada Kedavra Plague, its ability to trace back to one's blood relatives, and a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes.
"You really are learning some scary things." Merlin quickly crossed his hands in front of him, and suddenly a golden, dazzling wing bloomed from his back.
That is not a physical entity.
Rather, it is the manifestation of some kind of magic.
The feathers on its wings were distinct and shimmered with a dazzling light. Each flutter created a golden ripple, as if to imbue everything around it with a sacred hue.
With the flapping of its wings, golden light spread outwards like a tide, containing a chilling, anti-magic power. This power directly dispelled Ian's Avada Kedavra plague.
The green magic, which had been raging in the air and on the earth, carrying an aura of death, dissipated rapidly under the impact of the golden light, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun.
Even the magical energy fluctuations around Ian were strongly disrupted. Yes, it was affecting Ian.
The anti-magic power swept towards Ian like an invisible storm.
It's not just about sealing Ian's magic.
Ian's right to cast spells must also be banned!
"This isn't normal magic!"
Ian's expression instantly turned serious. He felt the immense pressure of this power, and at the same time, he also sensed the special traces contained within it.
Yes, that's right.
Merlin responded.
"I can sense your power. Even ordinary legendary wizards might not be able to withstand your legendary nature. However, I'm sorry to say that you cannot defeat me today."
He was suspended in mid-air.
Behind.
The wings gradually transformed into a golden sun crown.
"Even legends differ. I am ahead of you on this path to the heavens, and I have already reached the level of a demigod." Merlin raised his index finger and pointed at Ian.
In a short while.
Ian felt an oppressive force as if the heavens and earth were collapsing upon him.
"I created and promoted breathing techniques, and intervened in the conflicts between kingdoms, all to take another step forward. Now..."
You are the first wizard to experience this path ahead.
"Survive, and then—catch me." As if a voice resounding throughout the heavens and earth, Merlin's fingertips unleashed a power containing the essence of rules.
That was an inviolable divine decree.
Ian clearly felt his essence as a wizard disappearing, being stripped away. His perception of magic was also gradually becoming blurred and illusory.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
"I am not a wizard, that's a fallacy." Ian quickly used the authority of paradox to first reaffirm the existence of his own magic, and then spoke in a voice that also contained the rules.
"Your power struck me, but it sealed you away." He was determining the future, but his own insufficient status prevented him from fully influencing Merlin.
but.
This does not affect the fact that he has removed the magic suppression imposed by Merlin.
"Damn it! What the hell are you!" Merlin clearly hadn't expected that Ian's legendary qualities could actually rival his authority, paving a path for him to wield magic.
This should have been the bane of all wizards.
however.
His golden light shone on Ian.
In the end, however, Ian was not stripped of his spellcasting rights.
Instead, it felt like a backlash.
This truly surprised Merlin.
"Likewise, likewise, we're all cheaters." Ian regained the right to cast spells and felt a lingering fear as he examined his own magic. He was quite wary of Merlin's sinister abilities from earlier.
"Demigod?"
Merlin was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
"Just a wizard."
Ian floated once more amidst the rain of fire, his black robes billowing like the eternal night. The young wizard raised his wand in his left hand, and the spell "Clear Spring" took on an incredible effect in his grasp.
He conjured a rushing river out of thin air! A rushing river appeared out of nowhere, its surface shimmering.
The sound of flowing water is incongruous with the surrounding environment, yet it also seems unusually harmonious.
This river does not originate from the ground, but rather cascades down from a long, yellowish river hanging upside down in the sky.
Like a bridge connecting heaven and earth, it flows with magical fluctuations.
"Such magic is indeed exquisite, but ordinary magic cannot harm me. Clearly, unless I fight desperately, I will likely be unable to break through your evil authority."
Merlin sighed.
"How about we call it a draw?"
He made the proposal.
Ian shook his head with a calm expression.
"Is it really impossible to hurt you? Archmage Merlin, imagination is always the most powerful force of a wizard, and right now, I only want you to taste this power of mine."
The words fell.
The river on the horizon began to steam.
The rain poured down relentlessly, soaking Merlin completely. Since he didn't sense any curse or hidden magic, Merlin simply frowned and licked his wet lips.
"Poison rain?"
He smelled a strange odor.
But I don't care.
As a potions master as skilled as magic, an all-around wizard, he was least afraid of poison. Faced with Merlin's disdain, Ian, who had already distanced himself, gave an honest answer.
"No, it's aged mother dragon urine, mixed with dozens of sexually transmitted diseases that won't appear for another thousand years. Oh, and there's also the Black Death and anthrax, which you may not have heard of, but will become prevalent in the future."
"I also added some rabies virus and smallpox virus. It's a pity my good uncle hasn't researched Ebola, otherwise I would have liked to add some too. I still have to give it a try."
The little wizard loved to create his own magic, and this was also a form of black magic he created himself.
Perhaps this kind of magic is considered relatively slow to take effect and not particularly powerful in the Nine Clans series.
However, this spell dealt a far more devastating blow to Merlin than the Avada Kedavra plague. Such magic might not have truly harmed Merlin's body, but Ian believed it had wounded Merlin's spirit.
This is not.
Merlin's previously calm smile froze almost instantly. He transformed into a golden streak of light amidst the downpour, fleeing towards a place free of rain. He didn't understand rabies or Ebola, but he could intuitively sense that these were definitely not good things.
"I won."
Ian took out his camera.
He pressed the shutter button on Merlin as he fled.
far away.
"×&%￥#@、SNo☆2113^&%！$#&%￥？？？？？" Merlin did not respond to Ian's declaration of victory; he only kept spouting vulgarities.
He was cursing and swearing.
In the young wizard's opinion, it was truly a lack of manners.
Can't afford to lose.