"I've carried many names over the passage of time… Emris, Allanon, Myrddin, a druidic title or two. Though there is one name that has remained constant, which I am sure you children know very well."
Contrary to what everyone expected, Merlin did not speak with an air of authority or coldness. Even Maverick had not imagined his tone would be so... amiable, especially after that dramatic entrance.
His voice carried the warmth of a grandfather addressing his grandchildren, and without realizing it, their sense of edge faded the moment he began talking. Whether some subtle magic was involved was something they did not bother to ponder, and simply listened without interrupting.
"Those who know the truth of my existence call me Merlin Ambrosius, and yes, children, I am exactly the figure you think I am. Though I prefer that you simply address me as the Supreme Mage, just as my students here do."
Having introduced himself, the old wizard fixed his gaze on Maverick and smiled. "You, child, have been rather busy, I see. Normally, I do not reveal my existence to just anyone, but this is indeed a special case." His eyes then drifted across the table, stopping on each person from left to right. Flitwick, McGonagall, then Maverick, and finally Dumbledore.
"A child from the lineage of the phoenix contractors. As expected of his descendant. Only a century old and already on the verge of shedding mortal flesh to reach the demigod realm." An approving smile touched his lips as he continued. "Your talent is no less than my students here. Perhaps even greater, since they only reached the rank of warlock two centuries into their lives."
"M-my lord, I…" Dumbledore swallowed a dry mouthful. His hands were still trembling slightly under the table despite the strange calmness that had settled after Merlin began speaking. After all, the most renowned legend the magical world had ever known was sitting only a few feet away, and the figures beside him were no less overwhelming.
The headmaster of Hogwarts needed only a single glance to guess who they were, because the lion, badger, raven, and serpent on their chests were far too deliberate to be coincidence. Not to mention, the moment he looked at them, his magical sense had practically screamed in alarm, as their aura felt countless times more dense than his own even with how tightly restrained it seemed.
"You need not feel intimidated," Merlin said with a slight nod. "And as I mentioned earlier, I prefer to be addressed as the Supreme Mage. Lord and all that… perhaps I once held the title, but it no longer means anything to me."
Without pausing, he turned his gaze back to Maverick. "Let us first discuss why you have summoned me, child, and after that we shall have plenty of time to become acquainted."
Seeing the look, Maverick realized it was his cue to speak, so he cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts. But then he remembered he had not told Merlin anything about his plan yet.
Do I have to start from the beginning? Fortunately, just as the thought crossed his mind, Merlin spared him the trouble, almost as if he had read his mind.
"I am well aware, child, that you intend to expose magic to the wider human world. Therefore, I need only know the role I play in it."
Is this old fossil keeping tabs on me? Maverick thought nervously, especially seeing that seemingly knowing smile directed at him. Whatever—at least he wasn't going to act against my plans.
He cleared his throat again and began. "Yes, I intend to completely dismantle the Statute of Secrecy and expose our world to the non-magicals…" He spoke quickly, trying to get everything out in one breath, and just as Merlin had requested, he skipped all the details and focused only on the role he wanted Merlin to play.
"At the climax of my plan, an archmage‑level duel will take place over the great city of London. It will be controlled, of course, and my people will be stationed everywhere on both the Muggle and magical sides. Some will act as countermeasures to prevent innocent lives from being harmed, while others will focus on spreading the news."
"Using both Muggle and magical technology, I will ensure the entire world has its eyes on it in the shortest possible time, to the point where it becomes impossible for the ICW to contain the news. Once that goal is achieved, I will bring the duel to an end. Of course, to the outside world, it will appear as if I had no choice but to intervene, and by the end of it, the entire world will know of the existence of the magicals."
"Basically, I ask for your help, Supreme Mage, as a final safeguard to guarantee that no innocents are harmed during the act. Apart from the archmage, which I will be" — he paused and gestured with his hands as if making quotation marks — "trying my best to stop, there may be great magi on the enemy side as well. Of course, I have confidence that my people can handle it, but my colleagues here want a little more assurance, which is why I summoned you."
With that, Maverick finished, and the table sank into silence as everyone awaited Merlin's response. The old wizard hummed thoughtfully and, after a moment, gave a small nod. "Not the brightest of plans," he murmured, "but if everything unfolds as you envision, then this long standing rule will no longer need to exist." He let out a quiet, almost weary sigh.
"And I agree with you on this matter, child. There was a time when keeping our world hidden was necessary, but that time has passed. Our world has evolved beyond that, and it is about time we lift the curtain." As he spoke, his gaze swept over the three seated beside Maverick, lingering briefly on Dumbledore.
"You have my word. I, along with my students, shall act on that day and ensure that no innocent lives are harmed." He turned back to Maverick. "So go ahead with your vision. Take the necessary step that our magical world has long needed to take."
At his words, Maverick felt a weight lift from his chest. He exhaled without thinking and allowed himself a small, relieved smile. He turned first to his left, toward Dumbledore, whose tired sigh met his gaze, and in that look, Maverick knew the decision had been made.
"Headmaster…" Maverick murmured, and Dumbledore nodded in response.
"I am convinced. Worry not. With the Supreme Mage overseeing matters unseen, I am certain everything will align as you have envisioned."
He nodded in response, then glanced to his right, where the two professors also nodded. "I shall always stand by Albus' decision, Maverick. You can count on my support."
"And mine," Flitwick chimed in. "Truthfully, I too am weary of hiding ourselves from everyone… and I look forward to stepping into that tomorrow, where the veil is lifted."
"Thank you. Honestly, you have no idea how much your support means to me." Maverick's words were not just for show, and he was truly sincere. By now, he had truly grown attached to them, seeing them as genuine companions.
Maverick's nature had always been like this, which is why he had chosen a path that compelled him to form bonds and interact with many people. Even his subordinates, well, at least those he trusts, he regarded as genuine companions. If he had wished, with the help of the system, he could, of course, have grown stronger than anyone over time, quietly, behind closed doors.
In both his previous life and even more in the present, he had always been naturally inclined toward extroversion. After all, what was the point of becoming all-powerful if there was no one to share that glory with? For that reason, even more than Merlin, he cherished Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Flitwick's support, for the bond he shared with them was precious.
Setting those thoughts aside for the moment, he turned back to the ancient wizard and offered a sincere, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Supreme Mage. I shall not forget this favor."
"There is no need to call it a favor," Merlin said, shaking his head. "It is for the betterment of the magical world in the end, which you, I, and all of us share." He smiled, then briefly glanced to his left and right. "Now, with that out of the way, let us become better acquainted. Introduce yourselves, my students, to your juniors."
"Rowena." From the far left, the woman who appeared to be in her late twenties spoke first. Her face was flawless, and her hair shone black as midnight. Her eyes settled on the half-man with an approving glance. "Together with my friends here, I helped found this great castle. And you, young man, I understand today you represent the house named after me."
"It is an honor, Madam Ravenclaw." Flitwick's eyes visibly sparkled as he bowed courteously. "I always had a feeling that your disappearance from history was no simple matter. I suppose I was right. In any case, meeting you in person has long been a dream of mine, and I hope I have not disappointed in guiding the students sorted into the great house of Ravenclaw."
"I am Godric." The broad-shouldered man, looking every bit a warrior rather than a mage, spoke next. He scanned the four people before him with a practiced eye and finally fixed his gaze on McGonagall. "You, girl, have my approval. A remarkable talent representing the house named after me."
Meanwhile, Maverick caught, from the corner of his eye, McGonagall's face turning crimson at the remark. Merlin… uh… the old man is here. Anyway, did the stern lady actually blush?
"You remind me of Rowena when she was young," Godric Gryffindor continued, rubbing his chin and finishing with a wide grin.
As soon as he finished, a soft, almost ethereal chuckle came from the other side as the woman in the lavish pink gown smiled. Honestly, Helga Hufflepuff was nothing like Maverick had envisioned, and certainly not with that striking look. A stunning face, a body with the right curves in the right places, she was nothing like the plump woman most history books depicted.
"Indeed, an accurate remark. Rowena also had a face as stern as yours when she was young…"
On the other side, the founder of the Ravenclaw house rolled her eyes almost to the edge and cast her a sharp glance. That, in turn, made the lady in pink giggle even more.
"Right, right, my turn." She waved her hand. "I am Helga Hufflepuff. Unfortunately, the young lady representing my house was not invited to this meeting, so I cannot make any remarks about her." She cast Maverick a provocative smirk. "Therefore, young man, I shall settle with you."
The hell? What did I do? And is this not simply about introducing you old things to us? Of course, Maverick did not say any of that aloud and only shrugged at the woman giving him that look. "If you want, I can bring her here, Lady Hufflepuff."
"Ahaha. You hear that, Salazar? He called me a lady."
A quiet sigh followed her remark before the last person in the room who had yet to speak finally did. "Do try to mind your manners, Helga. They are your juniors, after all."
It was the man who had worn a stern expression through the brief exchange so far, polished like a literal mafia boss. Yet he sounded nothing like what Maverick or his colleagues expected. For one thing, his voice was far too soft, almost like the introverted sibling of the family. Even more surprising, he sounded much too young for someone who was supposedly a millennium old.
"I am Salazar Slytherin," he continued, and as he spoke, his gaze locked onto Maverick, his expression cooling inexplicably for some unknown reason.
Maverick: …
"You, boy, have an apology to make."
The hell? When did I insult this guy's parents? Maverick scrambled through his memory, trying to figure out what it could possibly be, and not long after, something did come to his mind. He remembered that back in the Chamber of Secrets, he might have, maybe, probably, and quite unintentionally, called a statue that was supposedly modeled after Slytherin an... ugly monkey.
Uh… he swallowed. Surely it wasn't about that, right? Was there some magical CCTV or something… or… he thought of something else. Did that old snake snitch?
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Author's Note:
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