For Ian, this banquet held extraordinary significance.
It was not only because he had discovered some mysterious truths about himself, but also because of the request made by Duke Gorlois of Tintagel and his wife, Lady Igraine. Through their plea, Ian once again felt that uncanny sensation of treading through the streams of history and becoming personally involved in the origins of figures who would become household names to wizards and Muggles alike in later generations.
He was naming the destined protagonist of a legendary tale, a hero whose brilliance would echo through the ages. This extraordinary experience left Ian with an almost surreal, dreamlike feeling.
It was like drifting through a waking dream.
Of course, uncovering historical truths and realizing the errors and omissions recorded in the annals was also an indescribable experience in itself. Who would have imagined that the name Arthur was chosen by "the Cuckolded Duke" Gorlois himself?
It had be said that even the boldest historians and scandal mongers of later centuries would never have dared to suggest such a scenario: that Lady Igraine was carrying the future King Arthur when she was not yet taken away by King Uther.
Moreover, Duke Gorlois of Tintagel truly believed that the child his wife bore was his own. He even took great care of her well-being, like a loving husband. Truly, reality proves to be stranger and far more absurd than fiction ever could be.
No one could have imagined that this piece of history was so outrageous.
Perhaps the most magical stories are born of reality itself. Even chroniclers from that time likely wouldn't have believed it, so history, as recorded by later generations, inevitably diverged greatly from the truth.
As for the origin of King Arthur's name, opinions may differ. However, the fact that he was not originally born a Pendragon seems to have had little bearing on his eventual rise to that title or the world-shaking deeds he would accomplish.
"One day, the name Arthur will resound across all of Britain." Ian once again spoke with a confident look on his face.
Ian wouldn't have known the circumstances surrounding the choice of Arthur's name had he not intervened. But one thing he was certain of was that his "blessing" would become a reality.
Minor differences in detail would never truly alter the weight of such monumental history.
The power of time and destiny would inevitably mend those insignificant ripples.
And so, in that moment, Ian's intuition served as proof. When he announced the name, Duke Gorlois of Tintagel and Lady Igraine confirmed it for their unborn child, Arthur. The very next instant, while the couple remained immersed in hopeful visions of their child's future, Ian felt an extraordinary change within himself.
A warm current surged from the depths of his mind and coursed swiftly through his entire body as if a new force were awakening within him. His fingers trembled slightly, his heartbeat quickened, and it felt as though his very being was overflowing with this power.
Faintly, Ian beheld a vision unfurling within his consciousness. In that vision, a sword gleaming with golden light slowly emerged, its blade etched with ancient runes, radiating an aura of majesty and divinity.
"What... is this?" Ian's heart shook as he muttered to himself, but he quickly realized that the sword was not an illusion. It was the tangible manifestation of power, a symbol of authority.
He sensed that some kind of force was awakening within him. It was similar to his Paradox Authority or Legendary Essence, but, unlike those powers, which could not be displayed on his personal panel, this one seemed to carry the weight of a legend itself.
This new power was clearly reflected on his panel:
Name: Ian Prince
Class: Origin Sorcerer
[You have silently attained the qualification to become a bloodline origin. Your extraordinary traits now hold the foundation to create a powerful new branch of sorcerers.]
Magic Power: Level 11
Rank: Celestial Legend
Causal Token: Edge of Shattered Laws!
Skills:
Wisdom's Enlightenment [This skill cannot be upgraded]
Patronus Charm (Lv.4) 758/800
Ancient Alchemy (Lv.6) 76/3200
Unlocking Charm (Lv.6) 432/3200
Potions Mastery (Lv.7) 182/6400
…
Yes.
Compared to his recent ascension to becoming a Legendary Wizard, Ian's panel had changed even more.
His class evolved from Bloodline Sorcerer to Origin Sorcerer, a title implying that he could "found a lineage" within the wizarding world and an entirely new entry appeared on his panel:
Causal Token!
Ian pondered the deeper meaning behind this term. Through the panel, he gained a clearer understanding of this strange power that had taken root within him.
How could he describe it?
It felt like an extraordinary trait, but unlike traits limited to a single school of magic, or even magic itself, this gift transcended all boundaries, granting him direct and overwhelming authority.
Edge of Shattered Laws!
As its name implied, this ability bestowed upon Ian a sovereignty unreachable by ordinary men. It embodied the power of Lawbreaking, the authority to shatter all rules.
Whether they were magical barriers or the laws of the world itself, they would crumble like fragile parchment before his strikes.
"How familiar this power feels."
Ian had seen this power before in Ariana, with whom he had formed a Patronus contract. However, Ariana's gift came from Pandero...
This meant that the power originally belonged to Arthur Pendragon, who, at that moment, had not yet been born and was still resting in his mother's womb. Ian had found another undeniable clue confirming his dear friend's true identity.
"No wonder Pandero speaks with no reverence for wizards..."
Ian still preferred to call him by that familiar name. After all, that was how he had known Pandero for many years.
Now, Ian fully understood the confidence behind Pandero's every word.
If he so wished, Ian could now imbue any attack, whether magic, swordplay, or a simple punch, with the power to rend through the rules themselves. Even in a direct magical duel, his spells would carry the devastating effect of Lawbreaking.
Of course, this power would not work miracles if the opponent's strength was overwhelming.
After all, it was an authority, not a conceptual force. It could not disregard disparities in strength entirely and always exert its full potential.
The same held true for the Authority of Paradox. As long as Ian avoided provoking the gods who dwelled in the heavens, few in this world could truly crush him.
This authority's primary purpose was to give him a natural advantage in confrontations with those of equal rank.
"Edge of Shattered Laws... it really lives up to its name."
Ian's lips curved into a faint smile, and a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. He imagined how much easier his duel with Merlin would have been if he had possessed this power back then.
He might have defeated Merlin outright, winning purely through sheer might rather than relying on his astounding intellect.
No matter how powerful Merlin's magic was, it would have struggled against a force capable of shattering the rules themselves. Merlin might have possessed formidable legendary essence, but Ian's essence and authorities far surpassed it!
"This feels like a leap in combat strength. Honestly, being overpowered is addictive. Once you start, you never want to stop."
Ian clenched his fist, feeling the surging energy coursing through his veins. His heart brimmed with confidence and anticipation. He knew this power would give him an undeniable advantage in future battles.
Whether he was facing overwhelming foes or unraveling intricate magical traps, the Edge of Shattered Laws would become his most reliable weapon.
"I think I'm beginning to understand why I would etch Medivh's name so deeply into history in the future..."
A glimmer of realization passed over Ian's face as he finally uncovered the reason for his frequent time travel. If he was right, his interference with history allowed him to draw power from it, power far richer than any other wizard could gain through similar meddling, not to mention that few if any could meddle in time.
This surely had something to do with his Plunder trait, which was out of the ordinary. After all, the legendary essence that should have belonged to King Arthur now resided within him, as though he had "copied" it for himself.
Was this not another form of plunder?
The more Ian pondered this, the clearer he understood the driving force behind his future actions. If a legendary tale like King Arthur's could grant him immense power, then what unimaginable rewards might await him if he intervened in myth itself?
'Gulp.' Ian swallowed his saliva as the mere thought of one day wielding "divine authority" made him exited and a happy and prideful feeling rose in his heart.
He had completed his review and perception of these changes quietly, almost without realizing it.
When he finally lifted his head again, the flickering candlelight of the banquet hall danced across the faces of the Duke and Duchess.
They whispered softly to one another about their hopes for Arthur's future. Their expressions brimmed with an indescribable mixture of anticipation and joy.
The Duke's lips curved slightly, and pride gleamed in his eyes as though the name itself foretold his child's future glory. Lady Igraine gently stroked her slightly rounded belly, a soft smile spreading across her face as if she were picturing her son Arthur's future.
After all, this was their child, or perhaps their child, if one considered the truth of young Arthur's parentage, a truth of which the Duke may or may not have been aware. Naturally, he regarded the boy as his heir.
Perhaps there was some favoritism toward sons over daughters, but that was an age-old truth in both the East and West. Sons inherited the family legacy and thus received the majority of parental attention and expectations.
(To Be Continued…)
You can read ahead up to 110 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395