After dinner, I exited Ector's estate and called Arion, but before mounting her, I took off my glove covering my left hand. Letting the magic flow through my crystalline arm, I watched as crystal dust started to fall from it. Moments later, a slight wind picked up, gathering the dust and forming a meter-high eagle in front of me.
The Lands Between are filled with spirits, and so arts to call upon them were also present. This art was also one I researched the most. During my travels back in my student days, I collected many such spirits, animals, beasts, even fallen soldiers, but my research was never about those weak Ashes. I pursued creating Ashes of true champions.
This was also how I attracted the eye of Princess, as she also delved in similar subjects, and so we worked together to create only a successful Champion Ash to this day. Princess renamed them Remembrance, and as our creation depicted the Queen, she officially named it Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen. But no third person knew of that, as this was a taboo against the Golden Order.
All spirits were tied to the Great Rune, destined to return to the Erdtree, but Queen was still alive, thus there should be no Ashes of her. Similarly, summoning Ashes here should be impossible, as there was no Erdtree from which I could call them, but thanks to the taboo we committed, we were able to break the link between spirits and Erdtree, as well as create Ashes using other methods.
Some credit must be given to that lunatic Seluvis, but learning his puppetry still makes me sick to this day. The Originium Glindstone proved capable of carrying memories directly, without the need for a soul, so if one could replace a soul with something else, Ashes could be created. That also allowed said ashes to be free from Erdtree, being bound to Originium Glindstone, thus becoming part of my power.
But returning my wandering thoughts back to reality, I looked at the Stormhawk that now started stretching wings before me. Casting another spell that allowed me to see through its eyes, I ordered it to fly and seek bandits or foreign knights.
Finding them was not hard, as due to heavy taxes and destruction brought by war, many people became thieves or bandits, so just by spending one night riding around, I was able to gather enough funds to start my workshop. I returned to Ector's estate by dawn, and after refreshing myself in my room, I went for training.
After training, I began my lessons, and in the afternoon, after dinner, I once again departed the estate to organize materials for the workshop. Such routine continued for two weeks, and by now, not only was I able to gather all the materials needed to produce paper, but also construct an elegant crystal pavilion during my draining trainings.
That evening, I entered Ector's office with a stack of paper as a sample and talked about my idea. He quickly understood the value of 'my invention' and agreed to cooperate with me in exchange for some benefits. That day, he wrote three letters to his old friends and sent them on a fast horse. A week later, he received responses pledging full cooperation.
The first workshop was finished in half a month, producing around a ton of paper every week by employing twenty workers. The paper was an instant hit, and the orders that came in just one week made Ector and me expand production by two more workshops. In a year, paper production amounted to over half of the territory's profits, even though the tax on it was minimal, but that was a story for later.
As this was happening in the background, I continued teaching Key and Arthur. After a month of learning, Kay found that he had great talent in math and management, so I focused his studies in that direction. Arthur showed more talent in military strategy and magic. This was to be expected due to his unusualness, but after confirming it, I started to include basic magic control in our sessions. This led to Arthur asking me about magic after one of our lessons.
-"Teacher, why is your magic different from what I know?"-Arthur asked, looking at the slight blue glow on his hand.
-"You mean what you learn at night?"-I asked back.
-"You know?"
-"I'm quite sensitive, so few things can evade my perception, especially in such close proximity. I had slight contact with sleep magic, sadly, I was unable to research this subject in depth."-I explained while creating purple mist around me.
-"Ah? I see..."-He looked at the mist and backed away slightly.
-"Returning to your previous question, magic is not exactly possible to define. From where I came from, magic is considered an art that uses one's mind to manifest and use the inherent power of the world. This is in opposition to miracles that use faith to manifest powers governed by gods. But that differentiation is imprecise."
-"Inherent?"
-"Let me give you an example. Magic I cast makes magical energy in me and around move and act to my will, this is magic."-I conjured a small bird formed by pure magical energy.-"Miracles must call upon some greater being, be it true god or some idol."
To prove that, I took out a simple Erdtree seal and, after concentrating for a moment, I performed the miracle of healing, removing a slight bruise from Arthur's arm.
-"See?"
-"I think I get it. But still, why is your magic like that and not magic like I know?"-Arthur first motioned to the blue glow, then raised his other hand and made wind appear around us.
-"Because while the core principles of magic are the same, the power that is called upon is different. You call upon elemental powers, magic I use, call upon stars and moon. Each has its own advantage, but as a beginner, I advise using pure magical energy for learning, so as not to make habits correct only for one kind of power."
-"I will be careful."
-"I will correct you if you commit a mistake, don't worry."
-"Thank you."-He nodded and was about to leave, but I called to him.
-"Arthur, while learning in sleep won't harm your body, your spirit also needs to rest, especially as you are young. I advise you to have at least two full nights of rest."
-"This..."-He seemed troubled.
-"I don't know your situation, and I won't ask if you don't wish to speak, but allow me to give you a word of wisdom. No matter how much you prepare and train, it's worthless if your body or spirit fails you at the end. Balance your work and rest."-He asked, unconvinced.
-"Indeed, but not only is my body different from yours, but my spirit is much older and thus robust."-I smiled.
-"I will talk with Mer... That person."-He nodded and left.
The time continued to pass in such a slow routine, and soon half a year passed. In that time, I became close to the trio of Ector, Kay, and Arthur, earning both their respect and friendship. That hidden person had yet to show themselves before me, but Arthur would occasionally pass a message from them to me, so we were at least acquainted in that way.
My business was also going well, and I even expanded production of more exquisite and colorful paper aimed at nobles. The income allowed me to construct a magical workshop for myself, and so all my free afternoons were spent there researching scrolls given to me before my departure.
After reading them briefly, I decided to focus on Radahn's Gravity magic, as I once tried to invent a spell that allowed my wings to fly, but I failed in the end. Now, with his insights, I saw a new way to achieve what I wanted. And so, I started working in that direction.
As I was settling into my new life, on the far north end of these lands, a beautiful woman sat on a cold throne in darkness. Her face covered by a dark veil, fair skin barely covered by a black dress, and in those delicate hands she held my paper.
-"This is?"-she asked, her voice beautiful but devoid of warmth.
-"This is paper, Mother. A new invention that was introduced by a mage from the Ector's land."-Answered the man kneeling before her.
-"That flowery bastard? No, he wouldn't waste his time like that..."-She looked at the paper and crumpled it slightly.-"Someone new? That bastard won't allow anyone to endanger his plan, so who would be allowed there?"
-"I already investigated, Mother."-The man spoke up.-"That man is called Eno, a mage and knight from far away land. He became a teacher for Kay and Arthur. Founded a paper workshop by capturing bandits and such, Ector is just a business partner, only handling part of the distribution for a percentage of profits; Eno holds the majority."
-"Wise."-The woman nodded.-"But to think that an outsider would be allowed to approach Arthur, he must be something special."
-"I have a proposition, Mother."
-"Speak, Agravain."
-"Investigating a mage is not an easy task, but seeing that he agrees to teach Arthur, he is not that secretive about his techniques. It might be possible to approach him as a colleague."
-"You mean I should write to him?"-The woman seemed amused.-"Are you trying to set us up?"
-"I wouldn't dare, Mother."-The man bowed quickly.
-"I know you wouldn't, that's why I'm so calm. But your plan might work. That paper is an alchemical product; we can start from it."-The woman showed a cold smile.-"I wonder how you are, my dear sister."
In Ector's estate, on a certain day in early fall, Ector spoke to me in his office about his plans for the next few weeks.
-"So you plan to take Kay and Arthur with you?"-I asked after listening to his explanation.
-"No, only Kay. I want him to get hands-on experience with convoys and logistics."
-"Then Arthur will be left to me."
-"Yes. We will be gone for at most a month."-He nodded while looking at me.-"Take care of him."
-"I will. You also be careful, lately the situation on the roads is getting more dire."-I advised.
-"I know, I hope that this state of things ends quickly."-He sighed quietly.
I could only smile at that.
-"We will depart in the afternoon."-He finished.
-"Then I can only wish you a safe journey."
Leaving Ector's study, I looked to the side where a figure was hiding behind a corner.
-"You two heard that, right?"
-"This..."-Kay spoke after awkwardly scratching his head and emerging from his hiding spot.
Arthur also appeared from there.
-"Next time, don't eavesdrop, or at least don't get caught."-I smiled.-"Go get ready, you don't have much time."
-"Yes, sir!"-Kay rushed towards his room.
I looked at Arthur, who seemed troubled.
-"Unhappy about being left here?"
-"No... Ector must have..."-He wanted to excuse Ector, but I stopped him.
-"Stop. Don't always put the blame on yourself, Arthur. Doing so is as bad as taking others' merits. While I also believe that Ector has his reasons, sometimes you should speak your mind despite the correctness of the reasons that others may have. Life is not about being correct, but about living it. Sometimes doing something wrong can be better than being correct."
He looked at me, not knowing what to say.
-"Treat it as annoying rambling of an old man, but I need to speak my mind here."-I looked into Arthur's eyes.-"While duty is important, and those who abandon their oaths are traitors, those who use duty to forgo their ties, abandon their humanity, and destroy their close people are worse than betrayers. Don't become a cold and unfeeling monster because it's the 'right thing' to do."
After speaking, I walked away, leaving Arthur in that hallway. When my steps faded in distance, that voice sounded next to Arthur once again.
-"It would seem you got scolded."
-"Merlin. What do you think about his words?"-Arthur asked quietly.
-"He must have experienced something that made him despise living solely for duty, but I partially agree with Eno. No matter what you need to live first, even if you decide to walk the path we prepared for you, never exist only to do so."
-"I see."-Arthur lowered his head and left in silence.
A short while later, the same voice spoke in the empty corridor.
-"It's unbecoming to eavesdrop shortly after admonishing youngsters for the same mistake."
-"I agree, but I believe that our meeting was long overdue."-I appeared after canceling Night Magic's concealment.-"You are Merlin, Britain's court mage, am I right?"
-"Yes, that's me. Nice to meet you, Eno. What do you want to speak about?"
-"Arthur. I don't know what your plans are, but as I see him... He will destroy himself if he continues like this."-I spoke my mind directly.
-"Oh? Why do you think so?"-Merlin sounded interested.
-"Because I feel it."-I let my halo appear briefly.-"As you most likely know, I'm not human. My race is sensitive to emotions of its kind, but I'm able to feel emotions and some thoughts of others around me. Arthur, while he hides it, is overwhelmed."
-"Oh? Are you an angel?"
-"No, at least not the angel you imagine."-My eye twitched slightly after hearing what Merlin focused on.
-"Hmm..."-Merlin seemed to notice my slight annoyance and decided to respond seriously.-"What is your plan?"
-"How real a dream can you construct?"
-"Almost indistinguishable. You plan..."
-"Use my memories, construct a dream that will let Arthur live a false life without any duty of his, just be himself, far from this familiar world."
-"I can do this, but what about you?"
-"You'll be inside that dream, so take me with you."
Merlin was silent for a moment before asking a question that needed to be asked.
-"Why?"-Merlin's voice carried seriousness it never had before.
-"Why do I help you, or why would I risk revealing my secrets like that?"-I smiled.
-"Both."
-"I might not know what Arthur's duty is, but just by feeling what he is, I know how important it is. You can think of it as an investment. In the future, I will need aid. Aid to confront gods. Knowing how Arthur is, he will help me then, so I will do my best to help him now."- I answered directly.
Silence. Merlin was quiet for almost a minute before speaking again.
-"If you truly can help him, not only him, me and whole Britain will follow."
-"If so, then my current investment will be worth it."
With that, two of us got to work, one flowery court mage and one crystal mage knight, a combination that in years to come would trigger countless migraines for both enemies and allies alike.