Marvel's Master of Heavenly Magic

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"To kill, or not to kill?"

Having taken the magic ring and spellbook, George returned to face Drake. Seeing the cold sweat now covering Drake's face, he hesitated.

Drake, after all, wasn't exactly a heinous villain.

Even though he was the present-day successor of Morgana's lineage, he hadn't used magic for despicable acts like theft or fraud. Instead, he earned an honest living as a stage magician.

If Horvath hadn't broken out of his seal and sought him out, Drake wouldn't have been involved in any of the subsequent events.

However, letting him go wasn't an easy option either. Even without the magic ring, Drake's innate magical energy could still be drained by Horvath to help unseal Morgana.

Unsealing Morgana was something George couldn't allow to happen.

In the original tale, the reincarnated Supreme Merlin, David, barely managed to kill Morgana by combining science with magic. If any unexpected mishap occurred, the situation would be impossible to control.

Morgana and Merlin were magicians of equal rank. A mere few moves were enough for her to overpower Balthazar. If she summoned the army of the dead, it would be a battle George couldn't win.

Thus, George's plan was clear: Horvath must not be allowed to release Morgana.

The best course of action would be to wait until he became strong enough to crush Morgana himself. Then he could release her and even interrogate her for the incantation of the resurrection spell.

Reviving deceased legendary wizards to form his own undead legion? This advanced necromancy was too tempting to pass up.

"Drake, do you want to live or die?"

George released the binding spell on Drake and levitated a kitchen knife, pressing it against Drake's neck.

Drake instantly dropped to his knees.

"Lord Panda, please don't kill me! I want to live—please, let me live!"

"If you want to live, agree to one condition. At most, I'll release you in a year."

George continued speaking telepathically.

Without a second thought, Drake nodded furiously.

"As long as you don't kill me, I'll agree to anything—one condition, ten, or even a hundred. I'll even give you all my possessions!"

Drake wasn't foolish. To him, the magic ring, the spellbook, and all his wealth were just material things.

He knew how to craft another magic ring and could make a new one in a year or so. As for Morgana's spellbook, he hadn't even opened it in years. The spells he'd already mastered were enough to make him one of the world's top magicians.

His wealth? That was the least of his concerns. If he survived, he could always earn it back. But if he lost his life, everything would be gone.

"I don't want your possessions. However, I will imprison you for some time—anywhere from a few months to a year.

"During this time, you must teach me all the magic you've learned from Morgana's spellbook. Once that's done, I'll let you go."

George found a small box nearby and cast an undetectable extension spell on it.

The magical knowledge in Morgana's book belonged to a different system altogether. Learning it wouldn't be easy, but with Drake's basic understanding of magic, he could serve as a useful tutor.

George planned to release Drake only after killing Horvath, ensuring his magic wouldn't be used to unseal Morgana.

"Anything you say, my lord. I'll do whatever you ask!"

Drake, desperate to survive, agreed to every word without hesitation.

To him, George wasn't human—he was a panda. Arguing terms with a magical panda could very well get him killed on the spot.

Seeing Drake so cooperative, George was pleased. He instructed Drake to pack some clothes and food and to call someone with an excuse to cancel all plans for the next year. Then he shoved him into the enchanted box.

After placing the box into his newly created dimensional storage space, George didn't immediately delve into Morgana's spellbook. Instead, he cast a tracking spell.

"Reveal the direction—David Stuart!"

As a golden arrow gradually appeared, George spread his wings and took off once more.

He still didn't know when Balthazar and Horvath would break the seal. His priority was to find the reincarnated Supreme Merlin.

As long as he found the Supreme Merlin, Balthazar and Horvath would inevitably seek him out after unsealing Morgana.

When that time came, George could seize the opportunity to build rapport with Balthazar—and maybe even learn some spells from Merlin's book.

While Drake was decent enough for introductory lessons, mastering this world's magic required a teacher of Balthazar's caliber.

Following the arrow, George quickly located David, who was sound asleep in an old six-story apartment building.

"It seems the situation hasn't escalated yet," George muttered to himself.

After a moment of thought, he used an unlocking charm to open the window and quietly flew inside. Landing beside David's bed, he composed the story he planned to tell before gently patting David's head.

"Child, wake up. Wake up!"

His voice echoed telepathically in David's mind, pulling him from his slumber.

"Who... who's calling me?"

David groggily opened his eyes. When he saw the panda head hovering above him, he blinked in confusion.

"Am I dreaming about pandas?"

"No, you're not. I'm right here, in front of you. This isn't a dream," George replied, blinking back at him.

David stared blankly for five seconds before opening his mouth to scream. George, however, silenced him instantly with a written "Silence" spell.

After David had calmed down a bit, George lifted the spell and said, "Don't be afraid. I mean no harm. I just need your help with something."

"Help? What could I possibly help you with? Are you lost from the zoo? Do you need me to take you back?"

Pressing himself against the corner of the wall, David stammered his reply.

Sure, pandas were adorable. If this had been in a zoo, he'd have happily taken some pictures or even posed for one.

But waking up to find a talking panda at his bedside? That was less cute and more terrifying.

"I don't need to go to the zoo. Do you know about druids?"

George pulled over a nearby chair and sat down, beginning his explanation.

"Actually, I'm a wizard. I became a panda due to practicing a special kind of druidic magic. I've come to you hoping that, with your help, I can break this spell and return to being human."

"I know druids from games, but I can't help you. I don't know magic and wouldn't have the slightest idea how to turn you back into a human," David replied helplessly.

Had it not been for an incident ten years ago, he would have dismissed George's claims outright. But back then, he had witnessed a battle between two magicians with his own eyes. So while George's words were bizarre, they didn't sound entirely implausible.

"You are the reincarnation of Merlin, the legendary Supreme Sorcerer. You can do this," George declared confidently.

With a flick of his power, George made the Merlin Dragon Ring on the table float into the air. He guided it gently into David's hand.

(End of Chapter)