Chapter 26

Merlin was surprised by how quickly Ethan made his decision and couldn't help but wonder why Ethan had chosen such a difficult path so easily.

"You said that as long as I stick to this path, I'll eventually reach a level of strength comparable to yours, right?" Ethan asked.

Merlin nodded. "That's correct. As long as you persevere and don't die from some unforeseen accident… Although this path is difficult, it doesn't have any significant bottlenecks."

Ethan had sensed this as well, but that wasn't the only reason behind his decision.

"So, if I were to follow the path of an ordinary mage, where could I realistically expect to end up?"

Merlin smiled knowingly. "Ah, young man, your thinking is very clear. This clarity will help you progress faster as a mage. I hope you can maintain that sharpness of mind."

Ethan's decision was simple: One path would undoubtedly lead him to the level of a top magician like Merlin. It might be full of obstacles, but at least the endpoint was visible. The other path, however, was shrouded in uncertainty, he didn't even know where it would lead or what the destination would look like. Taking unnecessary risks on such a path was pointless.

Although the path of an ordinary mage could allow him to become battle-ready more quickly, Ethan had never relied solely on magic. His methods of handling emergencies were not limited to the realm of magic.

For self-protection, if it came to it, he could always prepare some advanced technology or gear. That alone would be enough to help him through the early stages of his journey.

"As long as I can control space-time energy, I'll have a higher chance of returning to the Marvel Universe… Maybe I can even trick Tony Stark into helping me out with some equipment," Ethan thought to himself.

However, he recalled that Tony wasn't exactly the type to offer help for free. To gain anything from him, Ethan would need to offer something in return.

At worst, there were plenty of firearms in various movie worlds that could help him handle many dangers. So, Ethan didn't mind how difficult this path might be at the start. He had always trained his spiritual power consistently, and he would just keep pushing forward.

"Actually," Merlin interjected, "there's no need to worry too much. While the early stages are dull and monotonous, once you start generating magic power from within yourself, the process becomes smoother. As your spiritual power grows stronger, the magic you produce will increase in quality and quantity. At that point, it's not impossible to absorb external energy to enhance your magic power. You just need to be careful not to overdo it and contaminate your own magic."

Merlin's explanation was straightforward. "Think of it like the ocean," he continued. "If your magic power is vast like the sea, absorbing a small amount of external energy is akin to adding a few drops of ink, completely inconsequential. But if your magic power is still as small as a pot of water and you pour in half a bottle of ink…"

The analogy was clear, and Ethan couldn't argue with it. Still, that scenario was far off. For now, Merlin began explaining the cultivation method in detail. Even though he only outlined the major steps, it still took considerable time.

In short, the method was divided into several phases:

1. First, Ethan needed to strengthen his spiritual power while gaining precise control over it. This was an area where Ethan already held a natural advantage.

2. During this initial stage, external magical energy could not be absorbed not even a little. Any external energy would pollute his spiritual power.

3. At the same time, Ethan needed to expand his knowledge by studying various subjects related to magic. According to Merlin, the magic generated from one's spiritual power wasn't inherently balanced across all attributes. It was influenced by the mage's understanding of different types of energy.

For instance, a mage with deep knowledge of fire element energy would naturally produce magic with a strong affinity for fire. Even if they didn't actively absorb fire energy from the outside world, their magic would still lean heavily toward fire-based spells. Many mages used this principle to enhance their magical attributes, their cultivated magic would, in turn, influence the energy they produced.

If Ethan wanted his magic to be well-rounded, he would need to study an extensive range of magical knowledge. However, unlike most mages who could actively practice spells, Ethan couldn't even perform basic magic at this stage. He could only bury himself in theoretical learning. Just thinking about it made him feel frustrated.

"So, could I rely on magic circles or enchanted items instead?" Ethan asked.

"Oh, that's perfectly fine," Merlin replied.

Ethan nodded. It seemed like he would have to continue down the path of relying on props and external tools. Combined with his melee combat skills, Ethan wasn't so much a pure mage as he was an all-rounder, dabbling in many things but mastering none.

Still, once he got through this initial stage, things would improve.

When his spiritual power became strong enough and his knowledge base extensive enough, a unique transformation would occur during meditation. According to Merlin, this change would feel like a hidden spring welling up from the depths of his spiritual power. Once this happened, his magic would begin to flow out naturally, like water from a spring.

At this stage, Ethan would no longer need to rely on external objects to cast magic. He could harness his own magic power instead.

Of course, the "spring" would be small at first, and the magic it produced would be limited. During this time, his magic power would remain fragile and prone to contamination. Absorbing external energy would still be off the table.

However, over time, the spring would grow into a stream, then a small lake, a river, and eventually a vast ocean. By that point, Ethan's magic would be deep and boundless. He would be able to cast spells freely without worrying about contamination, and he could replenish or enhance his magic by absorbing external energy.

From Merlin's description, Ethan understood that achieving this "ocean" level of magic power required more than just time and effort. It demanded vast knowledge of magic and a deep understanding of various types of energy. Without this, it would be impossible to create magic capable of encompassing all attributes.

Unfortunately, Merlin couldn't give him a concrete answer on how to achieve this.

"Sadly, I don't know the exact details," Merlin admitted. "After all, no one has ever fully attempted this method."

Ethan suddenly became curious. How had Merlin started his journey? Did he, like most common mages, begin by choosing an energy he was most familiar with?

"Oh, that…" Merlin replied, suddenly flashing a smug smile. "I'm not a pure human being. I was born with immense magical power."

"Seriously? All talent?"

It was only then that Ethan recalled the legends about Merlin. The famed magician supposedly carried the blood of a fae, which gifted him with a natural affinity for magic. There was simply no comparison between an ordinary human like Ethan, who couldn't even qualify as an apprentice, and someone like Merlin.

Realizing he'd just been thoroughly outclassed, Ethan couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. However, this line of thought reminded him of something important: being a mage required talent, often a lot of it. From this perspective, the path Merlin had proposed might actually be the only viable option for him to achieve success.

If Ethan followed the standard approach most mages used, he'd likely hit an insurmountable wall eventually. At best, he might master a single attribute like water magic. But as his spiritual power became polluted with external elements, he'd find himself stuck, unable to advance any further. And with his late start and lack of natural talent, even his total magic reserves would be inferior to other mages at the same level.

Granted, Ethan did have the space-time orb, which might help him find alternative ways to overcome talent-based bottlenecks. But relying on that alone came with far too many unknowns.

Ethan didn't like uncertainty. So, when an opportunity presented itself, a path that might be grueling but promised concrete achievements—he seized it without hesitation.

Although this method Merlin proposed only detailed how to reach the "sea" level of magical power, Ethan couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

The sea, vast and seemingly limitless, might be impressive, but it wasn't truly the largest scale he could envision. A sea was, at best, part of a single planet. What if he could cultivate a "galaxy" of magic, one containing countless planets? Not only would the depth of his magic be unparalleled, but its density and scale would utterly dwarf anything else.

And why stop at a galaxy? What if countless galaxies could be forged into a colossal supercluster? Ethan even considered the idea of using magic to create an entire universe within himself, a self-contained realm of infinite possibilities.

"Wait… wouldn't that technically be a 'Micro Universe'?" Ethan mused, briefly veering into the territory of Saint Seiya. Realizing how absurdly far his thoughts had wandered, he shook his head to refocus. Dreaming so far ahead wasn't helpful. What mattered now was absorbing the knowledge Merlin provided, step by step, and putting in the effort required to make steady progress.

The time he had in this world was limited, just ten days. After confirming the direction Ethan should take in his studies, Merlin focused on teaching him how to control space-time energy, as that was the most urgent matter. As for the spiritual cultivation method, Merlin planned to organize the relevant information and leave it for Ethan to practice on his own later.

This, of course, meant Ethan was about to receive yet another stack of dense textbooks.

"Speaking of books, I actually have an idea," Ethan said, an idea suddenly forming in his mind. "Do you think it's something you could help me with?"

Ethan thought back to the piles of books already cluttering his ship. Now, with Merlin preparing to hand him even more, the thought of lugging around so many volumes was starting to feel overwhelming.

It was easy to foresee that as he continued to learn more about magic and its various attributes, the number of books he'd need to study would only increase. Was he supposed to bring along an entire ship just to store all this material?

This made creating a magical tool for storing books a top priority.

Chapter 27

A magical tool that could store knowledge and information?

Ethan's request wasn't unreasonable. In fact, many magicians had similar tools. However, Ethan added an extra requirement: the tool needed to be capable of "absorbing" or "copying" new books or materials he obtained so that he could review them later.

"Oh, that's an interesting idea," Merlin replied. "But I'll need to study how it could be implemented."

For a magician of Merlin's caliber, their immense mental power granted them an almost perfect memory. Even unfamiliar information could be memorized and retained flawlessly in a short time, making tools like this unnecessary for someone like him.

But Ethan was far from reaching that level. For someone like him, a magical tool to manage and store knowledge was essential.

Unlike many mages, Ethan didn't have the luxury of a fixed residence where he could build a library to store all his collected books. Based on the environment Ethan had described before, carrying and storing books was clearly going to be an ongoing problem. And now, with his need to acquire and study even more books, the issue had become one of his biggest headaches.

"It'd be helpful if I had a clear example to work from," Merlin said, pondering.

Ethan knew the perfect example. Back in his previous life, he had used tablet computers, an incredibly convenient tool for managing information. He had even considered trying to replicate something similar, powered by magic stones. Such a device, if built, might even surpass the tablets he remembered.

The problem, of course, was that Ethan knew next to nothing about how to work with magic stones. For now, this was merely a backup plan for the distant future.

Instead, Ethan turned his attention to something Merlin could directly use as a reference: his wristband, a device that recorded information.

"How about this?" Ethan asked, handing the wristband over to Merlin.

"Oh?" Merlin examined the slim white strip. It was an unassuming item, usually hidden under Ethan's wrist guards, which explained why Merlin hadn't noticed it earlier.

Now that he was holding it, Merlin immediately recognized its unique qualities. "Interesting," he said. "Using this as a reference, I should be able to come up with some ideas fairly quickly."

At that moment, Ethan remembered the magic stone he still had. Unsure whether its attributes aligned with Merlin's needs, he handed it over as well, hoping it might help.

Merlin's eyes lit up the moment he saw the magic stone. Without another word, he grabbed the wristband and the stone and disappeared into his laboratory, completely engrossed in his work.

Ethan stood there, momentarily taken aback. It was a reminder that, even as a legendary magician, Merlin still had the eccentricities common among his peers. When something piqued his interest, everything else seemed to fade into the background.

Arthur, who had been quietly observing, explained with a polite smile, "When Merlin becomes fascinated with something, he tends to focus on it completely, often ignoring everything else around him. Please don't take it personally."

"Oh, I don't mind," Ethan replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I was just wondering how long it might take for him to make the tool I need."

Arthur, confident in Merlin's abilities, responded firmly, "It won't take long. You can trust in his skills."

With nothing else to do, the two began chatting. Since they would be working together in the future—exploring worlds across different planes, it was a good opportunity to get to know each other better.

Arthur, despite his mature demeanor, was still a teenager—only fourteen years old—making him much younger than Ethan. His slender frame and voice, which had only recently begun changing, made his youth even more apparent. Compared to Ethan, Arthur seemed small and fragile, which left Ethan feeling like he might end up as a babysitter.

Arthur, however, was no ordinary teenager. As the son of a king, he had received a privileged upbringing. Even though circumstances had kept him away from the castle, Merlin had taken him in and provided him with a well-rounded education.

Noticing Ethan's subtle smiles during their conversation, Arthur quickly deduced what he was thinking.

"I'll tell you what," Arthur said, proposing a sparring match.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"We've got time to kill, and this is as good a way to get to know each other as any. Besides," Arthur added, "if we're going to be partners, it's important to understand each other's abilities. In a crisis, we need to know who can handle what. Otherwise, how will we know whether to trust our teammates to handle something alone or if we need to step in to help?"

Ethan couldn't argue with that logic. Nodding, he agreed to Arthur's challenge.

And then…

The result was embarrassing for Ethan.

Arthur might have been young, but he was no ordinary fourteen-year-old. Though he'd lived away from the royal court, Merlin had personally overseen his training from a young age. Over more than a decade, Arthur had built a solid foundation in both physical combat and magical techniques.

Ethan, by comparison, was woefully underprepared. A self-taught mage apprentice with a malnourished childhood, Ethan had only recently begun practicing basic swordsmanship. What little he knew of melee combat had been taught to him by a priest in passing.

First, he'd been beaten by Merlin. Now, young Arthur was thoroughly thrashing him. Ethan couldn't help but feel dejected.

Fortunately, Arthur's combat experience was still limited. His youth meant he lacked physical strength compared to adults, and he had little real-world battle experience. By exploiting these weaknesses, Ethan managed to win a few rounds later in their sparring session, salvaging some of his pride.

"You have a solid foundation."

"Your foundation is terrible."

The two spent most of the day sparring, and, unsurprisingly, verbal jabs flew freely during their bouts. Each tried to distract the other, their words growing bolder as they got caught up in the heat of the match.

"I've only been practicing swordsmanship for a few months and all of that has been self-taught," Ethan admitted.

Arthur nodded in understanding. Given those circumstances, Ethan's mediocre skills made sense. On top of that, Ethan was primarily a mage, which meant he'd likely spent more time studying magic than honing his swordsmanship.

"Considering that, it's impressive you've reached the level you have," Arthur said sincerely.

Ethan gave a wry smile. He wasn't so sure about that. His progress might have seemed quick, but that could just be due to his lack of a proper foundation. He suspected he'd hit a bottleneck soon, one caused by his limited physical strength and natural talent. His growth, already stunted by his childhood environment, would only become harder to maintain.

Meanwhile, Arthur, despite being only fourteen, wasn't much weaker than Ethan physically. Once Arthur matured and his body fully developed, Ethan doubted he'd stand a chance against him in a head-to-head clash.

"Maybe you should think about finding a way to improve your physical fitness," Arthur suggested.

Ethan considered this carefully. The worlds he might explore in the future were unknown.

A better ship would be one way to survive the challenges ahead, but a stronger body would also be a crucial asset.

Another factor weighed on Ethan's mind: longevity.

Now that he had the ability to travel between worlds, the possibility of extending his lifespan was no longer just a dream. Immortality might be out of reach, but living far beyond the years of an ordinary human seemed plausible.

Time, however, moved differently across worlds. Ethan realized he could easily find himself aging too quickly while caught up in his travels. If he didn't address the issue, he might die of old age before achieving his goals.

"That would be such a waste," he muttered to himself.

Ethan's seemingly aimless actions often hid deeper intentions. He constantly evaluated his priorities, adjusting his plans based on the unpredictable circumstances he faced.

His initial focus had been survival: improving his strength to ensure he could protect himself. That goal was mostly complete.

Next came finding a systematic method for advancing his magical training. Meeting Merlin had provided a much-needed breakthrough on that front.

As for the magical tool to store knowledge and materials, that was more of a side quest, one that Merlin had already taken on.

With those two priorities nearly resolved, Ethan's next focus would undoubtedly be physical fitness and longevity.

The idea of extending his lifespan had been in the back of his mind ever since he discovered his ability to traverse planes. However, his immediate need for safety had taken precedence, forcing him to shelve the thought.

Now, with the issue of physical limitations brought to the forefront, Ethan was reexamining the matter of longevity.

"Many worlds offer ways to extend a person's lifespan," Ethan mused. "The real problem is whether I'll be able to visit those worlds."

For now, his best option was to take things one step at a time, while continuing to work hard toward becoming a mage.

In Ethan's mind, many mages likely possessed methods to extend their lives, whether through ancient texts or Personal breakthroughs achieved during observation of the mysteries of magic. He believed that, as long as his magical skills advanced enough, he would eventually solve the problem of longevity on his own.

Physical fitness, however, presented a bigger challenge. Improving his body could enhance his vitality, boost his combat abilities, and give him a greater sense of security in dangerous situations.

Unfortunately, there were no shortcuts to building physical strength. For now, persistent training was his only option.

This time, though, Ethan had a teacher—a very special one. The future legendary King of Britain: Arthur Pendragon.

Arthur, for his part, seemed to enjoy playing the role of instructor. Nearly every day at dawn, he dragged Ethan out of bed and subjected him to the same grueling training regimen he had endured as a child.

"Wait a second," Ethan said after three days of relentless practice. "Are you telling me this is the same training you did when you were eight years old?"

Arthur's sunny demeanor faltered for a moment, and for the first time, he looked a little sheepish.

"Well," Arthur admitted, rubbing the back of his head, "I did make some… adjustments. The original regimen wasn't this intense. I was too young to handle this level of training back then."

"...Seriously?"

Ethan tilted his head back and stared at the sky, incredulous. The "kindhearted" young King Arthur, with his honest face and noble bearing, had turned out to be a mischievous little schemer.

Unfortunately for Ethan, he didn't have much time to dwell on his revelation. Just as his disbelief started to fade, Merlin emerged from his laboratory for the first time in days.

The legendary magician looked pleased with himself as he approached, and the good news he brought made Ethan's frustrations vanish instantly.

"The tool you asked for," Merlin said with a satisfied smile, "is ready."

Chapter 28

"A book?"

What Merlin placed before Ethan was a thick tome with a leather cover that felt both strange and unsettling to the touch. Ethan couldn't determine what kind of material the cover was made from, but it exuded an unusual sensation, something flowing beneath its solid surface, almost alive.

Embedded in the center of the cover was a white magic stone, seamlessly fused into the book. It protruded slightly, though its presence defied logic. The cover was too thin to accommodate the full depth of the magic stone. Curious, Ethan tried to open the book, only to find that no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't budge.

"You can't open it yet," Merlin explained. "You won't be able to use it until you've successfully imprinted your mental power into the core of the book."

Ethan immediately understood. It was a process to recognize an owner.

"How do I do that?"

"Concentrate your mental power and transfer it into the magic stone, the core of the book. Once that's done, the book will guide you on what to do next."

Following Merlin's instructions, Ethan channeled his mental power into the stone. The process went smoothly, and moments later, the book responded to his imprint. For the first time, it allowed him to open it.

When he did, Ethan noticed that the pages on either side of the thick tome were perfectly symmetrical, as though he had turned directly to the middle of the book. However, to his dismay, the two pages presented to him were entirely blank.

Frowning, he flipped forward through the pages—still blank.

He flipped backward—also blank.

Confused, Ethan noticed something odd. No matter how many pages he turned, the thickness of the pages on each side of the book never seemed to change. It was as though the book defied the normal rules of space.

"What's going on?" he asked, his confusion turning to frustration.

Merlin, clearly pleased with his work, refused to spoil the mystery outright. With a knowing smile, he offered a hint: "Try using your mental power to read it."

Ethan followed the advice, and to his amazement, text began to appear on the previously blank pages. He quickly realized that the book didn't just require mental power to open, it also required it to read.

Even more fascinating, the content of the book wasn't fixed. Instead, it seemed to respond to his thoughts, presenting information based on his mental queries.

"A magical encyclopedia?" Ethan murmured, astonished.

Curiosity piqued, he tried asking the book a question unrelated to magic. However, the pages remained blank, confirming that its purpose was exclusively tied to magic-related knowledge.

Seeing that Ethan had figured out the basic usage, Merlin began explaining the book's other functions.

"I modeled this magic book after the wristband you gave me, combining its features with the properties of the white magic stone. I also took the liberty of copying my magical knowledge into it, so you'll have a reliable reference whenever you face magical problems in the future."

Ethan looked up, startled. He hadn't expected Merlin to go that far. The idea that Merlin had transferred his entire repository of magical knowledge into the book left him momentarily speechless. It was an extraordinary gesture, the equivalent of passing down his full inheritance, something usually reserved for only the closest of disciples.

"This… this is too much," Ethan said, his voice heavy with gratitude.

Merlin waved off the concern with a smile, placing a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder. "I'm curious to see how far you'll go. If you manage to rise to the top with the help of this magic book, it'll make for a fine tale, one that might even bring me some recognition across the multiverse."

Ethan chuckled awkwardly, still overwhelmed by the generosity of the gift.

"Alright," Merlin continued, "let me explain how to use this magic book properly. After all, you don't have much time left in this world."

Time was indeed running out. Ethan still needed to learn how to control space-time energy from Merlin, as he had no grasp of that power yet. Unfortunately, the creation of the magic book had consumed several days, leaving only a short window before Ethan would have to leave. To make up for this, Merlin had recorded all the relevant knowledge about space-time energy in the magic book, organizing it into a dedicated chapter for Ethan to study later.

As Merlin walked him through the book's features, Ethan realized just how remarkable it truly was.

Not only did it contain all of Merlin's magical knowledge, but it also structured the recommended cultivation methods in a systematic way. The book became a critical tool for assisting Ethan in his magical training.

Every interaction with the book required mental power—opening it, reading it, and even progressing through the training exercises recorded within. The book included numerous minor spells designed to strengthen mental power. These spells were structured like a game, requiring Ethan to complete certain tasks or meet specific requirements before unlocking the next stage of training. This design prevented him from skipping ahead recklessly and harming his foundations.

Additionally, the magic book had the ability to scan and absorb the contents of other books. Once absorbed, their information would be stored within its pages, allowing Ethan to access them freely. This feature alone was a lifesaver, sparing him the burden of lugging around stacks of heavy tomes.

With this ability, Ethan could transfer the contents of all the books on his ship into the magic book, turning it into a portable library. Any books he acquired in the future could also be stored in the same way.

But what truly astonished Ethan was that these were just the basic functions of the magic book.

Of course, someone as powerful as Merlin wouldn't have spent days crafting a simple magical tool. The time and effort he had poured into this creation hinted at far greater capabilities yet to be revealed.

"This book is far more than a simple tool for learning magic," Merlin began. "It's made from rare and durable materials, rendering it nearly indestructible. Neither physical force nor magical attacks can leave a mark on it."

"To ensure its preservation, I've also inscribed restorative magic circles into the book. Even if someone somehow manages to damage it, the book will automatically repair itself."

Ethan stared at the tome in awe. It wasn't just a learning tool, it was a top-tier defensive artifact.

He had clearly underestimated Merlin.

"Of course, I didn't stop at durability and self-repair," Merlin continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "The book also has a built-in magic shield, which you can activate using your mental power to defend yourself."

Ethan blinked in disbelief.

"The shield can operate as a single-user barrier, but if you channel more mental power into it, it can expand to protect multiple people."

Ethan didn't know what to say. Internally, he gave Merlin a silent thumbs-up.

The shield's energy came from the magic stone embedded in the book's cover. Merlin had ingeniously designed an array to recharge the stone's energy continuously, ensuring the shield wouldn't run out of power mid-battle.

"And that's not all," Merlin added. "The book enhances offensive magic as well, allowing you to cast spells faster and with greater power."

Ethan's excitement grew, but Merlin quickly tempered it with a caveat.

"To encourage you to work harder, I've made one adjustment," Merlin said. "The offensive boost isn't tied to the magic stone's energy. If you want to use the book to amplify your magic, you'll have to rely on your own power."

"...You've really thought of everything," Ethan muttered, feeling equal parts impressed and overwhelmed.

By the time Merlin finished explaining, Ethan realized this "magic book" wasn't just a tool or artifact—it was a masterpiece.

"If I had a stat screen," Ethan thought, "my luck stat would definitely be maxed out. Probably S-rank with three plus signs." He glanced down at the tome in his hands, unable to suppress a grin. "At least!"

Ethan was already reluctant to let the book out of his grasp. He wanted to hold onto it even while sleeping.

"So," Ethan asked, "does this book have a name yet?"

Merlin shook his head with a smile. "It's your book. You should be the one to name it."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, then stared intently at the tome in his hands. Finally, he made up his mind.

"Merlin's Book of Inheritance! How does that sound?"

He looked up at Merlin, as if seeking approval—or perhaps something more.

Merlin didn't give a direct response. Instead, he said, "As I said, it's your magic book. The name is yours to decide."

Ethan sighed, thinking Merlin had rejected the name. But then the great mage added:

"That said, I do think it's a good name. I look forward to the day when your name and this book's name spread across countless worlds."

"I'll make sure it happens!" Ethan declared, his resolve hardening.

With treasures like the time-space orb and Merlin's magic book in his possession, Ethan knew he had been given opportunities most people couldn't even dream of. To squander them would be unthinkable.

"As a traveler between worlds, I've already been granted a powerful start. If I can't make something of myself with all this, it just means I'm not working hard enough. This kind of opportunity… It couldn't be better."

Ethan's mind was set. He would practice, grow stronger, and rise to the top.

For the next few days, Ethan threw himself into intense study and training. Even the time-space energy manipulation he had planned to learn gradually began to show signs of progress, much to his surprise.

It helped that Ethan's stay in this world had been extended by an additional week, giving him more time to absorb Merlin's teachings. Despite Merlin's insistence that he wasn't Ethan's official teacher, Ethan had already come to see him as a mentor.

In Ethan's view, the benefits he had received from Merlin far exceeded the scope of their original agreement. Gratitude alone compelled him to treat the legendary mage as his teacher, regardless of Merlin's own perspective.

Chapter 29

"Is this your boat?"

Young Arthur was still marveling at everything around him. Having spent most of his life in the secluded valley with Merlin, the vastness of the sea and the sight of the boat filled him with excitement and curiosity.

After spending extra time on Arthur's plane, Ethan had returned to the Sea of Calm once more.

This time, however, he wasn't alone. The young King Arthur had accompanied him, and Ethan had finally figured out how to bring someone back through the magic circle.

For sentient beings, as long as they stood within the magic circle's range and willingly chose to "follow" Ethan, they could travel together.

However, for non-sentient objects—like ores, water, or books Ethan couldn't simply leave them within the circle or even touch them to transport them. He needed to consciously "bring" them with him, which made the process more deliberate and intentional.

"So that's how it works," Ethan murmured, finally understanding the mechanics.

With his growing control over time and space energy, new information had surfaced. Ethan suspected that as his mastery improved, he'd uncover all the secrets of the magic circle. Perhaps one day, he wouldn't even need the time-space pointer to activate it. He might be able to use his own magic power to do so.

As his thoughts wandered, his gaze drifted to the hourglass nearby. The sand inside had barely moved, as if time had just begun flowing again.

"So, every time I travel, time here stays frozen?" He shook his head, correcting himself. "No, it's more likely that the moment I return is synchronized closely with the time I left. This magic circle isn't just about plane travel, it's tied to the realm of time as well."

Turning back to Arthur, Ethan observed the boy's new appearance. Arthur had trimmed his long blond hair before their departure. Ethan had casually mentioned that long hair could be inconvenient, especially for travel, and Arthur had taken his advice seriously. However, the short haircut had an unintended quirk: a small tuft of hair stubbornly refused to lie flat, sticking out awkwardly.

Arthur also sported gear gifted by Merlin: a set of silver-white light armor paired with a blue shirt, and a massive two-handed broadsword over a meter in length. As for the other items Merlin had given him, Ethan wasn't entirely sure what they all did. The only thing he did know was that Merlin had cast a special blessing on Arthur to ensure he wouldn't drown in the sea.

Neither Ethan nor Arthur fully understood the specifics of this blessing.

Before long, Arthur had explored the entire ship and even noticed the smaller boat being towed behind it. "Is that your trophy?" he asked, pointing at it.

"No, this ship is my trophy," Ethan corrected, gesturing to the Caravel.

He had briefly explained the situation of the Sea of Calm to Arthur before, but he hadn't gone into much detail about his adventures there.

"It seems this world has plenty of shameless villains," Arthur remarked.

"When there are no rules or restrictions, people tend to push the boundaries of morality," Ethan replied.

The Caravel's interior was spacious, with various designated areas for different purposes, including a captain's cabin and a crew quarters. But with only two people aboard, there was more than enough space. Ethan decided to use the captain's cabin as a shared lounge for the two of them.

As for the bed arrangements? Arthur, despite being the heir to a kingdom, had grown up with a practical lifestyle. While his needs had always been met, he hadn't developed the extravagance often associated with royalty. The cabin's modest setup didn't bother him in the slightest.

"I'd recommend taking off that armor and storing it," Ethan suggested. "Wearing it all the time is just asking for trouble."

Ethan himself had shed his armor as soon as they returned to the ship. If he'd kept it on for too long, the relentless sun of the Sea of Tranquility would have turned it into an oven.

The weather here was usually calm, with the sun shining brightly most of the time. Under such conditions, metal armor could become unbearably hot in less than an hour.

Arthur, the naive boy, was already drenched in sweat but hadn't thought to take off his armor until Ethan suggested it.

Once Ethan spoke, Arthur hurriedly removed his armor and let out a long, relieved sigh. Seeing this, Ethan concluded the boy had yet to grasp the practicality of life at sea.

"But isn't it dangerous here? Shouldn't we wear armor all the time, just in case?" Arthur asked, still hesitant.

"Don't worry," Ethan reassured him. "The good thing about being at sea is the wide-open view. You'll usually spot other ships from far away, giving you plenty of time to decide if they're a threat and prepare accordingly before any potential fight."

Ethan spoke from experience, having learned these lessons not too long ago. Now, he was passing on this knowledge to Arthur, using it as an opportunity to teach him the basics of surviving at sea.

After explaining this, Ethan encouraged Arthur to organize his belongings. The young king-in-training had brought along an impressive amount of luggage—several large chests filled with items.

Meanwhile, Ethan headed to his storage area, where he retrieved Merlin's Book of Inheritance. Holding the book in his left hand, he activated it with his mental power, causing it to float in front of him. Its pages glowed with white light as it began absorbing the other books one by one.

The Book of Inheritance had two methods for recording data: it could either fully absorb a book or simply copy its contents.

Copying data required more time and mental effort, while full absorption was far easier. A beam of light would envelop the selected book, which would then vanish completely as its contents were transferred to the magic book. When Ethan read the absorbed material later, it felt identical to reading the original, as if the book had simply changed its cover.

"This is incredibly useful," Ethan remarked, satisfied.

He knew his collection of books would only grow in the future, especially given how much he still needed to learn. Even with an improving memory, he couldn't possibly keep everything in his head, nor could he carry a library everywhere he went. The Book of Inheritance solved all those problems.

After finishing his task, Ethan returned to the deck, feeling accomplished. He found Arthur standing on the poop deck, scanning the surroundings. The boy's attention alternated between the calm sea, the cloudless blue sky, and the occasional fish that leapt out of the water.

Eventually, Arthur's gaze settled on the ship itself. "How hard would it be to build a ship like this?" he asked, turning to Ethan.

"Uh..." Ethan hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He knew next to nothing about shipbuilding, especially the techniques available in this world. He could only rely on vague memories and impressions.

"I can't say for sure," Ethan admitted, "but judging by the level of productivity in your world, it would probably be very difficult if you relied solely on manual labor without magical assistance. Not to mention, the wood used for shipbuilding isn't exactly easy to come by."

Ethan's knowledge came from the novels he'd read in his previous life, some of which touched on the process of building sailing ships.

For a ship like this, the choice of wood was critical. Even if the right wood was found, it had to undergo extensive treatment and preparation before it could be used. The keel—the backbone of the ship—demanded even higher-quality materials.

Arthur nodded thoughtfully, processing the explanation. After a moment, he posed another question.

"This ship... it's not the best kind of ship, is it?"

Arthur's initial impression of the Caravel had been awe. It could sail steadily across the sea, even while carrying cargo and towing another boat. In his mind, such a vessel would be unrivaled in his kingdom's waters.

But upon recalling that Ethan had seized the ship from a group of mere robbers, Arthur began to reconsider. If this ship were truly exceptional, why would it have been in the hands of such ordinary criminals in a lawless world?

Ethan had reached a similar conclusion. There had to be better ships out there. ships capable of crossing the Sea of Storms. Using the Caravel for such a journey would be suicidal.

Ethan shared his thoughts with Arthur, shifting the conversation to ships from other worlds. He explained the concepts of steam engines, internal combustion engines, and even nuclear-powered vessels.

Hearing about these incredible technologies, Arthur's eyes lit up with excitement. "I see why Merlin insisted I travel with you," he said. "There's so much to learn from you."

Even after just one day, Arthur felt his decision to join Ethan was already paying off.

In the days that followed, Ethan adjusted his schedule. In addition to his existing training plans, he incorporated sparring sessions with Arthur into his routine.

He continued to focus on enhancing his spiritual power and mastering time-space energy. The former was scheduled for nighttime practice, while the latter had to be put on hold. The time-space energy stored in the pointer had been depleted, so Ethan would have to wait until he could collect more.

Life aboard the Caravel settled into a monotonous but productive rhythm. That was, until one day, as they approached State Island, something broke the tranquility.

Ethan was preparing to introduce Arthur to the central hub of the Sea of Calm when they noticed a large ship on the horizon.

Ethan quickly grabbed his binoculars to get a better look. The ship was at least twice the size of the Caravel, and it seemed to be heading straight toward them.

But size wasn't the most concerning thing.

The ship's behavior made its intentions clear. As soon as its crew spotted Ethan and Arthur, they adjusted course and began sailing toward them at full speed. From the bow of the ship, something resembling a cannon emerged, further confirming their hostile intent.

Chapter 30

"Fire a warning shot in front of that ship!" Sean ordered, his tone calm as he observed the approaching vessel.

Upon receiving the command, the sailors stationed near the bow hurried to action. They pushed the magic stone cannon into position, loaded a magic stone, aimed, and fired.

Boom!

The deafening roar of the cannon reverberated across the water, startling even the crew who had been bracing for it. Despite their preparation, the sheer power of the blast sent shivers through many of them.

"Strange," Sean murmured, his sharp eyes fixed on the distant ship. "That coward Angus didn't stop when he saw us. Did he really think he could outrun us?"

Standing beside him was his second-in-command, Keno, a man who had been with Sean since the very beginning of his pirating career.

Over the years, many of the sailors Sean had recruited had either died on the Sea of Calm or saved enough to leave and strike out on their own, only to meet Sean again and die under his blade.

But Keno had stayed, earning Sean's trust and rising to the position of first mate aboard the Flame Sovereign.

Sean "the Fire Hand" was one of the most infamous adventurers in the Sea of Calm—and one of its most feared pirates. Anyone unlucky enough to attract his attention was left with few options: abandon all their valuables in hopes of escaping with their life, or risk losing both.

Ruthless and greedy, Sean's reputation was built on his unrelenting pursuit of wealth and power. He wielded both his formidable ship and his magic stone cannon with brutal efficiency, dominating the seas with little opposition.

"The situation seems off," Keno remarked, his gaze following Sean's. "Maybe Angus stumbled onto something big and isn't willing to give it up this time?"

The ship in question was one Sean recognized well. It was a mid-sized vessel known across the calm sea, and its captain, Angus, was infamous in his own right.

Sean referred to him as "that coward Angus," but to others, he was known as the "Vicious Dog of the Calm Sea." Angus preyed on novice adventurers and the weak, yet he would adopt a submissive and respectful demeanor when faced with someone stronger—particularly Sean.

Over the years, Angus had survived multiple encounters with Sean by surrendering his loot without resistance. On occasion, he even went so far as to proactively send Sean "gifts" to stay on his good side.

Today, however, something was different.

Sean's eyes narrowed as he studied Angus's ship. It was heavily loaded, its deep draft betraying the weight of its cargo. The smaller boat it towed behind was also burdened with goods. Clearly, Angus had scored big recently.

But despite being caught in such a vulnerable position, Angus hadn't reacted the way he usually did. Instead of slowing down or signaling surrender, he had tried to continue on his way.

This uncharacteristic behavior unsettled Sean. Was Angus hiding something?

"Fire another shot. If he doesn't stop, aim for the smaller boat next," Sean instructed, his voice low and dangerous.

The more Sean thought about it, the more certain he became that Angus had found something valuable, perhaps even a magic stone of extraordinary quality.

"Maybe it's a top-tier combat magic stone," Sean speculated aloud. "That's the only reason he'd act so recklessly."

Determined not to let Angus escape, Sean ordered another cannon shot.

Boom!

The second fireball exploded much closer to Ethan's Caravel and the smaller boat it towed. The resulting spray of seawater drenched Ethan and Arthur, who were standing on the deck.

"Ugh!" Ethan spat out the salty water that had gotten into his mouth, his mood darkening further.

"Great. Another bunch of pirates," he muttered bitterly.

Ethan didn't recognize the ship in the distance, nor did he know its captain's infamous reputation. All he knew was that they had fired a warning shot, then followed it up with another that nearly hit them. The next one would likely target their ship directly.

Arthur, on the other hand, was already fully armed and ready for a fight. "Can't we fight back? Are we just going to let them attack us like this?"

Ethan gave him a wry look. "How exactly are we supposed to fight back? We don't have cannons."

He had suspected this world might have similar technology to his own, but seeing it in action was still a surprise. The cannons weren't like the ones he remembered from Earth; they fired compressed fireballs infused with magic energy, likely developed using magic stone technology.

"Then what should we do?" Arthur asked, gripping his sword tightly.

Ethan glanced at the Book of Inheritance in his hand, briefly considering using its magic shield function for large-scale defense. But even that wouldn't hold up forever against continuous bombardment.

"Maybe we should toss all the ore overboard and try to outrun them at full sail?" Arthur suggested, his frustration evident.

Ethan shook his head. "That won't work. The wind direction isn't in our favor, and this ship's acceleration isn't fast enough. Even if we dump all the ore, we wouldn't gain enough speed to escape their range in time."

Judging from the range and accuracy of the previous two cannon shots, Ethan realized their ship would likely be blown apart before they could even finish dumping the ore overboard.

His mind raced, weighing every option in mere seconds before coming to a decision.

"Reel in the sails and stop the boat!"

"What?" Arthur was visibly surprised by Ethan's command. But he moved quickly, trusting his companion, and soon understood Ethan's reasoning.

"Will this really work?" Arthur asked.

"The first shot was a warning for us to stop. The second one came closer, but it still wasn't a direct attack. If we stop the ship, they're less likely to keep firing at us."

Ethan couldn't guarantee the plan would work, but he preferred this to being passively bombarded from afar. If nothing else, stopping the ship might lure their attackers closer, giving them a chance to counter.

As their ship slowed to a halt, Ethan's gamble seemed to pay off, the other side ceased firing.

Onboard the enemy ship, Sean was briefly taken aback when he saw the Caravelle stop.

"They stopped? Why now?"

Keno, standing beside him, tried to make sense of it. "Maybe Angus was asleep earlier and didn't notice us?"

"Possible," Sean muttered, though the explanation left him dissatisfied. He had been so certain that Angus's defiance was due to some valuable discovery. Now it seemed more likely he had imagined the whole thing.

Annoyed but resigned, Sean adjusted his plans.

"Kill him… no, forget it. Angus has always been useful in his own way," Sean thought to himself. "But I'll take that ship off his hands. He just got a 'new boat,' after all."

With his decision made, Sean's mood improved noticeably. He waved his hand and barked out his next orders: "Full speed ahead! Board them! That ship is our last prize before we return to State Island!"

"Oh!" The crew cheered enthusiastically. For them, this meant they could relax and enjoy themselves for a while after this job. Recognizing their target as the so-called coward Angus only boosted their morale further. They saw no risk in this operation.

"That coward will definitely grovel before the captain again and hand over everything," one sailor sneered.

"Hahaha, maybe he'll even kiss the captain's boots!" another joked.

"You think if I point a knife at him, he'll kiss mine too?"

"Probably! Let's make him kiss all of ours!"

"Count me in!"

Laughter erupted among the crew as they bantered, fully confident in their success.

Sean listened but made no effort to stop them, indulging their crude humor. If anything, he found their antics amusing.

"This should be entertaining," Sean thought, looking forward to the scene that awaited him.

Meanwhile, on the Caravel, Ethan and Arthur observed the enemy ship's approach. When they saw the cannonfire stop, they knew their plan had worked. But now, another problem loomed—how to fight back.

Arthur, full of youthful passion and an unshakable sense of chivalry, took his place at the most visible spot on the deck. With his two-handed sword drawn, he stood tall, exuding an aura of quiet resolve as he waited for the battle to come.

Ethan, however, felt a headache coming on. His original plan had been for them to hide and wait for the enemy ship to come close enough to board. Once onboard, they could fight directly and nullify the threat of the magic stone cannon.

But Arthur, ever the knight, refused to act dishonorably.

Ethan sighed. It wasn't that he disliked the idea of head-to-head combat, there was something undeniably satisfying about defeating an opponent in a straightforward duel. But facing a ship armed with a massive cannon was another matter entirely.

"Fine," Ethan muttered, giving in. "At least when they board us, they won't have time to adjust the bow cannon to fire at the side. I don't see any other gunports on their ship, and the deck looks clear of weapons."

If the enemy somehow managed to reposition the bow cannon, Ethan was prepared. With time to prepare, he could use the magic shield from the Book of Inheritance to defend them. He also doubted the attackers would dare fire the cannon at such close range, it could damage their own ship or harm their crew.

Arthur, noticing Ethan's frustration, spoke up. "You know, you don't have to stand here with me. You're free to follow your original plan. I'm not forcing you to uphold the principles of knighthood."

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not that. It's just too late to hide now."

...

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