Sheldon and Merlin returned to their home on Lilac Street, where they hadn't stayed for about two or three years, and the exact time was unclear, but the layer of ash in the house alone was enough to show how long they had been gone. They opened the windows for ventilation as soon as possible, used techniques to clean up all the dust in the house, went out to buy some food, and tidied up the house a little.

After the reorganization was completed, they immediately arranged for the packing company to move all their belongings in the mercenary assembly quarters, including the notebook that Merlin had obtained from the interior of the Merlin Holy Land. He had tried to communicate with the book many times before, and although there had been some responses, most of them had been vague and perfunctory. For example, "time will tell"; "Now is not the time"; "I'll find out when I experience it myself." But there is no shortage of thought-provoking words: "All Merlin is Merlin"; "What's the difference between me and you?" I will show you the way, but death may be what awaits you, and will you still walk with me? ”；“ I'm always there for you".

These words are very inexplicable, but the other party says that there is no need to lie to himself, he is still alive in some corner of this world and hopes that he will be able to come to him. I can still vaguely remember that the place where he was called "St. Vimu" that Merlin had never heard of...... He also said that the climate and topography there are practically similar to those here.

When he was bored, Merlin would often open the book and talk to the so-called "previous Merlin", and as he spoke, Márquez asked Nightmare Merlin for advice, and Merlin said that this guy should not be taken seriously, and in general, it is better to be careful.

After lunch, Sheldon said that he was going out to do something, and that Merlin should stay at home by himself. He promised to stay at home obediently, but he asked Sheldon to buy some good food and treat him. He readily agreed. In this way, Merlin was at home fiddling with the notebook, while Sheldon went out to meet his teacher, Zarathu, whom he hadn't seen in years.

Sheldon and Erudito Zaratul met in the outer building of the Central Academy of Magic in the Imperial Capital of the Vatican, Sheldon was considered their alumnus, after all, Zarathu was the head of the Magical Research Department at the time and a distinguished professor at the time, and he happened to listen to Zarathu's class when he was in school, and the fate of the two was concluded. Despite Zarathu's advanced age and early retirement, the doors of the Academy of Magic were always open for him.

Sheldon was carrying a black briefcase, and a few wrinkles had been added to his vicissitudes of life, but his eyes were determined. It's all come to this, why doesn't he make a decision? What is left in this world...... In the years he spent with Merlin, his mood had changed somewhat, but how could these changes be concretely stated? He didn't know. It may be love, but it is incompetent, because Merlin himself is helping himself. It is foolish to spend so much effort to cultivate the vessels, but man himself is extremely stupid and irrational...... But what are the stars left by mankind in history that are the products of reason?

He stepped through the outer door of the long-lost Academy of Magic, showing a letterhead containing a unique Zarathu logo, and the doorman did not hesitate to let him in. The outer building was dedicated to meeting all kinds of alumni, and it was understandable that Zaratul had invited him to such a place. He is no longer a member of his [Naturalist Society], so naturally he can no longer return to the research room to talk freely with the students.

I don't know if that old guy is physically tough now? Rune magic is like a flame, in essence, the existence of time is also the embodiment of rune magic in the world, and it is an indisputable fact that people are dissolved under the flame of time. As he walked into the conference room, the old man in a tattered black robe was sitting at the easternmost end of the oval conference table with his legs knocked on Erlang's legs, his face obscured by a mask in the shape of a bird's beak, as if he were performing an ancient ritual sacrifice.

"It's really you." Zarathu's voice buzzed inside the mask, "You're back. At first, I thought the child was your illegitimate child. ”

"After all these years, it's time for you to change your clothes." Sheldon put the box in his hand on the table and sat down generously across from Zarathu, "Teacher, I've come to see you." ”

"I really can't understand, after all these years, what is the wind that has blown you here?" Zarathu took off the mask on his face, his face was full of wrinkles, and his two eyeballs seemed to condense all the wisdom of his life, "Plus, this is the fourth set. ”

"Yes......" Sheldon pursed his lips, "I can't go back, I'm sorry." So, this is a request on my own behalf. ”

"You're still a member of the Merlin Sect?" The wrinkles on Zarathu's face shrank suddenly, "But there is no way for the Merlin Sect to get out of the Merlin Holy Land. ”

Sheldon then told him what he had seen and heard in Merlin, as well as the recent changes in the Church, and the mission of his trip. His current identity does not belong to the Merlin Sect, but he is inextricably linked to the Merlin Sect. Because the contemporary Merlin grew up under his raising.

"So, you're now considered a so-called 'non-staff'?" Zarathu yawned, and was disappointed to see him appear in front of him in such an identity, "Sure enough, you can't change back." I've been convinced for seven or eight years, you know, your research was the most creative. ”

"This year's Merlin...... It will be hollowed out of the soul and used as a container for carrying power for Charlie. Sheldon clutched his head in pain, "I don't know what the church is going on right now. ”

Zarathu snorted disdainfully: "Put the cart before the horse!" The soul is the source of everyone's strength! But I've heard that the old immortal in your church wants to take Merlin's body, and I don't know if it's true. ”

Sheldon clenched his fists in surprise: "I really should make up my mind. The things I've brought today are notes from the years I've been raising Merlin, and I want you to take a look. ”

"Looking at you like this, you probably want to betray the Merlin Sect." Zarathu raised his eyebrows, with his IQ, it was impossible not to see what the other party wanted to say, "Speaking of the aspect of non-attribute magic, do you have any clue?" ”

"It doesn't matter anymore...... Sheldon said slowly, "it requires a very thorough grasp of magic, and at least three magic patterns or higher." Moreover, before the power of Merlin, nothing in the world can be compared. ”

"Don't talk so much...... "Zarathu," said Zarathu, "I am no longer in a master-apprentice relationship with you. ”

And Sheldon's next words made Zaratu choke: "Merlin has absorbed the power of an entire [Primordial Rune], and his soul has received the favor of the World Tree Lux, and has obtained the power to influence time. Physically, he is seven or eight years old, and has recently received the twigs of the World Tree as a wand, the wand is called the 'Staff of Flowers', which has the power of 'indelible' and 'miracle conduction', and the vitality in the World Tree will also cause the surrounding land to grow flowers uncontrollably. No one but Merlin can use the power of a wand anymore...... What else do you want to know? ”

"This ...... This! Zaratul's eyes almost popped out, "I don't believe it! No one in this world has ever been able to touch time! Even the concept of time has not yet been proven, so why should it be said that it is manipulated like a child's toy! No one has ever been able to prove the existence of Didama...... No one yet! Absorb the power of an entire [Primordial Rune], and you're crazy! How could it be! This is not something that one or two magic patterns can describe, nor is it ten or eight......"

Sheldon shook his head and said, "It's true, and besides, his soul is still attached to a very powerful nightmare, in fact, this child's body has merged with the nightmare. He is no longer human. I've seen that he's able to manipulate time regression, he doesn't need to use magic to cast spells, he doesn't have any affinity for his magic attributes, in short, he's like a high-level mana adjustment center. ”

"How do you make me believe you!" Zarathu suddenly snorted, "I...... I'm just an old man. It's been a long time since I've had an apprenticeship. ”

"My value to Merlin's religion is nothing more than raising this child." Sheldon said rather sentimentally, "During this time, I have probably understood what love is. ”

Zarathu spat excitedly: "Ho! You talk about love in front of me! What qualifications do you have! ”

"I'm going to die." Sheldon said, "When I look for you, I show that I am ready to die." ”

"Why?" Zarathu was dumbfounded, "Why did you die?" ”

"I hope you'll take a look at what's in this box." Sheldon pushed the box over, and Zaratul opened it without hesitation, took out the documents inside, and read them voraciously, "I think...... Merlin deserved to be free. It's not just for my selfishness, his power ......"

Zarathu muttered, "Merlin swallowed up an entire city, and this Merlin ...... It's even more wicked than it......"

"My duty is only how to raise Merlin to adulthood, and I want you to teach him what will be useful to him." "I knew that once I got down this path, I was going to die, but in a sense, I couldn't just abandon him." ”

"But you abandoned me! When he came back, he told me this kind of 'inconsequential' thing......" Zarathu's face turned red, and he looked at the physical fitness test reports and the detailed maintenance records, "None! Close! Tight! Want! ”

"So, that's my personal request." Sheldon whispered, "Stars shine." ”

"But it's also hot!" Zarathu slammed the table hard, and a bruise broke out on his forehead, and he was engaged in a strong psychological struggle. After a few seconds, his psychological struggle ended in defeat. He couldn't give up...... In his eyes, once Sheldon became his student, he would be his student for the rest of his life! No one can snatch it away! But it's just that kind of person...... Very unwilling! Unwilling!

"Get out of here!" Zaratul bit his lower lip, "The kind of people I hate the most are people like you!" ”

Sheldon stood up, bowed deeply to him, and turned to walk out. Before he had taken two steps, he was called back by Zarathu: "What are you still there...... Lilac Street? ”

Sheldon hurriedly replied, "Yes...... Yes. ”

"Wait for my letter, and don't fail to reply to it again, as you did before." Zarathu rubbed the corner of his eye heavily with the second knuckle of his index finger, "You can ....... Let's go. ”

There were still a lot of tears that could not be wiped clean in the folds. When people get old, they will always be a little sentimental.