The Meeting with Merlin

  After gaining a better understanding of soul techniques and acquiring a mental skill, Huang Di felt more secure and confident in defending himself against any malicious intent the elders might harbor. He returned the tomes and stepped out of the library to breathe some fresh air, recalling Merlin’s invitation for tea at noon.

  Looking up at the sky, he realized there were only ten minutes left until the agreed time. He dashed towards Merlin’s house, which had been described as being made from wood from the northern forest. Upon arrival, he saw a two-story building rustic, yet welcoming. He knocked on the door and was greeted by an Elder dressed in a blue robe and a wizard’s hat, who invited him inside with a kind smile.

  Previously, Huang Di might have felt anxious about such an invitation, but now, more confident, he entered and searched for a place to sit. He found something resembling a sofa made of wood and beast feathers. Despite its discomfort, he had faced worse situations before. He observed Merlin, who was calmly and skillfully preparing tea over a wood stove.

  Huang Di hesitated to ask about the “elephant in the room.” The question, though direct and uncomfortable, was something he needed to clarify. He decided to wait until the tea was ready.

  Merlin brought out a teapot and jade cups, placing them on a small wooden table at the center of the room. He sat facing Huang Di and served the tea. Huang Di took his cup and asked:

  “Merlin, I mean no offense, but I must ask: why would a being like you, a spirit, really need to drink tea?”

  Merlin laughed at the question, as if he had already expected it, and replied:

  “You want to know if a ghost needs to eat like a living being? Hahaha! No, not really, but that does not stop me from doing so. The truth is everyone here in this city tries to keep something that connects them to their past life. A habit, a taste, a gesture. It reminds us of who we were. But let’s get straight to the point. I suppose you have many questions about this place.”

  Huang Di nodded and said directly:

  “What exactly is this place?”

  Merlin smiled and answered:

  “Good question. This place is a world within another world, as you have probably noticed. In truth, it is a high-rank treasure, created by a being whose name has been lost to time. This world has many stages, and right now you are accessing only the first one, and temporarily at that. To make it permanent, you must pass tests. These tests vary from person to person; they can be simple or extremely complex.”

  He took a brief pause, sipping his tea before continuing:

  “I, along with all the residents of this city, know up to the third stage. But certainly, there are others. With each new stage, you gain access to more advantages and benefits. However, the initial cost is high, and it decreases as you progress.”

  Huang Di had expected a direct answer but was surprised by the depth and clarity of the information. Curious, he asked:

  “So, all of you went through these tests... but even after death, you remain here?”

  Merlin immediately understood the intent behind the question. He set his cup on the table, looked into Huang Di’s eyes, and said:

  “Each of us has our own theory as to why we remain here even after death. But rest assured: we cannot harm you. We have rules to follow, just like the little guardians of the library. Our role here is clear: we are teachers, instructors of a new generation. We pass on what we have learned so that knowledge is not lost.”

  He nodded towards the library and continued:

  “We also have limitations. We cannot stray far from it, as if we were its guardians, sentinels at the gates of knowledge. We prevent external forces from invading this place. But to be honest, thousands of years have passed and there has never been a need to fight. Sometimes…”, he laughed, “I even hope the moment comes, just to give some purpose to these old bones! Hahaha!”

  LUBRIA, An Evaluation Device

  Huang Di absorbed all the information Merlin had shared, gaining a somewhat clearer understanding of the situation, though many doubts still lingered. He decided to ask one final question:

  “What can you teach me then, Master Merlin?”

  Merlin, surprised by the question, nearly choked on his tea.

  “Hahaha! Actually, I have a device that measures characteristic potential and helps the cultivator focus their energies on certain areas for better compatibility. It is merely a suggestion; do not take it to heart. Would you like to try it?”

  Huang Di, startled by the novelty, almost burned himself with the tea upon hearing the proposal.

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  “Of course, Merlin, it would be an honor. But it is not very invasive, is it?

  “Do not worry; you will not feel a thing. It is merely a body scanner, quick and easy,” Merlin replied as he rummaged through one of the many boxes in his home.

  “Ah, found it! Hahaha!” he exclaimed excitedly, bringing what appeared to be a music box with a technological display and several lights to the small table in the room.

  “Are you ready, Huang Di?” Merlin asked.

  “Yes, of course, Merlin,” he answered, curious.

  Merlin made a series of gestures with his hands, activating high-level runes and formations that glowed on the walls, initiating the process. A beam of light swept over Huang Di’s body for several seconds before stopping abruptly.

  The mage then analyzed the results displayed on the screen, written in a language incomprehensible to Huang Di.

  “So, let us see...” Merlin murmured.

  “It seems you have a primary focus on close-range physical skills. This is your priority, but it can be improved with secret direct-impact skills. For mid-range, LUBRIA advises focusing on mental skills and complementing them with heritage abilities.”

  “Interesting...” Huang Di murmured.

  “But look here,” Merlin continued,

  “in your secondary skills, you show a predisposition for spiritual abilities, which can be later complemented with soul skills. However, these are exceedingly rare and difficult to cultivate at this stage. Therefore, for now, I advise keeping the spiritual ones as secondary and, in the future, when your cultivation is more advanced, consider developing the soul ones.”

  With the data analyzed, Merlin took the opportunity to explain about himself and his fellow elders:

  “As you have just seen, I specialize in runes and formations. These professions are highly respected in many worlds, and I believe in yours as well. They involve multiple areas: mental, soul, physical, and spiritual. For that reason, I do not recommend focusing on them now, they require a very precise level of energy control. But in the future... ah, in the future, they will be extremely useful to complement your power.”

  Merlin took another sip of tea and continued:

  “Now, about the others... The Scarlet Witch is an expert in elemental and spiritual skills, which would be excellent for you at this moment. Bobby is a natural blacksmith and refiner, but also excels in physical combat, both defensive and offensive, ideal for your style. The Mountain Sage is a specialist in soul skills, should you wish to explore that branch further. As for the Director, like me, he focuses on complementary arts, mastering alchemy and medicine. It does not seem you have a natural inclination for these areas, but it never hurts to learn the basics.”

  “And what about the other elders?” Huang Di asked.

  “Ah, the others do not understand your language. But if you become a permanent member and pass the test, the very system governing this world will translate their languages so that everyone can communicate. They have more specific and individualistic focuses, so for you, it might not be worth seeking them out now. It is better to look for yourself in the library.”

  Huang Di nodded, grateful for the clarity and guidance.

  “Understood, Merlin. Now I can better plan my progress. Thank you for everything.”

  The Art of Spiritual Summoning

  Upon leaving Merlin’s house around three in the afternoon, Huang Di decided to visit Bobby’s forge. However, his journey was abruptly interrupted by the Scarlet Witch, who quickly caught up to him.

  “Hey there, little grasshopper, you left me missing you. Didn’t come to visit your aunt?” she said with a teasing smile.

  Surprised by the approach, Huang Di decided to change his plans.

  “Actually, Aunt Scarlet, Merlin spoke very highly of you. He mentioned you are a renowned expert in spirituality and elements and recommended I ask for some tips.”

  The Scarlet Witch, however, seemed to ignore the compliment and focused on the detail most important to her:

  “Aunt, no! You make me sound old that way,” she retorted, with a look of mock indignation.

  “You may call me miss, madam, or even waifu, but aunt and elder are strictly forbidden. But of course, I can give you some tips, darling... even a complete and intensive course, if you want.”

  Huang Di thought about running away but knew he would have to face this sooner or later.

  “Sure... but just a few tips will be enough,” he replied, resigned.

  Thus, he and Madame Scarlet proceeded to her private quarters.

  Upon arrival, Huang Di was surprised by the environment: much cleaner and more organized than Merlin’s home, with a touch of care that showed attention to detail. He kept his trivial questions to himself and sat on the living room sofa, which seemed more comfortable than anything he had ever had at home.

  “So, sweetie, you tried Merlin’s gadget, huh? Zizizi... curious, but I have my own evaluation method. You don’t mind, do you?” she asked, approaching with a mischievous smile.

  The problem was not her appearance, she was attractive for her age, but the fact that she was a ghost was not exactly comforting to contemplate when facing compliments that felt more like provocations.

  Huang Di almost wanted to run, but held himself firmly and asked:

  “What is this method about?”

  She moved closer to the sofa, took his hands, and wrapped them in hers. Surprisingly, her hands were not cold as Huang Di expected they had an almost real texture, like cotton candy.

  “It’s simple, darling. I just need to touch you here for a few minutes and perform an energy reading to see your compatibility with the techniques I can teach. You don’t mind, do you?” she said, with eyes almost pleading and her lips very close to his.

  He sighed.

  “All right, take your time.”

  “Great! Let’s begin,” she said, starting to massage his hands with gentle movements and making some funny faces with her tongue and fingers. After several minutes of teasing and playfulness, she finally stopped and looked into Huang Di’s eyes.

  “It seems Merlin’s device was right. You have a high potential for spiritual arts and, specifically, for the Art of Spiritual Summoning,” she said, now with a more serious smile.

  “The Art of Spiritual Summoning?” Huang Di repeated, intrigued.

  “Yes. It is an Emperor Rank skill, widely used in my homeland. It allows connection to dimensional planes and the summoning of beings. Usually, we perform an alignment test to determine which types of entities you have greater affinity with. That way, we can predict the kind of pacts you may form. And, darling, after my evaluation... just like my master, you have multiple affinities. This means you will be able to summon and make pacts with beings of different attributes.”

  “In my case, I have affinity with fire,” she continued.

  “That allows me stronger connections with powerful entities of that element. But, of course, I can summon others as well, although those summonses are weaker. As for you... well, we must test to discover which affinities you were born with. Understood, darling?”

  “I believe so, Madame Scarlet. But... what kinds of affinities do I have?” Huang Di inquired.

  “That’s what we’re going to test now, darling. Zizizi,” she replied, making Huang Di even more embarrassed for having asked so directly.