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I think I can avoid going to England.

[Since he's 'in another world with my asshole magic instructor'. ]

And I get a feeling that if they are using a tool powerful enough to do that, then I'm going to get found out anyway, so it's probably better to worry about being stronger to avoid getting captured in that situation. Right?

[This Watanuki had yet to learn the refinement of magic. Shopanuki was still a good 100 years off at a minimum.

Still, he walked over to the edge of the courtyard and peered down to the garden. It was a long ways down, and it was quite the sight. He did frown at all the sunlight, though. There really was no night in the garden, huh?]

Right. So when do we start?

Exactly.

[He looked rather pleased that Watanuki reached that conclusion.

Though if his new student wanted to start now...

Merlin looked at him up and down. Time for a litmus test, and he pressed a finger to the center of Watanuki's chest.]

How does this feel to you?

[If Watanuki was either tired or still adjusting to having so much magic around him, the pulse of energy Merlin sent would feel like an uncomfortable zap, as if he ate something a bit off.

If Watanuki was neither, however, that pulse would feel like a pleasant tingle.]

Eh?

[Watanuki pulled back instinctively from the finger, though Merlin would be able to poke his chest for a moment. That moment was long enough for Watanuki to feel the strange buzz of magic, which made him rub at that spot a moment later.]

That ticked, what was that for?

Checking something.

[And if Watanuki didn't seem at all bothered by that, well.

Merlin sat on the closest window ledge, knees spread and staff propped up for balance, and made a mental note to consider if Watanuki needed some sort of foci to better concentrate his magic. Teaching him was different from the other time he tutored someone about magic: that fae already had a good grasp of her own power when she sought him out.

For now, he unwrapped one of the lengths of cloth from his staff and held it out for Watanuki.]

Wrap this around your dominant hand.

[He was, essentially, lending Watanuki his staff. Sort of. Same material, etc. And checking for compatibility at the same time. It won't be exact given how bound that staff was to Merlin, but he was more interested in finding the right material - wood? Metal? Stone?

If wood was the right one, Watanuki would intuitively know and perhaps even get energized by it. Unless he overthought it.]

How about that?

[Curious, Watanuki reached out to take the cloth, and almost as soon as he had grabbed it in his right hand he could feel the magic pull at him.

Wood was...well, not completely right, but not wrong either. A staff was definitely wrong though, the shape was too large and unrefined for his purposes. What would eventually fit his magic was much smaller, and would probably be a mixture of materials. Wood and metal was a likely combination, balancing the strengths and weaknesses of each material off of each other.

Interestingly, the woman who had sent Watanuki to Merlin also used a magic focus made out of both wood and metal. Perhaps they would end up with similar objects?

But Watanuki let out a surprised noise as he felt the magic flow through the cloth. It was like suddenly being aware of something that had always been there, but that he hadn't really noticed yet. And after that initial shock, his face scrunched up in concentration as he tried to figure out just what it was he felt.]

It's...it's weird. Bulky. It's like I'm carrying a too-big suitcase for no reason.

I see.

[Not a sign of rejection, but the sensation of density.

Now, he materialized the sword he usually used and held it out horizontally, so the flat of the blade would meet Watanuki's palms. This steel, too, would have some magic in it thanks to Merlin's shenanigans, although he personally wasn't as attuned to it compared to his staff.]

Use two hands to hold this.

[He hadn't thought to ask for the cloth back yet, figuring that it'd protect one of Watanuki's palms from getting cut.]

[Interestingly, holding both the cloth and the sword at the same time got a reaction. The shape wasn't right, but the material composition was, and it resonated with him in a way just the cloth alone hadn't. It made Watanuki gasp in surprise when he felt it, and he had to fight to keep his hands still so he didn't drop the sword.]

It's-

[His eyes were wide as he stared down at the sword, not yet realizing it was both wood and metal that mattered. Was he meant to be a swordsman?]

But I've never used a sword before!

[Merlin snorted. That much, they've established.]

And this isn't drawing Caliburn from the Stone. [No prophecy to back this one up, luckily for Watanuki.] Even if it were, it wasn't as if King Arthur was restricted to using a sword.

Now. [He held out his hand. Watanuki's expression already pointed to a favorable result, but it was better to be sure.] Hold on to the sword, but hand me the cloth.

Ah- yes.

[Right, the cloth. He shifted his hands, moving the sword to one so he could hand Merlin the cloth with the other. But as soon as the cloth was out of his hands, it felt weird again. It was 'close, but not quite right'.

Watanuki, befuddled by the sudden change, just stared down at the sword. What even was going on there? Why did it change all of a sudden? Magic was confusing!]

What did you do? It changed again.

Me?

[He bunched up the tail end of the cloth and brushed it on Watanuki's cheek, just because.

Metal and wood. That metal should, preferrably, be silver - it was the best conduit for magic. For the wood... hmm.]

That was all you! Now you can sigh in relief, student mine, and celebrate your narrow escape from living a life with only the sword in hand.

Gah!

[He stepped back a half-step from the cloth, visibly annoyed.]

So what, it's going to be a sword and a piece of cloth? Or something like a fan?

[Metal blades with fabric between them, that makes sense. Even if he really doesn't want to fight people with a fan, of all things.]

Dance well enough, and you won't need to cast a spell.

[He's terrible that way.]

Not that you're limited to that! You can have bracelets, rings, parasols, staves... even a ladle.

[If any metal and wood combo would do.]

Walking canes don't look like a fit, and wands are terrible. [Not for any magic-related reason.] That said, the shape should be something that comes naturally to you.

Meditate on it before going to bed.

I'm sure I'll dream up the right answer.

[Watanuki, an unknown prophet, making fun of what will eventually be one of his signature skills.

But with that said, Watanuki offered the sword back to Merlin. It seemed like the test was done, no more need to hold onto it, right? Plus, it was heavy.]

Why would it possibly be a ladle though? Because I like to cook?

[After taking the sword by the hilt, he turned it over, catching his own reflection on the gleaming blade before letting it dissolve into sparks.

Nothing really changes in Avalon.]

Because for training, any form would do as long as you have the right wood paired with silver, although something with a point would be easier to direct energy through.

[Named artefacts or other fae-crafted items could wait until much, much later. Giving a novice that kind of tool was about the same as giving a first-year student a bomb: it wouldn't do anyone any good, when the student knew neither how to diffuse, improve, or plant it properly.]

Besides, it's unexpected, and the shape is perfect for smacking anyone who gets too close.

The expedient option can be more useful. In combat, casting time is a magic user's weakness. This is especially true for spells that require long incantations, moreso if their wordiness is just there for the caster's ego compared to actual use.

[Let's face it, some people get drunk off power, and part of that population already ran on delusions of grandiosity before attaining it.]

Ah, just don't go claiming that your fighting style is one of those fancy super technical things you learn from a blademaster or anything, hmm?

Do you really think anyone would believe me if I said it was?

[And he just. Gestured at himself. Noodle boy with no muscles has obviously not trained under a blademaster.

The thought of a hidden weapon, though, that suited Watanuki more. He would train physically, because Merlin had sold him on the idea, but he really wasn't too keen on actually fighting anyone. He wanted to learn control to keep the ghosts away, not to use his magic all the time. His plan at the current moment was to learn control and practice just enough to keep his skills sharp, and then go off and live a normal life otherwise.

He was wrong, of course. There was no way that would actually happen, he was destined to get dragged into fights frequently. But it would be years later before he realized just how wrong he was.]

A ladle would still be suspicious if I carried it everywhere. What about a pen with a casing made of silver and wood? That's something I would actually keep on me at all times.

[Nevermind that it would be hard to actually use a pen in a fight, if it didn't change into an actual weapon via magic.]

Ask yourself that again in a few months.

[Watanuki might never have Gawain's muscle mass, but that didn't mean his arms would remain noodly after the exercise he was going to be put through.

By the way, the ladle thing was originally an off-hand comment, so he was surprised Watanuki even considered the practicality of taking it everywhere. Watanuki also ignoring the option of jewelry was of interest: Merlin began to suspect that Watanuki had a strong preference for working with his hands that went beyond cooking.]

A penknife might have more utility.

[A pen, by the way, is actually viable as a weapon, but a knife nut might give better tips for that.

The original purpose of a pen, however, did remind Merlin of something, and he rubbed his chin.]

Unless... [He blinked and abruptly stood.] Follow me.

[Back to the study! And once they were there, he'd grab sheaf of parchment from one of the shelves and a quill and inkpot from another. On it he inscribed one character from each set: fairy runes, the Elder Futhark, an alchemical symbol, Old Hebrew, Fulu, and the I-Ching. Next, he took the loose cloth from his staff, wrapped one end above the hilt of a dagger that served as a glorified all-purpose box cutter, and held out the grip to Watanuki.]

Might as well, if you want a writing implement as an option.

Point the tip to each character and think really hard about wanting the ink to light up. If it doesn't, move on to the next.

[Another affinity test. If none of these worked, that was fine. Either the set Watanuki was most compatible with wasn't amongst the four, or that glyphs weren't the best medium for him.

Of course, Merlin could only really use one of these systems. If Watanuki had an affinity for something that wasn't within Merlin's scope, he already had a lesson workaround in mind.]

[Most of those objects were unrecognizable to him, but he vaguely realized what they were when he saw the Fulu. Partially because of old, locked away memories from his father. 'The mind forgets but the body remembers' kind of deal. But with those memories locked away, he reasoned that the recognition came from another source: popular television and visiting shrines.]

Eh? Are these written charms?

[He did take the cloth-wrapped knife, though, and he held it in his right hand. This was smaller, and much easier for him to handle. So pointing it at each piece of paper was easy enough for him.

Interestingly, his vague familiarity is what drove him to test the Fulu first. And that thing lit up like a Christmas tree almost immediately, which made Watanuki jump back in surprise. He glanced between Merlin and the paper a few times, before finally speaking.]

You made it sound like I wouldn't be able to do it!

[Merlin shielded his eyes with his sleeve - that was unexpectedly fast - and whistled. When he showed his face again after the light faded, there was a wide grin on his face.]

Oho.

Why would I spoil the surprise for myself? And for your information, I can't actually use those characters. They aren't actually part of my legend or birthright, even if I know what they look like.

Are you, by any chance, descended from a practitioner of the Eastern magic arts? That was a pretty strong reaction for someone uninitiated.

Edited 2020-12-15 14:55 (UTC)

[Watanuki would have asked how Merlin could even write those characters if he didn't know the magic, but he suspected that it didn't matter. Not with that question that was posed shortly after.]

How would I know? My parents are dead, and I didn't exactly ask them before they died.

[That was the simplest explanation. How could he know? His parents had died when he was eight. And back then, he hadn't even told his parents he could see ghosts yet. He had barely understood what had been happening in the first place. And because of that, he...

He. Hmm.

Watanuki frowned as he puzzled over that thought. Had he talked to his parents about seeing ghosts? He tried thinking back, trying to recall if they ever had that conversation in his younger years.

As he thought of that, Merlin would feel a strong pulse of magic rather abruptly. It was magic placed on Watanuki, that had been there since before the boy had arrived in the garden. It was Yuuko's magic, Merlin would be able to recognize it as such, and the more Watanuki tried to think back the stronger the magic got. And it was giving Watanuki a headache, as evidenced by the way he flinched and reached up to cradle his forehead.]

We...didn't talk about magic ever, I don't think...?

For a moment, Merlin thought Yuuko would project her image into the room. That guess quickly dissolved when he noticed Watanuki clutching his head, and Merlin rubbed his thumb on the grip of his staff.

Watanuki's memories had been collateral for a wish, hmm? Perhaps for this trip, or for another wish he made just before being sent to Avalon. Whatever the case, he wasn't about to force the issue.]

That's fine.

If you're descended from a practitioner, it's not unheard of for such talents to be forgotten by several generations if that ancestor faced persecution or some other problem - in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, given a particular figure from your country's history. If you're the first in your bloodline to have such a gift, that's also not a problem.

By the way, how similar are those characters to your current writing system?

[That explanation was enough to get Watanuki to stop prodding at his locked away memories, and he let out a shaky breath as he let go of them. The headache started to clear up as soon as he stopped thinking about his past, but he still felt a bit weak in the knees. In fact, he glanced around for a chair, because he really felt like he needed to sit down.]

I'm sorry, I don't know what happened there. I just- need a moment-

[If there wasn't a chair, Watanuki was absolutely going to lose his footing and slump down to the ground.

Merlin would get an answer in a moment, once Watanuki had recovered. But he needed a moment to regain his composure.]

[That bad?

Merlin stepped next to him in the next moment, wrapping an arm around Watanuki's shoulders to keep him steady, crumpling the paper in his hand in the process. With a tap of his staff on the ground, a chair materialized - here, sit down.]

Well, it's your first time handling magical artefacts of any kind.

[Assuming that's what this was - Merlin would have to taste Watanuki's magical energy, so to speak, to determine if it was just that, or if emotional fatigue was involved.]

When Artoria first successfully fired an energy beam from Caliburn, it took her three days to recover, and another week to stop apologizing to Sir Ector for cutting a new path through his fields and into the nearby forest.

Edited 2020-12-15 16:18 (UTC)

[Wait until Watanuki started passing out randomly due to receiving visions. Merlin, unfortunately, had a very sneepy student.

But the chair was appreciated, as was the support. The drain on his energy seemed to come from the same source as Yuuko's magic, though the full reason for it was still obscured. It would take some magical study, as well as a conversation with Yuuko, to get the full story.]

That must be it. I've never really done anything magic before, besides seeing ghosts.

[That story was pretty fantastical, and Watanuki could already imagine an older man lecturing a young girl for using such a powerful magic. It made him chuckle a bit, which was also a good sign that he was starting to recover.]

She must have been pretty strong, if she pulled that off.

[Merlin would definitely be talking to Yuuko, once he's gathered his own observations.]

That she was. [Thanks to Merlin meddling with the circumstances of her birth, though no one but Uther needed to know that.] Not that anyone would've suspected it at first, when she was younger. Even if she was eager to learn, she still got easily tricked during spars. After training, there were times I found her sleeping in the stables, on a haystack in the stall next to her favorite horse.

Even after she drew the Sword of Selection and started winning wars, not everyone was convinced she was the king they needed. Goes to show you how might and magic aren't everything.

Isn't she one of the greatest kings who ever lived?

[People could be ignorant, man.

But still, he had to respect that dedication and hard work.]

Moreover, how did she even deal with people like that? I don't think I could handle people that rude.

[He already deals with rude people by avoiding them and being a shut-in.]

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