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[He scoffs.]

Neither will I deprive myself of extra entertainment. All that intense focus and repetitive living makes for restless dreaming, you know? Besides, your other instructors don't have the talent for it.

[Just stating the facts and rubbing it in their faces, wherever they are. Not that Merlin's aware that he's been upstaged by Gilgamesh, and he produces a thick tome with the snap of his fingers.]

Well, now that we've established your current level of mana sensitivity, we can proceed to the other fundamentals. Intent is a cornerstone of magecraft. Over time, you'll learn how to cast simple things with only a gesture and a thought, but you must start with incantations.

[There's a fair bit of linguistics involved, but that's better assimilated in demonstration and practice. For now, he passes the tome to Watanuki.]

Familiarize yourself with these. For now, don't hold on to metal or wood while you're reading, and don't focus on what the words are supposed to do. Proper pronunciation is the first step - believe me, you don't want to find out what happens if your tongue trips in the middle of an important incantation.

[At the very least, Merlin does recognize that his own personal approach isn't necessarily the most suitable for his student's style. At the end of the day, he does want his pupils to excel, and he can leave his own ego out the door when he's focused on helping them where it matters.]

Edited 2021-04-17 14:57 (UTC)

So just memorize the words and make sure I'm saying them first, and we'll get the rest later? That sounds a lot like my English classes.

[Classes which were functional, but. Well. Watanuki can speak English, but it's very formal and sounds like a textbook rather than what a teenager might sound like while talking. He's imagining the end result of these studies will be somewhat similar, at least until Merlin starts teaching him about what the magic will do and how to use it beyond knowing the words.

Fortunately, Watanuki excels at rote memorization, so this will be an easy task for him. Read the book, memorize the words. He can do that.

Speaking of which, what language is this book written in? Because as Watanuki takes it, he's opening it to the first page to at least glance over it and see what it looks like.]

I see. And how well do you enjoy those classes?

[As a frame of reference.

That said, the meaning of words is also important in magecraft. Naturally, any student will glean something of the incantation's purpose once they read the text, but Merlin's secondary aim is for Watanuki's unconscious to also its job in getting comfortable with the idea of casting spells before bridging the gap between that and the effort to memorize syllables through a demonstration.

While it's good that Watanuki doesn't tolerate bullshit, banking too much on that kind of thinking can also get in the way of a mage fully committing (so to speak) to a spell. Everything must be in moderation, including skepticism.

As for the book: Merlin's helpfully translated it into modern English. Eastern magecraft is better tackled through their talisman maker's borrowed dreams, and he's not about to let his student trip over Welsh or something more archaic. One language and writing system at a time!

(Hope you like poetry, Watanuki, because that's about two-thirds of the book. And feel free to enjoy the nice illustrations. Lots of nice flowers, vines and Celtic knots on the borders, text intersparsed with various sketches, symbols and diagrams.)]

Well enough, I guess? School is school.

[He didn't particularly enjoy his schooling, but he can at least understand why it's important and stick with it. Magecraft, on the other hand, is different. As he goes on to explain almost immediately.]

I think I like the lessons here much more than the ones back home. But magic is also way more interesting than Japanese history, or calculus, or English.

[Though he sees the book is in English and is suddenly glad that he paid attention in English class. The words mostly look familiar, at least, though the content is...well. Enough to get Watanuki to look back up to Merlin with a raised eyebrow.]

Is this poetry?

Of course it is.

That said, it's not all you'll be learning here.

[If anything, Merlin will add more history lessons and a smattering of other subjects, simply because he likes telling stories. Moreover, as later events will reveal, it'll serve as a good foundation for Watanuki to better grasp the full nature of Goetia's fuckery.

And now, what's with that look?]

Flows off the tongue quite nicely. [Zero apologies here! Y'know, from the guy who'd pick drawing a sword over saying something that wordy in the heat of battle.] The sounds are as important as the actual words you use. It's about getting the flow of mana to do what you want, so don't underestimate its usefulness.

[If there are things he forgets to explain down the line, Watanuki will have to remind him. Merlin hasn't taught anyone in a while, and at the end of the day his grasp of magecraft is still on the intuitive side. What's apparent to him might not be obvious to an observer.]

Edited 2021-04-23 05:53 (UTC)

If flow is so important, then why aren't we starting with Japanese? I'm not fluent in English.

[Near-fluent, but not perfectly so. And he can understand it far better than he can speak it himself. Though perhaps that's the point, that learning the pronunciation in a language you're unfamiliar in helps make sure you do it properly. In fact, a moment later, Watanuki decides to put that thought to words.]

Is it because it's a second language, so I pay more attention while speaking it anyway?

I might be an all-powerful Caster, but my specialty isn't Eastern magecraft. There are distinct differences in the systems used in several regions, starting with how the elements are used. That said, I believe there's one magus who was successful in combining Western and Eastern practices, although I've no clue if he ever took on an apprentice.

[You bet he's heard of Clow. Not that he's currently aware of that guy's link to his student.

Merlin peers at Watanuki. Having to pay attention to a second language isn't something Merlin's considered: it's not a barrier that exists in dreams where he can taste a sleeper's intent, and were he to be summoned as a Servant (hah! As if he can ascend to the Throne) he'd be supplied with the necessary knowledge.]

Once you get a better grasp of using your own power, you're free to compose your own incantations in whatever language you choose. Unlike most magi in the present era, I think you can afford to be flexible in that regard.

[For several reasons. Watanuki, as far as he can tell, isn't limited by the technicalities of a typical magic crest. On top of that, a singularity does, in a way, represent possibility. Instead of being a human that has to find ways of reaching the Root, it can be said that, as a product and embodiment of magecraft, the way he can utilize mana is more direct.

...yes. He looks forward to seeing what his student can accomplish, if - or when - events fall into place that will permit the permanence of his existence in the world.]

[Watanuki hadn't even considered the possibility that Merlin might just not be familiar with Eastern magic. But if that's the case, then why did Yuuko send him here? Why not train him herself, or at least send him to an Easter mage?

Though a moment later, Watanuki realizes he's looking at the problem backwards: instead of focusing on the fact that Merlin isn't an expert in a kind of magic that Watanuki might be more familiar in, he should be thinking of why Watanuki was sent to study this kind of magic. Hmm...

For a moment, Merlin will feel that tug of Yuuko's wish magic again. It's the same as the time Watanuki stumbled over the magical blocks on his memories, though not quite as strong because Watanuki is more carefully toeing around them this time.]

I think...my father might have had some Western ancestors. Very far back, perhaps.

[He sounds unsure of it though and he's starting to get a headache, so he's going to stop trying to think about his family directly.]

Could that be why? That somehow I've inherited some magical capability from an ancestor, a power that hasn't shown up in a long while?

[That would certainly explain a lot. As far as Watanuki knows, his parents were not mages.]

[It is, for better or for worse, a familiar situation: this sensation combined with that expression. He wonders just how aware Watanuki is of why he has headaches and the occasional blackout.

...to some degree, at least. It's clear the youth won't be able to reveal a bargain he's forgotten the details of.]

Yes, that can happen.

[And a Western ancestor..? Something to ponder later. There's a high chance that Watanuki's guesses may not be the result of random dart throwing.]

It's true that there are several magus bloodlines in decline thanks, in part, to the means used in passing on certain aspects of their heritage. [Magic crests.] A resurgence like yours isn't unheard of, but I daresay your potential outstrips the other cases. For example: the quality of your magic circuits is remarkable.

[For reasons obvious to Merlin. He won't clue in his student just yet, believing that Watanuki is better off discovering for himself the nature of his own unstable existence.]

Someone from a newly discovered line will have problems producing the same results you're capable of, and certain established families have been unable to produce capable heirs. When that happens, the work they've invested centuries into is rendered virtually useless.

[He listens to Merlin, carefully taking it all in. Magic lineage is complicated, and he still doesn't completely get how magic circuits and such are passed on. He thinks it's completely hereditary and that the only control over it all is genetics and a roll of the dice.]

Then maybe it is some family from long ago, and the magic just happened to show up in me.

[He can't remember a lot about his past, but something about that description feels off. Like it's a piece of the puzzle, but not the whole solution.

How troubling.]

Is this something I'm going to have to worry about if I ever have kids? Sudden explosions of magic from a baby, or something?

[To be fair, it's a little ridiculous how inherited magic circuits doesn't guarantee the successful transfer of the family crest. Talk about having a system riddled with flaws.]

Not unless there are unusual circumstances. Even the most powerful mages from the Age of the Gods adjusted to using mana as they grew up. Think of it like having a second set of nerves.

Is it a dream of yours to settle down with a family? With - what's that modern phrase - a white picket fence?

[Fate, why is your magic system like this?

The question itself is one Watanuki probably could have answered properly, but Merlin phrases it in such a way that Watanuki gets embarrassed and sullen. He feels silly now, for even considering potential future children.]

No! Not exactly. But everyone does it eventually, right? And if I fell in love and that person wanted kids, then I wouldn't be bothered by it.

[It's still an honest response, albeit one that comes out a bit snappy.]

[To gratuitously dwell on the nature of suffering, probably.]

Already blushing before you even think of the more invigorating parts?

[What's there to be embarrassed about? It's a typical human dream, layered with domesticity and romance and the romance of domesticity. That said, he will call out that blanket "everyone."]

No, not everyone - some are content with a solitary existence, and half the time marriage used to be an affair concerned more with economic practicality or political advantage. [That isn't to say love matches didn't occur in the past, but arranged ones have plenty of documentation given the personages involved.] That said, the mutual willing consummation of love and the agreement to have children are wonderful things. At least you aren't of the mind to resort to trickery when it comes to matters of the heart.

Political marriages aren't as common anymore, and I don't exactly have the kind of connections for something like that anyway.

[An orphan with an average name and no social clout at all, arranged marriages are definitely not in his future. Or so he thinks. Who knows what the future might bring him, with all this power he's sitting on. Here's hoping his 'disaster bi' vibe doesn't kick up when people come to him with offers of marriage for strong offspring.]

-and why does that sound like a backhanded compliment anyway?

[He shrugs. Economic, then, had Watanuki been born a century ago, and Merlin spares his student details like inheriting the family trade, contributing his talent to another line, and so on and so forth.

(Oh boy, those offers. Merlin will scrutinize each and every one, look at how Watanuki's progressing in his lessons, and deem that any match will only occur once his student's gotten ahold of himself and not a second earlier. So maybe Watanuki won't have to contend with the adolescent phase of the disaster bi vibe.]

Oh, there's nothing backhanded about that - any beauty you find yourself drawn to shall be able to sleep well at night, knowing that they've entrusted their heart to a kind young man.

[Now, were he more aware of the link between Watanuki's kindness and predilection towards self-erasure, Merlin might've added something else to that last part that highlights his pupil needing to maintain his existence as a natural prerequisite..!]

With that disposition of yours, you may as well hang up your apprentice robes [surprise trailer material, that mention] and replace them with armor instead. How agreeable is chivalry to you?

If you're trying to teach me to use a sword to make me a knight, then you're going to be sorely disappointed.

[Watanuki is no knight. While he does try to do the right thing, he is not chivalrous nor is he of a moral composure to follow the Code. He's just an average guy who wants to try to do the right thing, even if he sometimes doubts his ability to do the 'right thing'. Or, sometimes, his pettiness gets in his way of doing the right thing.

He crosses his arms in front of him, taking on a slightly defensive and impatient stance.]

I'm not going to find any beauties in this tower though, so we should probably get started with lessons for the day.

[Watanuki, insinuating that Merlin is not a beauty. It's his way of dragging Merlin.]

Please. I'm confident with my teaching skills, not deluded: even if the passage of time here differs from that of the world's surface, you will have to experience at least a decade's worth of training to catch up. No, I'm simply after the practical aspects. Should you become capable in defending yourself and remember that magecraft is not the only thing you can fall back on, I'll be satisfied.

[So, no full metal attire for Watanuki. Maybe an extra layer of padded quilted linen for protection, or a cuirass if the situation really requires it - and moving around in those is something that one must also do exercises for!

One step at a time.]

--- hey, that's a really lengthy way of saying I'm not your type, isn't it? [Merlin's not sure if he should even be bothered by his usual charm not working, and maybe it's not a loss at this point. Watanuki, after all, has yet to finish growing into himself, and so he's more gangly kid than adult.] But I suppose that's for the best if you must get used to speaking long-winded sentences.

So! [He reaches for the book.... and opens it two-thirds closer to the end, where the wordier incantations are. Pettiness exchanged in kind.] You can start here.

Edited 2021-05-08 01:48 (UTC)

[Merlin's usual charm isn't working because Watanuki is extremely Tsundere and it takes time and effort to make him swoon. Maybe by the time Watanuki is grown he might appreciate Merlin a bit more. It's not that Merlin is ugly or anything, on the contrary he really is quite physically attractive. His personality is just. Well. Merlin is Merlin and there's not much that can be done about that.

And oh boy, look at all those words! It's going to take a lot of practice and Watanuki is sure his pronunciation is going to suck at first. He's not looking forward to the teasing there.

But he's not going to complain about it this time, not verbally at least. He still looks a little annoyed, but he takes the book and starts to read the first line. But he stops halfway through, suddenly thinking of something important.]

I should do this on the open floor below.

[Just in case he accidentally does a magic and blows up something. That area has plenty of room for running around.]

[Who, indeed, knows what might change with how they regard each other over time?

However that turns out, Merlin's action should probably not be taken as a baseline.]

Wise choice.

Off we go, then!

[He taps his staff on the stone floor. It ripples and -

Disappears.

His laughter echoes in this newly-created shortcut as they fall all the way down, although the speed of their descent is slowed before they fall safely on the ground: feet first, in Merlin's case.

Ahh, but not all their lessons are as funny as this one. Time in the Tower may pass by differently, but it passes nonetheless. On the Surface of the world, the years proceed at their own pace. Romani Archiman adjusts to the paces at Chaldea and pours his heart out to Magi☆Mari. Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance genius, becomes the Doctor's confidant. Galahad is summoned and remains dormant in his new vessel.

And then -]

So it's like this.

[To get a closer look at this new development, Merlin's chosen to utilize a dream. Not Roman's for nightmare-related reasons, but one of the staff's. He makes himself comfortable in one of the lounge chairs, invisible to the slumbering human's awareness as they relieve and sort through the events of the day, including break room gossip.

Chaldea has a new director, and the general consensus about her isn't too favorable.

By now, he won't be surprised if his student somehow wanders in. Watanuki's progress with controlling his own powers has been satisfying, which means that Merlin's been explaining away his occasional check-ins to the Antarctic by giving fake excuses and avoidant answers.

It's not yet time to give away the King of Mages' sleight of hand. In the meantime, there is always "market research" for Magi☆Mari.]

[Time in the tower may pass differently, but it does indeed pass. Watanuki is still a growing teenage boy, after all, and before too long he goes from the gangly 15-something that Merlin met ages ago to nearly-18 and much more confident in himself and his abilities, both physical and mental. He's still Learning, and he still has no patience whatsoever for some of what Merlin does- that 'floor disappears and he falls' trick is one that gets old fast, for example- his brain is still soaking up all of Merlin's lessons like a sponge. Watanuki is still feeling things out to find his own magical flair, but he can at least do magic with some consistency.

He'll do better, once he actually finds the focus he's naturally attuned to. Right now, he's working on finding the familiar meant for him. He's managed to narrow it down to 'something that can fly', but these weird butterflies keep appearing every time he does the summoning spell and they're definitely not his familiars. He's pretty sure it's something residual from a dream he experienced some months back, one of a city full of near-invisible spiderwebs, but magic from a dream should have worn off by now. It's weird that it's lingering.

Which means that, when Watanuki does stumble upon Merlin's viewings, it's while he's trying to escape a flock of bright blue butterflies.]

They're following me again!

[Though they do seem to hesitate at the door, and Watanuki will be butterfly-free by the time he reaches Merlin.]

Edited 2021-05-14 16:26 (UTC)

[Ah. Butterflies. Looks like someone's checking up on his student again, and Merlin encourages the pretty things to stay out the door with several blooms that form in the palm of his hand and drift towards the boundary.

One more story to share to the dear lady come their weekly transfer of supplies. She might not give an outright answer, but Merlin does like her laughter.]

Popular idols can't help their fanbase, my dear Watanuki. You included. [Yes, he's made this comparison before, and he'll continue making it. Isn't it nice to be adored?] Now, hush for a moment. We're about to miss a juicy part.

[For in comes young Ms. Animusphere, flanked by Lev Lainur and Romani Archiman. While the three gossipers suddenly change topics to one television show or the other without missing a beat, Olga Marie shoots them a conflicted look of suspicion before skipping a few steps and catching up with Lev. From the sound of it, their tour of the facilities is about halfway done, isn't now a good time for a break before continuing?]

I might as well ask this now that you're here: what impression do you get from that young lady?

[Consider this as a training exercise! And a bit of a distraction. If Watanuki's focused on the young Animusphere, there's a better chance he might not accidentally see the true natures of what slumbers deep within the other two.]

[Flowers! The privacy-invading butterflies will stay out there and enjoy the nectar. No trodding in on intrusions at the moment, though a certain witch would love to tease Merlin for his habit of watching others. Said witch can understand the importance of this moment, though. Watanuki needs to get better at people-watching.

Complaints about flying fanbases will come later. Watanuki actually does focus when Merlin tells him to. At first Watanuki's gaze is instantly drawn to Romani- his 'bi disaster' vibe has started to reveal itself as at least partially a matter of 'can tell when someone is strong magically and feels inclined to pay attention to them', though Watanuki himself isn't quite aware of that yet. But when Merlin tells him to look at Olga Marie, his focus shifts to her and he frowns.]

She looks young...probably around my age. Why is she walking with those two older men like they're all peers? I know there's young prodigies sometimes, but she doesn't look like she fits in with them. She looks more...

[Unlucky.]

...I get the feeling she has a lot of expectations on her, and from a far younger age than she should have had them.

[Look, she can tease all she wants, and Merlin's a self-proclaimed voyeur. It's not as if having a student for, what, three years now? How-many-years will break a habit that he's had for more than a millennia and counting.

And, hmm. While he likes that his student's instincts are getting sharper, having that little reveal now is ill-timed. Later, he'll tease Watanuki about being attracted to one of Mari's biggest fans ("Won't you make me strawberry shortcake? Mari can eat it on camera and the doctor can eat his heart out; it'll be great!"), but for now - yes. Good. It pays to have a student with a different skill set.]

Correct on both counts.

Would you like to see what else you can pick out, or shall I spill the beans?

[Of course, he'd rather Watanuki step up to the challenge. By now, the adrenaline from running should've died down, no?]

[Teasing is a rather effective way to drive Watanuki's attention away from specific people or subjects. Unfortunately, it will only work until Watanuki figures out that's what Merlin has been doing. The secret is safe for now, but in the future there will be quite the reckoning from an indignant student.]

Let me look first.

[This is a change too. In the past, Watanuki has practically demanded answers as soon as he was presented with a puzzle. But over the last three-ish years he has started to actually look at magic, to search out answers on his own first. He does still have to defer to Merlin quite a bit, but he often does so only after either having a guess of his own to verify or when he has completely exhausted all other options. Watanuki has always been a good student, but it's taken time for him to go from the 'sit and listen and just take all the answers from the adult' method of schooling he had been used to and grow into the 'experiment first, seek confirmation later' method that is more appropriate for studying magic.

Adrenaline gone, and his eyes are keenly scanning the image in front of him. He starts to talk through his thoughts, giving voice to them so Merlin can see what he's thinking.]

The girl is young, and her clothes look a lot like the uniforms from the Clock Tower. So she's a student, yeah? And probably all three of them are mages. Or wait, no, the red-haired one is probably just working with the other two who are mages. I don't think mages usually become doctors, and that guy is definitely a doctor.

The third...

[He trails off there, considering.]

...I'm not sure. But I don't like him.

[It's Watanuki's intuition speaking, and he's long since learned not to ignore his intuition.]

[Times like this, Merlin wishes Watanuki's improvement quickened juuuuust a little more. While there is magecraft designed to protect the mind, he'd rather err on the side of caution and not cast anything that might affect Watanuki's mental state too drastically - his student's state of being, after all, heavily relies on how real he believes his own existence is.

(Similar to Chaldea's rayshift verification system, as it will turn out later.)]

The one you dislike is called Lev Lainur. He's a top researcher in this facility. [A pause.] Whether or not he does something actually despicable remains to be seen. At the present, that young lady's heavily relying on him for all sorts of things.

[Flauros has (yet?) to awaken. Merlin hopes he won't, but if Archiman is having those dreams...]

Dr. Romani Archiman - the redhead - is in charge of the medical division here. He might not look like it, but he's quite reliable. Even if he acts like a headless chicken sometimes.

[After all, who else was able to convince Marisbury to halt his more unethical experiments? It's rare enough to have the ear of a Clock Tower lord, but being a former king probably helps matters along.]

Lastly, we have Olga Marie Animusphere. She is, indeed, a student, but she's not here to study. This facility is owned by her family, and her father passed away only a few days ago. Now, she has to take on his mantle as both a Lord of the Clock Tower and the Director of this institute.

As you've already guessed, she's quite overwhelmed.

[That's an understatement. Olga Marie looks downright ill, and both Lev and Roman are doing their best to hide their concern and play it off as something normal. This is still a public area, not a private office, and they're only here for coffee and light snacks.]

We'll be joining them for the rest of this tour once their break is done. [Merlin holds out his hand and closes his fingers. One dream links with another, in a manner of speaking: several eyewitness testimonies, forming a more cohesive picture to one story. Thus, they have a better chance of walking around this Chaldea within the dream.] Observe the facility for now, but save the questions for when we get back.

[The underlying message is obvious: there's a conversation to be had, and it shouldn't take place in this staff member's mind.]

Edited 2021-05-15 03:52 (UTC)

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if there's something here not in line with what you have planned for wata, lmk & i'll edit

This all works!

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