Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 547 Sacrifice (Second Update)

As agreed upon by the Sorcerer Supreme and Merlin, Merlin was to take Salomon to the N'-Gara dimension. There lay the seal personally erected by the Earth Mother and the majority of Merlin's wizarding order; even for the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, this was a rare opportunity for practical experience. While Merlin had indeed become much more well-behaved under the Sorcerer Supreme's supervision, this half-bastard nightmare always sought new tricks.

He refused to use the Kamar-Taj portal to reach a safe location and then use a smaller portal he opened himself to reach the N-Gara dimension. Instead, he had a sudden inspiration to reach the weak point between the material universe and the astral plane through the real universe, and then jump directly into N-Gara from there. No amount of punches from the Venerable One could dissuade Merlin from this absurd idea.

Furthermore, Merlin planned to take the Merlin School heir, whom he had drugged and hospitalized, along to make contact with the Merlin Wizarding Order there. Therefore, Salomon and Dave both took extended leave from their schools. Although the alchemical potion had improved Dave's complexion, the effects of a hangover often last for days; he looked pale and his lips were cracked, so he definitely needed a good rest.

Merlin summoned him urgently, but he still gave Dave some time to say goodbye to his family and friends.

"Isn't this just a short trip?" Dave asked, puzzled. "Karmar-Taj even has a portal!"

Balthazar hesitated for a moment, but finally, with Veronica's help, he told Dave the truth. "You're going to train, son," he said. "Go to the dimension where the Great Shadow is imprisoned, to maintain the sealing array set up by Gaia, the Earth Mother. The members of Merlin's Order are all there; you'll stay there to learn. You'll learn a great deal there; Merlin himself will teach you more than I can. You'll become the High Priest of Merlin's Order."

"How long will it take?" Dave glanced at Balthazar, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"Time in the astral plane is chaotic, especially when you need to traverse many outer dimensions. Your perceived time will be out of sync with the real world. You've already experienced this time difference in Hell," the Venerable said earnestly. "If Merlin causes trouble, don't hesitate to unleash the power of the Holy Sword. Protect Dave; he is your swordsman, it's tradition."

Salomon patted the enamel-gold scabbard hanging at his waist and swore an oath to the Venerable One. This contraption, called the Holy Sword but actually a planet-destroying weapon, was kept alongside almost every magical scroll he had copied over the years, enough to handle anything from a cup of tea getting cold to encountering an astral behemoth. When it came to escaping, Salomon was confident he was second to none.

The Venerable One also instructed Salomon not to show too much respect to Merlin, otherwise the half-bastard nightmare would become increasingly arrogant and cause a lot of trouble. Immediately afterward, the Venerable One took out the Eye of Agamotto and used the Time Stone to cast a spell on Salomon, while simultaneously leaving another spell in his hand. Salomon quickly understood the purpose of this spell—to create a spacetime bubble around the recipient, resetting time within a limited space. In scientific terms, this creates a "drag effect" on the recipient, maintaining a non-static, stable distribution of mass and energy relative to the time period in which the spell was cast. In other words, this spell would ultimately pull Salomon back, readjusting his time difference with the real universe.

"Time is the most merciless blade," the Venerable said. "This journey will undoubtedly be cruel for you young people. You may spend hundreds of years there, while the Prime Material Universe will only take a few minutes, or the exact opposite. I can only use the Time Stone to cast this spell to protect you and Dave."

"I wanted to go in your place, but the teacher thought I wasn't as talented as you. I'm so sorry, Dave..."

"OMG! OMG!" Dave clutched his head in anguish. "You mean, by the time I get back, everyone I know might be dead? Including Becky?"

"Not necessarily. We can ask the Sorcerer Supreme for help." Balthazar shrugged. "The Eye of Agamotto can solve your problem, I guarantee it. Hey, listen! Salomon will be with you this time, and he won't let anything happen to you! But if he's in mortal danger… Dave, you'll have to risk your life to save him! It's the Merlin School's duty! I know it sounds heartless, but you have to do it!"

"Balthazar!" Veronica shielded Dave behind her, but Dave was still reeling from Balthazar's cruel truth and didn't notice the anger on Veronica's face. She was still unaccustomed to modern clothes and wore her elaborate, ornate witch's gown. "Do you want to see what happened between us repeated with your disciple?" she demanded. "Is this what you want? Damn Merlin, his pranks have tormented you for a thousand years! Why do you still listen to him!"

"I don't want to either, Veronica!" Balthazar's face contorted in pain. "But he has to! He's the Swordsman! We must protect this universe, we must protect humanity. Each of us must sacrifice a part."

"Camelot has been destroyed! Camelot and King Arthur no longer exist!"

"Our King is still here, Veronica. The Merlin School will forever stand loyal to the throne, including you and me, including Dave." Balthazar took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "I am dying, and Dave must shoulder the responsibility, the responsibility for what we have done. Whether it is Morgan le Fay or Dormammu, whether it is the Great Shadow or Nightmare, Dave must have the courage to oppose them. Salomon Damonette had that courage, we all have it, and Dave must have it too! He must sacrifice himself without hesitation to secure a future for humanity!"

"I..." Dave stepped forward hesitantly from behind Veronica, taking a deep breath. "I'll do it. I... I need time to say goodbye to Becky!" A sudden surge of courage filled his chest, but he quickly deflated like a punctured balloon. "Damn it! What am I saying! God, what am I saying!"

"I knew you could do it, Dave!" Balthazar patted his disciple's shoulder with concern. His joy and worry were a tangled mess, bubbling and churning, and tears welled in his eyes. "The Sorcerer Supreme and I will find a way to get you out of the time constraints. Don't worry, with the Sorcerer Supreme around, Merlin's pranks won't be too bad! Just tell Becky you have to go on a business trip! Veronica, what do you think about inviting Becky over for a meal?"

"I can't bring myself to deceive a young girl. You'll have to do this," Veronica scoffed. She didn't want the last disciple of the Merlin School to sacrifice himself in this matter, nor did she want to see Merlin again. She just wanted a quiet, peaceful life, even if it meant losing all her magic. She had already made her sacrifice, and she thought that was enough.

"Alright, alright, Dave, wipe your tears. This is our fate as spellcasters. Magic doesn't come for free; it always requires something in exchange. It could be life, it could be feelings, it could be time, anything is possible."

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(End of this chapter)