In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

After pondering the matter for a moment, Merlin, thinking of Artoria embarking on a new future, unconsciously smiled faintly. "Well, speaking of which... if we count the time, haven't we last seen each other for several days already?"

"Yes, didn't we just meet for the first time about three days ago? Back then, it was because you kept thinking about me and used magic tricks to lull me to sleep time and time again, and I finally felt that it would be troublesome to let things continue, so I accepted your invitation in person?"

As Luo Wei spoke, he then snapped his fingers, summoning two cups of coffee from his memories to appear in front of them. "Hmm, as expected of my own dream, it really can create something out of nothing, somewhat similar to the Golden Evolution Technique, only more convenient."

He picked up his coffee and thoughtfully analyzed the current state of his dream.

"Hmm... Who would have thought that while your soul strength is astonishingly high, you also set up three layers of defensive restrictions on your body? As long as someone tries to touch your mind, that thing will forcibly emit a stinging pain in your soul and forcibly awaken you."

Upon hearing Loew mention his recent string of setbacks, Merlin couldn't help but let out a troubled smile.

"Isn't that meant to defend against old perverts like you who want to access other people's minds without their consent?"

"Hahaha... Well, there's nothing we can do about it. After all, older brothers can't come out in this era."

"It's only because you have the treasure Avalon inside you as a transit point that I can enter your dream so easily. Otherwise, I still wouldn't be able to get in."

"Is it really because of Avalon?"

Upon hearing Merlin's explanation, Lowe nodded slightly and then understood the true situation.

"However, your dream world is quite convenient, isn't it? It seems that even the flow of time can be controlled by me..."

As he observed the evolution of time within the dream, Luo Wei's expression became thoughtful.

"Yes, it is indeed very convenient. However, if people remain awake for too long while immersed in their dreams, the more wonderful the dream, the more fascinated they will become, like a sweet poison, gradually immersing them in it and making them unwilling to accept the real world outside."

Merlin sighed.

Having lived for so long, he had seen countless magicians and heroes enter the dream realm, but because they were so captivated by its beauty, their minds were unwilling to leave, and in the end, they were forever trapped within it.

After all, the world in dreams does not need the physical laws that exist in the real world; everything can evolve according to the owner's subconscious.

Whether it's filling warehouses with treasure, having your beloved accept your love, or even birds swimming in the water and fish flying in the sky, no matter how incredible or bizarre things are in the real world, they can all be easily achieved in dreams.

Because as long as you immerse yourself in the dream world, you can have everything you want: wealth, love, status, and more. You can be your own omnipotent master. However, the sense of loss when you wake up and lose everything will make you want to escape reality and never want to wake up from the dream.

Until the day that person's spirit, body, and soul completely decay...

This kind of thing is truly terrifying for humans.

"Let's forget about dreams and get down to business, my friend." After a moment of reflection, Merlin looked at Rowe with a smile and spoke earnestly.

"I am extremely satisfied with the work you have done on this project; in fact, I couldn't be more satisfied."

At this moment, he put away his previously nonchalant demeanor and generously expressed his sincerest gratitude to Luo Wei.

"Hmm... Is that so? Then it means that Artoria really started her journey as I suggested?"

Luo Wei immediately realized what was happening and figured out the answer.

In other words...

—The world line has truly changed.

Some of the original history was indeed changed because of his words.

However, this change is different from Artoria's original madness and grand plan to save Britain. It is just some simple little things that happened on the basis of Britain's destruction.

The age of gods was destined to perish, and King Arthur, the last king, also entered his final funeral with his era, disappearing without a trace.

Some say that Arthur's soul entered Avalon after his death, while others say that King Arthur was taken to Rome by his knights to seek medical treatment, but ultimately died. Still others say that King Arthur did not die, but simply went on a journey in despair over the fall of his kingdom.

In short, the story of King Arthur is full of mystery, and many of its elements exist in multiple versions, which are not worth scrutinizing. As long as the ending is the fall of Britain and the death of King Arthur, minor changes to history will not matter.

In other words...

After relinquishing her identity as King Arthur, Artoria really did go on a journey.

Merlin lived from that era into this one.

Therefore, the correct order of this timeline is that he accepted the commission, then punched Saber, earnestly enlightened her, Artoria let go of her obsession, returned to her pre-death state and made a new choice, giving up her identity as King Arthur and starting a new life and journey. Merlin had already guessed this in the past, which is why he waited until this day to complete the whole loop.

Merlin's perspective was actually—

During the Battle of Camlann, Artoria was severely injured at the Hill of Gladiolus. She remained unconscious for three days and three nights. At the last moment, Artoria entered a dream. Upon waking, she made a new choice, which changed her tragic fate. She deduced what had happened in the future. It wasn't until the Fourth Holy Grail War that it was confirmed that the point of divergence that could directly affect the past was Lovy Crowley, the previously unseen Outsider.

In other words...

“That’s right. There are never any coincidences when people meet. Everything is inevitable. I knew about your special connection with little Artoria from the very beginning. That’s why I kept helping you and trying to contact you through dreams.”

Upon seeing that Loew understood everything, Merlin smiled happily, “All I’ve done from beginning to end is follow the traces of fate. As long as I play the role that is most suitable for me and guide you, things will definitely return to the right track that we saw 1,500 years ago, and many more memories will be added to my mind.”

"You... you actually knew about this beforehand?"

"No, no, don't misunderstand. During that time, I only had a vague feeling, not that I knew the whole story. After all, timelines are something I can't see clearly. The cause and effect that originated 1,500 years ago has come all the way to this era, completing a perfect closed loop. No one can guess where the beginning is or where the end is. This is what you call the 'the law of cycles' in your book."

"Actually, it's the effect that comes first, followed by the cause; that's how it should be explained according to the law of cause and effect."

Rowe nodded, and then expressed his own feelings about Merlin's words.

"The cause that began at the end of the 20th century ended before the 5th century, spanning 1,500 years. The law of cause and effect, fate (Fate) and time are indeed elusive things."

“Yes… I only remembered the whole story after everything was closed.” Merlin smiled and nodded. “But thank you so much, Crowley. Without you, a point of divergence that doesn’t belong to this world, things would never have gone so smoothly. After all, breaking fate is never as simple as just talking about it.”

"It doesn't matter. After all, you've helped me a lot and owe me a huge favor, haven't you? A favor that you couldn't refuse even if it meant going through fire and water... You should remember that, right?"

"A favor... Haha, I remember, of course I remember."

Merlin nodded. "I promised you back then that I would do anything to solve Artoria's problem."

"Yes."

Seeing that Merlin wasn't going to renege on his promise, Lowe laughed, "But what happened to our Sleeping Beauty in the end?"

"Well, she's traveled all over the world, leaving her footprints everywhere. She also appears under an alias in many heroic epics. In short, it's a complicated story, but if you pay more attention to archaeological news, you'll always find clues." Merlin smiled and then kept everyone in suspense.

"Finally, thank you again for letting me witness a completely different and beautiful story. Even a heart that had not beaten for a thousand years has been revitalized at this moment. I have personally tasted the flavor of happiness. Humans... are truly special."

Merlin clutched his chest and looked at Rowe, speaking earnestly.

The look of ecstasy on his face made it seem as if he truly possessed a heart.

"Now, let's talk about the issue of our compensation."

“Yes, as I said, I will help you resolve Artoria’s inner conflict. You will be my magic teacher, guiding me on some magic-related issues, as well as your specialty, illusion magic.” Rowe nodded.

"Hmm, this reward is actually quite simple for me, but... your goal isn't to reach the source, it's just to gain more power, or something further?"

Merlin stroked his chin and began to think seriously.

"In the beginning, I really held the attitude that power was just enough, and there was no need to blindly pursue it or allow it to expand without limit."

"Oh? Enough is enough? Do you mean that you've drawn most of the Holy Grail's magic power, forged a Mythic Mystic Code, learned all the original runes, mastered the foundation of Norse magic, revived and perfected angel summoning and temple magic, and become the true master of the Book of Law? Then your 'enough is enough' is really more than enough."

"Who told the opponent to be the King of Heroes... Rather than saying this level is just the threshold for fighting him."

"That's true. The strength that king displayed could be described as a god reincarnated. To fight against a god, one must be prepared in this way to be considered respectable."

Merlin smiled. "However, I think the Jewel Elder would be more suitable than me to become your apprentice. With your aptitude, you might even be able to inherit the second magic."

"How about it? Do you want me to introduce you? I know him very well. Just say the word and this will definitely be done."

"...What grudge do I have against you? You actually want to repay kindness with enmity?"

Luo Wei's lips twitched.

There's a big joke circulating in the mysterious world, and it's called—the disciple of the Gemstone Elder.

Although Gemstone Elder is the renowned Second Magician, a ruthless individual who shattered Crimson Moon, he is one of the most powerful figures in this world.

--but!!

This guy's ability to educate his apprentices is absolutely terrible. So far, no matter how good the prospects or how talented the students are, they have all been ruined by this old man. The only exception is Tohsaka Tokiomi's ancestor, Tohsaka Nagato.

So when Merlin mentioned handing himself over to the Jewel King, Rowe wanted to slap him across the face.

"No need. If I want to become an apprentice of the Jewel King, I can just go and talk to him myself. The Jewel King still owes me compensation for this Holy Grail War. Besides, the Jewel King won't retire, and the use of the Second Magic isn't suitable for me, so it doesn't matter."

"Compensation... what does he want to give you?"

When asked about compensation, Merlin inquired with some curiosity.

"A magical girl's transformation device, and the right to inherit the third magic."

Luo Wei replied expressionlessly.

Thump thump—!

"Huh? You just said he wants you to inherit the third magic?"

"Yes, the Gemstone Elder did say it was possible, but I don't intend to inherit the law."

"why?"

Merlin asked in confusion, "For you, if you want to become stronger quickly, the power of magic is undoubtedly the fastest shortcut, right?"

"Yes, you're right. However, this has nothing to do with the strength of power; it's just that I'm not ready to master the law yet."

"Let's not even talk about whether it will succeed."

Luo Wei shook his head. "Right now, I haven't finished my own path of magic. The system of the Book of Law is the most suitable path for me. I'm still in the process of exploration, so even if I inherit the law, I'm afraid it will be difficult to fully understand it. In the end, I'll most likely be led by the nose by the law. However, although I don't plan to become a magician, I think the third magic is indeed a good thing and worth studying."

"Heh, that's quite rare. A magician who doesn't waver in the face of magic. But you're right. Magic can make you rise to the top in one step, but it will most likely limit your future. If you inherit magic, the nature of your magic and soul will also change drastically. Some of the magic you are good at will probably have to be rendered useless."

Merlin chuckled. "However, even without inheriting the law, your soul and status alone cannot be inferior to the law. In any case, since you have chosen me, I cannot refuse."

"Although you're not a cute little girl like Lily, nor the older sister type that I prefer, you're still someone I can have fun with. If it's just illusions and magic, I'm quite confident."

"Heh, you old pervert."

Lowe's lips twitched. Especially when he heard Merlin so brazenly use the word "amusement," he had a vague feeling that something was amiss.

However, he also knew that Merlin couldn't adopt a teacher-student attitude towards him; their relationship was more like that of close friends and frenemy friends, and...

In the dream, this guy was being utterly defeated by himself. If he didn't want to suffer a terrible fate, he probably wouldn't have acted recklessly.

"Haha, we're on the same page. From now on, I'll be your illusion teacher. If you have any magic problems, I can help you figure them out. After all, in magic, especially illusion, my skill is in no way inferior to the Queen of the Shadow Kingdom's runes."

Merlin paused, still wearing that happy smile, "I'm also very curious to see what level a magician who combines the legacy of the Queen of the Land of Shadows, the Magician of Flowers, and the creator of the Book of Laws can ultimately reach."

"However, before we begin, I must reintroduce myself... I am Merlin, the Camelot court magician and flower magician who has some knowledge of swordsmanship, and I will be your illusion teacher from now on."

"I am Rowe Crowley, an ordinary student. Please take care of me, Merlin."

"Ah, very good."

"Well... shall we leave it at that for now? Is there anything else? You should get some rest. Big brother, I must take my leave now..."