Sorry for the delay, I had some complications in real life. I wrote this chapter 5 days ago, but I hadn't been able to review and translate it until now. I'll do it quickly and upload it.
Thanks for your patience!
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Previous Chapter
"Was that hand…? What did I see?" he thought, staring at his own hand with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
The memories of what he had witnessed during the song lingered in his mind, but they were confusing and fragmented.
Shaking his head slightly, Merlin set those thoughts aside for the moment and continued walking, with the sole purpose of reaching the tavern.
There, in that usual refuge, he would once again transform into his normal human form, hiding his true identity once more.
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Time Skip
The sound of a tavern door creaked softly as Merlin entered, his new robe fluttering slightly in the night breeze, with Gladius Patris hanging behind him.
The warm glow of oil lamps illuminated the tables, where groups of adventurers drank and laughed carefree, oblivious to his silent arrival.
Merlin headed to the back of the establishment, where a solitary table by an empty window seemed to be waiting for him.
As he sat down, he calmly unhooked the Enchiridion, which he had strapped to his belt, and carefully placed it on the table.
It wasn't long before a rough-looking woman approached him. Her steps were firm and her gaze sharp, but there was a playful touch to her tone as she spoke.
"Back so soon, Merlin?" she asked, a faint smile on her lips. It was Éire, the tavern owner, known for being few words and not asking too many questions.
Merlin looked up and gave a slight smile.
"I needed a quiet place to think," he replied softly, setting the Enchiridion aside as he settled into the chair.
Éire stepped up, serving him a jug of beer and placing it in front of him.
"You've got that place here," she said, but her expression turned more serious as she leaned in. "However, I wanted to tell you to be careful. Things in Orario have been stirring lately. Since that god fell a few weeks ago, the members of Evilus have been more active than ever."
Merlin frowned, remaining silent as he listened. Éire continued.
—Not just here in Orario" -he said, lowering his voice- "Rumors coming from outside speak of unrest all across the continent. They say there are conflicts between families, entire factions at war. The monsters are more restless, and the borders of the known world seem to have become more dangerous. Some believe this is just the beginning... something big is coming."
Merlin listened quietly, but he already knew what was coming. The nightmare of Floor 27 was looming: a trap woven by Evilus to feign his own death. However, Finn would discover the plan and use it against them, ultimately defeating Evilus for good. The gods would be sent to the heavens, and the adventurers would be left without Falna, causing many to perish on Floor 27, alongside others who were used as bait.
Merlin looked at Éire before speaking.
"I'll keep that in mind," he finally said, taking the jug of beer.
As he watched the faint glow of the lamps reflecting on the surface of the drink, he felt a familiar pressure in his chest. Wanting to distract himself, Merlin decided to summarize his adventure.
Calmly, he opened the Enchiridion, took a quill, and dipped it in ink, ready to write serenely.
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[Month Summary]
A month has passed since my arrival in this world, and during this time, I have lived unexpected experiences and learned skills I never imagined.
During this period, I learned blacksmithing from a good man named Gorim. I trained my body by practicing Total Concentration Breathing, although for now, I haven't followed any particular style. I also honed my swordsmanship, although I reached a bottleneck, and practiced hand-to-hand combat.
I created two objects that I now consider vital for my adventure: my sword, Gladius Patris, and this Enchiridion, where I am recording my adventures.
Less than a week ago, I discovered why I don't have a tail or ears like the Renard. All I needed was to use my ability "Mana Control" to manifest those traits. I also activated bestialization, a skill inherent to the semi-humans.
My first big fight in this world was against a formidable enemy: a Level 3. This opponent would easily be considered a commander or a king outside of Orario. The battle took place in an impressive setting: a burning forest under the full moon and rain.
I also witnessed sad moments, like the end of two great heroes, although considered villains by the world: Zald and Alfia. At least I found comfort in the fact that they were able to rest in peace, observing what they accomplished.
At that moment, two of those strange birds, similar to the Rukh from Magi, entered my being. I didn't pay them much attention then, but something tells me these beings might play a role in the future.
Lastly, I saved a girl during the battle against the Level 3. Although I haven't seen her since that moment, I'm sure she is safe; the monsters wouldn't dare to approach that area.
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Closing the book, Merlin took a sip of beer as he slumped back in the chair, exhausted.
"Damn it…" he murmured to himself. "It's been a hectic month, and the worst part is that I have no idea what else might change. By choosing not to go to Orario, even though I have certain advantages over others, I lost something essential… knowing how the plot will unfold."
Taking another drink of beer, Merlin let out a bitter laugh, like a drunk resigned to his fate.
"Now I don't know which way things will go… Maybe, due to some decisions made by others, the nightmare of Floor 27 will end up being a success for Evilus. They feign their death, and who knows, maybe they'll come back in the future much stronger."
But, well, it doesn't matter—Merlin thought, placing the jug on the table with a gentle thud. "I have to accept things as they are. It's not like I'm in Orario trying to keep the canon. In reality, I want to change many things, even if I do it from outside of Orario. I'll change them regardless."
"I have about a year and a few months to stop what I want to avoid, although I'll probably move before that. I've decided to stay here in Melen for four more months. I'll perfect what I already know and learn new skills."
Taking a deep breath, Merlin flashed a determined smile.
"After that, I'll travel all over the world, seek out a worthy goddess, and learn everything I can from the different places I visit. I'll become stronger. That way, when I obtain a goddess, she'll be a level one, but much more powerful than the others. My 'base' will be more solid."
He settled back in his chair, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Well, time to train."
Stashing the Enchiridion in his waist belt and securing Gladius Patris on his back, Merlin set off to train and hone his skills.
.....
Two Months Later…
Merlin could be seen training his Total Concentration Breathing while performing shadow training, fighting against the air as if facing an invisible rival.
Thanks to his multiple combat-oriented classes and his vast experience reading history and imagining imaginary scenarios, he had been able to access this state with just one real battle.
Now, all he had to do was imagine different fighting scenarios while perfecting his breathing technique, which sharpened his concentration.
There was something curious about his training: Gladius Patris shone with a different color, enveloped in a faint aura of mana.
Merlin had learned to divide his mind into three tasks: controlling his breathing, something that had become a bit more natural over time; concentrating the mana around his sword; and visualizing an enemy in front of him in the midst of combat.
Swish.
The sword sliced through the air with precision as he moved it with a mastery he hadn't possessed before. Each movement flowed with speed and accuracy. Up, down, left, right. A downward strike to the right, followed by a diagonal thrust.
Cutting through the air.
Merlin continued the cycle of movements, cutting, defending, blocking imaginary attacks. Attack, defense, block, counterattack. The movements were fluid, almost choreographed, yet filled with a polished technique.
Merlin covered from an imaginary blow and, in an instant, countered with a precise flurry of cuts.
Swish.
Soon, his imaginary opponent was cut in two. Merlin, feeling a slight pressure in his nose, wiped the blood with his hand, observing the crimson trail on his finger. "Focusing this much brings some pressure," he murmured, but decided to ignore it.
Without wasting time, Merlin continued training, although this time he didn't imagine any opponent in front of him. He took off his shoes and took a deep breath. Lowering his sword slowly, he prepared to execute an explosive technique.
Crash.
The ground where Merlin stood simply exploded, while the tree in front of him was instantly cut in half. Merlin appeared behind it, with his hands and feet bleeding. He quickly took a potion and assessed his physical condition.
"Damn it, the pressure this technique exerts on my body is tremendous," he thought, recalling his past as an astronaut and how being accustomed to withstanding G-forces was helping him endure the technique. "If it weren't for that, I would already be unconscious or even dead."
Sitting beside the cut tree, Merlin rested Gladius against his side and reflected on the principles of the technique.
"The technique itself is simple: I release a small explosion of mana beneath my feet that propels me forward. I was inspired by Soru from One Piece and Tsunade's technique from Naruto."
After saying this, Merlin placed his arm against another nearby tree, leaving only a small gap with his finger. With a quick motion, he struck the trunk with his fist, creating a hole in the tree but injuring his hand in the process.
"This technique is similar to Tsunade's, which releases chakra from her fists to enhance her monstrous strength. The problem is that, even though I have good control of my mana, my body can't fully handle the technique."
Setting his thoughts aside and noticing that the potion had healed him a bit, Merlin took Gladius in hand again and began to wield it while executing the Total Concentration Breathing.
Swish.
He repeated the movement without stopping, raising the sword above his head and then bringing it down with precision and control.
The grass around him swayed gently, and the tip of the sword stopped just millimeters above the ground.
Maintaining his rhythm, Merlin lifted Gladius once more, spreading his feet and adopting a stance similar to Iaido, even though his European-style sword rested on his thigh.
Swish
With a quick twist of his waist, he unleashed a powerful cut, creating a small gust of wind that vanished into the air.
Exhaling forcefully, Merlin gripped Gladius and executed a horizontal cut with such precision and strength that the veins in his hand stood out, clearly under pressure. The air was sliced cleanly.
Moving calmly, Merlin let the sword and sheath fall simultaneously, transforming Gladius back into an ordinary sword and the sheath into simply a large iron mace.
Without pausing, he tossed both into the air, but this time, he moved his wrist quickly, releasing fishing lines from his fingers that caught the handle of the sword and the sheath through small holes designed specifically for this purpose.
In a fluid motion, Merlin spun on his axis while taking a deep breath.
The sheath of Gladius was propelled forward like a rocket, while the sword sliced through the air with speed. Around him, the sound of something cutting the wind and another breaking through the air could be heard.
Clack Swish
Merlin stopped, surveying his surroundings. The nearby bushes had lost their leaves, which fell slowly around him like green rain.
He let out a deep sigh.
Exhaling completely, Merlin made a quick tug on the lines, drawing both the sword and sheath back into his hand. With an agile motion, he rejoined them, smoothly fitting Gladius on his back.
"Progress," he thought, even though he knew there was still much to perfect.
....
Walking calmly, Merlin thought deeply. He wore a fitted black shirt that contrasted with his loose white pants, cinched by a belt from which the Enchiridion hung. Most of his outfit was covered by a tunic that billowed gently around him, and his long white hair was tied in a high ponytail.
Behind him, Gladius in its sword form floated slightly, held by Merlin's mana.
"The time to depart is drawing near," he thought, glancing around.
Melen felt different, subdued. The streets, usually vibrant with life, were now almost deserted.
The few who dared to venture out walked cautiously, their faces marked by uncertainty and fear. The city's vibrant energy seemed to have faded, as if an invisible shadow covered it.
Walking calmly toward the inn, Merlin greeted the owner before heading up the stairs to his room.
Once there, he submerged himself in the bath that had been prepared for him in advance. The cold water enveloped him, relaxing his muscles as he reflected on what was to come.
"It's already been three months since I reincarnated in this world. Initially, I thought I'd stay five months in Melen before continuing my journey, but I don't have much more to gain here. It's better to move on and learn from what the outside world has to offer."
After finishing his bath, Merlin stood in front of the mirror, observing the changes in his body after two months of intense training. His physique had become athletic, standing at 180 cm, surpassing the 178 cm of his original version, despite being a younger version of himself. His well-defined muscles highlighted his abdomen and arms, with a torso marked by a six-pack, and his hands appeared larger and stronger.
[image]
"Not bad," he thought as he flexed his body in front of the mirror. "Another reason why I don't like Farnal… No matter how strong you are in that world, you don't have visible muscles unless you belong to a race specialized in strength, like dwarves or Boaz."
Satisfied with what he had achieved, Merlin began to dress, speaking aloud—a habit he had acquired after spending so much time alone.
"I know that most women aren't attracted to very muscular men, but I don't care. I'm in shape, and that boosts my ego."
Looking out the window, dressed only in sleep shorts, Merlin silently observed Melen. His eyes fixed beyond the city, to the imposing Tower of Babel in the distance.
"Tomorrow my journey officially begins…"
A smile spread across his face as a thought crossed his mind.
"After all... the Outcast has no home, just wanders the world."
Turning around, Merlin extended his fishing lines, closing the curtains of the window, and concluding this chapter.
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End of Chapter 11
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Trivia: It is interesting to know that Merlin from Fate is known as the "Wanderer of Paradise", something that somehow connects quite a bit with this world and with the story of our Merlin.
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