Chapter 140

Impulse sat up from his lying position, touching his body. "I don't feel any different." He mumbled, looking over to Faust, who was leaning on a bookcase. "Did you cast anything?"

"Are you a soul mage, or am I?" Faust breathed, "I cast multiple layers of protection on your soul. No soul mage below me can hurt your soul in any way."

"That is your highest protection spell?" Impulse asked, squinting his eyes. "I don't know, but I thought you will ha e something... better.

Faust glared at Impulse, "That IS my highest protection spell." He sat down on the ground, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"It will do. After all, that was the deal" Impulse shrugged, standing up.

"Just give me my part of the deal." Faust mumbled, trying to hide his excitement.

"Yeah, yeah." Impulse laughed, cracking his neck. "I always keep my promise especially when my soul is in the line.

~~~~~~~~~~

Impulse reappeared within the Library of Heroes, in front of the faceless entity. He didn't immediately go to find Solomon and ask for the transfer, he asked the entity, "Give me the smartest servant, second to Solomon." Who knows if Solomon is lying. It would be best to ask someone else to see if one can only get magic root

A book appeared in its hand and it handed it to Impulse. He looked at the title which read, [Merlin: Legend of King Arthur]

"Are you sure it's this guy? Even the title of the book has someone else name on it." Impulse asked, looking at the entity which didn't move an inch. "Well, you know everything."

He moved back from the checkout table, dropping the book in front of him. The book touched the floor, transforming into white magic. Multiple pink flower petals burst out of the magic circle, forming a mini-tornado. After a while, it dispersed in every direction, revealing a man standing in the middle. It was a handsome robed man, with long white hair and an extravagant-looking staff.

"Hello, it's me, the genuine real deal Merlin. Since you called on me, I just thought that I would pop over from Avalon." Merlin cheerfully said, looking over to Impulse. His smile froze as he appeared in front of Impulse, looking at his chest. "Oh~ you are an interesting one. With a soul this dark, I wonder how you haven't been killed by the world."

Impulse stepped back, folding his arm. The idea of this guy looking at his soul was extremely discomforting. 'But he said something about popping over from Avalon? So he isn't in the library but still a hero.' Impulse thought, looking at the mage before him. 'As long as he answers my question, I don't care where he comes from.

"Oh? I am in the Throne of heroes. More like the Library of heroes, amIright?" Merlin chuckled, looking at his surroundings. He ignored the faceless entity as if knowing what it was again, turning back to Impulse. "So what is your reason for calling on the great Merlin?"

impulse stared silently at Merlin, thinking of the librarian made a mistake. Those that normally boast about themselves are normally the weak ones. Or maybe he is just confident. Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, he asked, "Compared to Solomon, how intelligent or powerful are you?"

"Solomon was the King of Mages in the Age of Gods, so I am pretty sure I can beat him." Merlin said, trying to keep a serious face. "I will put him on his knee with a wave of my staff. Cast all true magic like it is the weakest of Magecraft. No mage is stronger than me." He finished, his face red from holding back laughter. "HAHAHAHAH! Did you believe that? You looked so surprised. Hahaha"

'I hate people who aren't serious.' Impulse thought, remembering Xerah. He has gotten used to the AI, but Merlin seems like the person he would never get along with. Sighing, Impulse asked, "Seriously, who is stronger or smarter?"

"Take a guess." Merlin sniffled, leaning on his staff.

"..." Impulse decided to just move on seeing as Merlin is not willing to answer the question. "So, can you give me magic circuits without merging my soul with someone else?"

"I don't know about meeting souls but I can give you an artificial one. It should be easy as one, two, three." Merlin said, counting from one to three with his free hand. "See? Easy."

"...What is the difference between real and artificial?" Impulse asked, obviously knowing the artificial one is the worst but he just wanted to know how bad it is compared to the real one.

"Your life would be at risk anytime you use an artificial magic circuit. And due to this magic circuit being on your body and not your soul, you won't be able to use your enormously high Prana." Solomon's voice sounded as he walked towards them. "I wouldn't recommend it."

"Oh, if it isn't Solomon." Merlin said, turning to fully face Solomon. "Good to meet you, my King."

"Forgive my ignorance, but who are you?" Solomon asked, turning to Merlin, genuinely curious.

"Allow me to introduce myself." Merlin said, pointing at himself. "I am Merlin! A mage who inflicts jealousy and envy on all other Servants, especially Casters, since they are second-rate to me. And I am the one who would surpass you and be the next King of Magecraft!"

"You amuse me." Solomon said, his face as emotionless as ever. "I am laughing my heart out."

"Grrrrr…" Merlin growled, pointing his staff at Solomon. "Take me seriously! I am your rival."

"How can't I take a fan seriously?" Solomon asked, tilting his head. "If you want my autograph, I would gladly give you."

"Yeah I want that-- No! I will surpass--"

"I am the main focus here." Impulse cut in, walking in between both of them. "Now I have both your attention, I want to know. With this artificial magic circuit, would it be possible to feed my ever-burning soul?"

"Oh, I see. I didn't notice before since you seemed immortal, but your soul is burning out. Without a magic circuit, you will certainly die." Merlin noted, "You will be deader than dead."

"Yes, it would help, but it won't be enough." Solomon proclaimed, turning back to Impulse. "At the--"

"At the rate, your soul is burning to create Prana, an artificial magic circuit won't be enough." Merlin cut in, smirking at Solomon.

"That's a shame…" Impulse mumbled, sighing. So the only option is merging his soul with that of someone else. "Solomon, let's get on with the merging." He said, walking away.

"Wait, what!? You can merge souls!!??" Merlin shouted, looking back and forth at Solomon and Impulse. "How is that possible!? Is it Magic?"

"Soul merging is just as powerful as True Magic, but I am not able to achieve the true magic without touching the Root, which is impossible for me." Solomon briefly explained, following Impulse. "Don't mistake them both."

"Just like Avalon." Merlin mumbled, before walking fast to catch up to the two. They both looked back at him as if wondering why he was following them. Placing his arm behind his head, he said, "Don't mind me. I will want to see this magecraft that's is close to magic."

"You can follow, but do not distract me." Solomon said as they all entered the oval-shaped room. "Lay on the middle platform."

"What's with people telling me to lay down today." Impulse mumbled, following his command and laying on his back. He felt anxious about the coming spell. It may be a trick, it may not be a trick. His life might change for the better or the worst. But one thing's for sure, this will be another turning point in his life. "I hope you aren't planning on doing anything strange."

"All I want is wisdom. Neither your soul nor your body would be of any use to me." Solomon assured, standing at the edge of the platform. "You will sleep... now."

And everything went dark.