Chapter 135: The Eternal Meditation Technique

"What reincarnation of Merlin? What Prime Merlinean? I don't understand what you're talking about."

David swallowed nervously, reaching for the dragon ring he had worn for ten years. Remembering what the magician in the antique shop told him back then, he shook his head.

His life was fine now; he didn't want any involvement with so-called mysterious magicians.

"How about I tell you a story? It's something an old magician shared with me years ago," George suggested, disregarding David's response. His goal was to establish a connection with David, to stay close to him, and eventually approach the great sorcerer Balthazar.

"It was the year 740. The fact that you have this dragon ring means Balthazar has been seeking the reincarnation of Merlin."

"No, no, no! You've got it wrong. That was just a coincidence," David said, unwilling to believe he was Merlin's reincarnation.

George shook his head. "Your denial changes nothing. The magicians sent by Morgana will eventually find you—and kill you."

"I can protect you. All I ask is that, once you become something like the Supreme Sorcerer, you help reverse my current transformation and restore my human body."

"Kill me? That seems… unlikely, right?" David's pupils contracted in fear. At nineteen, he had no desire to die.

"Oh, it's not just death," George said grimly. "They'll tear your body apart piece by piece with magic, then burn your soul with magical flames for 365 days, leaving you wishing for death until your soul is utterly destroyed."

Seeing David trembling, George pressed on, "So, what do you think of this deal?"

"If you can really protect me, then once I become the Supreme Sorcerer, I'll help you regain your human form," David replied. After a pause, he added, "But let's make it clear—I might not be this reincarnation of Merlin you're talking about. If you're wrong, don't blame me.

"And if you're staying here, you'll need to cover your own food expenses. I can't afford to feed a panda."

"Of course. Now, go back to sleep. I won't disturb you," George said with a faint smile on his panda face before leaving the cramped bedroom for the living room.

He plopped onto the sofa, pulled out the hefty Book of Morgana, and began reading.

Meanwhile, David lay back in bed but couldn't sleep. What he had just experienced felt even more surreal than the events at the antique shop a decade ago. He needed time to process it all.

"Magicians in this world actually have clear ranks?"

In the living room, George skimmed through the basics of magical knowledge recorded in the Book of Morgana. He discovered that this world's magicians were ranked across 1,000 levels.

Beginner magicians started at Level 1, and through continuous meditation to accumulate magical power and deepen their understanding of magic, they could gradually ascend. Once a magician surpassed Level 500, they essentially became immortal.

The highest known levels belonged to Morgana and Merlin—both at Level 1,000.

As George delved into the magical lore, the night gradually gave way to dawn.

Around 6 a.m., a sleep-deprived David, sporting dark circles under his eyes, emerged from the bedroom.

"Good morning, David!"

"Good morning… uhh...Mr. Panda," David muttered.

"You can call me George."

"George, I've been thinking…" David hesitated, nervous. After three hours of deliberation, he had concluded that keeping a panda at home was too inconvenient. Besides, he'd lived a decade without encountering any hostile magicians—maybe he never would.

Still, he worried about angering the panda and facing retaliation.

"Oh, hold on a moment," George said, interrupting David's train of thought.

Reading David's hesitation, George waved his paw and cast a cooking spell. Instantly, the kitchen came alive with clinking and clattering.

In less than a minute, a beautifully prepared breakfast appeared on the dining table.

"Clean as new!"

With another wave of his paw, George used a household spell to transform the messy apartment into a spotless, professionally cleaned space.

"Restored to its prime!"

Finally, George pointed at the old, broken refrigerator in the living room. Under his repair spell, the fridge not only worked perfectly but looked brand new.

After completing these feats, George turned to David and asked, "So, David, what were you going to say just now?"

"N-nothing!" David stammered, his eyes gleaming. "Actually, I was wondering if sleeping on the couch is uncomfortable for you. Should I buy you a new bed?"

David's outlook had changed entirely. Having George around suddenly seemed like a fantastic idea. If hostile magicians attacked, George could protect him. If they didn't, he'd still have a panda who could cook, clean, and repair appliances.

"Having a panda is amazing!"

"There's no need," George replied. "I'll spend most of my time in this box. Just carry it with you, and if you're in danger, open it and call me."

George retrieved the box that once contained Drake, opened it, and squeezed inside.

David gawked as George—so large moments ago—shrunk to fit into the palm-sized box. He picked it up in disbelief.

"Magic… really is incredible," he murmured.

For the first time in years, David felt his long-dormant fascination with magic rekindling.

After breakfast, he pocketed the box and walked to his university.

Inside the box, George found Drake and instructed him to help study this world's magical principles and knowledge.

A week passed.

David wasn't attacked by magicians from Horvath, nor did Balthazar show up. It seemed the two were still locked in their sealed struggle.

During this time, David and George grew closer, and George made considerable progress in mastering Morgana's magical system.

He learned the meditation technique magicians used to enhance their magical power and also mastered the Ring of Morgana.

"Rise!"

Inside the box, George's eyes snapped open. Flames of red fire surrounded him as he moved his hands in a series of intricate gestures, forming rings inscribed with runes.

Finally, the rings converged into a circular magical array—the Ring of Morgana.

Standing within the ring greatly enhanced a magician's efficiency in meditation, spell practice, and magical studies.