Chapter 1172: The Apprentice and the Statue

Merlin sat quietly after the sparring session...

His staff resting across his knees, as he soon noticed someone approaching.

The Super Soldiers had dispersed, laughing and joking about the battle, but soon, he heard Alex’s question.

A necromancer wanted to meet him? The thought unsettled him.

He frowned, staring at the mana that still clung faintly to his fingertips.

"Necromancy..." he muttered. "That’s not my path. Not even close."

Alex tilted his head. "You don’t want to meet him?"

Merlin shook his head slowly. "Not yet. I’m not confident. My magic... It’s different. It’s elemental, and I don’t see the benefit of it. Necromancy is another branch entirely. I don’t know if meeting someone who practices that art would help me. It might even confuse me further. For now, I just want to train. To recall my combat skills, piece by piece."

Alex nodded without protest. "That’s fine. I’ll deliver the gifts anyway. You’ll need them."

He opened the backpack and began laying out the items. Merlin’s eyes widened as he saw them.

First, there was a robe dyed in deep blue, embroidered with silver runes, and it emitted mana even if it was faint.

There was also a staff carved from the wood of a special tree that might even be a World Tree! Its grain was glowing with natural mana, and Merlin knew how special it was... Then, a belt lined with small crystal slots was there, and several boxes of Mana Crystals themselves.

Merlin reached out. His fingers trembled as he touched the robe. "This... this feels right."

He slipped it on, the fabric light yet strong, and immediately felt the mana around him respond. The staff hummed in his grip, resonating with his own aura.

Without a doubt, this new set of items given to him was a lot more precious than before. Alex grinned. "Looks good on you, Sir Merlin. Like it was made for you."

Merlin chuckled softly. "Perhaps it was. Or perhaps I was made for it."

As he adjusted the robe, Alex hesitated, then blurted out, "Sir Merlin... could you teach me? Could I become your apprentice? I’ve always wondered if I could learn magic."

Finally, Alex decided to reveal his true intent... He didn’t have high hopes, but he just couldn’t contain it... After all, unlike Shane, Asad, and other Survivors who could use magical abilities or spells, it was only possible thanks to the System!

However, Merlin could cast them even before the system existed! He knew this since Merlin was a recruit from the Fog!

Everyone who had come from the fog would only reflect their skills through the system if they had already learned it!

Merlin blinked, surprised by the very unusual request.

"You? An apprentice?"

Alex scratched his head, embarrassed. "I know, I know. I don’t look the part. But I want to try. Even if I’m not talented, I want to learn."

Merlin closed his eyes, focusing. Though his memories were fragmented, one skill remained intact, the ability to sense mana. Soon, he extended his awareness, letting it brush against Alex.

Then, he frowned. "You don’t have mana. Not even one bit..."

Alex’s shoulders slumped. "I figured..."

Merlin raised a hand. "Wait. You don’t have mana, but you have something else. I think that’s qi... No, that’s what those super soldiers calls Spirit Energy, right? You’ve been gathering it really well. That means you have potential. With effort, you could learn to draw mana into yourself. But..." He paused, as he looked at Alex carefully.

"Even if I awaken it for you, your talent wouldn’t be great. At most, you’d remain a novice‑class mage. You’d never reach the heights of a true sorcerer."

Alex’s eyes burned with determination. "I don’t care. Even if I’m just a novice, I want to learn. I want to feel what you feel when you cast those spells."

Merlin studied him for a long moment, then sighed.

"It wouldn’t be free. Magic is costly, not just in mana but in discipline. What would you offer in return?"

Alex straightened. He hadn’t expected to learn for free anyway.

"Treasures... magic weapons... Mana Crystals. Whatever you need, I’ll provide." He hesitated, then added earnestly, "I’ll give whatever I can, Sir Merlin."

Merlin studied him for a long moment, then shook his head.

"I don’t need more crystals or weapons. What I want... is freedom. To walk the world again. To move outside these walls whenever I wish. The fog caged me for decades. I won’t let stone walls do the same."

Alex blinked, surprised, then nodded quickly.

He could understand what he feels...

"Freedom... yes, I can help with that. We can always go outside as long as you’re accompanied by someone. This is for your safety since there were different levels of Zombies outside. Furthermore, it will help us rescue people when needed."

"I like that..."

Alex smiled after hearing this... Then, he added, "If you want to check other shelters, that’s also possible. This Omega Stronghold doesn’t have Gate Stones, but New Genesis and Eclipse Domain shelters nearby do. Through them, you can connect to Blood Talon, Blue Haven, Springriver Manor, and others. If you want to travel, I’ll apply for permission. I’ll accompany you, so you’ll never be alone."

Merlin’s heart stirred. The fog had stripped away his past, but the promise of adventure... of walking freely across the land. That filled him with hope.

He smiled and he couldn’t help but look at Alex like he was his grandchild.

"Then I accept you, Alex. You’ll be my apprentice. But before I awaken your talent, I need to prepare. Awakening mana is not simple. It requires focus, ritual, and patience."

Alex bowed deeply, his grin wide. "Thank you, Sir Merlin! I’ll do whatever it takes."

Merlin chuckled. "We’ll see if your determination holds. For now, let me continue training. My own skills are still returning. Once I’m ready, I’ll awaken yours."

Alex nodded, clutching his chest. "I’ll wait. And I’ll make sure you have everything you need."

Merlin turned back to the training grounds...

The Super Soldiers were already preparing for another round, eager to test themselves again. He raised the staff, mana swirling around him, and laughed.

"Come then! Let’s continue. I got some new items with me!"

Of course, the Super Soldiers didn’t like how Merlin just upgraded his weapons and all but in the end, they were happy to help the old mage...

Soon, Alex watched from the sidelines as he tried to study the spells Merlin was using...

He knew his path would be difficult since his talent was limited. But he didn’t care. He had found a teacher, and he believed that he would carve a new future.

***

Merlin’s training lasted until the sun dipped low...

The Super Soldiers had pushed him hard, and though his laughter rang across the grounds, he eventually felt the strain. His mana was nearly depleted, his shield was already weak, so he finally lowered his staff.

"Enough," he said with a tired smile. "You’ve given me more than I asked for."

The soldiers saluted him respectfully before dispersing.

Merlin returned to his quarters, his body heavy with exhaustion. He cleaned himself, changed into the blue robe Alex had given him, and lay down on the bed. Sleep came quickly, but when he awoke hours later, he was startled to realize his mana had already returned.

He didn’t expect that he would recover in just a few hours.

Then, he sat up as he flexed his fingers...

"So fast... faster than before."

The fog had preserved his power, but here, in this Stronghold, something was accelerating his recovery.

Curiosity gnawed at him.

That night, unable to rest further, Merlin decided to wander. He slipped quietly through the halls, past guards who nodded respectfully, and made his way north.

He had not explored this part of the Stronghold before.

The air grew cooler as he walked until he reached a secluded area.

"Mhmm?" Merlin paused as he saw something interesting. Nestled between stone walls and faint lanterns, was a pond.

At first glance, it seemed ordinary... Water was rippling gently under the moonlight. But as Merlin approached, his breath caught.

Beneath the surface, dozens of Mana Crystals shimmered! Their light was refracting through the water like stars trapped below. He knelt at the edge, staring in awe.

"A pond... filled with mana itself..." He could feel the energy radiating upward, soothing and invigorating all at once.

Then his gaze shifted to the center. Rising from the pond was a statue...

The man was carved in flawless detail. He had a sword raised high, and his expression was resolute.

At this time, the water lapped gently at its base, as if guarding it.

Merlin’s heart began to pound.

He didn’t know why, but the face stirred something deep within him.

A familiarity he couldn’t place. He stepped closer as he scanned the etchings carved into the stone pedestal.

His eyes squinted as he read the inscription...

"Shane the Strongest Survivor."