(Erica POV)

I walked into the tower. As soon as I entered, the wooden doors closed behind me, cutting me off from Ken and the others.

It was dark, with only torches lighting up the area. The stone brick surrounded me, with only one way out. Up.

A spiral staircase led up to the top of the tower, and that was all that was here. Just the staircase.

I don't like this.

"You'll be fine." An elegant voice spoke in my head.

King Arthur. The spirit inside of Excalibur.

"I do not sense malicious intent from this tower." Arthur stated. "It could be hidden, but that would require an incredibly strong magician."

So I should still be on guard?

"Yes." Arthur stated. "Just in case."

Alright.

I started to ascend the steps. Looking up, I could see that there were a lot spiraling up. This is going to take a while...

I wish Ken was here...

"That Ken...he gives me a strange vibe." Arthur stated.

I thought we already talked about this. Ken is a good person. Don't make me punish you.

"Don't get me wrong, I do believe Ken is a good person despite his rough exterior." Arthur explained. "Rather, it's his aura that I don't like."

I don't get what you're talking about. Aura?

"I can see people's auras. A manifestation of their powers in a seeable form that a select few can see. You could possibly unlock the power in a later tier." He replied.

Then what does Aura have to do with this?

"It's dark. A pitch black. Like a void, but with red lightning sparking around it. It's nothing like I have ever seen before." Arthur explained. "And it's strong. He's no ordinary person."

Of course not. No ordinary person could grow as quickly as he does. Not even the genius Bianca. That's part of why he's so amazing.

"It still bothers me, however." Arthur stated. "Just be careful. His Arcana is Loki after all."

What are you trying to insinuate?

"Nothing." Arthur replied. "Just be careful."

I continued to walk up the stairs, shaking Arthur's words out of my mind. Ken is a good person.

It felt like hours as I climbed that tower, passing the torches as I headed towards the top. How long have those torches been burning?

Who is in this tower?

Finally I reached the top, where a wooden trapdoor in the ceiling waited at the end of the stairs. It would lead me to the tower's room.

Pushing the trapdoor, I found that it was unlocked. The trapdoor easily opened, letting me see the ceiling of the room.

It was brighter than the rest of the tower.

Taking a deep breath, I climbed through the trapdoor. Standing up, I was now in the room.

There was a bed, a table, a desk with multiple items on it, and a chair that someone sat on, facing away from me. He wore a white robe with purple accents which matched with his short, snow white colored hair.

"Erica Arthurson." The person said a deep voice. "I've been waiting for you."

That's not creepy at all...

"No way..." Arthur gasped.

You know them?

"I've wanted to meet you for a long time." He stated. "My name is-"

He stood up from the chair, turning around.

"Merlin Ambrosius." She grinned.

The Merlin?!

"You're a girl?!" I screamed.

"You're a girl?!" Exclaimed Arthur.

Why are you surprised?!

"Ehe~! You caught me!" Winked Merlin. "Your world's Merlin is a male, isn't he?"

"My world's Merlin?" I questioned.

"Yep!" He, er-She nodded. "Do you believe in the...multiverse theory?"

"No." I stated.

Don't tell me...there's no way it can be true...

"You see, your humans were pretty close with their guess." Merlin continued. "Most probably don't actually believe it exists, but some do."

"And they'd be right." She stated an outlandish claim.

"You're telling me there's a multitude of universes?" I questioned, skeptical.

"How do you think the rifts work? Where the monsters come from?" Merlin asked. "The rifts are tears inbetween space-time, allowing for two dimensions to cross over."

"That's how this world got its Elves, Succubi, Monsters, and Adventurers." Merlin added.

"You see, there is a multiverse which we live in right now, with a countless number of universes. This is just one of them." Merlin explained.

"Each universe is usually completely separated from each other. Each one with it's own species, stories, and rules." She continued.

"Some are similar to each other. Some are almost identical. And some are completely different." Merlin stated.

"In fact, I come from a world similar to your own. It just didn't come as far." Merlin added. "It's really cool all of the stuff that your humans built!"

"T-this is crazy..." I muttered.

"I guess you could see it that way." Merlin shrugged. "But I like to see it as a place full of opportunities. Unfortunately, there's one problem."

"There's only one way to move from dimension to dimension, and that's through the rifts. And they're random, and temporary." She continued.

"That's actually how I came to this world originally. That's how the Four Great Sages and their followers came to this world. It's also how the old Demon King almost came as well." Merlin explained.

The theory was true...

"What have you been doing this whole time?" I questioned.

"Sometimes I drift in and out of the world due to the rifts. Being stuck in this tower doesn't allow me to stay in this world if the island is taken." Merlin stated.

"But when I am here, I'm watching you." She added.

"That's really creepy." I sweatdropped.

"I didn't mean it that way. Though that Ken is sure a lucky fellow~" Giggled Merlin.

"Rather, I was interested in your Arcana. You see, the fact that Excalibur bonded to you is very interesting." She stated.

"Excalibur is a legendary weapon, and a very picky one. It's one and only wielder was King Arthur himself. No one else. The fact that it decided to then bond to you...it means you're special." She continued.

"And it's a good thing you're a Chosen so I can talk to you like this." Smiled Merlin.

"What is a Chosen?" I asked.

"A Chosen. They're a unique person. Everyone's power comes from the soul. The Arcana bonds a piece of the soul of a figure from the past to your own." Merlin explained.

"But the soul of a Chosen is unique. In simple terms, it allows for infinite growth. With the time and dedication, you could become the most powerful person in the whole multiverse!" Merlin exclaimed.

"However, natural lifespans usually limit the time that Chosen's have to grow." Merlin added.

"So why was I supposed to come here?" I wondered.

"You see, after...that, I decided to start training good Chosen's. So they wouldn't suffer the same fate." Merlin stated. "Back then I trained the Four Great Sages, you know."

"It's unfortunate that it ended in tragedy." She muttered sadly.

"Anyways, so I wanted to train you as well!" Merlin happily exclaimed.

"But...why?" I asked, still confused.

"I was here since the beginning." Merlin stated. "And I plan on finishing it."

"What?" I asked.

Arthur sighed in my head. "Merlin is Merlin, no matter what. Even if he...she is from another world...and a woman..."

"I shouldn't say any more." Merlin sadly smiled. "Anyways, I wish to help unlock your hidden potential. Will you be my next student?"

I thought about it. But if it can help me become stronger like Ken...

"...yes." I nodded.

"Great!" Merlin clapped. "Let this big sister make you super strong!"

She skipped over, lightly poking me in the head with a glowing finger. A weird feeling appeared in me.

"W-what?" I asked, confused.

"Check your adventurer card." Grinned Merlin.

Pulling it out of my pocket, I noticed that I had now advanced another tier, reaching Tier 6.

Tier 6 - Clairvoyance

"What is this..." I muttered.

"You'll be tired, so rest tonight." Merlin stated, rubbing my head. "But tomorrow we'll start your training."

Like she stated, I was starting to feel sluggish.

"All right." I nodded. I started to walk to the wooden trapdoor and the large flight of stairs when Merlin suddenly spoke a request.

"Oh, and please make sure Ken comes up here, okay~?" She smiled.

"Okay." I nodded.

She better not try anything...

An: Sorry for the info dump! Lots of worldbuilding!

Also, those who know the inspiration for Merlin know.