Reincarnated As The Dark Knight

Artur was dumbstruck by Merlin's revelation.

"Come again?"

"You have no Mana Artur"

Artur shook his head in confusion. Devoid of Mana, how could his Nexus be devoid of Mana. The book just told him that all living beings had Mana so why was Merlin saying that he had no Mana? He concluded that the old man was just joking with him. After all even if they had just met, he liked to mess with him.

"No, no, no. Stop messing with me" Artur said "I'm sorry for being so rude to you and I apologize. From now on I will always respect you so please tell me what you see in there" Artur said bowed.

Merlin frowned at him. "Does my face really resemble one of a person who is lying? Just so you know I don't lie"

Merlin's response took Artur's mind back to what had transpired a few minutes ago which he reminded Merlin of. Merlin shrugged it off like nothing had happened and went back to the issue of his nexus. Merlin looked surprised but Artur had a feeling that this expression was not because he had no mana but something else. He still found it unbelievable that there were no readings of Mana coming from his body after all this body belonged to a resident of this...

Artur was suddenly reminded that he was not an original resident of this world. Mana was formed from contact between the soul and the body. Could that have been the reason why? Was his soul not connected to his body? A million thoughts went through his head in that moment. He did not know what to think or say, it was a very disheartening situation, and his face immediately wore a gloomy look.

Merlin noticed it but said nothing. It was better to let him completely absorb the shock.

Artur wanted to walk away but his stomach grumbled, reminding him that he had eaten nothing since the previous day.

"Oh?"

Merlin heard the loud wail of his stomach and turned to him. Coincidentally, Artur turned to him too. "Are you hungry?"

Artur rolled his eyes, "Are you really asking me that?"

"Hey, what happened to always respecting me, huh?"

Artur gave him a sly smile. "Teenagers are liars"

"You are not even a teenager yet"

"I'll be thirteen in a short while" He said, stressing on the "teen"

Merlin raised his hand and the swirling light appeared again, but he meant no harm this time. He whispered something which and a long table appeared out of thin air. There were bursts of light following each other up the table and, in their wake, they left dishes full of food. Artur's eyes could almost pop out of their sockets when he saw the food. One year in the slave camp had taken away the memories of the sumptuous meals he used to have.

"Sit down, let's eat"

Merlin was rather happy when he saw Artur eat. Watching the boy build up a mountain of food on his plate and bring down the whole thing ignited some kind of warm emotion in him, but he was still a man of conduct. 

"Eat with a little restraint lad"

"Tell me that after you spend a year eating hard bread and dried fish" Artur fired back immediately.

'Hard bread and dried fish? Come to think of it his clothes don't speak nobility'

Merlin's interest was piqued, and he wanted to know everything that transpired so he asked Artur about it. Artur was already surprised that Merlin did not know what happened to his father, but he was more surprised that he had no idea what happened to Hawkhurst. Nonetheless, he told him everything. Starting from the king's supposed visit to the attack then to the slave camp to his escape and arrival. Just then, something crossed his mind.

"All that being said, I have something to ask you" Artur said.

"It had better not be about what I and your father were working on"

"No, something even more important"

Merlin giggled "Something more important? You have no idea what you are talking about"

"Just answer me this one question"

"I'm listening"

Artur sighed "What do you know about my family?"

***

After their meal, they rested a little then a little while later Merlin gave little Artur a sword that matched his size but Artur had no idea why he did. After giving it to him he asked him to wait while he went to get something. Artur was unsure of his motives. Minutes later the old man came back with a sheathed sword.

"Huh? What are you doing with a sword? Do you even know how to use one?" Artur said.

"How old do you think I am and just how many battles do you think I've fought and witnessed? I may not be the best in swordplay, but I'm sure I can hold my own, especially if it's a kid like you"

"You want to fight me?" Artur was already smiling at the thought of putting this old man in his place.

"No, at least not yet. You are still too weak"

"I agree to disagree"

"Show me your form"

"Huh? Why?"

"Tell me, why were you so interested in Magic before. The way you behaved was more than just wanting to be able to use it like others"

Artur was quick to answer "If you witnessed the last one year with me trust me you would want to do anything to be strong. I barely survived and made it back here"

"But you lack Mana so what are you going to do?"

"I guess there is nothing I can do, I can't become a Rune-user anymore"

Merlin was quiet at first but then he laughed out loud, leaving Artur surprised. He wondered what would warrant Merlin to laugh or was his situation so bad that even a man like Merlin would laugh, but he was wrong. Merlin was laughing at his ignorance.

"Wait, lad, is that what you really think, that Rune-users need Mana to manifest abilities? You are wrong lad" Merlin said.

"I don't understand what you are saying, the book said that mana was required to use extraordinary abilities so what are you talking"

"Did you read further? Clearly not or you wouldn't be looking so hopeless right now"

"Would you mind elaborating on your statement?"

Merlin sighed "What a hassle. Sit and listen attentively because I'm not repeating myself"

According to Merlin, mana was not the only way to wield abilities in this world. To clear Artur's misconception, he went over the basics. Not everyone could command Mana, those who could and hoped to further their abilities were known as Mages. Those who were able to make use of supernatural abilities without using Mana were known as Rune-users and they were able to do so because of phenomena known as Runes. Runes were ancient markings that were engraved on a person, giving them abilities. They could randomly awaken on a person, or they could be obtained by breaking Runestones.

"So that means I can get powers too?" Artur asked.

"Yes, you can Artur"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get me a Runestone" Artur got up on his feet and rested the hilt of the sword on the wall to give it balance.

"Sit down lad, you didn't let me finish"

"Finish what?"

"The thing about Runes is that they choose their owners"

"Choose their owners? What do you mean by they choose their owners?"

"Runestones are not sold in the market because the Runes choose their owners. If a Rune does not accept you then you cannot use its abilities or even integrate it into your body. Runestones are found, not bought because if they do not resonate with the person there would be no point in having them"

"So you are telling me that if I want to be able to use a Rune, I have to find a Runestone that resonates with me or wait for it to possibly awaken?"

"Exactly"

"I give up" He said and sat back down in the seat.

Merlin who had been staring at the ground suddenly glanced at Artur.

"That was fast, don't you want to be strong anymore?"

"I do want to be strong, but I've only got one reason for that and it's not enough for me to go on a journey of searching for a Runestone that will resonate with me or just wait for a Rune to awaken on me. I will just go to my uncle"

Merlin was quiet for a bit, then he sighed and glanced at Artur before saying:

"There is one"

Artur jerked up in his seat and looked at Merlin "What do you mean?"

"There is one way to get a rune" Merlin repeated "You will surely not come out unscathed, and you may not come back alive but there is a way for you to get a Runestone. Six hundred miles out to the west of Hawkhurst, there is a forest where you can get one"

"Wait, Are you serious?" Artur sprang out of his seat and stared at Merlin wide-eyed. 

"This is a trial you will have to face on your own. Are you up to the task?"

"Tell me what it is, I'll do anything" Artur pleaded. His gaze was focused, reflecting his resolve and his brows were furrowed deeply, emphasizing the intensity of his emotions.

"I would like to warn you that once you start there is no going back, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I've never been any surer than I am now in my life"

Merlin could say nothing more. He wanted to dismiss the idea, but he had already spilled the beans, and it was too late to say that he was kidding. The fire in Artur's eyes, the resolve in in his words, made him pause with fear for the boy. He was still little and there was a long life ahead of him. Merlin knew what kind of danger he was putting the boy into. Taking back his words could make someone like Artur more determined and seek out other sources, most of which would not be good.

Should he dismiss it and risk the boy going out to find his way? Or should he allow him and hope for the best? He was stuck in a dilemma, regretting he had brought it up in the first place. He made Merlin's heart pound. Artur took a step toward him, his resolve unshaken. He awaited Merlin's permission, but he eyes said that he with or without Merlin's help he was going to go regardless.

Merlin exhaled before saying "What do you know about Lake Avalon?"