The afternoon sun reflected off the crystalline surface of the pool, casting shimmering sparkles that spread across the scene. Gwen and Jean were immersed in a mood of relaxation, laughing and exchanging lighthearted conversations as they swam side by side. The sound of water being sliced by their movements brought a sense of peace that contrasted sharply with the chaotic routine they were used to facing.
On the other side, Arthur emerged calmly from the house, carrying a cup of tea with milk in one hand. He settled onto a lounge chair in the shade, crossed his legs, and, with nothing but a calm expression, thought to himself:
"System, do today's login."
Immediately, an invisible screen that only he could see materialized before his eyes.
[Login successful]
[Host obtained: Magic Grimoire.]
Arthur's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the reward.
"A grimoire, huh? This could come in handy..." he muttered under his breath before leaning forward and retrieving the item from the system without hesitation.
A heavy and imposing book appeared in his hands. Its black cover was adorned with golden glowing symbols in unmistakable Cuneiform, pulsating faintly as if the object had a life of its own. The air around him grew denser for a few seconds, catching Gwen's attention as she raised an eyebrow from inside the pool at the sudden glow.
"Arthur, what's that you've got there?" she asked, swimming to the edge and resting her arms to get a better look.
Jean, curious, swam closer too. "Don't tell me you're messing around with more of your treasure stash again..."
Arthur sighed helplessly. He knew he couldn't just reveal the whole truth about the system, but he also didn't want to blatantly lie to them.
"Let's just say... it's a gift. Something that might be very useful to me in the future," he replied enigmatically, running his fingers over the grimoire's cover, which seemed to vibrate at his touch.
Suddenly, the book opened on its own, its pages flipping rapidly until stopping at a section filled with luminous writings. A subtle energy spread across the area, making the pool water ripple slightly without anyone touching it.
Gwen's eyes widened. "Okay, that's definitely not a normal book..."
Jean, though startled, couldn't hide her curiosity. "Arthur... what kind of book is that you're holding?"
Arthur closed his eyes for a moment, feeling a strange energy flow into him, as if the book were testing his compatibility. When he opened them again, his eyes briefly glowed, reflecting newly acquired power.
The grimoire shone with an intense golden light, and before Arthur could react, hundreds of thousands of Cuneiform symbols leapt from the pages like fragments of light, flying straight into his mind.
Arthur felt an avalanche of magical knowledge surge within him. It was as if he had lived countless eras studying magic, every secret of the world now etched into his very essence.
His body trembled for a few seconds, though he showed no sign of pain. On the contrary: a smile appeared on his lips.
When the torrent finally ceased, the grimoire began to disintegrate. First the cover, then the pages, until it all crumbled into golden dust that dispersed into the air, vanishing as if it had never existed.
Jean, watching closely, spoke in shock: "The book... it just vanished?"
Gwen narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Arthur... what the hell just happened to you?"
Arthur raised his hand, examining it carefully.
"It's nothing major... But I have something cool to show you." He spoke with a smile.
He extended his arm toward the pool. In response, golden magic circles lit up beneath the surface, and the water rose into perfect columns, forming translucent sculptures of Anzu, a giant bird with a lion's head, and Shedu and Lamassu, winged bulls with human heads.
Beings of Mesopotamian mythology.
"This... is amazing..." Jean murmured, mesmerized.
Arthur admired his creation for a moment before closing his fist. The sculptures dissolved smoothly, merging back into the pool.
Gwen, still wide-eyed, crossed her arms and spoke in a half-comedic tone, trying to mask her unease: "Great... as if it wasn't already hard enough dealing with you, now you've turned into some sort of mage-king. Wonderful."
Arthur arched an eyebrow at her remark and gave a satisfied, almost arrogant smile. Resting his chin on his hand, he adopted a relaxed posture, as if truly seated on a throne.
"Mage-king... I like how that sounds. It suits me, don't you think?" he said with exaggerated confidence, the golden glow in his eyes reinforcing the claim.
Gwen rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Yeah, totally fitting. Next thing you'll want us bowing and calling you 'Your Majesty Arthur, the Poolside Enlightened.'"
Jean, still enchanted by the scene, couldn't hold back a giggle. "I could even get you a plastic crown if that helps with immersion."
Arthur narrowed his eyes at them, though his expression betrayed amusement. He snapped his fingers, and instantly a small golden portal formed above his hand. Out came a golden crown, overly decorated with jewels.
"See? No need for plastic. My royalty manifests on its own," he declared pompously, raising his teacup as though it were a goblet.
Gwen burst out laughing. "Oh my God... you're hopeless."
Jean covered her mouth, trying to hold back laughter, but soon gave in as well. "I admit it looks good on you. Silly, but stylish."
Arthur smirked, pleased with their reactions. Then, with a swift gesture toward the pool, he molded a throne from liquid columns. Rising from the lounge chair, he sat upon it as if it were only natural.
"If you wish to play, then let us play. From this moment on, you shall speak only in a respectful tone. After all, you stand before Mage-King Arthur Morgan!"
Gwen folded her arms and shot back with irony: "Alright, Your Majesty... but only if you clean this pool yourself afterward. Because if your kingly powers start making a mess, I swear I'll throw you in."
Arthur arched an eyebrow, and without a word, made a subtle hand motion. A small wave rose from the pool and splashed Gwen directly in the face.
She blinked a few times, dripping wet, and glared sharply at him. "Did you seriously just do that?"
Arthur raised his tea again and replied calmly: "The gods punish the insolent."
Jean was laughing so hard by now she could barely stand at the pool's edge.
Gwen wiped her face, grumbling, though a faint smile crept onto her lips.
"You're unbelievable, Arthur. Claiming to be a mage-king and instead of doing anything useful, you'd rather splash water in my face."
Arthur reclined on his watery throne, answering with theatrical solemnity: "Even kings need entertainment. Consider yourself a jester in my glorious reign."
Gwen's eyes widened. "Jester?! You're really asking to be drowned today, aren't you?"
Before she could advance, Jean intervened, still laughing: "Easy, easy, Gwen! He's just provoking you... and if you charge at him, he'll probably come up with another 'divine punishment.'"
Arthur raised a finger, like a teacher about to give a lesson. "Exactly, my lovely Jean. In fact, I was already considering sculpting ice statues of you both as eternal guardians of my palace."
Jean covered her mouth, feigning horror. "Oh sure. Because being frozen alive is every girl's dream."
"That, or drowning the boyfriend," Gwen added dryly, still glaring at Arthur.
Unfazed, Arthur merely lifted his teacup again. "A mage must always test the limits of his abilities. You should feel honored to be my test subjects."
Gwen burst out laughing again, shaking her head. "You're absolutely hopeless, Arthur."
Arthur replied with a faint smirk.
Jean, still smiling, leaned forward at the pool. "But to be fair, I'd rather see you using that power to play around than for anything truly dangerous."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, thoughtful for a moment, then snapped his fingers. Two golden circles opened above the pool, summoning small water creatures shaped like... ducklings. They swam in circles, glowing under the sunlight.
Jean immediately cupped her hands over her face. "They're so cute!"
Gwen, on the other hand, let out a disbelieving laugh. "You just went from intimidating mage-king to... magical duck breeder. Arthur, congratulations, you've completely ruined your sovereign aura."
Arthur didn't lose his composure. "A true king rules over both lionesses and ducks."
Jean laughed so hard she had to cling to the edge again. Gwen only sighed, though this time with a genuine smile.
---
Jean was still laughing at the magical ducklings swimming in the pool when Gwen couldn't resist adding sarcasm.
"King of Ducks... that's what I'm calling you from now on."
Arthur remained unfazed. On the contrary, he leaned forward on his throne, meeting Gwen's gaze with a smug half-smile.
"If it comes from you, even that title carries charm."
The comment came swiftly, like a well-aimed arrow. Gwen raised an eyebrow, surprised by his boldness, and quickly turned her face away to hide the warmth rising in her cheeks.
Jean noticed immediately and let out a quiet laugh. "Well, well… looks like someone's out of words."
"Me?!" Gwen shot back, trying to keep her composure.
"Don't even start—he's the one acting more full of himself than ever."
Arthur only chuckled softly, raising his teacup to his lips with infuriating calm. "Kings have that right."
"You're no king at all! At least not anymore!!" Gwen replied, though her tone had already lost some of its sharpness. It sounded more nervous than serious.
Jean, amused, propped her chin on her hands as she floated in the pool. "You know, I've noticed something for a while now… Arthur seems to love provoking you, Gwen. And honestly, you never manage to hide your reaction."
"I don't react!" Gwen protested far too quickly, which only made things worse.
Arthur tilted his head, watching her with an intense, almost hypnotic gaze, as if savoring every detail. Then, slowly, he reached out a hand toward her. The water rose gently, forming a small wave that pushed her closer to the edge—closer to him.
"Gwen…" His voice came low, carrying an unexpected seriousness that clashed with all the earlier playfulness.
"You can deny it, you can even laugh at me… but I know exactly what you like."
Silence lingered for a few seconds, broken only by the sound of water. Gwen opened her mouth to retort but found no words.
Jean watched the scene carefully from the side, her smile fading as she realized the atmosphere was shifting. Then, with an equally graceful gesture, Arthur extended his other hand toward her. The water shaped into a crystalline path, drawing her closer as well.
Jean blushed faintly. "You know neither of us will be able to hold back if you keep this up, right?"
"That was my intention from the very beginning…" He smiled at them.
Gwen tried to make a joke, but her voice cracked. "You're impossible."
Jean chuckled softly. "Impossible and irresistible… a dangerously perfect mix."
Arthur didn't answer. Instead, he pulled Gwen closer, leaning in and kissing her firmly. Gwen froze in surprise for a second, then quickly gave in, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck.
When he pulled back, Arthur turned to Jean, who was still staring at him in shock, lips slightly parted.
He simply smirked and pulled her in too, pressing his lips to hers.
Jean gasped softly, her heart racing, still tasting him on her lips. Gwen, beside her, looked just as dazed, cheeks flushed and eyes half-lidded.
Arthur gazed at them with the extravagant solemnity of someone who spoke as though his words were decrees. His voice came out deep, almost theatrical:
"You still don't understand, do you? This isn't just about desire or affection. I declare that I refuse to walk alone. You will both be my companions—not only in the present, but in every future that dares to exist. It's simple: you belong to me… and I belong to you."
A heavy silence fell over them. Gwen blinked, her lips parted, unable to process it. Jean's eyes widened, still unsure if she'd heard him right—or if it was just another one of his jokes.
"Wait… are you… proposing to us?" Gwen finally broke the silence, her voice hesitant, stumbling over her own words as her heartbeat raced.
Jean, still in disbelief, turned to him. "Say that again, please."
Arthur blinked slowly, meeting both their eyes. For a moment, it looked like he might actually repeat himself, perhaps with even more grandeur. But then his lips curved into a sly smile.
"Of course… What I meant was: how about forming a team with me to compete in a Uno championship? I'll warn you now, I'm going to destroy you both."
(I'm not repeating that, no way. Damn it, why the hell did I even say it like that!!?) Arthur thought.
The silence instantly turned into a shared sigh of frustration, followed by muffled laughter from both girls. Gwen shook her head, covering her face with her hand. "You're ridiculous."
Jean sighed, though she couldn't hold back her smile. "And yet we're still stuck with you…"
Arthur leaned back into his liquid throne with a satisfied grin. "That's more like it… a true king should always be surrounded by the most beautiful companions."
(End of Chapter)
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Dude, you guys are monsters... And I love you for that. This is the first time we surpassed the milestone of 200 power stones since I started with this fic. Besides that, we ranked fifth in collection and seventh in popularity... I love you all. By the way, yes, I know I exaggerated in this chapter, especially after what I did in the next chapters hahahaha.
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"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."