[Third Person's PoV]
Arthur stood proudly in front of a grand storefront, the sun gleaming off the large, bold, golden letters etched above the entrance that read: "King's Magical Enterprise." The sound of camera shutters filled the air as reporters from the Daily Prophet snapped photos, the crowd buzzing with anticipation.
Dressed in fine grey wizarding robes that added an air of refinement to his presence, Arthur raised his hand to quiet the crowd. The noise settled into a hush as he prepared to speak.
"I am known to many of you as Arthur King," he began, his voice firm but warm. "Author of numerous books—some of which I hope you've had the pleasure of reading—particularly those that explore my theories on Magic Circles and the Runic Language." He paused, then added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "And if you haven't read them yet—what are you waiting for?"
The crowd laughed appreciatively at the jab, and Arthur smiled before continuing.
"What I present to you today is not something I accomplished alone. Far from it. This—" he gestured toward the building behind him, "—was made possible by the tireless support of those who believed in my vision. I am especially grateful to my business partners at Gringotts Bank, the ever-gracious Ministry of Magic for their authorization and backing, and of course, the unwavering support of Albus Dumbledore."
He stepped aside slightly, allowing a clear view of the door behind him. "Behind these doors is more than just a shop. It's the gateway to something greater. A future I dare to imagine for our entire wizarding world—brighter, more innovative, and full of wonder."
He chuckled lightly. "Now, I could stand here all day and drone on about what's inside, describing every little detail—but where's the fun in that? Instead, how about I show you?"
Arthur reached into his robe and pulled out a shining brass key, its intricate engravings glinting in the light. He stepped up to the door, inserted the key into the lock, and with a satisfying click, pushed the heavy doors open.
The moment they opened, a wave of gasps echoed across the crowd, followed by an explosion of camera flashes. Arthur turned to the onlookers and placed a hand over his heart, bowing his head humbly.
"I, Arthur King, welcome you all to King's Magical Enterprise. My doors are open to everyone—wizards, witches, scholars, and curious minds alike."
---
The interior was breathtaking. From the moment one stepped through the doorway, they were met with a visual spectacle. The ceiling above shimmered like the night sky—an enchanted dome of glimmering stars, galaxies slowly swirling as if plucked from the heavens themselves. The enchantment was so vivid, so realistic, that many visitors entered with their heads tilted back, mouths agape in awe.
Once they managed to lower their gazes, the rest of the store came into view, each section more captivating than the last.
The ground floor was thoughtfully divided. The first section housed an impressive array of magical ingredients and crafting materials, all meticulously organized. Shelves gleamed with vials of rare inks, enchanted chalks, and other critical components for creating intricate magic circles. Each item came with a small golden plaque that explained its function and potential uses.
Adjacent to this was the interactive section—less a store and more a magical showcase. Designed to exhibit the wondrous potential of magic circles, this area featured enchanted runes contributed by none other than Merlin herself. One magic circle, for instance, allowed the user to stand within and relive their happiest memory in vivid detail. Another offered the exhilarating sensation of flying—no broomstick required. There were even circles that let one immerse themselves in an illusion, an illusion if they were to become the strongest Wizard of them all.
The final portion of the lower level displayed a range of enchanted items, again thanks to Merlin's magical contributions. Curious trinkets such as speed-reading glasses, mood-adjusting quills, and self-filling inkpots lined the shelves—practical, whimsical, and everything in between.
The second floor, however, was what Arthur jokingly called "his personal kingdom." Here, shelves upon shelves were filled with every book he had ever published. A few enchanted copies even flipped their own pages to attract attention. It was a quiet space for readers and scholars, offering a more relaxed atmosphere than the bustling ground floor.
Though the store was only just opening, and the full vision was still unfolding, the enthusiasm from the visitors was palpable. Everyone walked with wide eyes and eager hands, exploring every nook and cranny.
Standing off to the side, Arthur surveyed the scene with pride swelling in his chest. His dream—what had once existed only in scribbled notes and late-night ramblings—had finally come to life.
"You must be proud," came a familiar voice beside him.
He turned to see Merlin, standing with her arms crossed, a rare smile on her face.
Arthur chuckled, straightening his posture. "Proud? This is a step closer to my retirement."
Merlin rolled her eyes in amusement, casting a sideways glance toward Nicholas, Perenelle, and—somewhat surprisingly—Dumbledore. The three stood together, intently observing the magical shop with the fascination of seasoned scholars encountering something genuinely new. Dumbledore had subtly disguised himself to avoid attracting unwanted attention, though the twinkle in his eyes gave away his curiosity.
"You know I'm in a good mood today," Arthur remarked with a light chuckle, walking leisurely beside Merlin. "Make sure to send Goburk a generous tip, would you? He's earned it. After everything he's done for us, it's the least we can do."
"For the record, I'm not your secretary," Merlin replied, raising a brow and folding her arms.
Arthur stopped mid-step and turned to face her, the playful tone vanishing from his voice. "Wait—am I seriously making you feel that way?" he asked, his expression laced with concern.
The sincerity in his gaze caught Merlin off guard, and her teasing demeanor softened instantly. She sighed and shook her head. "No, Art. I was just messing with you, honestly," she said, gently patting his arm. "You're not that bad."
Still looking slightly uncertain, Arthur nodded. "Well... if there ever comes a day when you feel I'm taking you for granted, promise me you'll tell me."
Merlin smiled, the warmth returning to her face as she hooked her arm through his. "Trust me, you'd know. I wouldn't let you hear the end of it."
Although both Arthur and Merlin had visited the shop several times before its grand opening, they wandered through it now as if they were seeing it for the very first time. Everything felt fresh, vibrant, alive. Magic hummed in the walls, and the air was thick with enchantment. Eventually, they came to a stop before one of the shop's most unique attractions: an ancient magical circle engraved in shimmering runes, designed to reveal a person's happiest memory.
Arthur stared at it thoughtfully. "You know," he said, glancing at her with mild curiosity, "I don't think I've ever seen you try this. Not once. I'm kind of curious what it would show you."
Merlin hesitated, her expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet sigh, she glanced around to ensure their privacy. With a snap of her fingers, the space around them shifted—people nearby unconsciously began avoiding the area, their awareness gently nudged away by her enchantment. The two of them were now cloaked in a bubble of subtle invisibility, unnoticed by all.
Unhooking her arm from Arthur's, Merlin stepped onto the ornate circle embedded in the floor. As soon as her foot touched the center, the runes glowed brilliantly, casting soft golden light throughout the space. A projection flickered into life on the far wall.
Arthur watched with rapt attention as a vivid scene unfolded.
In the vision stood a grand hall, regal and filled with sunlight pouring in through stained glass windows. From what Arthur thought was Merlin's pov sat an elegant seat, and on that seat was a man whose feature was not visible, hidden as he face forwards—What was visible was a set of blonde hair like spun gold, framed by a crown that gleamed with authority. But he wasn't alone.
Before him was a vast round table, surrounded by knights in shining armor, each one distinct. Their armor bore different crests and colors, signifying the far corners of the world they hailed from. Yet they all shared one thing in common: the unrestrained joy on their faces.
Laughter echoed throughout the chamber. Some knights had arms slung around each other, others were pounding the table in mirth, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks as they shared stories and jests. There was camaraderie, unity, a palpable bond that spoke of years forged in loyalty and shared battles.
Arthur stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer power of the vision. He opened his mouth, instinctively trying to whisper the words 'The Knights of the Round Table,' but the phrase caught in his throat, locked behind the lump rising in his chest.
"This may seem like a strange thing for someone like me to call their happiest memory," Merlin said softly, her eyes fixed on the illusion, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "But it's true. Those were simpler days. Days of peace, of purpose. Knights traveled from every corner of the world to be part of what we built together. What I would call our golden age."
She paused, a wistful smile touching her lips.
"It was a beautiful era—full of hope and ambition. Enemies turned allies, strangers became brothers. Watching those men grow into the very ideals they swore to uphold... there is no greater joy than seeing your students realize their dreams. And this," she gestured to the glowing projection, "this was the dream come true."
When Merlin turned to look at Arthur, her heart clenched. Tears were sliding silently down his cheeks as he stared at the scene before him, unmoving, eyes wide and glistening with a quiet awe.
He didn't say anything. He couldn't. But he didn't need to.
Because what he saw wasn't just a memory.
It was a legacy.
A living, breathing testament to the ideals of knighthood, unity, and honor. A vision of what once was—and perhaps, what could be again.
[End of Volume 1]
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A/N:
As this is the ending of the volume, you know what this means, it's time for everyone's favorite segment: Your Favorite Moment of the Volume!
Yay!
My favorite moment was when Merlin fired off that spell to show Arthur the potential of a magic circle, since I feel like I really painted the scene exactly as it looked in my mind.
Be sure to comment yours below! 😉👉
(I feel so stupid every time I do these lol)