Max slowly calmed himself down as he caught his breath, still chuckling at the memory of Merlin’s panicked eyes. Wiping the last of the tears from his eyes, he sat up and looked around the room. He could still hear a faint, echoing groan from Merlin’s direction.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Merlin stormed back in. His face was pale, but he looked serious. He was holding a cup of something steaming hot.

“You think this is funny?” Merlin said, taking a sip from the cup.

Max raised an eyebrow. “Is that… coffee?”

“Yes, coffee. Something from our world that isn’t yet that often used in this world. Though this version is a bit different—stronger, and more bitter. A good reminder of how much I hate that place.”

“You made that here? In this world?”

“Of course I did,” Merlin snapped. “Just because I live here doesn’t mean I have to suffer the shitty beverages they have to offer. Besides,” he added, taking another sip, “It is not like I miss the old world or anything. This new world was a fresh start for me when I, just like you, got summoned here years ago.”

“But… isn’t coffee one of those ‘nonsense’ things?”

Merlin looked clearly irritated. “This world has plenty of potential. And as much as I despise that other place, there were a few good ideas worth preserving. Like coffee.”

“Uh-huh. AnUh-huh about that thing over there?” Max pointed to a table where a plate sat, holding something that looked suspiciously like a hot dog.

Merlin glanced and quickly looked away, taking another sip of his coffee. “That? Just a random experiment. Has nothing to do with the old world. This place is much better, anyway.”

“Sure, it is. But I think you miss it more than you let on.”

Merlin took another sip. “Nonsense, Max. I’ve never been happier. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to work on more ‘new world’ innovations.”

Max watched as Merlin walked away, muttering under his breath about “improvements” and “perfection.” He couldn’t help but laugh to himself as he imagined what Merlin would come up with next. The legendary mage might claim to hate his old world, but his actions tell a different story.

Shaking his head, Max got up and started to follow Merlin. Maybe he could get him to admit it—one way or another. And in the meantime, he had a few more ideas for spells that could use some testing.

After all, if Merlin was going to keep recreating things from his old world, Max might as well help him embrace it—one hilarious spell at a time.

Max followed Merlin into the next room, where Merlin was already fussing over some new contraption. Max looked at the giant cauldron, with steam billowing out of it and the faint scent of something familiar playing with his nose.

“What’s that now?” Max asked, leaning over with a mischievous grin.

Merlin glanced at him but didn’t stop working. “Just another experiment. An attempt to combine herbs with a bit of magic. It’ll produce something new. Something… better.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Max walked around to inspect the cauldron more closely. “You mean better, like those ‘better’ hot dogs on the table over there?”

Merlin scoffed. “Those are nothing but distractions. This… this is progress!” He lifted the lid of the cauldron for a moment, releasing a burst of steam. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Max stepped back, trying to get away from the hot steam. “I wouldn’t understand. You’re trying to recreate soup or stew from our world, aren’t you?”

Merlin’s face remained calm, but Max could tell he was hiding something. “This world’s cuisine is lacking,” Merlin muttered, almost defensively. “The least I can do is improve their standards.”

“Right,” Max said. He wandered over to a nearby shelf, where Merlin had stacked various odd objects. His eyes focused on something familiar—a jar of what looked like mustard. “And this?” Max said, holding it up.

Merlin froze for a second before quickly thinking of something. “ A random ingredient. I’m testing it.”

“Mustard. You’re testing mustard.” Max couldn’t help but giggle. “So you miss hot dogs and mustard too, huh?”

“I don’t miss anything, Max. I’m simply testing things out. This world is missing essentials, and I’m just making it more… livable, after so many years.”

“Essentials,” Max repeated, trying to hold back his laughter. “You’ve been here for how long, and you’re already recreating coffee, hot dogs, mustard...?”

Merlin turned sharply. “Do you have any idea how dreary it is to live in a place where there’s no proper coffee? Where does no one even know what a hot dog is? I’m doing this world a favor, introducing culture.”

“You sure it’s not just because you miss our old world? I mean, you can admit it, Merlin. You’re just like me—nostalgic for the things you left behind.”

Merlin’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he looked like he was going to argue. But then his shoulders slumped ever so slightly. He turned back to the cauldron, stirring it gently with a sigh. “Maybe I do miss a few things. But that’s all they are. Things.”

“You can like both worlds, you know. You don’t have to hate this one just because it’s different.”

Merlin remained silent for a moment, staring into the bubbling mixture. “I suppose… there’s a part of me that misses the simplicity of certain things.” He gave the cauldron another stir, the steam swirling around him. “But this world… it has its charm too. A different kind of challenge.”

“It’s okay to like both. You don’t have to pretend this world is better just because you’re stuck here. I mean, look at you. You’re the best mage in the history of this world, and that’s no small feat.”

“Perhaps… but I refuse to let it soften me. I’ve fought my way to where I am, and I won’t lose myself to comfort.”

Max grinned. “Comfort isn’t always a bad thing, Merlin. Especially when it comes with hot dogs and coffee.”

Merlin let out a reluctant chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re an insufferable fool, Max.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Max said, crossing his arms with a grin. “Now, let me taste whatever you’ve got brewing in that pot. If you’re going to recreate food from our world, you might as well share it.”

Merlin rolled his eyes but took out a bowl of the steaming soup. He handed it to Max, who eyed the mixture suspiciously. With a shrug, Max took a sip.

His face scrunched up immediately. “What is this… swamp water?”

Merlin burst into laughter. “See, Max? This is why you should never judge a book by its cover. Some experiments take time.”

“That’s no experiment, you just need to cook. Nothing difficult about that!” Max pushed the bowl away.

“It is not simple if you don’t have the necessary ingredients and the ones you do are made with magic. Magic changes everything.”

“Well, let’s hope the next one turns out better. I’ll stick to my magic now.”

“Speaking of magic, let’s work on that mana pool of yours. If you ever want to cast something real and powerful in the future, we’ll need to train you properly.”

“I knew this was coming,” Max groaned.

With a flick of his wrist, Merlin summoned a glowing orb of energy between them. “Time for some real magic lessons, Max. No more instant diarrhea spells—at least, not for a while.”

“Fine. But don’t think I won’t be coming up with new ‘experiments’ of my own.”

Merlin’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “We’ll see who learns more, Max. Now, get ready—this is where the real training begins.”