《Merlin's Wand》


 Chapter 1: The Tale of Merlin the Great

    When the distinction between the realm of magic and the mortal domain was on the verge of blending, there lived a renowned wizard who has been recorded in the books of history by the name of Merlin the Great. There was hardly any need to prove his skills as the records regarding them were explicit as well as legendary and every person blessed with even a trace of magic skill was aware of his history.


    It was said in truth, that there is also power in Merlin which can restore brightness and wisdom to a world that is surrounded by darkness. But the most phenomenal among all tales up until now, and which remains immortal in the hearts of many, was defeating Dark Litch. With the use of old and forbidden magic, this monster was created and was left to roam free, laying waste to the kingdoms built by men. This creature was later referred to as the eater of light as well as the corruptive force across thousands of innocents.


    In front of him stood the Litch, its magnificent staff imbued with boundless power, clashing in battles that were colossally violent and devastating. Days raged with each of Merlin¡¯s spells being responded to in kind by the creature¡¯s dark and chaotic magic. Ultimately, however, it was not the crude force that sealed the fate of the Litch but rather, the observation, strategy and unmatched skill in the art of magic that belonged to Merlin. Using a spell that was too complex for few to understand, Merlin placed the beast into a crystalline carcass and trapped it inside of the Abyssal Vault.


    But the reward was not without its punishment. It''s been a decade since Merlin vanished for the world. Rumors went around that he succumbed to his wounds, retired to some distant land, or even died. But nobody knew, for Merlin the Great had always been an enigma.


    Present Day


    The sun filtered through the windows of a magical morning. The room was a chaotic blend of medieval charm and modern quirkiness, with shelves overflowing with spellbooks, a floating broom lazily sweeping the floor, and a cauldron bubbling on a sleek, enchanted stove. Among the chaos stood Merlin, his robe slightly frayed but his presence still commanding. Merlin was a tall old man, with long pony-tailed hair that had lost its colouring, a sharp beard reaching his chest, eyes of rare emeralds, body built that of a middle-aged man contrasting that of his unknown age.


    Merlin clenched his hands behind his back, his expression serious as he addressed his young apprentice, who stood before him with a mix of nervous anticipation and confusion. The boy¡¯s pencil hovered over his notebook, ready to jot down every word that came out of the legendary mage himself.


    ¡°Listen well,¡± Merlin began


    ¡°for what I am about to impart is a lesson that will determine your success not only as a wielder of magic but as a human being. The stakes could not be higher!¡±


    The apprentice¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Yes Master, I¡¯m ready for anything¡±


    Merlin began to pace, his voice rising with a dramatic tone.


    ¡°There are three steps. These steps will test your precision, your patience, and your ability to follow instructions without question. Fail, and the consequences will be dire. Succeed, and you will be one step closer to understanding the very essence of magic.¡±


    The apprentice scribbled frantically, his facial expression with focus. ¡°I won¡¯t fail, Master. What must I do?¡±


    ¡°Step one,¡± Merlin intoned, his gaze piercing, ¡°Is the Separation. It may seem trivial, but in truth, it is the foundation upon which everything else rests. Without it, chaos will reign.¡±


    The boy frowned but nodded, his pencil scratching against the page. Merlin¡¯s tone left no room for doubt.


    ¡°Step two,¡± Merlin continued, his voice dropping to a sharp whisper, ¡°Is the measure of Precision. Too much, and the balance will tip disastrously. Too little, and you invite ruin.¡±


    The apprentice swallowed hard, his hand trembling slightly as he wrote. Merlin¡¯s pacing quickened, his movements almost frantic as he gestured wildly.


    ¡°And step three,¡± he declared, spinning to face the boy, ¡°Is the Vigilance. The smallest oversight, the tiniest lapse in attention, could undo everything. You must remain steadfast, your eyes ever watchful, until the task is complete.¡±


    The room fell silent. The apprentice stared at his notes, his mind racing to piece together the cryptic instructions. Finally, he asked, ¡°Master, what exactly are we doing? I¡¯m not exactly sure what to make of this. Is it fire magic? Or Maybe some type of rare magic only the elites can use?¡±


    Merlin paused, a sly smile tugging at his lips. With a dramatic flourish, he pointed to a nearby basket overflowing with robes and linens.


    ¡°Laundry, my boy. You¡¯re doing the laundry!¡±


    The apprentice froze, his pencil dropping from his hand, with a face containing confusion and disgust. ¡°Laundry? All of this was¡­ about laundry?¡±


    ¡°Indeed!¡± Merlin exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°Magic, my dear apprentice, begins with mastering the mundane. Now, to the laundry room¡ªour true battleground awaits!¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    With a sigh of resignation, the apprentice followed the notebook abandoned on the table as the cauldron continued its lazy bubbling.


    As he trudged behind Merlin, the boy couldn''t help but let his thoughts wander. Laundry. Of all things, laundry. This is what my life has come to. He cast a glance at the overflowing basket in Merlin¡¯s hands, a mix of irritation and resignation tugging at his features.


    Not so long ago, I¡¯d been the one weaving through shallow streets, slipping between shadows, and outwitting merchants for a loaf of bread or a coin purse. The streets were harsh, but they were familiar. Predictable. A place where survival meant quick hands and quicker wits. There, he had control¡ªover me, my choices, and my fate.


    That all changed when I found this helpless old man stuck at the bottom of a well on the outskirts of the slumps. At first, I thought of him as a delusional person claiming to be Merlin himself, since he long vanished a decade ago there have been multiple attempts of others trying to pass elderly people has him.


    After providing a means of aid, he thanked me while stroking his beard as if he meant to get stuck in there. He proceeded to invite me indoors for a cup of tea to thank me for my good deed and maybe award me with something in return.


    I thought to myself, ¡°What a stupid old man.¡±


    As a street thief inviting someone like me inside only leads to disasters. In the middle of scheming and without much thought we were walking into the forest in the opposite direction of town. I¡¯ve known these forests all my life, there isn¡¯t anything out here. At last, we suddenly stop in the middle of the forest.


    ¡°This guy must be suffering from his old age, doesn¡¯t even know where his home is. Best to let him be¡±, I whispered in my breath.


    While turning around to head back to town. I caught a glimpse of the old man raising his hands to the sky as if he was planning on praying to God. The old man started speaking in odd words, maybe the old man finally lost it?


    Suddenly the winds started to pick up heavily, the ground started shaking and the clouds spiralled in a singular direction, all towards the old man.


    Suddenly, one of the trees with a large hollow started to glow, the old man started walking towards it. As he approached the sparkling tree, his figure started to disappear, and moments after he was completely gone. The hollow started to lose its light, and without thought, I ran towards to see where he vanished, the moment I came in contact with the tree a flash of light blinded me and just as my eyes were adjusting I was in someone¡¯s home.


    I slapped my cheeks to check if I was dreaming or hallucinating about this series of events. I looked around and with much shock, I couldn¡¯t believe what I was seeing, the house was alive. Books, furniture, utensils and other homely objects you can name all moving on their own, and at the center of all the madness was him, the old man¨C sitting at a small round table drinking what I presumed to be tea. Could it be? Was he telling the truth all this time? Can it really be Merlin himself?


    He calmly gestured for me to sit across from him. As I sat next to him a floating tea cup made its way towards me and the teapot lifted and started to pour. For a bit there was a silence between us, I anxiously waited for him to talk but it didn¡¯t look like he was going to.


    ¡°So¡­.. you¡¯re Merlin huh.¡± I awkwardly led out.


    ¡°So it seems that I am.¡±, He responded with a smirk on his face. He placed his teacup on desk and cleared his voice a minor cough. ¡°What would you like for an award young man?¡±.


    I didn¡¯t know what to make of it. ¡°What can I ask for¡± I hesitated to speak.


    ¡°Anything that¡¯s within my current ability¡± He replied.


    Most people would ask for some type of wealth, power or fame, however I am different. Like they always say ¡°Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime¡±. I rose from my chair and made eye contact with Merlin, as the house was encased with magical chaos I stood with confidence and declared what I wanted.


    ¡°Make me your apprentice,¡± I spoke while making my voice deeper. Waiting to get shot down, I started planning on other options for my award.


    ¡°Very well¡±, Merlin replied.


    Thats it? Was it that easy to begin with? For the first time in my life, I presented myself with much respect by asking for something so grand. I can see my future now destined to be that of luxury and convenience.


    Now you may ask? Now he was here, playing assistant to a wizard whose idea of a lesson was a laundry metaphor. And yet, deep down, he knew he didn¡¯t any much of a choice.


    ¡°What was I expecting?¡± he murmured. ¡°Some grand adventure? Mastering fireballs and summoning storms only one month in?¡± He almost chuckled at the absurdity of it. Magic, as it turned out, wasn¡¯t just about spells and incantations¡ªit was about discipline, patience, and understanding. Or so Merlin kept saying.


    But still, it was better than what he¡¯d had before. Better than nights spent shivering in alleys, wondering if the morning would bring another chance or just another disappointment. At least here, he had a purpose.


    He glanced at Merlin, whose humming grew louder with each step, the basket of robes swaying with his stride. The old man was an enigma¡ªsometimes brilliant, sometimes maddening, but always confident. Confident enough to make the boy wonder if there was some greater meaning behind all this.


    ¡°Maybe this is where I¡¯m supposed to be,¡± he thought, gripping the edge of his robe. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s more to this than sorting robes and scrubbing stains.¡±


    For now, he decided, it was enough. Enough to follow Merlin, to learn, and to see where this strange new path might lead. As he was in his thoughts, Merlin managed to set his robes on fire,


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s just a helpless old man after all¡±.

 Chapter 2: The First Quest

    The sun or any miracle However, it was equivalent to him stepping out of the cave. He spent his time well. The apprentice had spent the past six hours doing what could only be called mental preparation. He lists spells with names so unusual they sound like rejected fairy-tale characters: "Troll''s Little Toe Nail," "Essence of Maybe," and his personal favourite, "Dragon''s Slightly Burnt Nose Hair."


    After that, enchanted items were refined and didn''t like being touched by anyone. A particularly attractive orb zaps him with a little magic, while an irritated mirror refuses to stop insulting his hairstyle.


    By noon the apprentice¡¯s patience was running out. He dropped the water bucket. So he added water as soon as he emptied it¡ªand rushed towards Merlin.


    ¡°When will I be able to perform real magic?¡± he asked, his voice slightly echoing on the walls of the room.


    Merlin raised an eyebrow as he relaxed in a high armchair and drank a suspiciously scented cocoa drink. ¡°Real magic, you say?¡±


    ¡°Yes! You know, spells, incantations, zapping things! Not... not chores!¡±


    Merlin sipped slowly. He looked intently before answering, ¡°Ah, the excitement of youth. Very good. We will increase the difficulty.¡±


    The apprentice straightened up. A spark of excitement burned in his chest.


    Merlin created a scroll of the most incredible prosperity. ¡°Your first mission,¡± he announced.


    The apprentice unwrapped the scroll with trembling hands. His eyes scanned the list of things:


    ¡°Mandrake roots, phoenix feathers, stardust, basilisk scales¡­¡±


    ¡°Fresh milk, bread, eggs...¡±


    He stopped reading.


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± he said, holding the scroll close.


    ¡°Is this just¡­ groceries?¡±


    Merlin smiled, clearly proud of himself. ¡°You caught on quickly. Then it''s the be


    The apprentice stepped through the portal, bracing himself for whatever lay beyond. He emerged into the forest, the air heavy with damp earth and pine scent. Above him, sunlight casting shadows on the mossy ground.


    ¡°Quest, he said,¡± he muttered, glancing at the absurd list Merlin had stuffed into his hands just before he left. The town lay to the north, but to get there, he¡¯d have to traverse the slums¡ªa dangerous maze of abandoned shacks and winding alleys that hugged the forest¡¯s northern edge.


    As he made his way through the underbrush, the sound of birdsong gave way to the distant clamour of life at the forest¡¯s border. The slums came into view, a sprawling patchwork of makeshift homes and narrow paths, all covered in the warm glow of a late afternoon sun.


    The apprentice navigated cautiously, clutching the scroll like a lifeline. He couldn¡¯t help but notice the stark contrast between this place and the grandeur of Merlin¡¯s lair. The magic here was raw and practical¡ªa broomstick sweeping a porch on its own, a cauldron stirring itself over a fire.


    A hunched figure sitting on an upturned barrel called out to him. ¡°Looking a bit lost, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Just passing through,¡± the apprentice replied, trying not to make eye contact.


    The figure chuckled a raspy sound that made the apprentice quicken his pace.


    It wasn¡¯t long before he reached the far edge of the slums, where a well-worn path led toward the town. With a deep breath, he pressed on, relieved to leave the oppressive atmosphere behind.


    The town unfolded before him, a patchwork of cobblestone streets and wooden structures, bustling with the hum of daily life. Its charm was calm, with signs of modest prosperity¡ªsimple yet tidy homes, neatly kept market stalls and townsfolk going about their business. The forgotten town of Satus was within the southern regions of the Kingdom of Caelum, a vast continent-like country that can be divided into 5 distinct regions, The Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern and Central. All are governed by the empire, the absolute authority of this world.


    The Kingdom was derived with all kinds of unique individuals, from knights to defend those who can¡¯t defend themselves, to the boundless skies that dragons and wyverns rule over or to the fairies and goblins that hind within corners of humanity. How about mages you may ask?


    Magic, however, was surprisingly absent for a world full of it. In a world where status means everything, those of privilege have the means to learn all kinds of skills those of common folk only dreamt of.


    Unlike the enchanted trinkets and self-sweeping brooms of Merlin¡¯s lair, the town was grounded in manual labour and hardship. Blacksmiths hammered away at forges, their apprentices hauling heavy buckets of water. Farmers haggled over sacks of grain, while a line of young men unloaded crates from a loaded cart.


    The apprentice had half-expected to see a few street performers conjuring illusions or merchants hawking enchanted goods, but it became clear that such displays were reserved for places of privilege. Here, magic was a whisper of unattainable luxury, practised only by nobles or those fortunate enough to serve them.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    As he wandered deeper into the town, the streets widened, and the buildings grew more ornate. The apprentice¡¯s gaze was drawn to the towering site of a manor perched on a distant hill¡ªthe unmistakable seat of the local nobility.


    He overheard snippets of conversation as he passed a well-dressed couple,


    ¡°Did you hear? The baroness¡¯s son has been accepted into the Academy,¡± the woman said, her voice laced with pride.


    ¡°An honour, to be sure,¡± her companion replied. ¡°Not many commoners could even dream of such an opportunity.¡±


    The apprentice frowned, his grip tightening on the scroll. The divide between the nobles and the townsfolk was evident in every detail¡ªthe way the wealthier citizens carried themselves, the fine silk of their clothes, and the deference shown to them by those of lesser means.


    The marketplace was the heart of the town, a lively square filled with merchants peddling everything from fresh produce to hand-forged tools. The apprentice scanned the stalls, mentally checking items off the list.


    ¡°Eggs, milk, bread¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°Really, Merlin? A magical quest for groceries?¡±


    The narrator chimed in, their tone as wry as ever:


    ¡°And thus, the apprentice began his first official quest, armed with a list of mundane items and a healthy dose of scepticism. His journey through the town was, if nothing else, a testament to Merlin¡¯s peculiar sense of humour.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Percy!¡± a cheerful voice called out, drawing his attention.


    He turned to see the butcher waving at him from behind his stall, a hefty cleaver in hand. Percy raised a gloved hand in acknowledgement, his usual reserved smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.


    Percy, short for Percival was a striking figure for his age. At just 13, he carried himself with a quiet confidence that made him stand out among the bustling townsfolk. His slicked-back grey hair gave him an almost otherworldly appearance. His eyes, a deep and vibrant purple, held an intensity that shook his youth.


    His attire was as peculiar as his features. A black hoodie hung loosely over a plain white shirt, paired with well-worn trousers and sturdy boots. His fingerless gloves bore the marks of use, their frayed edges hinting at a life far from ordinary.


    ¡°Shopping for your grandpa again?¡± the butcher asked, grinning.


    Percy shrugged, holding up the list. ¡°Yeah, you know how it is.¡±


    The butcher laughed. ¡°Always keeping you busy, that old man. Let me know if you need anything special.¡±


    Percy nodded politely and moved on, weaving through the crowd with practised ease. Despite his distinct appearance, the townsfolk seemed used to his presence, greeting him with casual familiarity.


    After gathering everything on Merlin''s list, Percy decided to head back to the forest before the sunset. As he was making his way through the slums, he heard a loud cry for help. It was normal to hear those sounds within the boundaries of the slums, so Percy continued on his day.


    At the end of the alley, a small crowd of rough-looking men surrounded a woman and her young daughter. The woman clutched the girl tightly, her face pale and streaked with tears.


    ¡°Give us everything you have on you,¡± one of the thugs barked, his voice sharp.


    ¡°Please, I don¡¯t have anything of value on me,¡± the woman cried, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Leave us alone!¡± the little girl, no more than six years old, shouted. Her small fists clenched, and her stern gaze towards the towering men.


    The apparent leader sneered and raised his hand, striking the girl to the ground with a resounding slap. The mother fell to her knees, hugging the child and whispering desperately,


    ¡°Someone, please help us¡­¡±


    The gang closed in, their intent clear, until a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness behind them.


    With fluid precision, the figure delivered a powerful kick to one thug¡¯s face, sending him straight to the ground. The sickening crunch of bone echoed through the alley as the man fell unconscious. The group froze, turning to face the intruder¡ªa black-hooded figure whose face was hidden except for the gleaming amethyst eyes peering from the shadow of the hood.


    It was Percy.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had your fun,¡± he said, his voice low but firm. ¡°Now leave.¡±


    The leader sneered, drawing a knife. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got ourselves a hero.¡±


    What followed was swift and decisive. Percy darted forward, dodging the knife with ease and delivering a series of precise blows. One thug swung a makeshift club, but Percy ducked, his counterattack sending the weapon clattering to the ground. His movements were fluid yet unrelenting, a dance of calculated strikes and dodges.


    In moments, the thugs lay scattered, groaning or unconscious. Percy stood over the leader, his eyes cold.


    ¡°Get out of here before I change my mind,¡± he said.


    The man scrambled to his feet, dragging his comrades away without another word.


    The woman and her child looked up at Percy, their eyes filled with gratitude. ¡°Thank you,¡± the woman said, her voice shaky but sincere.


    Percy simply nodded, his hood still casting his face in shadow. ¡°Be careful,¡± he said before turning and walking away.


    By the time Percy returned to the lair, the sky had shifted to hues of orange and pink. He pushed open the heavy wooden door and carried the groceries to Merlin, who was perched on a creaky chair near the fireplace.


    Merlin¡¯s eyes lit up like a child spotting their favourite treat. ¡°Ah, you¡¯ve returned! Excellent work, my boy. I trust the quest wasn¡¯t too difficult?¡±


    Percy raised an eyebrow, dropping the bags on the table. ¡°Your idea of difficult is questionable.¡±


    Merlin chuckled, rifling through the groceries with exaggerated delight.


    ¡°Bananas! Ah, the true treasure of any quest.¡±


    Percy shook his head, exhaustion catching up with him. ¡°I¡¯m heading to bed,¡± he said, turning toward the staircase.


    ¡°Rest well, my young apprentice,¡± Merlin called after him, already peeling a banana.


    Percy climbed the stairs, his body heavy but his mind buzzing. Another day of mundane tasks, strange encounters, and subtle lessons. Yet, as he collapsed onto his bed, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what tomorrow would bring.