To the City

With that said, the three moved away from one another and followed Merlin's advice. Closing their eyes, instead of trying to force Mana out of their bodies, they opened themselves up to allow Mana to flow into them.

Merlin's violet eyes glowed once more as he observed the Mana flow between the three of them, nodded, and said, "Now, use that flow of Mana entering you and circle it around your body. Try to visualize the flow travelling through your body like a ring, entering from the outside to inside, then channel it outwards from you, completing the loop."

Watching them, Theresa was interested and decided to join in, putting her hands behind her back, out of sight of the children and secretly starting to follow along.

The three of them did what Merlin said, and found how much easier they could control the flow of Mana that were used to shoot out simple spells. From Mereo and Fuego, the two's flames, Mana grew more intense as compared to their previous attempt. Nozel's Mercury Mana also flowed out more smoothly compared to the past, making it seem more like a calm stream compared to his past attempts which were similar to a wild torrent.

For Theresa, since she was already experienced and seasoned, this type of control wasn't too impactful. However, for developing children, it can be a substantial push towards solidifying their early years, especially when building their foundation.

Merlin smiled then clapped his hands loudly, breaking the three out of their trance, "All right! That's enough, or else you three will wreck my backyard."

Confused, the three looked around the surroundings and saw that beneath them, the ground was either scorched or covered in Mercury.

"We did this?" Fuego asked with an incredulous expression on his face.

Merlin nodded and said, "You guys went a bit intense there, but you managed to channel a bit more Mana from the surroundings and make it yours."

"Haha! Of course, I would be able to do something as simple as this! Still, I've gotta hand it to you Merlin, you really did explain things a lot better." Mereo said, slapping Merlin's back enthusiastically, causing him to flinch as he smiled wryly.

"I have to agree with Mereoleona on this. Your explanations have made it easier for me to control my Mana as opposed to my past attempts. You have my gratitude, Merlin." Nozel said, nodding his head in thanks.

"You don't have to be so serious about it, glad I could help. Now, isn't it about time you three head home?" Merlin said, seeing that it was turning dark.

After that, the three left and went back to their estates, but before leaving Theresa stopped and talked to him out of earshot of the other children. "Merlin, what you explained to those kids, would you mind if I…"

"Go ahead, do what you want with it. Knowledge is meant to be shared." Merlin said, not minding his explanations being used to teach other children.

Theresa thanked Merlin and left, leaving Merlin in the mansion alone once more. Standing in the window as he stared at the night sky from his bedroom, Sebastian knocked on his door.

"Come in," Merlin said, as Sebastian entered and bowed.

"Young master Merlin." Sebastian greeted.

"You don't have to call me young master, Sebastian." Merlin smiled as he sat down on his chair and relaxed as he watched the city below his mansion's estate.

The dimly lit streets allowed Merlin to see some details of the city, but with the help of mana, he was able to enhance his vision to peer through the darkness. However, the city being basked in the night light with candles lighting up sections of the city had a certain allure to him.

"I wouldn't dare, young master Merlin," Sebastian said, with Merlin just sighing in response.

"So, what news do you bring this time?" Merlin asked, turning his head to Sebastian. "It better not be another marriage proposal from a noble house. You already know to decline all of them."

Sebastian stood straight and nodded, responding, "No, young master Merlin, it's not about those proposals. I have come to inform you about the curse that plagues house Caliban, as you are now of sufficient age to know so."

Merlin raised his hand and said, "I already know all there is about it. The curse would kill both parents that birthed a new heir for House Caliban, making it so that each generation of House Caliban would only have 1 living family member at all times."

Sebastian was shocked for a moment, but after knowing Merlin for 10 years, he was already used to his young master's monstrous intelligence. Little does he know, this knowledge would be passed down to each heir of House Caliban, through the transference of knowledge, one of the benefits of the curse.

Sebastian nodded and said, "You are correct, young master Merlin. This was the curse that took your parents from you."

Merlin moved his eyes and stared back out of the window, not saying anything. The faces of his parents looking over him as he was held in their arms played in his mind.

Sebastian stayed for a moment, staring at Merlin's side profile, then turned around to leave. Just as he was about to close the door behind him, Merlin spoke up, "5 years. In 5 years' time, the curse will no longer exist."

Sebastian's eyes shook for a moment, as he clenched his hands. The faces of Merlin's parents surfaced in his mind, as well as his grandparents before them. Raising Merlin's father through childhood, having seen him fall in love, only to be robbed of his chance to live out his life with his child.

Closing his eyes, he closed the door behind him and left Merlin's room.

Inside his bedroom, Merlin closed his eyes and drew his consciousness into his body. He could see a blackened curse formation in the form of hexes and magical circles. With his consciousness, he pushed forward a trail of Mana and lightly probed the curse formation. In response, the curse greedily ate up the Mana as though it was a starved animal, converting it to whatever substance it was made of.

'I can get rid of you at any time that I want. However, to not have any unnecessary risks, I will bide my time until the Grimoire ceremony. After that, I will purge you from House Caliban, .' Merlin thought, as he withdrew his consciousness and came back to the real world.

Looking back outside, Merlin decided to go out and explore the city tomorrow while also visiting some of the other houses as part of his 'duties', even if he had to do so reluctantly.

Sighing, Merlin muttered, "If only I could just be free to do what I want, like researching magic. But Sebastian would just lecture me again about the duties of the heir to a royal house. Besides, I wouldn't want to let mother and father down" Grumbling, he went to sleep.

...

The next day, after having his breakfast, Merlin informed Sebastian of his decision to explore the town. Although Sebastian was reluctant at first due to Merlin's age but remembered just who he was talking to.

Sighing, he agreed, "If that is your wish, young master Merlin." Thinking to himself, 'Young master Merlin will be able to protect himself due to the incredible magic that he possesses, however, I will still trail behind him just in case.'

"Don't you try and trail behind me, Sebastian. You have some other matters to tend to as well, don't you?" Merlin said, exposing Sebastian's thoughts.

Sebastian interjected, "But, young mas-"

Merlin waved his hand and said, "I'll be fine. I doubt that anyone can harm me as I am now. Besides, it would make me feel uncomfortable to know that you'll be watching my every move."

'Everyone would be watching your every move, regardless if it is even me, due to your status.' Sebastian thought, as he lamented and bowed to Merlin in acceptance.

"Good. I'll return later before dinner unless I inform you otherwise through telepathy." Merlin said, waving his hand and disappearing from the dining room, with Sebastian merely sighing at his young master's free-spirited personality.

Outside of the Caliban estate, Merlin appeared on the stone path that led down to the commoner district. Looking around, he saw many luxurious mansions that loomed in the Noble districts.

"I'll go visit house Vermillion and house Silva later on and hang around there," Merlin said with a carefree attitude, as his hair changed to a rainbow colour.

"Hm, this will attract too much attention." He snapped his fingers, causing the hair to turn pure white with only the tips of his hair being the original rainbow colour when under sunlight.

"Let's see what the city has in store for me," Merlin said with a grin and strolled towards the commoner district while still in his usual attire of white robes and black shirt and pants.

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Authors Notes:

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