One day, four years after Tenma was picked up and one year after he began studying magic.

'Temma, your studies with books alone are over for today. Good job, tomorrow I'm going to start practicing elementary magic from the basics.

　And Temma, on forgiveness from Shelia.

'Really! Can I use magic? Yes!

　I was delighted.

'However! From now on, more than ever, you're going to follow your mother's orders, never use magic unnecessarily, and never give up on practice when things get hard, you understand.

Yes!

'Tomorrow you and your father will go to the nearby river and practice there. So go to bed early today and get in shape.

Yes?

　Tenma replied, but the joy and excitement of being able to use magic made it difficult for him to sleep.

　The next day, Tenma and his friends came to the river about ten minutes walk from the village in the morning.

'Good Tenma, I will teach you water magic first. Watch me, 'water'.

　Shelia put her hand in the slow flow of the river and said the words. Then a pillar of water stood about a meter from the river.

'Do you mind? That's the foundation of water magic. We'll start out slow and gradually work our way up to being able to maintain the water column even in fast flowing places, just do it.

　As Tenma was about to put his hand in the river, he felt a sudden gaze on him and turned around. At the same time, Ricardo turned around and was startled, too

Ho-ho-ho, I guess he's noticed. I didn't mean to disturb you, but I'm sorry.

　About ten meters away from Ricardo and fifteen meters away from Tenma, a man wearing a black robe on his head was standing there before I knew it.
　When the man tried to approach, Ciria stood in front of Tenma as if to protect him, while Ricardo stepped back and pulled out a large knife from his waistband and stood between Tenma and the man.

'Who are you!'

　The man stopped and called out to Ricardo, who was wary of him, without seeming particularly bothered.

"Don't be so alarmed, Ricardo, have you forgotten me, Ciria?

　He looked out of his robe as he said.

'Merlin!'
Uncle!

　The man laughed as the wrinkles in his face deepened at the fact that Ricardo called him Merlin and Shelia called him Uncle.

'Yes, that's right, Merlin. If you understand, could you put the knife down, Ricardo?

Oh, yeah, I'm sorry.

　And Ricardo put the knife back in its sheath at his waist. After seeing this, the man known as Merlin slowly walked up to him.

It's been a long time since we've seen each other.

It's been eleven years, Merlin.

'Yes, Uncle, I haven't heard from you in years and I was worried about you!

　Merlin laughed at their words.

I'm sorry. I was going to write to you, but I forgot all about it.

　He scratched his head.

'As usual, uncle,'

'Well, I've heard from the occasional traveller, so I knew he wasn't dead.

　Merlin looked at Tenma, who was behind them as he said.

''By the way, is this girl one of your two children? When did you have the baby, Shelia?

　He asked, making eye contact with Tenma.
　Ricardo took Merlin and whispered a bit away from Tenma and the others.

'Half right, half wrong, Merlin.

What?

'This one was abandoned in the great old forest when he was a baby. I found him by accident while hunting, protected him, and adopted him.

You're right.

Well, it's a treasure for us now.

　Merlin smiled at Ricardo, who was laughing at him.

　He introduced himself again when they came back after the conversation was over.

You must be Temma. Nice to meet you, I'm Merlin, Shelia's uncle. I am Shelia's uncle. I'm sometimes called 'The Wise Man' by some people.

　Hearing the grandfather's words with a chuckle, Tenma couldn't help but think

"The wise man, the wacko.

　I said. After I said it, I thought, "I've said it," but Merlin didn't care.

That's what it's called, isn't it?

　I said quickly.

'I'm sorry, my name is Temma and I'm four years old.

Oh, yeah, well, don't worry about it. I've done enough to warrant being called a freak.

　He laughed.

'By the way, Shelia, what have you been up to?

Yes, I was trying to teach Tenma the basics of magic.

Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Show me the Tenma.

Okay.

　Saying this, Tenma put his hand in the river and chanted, 'Water,' and when he did so, there was a meter-long water column in front of him.

'Tenma that's amazing, it's amazing that you can pull it off in one go!

'Yeah, usually the water either doesn't react or can't hold its shape!

　They complimented each other, but Merlin had a grim look on his face.

'Temma, you have things to do before this practice. If you don't, you could break your body.

　I said. Before Tenma and the others could say anything, Merlin continued

Your magic power is too high for your age. So it's better to practice controlling your magic power diligently before you do it.

''But uncle, don't you usually let your body learn to release some magic power before you start controlling it?''

Indeed, it's said that it's normal for children to get used to the sensation of releasing magic power from their bodies before they learn how to control it, but that's only for children who have normal qualities.

Temma is not a normal person.

　Merlin nodded at Ricardo's words.

The boy's magic and strength are within reach of the best. But he's still a child, and if he releases his magic power by mistake, he will lose control and go out of control. The result will be crippled at best, and at worst, the whole area will be engulfed in crumbling dust.

　Tenma and the others paled at Merlin's words.

''Then what should we do?''

　Merlin, at the sound of Shelia's voice, who was about to start crying

In order to prevent this from happening, they must learn to control their magic by circulating it through their bodies without releasing it.

　Shelia calmed down a bit at Merlin's words, but she realized that she couldn't teach herself. Merlin saw how she was doing.

What? Don't worry. I'll teach Tenma what to do. If he's on the verge of losing control, I'm sure I can get him under control.

　Merlin patted Tenma's head as he said this. His face was like a grandfather patting his grandson.

''Merlin, take care of Tenma!

Uncle, take care of the temma!

Yes, I understand. Your children are like grandchildren to me. I'll do my best. Do you want to be a good judge of that?

　Merlin will ask me that, but for now, there is no other way for Tenma to learn from Merlin, and the fact that he has direct guidance from the Sage is less dangerous and better than ever.

Yes! Best regards!

　He replied cheerfully.