Merlin Wolford is a male character from Wise Man’s Grandchild, the adoptive grandfather of Shin Wolford and the world-famous Great Sage whose name is known across the globe; in Extra Story, he serves as the protagonist.
Merlin Wolford is a legendary magician and hero who once defeated a demonized being whose savage words and fearsome appearance had plunged the world into terror.
Despite his overwhelming power and status as the Great Sage, he cannot stand up to his former comrade and ex-wife, Melida Bowen, while remaining famously soft on Shin.
Merlin lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother, Sandra, in a single-parent household.
After graduating from the intermediate academy, he intended to become independent and support her, but out of filial devotion and in order to fulfill his late father’s dream, he entered the Advanced Magic Academy.
Even at the time of enrollment, his abilities surpassed those of his teachers.
Bored by the level of instruction, he often skipped classes and had poor discipline.
His behavior mellowed somewhat after he began dating Melida Bowen.
The two later married after graduation, and Merlin made a living as a monster hunter.
Merlin’s life changed drastically after he slew his close friend Kyle, who had become a demonoid.
That act caused society to revere him as the “Sage” and a great hero.
He soon grew disgusted with public attention and the burdens that came with fame.
After the death of his mother Sandra, he set out to wander various nations with his family.
During those travels, Merlin suffered a devastating loss when his son Slane died shortly after reaching adulthood.
The tragedy left deep scars on him.
Eventually, he divorced Melida Bowen and withdrew from the world.
He lived in seclusion deep within the forest.
In his old age, Merlin found Shin as a baby inside a carriage that had been attacked by monsters.
Shin had been reincarnated, and Merlin took him in and raised him as his own grandson.
When raising Shin, Merlin deliberately tried to act like a gentle, kindly old man.
At first, remembering Slane, he taught Shin magic so the boy would be able to protect himself.
However, Shin absorbed knowledge at an astonishing pace, and Merlin became so fascinated by his growth that he focused almost entirely on teaching magic.
As a result, he neglected to teach Shin ordinary common sense, which later became a major reason Shin failed to hold back his extraordinary abilities.
Merlin is a man of contradictions in the most entertaining way.
He is a peerless sage feared and admired by the world, yet at home he can be indulgent, warm, and surprisingly helpless in front of Melida.
In his youth, he was rough in both speech and appearance.
Later in life, he consciously adopted a softer and more grandfatherly demeanor.
His affection for Shin is especially strong.
That doting side of him is one of his defining traits.
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