Merlin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Merlin (梅林)
Alias(es)	Wanderer of Paradise; Court Mage; Flower Mage; Magus of Flowers
Species/Race	Human–dream demon hybrid
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Knights of the Round Table; Uruk; Li Ye
Occupation/Role	Court Mage, prophet, mentor, Grand Caster candidate
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 148

Background / History

Merlin was the Court Mage of Britannia who assisted King Uther Pendragon in the conceptual conception that created Arthur Pendragon from Britain’s royal bloodline, the Red Dragon embodying Britain, and Lady Igraine’s bloodline. He later issued the prophecy of the new king whose appearance would gather the Knights of the Round Table and drive back the White Dragon. 296

Although he is alive and secluded in the Tower of Avalon, Merlin can appear in the world through Independent Manifestation. His main body remains in the Tower, where he cannot die in either the past or future. 148 181

In 2600 BCE Mesopotamia, Merlin manifested before Gilgamesh’s Servant summoning specifically to find Li Ye. He encountered the wounded Li Ye in the jungle, guided him toward Uruk, and helped him understand the looming crisis involving Tiamat and Human Evil. 148 149 152

Merlin later acted as Li Ye’s companion at the Beast Front and during the journey toward the Fir Forest. He explained Grand Servants and Independent Manifestation, but was wary of Li Ye pursuing a path that could lead toward becoming a Beast. 181 182 183

During Tiamat’s awakening, Merlin’s manifested form began to dissipate. Before vanishing, he urged Li Ye to continue forward as a human and warned Chaldea that Beast had awakened. 241

In the Fourth Holy Grail War, Li Ye summoned Merlin as his Caster. Merlin’s manifestation was sustained by the Holy Grail, while his Servant connection consumed a small amount of Li Ye’s magical energy. 278

Appearance

Merlin appears as a handsome, white-haired youth in flowing white robes. His presence is described as calming, though Li Ye quickly finds his perpetual smile and mannerisms irritating. 148

• Brilliant white hair that catches the sunlight. 148
• White robes and a hooded mage-like appearance. 148 186
• Carries a staff; in the Fuyuki Holy Grail War, it has a long sword attached. 159 278
• Maintains a youthful appearance despite being an ancient observer of humanity. 151 279

Personality

Merlin is cheerful, theatrical, and evasive. He frequently deflects serious questions with jokes, winks, exaggerated distress, or feigned incompetence, particularly when Li Ye presses him about Independent Manifestation or magecraft. 151 181 189

Beneath this carefree manner, he is perceptive and deeply concerned about Li Ye’s unstable nature. He recognizes Li Ye as an anomaly with the potential to become a Beast, yet continues guiding him while trying to keep him on a human path. 181 182 241 305

Merlin views himself primarily as an observer and does not normally interfere with the world. His repeated involvement stems from his concern over Li Ye and the consequences of Li Ye’s existence. 311 305

Abilities & Skills

Clairvoyance

Merlin possesses the Clairvoyance associated with Grand Caster qualification, allowing him to observe everything occurring in the present.

• He observed events in the Sixth Singularity and sought Li Ye immediately upon his arrival in Mesopotamia. 148 152
• His Clairvoyance is limited to the present; unlike Solomon’s or Gilgamesh’s, it does not directly show the past or future. 215 463
• He uses sharp observation and lip-reading to follow events even during high-speed combat. 196

Independent Manifestation

Merlin can manifest in the world despite remaining alive in Avalon.

• He obtained the skill by learning from Cath Palug and combining it with his own [Beast] attribute. 182
• His main body remains in the Tower of Avalon, while manifested forms allow him to appear as a Servant-like existence. 148 181 278
• He manifested in Mesopotamia before Gilgamesh summoned Servants, allowing him to locate Li Ye ahead of time. 152
• His manifested body can dissipate when its limits are reached. 241

Flower Magic

Merlin is a master of Flower Magic, capable of producing flowers and transforming areas into flower-filled spaces.

• He conjures flowers casually when offering to teach Li Ye. 189
• Upon being summoned in Fuyuki, he turns Ryudoji Temple into a sea of flowers within seconds. 278
• He uses flowers to neutralize a tide of chaos spreading through the Underworld. 258
• He states that his magic is poorly suited to teaching Li Ye; his abilities are primarily tailored toward nurturing kings. 189

Grand Caster Qualification

Merlin is a Grand Caster candidate, possessing the high-level ability and legend required for Grand-class qualification.

• He explains that Grand Servants are selected to protect Human Order against Beasts and other Human Evils. 182
• He does not manifest with a Grand Spirit Core during the Mesopotamian Singularity. 182
• Later information identifies Merlin’s Clairvoyance of the present as one of the EX-rank Clairvoyances qualifying an individual for Grand Caster; he is described as temporarily holding the current position after Solomon’s ascension. 463

Swordsmanship and King-Making

Merlin is an accomplished swordsman and was responsible for Artoria’s swordsmanship training.

• Li Ye considers him capable of training both in swordsmanship and magecraft. 150
• His specialized abilities are oriented toward fostering kings rather than teaching Li Ye’s solitary fighting style. 189
• Kiritsugu Emiya considers Merlin’s combat ability significant enough to avoid underestimating him. 292

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Staff — Merlin regularly carries a mage’s staff. 159 196
• Sword-staff — His staff manifests with a long sword attached during Li Ye’s Holy Grail War summoning. 278

Relationships

• Li Ye — Companion, guide, and reluctant mentor. Merlin manifested early in Mesopotamia specifically to find Li Ye, but fears Li Ye’s potential Beast-like future. 148 152 181 241
• Artoria Pendragon — Former pupil and King of Britannia. Merlin helped create the conditions for her birth, issued the prophecy of her coming, and trained her swordsmanship. 296 150
• Gilgamesh — An uneasy associate in Uruk. Merlin arrived before Gilgamesh’s intended summoning, then concealed himself in the jungle until meeting Li Ye. 151 152 159
• Cath Palug / Fufuu — Merlin’s familiar, from whom Merlin learned the basis of Independent Manifestation. 182 211
• Leonidas I — Acquaintance at the Beast Front; Leonidas understands Merlin’s desire to accompany Li Ye. 183 188
• Medusa / Anna — Travels and cooperates with Merlin during the Mesopotamian crisis, including escaping Li Ye’s Divine Judgment. 194 196
• Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight — Allies during the Tiamat crisis; Merlin warns them to return to Uruk after Beast awakens. 241

Notable Quotes

“I am Merlin, after all! I've seen everything, absolutely everything.” 149

“Actually, I obtained Independent Manifestation by secretly learning from Cath Palug, combined with my own [Beast] attribute.” 182

“Li Ye! At least continue to walk forward as a human!” 241

Trivia

• Merlin calls himself a “never-before-seen Knight of the Round Table” when first introducing himself to Li Ye. 148
• Gilgamesh openly calls Merlin unreliable and denies ever summoning him during their first meeting. 151
• Merlin claims he cannot teach ordinary magic because he would “bite [his] tongue” when chanting incantations. 189
• Li Ye repeatedly describes Merlin as useless or unreliable, while Merlin continues to present himself as “Merlin big brother.” 150 189 278