Avan
The secret keeping is a biiiig turn off. That and the ending with morgana are making it hard to keep reading this
Understand to a point, that the author is working under the burden of keeping things in a basic line with existing history and mythology. While they can still be creative in some aspects, it also forces their hand down certain types of plot routes. I've come to see that Emery's early behavior, and even his emerging secrecy is very much moulded by the Merlin mythology. Avalon and Camelot is an ideal civilization which prizes knightly codes of honesty straightforwardness and Truth above all. in the original mythology Morgana is instrumental to its fall, and much of the darker side of the drama. while Merlin is wise and mysterious, but also a bit foolish and often his plans and ideals are betrayed The author, is both freed, and held hostage by these themes. I respect the work quite a bit. Reading it can be at times frustrating, but having an awareness of the different portrayals of Merlin. it's not unexpected. the wizard is a somewhat tragic hero.
His decision to hide his strength from his only friends and ALLIES is one of the stupidest decisions Emery made so far. And I don't even understand why he couldn't show them his stats without revealing the dragon. He's not under some truth-telling-curse. Just say you can't reveal how you trained and done. I feel like Emery hardly grows at all. He tries to learn lessons, but then uses that knowledge in a completely stupid direction. He is meant to be careful with his enemies and strangers...not his allies.