"Alright, Calystron. Thank you for the dragon's blessing," Merlin said as he slowly stood. "With that, my task is complete."

If only Calystron hadn't attacked him, everything would have been resolved much faster.

But that was fine. Now Calystron feared him, and that fear would work to his advantage later.

If he needed his help down the line, he could use that fear… hehehe… to make him comply.

"[Master, your smile is terrifying. Can you take it off?]" The system's trembling voice echoed in his mind.

Merlin coughed and quickly adjusted his expression.

Calystron remained silent for a moment before asking, "Are you sure you only want my dragon's blessing? Nothing else?"

He still felt guilty for attacking Merlin earlier, so he wanted to make sure no grudge remained between them.

Besides, he wanted to build a closer bond. That way, Merlin could help him grow stronger and push past his limits in the future.

Merlin shook his head. "No, I don't need anything else."

Then he remembered Charlotte, and an idea sparked in his mind.

"Wait, I take that back! I do need you to do something."

A slight smile curved his lips.

Calystron, who had looked sad and helpless, immediately brightened.

"Tell me—what do you need?"

Merlin waved his hand, silently beckoning him closer. Calystron leaned in.

Merlin whispered something to him, then pulled back and asked, "Do you understand?"

Calystron lifted his head and nodded, a smile spreading across his face.

"I understand! Don't worry, I'll do it! It's easy," he said confidently.

"Good!" Merlin nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, I'll be going now."

With that, he turned and walked away from the Hall of Offering.

Watching his back fade into the distance, Calystron sighed and whispered softly, 'At least with that help, he owes me a favor.'

***

The gate opened, and Merlin stepped out, Lyserra cradled in his arms.

But she had now transformed into an adorable cat.

"Merlin!" An excited voice called from ahead.

He looked up to see Charlotte and Vargan running toward him.

"How did the ritual go? Did you meet the Dragon of Light? Wait… that's not important. The most important thing is your condition. Are you okay?"

Her eyes scanned him with concern.

Beside her, Vargan let out a quiet, resigned sigh. The daughter he had spoiled and cherished seemed completely under Merlin's influence.

A pang of sadness hit him, but he quickly suppressed it. Merlin being close to his daughter wasn't a bad thing.

It meant he could bind Merlin to the royal family.

"Don't worry. I'm fine," Merlin said, his tone calm and reassuring.

Charlotte, however, didn't take his word at face value. She examined him carefully, as if making sure she hadn't missed a single detail.

Feeling her gaze, Merlin immediately felt embarrassed, especially when Charlotte's eyes lingered a moment too long on his lower body.

"Are you satisfied with your inspection?" he asked, letting out a small cough.

In his arms, Lyserra opened her eyes and shot Charlotte a meaningful glance.

Charlotte realized her mistake and quickly stammered an apology.

"I'm sorry… I—I didn't mean to," she said.

Vargan chuckled softly, easing the tension.

"How did the ritual go, Merlin? Did you meet the dragon?"

Merlin turned to him and nodded slowly. "Yes, I met him… and I received his blessing as well."

He clenched his left hand, and golden light immediately burst from his body, forming a luminous bubble that surrounded him.

"You really did it!" Charlotte and Vargan exclaimed in unison.

Only three people had ever received the dragon's blessing. With Merlin now included, that made four.

'What a lucky kid,' Vargan muttered, his voice tinged with envy.

If he had received it too, he might have broken through the First Core Spirit stage and become the first to reach the legendary realm that existed only in myths.

The chances were slim, but as long as there was a possibility, why not try?

Yet Vargan knew it was impossible for him to obtain the dragon's blessing.

Only the truly chosen were worthy of it—and he was not one of them.

"By the way, how long did it take you to extract the dragon's blessing?" Vargan asked.

If he remembered correctly, his three ancestors had each spent more than an hour doing it.

Considering Merlin was the child of prophecy, the time required shouldn't have been too different.

Merlin withdrew the dragon's blessing and replied casually, "Not long—only three or four minutes."

Charlotte: "..."

Vargan: "..."

Both of them fell silent, as if struggling to process what Merlin had just said.

"A-Are you sure? Only three to four minutes?" Vargan asked, the corners of his mouth twitching in disbelief.

Charlotte looked just as stunned. She knew how difficult it was to extract the dragon's blessing, especially since human and dragon bodies were fundamentally different.

"Yes, I'm sure. If you don't believe me, you can ask Calystron," Merlin replied, a faint smile on his lips.

Vargan was taken aback once again. Calystron was the Dragon of Light.

Hearing Merlin mention the sacred dragon's name so casually made him wonder what had actually happened inside the hall earlier.

He wanted to ask, but he knew it wouldn't be polite.

"Alright, I understand," Vargan said, patting Merlin on the shoulder. "You must be exhausted. Go back to your room and rest. As for the days ahead, don't worry—I've prepared a series of activities for you over the next seven days."

Seven days was the time he had asked Ardhis and Livia to lend Merlin to him.

Although he could have requested an extension, he chose not to.

A good relationship was never built on excessive restraint.

He had once considered controlling Merlin, but after meeting him in person, he realized this boy was not someone who could be easily manipulated.

Trying to force him would only bring disaster upon himself—and his kingdom.

Thus, he chose a gentler approach, such as arranging for his daughter to marry Merlin.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Merlin clasped his hands.

Coincidentally, he was feeling a little tired and wanted to take a nap.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot something." Merlin turned to Charlotte. "I made a deal with Calystron. As for the details… hmm… they're a secret."

He chuckled softly and patted her shoulder. "Anyway, go inside. He's waiting for you."

Both Charlotte and Vargan were taken aback.

"W-What are you saying, Merlin? Are you serious?" Charlotte asked, swallowing nervously.

Meeting the Dragon of Light had been her dream since childhood. She had never expected such an opportunity to appear so suddenly.

"Do you think I'm joking?" Merlin laughed. "Go on. You'll see for yourself."

"Come on, Charlotte. You can do it," Vargan encouraged her.

Charlotte nodded, glanced once more at Merlin, then opened the gate and stepped inside.

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