'Oh? I didn't expect conquering Charlotte to be this easy.'

Merlin was briefly surprised, then smiled. Yet, he didn't find it strange at all.

It should be noted that Charlotte's role in the novel The Lost Hero was always meant to be the protagonist Abel's partner.

The author, Michiku-sensei, had once said that if the heroines around Abel betrayed him, Charlotte would be the only one who wouldn't.

That proved Charlotte was designed to love the main character.

And now, Merlin had taken the place of the main character as the child of the prophecy.

Abel's luck in winning Charlotte's eternal love had completely fallen into his hands.

'Tsk! Being the child of the prophecy isn't so bad after all,' Merlin chuckled.

When he first reincarnated into this world, he had already set his sights on several heroines, including Charlotte.

But because of Charlotte's special status, he had doubted he could ever win her.

Unexpectedly, the plot had completely unraveled—he ended up with everything that should have belonged to Abel in the novel.

"Merlin? Why are you daydreaming?" Charlotte's curious voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Merlin smiled and shook his head. "It's nothing. By the way…"

He glanced at the brightening daylight, stood up, and said, "I have to go back now."

"Go back?" Charlotte froze. "Why so soon? Aren't you supposed to leave tomorrow?"

She hurriedly stood, clasping his left hand tightly, as if she didn't want to let go.

"No, I'm going back today." Merlin gently patted the arm holding his hand. "Actually, I wanted to leave this morning. But I was certain you'd come out today, so I decided to stay until the afternoon. And luckily, I was right—you came out of your exile. Now I can say goodbye properly."

If he hadn't miscalculated, the recommendation letter from the academy should have already arrived at his mansion.

In six days, an envoy from the academy would come to pick him up.

Of course, the academy's new semester would start two months later, since the entrance exams wouldn't begin for another month.

However, those with special invitations could come to the academy early to receive exclusive training—a privilege reserved only for those truly talented and exceptional.

Charlotte pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. She lowered her head and spoke softly, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I just got out of exile… Can't you stay with me for just one day?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Merlin, her gaze full of hope and fear.

She was terrified he might refuse.

Merlin froze, not expecting Charlotte to reveal her vulnerable side.

With her soft, innocent, and beautiful face, she looked so adorable that he couldn't resist pinching her cheek.

'Is this the power of a hundred points of affection?' he muttered to himself.

Charlotte blushed at his touch, yet she didn't pull away—she chose to savor it instead.

Merlin sighed softly, about to respond, when the mission panel suddenly appeared.

"[Ding! Hidden mission triggered! Accompany Charlotte Solayne for one day. Reward: 10,000 system points.]"

The corner of Merlin's mouth twitched.

'System, are you sure this counts as a hidden mission? If so, why is the reward so small?'

Back when he first reincarnated, ten thousand points would have been significant. Now, it barely mattered.

"[Master, you're so arrogant! Ten thousand points are still valuable, you know!]" The system complained irritably.

Merlin rolled his eyes. 'Increase the reward, and I'll accept it.'

He knew the mission wasn't genuine—it was created by the system. The low reward was proof enough.

Still, since the system had already delivered food to his doorstep, how could he possibly pass up the chance for extra rewards?

The system was silent for a moment. Then the mission panel reappeared, this time with a new reward:

"[Ding! Hidden mission triggered! Accompany Charlotte Solayne for one day. Reward: 30,000 system points and 2x Pearl Rings (Epic).]"

Merlin's eyes sparkled as he gave the system a thumbs-up.

"You're truly amazing, system!"

The system didn't respond, only rolling its eyes in annoyance. Somehow, it felt like Merlin was manipulating it—but it had no proof.

Merlin turned to Charlotte, still staring at him with tears in her eyes.

With a long sigh, he nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll stay one more day. However—"

Before he could finish, Charlotte jumped up and down with delight, pulling Merlin's arm into a tight embrace.

"Great! Thank you for granting my wish, Merlin! Let's go to the city! Didn't you want me to accompany you around the capital?"

Without waiting for an answer, Charlotte tugged Merlin away from the park.

What neither of them noticed was someone peeking from behind a pillar near the hallway, watching them leave.

"Whether it's the older brother or the younger sister, they seem blessed by the heavens… How infuriating!" the figure muttered angrily.

That figure was none other than Lucas, the Second Prince. Ever since Charlotte obtained the power of the Dragon of Light, Calystron, he had sensed his father's affection for Leonard growing stronger.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't panicking. Leonard had already been declared the crown prince, yet the official appointment ceremony had not been held.

There was a real possibility that, after Charlotte gained such extraordinary fortune, his father would finally proceed with the ceremony for Leonard.

Once that happened, Lucas would have no hope of claiming the throne.

"No… I can't let that happen! I have to stop it, no matter what!" His eyes flashed coldly, filled with murderous intent.

His dream—his lifelong goal—was to become king and stand as a powerful figure like his father.

No matter the cost, he had to achieve it. Only then would his father look at him differently and acknowledge his worth.

With that resolve, Lucas turned and walked back to his room.

To set his plan in motion, one person had to be eliminated first—Charlotte.

...

"Hah… Hah… Hah…"

Inside a secluded cave, a middle-aged man gasped for breath, his teeth clenched in anger.

"Everything is falling apart! That child, Merlin Clay, is a variable that should not exist!"

Plans laid over thousands of years were on the verge of collapsing. He turned his head toward a crystal ball resting on a table not far away.

The crystal emitted a fairly bright golden light.

However, the light flickered from time to time, as if it were beginning to lose its power.

The man's anger intensified, yet he could only vent his rage on his surroundings.

"This cannot be allowed. Merlin Clay…" His eyes narrowed, filled with terrifying cruelty. "You must die!"

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