At her question, Merlin once again thought of Tharvis.

"That…" He frowned. "Actually, there's something I didn't tell you, Master. When I offered him the chance to grow, he was very enthusiastic. But he remembered his grandmother and decided to reconsider."

Tharvis' talent was exceptional, and it would be a shame to waste it. But Merlin also knew that forcing him would backfire.

He didn't know what Tharvis' life had been like before meeting the main character. However, judging from their previous encounter, it was clear he had lived in misery.

Linda sighed regretfully. "All right, I understand. Let's just wait for the next few hours. If he doesn't come, then it's not his or our luck. But if he does, then that will be his chance to rise."

Honestly, she was very curious about how the boy named Tharvis could concoct potions with just a pot. It sounded impossible, but she knew her disciple wouldn't lie to her.

Unfortunately, she didn't know whether the boy would actually come, so she had to put her curiosity aside.

Merlin nodded in agreement. Then he looked at the brightening sky and stood up, brushing the dirt off his back.

"By the way, Master, let's continue practicing," he said enthusiastically, clenching his right fist.

These four days of training had truly sharpened his ability to control mana. If reciting five basic spells used to consume three percent of his mana, he could now do it far more efficiently.

Mana control was actually a subject taught at the academy, but he had mastered it several years ahead of schedule.

So, if he entered the academy later, he wouldn't face any difficulties.

And yet, Linda shook her head as she rose to her feet.

"No, that's enough training for today. I'll be back tomorrow, so let's just have fun today. What do you think?" Linda smiled playfully at him.

"Have fun?" Merlin blinked.

***

"So…" Merlin glanced out the window. "By having fun, do you mean going sightseeing in the capital, Master?"

He looked at Linda, who was sitting beside him. Unlike usual, she wore a simple yet elegant casual dress this time. The silver fabric fell to her ankles.

The skirt was slightly loose, allowing her to move freely. The front and back were modestly covered, but her ample bosom and graceful curves could easily captivate any man.

Her grayish-white hair, usually left long or tied in a ponytail, now fell in gentle waves, giving her a distinctly feminine and attractive aura.

"Yes, that's exactly the kind of fun I mean—walking around the capital," Linda replied softly. "Why? Don't you enjoy walking with your master?"

Her gaze turned slightly displeased, which instantly made Merlin flustered.

"Ahem!" he coughed, blushing. "What are you saying, Master? How could I think such things?"

Carefully, he held her soft, white left arm and massaged it gently.

"You've spent the last thirty days teaching me. So why shouldn't I spend half a day entertaining you?" He smiled faintly and shook his head.

Linda was kind and responsible, and he felt fortunate to be her disciple.

Listening to his words, Linda felt a surge of happiness. On top of that, his massage was pleasantly soothing.

If she had known earlier, she would have asked him to massage her every day.

The horse-drawn carriage finally stopped in the middle of the city. As usual, Droswen was crowded with people, while carriages from both directions passed by, creating a lively scene.

Merlin and Linda stepped down and held hands as they looked around.

"The city of Droswen is more crowded than I remember," she muttered softly.

In the past, she had often come to visit Ardhis and Livia, her close friends. But since becoming head of the academy, she rarely—if ever—visited the city. This was the first time in a long while she had returned.

"Master," Merlin said softly, "let's have some fun! Since you've been training me for days, let your student cover all the expenses."

He patted his chest confidently. He had already withdrawn all the money from the temporary account Eliza had set up yesterday, so it was no exaggeration to say he was now quite wealthy.

"Oh?" Linda's eyes widened in surprise. A playful smile appeared on her lips as she gently pinched his cheek. "Do you have money? Where did you get it—from your father or mother? If they find out, won't they scold you?"

"Pfft! How could they be angry?" Merlin chuckled softly. "You are their close friend. I'm sure they wouldn't mind spending millions of gold coins on you, especially after everything you've done for me and my sister. And you're wrong about one thing."

Merlin flashed a proud smile. "I'm not using their money—it's my own. A few days ago, I did a little business and made a considerable profit. So, Master, let your student treat you. Just tell me what you want, and I'll pay for it."

Of course, he couldn't tell Linda about the "business" he had done. Otherwise, it would be dangerous.

Even for Linda, a gold-level potion with a hundred percent perfection rate was extremely rare and difficult to obtain.

Watching Merlin's composed demeanor, Linda felt somewhat dazed. She had been around him for nearly thirty days, yet he never seemed like an ordinary child.

He was calm, thoughtful, and spoke with the maturity of someone close to thirty.

Several times, Linda felt as if she were being lectured by him, as if she were the younger one.

Although Merlin sometimes acted like a child, her instincts told her it was only an act. Of course, she never expressed her confusion and kept it to herself.

Even so, it would be a lie to say she wasn't growing more and more interested in this boy.

'Linda, what are you thinking? How could you even think that?' She was startled by her own thoughts and quickly pushed them aside.

Merlin's demeanor—so different from other children his age—not only amazed her but also stirred feelings she couldn't quite explain.

She didn't fully understand those feelings, but she hoped they weren't something to be afraid of…

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