"I just hope they get along and don't end up fighting," Lisa muttered, rubbing her temples.

She had to admit it—her daughter could be so frustrating. Although she trusted Merlin, she couldn't shake the worry that he might be too harsh with her.

As she paced in front of the room, a sudden light spilled through the crack of the door beside her.

Startled, Lisa quickly put her mask back on and stepped inside.

Seeing her daughter glowing so brightly, panic surged through her.

"Nivis!"

She started to rush forward, but Merlin gently held her back.

"Don't disturb her, Auntie. She's still recovering."

Lisa froze, suddenly remembering why she had brought Merlin here—to test the new potion his friend had created for her daughter.

Biting her lower lip, she asked anxiously, "Is everything alright? My daughter won't be hurt, right?"

Earlier, she had told Merlin she was confident and not worried. But seeing Nivis radiate such intense light, her courage and confidence melted away, replaced by fear.

After all, Nivis was the only family she had left in the world.

Merlin glanced at her and couldn't help smiling. He patted her shoulder reassuringly. "It's okay, Auntie. Actually, the potion is already perfect. I was only teasing earlier."

"Perfect?" Lisa's eyes widened. "Then… does that mean my daughter—"

Before she could finish, Merlin nodded. "Yes. She will recover completely. Don't worry."

Lisa staggered for a moment before collapsing. Without Merlin's quick reflexes, she would have fallen right there.

"Are you okay, Auntie?" Merlin asked, his voice full of concern.

At the same time, he scanned her with his magic. Fortunately, she wasn't injured—nothing serious.

"I'm fine," Lisa replied, her voice trembling with soft sobs. "I'm just… so happy. It feels like a weight has finally been lifted from my heart."

She tried to wipe away her tears, but they only flowed faster until she was crying uncontrollably.

Merlin stood silently beside her, gently patting her back.

Ten minutes later, the light around Nivis finally faded.

Under the watchful eyes of Merlin and Lisa, her form reemerged, completely transformed.

The black spots that had marred her skin were gone, leaving her flawless.

Nivis's skin was now milky white, smooth, and soft to the touch.

If not for her past illness, her sweet, beautiful face would surely have caught the eye of every boy at the academy.

It had kept her from truly shining for so long.

Now, she was finally free—like a bird released from its cage, soaring high into the sky.

Slowly, Nivis opened her eyes. When she looked at her arms, they widened in shock and amazement.

"The spots… they're gone!" she gasped, unable to contain her wonder.

She rubbed her face, her arms, and her neck—there was not a single trace of the black spots.

"Nivis, are you okay?" Lisa's voice from beside her pulled her out of her daze.

She turned stiffly toward her mother, and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes before spilling over.

"Mom, I'm cured!"

Lisa cried too, rushing forward, and they hugged each other tightly.

"Woah! Mom, I'm cured! My illness… it's finally gone!" Nivis shouted, sobbing uncontrollably.

"You're right, my dear! It's gone! You don't have to suffer anymore!" Lisa smiled, her own tears refusing to stop.

How long had she waited for this moment?

She had lost count—two, three, maybe even four years.

During that time, she had endured so much. Her daughter had been sick, and she had sunk into debt just to pay for her treatment.

Now, all that suffering—hers and her daughter's—had finally come to an end. They could finally start a new chapter in their lives.

Watching this touching reunion, Merlin let out a deep sigh, brushing the corner of his right eye.

"[Tsk! So you can cry too, Master. This is the first time I've seen you like this,]" the system teased playfully.

Merlin wasn't angry. He sighed softly and replied, "I am human, system. Of course I have emotions. Isn't it natural to cry?"

He had never claimed to be heartless or cruel.

Both his body and his soul were mortal—they could feel pain. And what he saw before him was enough to move him to tears.

The system fell silent, the word "emotions" seeming to stir something hidden deep within it.

As a system, it naturally had no concept of what humans called "emotions."

Still, curiosity stirred within it, and it longed to understand them—even knowing it was impossible.

Merlin turned and walked out, not wanting to disturb the precious moment between mother and daughter.

Outside, he ran into the nurse who had been on duty at the front desk earlier.

When she saw him, her eyes brightened immediately. "Hi, handsome. Are you alone? Where's Miss Lisa Astrala?" she asked cheerfully.

Merlin glanced at her calmly. "She's inside, talking to her daughter."

The news of Nivis' recovery had to remain a secret—for now. Revealing it too soon could cause chaos.

Besides, he wasn't on academy grounds. There could be dangerous people lurking nearby, waiting for a chance to harm Nivis or Lisa.

If he were on their side, those people might hesitate. But what if he wasn't?

That's why he needed to report to Linda first before making the potion's success public.

"So that's how it is…" the nurse nodded, then glanced around before leaning closer. "By the way, how much did Mrs. Lisa Astrala pay you?"

Merlin froze, blinking at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Pfft! Don't act innocent, my dear. Or is that how you want to play it?" The nurse giggled mischievously.

Merlin grew even more confused by her words.

Suddenly, the nurse unbuttoned the top button of her blouse, revealing her enticing white cleavage.

"You're Mrs. Lisa Astrala's little lover, aren't you? How much does she pay you every month? Just tell me—I'll pay double… no, triple! But you have to spend the whole night with me. My chest is big, my body is incredibly sexy—I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

She gave a flirtatious wink and licked her upper lip provocatively.

Merlin: "…"

In all his two lifetimes, he had never encountered a situation like this.

He, the system's holder and the one destined to save the world, was being treated like… a little boyfriend—or worse, a gigolo?

If the system knew, it would definitely laugh.

"[Hahaha! Master, that's hilarious! I can't stop laughing! Hahaha!]"

Merlin: "…"

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