Kays Translations

Chapter 67: Making the Granddaughter of a Demigod Work

“So… what exactly is going on here? Why has the granddaughter of a demigod suddenly appeared in my villa?” Merlin’s voice carried a note of suspicion as he finally broke the silence, his brows furrowing slightly.

“Hmph!” Stacie puffed out her cheeks in irritation, her voice carrying a hint of grievance as she snapped back, “How should I know? Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that question instead?”

Scarlett, meanwhile, let out a long yawn, her sleepy eyes half-open as though she had only just been roused from a dream. She gave her head a lazy shake and muttered in a languid tone, “I came here on my own.”

Merlin crossed his arms tightly against his chest and took a cautious step back from her. His expression hardened, his words sharp and defensive. “And what business do you have coming to my house? Don’t tell me you’re one of those crazed admirers who dream of sharing my bed.”

He wasn’t being arrogant; he was merely stating a fact. His looks were dangerously captivating. When he was younger, he had nearly been tricked away by his mischievous older sister, who had intended to “devour” him in her own playful, predatory way.

Scarlett suddenly leaned forward until her face was mere inches from his, her wide eyes shimmering as she studied his sharp features. With a faint smile tugging at her lips, she blinked slowly and murmured, “You really are handsome… far too handsome, in fact.”

In her gaze, Merlin caught something unsettling—an expression of genuine admiration, as though she were not looking at a person but rather at a priceless work of art. That look sent an unfamiliar ripple through him, making his heart skip despite himself.

Stacie quickly stepped in between them, sensing the awkward tension building. Her voice was brisk as she interjected, “Enough standing around here. Breakfast is ready. Let’s eat first—don’t forget we still have classes later.”

Scarlett stretched her arms above her head, another wide yawn escaping her lips. She ambled toward the stairs with the slow, heavy steps of someone half-asleep. At the stairway landing, she suddenly stopped, turned her head, and addressed Merlin again: “Oh right… yesterday, when I returned from the Beast Forest, I saw a streak of light flash across the sky. I followed it, and somehow ended up here. Then I saw an empty bed, and… well, the drowsiness hit me so hard that I couldn’t resist. I just fell asleep. Sorry for the intrusion.”

Merlin’s mouth twitched. What kind of explanation was that? See an empty bed, feel sleepy, and just collapse into it? Who did that?

Before he could speak, Stacie leaned toward him and whispered softly, almost apologetically,“Boss Merlin… Miss Scarlett was once invited by the Dragon of Dreams when she was little. She became one of the rare Dream-Magic sorcerers. Her daily cultivation literally revolves around sleeping. It’s famous in the Academy that she naps in the strangest places.”

“???”
Merlin’s jaw nearly dropped. As expected of a demigod’s descendant… even her magic sounded absurdly powerful. Dream-system sorcerers? What kind of broken, overpowered nonsense was that?

By the time his thoughts settled, Scarlett was already comfortably seated at the dining table downstairs. She daintily picked up a small, milk-scented bun with her fingers, squeezed it slightly, and then poured condensed milk from a nearby bottle with practiced ease. Dipping the bun into the creamy sweetness, she popped it into her mouth with obvious satisfaction.

Merlin, watching this scene unfold, frowned. “Wait a second… are you really this shamelessly at home already?”

He pulled out a chair beside her, sat down, and poured himself a glass of milk. But before he could even lift it, Scarlett’s hand darted out. She snatched the glass away, tipped her head back, and gulped down several large swallows before setting it back on the table with a satisfied thud.

“Tastes great. That’s for breakfast.” With a casual flick of her hand, she placed several gold coins on the table as though it settled the matter. Then, stretching her arms again, she yawned and began heading upstairs, clearly intending to crawl right back into bed.

Merlin, however, wasn’t having it. He reached out and grabbed her firmly by the back of the neck, hauling her back down like one would with a wayward cat.

“?” Scarlett blinked at him with wide, innocent eyes, her expression the very picture of confusion.

Merlin glared at her, pointing toward the floor with his free hand. His tone was sharp and uncompromising. “First of all, this is my home. Could you at least stop acting as though you own the place? Second, do you honestly think those few gold coins are enough? Between lodging and meals, you’re looking at no less than ten gold coins per night!”

Scarlett’s eyes flew wide in disbelief. “Are you insane? Do you even know how much ten gold coins are worth?”

Merlin jabbed a finger at the half-empty bottle of condensed milk sitting on the table. His voice rose. “That right there—just the condensed milk you drowned my buns in—is worth five gold coins! And this is still my villa. You broke in uninvited, and now you think you can freeload? One night here costs ten gold coins, not a single coin less!”

Scarlett threw her hands up, exasperated. “I don’t have that kind of money!”

Merlin’s brows drew together in suspicion. “You? The granddaughter of the Academy’s demigod headmaster? Don’t tell me you’re broke.”

But Scarlett shook her head earnestly, her tone unflinchingly serious. “I really don’t. Those few coins I just gave you were from hunting beasts in the forest recently. My parents left when I was eight, off chasing ruins and adventures, and never came back. I’ve been on my own ever since. I don’t ask my family for money. Honestly… I don’t need much. I spend most of my life asleep anyway, so why would I?”

Hearing this, Merlin gave a derisive snort. “What do you think this is? A charity house? An old folks’ home? A daycare center?”

His tone grew harsher as he jabbed a finger toward her forehead. “At your age, how can you sleep away your days like this? Don’t you have any ambition at all?”

Scarlett blinked, stunned. Never before had anyone spoken to her with such a scolding tone. She was, after all, the granddaughter of a demigod, and most people bowed and scraped before her status. Did this outrageously handsome man truly not fear her grandfather’s wrath?

“My grandfather is a demigod—the headmaster of the Arcane Academy.” Her voice was calm, carrying the weight of a practiced line. Her grandfather had always told her: When trouble comes, just invoke my name.

In the past, that name had opened every door. But today… she had met Merlin.

“And what of it?” he shot back without hesitation. “Do you think being a demigod’s granddaughter entitles you to freeload off others? To get something for nothing? Forget it—I won’t allow it!”

With one hand, Merlin effortlessly lifted Scarlett up as though she weighed nothing. At barely one and a half meters tall, her petite frame dangled in his grasp like a kitten.

He jabbed his finger toward the window, where outside, diligent students were hard at work with their daily training and labor. His voice boomed. “Look! Look at your fellow students—earning their keep with their own hands, spending their money proudly on food they’ve paid for! And then look at you. Where’s your dignity as the granddaughter of a demigod? All you think about is freeloading. That won’t do! If you want to live in my villa, then you’d better get a job and work for it!”

Scarlett froze, utterly dumbfounded. Work? He actually wants me to… work?

For someone as terminally lazy as she was, working was unthinkable. Sure, she could venture into the Beast Forest once in a while, fight a monster or two, and trade its core for some coin. But to toil like a common laborer? To slog away like cattle or horses? Never. She’d rather risk her life against beasts than endure such humiliation.

“Merlin, boss…” Stacie’s voice was hesitant as she tugged at his sleeve. “Perhaps… you should ease up a little? After all, we’re still studying here, under her grandfather’s roof…”

But Merlin was unmoved, his eyes gleaming with conviction. “Stacie, I know you’re kindhearted. But beggars must learn the honor of labor! If even the granddaughter of a demigod can work under me, then who would dare touch us? Not even the Shadow Alliance would risk it.”

Inside, a sly thought stirred. If I can make the demigod’s granddaughter my worker, who would dare lay a finger on me? Not even the strongest factions could ignore such backing.

Scarlett’s face flushed with indignation. She bared her small tiger teeth, fists and feet flailing as she squirmed in his grip. “I am not a beggar! I paid you in gold coins!”

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