Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 96: Yuna and Merlin
When Harrington saw Merlin, he greeted him warmly. He had heard from his prized apprentice, Henry King, that Merlin had spent hundreds of thousands of gold coins at the Steam and Stars Guild recently. For an alchemist, this made him a major, high-rolling customer.
“Merlin, congratulations on passing your exam.” Harrington first offered his congratulations, then gestured to the teachers around him.
“Hasn’t today’s exam already ended? By tradition, whenever a first-year exam concludes, we teachers like to gather and have a proper chat.”
Harrington chuckled and continued, “Besides, we recently discovered a hidden gem of a tavern in the mid-level district of the Arcane Capital. We booked the entire place yesterday, and today we plan to drink our fill.”
Merlin wondered to himself if the “hidden gem” the teacher mentioned might be Dwarves Gone Wild, the tavern his parents owned. He didn’t ask further, simply smiling and nodding in response. “Then I hope all the teachers have a great time.”
After bidding farewell to Harrington, Merlin quickly returned to the academy’s back hill. It was just as it had always been—countless students coming and going. Naturally, after finishing their exams, they came here to work, but with the semester finally over, everyone was eager to relax.
“The exams are finally over! I lasted over ten rounds against my senior. I’m definitely getting at least a B this time. Once work is done, I’m going to eat well.”
“I’ve saved up quite a bit of gold just for today. I plan to buy two lotus-leaf beggar’s chickens, take advantage of the ‘buy-one-get-one’ offer at Honey Snow Time, grab two cups of bubble tea, and store the free lemon water in the fridge.”
“I’m going to buy ten bags of creamy little buns and eat my fill in one go!”
“Do you remember the shop where Boss Merlin hired workers in the Arcane Capital?”
“You mean Dwarves Gone Wild?”
“Exactly. A senior who worked there said the barbecue is amazing. Many of our teachers have even made it their go-to gathering spot.”
“Ah, yes—the barbecue. I heard it’s not too expensive. Should we try it tonight?”
“Tonight won’t work; I heard the teachers booked the whole place…”
Merlin arrived at the construction site and glanced around before shaking Scarlett awake. “Scarlett, don’t sleep! Where’s Stacie? I didn’t see her.”
Scarlett rubbed her drowsy eyes and looked at Merlin with a hint of annoyance. “Why did you wake me up?” she muttered, her voice tinged with displeasure. She forced herself up, yawned, and tried to shake off the lingering sleep. Sunlight streamed through the site’s metal frames, striking her face and causing her to squint.
Merlin didn’t let her attitude bother him. His brows furrowed slightly, showing a trace of anxiety. “I’m looking for Stacie. She should be here today, but I haven’t seen her.”
“It seems Stacie has something on her mind. She came here briefly and then left again. Maybe she’s feeling unwell,” Scarlett yawned.
What! Unwell? That couldn’t be—he was meticulous about his employees’ health. Without a healthy body, how could they work for him effectively?
Especially his personal secretary, Stacie. Without her at the helm, how would Honey Snow Time fare today?
Scarlett didn’t realize Merlin’s worry was about his business. She thought he was genuinely concerned for Stacie as an employee, and couldn’t help but think more highly of him. After all, she was still in an exploited state, her debts already exceeding a hundred gold coins—and that was without living in Merlin’s villa.
For the past few days, Scarlett had been sleeping in the forest. She wasn’t worried about her debts, because the first-year exams in the Monster Forest were coming up. Some noble students had already offered her a hefty sum to act as their bodyguard; once she collected that money, the debts would be settled.
“When I check Stacie’s dorm later, if she’s really unwell, I have plenty of healing potions. If that’s not enough, I can even hire a Light Church priest for psychological support. The cost for potions and the priest can be deducted from her wages—I really am such a considerate boss,” Merlin thought. Suddenly, he felt someone tap his back twice.
He turned and saw a figure wrapped in bandages. Pausing for a moment, he said, “Ice-and-Fire Princess?”
“Pfft, Ice-and-Fire Princess? Just call me Senpai.”
Yuna couldn’t help laughing at Merlin’s address. She bent slightly, hands behind her back, her fiery red eyes fixed on Merlin’s face with a playful gleam. “Merlin-kun, I must say, you really are handsome. I’ve seen many men’s faces, but none like yours—like the brightest star in the night sky.”
Merlin blushed at Yuna’s praise. He averted his gaze, not daring to look directly at the Ice-and-Fire Princess, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness.”
Yuna’s smile grew even brighter, her fiery eyes sparkling with mischief. “We actually met when we were children, at a court gathering in the Imperial Palace. You were the center of attention. Even then, many girls were around you.” Her tone held a teasing lilt, deliberately toying with Merlin.
The Leo family, a veteran noble house in the Dawn Empire, had been invited to many royal banquets. But Merlin had little memory of it—childhood Merlin had only found the girls around him annoying, like bothersome flies.
“Then Princess Yuna, was one of those girls you?”
Yuna paused at Merlin’s words, then laughed lightly. “I wanted to, but my royal status and propriety kept me from getting to know you. But now, the opportunity is in front of me.”
She extended her hand with natural grace. “Clement Yuna. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Leo Merlin. The honor is mine, Your Highness.” Merlin shook her hand. His earlier embarrassment vanished—he now realized the girl before him was a princess. Behind her stood the Dawn Empire itself. This was a gold mine waiting to be tapped.
“I came here looking for Stacie. I heard she usually stays around here.”
Merlin released Yuna’s hand. “I’m afraid Stacie isn’t feeling well and has gone back to rest.”
“That’s truly a pity. Still, I’m quite pleased to have made a friend in you today, Merlin-kun,” Yuna said with a smile. Then, leaning in slightly, she added in a softer tone, “Of course… it would be even better if you didn’t get in my way…”
“Huh? Senpai, what did you say?” Merlin didn’t catch the last part.
Yuna waved her hand. “Nothing. I’ll leave first, Merlin-kun.”