"It's been a long time, my dear disciple. How have you been?"
She set the pen in her hand aside and leaned back in her chair.
Merlin stepped inside with a smile and replied, "I'm fine, Master. How about you?"
He closed the door behind him and walked closer.
"I'm fine as well." Linda smiled back while looking him up and down. "By the way, you've become even more handsome, my dear disciple. Do you have a fiancée yet?"
A meaningful glint flashed in her eyes, causing Merlin's expression to stiffen.
"Ahem! Thank you for the compliment, Master. As for a fiancée… well, I do have one. She's the daughter of the Tharot family—Luna Tharot. She's also one of the new students at the academy."
Although his voice sounded awkward, he tried his best to remain calm.
"Heh… so that's how it is…" Linda nodded faintly, as if she understood.
Even so, Merlin could sense a heaviness in the air, as though Linda were suppressing her jealousy.
