NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21: Lyserra Ardenis
"[Master, did you trick me?]" the system asked suspiciously.
Merlin was taken aback but quickly masked his reaction.
"Trick you? How could I possibly? Did you misunderstand?" He feigned ignorance.
"[Earlier, you looked in pain, but the moment I said the potion was free, you immediately brightened. Isn't that the same as tricking me?]" The system pressed again.
"You misunderstood, system," Merlin replied with a small sigh. "Earlier, I was just relieved and happy that you were so attentive to me. It made me feel cared for. If the potion still required my system points, wouldn't that mean you were being indifferent and uncaring? What if I were in a dying state but had no system points? Would you just let me die?"
The system was taken aback and hurriedly denied it. "[Of course not, Master! How could I possibly let you die? If you die, I die too.]"
"Oh?" Merlin's heart skipped a beat at its words.
Now, his suspicions were confirmed: the system was linked to his soul—if he died, the system would die too.
What had once been only a guess was now reality, confirmed by the system itself.
"Alright, I trust you. Don't worry," Merlin said softly. His eyes met the red dragon's murderous gaze.
"Gulp!" Merlin swallowed nervously. "By the way, system, how are we going to handle this? Do I really have to tame it?"
"[Of course, Master. It's your contract spirit—you must tame it. Oh, I forgot to mention, she's a female dragon. So be careful and choose your words wisely. Otherwise… hehehe… you know what will happen, right?]" The system grinned faintly.
Merlin blinked in surprise. "A female dragon?"
He quickly opened the red dragon's status panel.
[Status]
Name: Lyserra Ardenis
Title: Primordial Chaos Dragon, Dragon Empress
Race: Dragon
Stars: ???
Description: The Primordial Chaos Dragon is the first dragon in this world. Born from the chaos before the world was formed, its power is incredible and terrifying. If it becomes angry, it could destroy this world—or even the gods and heavens! Proceed with extreme caution.
Merlin was speechless. The corner of his mouth twitched as he struggled to find words.
'Primordial Chaos Dragon… the first dragon to exist before the world?' His breath caught in fear. 'Damn… Why does my luck always have to be this terrible?'
He wanted nothing more than to beat up the gods who had cursed him with such an unfortunate fate. In the original storyline, Merlin Clay was destined to die a horrible death at the hands of the protagonist.
Even after taking over this body, the bad luck hadn't vanished—it was even worse than it had been for the original Merlin Clay.
"You insolent human! Are you still unwilling to answer my question?" Lyserra growled, her voice dripping with anger.
Merlin panicked for a moment and instinctively stepped closer—but sensing her murderous intent, he immediately stopped, keeping a safe distance of about ten meters.
"Dragon Empress—no, I mean, Her Majesty Lyserra," Merlin said politely, forcing a smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Merlin Clay. I am here… well, to make a contract with you."
Lyserra narrowed her eyes, staring coldly. "How do you know my name?"
She had been confined here for an unknown length of time, never encountering any humans or other creatures.
So how could this boy in front of her know her name?
Merlin had expected the question. He answered softly, "Because you are my spirit. I can know your name—even your titles."
"Your spirit?" Lyserra's fury flared. "I am the most powerful dragon in the world! How could a little boy like you claim I belong to you? Kid, do you want to die? Then accept your fate!"
She opened her mouth wide, and a fireball the size of a two-story house materialized between her jaws.
"Damn it!" Merlin shouted in fear. "System! System! Help me!"
He spun around, ready to run—but it was too late.
"Die!" Lyserra hurled the fireball at him at incredible speed.
"No!" Merlin screamed hysterically, shielding his face with both arms.
'Am I going to die here?'
That thought consumed him.
One second… two… three… four passed slowly, yet Merlin felt no burning pain or any harm. Cautiously, he lowered his arms and realized he was still alive.
"Eh? How is this possible?" Merlin gasped in shock, running his hands over his body—still no pain.
Looking up, he saw Lyserra, equally stunned.
"What on earth…? Why did my attack vanish?" she muttered, her voice tinged with shock.
And yet, her words were perfectly audible to Merlin, which only heightened his astonishment.
"The fireball disappeared?" His brows furrowed. Then a thought struck him—the system!
"System, did you do this?" Merlin asked, excitement breaking through his fear.
"[Hehehe… Did you notice? Yes, that was me,]" the system replied proudly.
Merlin let out a sigh of relief and gave a thumbs-up.
"Great! If I'd known that, I wouldn't have overreacted like I did," he said, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.
The system stayed silent, but somehow its gaze felt mocking. Had he misread it?
Shaking off the thought, Merlin turned his attention to Lyserra. His previous politeness and respect vanished, replaced by calm confidence and a hint of nonchalance.
"See that? Your attack was useless. Alright, enough pleasantries. Let's make a contract," Merlin declared, a faint grin on his lips.
Lyserra's eyes blazed with fury at his arrogance.
"How dare you be so insolent!" she snapped, opening her mouth wide.
Another fireball shot toward Merlin, but as before, it vanished the moment it came within two meters of him.
Lyserra stumbled back, stunned and off balance.
"How… how is this possible? What just happened?" she muttered, her confusion evident.
The fireball should have reduced him to ashes, yet here he was, unharmed.
Merlin stepped forward casually, arms folded across his chest.
"What's your answer?" he asked, looking up at her calmly. "Do you want to make a contract with me… or stay here forever?"
--------//Author Note://--------
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