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Master Merlin quickly immersed himself in his experiments again, with the same dedication and passion he had shown for decades.

The Dragon Descendant Material had indeed brought him too many surprises; the dissection of the genetic sequence of these Mythical Creatures validated his once wild conjectures bit by bit.

But at his age, his energy was fading day by day.

Even though he kept a few creatures like the “Hand of Evil God” from the Mental series Calamities to nourish his divine soul.

He often felt he lacked vigor.

Just like now, he would frequently forget things.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when his little pet informed him that humans had arrived outside.

Only then did Master Merlin suddenly remember something and slapped his forehead, “Oh, I almost forgot… I have distinguished guests today!”

Ever since he crafted his first Legendary Card and achieved the title of “one of the three Legendary Card Makers.”

Those who wished to see him always visited him of their own accord.

Even the top elites of the Federation had to be utterly respectful.

But this time, he put down all his experiments and hurriedly left the laboratory.

He went to greet the distinguished guest he hadn’t seen in a long time.

…

At this moment, at the laboratory’s sewer outlet.

A plump young man in a tailcoat stood somewhat stiffly beside a cloaked figure.

“Great-grandmother, should I go in and say hello first? I made the appointment for today, but…”

“No need. Just wait. My old friend must have forgotten again.”

“Oh.”

If Leonard Churchill were here, he would immediately recognize the plump youth as Lew Williams, the owner of Great Ivan’s Treasure Shop.

And although the cloaked figure’s face was obscured, her voice was aged, yet even just standing there, one could feel an extreme stillness and an air of graceful, noble elegance about her.

Soon, footsteps were heard.

A shadowy figure briskly walked into view from the depths of the sewer.

Upon closer inspection, it was Master Merlin who had come in haste.

The Wise Man recognized his old friend in the cloaked figure and enthusiastically approached her, full of apologies, “Ah… my sincerest apologies. To think that I made you come here, Miss. I clearly remembered that you were coming to Sinless City today, but these past few days I’ve been caught up in an experiment, and my memory is not what it used to be being old…”

Before Master Merlin could finish, the cloaked figure shook her head with a chuckle, “Merlin, you’re still the same old you.”

She didn’t mind at all.

Because she knew her old friend’s character well.

True friends never needed such formalities.

Listening, Master Merlin also laughed at himself and didn’t continue, instead saying, “Miss, it’s been a long time. If you don’t mind, please come sit in my laboratory.”

With that, he made an inviting gesture.

“Sure.”

The cloaked figure nodded and happily accepted.

She followed him inside, but felt the title was somewhat improper and corrected, “Besides… you’ve been saying it for decades now, just call me by my name.”

Master Merlin laughed in response, “Hahaha… as a young man, I always felt it was impolite to call you by your name. I got used to it and just can’t change the habit.”

The cloaked figure listened silently with a smile.

As if the mention of “younger days” brought flood of blurred memories to her mind.

As they walked, Master Merlin spoke with profound emotion, “If it hadn’t been for your generous patronage, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today. Perhaps, I would’ve followed in my father’s footsteps, becoming a Boiler Worker in Dragon City…”

The cloaked figure laughed without saying much, only shaking her head with a light sigh.

Talking of the past, those memories resurfaced scene by scene before her eyes.

….

Although Master Merlin’s name was known to everyone in the Card Master World, few knew of his past before he gained fame.

Even fewer knew that the matriarch of the Black Gold Trade Union and he had been friends for a hundred years.

Being a Card Maker was a respected profession, but it was a career that required an enormous amount of money and resources.

It was a path that simply wasn’t accessible to ordinary people, a privilege reserved for nobles.

However, Merlin was not of noble birth.

As a young student, he was a poor scholar.

Despite his exceptional talent, in that era, without money, it was impossible to become a Card Maker.

But at that time, the Song Family was already a Large Consortium of the Federation.

That Elder Miss with a discerning eye fully supported him, leading to Master Merlin’s later success.

Fat Lew Williams, standing by, became more restrained as he listened to the two elders greet each other.

He followed behind them respectfully, not daring to make a sound, afraid to disturb them.

But he also listened curiously with his ears perked up.

Hearing Master Merlin’s words, he came to know that his own Song Family had such profound connections with Master Merlin.

…

As they walked, the cloaked figure said, “Merlin, it seems we haven’t seen each other in a long time, haven’t we?”

Master Merlin nodded, reflecting for a moment, “The last time we met was over ten years ago, right? Since being banished to Sinless City, I haven’t been able to leave…”

The last time they met was before his banishment.

Upon hearing this, the cloaked figure sighed, “So it has indeed been that long since we last saw each other.”

“Yes.”

Master Merlin nodded again.

At that moment, he was not a legendary master but simply an old friend accompanying another, recalling the many years they had spent walking and chatting together.

After a moment of contemplation, the cloaked figure spoke with boundless sentiment, “Time has flown by, and we have grown so old. Sometimes I really wonder, with few old friends left alive, it feels like the memories of youth were all just a dream, and I can’t distinguish whether it was a mere fantasy from a moment of confusion or truly the years I’ve lived through.”