Unable to repay my student loans, I had no choice but to work part-time as a demon hunter.

The servants relit the gas lamps.

Charlotte started cutting the cake, and Gordon got a large slice, which he immediately began to devour. The soft cream and fluffy cake base tasted incredibly delicious, and his body quickly felt comfortable.

"Regarding those invitations," Earl Montfort cut a thin slice of cake but didn't eat it, "what do you intend to do with them?"

"Examine them one by one."

"It's nothing more than money, status, this lab or that, or they might arrest me."

"You are well aware of your situation."

"Yes, high-level alchemists are extremely important to hunters and noble families. To the nation, I might be considered a strategic resource. To some, I should be captured immediately."

So, which side are you planning to take?

"On my own side," Gordon said confidently. "Masters like me need to stay in the background and let them connect with the top companies."

"High-level company." The count raised his eyes and repeated.

"Yes, it sounds good, is easy to remember, and catches the tune. Now it also has the endorsement of True Red Legend. The business of Gaoren Company is me. I want to build my name into a brand, something certified. I myself only act as the chief appraiser, alchemy consultant, and founder," Gao Deng explained.

"Does that mean you won't be going on any more adventures?" Charlotte peeked out from behind the big cake.

"No, we still have to go. The path of pursuing the source doesn't accept cowards." Gordon nodded vigorously.

"You certainly have courage," Earl Montfort mused.

"To be more precise, it should be determination."

"Very good." The Earl nodded slowly. "You have demonstrated courage and extraordinary skill, Gordon. From this day forward, you have officially earned the friendship of the Monford family."

When the Earl said it, it meant that he could come and go freely, associate with Charlotte, and upgrade from a useful partner to a true member of the Monford family, truly having a place in this family.

"......!" Charlotte blinked and gave a sincere smile.

"Well then, my primary task is... to monitor Charlotte's health. Refining into a medium-sized source substance requires an adaptation period. Although Charlotte doesn't seem to have any rejection reaction now, we still need to observe her carefully. I will record her sleep patterns and daily mood changes." Gordon entered professional mode.

Charlotte thought about Gordon giving her a physical examination in the future, and for some reason, she felt a little hot all over, and her kitten felt itchy.

"And the method of using the source material," said the Earl of Montfort.

"Yes, how to use the source material correctly..."

"Are you sure you can do it?" the count questioned.

"I know a little bit. At least I know what it feels like to first refine Origin Essence. It might be more in line with Charlotte's current state. She's coming into contact with and adapting to a brand new power, and she needs to pay attention to both her skills and mindset."

"Alright. It's not safe for you to leave the Monford family now; it's best to wait until things calm down. In the meantime, take good care of Charlotte," Earl Monford concluded. "...As for what you choose to do later, where you go, who you side with and who you reject, I won't interfere."

"Understood." Gordon greeted the Earl. "By the way, how about investing in our Great Master Company? This is the most cost-effective subscription in the next ten years."

"Ask Charlotte," the Earl said, turning his attention back to the cake and picking up his knife and fork. "She's already celebrated her birthday and knows how to use the Montfort family's assets wisely."

In other words, Charlotte could formally "misappropriate," or independently allocate, Monford family funds for Gordon's business.

Charlotte smiled at Gordon, a smile that was both bright and appropriate.

"Baby, now tell me, how many steps does it take to get to your little treasure vault?" Gordon asked with concern.

"First, I need to see your sincerity." Charlotte raised her chin.

"As far as I know, the most important thing in business investment is feasibility, rate of return, and sincerity should not be taken into consideration."

"Because I'm not just an 'investor,' but also a part of your future life, so sincerity is essential..."

The count looked at them, feeling the cake in his mouth was unbearably sweet.

......

After finishing a large piece of cake and drinking a cup of cinnamon honey tea, Gordon went to Charlotte's bedroom to check on her.

Charlotte's pink room was still bright and warm in color. She lifted the bed curtains, sat down on the big bed, and Gordon closed the door behind her.

"How do you use source matter?" she asked curiously.

"Know thyself," Gordon gestured. "First, feel where it is; it might be in your mind, in your heart..."

Charlotte closed her eyes, trying to find the source material.

As Gordon envisioned, the source material should be like a crystal that has not yet fully melted, and the refiner needs to spend time fusing with it and establishing a stable connection with it.

However, as soon as Charlotte calmed down, she felt the world brighten up and be bathed in a pure golden light.

Her breathing quickly became steady, her shoulders balanced, her body sat up straight, and she entered a deliberately regulated state, flawless.

"How is it?" Gordon sensed a change in Charlotte.

"It's amazing. I feel like it's become one with me, like I drank that stuff."

Charlotte raised her hand.

There was nothing unusual, and nothing strange crawling inside me. It was right after I drank the potion, had the conversation, went home to eat cake, and now, at this very moment.

The source matter has already been fully fused.

"No, there should be a slow integration process, which will take several months."

"no."

"You should feel something unusual, as if there is an extraordinary foreign body inside your body."

"Absolutely not."

"You should gradually develop control and control over it through diligent training."

"I feel like I can use it right away." Charlotte raised her hand, and the source energy flowed in her hand.

Could this be the effect of a Crimson-quality potion? Gordon was deeply impressed.

It seems that the lengthy fusion and experimental process was skipped, and the source essence merged with the person without any noticeable side effects.

"...Hmm, let's give it a try. Find something harmless."

Charlotte pointed to the human head on the room's decorations.

This is an old statue with curly hair, a straight nose, and no carved eyes. It has some collectible value, but Charlotte just thought it was adorably ugly, which is why she kept it.

[A plaster sculpture. It embodies courage, wisdom, and a sense of affordability.]

She raised her hand.

A pale golden light flashed across the surface of the statue.

Gordon observed carefully.

What was originally a rather bland bust sculpture, whose craftsmanship could only be described as mediocre, has now become extremely handsome in Gordon's eyes, transforming into a work of art that will leave a deep impression on him and possess an artistic quality that is enough to make him stop and admire it.

[A flawless, perfect human head. A magnificent, heroic artistic figure, finally worthy of this room.]

"It worked." Gordon nodded. "I think it's awesome."

"And what about you?" Charlotte prepared to shoot Gordon.

"No, we still need to try it first." Gordon didn't know what would happen to him after being hit by Charlotte's ability. "Let's experience it tonight, feel it, don't rush it. I'll make a training plan for you and see what specific effects you'll have on various things."

"Oh." Charlotte yawned.

Gordon couldn't sleep, but Charlotte was exhausted after such a thrilling night.

"Well then, goodnight." Gordon stepped back.

"Wait a minute." Charlotte called him over, gesturing for him to come forward, and then sat down to kiss Gordon.

They kissed for a while, and both of them tasted the cake on each other's tongues, making slurping sounds.

Charlotte was dazed and confused by the kiss, her breathing erratic. She felt that Gordon seemed unusually agile and suspiciously skilled, as if he knew exactly how to kiss her.

"Why do you know this?" Charlotte asked, pressing her lips to Gordon's.

"science."

"You're talking nonsense again."

"Seriously, kissing is a science."

"Um......"

"Okay... then, goodnight." Gordon stepped back, Charlotte blushing deeply.

She closed her mouth, wiped away the glistening thread connecting the two of them with a handkerchief, and regained her composure.

Goodnight, and don't sleep until noon tomorrow.

"I need to sleep until the afternoon, based on experience." Gordon left, the door closing softly behind him.

Charlotte took a deep breath, and her heartbeat gradually calmed down.

She found a large mirror in the room, placed it facing the bed, and raised her hand in front of the mirror, trying to use her power on herself while giving it a natural name.

[Pure and Perfect Existence: Ultimate Manifestation]

Touch your cheek.

Her face had changed; it seemed smoother, with softer contours, and her eyelashes had a more defined curve.

She tried to make her eyes brighter, and Charlotte's eyesight suddenly became incredibly good, possessing amazing visual acuity. With just a thought, she could magnify the details on her face, and even turn her head to see the smallest speck of dust on the ceiling.

She stroked her long hair, and the golden color had become brighter and more lustrous, as if it had just been treated with essential oils by a maid.

Perfect, absolutely perfect.

She took a deep breath, threw off her clothes, and sat back heavily.

Charlotte lowered her head and gestured, trying to correct some minor imperfections that only she cared about.

"Make it perfect," she whispered.

The source material complied with the requirements.

It grew larger and stronger, its outline becoming even better. It was already advanced, but now its size was astonishing. She glanced at it and quickly put on her pajamas.

Oh, right.

Charlotte swallowed hard.

What's about to happen is crazy.

She focused on the power of the source...

Then, facing the mirror, she saw...

A perfect... blessing!