Charlot, as a First-css Chief Clerk and a thirty-seventh rank civil servant of the empire, was sidered part of the empire’s noble css, albeit at the lowest rung.

  In Kilmainham Prison, no o Miss Menielman could issue orders to him, nor could anyone reprimand him for arriving te or leaving early.

  When Charlot stepped out of Kilmainham Prison, he was surprised to see a familiar carriage parked nearby. What caught his attention even more was the familiar young face peeking out from the carriage window.

  Charlot raised his eyebrows in surprise and greeted her. “Miss Annie! What brings you here?”

  Annie Bretagne’s delicate face was alight with a cheerful smile as she responded, “I was just passing by. Mr. Meburg, you’re finishing work so early today—do you have other pns?”

  Annie Bretagne was slightly nervous. In truth, she had been waiting for quite some time but hadn’t been able to find a good excuse to ehe imperial prison. After all, none of her family’s acquaintances were incarcerated.

  Charlot smiled faintly and replied, “I left early today—there wasn’t much to do.”

  Annie Bretagne immediately said, “I happen to have a private gathering, and I’m short of a male panion. Would Mr. Meburg do me the honor?”

  Charlot wasn’t he excuse of “just passing by” was so poor it was almost ughable.

  This was the first time, in two lifetimes, that he had experienced su event.

  He was being pursued by a girl?!

  And not just any girl—Annie Bretagne was a textbook example of beauty, wealth, and elegance.

  Annie Bretagne was fwless, from her appearance, figure, and temperament to her knowledge, manners, and even her family background.

  Faced with the choice of returning to Sheffield Uy or accepting Annie Bretagne’s invitation, Charlot hesitated briefly before decisively choosing the tter. “I would be hoo accept your invitation, Miss Annie.”

  At the same time, a thought crossed his mind: “I must write to my brother about this soon.”

  Charlot climbed into Annie’s carriage, and they left Kilmainham Prison together.

  The private gathering Annie Bretagne was attending was a hosted by the Bck Moon Society of Gias Uy, celebrating the 33rd year of the Bck Moon Epoch.

  In the Old ti, it was on in almost every try to have social groups like this. Various small social circles flourished—knitting clubs and undry groups for the w css served practical purposes like finding jobs, while wealthier families often participated in book clubs or cooking circles to expand their social es.

  Uy societies like this one, however, represehe pinnacle of social events. After all, the Fars Empire had only four uies, each regarded as sacred ground. Every student aragon of excellence, destined for prosperous careers after graduation.

  This gathering was held at the home of a young woman named Belinda, one of Annie Bretagne’s uy cssmates. Their retionship wasn’t particurly close, nor was it distant. Normally, Annie would have deed su invitation, as she didn’t care for lively events.

  This time, however, she accepted for Charlot’s sake. Inviting a gentleman out privately required immense ce, and such gatherings made the invitation seem less abrupt.

  Charlot, oher hand, reoccupied with s about his “future.” He didn’t want his soul devoured by the byrinth, nor did he want to enter Karnstein, the evil god of the vampires, again. As the carriage moved, he quietly practiced Blood Glory to maintain his training.

  In his chest, a vortex of blood ed, with faint golden runes flickering within. Thanks to his two prior frontations with Karnstein, Charlot’s mastery of the Blood Feast Meditation Teique had advanced rapidly, achieving visible results. By the time the carriage came to a halt, he opened his eyes, feeling that his Blood Glory had made further progress.

  Annie had been watg Charlot throughout the journey. She was quick to notice that he was training, which filled her with both surprise and admiration.

  “Many people abandon their pursuit of extraordinary abilities after graduation. The path is simply too arduous. But Charlot still perseveres. His future aplishments will undoubtedly be remarkable,” she thought.

  “If he bees a high-ranking Transdent... there might be more possibilities for us.”

  At this thought, Annie’s delicate face flushed a deep pink.

  Charlot suddenly opened his eyes and noticed Annie’s slightly red cheeks and her radiant expression. His eyes brightened momentarily, but he tactfully said nothing.

  Annie, feeling genuinely shy, lowered her head slightly a Charlot exit the carriage first. Theending her hand, she allowed him to assist her down.

  A butler greeted them upon arrival, signaling for servants to open the grand doors.

  Although Belinda’s father held an imperial post and carried an honorary title, he was a minor best, far below the stature of the Bretagne family.

  Annie’s presence brought Belinda great delight, and she came out to wele her personally. However, upon seeing Annie linking arms with Charlot, her expression showed a trace of surprise.

  Annie had been known as an icy beauty at school. She never dated any boys or showed the slightest i in the opposite sex. This was the first time Belinda had ever seen her dispy such familiarity with a male peer.

  Using her fan to cover half her face, Belinda both cealed any excessive expression and maintained her elegance. She chuckled lightly, saying, “Annie, everyone’s been waiting for you.”

  “And may I ask this gentleman to introduce himself?”

  Annie gave a reserved smile and replied, “This is Mr. Charlot Meburg, a graduate of Sheffield Uy and currently a First-css Chief Clerk at Kilmainham Prison.” Linking arms with Belinda, she led Charlot toward the parlor.

  In a formal setting like this, it was necessary to state one’s identity clearly without appearing overly modest. Arodug Charlot herself was far more appropriate thaing him do it.

  When Charlot introduced himself to Annie earlier, he had downpyed his bureaucratic role, emphasizing his Transdent abilities io build trust. Now, in this differeing, Annie adjusted the narrative, omitting his Transdent identity and highlighting his official position.

  Belinda’s expression shifted noticeably, and even the fan couldn’t fully mask her astonishment. She asked in a low voice, “You’re a First-css Chief Clerk?”

  Had Charlot cimed such a title himself, Belinda would never have believed him and would have dismissed him as a fraud.

  Most uy graduates began their careers as First-css civil servants. Only those with strong family backgrounds could occasionally advao Sed-css civil servants early on. The title of First-css Chief Clerk was extraordinary—such a rank typically required over a decade of steady promotions and a rare transfer of duties. Many civil servants spent their entire lives uo cross that threshold.

  The distin between a First-css civil servant and a First-css Chief Clerk wasn’t just the threefold increase in sary. It enpassed status, privileges, bes, and power—qualities that marked a signifit social elevation.

  Belinda’s father, also a civil servant, held a position only two ranks higher than Charlot’s.

  Annie smiled gracefully and firmed, “Yes, Mr. Meburg retly purchased a house for less than 200 écus.”

  Belinda had no room left for doubt. Being able to afford such a home was clear proof that Charlot’s sary far exceeded that of a First-css civil servant.

  Charlot sighed inwardly, reizing the empire’s pervasive obsession with wealth, privilege, and status.

  “I still have much to adapt to,” he thought.