"You knew?" Melina rushed after Master Gilbert. Her heart began beating like crazy, her mind reeling in panic.
"Of course, I knew. Who do you take me for? You're just openly reading your System messages whenever you're working and using your skills at the first chance you get," the man shook his head.
Dammit! I grew too complacent because I assumed he wouldn't report me to the Church. Not to mention that he never appeared very interested in how I was doing my work, but rather ...
2025-03-27 07:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Never again…
Melina groaned as she fell into her bed. She didn't have any strength left after the incredibly long party. Leliana and her group kept dragging Melina along everywhere, talking with literally every person, trying to appear like a new gracious friend to Melina although she was mostly talking about herself. It was a clear ploy for Leliana to get as much attention as possible, forcing everyone to forget that Melina was the whole reason behind the party.
No...
2025-03-25 07:00:05 +0000 UTC
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The next morning, Melina once again started early, before dawn. But she was excited since today, she had a good chance of improving her skills again. Especially with those three batches of pumpkin seed bread that she had, it was almost guaranteed that she'd gain a few levels.
"What are you so happy about this morning?" Gilbert grumbled when she arrived in the kitchen.
"Morning, Master. Just excited to learn," Melina said, putting on her apron, head scarf, and gloves. He gave...
2025-03-23 07:00:12 +0000 UTC
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After having time to rest and recuperate from the series, I've realized that I'm not really happy leaving it where it is now. So I've rewritten Chapter 50 and the Epilogue of Volume 3 so it would not feel as final anymore. While I cannot return my full attention to this series right now (I like to eat, th...
2025-03-21 08:36:51 +0000 UTC
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The man she saw was no man at all. Dark-purplish skin, pointed ears and unnaturally white hair were not traits a human could possess. It was without a doubt a drow.
"T-That…" Melina gaped, her hands clenched into fists. Her heart began pumping like crazy, and she desperately tried to call upon her magic. Fire, lightning, ice, anything! She needed to protect herself and Master Gilbert from this monster.
"I told you not to freak out," Gilbert grumbled and gently flicked Melina's f...
2025-03-21 07:00:07 +0000 UTC
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"Wake up, girl!" A loud knock brought Melina sharply out of dreamland.
"I'm up!" she replied mechanically, sitting up in her bed and looking around to find the source of the noise.
"Get dressed and come downstairs. We have work to do," Master Gilbert called through the door, and then she heard the sound of his receding footsteps.
Right… I'm an apprentice now, and this is my room and my bed. These flowery sheets still feel so odd. Too good for me.
Melin...
2025-03-20 07:00:06 +0000 UTC
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For the first time since Alistair's arrival in Sunglow, it was his free day. No training, no patrols, and best of all—no monsters. In these last few weeks in Sunglow, he had already gained more levels than he had in the last year training in the Church. It just proved just how much more valuable actual combat experience was.
But even with all the levels he had gained, Alistair did not feel particular joy killing monsters on a daily basis. He understood that it was necessary—for the ...
2025-03-18 07:00:09 +0000 UTC
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The busy stream of customers died down just as abruptly as it had started. Merely a few hours later all of the bread and pastries were sold out.
"Is it always so fast and intense?" Melina asked Gilbert as she looked at the empty shelves. Only crumbs remained. It had seemed to her that they managed to prepare many breads and pastries, but thinking about it carefully the amount of work she had done was no larger than aboard the ship. While the crew aboard "Searay" had been large, it...
2025-03-16 07:00:04 +0000 UTC
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The next day, Melina hurried back to the bakery first thing in the morning. Or perhaps it was unfair to call it morning because the sun hadn't even risen yet. But Master Gilbert had warned her to come early. He even gave her an old alarm clock for her to wake up on time. Granted the alarm was barely audible so it was only thanks to her overly sensitive nature that she even heard it.
But she had heard it, so after a quick wash-up, she hurried straight to the bakery. The streets wer...
2025-03-14 07:00:11 +0000 UTC
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Melina lay in her bed at the Fireside Inn and watched the clock on <Regeneration> status slowly run out. The other two pastries that Gilbert had given her—a sweet raisin pastry with sugar glaze and a little pastry with apple jam—did not give her any special status conditions. Nonetheless, she was unsure of what to do next.
If Master Gilbert is indeed a System user then it would only be a matter of time before he discovers that I am one too. Can I take that risk? Would he e...
2025-03-13 07:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Usually, Melina didn't have much trouble waking up in the early morning. But since last night she kept thinking about the elves, the other non-human races that could possibly live in Sunglow, and also all the possible ways the master baker could show her the door. It was well over midnight when her tossing and turning stopped. If she hadn't left the curtains open, then she likely wouldn't have woken up in time.
Groggy, with half-open eyes she staggered over to the bathroom which was tha...
2025-03-11 07:00:07 +0000 UTC
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As Melina left the ship and its crew behind, she looked at the pier of Sunglow Town. It was much smaller than the one in Tuvia City, the cargo ship she had arrived with being the largest vessel in the port. People were already excitedly approaching the ship, eager to see the goods it had delivered. But Melina was just relieved to finally get down on solid ground. She took one last look at the ship and saw the Captain looking at her. He smiled at her and gave a curt wave, and she inclined her ...
2025-03-09 07:00:05 +0000 UTC
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[General's Echo – Rank F: You defied fate once, and fate has not forgotten. The past clings to you, buried beneath the weight of time, waiting to awaken.]
No matter how many times I read it, it never seems to make sense. Defied fate? Past waiting to awaken? I've never heard of such an obscure skill. They're always so crystal clear in what they do.
Alistair stared at the System message while mechanically putting the food in his mouth. The inn's cafeteria...
2025-03-07 07:00:06 +0000 UTC
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The sailors loomed closer and closer, their hands eager to grab her and throw her into the dark sea. Melina wondered whether she could even reason with these men, their eyes seemed blind from fear. But then she noticed Brock standing among the sailors, his expression mixed with confusion.
Perhaps, I could convince Brock to believe me. He doesn't strike me as an unreasonable man. If he were to vouch for me, perhaps others would follow.
"I merely tried to help in any way I ...
2025-03-06 07:00:13 +0000 UTC
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That was just embarrassing. To think that I'd forget to add butter to the pan. I blame the lack of sleep.
Or at least that's how Melina was trying to console herself as she tried to get the burned egg off the pan. It was as if she had gone back to the days when she was still a [Mage] and had to scrub the cauldron after one of her brews had gone terribly wrong. All because she had accidentally added four drops of mandrake root essence instead of three.
"Let's try this agai...
2025-03-04 07:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Melina looked carefully at the sailors who were likewise looking at her. Their gazes weren't malicious, she knew that, but being at the center of attention made her feel uncomfortable. It reminded her of the time before the time rewind.
"I didn't know Captain was accepting new crew members," one of the older sailors addressed her, assessing her suspiciously.
"The Captain instructed me to go to the kitchen," Melina replied plainly, not at all intimidated by the grizzled man.
...
2025-03-02 07:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Darkness had taken over the streets of Sunglow. The time was way past midnight as Alistair patrolled the empty streets, the little light orb floating next to him being the only source of light. It was a simple magitech lamp that followed its users and required a bare minimum amount of mana for it to work. Yet when the people of Sunglow had seen it for the first time, they acted as if it were some miracle.
I still can't believe they sent me to this place.
The Church demand...
2025-02-28 07:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Melina left the pastry shop, her body unsure whether she should be thankful for the wonderful meal or dissatisfied over the sheer quantity of it. Elenor's cake was absolutely wonderful, but two slices might have been a bit too much. Even so she felt inspired by the aker and her cake. She wanted to know how to create something so delicious. No, actually she just wanted to create something with her own two hands.
But where do I even start? How do I even become a baker?
<...
2025-02-27 07:00:07 +0000 UTC
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[Congratulations! You have been chosen by the System. You will gain access to most of the perks and benefits that it offers. Would you like to receive a short overview of what the System can do for you?]
No. Disappear. I need to understand what the hell is going on first.
The System screen obediently closed, and she looked at her surroundings, doing her best to appear calm despite her racing heart. Thankfully, most of the girls in the orphanage were still...
2025-02-25 07:00:06 +0000 UTC
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2025-02-23 07:32:10 +0000 UTC
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The wind blew viciously, howling in Melina's ears and sending sand grains flying all over the place. Her weathered cloak protected most of her body, but she still had to shield her eyes from the incoming onslaught. She lifted her hand up and called out in a hoarse voice, "B-Barrier."
[Insufficient mana.]
What did I expect? That mana would suddenly reappear just because I want it to.
Melina lowered her hand and kept moving forward, barely able to see two steps ahead ...
2025-02-23 07:00:07 +0000 UTC
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With Epilogue of Demon Queen Wants to Paint released, the series has come to its end. Many might be surprised by this and honestly so was I. I wasn't prepared to say goodbye to Morrigan so soon. However, now feels like the proper time to end the series. I've learned a lot by writing it, but it's time to move onto a fresh story and fresh characters.
Starting from this Sunday, February 23rd, all Admirer tier members will be able to read my new story – Taste of Magic. Fan tier members wi...
2025-02-21 10:49:02 +0000 UTC
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Weeks passed since Morrigan defeated Asdeus and her army. Those who had entered the city were quickly apprehended by demon soldiers, while those outside tried to make a run for it. Some of them were captured, but unfortunately due to Underworld's structure most of them managed to disappear into the dark. This led to an enormous operation across the whole Demon Kingdom with the purpose of finding everyone who were involved with the uprising.
Initially, it had been suspected that the fall...
2025-02-21 06:13:01 +0000 UTC
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Asdeus looked down on Morrigan from her palanquin, acting as if she was already the queen. Everyone tensed as the two women stared at each other. The soldiers following Asdeus's procession tensed, as did the demon soldiers who were standing on the side of the street, hands poised on their weapons. The demons that had previously come out to look out of curiosity, slowly stepped back, some making their way back into their houses.
"Morrigan, how pleasant to see you again," Asdeus's express...
2025-02-20 06:13:00 +0000 UTC
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Five minutes passed. Galandir's brows were furrowed in concentration while Morrigan channeled her magic into him. Another five minutes passed. She looked at her friend in worry, but didn't dare to interrupt him—he was wholly focused on his task. Another ten minutes passed and she began to worry.
However, then there was a loud noise that reminded her of a shattering glass and Galandir's expression relaxed. "It's done."
She reached her hand towards the door and reached the handle ...
2025-02-18 06:13:00 +0000 UTC
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Morrigan was laying in her bed, trying to process everything that had happened that day. Returning to the Demon Castle, sneaking into the cathedral, destroying the black orb, creating a magic spewing artefact and finally Galandir being son of the King of the Light Kingdom.
Apparently, he was an illegitimate son—nobody in the Light Kingdom even knew about his existence except for the King himself. However, his father had visited him and his mother on occasion under disguise, maki...
2025-02-16 06:13:01 +0000 UTC
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"Who are you really, boy?" Azrael repeated his question to Galandir, glaring at the elf, however Morrigan stood in between them, blocking the mage's view.
"Now is not the time for that. There are still enemies outside and our magic is completely spent. What do we do?" she asked. Azrael stared her in the eyes for a moment longer, then relented.
"I do have something to help with that," he said and snapped his fingers. Three bottles containing some blue liquid appeared in his hands.<...
2025-02-14 06:40:42 +0000 UTC
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"Why didn't it work?" Morrigan asked in shock, staring at the painting. She had clearly felt her magic drain away, yet the black orb remained on the pedestal despite it being erased from her painting. Sounds of battle could be heard all around the cathedral and the ground shook as Haku angrily stomped and lashed out at the enemies that were trying to get past him.
"Morrigan?" Galandir looked at her as she stared at the painting.
"It didn't work," she repeated with a blank stare. "...
2025-02-13 06:13:00 +0000 UTC
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Through all the chaos going on in front of the cathedral, Morrigan with Galandir in her shadow form, and Deziara with her blinding speed managed to get inside the cathedral unnoticed by the guards outside. They stuck close to the shadowy walls by the entrance and saw there were four guards stationed inside.
The guards consisting of two tall, bulky drow men and two vampire women stood in a circle around a pedestal, watching everything around them with sharp gazes. Obviously, they h...
2025-02-11 06:13:01 +0000 UTC
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As Morrigan, Galandir and Deziara stepped through the portal, they found themselves in the Demon Castle Dungeons. The entrance of it, to be precise, not the trap-riddled corridors.
"So this is the dungeons? I've never actually been here before," Deziara said, looking around the sinister place. "I see I haven't been missing out on much."
"No, you really haven't." Galandir shuddered. "I had hoped to never come back to this place."
"Don't worry. We're just passing through. Let'...
2025-02-09 06:13:01 +0000 UTC
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