"Complete Enhancement"

Following Ye Wei'an's lead, Ailian began to let her imagination run wild:

Just the level of intensity from last night alone had transformed her from a weak girl into someone capable of tearing blankets apart with her bare hands...

"Then... if we try a bit more, could I become as strong as Uncle Cain?" Ailian asked, clutching the corner of the quilt, her eyes hazy.

"Of course. As long as the frequency is high enough, your agility and perception can increase even further." Ye Wei'an held back a laugh, nodding with a stern expression.

"And... what if we go even further?" Ailian's voice was barely a whisper, her head bowed until it was almost buried in her chest. "I mean... that kind of... true, complete... would it make me as powerful as you, Young Master?"

"Oh, if that were the case," Ye Wei'an leaned close to her ear and blew a breath, "you might awaken some special bloodline and perhaps even touch the power of the Fairy Realm."

Ailian's heart hammered wildly. Though she didn't know what the "Fairy Realm" the Young Master spoke of was, it sounded incredibly formidable.

She began to imagine herself as a peerless expert, a scene where even the Young Master would have to obediently accept her protection.

But I'm not the only one who wants to stay by the Young Master's side...

At this thought, she suddenly seemed to reach a decision and looked up at Ye Wei'an.

Her resolute expression suggested she had made a great sacrifice.

"Since this method is so useful... then, could we let Sister Lina enjoy it too in the future? She always says she's weak and sickly. If the Young Master could 'upgrade' her too, we could both protect you!"

"Cough, cough!"

Hearing this, Ye Wei'an couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at, Young Master?"

Ailian was confused at first, but seeing Ye Wei'an laughing continuously, she finally realized she had been played!

Realizing she had been tricked into saying so many explicit things, she felt a mix of shame and annoyance. She balled up her small fists and pounded on his chest: "Young Master! You, you're bullying me!"

"Ouch!"

Ye Wei'an's joy turned to sorrow; he hadn't expected a Lv.1 Monk to land a direct punch at close range.

Among all professions, Monks were the most adept at unarmed combat.

Ye Wei'an let out a pained cry, grimacing.

Having taken that solid blow to the chest, even with his improved constitution, he couldn't help but feel his blood roiling.

"You... you really put some strength into that! Are you trying to murder your master?"

Ailian was startled as well.

She stared blankly at her own fist, then at the red mark on Ye Wei'an's chest. That strange, surging power in her muscles made her realize: she had truly become stronger. Her once-delicate arms now possessed enough explosive force to repel a grown man.

"Young Master! I'm sorry! I, I didn't know..." She lost her composure, throwing herself at him, her small hands frantically rubbing his chest: "Where does it hurt? Let me rub it for you! I really didn't mean to, I just..."

Ye Wei'an caught his breath. Seeing her look as if she wished she could take the pain for him, his desire to tease her vanished.

He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around the girl's slender waist. He stopped teasing her, but he didn't intend to reveal the truth about the "System upgrade."

"Alright, stop crying." He put on a serious expression. "Actually, what I said earlier wasn't entirely a joke... of course, it has nothing to do with 'that.' But I did use a special magic on you called [Complete Enhancement]."

Ailian sniffled, looking up at him with dazed eyes.

"Do you know why? I did it because you are simply too weak."

Ye Wei'an sighed, his eyes filled with just the right amount of worry and "affection." "The wilderness is not like Suzar; there is danger everywhere. Even I cannot guarantee I can keep you safe at every moment. We will likely be coming to places like this often, so I must ensure you have the power to protect yourself."

As he spoke, he coughed deliberately. "To forcibly improve your physical constitution, I exhausted a significant amount of my origin mana last night. For the next month, I probably won't be able to cast any decent high-level spells..."

"The cost... is that high?" Ailian's heart tightened. The Young Master had risked damaging himself just to make her stronger!

"Young Master, you... you are too good to me." She was so moved she felt like crying again.

"Who else would I do this for, if not my personal maid?" Ye Wei'an managed a "reluctant" and reassuring smile.

Once the young girl's emotions had settled, he spoke with a stern tone: "Also, you must keep the secret of how you became stronger."

He pressed a finger to her lips, his expression grave. "This kind of magic is shocking to the outside world and could even attract the covetous eyes of those with ill intentions. Even to Cain and the others, you must not reveal a single word. This is a secret between the two of us, understand?"

"Understood! I swear it!" Ailian nodded vigorously.

She believed every word Ye Wei'an said unconditionally—after all, she had indeed become stronger, and the Young Master certainly appeared to have expended a great deal of energy and vitality.

She reached out to gently hold Ye Wei'an's hand, pressing the back of it against her warm, soft cheek, and said with an unprecedented level of sincerity:

"Young Master, you have sacrificed so much for Ailian... The strength I have gained belongs entirely to you. I will strive to be your sword and your shield. Anyone who wishes to harm you must first step over my corpse!"

Though the girl's face still held traces of childishness, her expression was one of absolute resolve.

Looking at her earnest little face, Ye Wei'an felt his heartstrings being gently plucked.

The feeling of being completely trusted, of having someone swear to protect him—it was truly wonderful.

As a transmigrator, it was only at this moment that he truly felt the warmth belonging to this world.

"Silly girl," he teased with a smile, pulling her into his arms.

Since she had sworn to protect the Young Master, she naturally had to work hard to train her abilities.

After serving Ye Wei'an as he washed up, Ailian couldn't wait to scramble out of the tent.

The morning mist had yet to dissipate, and crystalline dewdrops clung to the blades of grass. The young girl took a deep breath, feeling invigorated, as if every cell in her body were dancing with joy.

"Good morning, Uncle Cain!" she chirped, greeting the knight who was busy at the edge of the camp.

Cain was sitting beside a flat stone, sharpening his blade with water from his waterskin.

"Morning, Miss Ailian." His voice was slightly raspy. His gaze then shifted to Ye Wei'an, who had just stepped out of the tent, and he nodded. "Good morning to you too, Young Master. Seeing you both like this... are you preparing for morning training?"

"She wanted to stretch her legs, so I'm keeping her company," Ye Wei'an said with a smile, gesturing toward the eager little maid.

Ailian stuck out her tongue in embarrassment before planting her feet firmly in the clearing in front of the camp.

She took a deep breath and, following the "instincts" that had surfaced in her mind out of nowhere, assumed a calm and fluid starting stance.

The next moment, a power completely at odds with her delicate frame erupted from within her.

Bare-handed, she displayed a solid combat stance: at times she leaped as lightly as a nimble cat, her fingertips slicing through the air with a faint, sharp whistle; at other times, she twisted her waist and lowered her center of gravity, delivering a clean, powerful side kick that carved a sharp arc through the air.

Then, she drew a small silver knife from her waist—ever since she had used it to save the Young Master's life yesterday, she had kept it on her person at all times.

In her hands, the blade seemed to come alive: thrust, parry, slash, deflect... every movement was concise and direct. Her proficiency was nothing like that of a delicate maid who had never held a weapon; it was as if she were a professional assassin who had spent years lurking in the shadows.

Having acquired the [Monk] class, she had instantly mastered both unarmed combat and the use of various weapons.

Cain, who had been sharpening his sword absentmindedly, stopped his movements at some point, his eyes involuntarily drawn to the girl's performance.

"This way of generating power... this masterful blade technique... is, is this really Ailian?" Cain rubbed his eyes, filled with disbelief. "Ailian, when did you learn these skills? This isn't something you can just pick up with casual practice!"

This question stumped Ailian.

She opened her mouth, her small face turning slightly red.

Unwilling to lie to the respected knight but firmly remembering the Young Master's instruction to keep things secret, she could only manage a few vague "Um... well..." sounds, her eyes darting toward Ye Wei'an.

Ye Wei'an had no choice but to step forward and take over. "Back in Suzar, she picked up a few tricks from the soldiers in the academy guard. The girl has decent talent; she's just too timid."

As he said this, he glanced at the girl and sighed helplessly. "Despite having such skills, she only knew how to hide in the carriage when we were attacked yesterday. That's why I'm having her come out to move around today—to build up her courage so she doesn't act like that again in the future."

Cain felt a surge of respect, his estimation of the Young Master rising another notch.

He realized once again that this illegitimate Young Master was far more unfathomable than he had imagined.

Not only was he formidable himself, but even his maid was a hidden expert.