Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic - Chapter 148 Merman in the Dark

Xiang Ye (Ah Ye) and Charles have the fated arrangement of master and servant. In the depths of darkness, Ah Ye scooped up Charles – a vampire butler. Possessing a fervid passion for service, Charles single-mindedly attends to the secretive young master Ah Ye – regardless of his ferocious appetite, abhorrent taste in clothing, and relationship failings – for the master is always right.

On the other hand, in the chaotic era of scientifically enhanced humans, powerful heroes become the protectors of normal citizens, going where evil needs subduing. This young master may be secretive, but he is our hero.

When the enigmatic and overpowered Kieran Drayke awakens in a foreign magical world after a sudden transmigration, he brings along a system unlike any this realm has ever known. The “Sovereign Architect System” doesn’t just make him invincible—it gives him the tools to build something far greater.But Kieran isn’t interested in world domination. At least, not in the usual way.Disillusioned by the world's surface-level glimmer and the rot beneath it, Kieran sets his sights on the forsaken—those discarded by society, lost in the shadows of nobility and corruption. From slums, war zones, and forgotten ruins, he gathers orphan girls of various races—elves, beastkin, humans, and more—each with untapped potential and pain behind their eyes.He trains them in secret. Guides them. Empowers them. Not as soldiers, but as a family. A hidden organization that operates behind the curtains, shaping the world while appearing as ordinary students at the prestigious Aetherion Magic Academy.Kieran himself? Just a carefree, slightly lazy transfer student with a penchant for sweets, sarcasm, and sneaking naps between classes—on the surface, at least.With a slow-burning plot that weaves magical worldbuilding, deep friendships, training arcs, casual comedy, and a cast of unforgettable girls who grow into queens of the unseen, Chronicles of the Hidden Crown explores what happens when an OP MC doesn’t conquer the world with brute force…But builds a legacy from its forgotten pieces.No betrayal. No forced drama. Just the steady rise of a secret kingdom in the shadows of a crumbling empire.

Noel likes his world quiet, clean, and perfectly organized. He’s the kind of guy who alphabetizes his books, avoids eye contact, and considers a wild night one where he reads past midnight. Drama? Not his thing. Parties? Pass. Sharing a dorm with a chaotic stranger? Just another obstacle to endure—hopefully, temporarily.Enter Luca: flirtatious, chaotic, and chronically shirtless. A walking disaster with too many admirers and not enough awareness, he leaves messes—and broken hearts—wherever he goes. Loud, reckless, and charming, he’s everything Noel can’t stand… and somehow, everything he can’t stop noticing.What starts as a clash of lifestyles soon turns into late-night conversations, innocent pranks, and lingering stares. Somewhere between eye rolls and shared ramen, their rivalry begins to blur—until even Noel can’t deny his quiet little world feels empty without Luca.Noel wonders why his heart skips a beat whenever Luca’s near. And Luca? He’s realizing the one person who doesn’t fall for his charm might be the only one who truly sees him.Falling in love was never part of the roommate agreement—but hearts don’t follow house rules.---Vibes & Tropes:Grumpy x SunshineForced ProximityMutual Pining & Slow BurnSass, Snark, and Secret SoftnessMovie nights, pranks, cuddles, and the accidental love story

Kai had always been into fantasy stories—knights, mages, epic battles, and especially the whole “hero vs. demon king” thing. But out of all the crazy tropes those stories had, the one that always stuck with him the most was hypnosis.Then one day, while walking out of a store, fate hit him like a truck—literally. He shoved a woman out of the way, saved her life… and promptly died. Classic.But instead of fading into the void or getting some sad funeral scene, Kai got the “Congratulations, you’re reincarnated!” treatment. New world, new rules, new him. Total fantasy package.He was told he could pick three abilities to help him get started. So what did he choose? Strength? Magic? Swordsmanship? Nah. Kai picked hypnosis. Because why not have a little fun with mind control in a world where dragons and demon kings exist?Now, with his powers unlocked, Kai’s ready to dive into an adventure full of excitement, danger, and a little (okay, a lot) of debauchery. And hey—if he ends up saving the world while he's at it? Even better. All thanks to hypnosis, of course.*DISCLAIMER*This novel will be a fun adventure story, not to be taken seriously. If you just want to laugh, have fun, enjoy a super overpowered MC, and lots of lemons (maybe), then this story is for you. If you're here for an intricate, thought-out, crazy foreshadowing story with stakes, then this story ISN'T for you, so shoo, go away!