Online Game: I Started with Max Charisma and Caught the Goddess's Eye

Inside the Storage Ring, there was a set of Platinum Grade equipment.

[Tidecaller Set: Platinum Grade, usable by Demonic Rune Mages. When equipped, activates set effects: Magic Runes attack power +30%, Spirit attribute +1200, other attributes +400, Mana +50000, Magic Runes drawing speed +30%, cooldown -20%...]

[Skill 1: Spirit Tide - After using this skill, the player's Spirit attribute is increased by 30% for 10 minutes!]

[Skill 2: Soul Howl - After using this skill, it triggers a Soul Roar on the target, dealing 200% soul damage!]

[Skill 3: Silence - After using this skill, the target cannot use skills for 10 seconds, with the effect varying depending on the difference in both parties' power!]

...

The effects of the "Tidecaller Set" skills were far superior to the "Magic Runes Set" Luca was currently wearing. The three skills each had a different effect: boosting, attacking, and controlling. Even among Platinum Grade equipment, this set was definitely top-tier!

Seeing the excitement on Luca's face, Augustine stroked his beard and smiled, "This Tidecaller Set is something I spent over 200,000 gold coins on back in the day. I used it for quite a while when I was younger and couldn't bear to part with it. Go ahead, try it on and see how it works for you."

Luca nodded, opened his panel, and swapped into the moon-white mage set. He then checked his stats.

[Name: Luca (Platinum Grade)]

[Level: lv40]

[Talent: The Person Favored (SSS-level)]

[Main Class: Demonic Rune Mage]

[Secondary Professions: Witch Doctor, Dreamweaver]

[Health: 138,000]

[Mana: 372,000]

[Attack: 41,000 - 43,000]

[Attributes: Strength 4135, Spirit 6306, Stamina 3477, Agility 2321]

[Special: Charm 100, Perception 100, Talent 150 (Transcendent), Luck 100]

[Titles: Unrivaled in Elegance and Charm, Peerless Appearance, Danger Perception, Son of Luck, Master of Asceticism]

...

After equipping the "Tidecaller Set," his Spirit attribute had already surpassed 6000, and his base attack had reached 40,000!

With high-level skills, his damage could easily exceed 100,000!

Luca was quite pleased with this unexpected windfall upon arriving in Dawn City.

"That old man is so stingy. I came all the way here with my people, and he only gives me a Platinum Grade set?" Lucia muttered, clearly dissatisfied.

Augustine, looking helplessly at his opportunistic daughter, replied, "Even if I gave him a higher-level set, he wouldn't be able to use it because of his low level. It wouldn't benefit him much either."

"Once his level is high enough, you can bring him back here. I'll see if I can find something suitable for him, be it magic runes or equipment."

With his sharp eye, Augustine could tell that Luca had several Superclass magic runes, and all of them were extraordinary—common items wouldn't do.

"Now that's more like it." Lucia's face lit up with a smile.

After a bit more conversation.

Augustine waved his hand. "Alright, you still have to receive your knighthood from the king tomorrow. Go, get some rest."

"Alright, we're off then." Lucia said, not a hint of hesitation in her voice.

The only reason she had brought Luca here was to get something of value from him.

Now that she had what she wanted, staying any longer would only be for eating dinner with the old man.

"Once we get back to the guild hall, see what materials we need and grab some extra," Sophia whispered. "I'll put it on the old man's tab."

Luca couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated.

Watching the backs of the trio as they left, Augustine shook his head and sat back in his chair.

Evelyn, smoking a lady's cigarette, asked curiously, "Aren't you going to ask him what all that random junk on him is? I've seen my fair share of geniuses and prodigies, but this is the first time I've encountered such a freak."

"You're not curious about how he managed it?" she added.

Augustine, still organizing the chess pieces, responded with surprise, "Why should I be curious? It's normal for young people to have their own secrets."

"Normal?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "The King of Rage's heart, Starsea's eyes, the Witch of Desire's Demon Box, and the Undead Coffin. And besides the Solar Divine Spear, he even has a Dream Master... and you call that normal?"

Augustine finished tidying up the chessboard and smiled. "Getting to the bottom of it wouldn't serve much purpose. It's enough to just do what a good elder is supposed to do."

"As for what's going on with him, it's not important. What matters is, he's my daughter's student, and I like the kid."

Evelyn exhaled a cloud of smoke and said, "With your current strength, you might not be able to protect him. Right now, the King's influence keeps a few factions from taking action against him.

"But the King's time is limited. Once the knighthood ceremony is over, that old virgin from the Dawn God Sect will probably come after him. Not to mention the nobles and the one in the palace..."

"They fight, they kill, they seek fame and fortune. I don't care, and I don't want to get involved," Augustine said, calmly watching Lucia and the others leave in their carriage outside the window. "But anyone who dares to lay a hand on these kids will have to face the former Emperor alongside me!"

...

To the east of Dawn City stood the largest cathedral on the entire Eternal Continent: Dawn Cathedral. It was the central hub of the Dawn God Sect, as well as the legendary resting place of the Dawn Goddess.

Outside, the plaza was filled with the sound of fountains, and the magnificent white cathedral rose high into the clouds. Its walls and hallways were adorned with intricate relief sculptures and murals.

People passing by instinctively lowered their voices, as if afraid to offend the gods within. The atmosphere was solemn and peaceful.

Inside the grand cathedral, rows of neatly arranged seats were filled with devout worshippers, all engaged in quiet prayer.

On the high platform ahead, a woman dressed in a white bishop's robe recited the doctrines. She wore a crown adorned with stars, her voice gentle and melodious. Her eyes were half-closed, and her face was exquisite, flawless in every way.

Behind her stood a statue, its features indistinguishable, but its hands held a radiant gem that sparkled like a star.

As the woman continued to recite the holy texts, the gem emitted a divine golden light, bathing the cathedral in an incredibly sacred and peaceful glow.

The congregation, their expressions serene and tranquil, seemed to have their spirits purified by the light.

When the service concluded, the worshippers either approached to offer thanks or confided their struggles.

The woman gently comforted them, showing no sign of impatience.

Once the faithful had departed, revitalized and with lighter hearts.

The cathedral quickly returned to its quiet stillness.

"Lady Saint." Viktor, wearing a monocle, kneeled respectfully. "Today, Evelyn visited Augustine again. Both are from the neutral faction, and with them meeting so frequently, I wonder if it will affect the events to come."

The Saintess of the Dawn God Sect, Joanna Evan, gave no visible reaction to his words.

With her eyes still closed, she continued flipping through the holy scriptures in her hands, her voice calm as she replied, "Let them be. Augustine and Evelyn are not the types to interfere with matters that don't concern them. As long as they don't sense anything unusual, they won't meddle in our affairs."

"Understood, my lady." Viktor nodded, though he hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Also, the young man connected to the Nightmare Cult arrived in Dawn City today. He also went to visit Augustine."

Joanna's hand paused, and she raised her head, her gaze piercing. "Is Jörmungandr still with him?"

"The Abyssal Gem is reacting strongly, so it should still be with him." Viktor replied, taking out a black gemstone and speaking in a low voice. "The Nightmare Cult has mobilized fully. The core members are expected to arrive in Dawn City by tonight."

Joanna gazed silently at the statue of the goddess behind her for a long moment.

"Once the knighthood ceremony is over, deal with him. Bring Jörmungandr to me. Make sure there are no complications." She spoke calmly, her tone unwavering. "As for Augustine, I will handle him."

Viktor shuddered slightly, lowering his head. "As you command, my lady."

...

Meanwhile, Luca and Sophia, traveling in a carriage, were on their way back to the Princess's chambers.

Before they left earlier, the butler Lawson had specially prepared temporary tokens for them, so no one had stopped them along the way.

At the Mages' Association, Luca ultimately didn't have the heart to shamelessly ask Augustine to pick up the tab. Instead, he reluctantly dug into his own pockets and purchased a large amount of Transcendent materials.

Among them were several high-tier fire attribute materials, primarily used to restore the power of the Solar Divine Spear. His gold coins quickly diminished by half.

Lucia didn't say much, only sighing in frustration that this trip had been a loss. All she had managed to get was a Platinum Grade set of equipment. Luca could only force a wry smile in response.

When they returned to the palace, the three of them spotted Fratis sitting on a bench outside the chambers. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her face looked haggard, as though she had been crying. She sat in a daze, staring at the fishpond, her figure illuminated by the moonlight, giving her a delicate, sorrowful air.

Next to her, a petite figure in regal court attire was sighing dramatically. She appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, with a refined and youthful face. However, despite her age, the way she sighed with such exaggerated weight made her seem much older—creating a comical contrast.

"Why is Princess Raphael here at this hour?" Lucia asked, a bit puzzled, before stepping forward and greeting her. "Raphael, long time no see."

"So this is Princess Raphael?" Luca was surprised.

The third princess didn't quite match the image Luca had envisioned. From Fratis's descriptions, he had always thought Raphael was a mature older sister. To his surprise, she looked like a young girl who hadn't even reached adulthood yet.

Princess Raphael turned around when she heard her name.

The moment she saw the group, the troubled look on her delicate face immediately faded, and she waved her hand with a bright smile. "You're back! Come quickly, help me talk to Fratis—she's been in a bad mood and is having trouble with things."

"I… I'm fine," Fratis hastily wiped away her tears and forced a smile at the group. "Don't listen to my third sister. I'm actually really happy today."

Her smile was stiff, and anyone could see it was insincere.

"What happened?" Luca asked, concerned.

"What else could it be?" Raphael shrugged and sighed. "Fratis's marriage has been arranged. After your knighthood ceremony, her wedding will be the next major event."