Charlotte, as a First Class Clerk and an employee of the Empire in the 37th grade, was already considered part of the Empire's elite, even though he was at the lowest level of this elite class.
In Kilmainham Prison, no one could give him orders except Menier Mann, and no one could restrain him from being late or leaving early.
As Charlotte walked out of Kilmainham Prison, he unexpectedly saw a carriage that looked very familiar. The small face peering out of the carriage window was even more familiar than the carriage itself.
Charlotte was slightly surprised and greeted, "Miss Annie! What are you doing here?"
Annie Brittany's pretty face was full of a bright smile as she cheerfully said, "I happened to be passing by. Mr. Mecklen, you're leaving work early today. Do you have other plans?"
Annie Brittany was somewhat anxious. She had actually arrived very early but didn't know how to find an excuse to enter this Imperial prison since none of her relatives were in it.
Charlotte smiled slightly and said, "I'm just leaving early today; there's nothing else to do."
Annie Brittany immediately said, "I happen to have a private gathering and need a male companion. Would Mr. Mecklen be willing to help?"
Charlotte wasn't a fool. The excuse of just passing by was really lousy.
Having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time he encountered such a situation.
He was being pursued by a girl!? And not just any girl, but a typical rich and beautiful girl.
Annie Brittany was impeccable in terms of looks, figure, temperament, knowledge, upbringing, and family background.
Charlotte hesitated slightly between going back to Sheffield University and dating Annie Brittany but quickly made a choice and agreed, "I would be honored to accept Miss Annie's invitation."
At the same time, he thought to himself, "I need to write that letter to my brother as soon as possible."
Charlotte rode Annie's carriage away from Kilmainham Prison.
Annie Brittany was attending a private gathering of the Gorgia University Black Moon Year 33 Club.
Almost every country on the Old Continent had this kind of trend where various social groups were very popular. The lower class would join knitting clubs and laundry clubs to find work, while those slightly wealthier would join book clubs and cooking clubs to expand their networks.
University clubs were already very high-end social gatherings, given that the Empire had only four universities, each blessed by the gods. Every student was a genius, with promising careers and unlimited prospects after graduation.
The gathering was held at the home of a young lady named Belinda, a classmate of Annie Brittany. They weren't particularly close, but they weren't distant either. Normally, Annie would refuse such gatherings as she didn't like noise.
This time, it was for Charlotte that she accepted the invitation. After all, inviting a man out alone took too much courage, and a gathering like this seemed less abrupt.
Charlotte, concerned about his "future," didn't want his soul devoured by the labyrinth or to see Kahnstant again. So he continued practicing Bloody Glory in the carriage to maintain his training state. The blood vortex in his heart had several golden runes faintly appearing due to his experiences facing the blood god Kahnstant. His blood feast meditation had progressed rapidly, showing subtle results. When the carriage stopped, he opened his eyes, feeling his Bloody Glory had slightly improved again.
Annie had been observing Charlotte all the way, keenly aware that he was in a state of cultivation, which both surprised and impressed her.
"Many people stop exploring the extraordinary after graduation because this path is too difficult, but Charlotte still strives for it. His future achievements will undoubtedly be limitless."
"If he can become a high-level transcendent, then…"
"There will be more possibilities between us."
Thinking of this, Annie's pretty face turned slightly red.
Charlotte suddenly opened his eyes, noticing Annie Brittany's blushing face, which looked bright and lively. He was immediately attracted but wisely kept silent.
Annie was indeed a little shy, slightly lowering her head and letting Charlotte get off the carriage first before extending her hand for him to help her down.
A butler, seeing the two guests arriving, raised his hand to signal, and the servants helped open the door for them.
Although Belinda's father also served the Empire and held an honorary title, he was just a minor noble, incomparable to the Brittany family.
Annie's arrival delighted Miss Belinda, who personally came out to greet her. She was slightly surprised to see Annie holding Charlotte's arm.
Annie was known for being a cold beauty in school, never dating any boys or showing any favor to the opposite sex. This was the first time Belinda saw Miss Brittany so intimate with a peer.
Belinda covered half her face with a small fan, both to avoid showing any excessive expressions that might displease Annie and to maintain her own graceful demeanor. She lightly laughed, "Annie, everyone has been waiting for you for a long time."
"Could this gentleman introduce himself?"
Annie smiled reservedly and said, "This is Mr. Charlotte Mecklen, a graduate of Sheffield University, currently working at Kilmainham Prison as a First Class Clerk." She then walked with Belinda, arm in arm, towards the living room.
In such public occasions, it was necessary to clearly state one's identity without being overly modest. But having Annie introduce him was evidently more appropriate than self-introduction.
When Charlotte introduced himself to Annie, he emphasized his status as a first-rank transcendent to gain her trust. However, in this setting, Annie adjusted the details, downplaying his extraordinary identity and highlighting his official position.
Belinda's pretty face slightly changed color, and she even questioned in a low voice, "Are you a First Class Clerk?"
If Charlotte had introduced himself as a First Class Clerk, Belinda would never have believed him and would have thought he was a fraud.
Graduating from university in two or three years, most government employees were still First Class Clerks. Only those with strong family backgrounds could be promoted to Second Class Clerks early. The position of First Class Clerk was quite impressive, usually reserved for descendants of great noble families, given the time and experience needed for such a promotion.
The difference between a First Class Clerk and a First Class Clerk Chief wasn't just about three-point-six times the salary. It encompassed identity, status, treatment, benefits, and power.
Belinda's father, in the government service hierarchy, was only two levels higher than Charlotte.
Annie smiled and answered, "Yes, Mr. Mecklen recently bought a house for less than two hundred Ecu."
Belinda could no longer doubt. The ability to purchase a two-hundred-Ecu house confirmed Charlotte's salary was far beyond that of a First Class Clerk.
Charlotte sighed inwardly, realizing the Empire was filled with snobbery, class distinctions, contempt, privilege, wealth, and corruption.
He would need some time to adapt.