A wonderful day begins at 5 AM.

In her original world, Mei Yige never woke early. But after arriving here—surviving the Demon King’s army, joining the Hero’s quest, navigating shifting relationships and countless events—she’d gradually adopted this rhythm of late nights and early mornings.

She couldn’t afford laziness. For a long-lived being like her, oversleeping blurred the sense of time.

She refused to let decades slip by like identical days.

Even now, events from months ago felt like yesterday.

"Has Elder Shiren woken yet?"

Stepping out of her room, Mei Yige sensed Shiren still asleep in her bedroom. Unfazed by her landlord’s lazy habits, Mei Yige stretched, finished her morning routine, and began her daily jog.

This time, she wasn’t alone.

"Teacher!"

The moment Mei Yige opened the door, Leya stood waiting in shorts and a tank top. Honestly, in any world, a girl this diligent would top her class. It was hard not to like her.

"Yesterday I wondered why you stopped calling me ‘Head’," Mei Yige said.

"That’s just for work. Outside duties, I’m your student. Even if you won’t take apprentices, as my senior… ‘Teacher’ feels right, doesn’t it?"

The more they interacted, the less formal Leya became—now truly like any bright-eyed eighteen-year-old.

A genius from the Capital Magic Academy. A certified Sorceress-in-Training by the Witch Society. Leya was a rising star in magic circles. Hearing her call "senior" made Mei Yige eager to see her potential.

So…

"Advising jobs… rescuing cats from trees? Fixing broken magic circuits? Weeding gardens? Head, isn’t this work a bit… shabby?"

Even a prodigy stumbled over the Advisor’s menial tasks.

Mei Yige calmly sipped hot tea and exhaled softly.

"Listen, Xiao Ya. Everything has priorities. Even the Hero hunting the Demon King once cleared sewers for a few coins’ travel fare. Do you think we get dangerous monsters daily? If we handle everything, what’s left for adventurers?"

"But… alright. You’re right. Where should I start?"

"First, I’ll show you the ropes. Simple tasks go to you—you’re just interning. I’ll take the heavy work. You observe and learn. Understood?"

Mei Yige wouldn’t waste this chance to delegate the mountain of trivial chores.

Her sincere words washed over Leya like warm spring breeze, melting the naive girl’s heart—unaware of workplace cunning.

"Teacher—no, Head! Thank you for looking out for me!"

"Ask me any magic questions. I’ll teach what I can."

"*Sniffle*…"

Mei Yige’s conscience twinged.

Seeing Leya so easily charmed, she offered tutoring—a condition that made the assistant forget she’d been tricked by a wily old fox.

Soon, Tata Town residents learned the Association’s mage had gained a remarkably capable apprentice: energetic, brave, and tirelessly helpful. She handled big and small tasks better than a full-grown ox.

For days, the Magic Consultant barely left her office except to sip tea in boredom.

*Such is youthful ambition!*

The demon-quelling Archmage and her exemplary assistant became the town’s favorite gossip—even reaching Shiren, cooped up at home.

"Ridiculous."

Feeling out of touch, Shiren focused on preparing ingredients per her custom recipe.

It was the sixth day since the hunt. Thanks to the Blood Demon’s flesh-controlling power, the meat stayed perfectly fresh.

Standing on a stool, hair tied back, Chef Shiren meticulously sprinkled pepper into a boiling pot.

Her "Beef Bourguignon"—paired with potatoes—was nearing perfection under her precise, strict measurements.

Rich aroma spilled from the thick broth. Tender belly cuts and skinned thigh meat simmered at just the right heat before being ladled into bowls.

She easily devoured a bowl of steamed rice.

Rubbing her full stomach, Shiren sighed happily. Life was good. Meat tasted better every day. She savored this peaceful evening.

Her plan was nearly ready—but lacked the right tools. A real headache.

"*So much fuss*, and eating it’s still troublesome. Must hurry."

As days passed, devouring Mei Yige grew harder. Shiren felt the weight of her daunting mission.

For nearly a week, Mei Yige’s greetings had grown sparse. Even in other disguises, chances to interact dwindled.

Distance brought clarity. Her earlier hesitation faded.

Truth was, Mei Yige differed little from past roommates—just slightly more entertaining.

*That’s all.* No special attachment. No urge to chat more. Wanting to eat her wasn’t anger over ignored greetings.

Simply tradition. Executing her long-prepared bold plan.

*Yes. Exactly.*

"Time to pick a little snack for my tool."

Convinced, Shiren flipped open her notebook.

At that exact moment, every Tata Town resident shivered under autumn’s first chill—

Including Mei Yige, finishing the day’s commissions with Leya.

"Time for warmer clothes. Stay bundled up."

"Got it, Head! How’d I do this week?"

After seven busy days, Leya finally asked for feedback.

Mei Yige studied the energetic junior, recalling her own boot-camp-like week. She fell silent.

She’d hoped an assistant would ease her workload—instead, she’d underestimated a driven genius.

Suspicious, she’d checked with Witch Society contacts about Leya.

Turns out the girl treated every mentor as disposable after extracting their knowledge.

Her respect was for *useful skills*, not their owners.

"You still need practice."

Armed with this truth, Mei Yige—forced into nonstop commissions and study sessions, barely seeing Shiren—gave this half-resentful verdict.

*Trapped by a monster of an assistant!*

Leya didn’t sulk. Her eyes lit up. "You’re absolutely right! I still have many flaws to fix—"

*This girl’s a freak.*

Mei Yige shut her eyes in pain.

Still, thanks to Leya’s drive, the Advisor’s backlog cleared in under a week.

"Finally… some rest. Elder Shiren, I need emotional healing."

Having secured time off from Ryan, a weary Mei Yige returned home seeking comfort.

But today, Shiren wasn’t there.