"I'll be a good person who satisfies everyone," Mei Yige replied. Shiren smiled but offered no comment, glancing down at Albert on the ground.

"People who act recklessly rarely live long. I need to get back to work. Catch you later."

"Goodbye."

After bidding Shiren farewell, Mei Yige stretched her back with effort. Thanks to Shiren's cooperation, she’d smoothly tricked the clueless Albert into the trap. Fewer fools in the world benefited everyone. Even if Shiren ate Albert, Mei Yige wouldn’t stop her. She wouldn’t use excuses like "eating people is wrong"—she hadn’t known her landlord enjoyed it before. In fact, she’d happily help Shiren punish bad guys.

Of course, after careful thought, Mei Yige decided she’d absolutely stop Shiren from eating Albert. How could anyone eat a fool? That would turn you into an idiot!

"Teacher, he’s developed resistance to healing magic," Leya said, snapping Mei Yige from her thoughts. This was expected.

"Do mages only know magic? Using fools as test subjects makes you stupid too."

"Don’t badmouth me like that, damn it! Of course I, a genius, know what to do. But teacher, you’re so mean—making me handle all the dirty work." Leya emerged from the crowd, muttering half-complainingly beside Mei Yige. "And you keep praising me to the skies just to mess with me. Are you treating me like some weird tool?"

"You see me that way, Leya? This master is truly heartbroken."

"It’s just that the gentle, kind teacher seems to have a belly full of bad water. I hope it’s my illusion. Teacher is teacher—you must have reasons I haven’t considered. So you’re testing me, right?" Leya narrowed her eyes, searching Mei Yige’s calm face for answers.

"You’re a good kid. You’ll be my good student." Mei Yige meant it sincerely for this assistant who knew she was being manipulated yet accepted it willingly.

"Then, teacher, do you prefer harsh medicine or gentle medicine for Mr. Albert?" Leya dropped her suspicion, shifting the topic.

"Use whatever you want, as long as he doesn’t die," Mei Yige replied casually.

Leya smiled. "No wonder the old folks in the guild say your true specialty is dark magic."

"I won’t deny it. From an efficiency standpoint, that magic works best. I’ve always been a pragmatist." Teacher and student reached an understanding.

...

"Extra! Extra! Baron Albert Dilda of Qika Town has arrived in Tata Town! He’s cooperating with the Tata Town Association for healing magic experiments, for his people’s sake..." The newsboy hawked the evening paper. Efficiency exceeded Mei Yige’s expectations. As she walked the streets, residents’ chatter reached her clearly. This rural gossip network was her daily amusement.

"Hey, haven’t you heard? That baron’s infamous. How could he be so kind...?"

"Exactly! It’s a rumor, definitely!"

A few schoolgirls walked side by side, chatting about Albert. Nobles were always gossip fodder, even in remote Tata Town. Northern bigwigs were boring—news was scarce and half-truths. But southern petty nobles? Easy and fun to discuss. Mei Yige enjoyed listening, keeping a suitable distance. The Association’s Magic Consultant tailed the girls.

Shiren, now looking youthful, had gone out shopping. Spotting Mei Yige’s strong sneaky vibe, she frowned. She’d planned to contact her retinue but followed from afar instead, curious what this person was up to.

[Could she have designs on those girls? Tsk... I’m annoyed...]

Her emotions churned. This morning’s Albert incident had made Shiren rethink her judgment of Mei Yige. Now, this scene deepened her thoughts: Did she want to eat her, make her submit, or...

[Shiren, you can’t really want her as your partner, can you?]

That sofa clash wouldn’t be forgotten. Mei Yige saw it as a misjudgment; Shiren saw it as playing with fire. Once labeled, every action gained special meaning. Great Lord Blood Demon Shiren analyzed deeply. Two possibilities: Either Mei Yige was absurdly thick-skinned, unaware how terrifying a human-eating landlord was. Or she had ulterior motives—special feelings justifying her tolerance. Shiren needed to verify which fit.

"If you truly have feelings for me, why approach others? Leya... no, my other identities. Mei Yige, are you naive or juggling multiple partners?" It was simple: Mei Yige should just do her Magic Consultant job well. But the imaginative Blood Demon overthought everything. Admittedly, confirming either possibility would give her one more reason to eat Mei Yige.

Mei Yige sensed the chill from behind. Bitterness rose.

[Who’s spying again? Damn it, so uncomfortable.]

Shiren hid her presence well. The helpless Sorceress continued tailing the girls—better to finish the gossip than chase shadows.

"By the way, someone at the Association got hurt—that cute rabbit-eared sister. The baron beat her."

"Really? I knew it was fishy!"

"Great Mage Mei even defended him and healed him."

"No way! Sister Mei doesn’t care about nobles. She’s from the capital..."

The talk grew odder. Mei Yige frowned slightly. She hated this version spreading.

"Actually, the healing was punishment! Teacher said healing magic hurts. My uncle saw it—they beat him, then Miss Leya healed him, over and over!"

"Really? Awesome... no, scary..."

"Exactly!"

Truth spilled out. Mei Yige pursed her lips, displeased. The girls stopped, turned—and spotted her.

"Oh, it’s the mage lady!"

"Sister Mei, good afternoon~"

"What really happened this morning? Tell us!"

An unexpected scene unfolded. Shiren watched coldly from afar as the girls surrounded Mei Yige. She scoffed softly, turned, and left.

[Boring.]

She wasn’t upset by the sight. She’d just remembered her important business.