Rebecca had never discussed Demon Potions so passionately with anyone before. Both possessed vast knowledge, and their ideas often resonated during debates. She adored this feeling of kinship so much that they skipped lunch, still chatting excitedly.

"Rebecca, those ideas you mentioned earlier were brilliant. How did you come up with them?"

"Maggie, some ideas in your book... are amazing too~" After a day together, Rebecca learned the Witch Maiden’s name was Maggie. Their intense discussions had also smoothed her spoken words.

"Actually, some of my ideas are still immature—you just pointed out flaws. And I’ve learned so many magical ingredients I thought useless from you." Maggie’s wrinkled face showed a trace of helplessness. She felt disheartened that a teenage girl surpassed her in Demon Potions.

"Everyone knows something... others don’t... I just happen to know more for certain reasons... You’ve studied for decades, right? To reach this level in decades... is already incredible..."

"Decades?" The Witch Maiden paused, then gave a bitter smile. "I’ve only been studying for four years."

"Four years!?!?" Rebecca gasped. "Four years... to write... the Alchemy Codex?"

Maggie nodded, her face desolate, as if recalling something painful. Writing the Alchemy Codex in four years? That was like an elementary student on Earth penning a physics thesis! Rebecca had thought Maggie was over seventy, assuming a lifetime of study granted her such endless knowledge. But only four years? This old lady started late? Demon Potion mastery demanded years of practice—unless you had extraordinary talent. Though Maggie didn’t surpass Rebecca yet, if she truly learned in four years, Rebecca would admit defeat...

"You..." Rebecca hesitated, sensing Maggie’s hidden burden.

"I don’t know why, but from our first meeting at Hobi Library, I felt drawn to you. I sensed kinship—that’s why I risked offending the Ruta Family to fake that record. I also don’t know why I’m sharing my four years of insights... maybe it’s your pure eyes. I feel you have your own story, but your passion for Demon Potions is genuine. Perhaps that’s why I’m so open."

Rebecca listened quietly, certain something weighed on Maggie.

"Can you use magic?" Maggie asked.

Rebecca nodded without hesitation. Maggie’s eerie appearance and role as a Witch Maiden made others wary, but Rebecca’s strength kept her unafraid. Initially, she’d disliked Maggie for her grim words at Hobi Library. Yet after a day together, she saw Maggie’s pure devotion to Demon Potions. For the first time since entering the human world, Rebecca admitted her magic freely—trusting Maggie wouldn’t harm her. It was instinct.

"Give me your hand."

Rebecca reached out. Maggie extended her bony hand, pulling Rebecca’s palm to her forehead. The moment skin touched skin, black smoke seeped from Maggie’s brow. Rebecca felt an overwhelming magical force.

"A curse!?!?" she instantly recognized.

"Yes... I’m cursed. Actually, I’m only a few years older than you..." Maggie’s bitter smile deepened.

"Uh..." Rebecca was truly startled.

"An aging curse. It turned me old overnight. I studied Demon Potions to break it. But the deeper I delved, the more I realized it’s nearly impossible." Maggie’s voice turned dejected.

"An aging curse? That’s... extremely rare... Have you tried Purifying Potions? If they failed... try adding Ice Fruits from the Northern Island..." Rebecca offered gently. How tragic—a young woman cursed into an old lady. Yet she fought on, seeking a cure alone.

"I tried Purifying Potions—no effect. Ice Fruits are a good idea, but useless. My curse was cast by an evil Black Dragon. Only its blood can break it... And a Black Dragon... How could I defeat one? I hired hunters. None returned—or maybe they found it and died..."

"A Black Dragon’s curse?!" Rebecca paused, then met Maggie’s desolate gaze. "You help me... find the magic-reversing potion... I’ll get the Black Dragon’s blood for you!"

"You help me? That’s not funny, Rebecca. You might know magic, but you’re young. A Black Dragon isn’t just any monster—it’s a dragon! The most evil Black Dragon of all!" Maggie stared at the determined girl, torn between laughter and tears.

"I’m not... joking!"

"Rebecca! Rebecca! I know you’re hiding in there! My subordinates saw you enter this shop. Come out now!" A roar shattered the moment.

Rebecca and Maggie exchanged glances. Rebecca stepped out to face furious Laura and amused Kami.

"Uh..."

What...??

"Rebecca, you beat up a classmate? Skipped class! Come with me now—I’ll deal with you!" Laura commanded with elder-sister authority.

So annoying! That brat tattled again? And blew it up??

"Oh..." Rebecca glanced back at Maggie, still hidden, then walked over obediently.

"Hmph! Such a disobedient child!" Laura reached to pinch Rebecca’s ear.

But Rebecca dodged with a swift sidestep.

"You dare dodge?"

Rebecca had never seen Laura this angry—it was terrifying. She bolted.

"Stop! Stand still! Unbelievable—this kid won’t listen! Kami, stop laughing and catch this little rascal!"

"Hahahahaha~~"