"First, we need a bottle of Golden Memory Wine no Forest Fey can resist."

"Next, a Memory Stone to capture the Fairy teacher’s... *indiscreet* moments after she’s had a drink."

"And ideally, an invisibility cloak."

He already had the Memory Stone and cloak in his spatial storage. Only the Golden Memory Wine remained.

Maur closed the book with full confidence. "Lackey! Go buy Golden Memory Wine—right now. Price doesn’t matter. Just get it."

Golden Memory Wine was sacred to Forest Fey, but humans rarely cared. Brewing it now was impossible—better to buy. With enough coin, one bottle? A piece of cake.

"Eh? B-but, Lord Maur… Teacher Evelyn is a Level 7 Legendary spellcaster! What if she finds out…?"

"How could she? And even if she did—so what? I’m just gifting my teacher wine. What’s wrong with that?" Maur retorted, utterly righteous.

"…Though you do have a point."

Thinking of Athena—another Legendary—he sighed. "Fine. Since it’s *Teacher Evelyn*, one bottle might not cut it. Buy *all* you can find."

Tabitha’s book had stressed it: *No Forest Fey can resist Golden Memory Wine. None.*

If one bottle failed? Two. Three. Four. She *would* get drunk.

"B-but, Lord Maur, I still think—"

"Huh? Where’s my Memory Stone?" Maur froze. "I just had it in my spatial storage—gone?"

He’d planned to record Mavis’s pollen-allergy meltdown!

"Ah! The changing room!"

D-damn it. Dropped at House Decora’s changing room.

That limited-edition Memory Stone—cost a fortune, recorded crystal-clear even in total darkness.

*Limited edition!*

*The only one in the entire Royal Capital!*

"Damn Mavis! That bastard knocked it loose!"

A week had passed. A servant must’ve found it. Memory Stones were alchemical artifacts—standard ones pricey, his *limited* one priceless. Any half-smart servant would hide it, then resell. No retrieving it now.

"Ugh! Vanishing exactly when needed—infuriating!"

He’d use a standard Stone for now.

*Please… let the lost one hold nothing compromising.*

After all… what happened between him and Mavis in that changing room…?!

Maur: "…"

N-no way…

Did he even *activate* it that day? Surely nothing was recorded?

*Absolutely not!!!*

"AAAAAH—DAMN IT! If I find who took my Memory Stone, I’ll make you pay, you bastard!!"

His face twisted; literal flames of fury flickered above his head.

"Black market! It’s there! Lackey—buy *every* Memory Stone on sale! For two months, *none* must reach others!"

*Servants can’t use magic. They won’t know what’s inside. Retrieve it before it’s sold. Just… don’t let anyone see.*

*That night… Mavis toying with me… MUST NOT BE EXPOSED!*

"If anyone sees it… I’ll kill them," Maur hissed, murder in his eyes.

"Eeek!!!" Tabitha dropped to her knees, trembling. "I saw nothing! I know nothing!"

"Hah? Of *course* you don’t. Forget it. Just buy the wine and Stones!"

He’d warned her before: "Don’t peek at the footage! Peek, and I’ll toss you out."

Tabitha was Level 2—mana alone could unlock a Stone. He couldn’t risk her seeing his shame.

"Waaah! Y-yes! I won’t look! Please don’t discard me!"

"Hmph." Satisfied, Maur tossed her a pouch heavy with violet coins. "Obey well, and this young master *graciously* permits you to stay."

Tears welled in her eyes. "Y-yes! I’ll obey forever! Lord Maur is the best!"

…

Memory Stones were easy. Golden Memory Wine? Not so much.

Yet before lunch, Tabitha returned: three bottles of wine, thirteen Stones, all gift-wrapped. Atop them, a golden cassia branch, faintly fragrant.

"Lord Maur… I read Forest Fey adore cassia… I bought it with *my* coin! If you dislike it, I’ll throw it away!" She kept her head bowed, arms trembling.

"Tch. Don’t overdo it." *Lv2… can’t even lighten the load with wind magic? Useless.*

Wind magic lifted the boxes. He sniffed the branch. "…Scent’s decent. I’ll overlook your initiative."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you! Lord Maur is so kind~"

"Heh. Still useless. But starting tomorrow, *this* young master will *graciously* teach you wind magic." *Hmph. I excel at wind, fire, spatial magic!*

"I’m so happy!! Lord Maur is the best!" Her face flushed.

"Enough. I don’t need you anymore. Go."

Wine. Stones. Ready.

Time to "discuss" removing his failing grade with Teacher Evelyn.

*She’s teaching now… Perfect chance to sneak into her Mage Tower.*

Maur shooed Tabitha away, stowed the items, donned the cloak, and slipped inside—empty, as planned.

*'Perfect. No one here.'*

He uncorked a bottle, letting the rich aroma bloom. Grabbed a pen, scribbled:

*[My deepest apologies for failing your class. A humble gift of remorse. Please accept and enjoy.*

*—Your sincerely repentant student, Moir Elai Violet]*

Added the cassia branch. Flowers. Wine. Apology note. *Looks convincing.*

*This’ll lower her guard.*

Smirking inwardly, he planted Memory Stones in hidden corners. *Foolproof.*

Retrieve them tomorrow.

He tightened the cloak—

*Click. Click. Click.*

Steady. Deliberate. Cold.

Footsteps drew near.

The door opened.

Teacher Evelyn—*who should have been teaching*—stepped inside.