Beneath the dim glow of the magic crystal lamp, Tori rubbed her tired eyes and suddenly realized she really needed a good night's sleep. This body was, after all, only that of an eight-year-old girl. She was at an age when she needed sleep. Meditation could restore her mental energy, but the fatigue in her body kept piling up.

Maybe she should prioritize developing a Potion that could boost her stamina, one that would help her body recover faster. Thinking about the formula, she could use red chili pepper for a little stimulant effect, with grain-scent herb to balance it out. Would white horse mushrooms work? Maybe wood fruit would, too. But that sounded more like a healing Potion...

As Tori thought this over, she drifted off to sleep.

She really couldn't hold on any longer. Her consciousness quickly sank into nothingness. Once she was fast asleep, someone crept into the room, stuffed her into a breathable burlap sack, and carried her away.

…

“Miss Tori, it seems you've woken up.” The voice sounded right beside her ear. Tori really didn't want to admit it, but since the other person had already said it, there was no point pretending any longer. In fact, she'd been awake for over half an hour.

She pretended she'd only just woken up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around in confusion. “Miss Mi Luosha? Why are you here? Where am I?! Why am I here?!”

“Miss Tori, there's no point putting on an act like that. You're young, yes, but I doubt this situation is enough to make you panic.”

—Actually, I'm pretty panicked. Tori forced herself to stay calm. “Then, Miss Mi Luosha, what do you intend to do with me after drugging and abducting me in the middle of the night?”

“Our conversation earlier today left me very interested in you. After I returned, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I was eager to discuss our ideas some more, so I resorted to this. I'm truly sorry.”

If you were really sorry, you'd let me go! Damn it!

Looking at Mi Luosha's victorious smile, Tori sighed. “All right, you got me. Go ahead and tell me what's on your mind. I'll hear you out.”

“If you'd had this attitude earlier today, I don't think we'd be meeting here.” Mi Luosha clapped her hands. A woman dressed like a nun came over with a cup of tea. “The Church's own black tea. It's supposed to soothe the mind. You're a Potion Maker, so why not give it a try?”

Tori acted as if she had no suspicion at all. She picked up the black tea with her left hand and took a sip. “This really is much better than the tea back home. And I bought the best black tea in town, too.”

“Hehe~ That's a small thing. Come, pack some black tea for Miss Tori, so she can take it home.”

Tori made no comment.

Seeing how obedient Tori was, Mi Luosha smiled. “Actually, Miss Tori, you don't have to think of this as a bad thing. I looked into it. Aren't you mainly interested in making money? It doesn't matter where you make it, does it? If you're going to sell Potions anyway, why not sell them through the Church? Young Master Ethan certainly has power and influence, but his position is far from secure. His eldest brother has already become a knight, and his second brother is a judge in another city.”

“Even his sisters each have their own ways of getting ahead. All in all, the Dais Family is very powerful. But even though Ethan is the third young master, he's not as reliable a backer as you might think.”

Tori blinked. “Because his strength declined before?”

Mi Luosha looked surprised. “Did he tell you about that? He really must trust you. We didn't choose the wrong person. Yes, normally, he never would have come to Blackwater Town. But his strength once declined, and in practice, he'd already fallen behind his peers. He may have a noble status, but to the lord, isn't a child like that rather embarrassing? If something happened to him outside the estate, the lord might not pursue it too seriously. Of course, he'd put on a show for appearances, but in reality...”

“Sigh~~!”

Tori sighed. “Put that way, I really should join you. After all, you're an organization that spans the whole world, right?”

“Of course, Miss Tori! I think very highly of your talents. That's why I brought you here. If you joined the Church, wouldn't that be perfect?”

Tori smiled, and Mi Luosha smiled too. The girls' laughter echoed through the room.

“What a shame!”

Tori let out a long sigh, as if she deeply regretted something.

Mi Luosha's smile slowly froze, then turned into a frown. She looked puzzled. “What a shame?”

“To be perfectly honest, if I had a choice, I'd be a little tempted to join the Witch Church. Your Church seems to have everything. Someone talented like me would surely thrive there.”

You sure are arrogant.

Tori continued, “But I can't choose that way! If I did, I'd get myself killed in no time. You see, a minor villain who's just some passerby might get beaten up by the male lead at worst. If they kneel on the ground like a dog, admit their mistake, and kowtow, they'll probably live. If they're clever, they might even end up as the male lead's lackey. But if they start out as the male lead's friend and then betray him, they'll die in no time! And it'll definitely be a horrible death.”

“What are you talking about? The male lead? Is this some kind of biographical novel?” Mi Luosha didn't quite understand what Tori meant.

Tori shook her head. “Aren't you curious why you were able to drug me and bring me here when neither Young Master Ethan nor his butler did a thing?”

“I sent people to check. They weren't there!”

“Bingo!” Tori said something Mi Luosha couldn't understand. “So here's the question: if they weren't there, where were they?”

“Huh?” Mi Luosha immediately realized what Tori was getting at. She looked around, but Ethan and his butler, Yabu, were nowhere to be seen.

Tori burst out laughing. “Don't be so nervous, Sister Mi Luosha. I was only joking. It's no fun if you get this worked up.”

Mi Luosha forced a smile. She felt her anger welling up inside. She wanted to punch the girl twice and make her burst into tears, but that would make it look as if she'd lost. “Miss Tori, you certainly have a sense of humor. Actually, I have a suggestion. There's a young master in Colin City you might know. He's the older brother of the person who was originally engaged to Young Master Ethan. I hear he really likes girls like you. If you became his mistress, you'd get a great deal of money. That young master isn't stingy with his wealth when it comes to things like that.”

“You're so mean~ Sister Mi Luosha~” Tori's smile grew strained, too. “Why would you say that? Of course I'm going to work hard for the Church! The Church's future is my future. I'd lay down my life for the Church, go through fire and water, and never hesitate!”

“What are those words you're using? Still, I have to admit, they do have a certain ring to them. Have you studied at the Magic Academy?”

“I've just read a lot of books.”

“How learned...”

Mi Luosha pulled a sheet of paper from who-knows-where.

Then she handed Tori a pen. “This is a magic contract. Sign it, and the Demon Realm will bind you to me. If you don't fulfill the terms, the demon seed's backlash will be triggered, and the Demon Realm will punish you. What do you think?”

Tori's heart sank. What the hell? Could she actually sign this thing?

“Could I read the contract first?”

Mi Luosha nodded. “Of course. That's your right.”

Tori quickly skimmed through the contract. Her expression grew grimmer and grimmer. She looked up and asked, “I know this probably isn't realistic, but can I refuse to sign?”

“Do you know what you just drank? Without the antidote, you'll be dead in ten minutes at most. You have ten minutes to think about it.”

Well, damn. That's impressive.

Tori clenched her left hand, her face twisted with pain and distress. It cheered Mi Luosha up. “Don't blame me, Miss Tori. I didn't want to do this to a young girl like you, but I'm just following orders. I do feel sorry for you. The blame lies with you for choosing the wrong person—or for being chosen by the wrong person.”

“Looks like I have no choice but to sign.”

Tori picked up the pen and spread the magic document open.

The instant she raised the pen,

an icicle formed in her hand and shot straight toward Mi Luosha's eye, viciously aimed. Mi Luosha dodged on instinct, but the icicle still sliced a thin line of blood across her face.

Tori couldn't help feeling a little regret. Give her a few more days, and she should be able to strike before Mi Luosha could react—or at least leave her with more than just this one cut.

She didn't panic. She gathered her magic, and then flames exploded across Mi Luosha, leaving her covered in soot.

“Tori! You'll regret this!”

Tori knew the other woman was furious now. She also knew she stood no chance against her. She wasn't even one of The Weak. The only reason she'd managed to land a hit was that she'd caught her by surprise.

“Ethan! You're still just standing there watching?! I'm gonna die!!!!”

“You little brat! You think you can fool me again?!”

“Cross Light Sword!”

Mi Luosha spread her hands, and ice formed into a shield that blocked the Cross Light Sword. It shattered, sending mist and shards of ice flying everywhere. Tori instinctively covered her head, only to find Ethan already holding her close. He'd shielded her from the flying ice.

“You scared me half to death! You were having a great time watching from the sidelines, huh?”

“No. Uncle Yabu and I were looking for the right moment to step in.”

The right moment, my ass. You just wanted to see if I'd betray you, didn't you? Ethan really isn't as honest as he looks! Tori was certain Ethan had been with the Witch Church all along. Still, she hadn't expected Mi Luosha to abduct her.

“Don't panic. I'll get the antidote from her.”

“No need. I never drank it.”

“Huh?”

Tori opened her left hand. A crumpled tissue was clenched in her palm. “Hehe~ You wouldn't get it~ It's just a little trick people use at drinking parties!”

“Huh?”