The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　Diana's gift, on the other hand, needed to be custom-made.

　He would then buy several blank magic cards in the format of "ball invitations" and try to create animated "ball invitations" when he got back.

　In addition, he plans to buy a batch of Christmas stockings so that the magical elves can hang them by their beds.

　As for the Christmas gifts for the magical elves, he finally got some ideas while telling stories last night.

　Therefore, I came here today to inform the two maids who are about to return to the Duke's mansion about the plan. After the planned gifts are made, the newlyweds who will come next week will bring them.

　Just stuff it into your socks, and it'll be perfect!

　Then, he prepared a big gift for the first graders—a collection of math exercises!

　Last year, at his suggestion, Professor Lily compiled a complete set of first-grade workbooks. We can then revise and adjust them to address each student's specific needs, making them perfect for use.

　While studying his alchemy notes yesterday, Dark suddenly remembered that he seemed to have been asked to take care of some of them... Although a month has passed, hopefully it's not too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost.

　……

　This is the general idea.

　However, during his first year, he also needs to prepare an extra Christmas gift for Aurora, but he hasn't thought of one yet.

　In short, there's still a long time between next Friday's holiday and Christmas, so take your time to think it over.

　Dark glanced at the weather again, and seeing that the heavy rain showed no sign of stopping, he simply went back behind the counter and sat down to chat casually with the maids.

　The two maids, who were about to return to the Duke's mansion, were not very familiar with him, and they seemed a little reserved while chatting.

　But this initial awkwardness was quickly broken.

　Before long, lighthearted and cheerful laughter filled the shop.

　The torrential rain finally stopped at 3 p.m., and a golden-red hue appeared on the horizon.

　Duck estimated that there were still about two hours before the newlyweds arrived, so he decisively left the shop to find senior students who could customize gifts for him.

　But as the heavy rain subsided, not a single senior student who had set up a stall even as finals approached was seen.

　Dark sighed helplessly and simply found a Christmas-themed shop to look at the blank magic cards in the so-called "ball invitation" format.

　These blank magic cards were quite popular during this period, and Dark only learned about them from his classmates.

　Seeing it in person now, one can't help but marvel at how shrewd this merchant is.

　A blank magic card worth only 10 credits can be sold for 30 credits simply because it is made to look like a "ball invitation," a full three times the original price.

　Of course, the shop will also include the recipe for making a "ball invitation".

　The "Ball Invitation" thus created is not actually a regular magic card; it's more like an item on par with "Happy Cards."

　Therefore, it is not difficult to make, and even first-year students can quickly get the hang of it.

　After buying five tickets, Dak also received some small gifts as a bonus.

　He shook his head and walked out of the shop.

　After that, he went to select another batch of Christmas stockings and returned to the Goblin Antique Bookstore.

　About half an hour later, he finally found a book in the goblin bookstore that was suitable to give to Professor Kazel.

　—Don't give up a forest for a single tree.

　It is said to be the work of a grass-type magician from the grassland elf tribe, telling an environmental story about how to cultivate forests.

　But after paying, as soon as Dak stepped out of the bookstore, he suddenly realized something. So he bought another copy of "The Guide to Interspecies Communication," intending to give the latter to Professor Cazell, and keep the first one for himself to read occasionally.

　Soon after, a few vendors finally appeared on both sides of the street.

　Dark carefully selected from their products and then spent a lot of money to have a senior student customize a semi-finished magic card.

　After that, he began to wander more casually through the traveler's street, intending to pick out some interesting things to give to Nana, Josie, and Eve… Thinking about it carefully, since there was Eve, there should also be something for Irene. But if he gave some to Irene, the other maids in the house would definitely need some too…

　In that case, the number of Christmas gifts he needs to prepare will increase dramatically.

　Therefore, as he continued to pick and choose, he found many more troubles.

　He was originally a rather sentimental person, not as indifferent as he appeared on the surface.

　……

　It's almost five o'clock.

　On his way back to the shop, Dark passed by the goblin antiquarian bookstore again and happened to find it auctioning off a rare book. He stopped, looked at it with slight curiosity for a while, and then paid for the book.

　"How Gold Was Made...Ancient Alchemy?"

　To be honest, after studying alchemy for about half a year, Dark was interested in the contents of the book. But the reason he took a picture of it was to give it to Emma as a Christmas present.

　Of course, before that, he could have had the "Magic Book" make a copy or photocopy it.

　"Luckily, another difficult problem has been solved."

　With a bit of joy, Dark returned to the shop and immediately discovered the new maid who had arrived.

　The expression on his face visibly relaxed the moment he saw the maid, and then he suddenly laughed and said, "Sister Ollie, what brings you here?"

　"Head Maid of Aries," Ori Dimon, stood serenely behind the counter, her smile gentle.

　……

　The maids use "Netherworld Fire" to gain power, with a focus on magic.

　Magic is innate and grows naturally with age.

　In this world, most humans possess magic, but it is extremely weak, almost negligible.

　This is determined by one's innate magical talent, something that is difficult to change later in life.

　The combat maids in the Duke's manor were limited in their magical talent due to certain flaws. As a result, they could only use a few of the specially crafted magic cards produced by the manor.

　The appearance of "Netherworld Fire" can just solve this deficiency.

　That's why the Duke's mansion took the risk of attacking the "Netherworld Fire".

　However, those who could become head maids in the Duke's mansion could not possibly lack magical talent.

　Especially for a head maid like Ori, who is recognized by the twelve Gold Saints, her talent is exceptional and she does not need to rely on "Netherworld Fire" to expand her magic limit.

　Therefore, this "Aries" Ollie should not have come here in the first place.

　After greeting Ollie, Dak asked her directly why.

　Ollie didn't hide anything at all: "I came at the invitation of the organizers."

　Dark couldn't help but ask curiously, "The Academy?"

　Ollie shook her head slightly and said, "It was Professor Kazel's personal invitation."

　“Professor Kazel?” Dark’s heart stirred, as if he had already caught some clues.

　A smile played on Ollie's face, a smile that warmed even the cold weather: "It's not convenient to talk about the specifics right now. In short, I'm happy to come."

　Dark's gaze shifted, and he asked, "So, Sister Ollie, are you planning to stay at the academy until after Christmas?"

　Ollie nodded and smiled: "Perhaps we'll stay a few more days."

　This is naturally a good thing.

　However, when grand holidays like Christmas arrive, it is often the busiest time in the Duke's mansion.

　Under these circumstances, the fact that Ollie still came to stay for an extended period must be no small matter.

　After thinking for a moment, Dak asked, "Is there a place to stay arranged?"

　Ollie turned around and looked around, then smiled and said, "Of course I'll be staying in Lady Kate's dormitory."

　Claire Kate.

　Dak nodded, and only then did he look at the other maid who had come with Ollie.

　Since Ollie is not possessed by the "Netherworld Fire," theoretically, three people should arrive to make the best use of them and save time.

　However, the only people they could see right now, besides Ollie, were that maid.

　Dark narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully sensing the unique aura of the "Netherworld Fire," but he did not detect anything particularly outstanding about the maid.

　Of course, it's also possible that the other party's ability to conceal their aura is exceptionally good.

　The combat maids of the "Scorpio Palace" generally possess similar skills.

　"Who is this?"

　Seeing that the maid didn't seem to want to introduce herself, Dark asked.

　Aurelia turned around, raised her hand, and introduced, "Angrey from the 'Pisces Palace.' She's not very sociable, but she's a good girl."

　Although Ollie herself is quite young, she addresses Angrey as an elder, which suggests that she is probably even younger.

　Dak examined it carefully.

　Angry is very beautiful, at least in her facial features. Her medium-length reddish-brown hair is meticulously styled, which makes her big eyes and oval face look even more delicate, giving her a unique "Pisces" feel.

　Her height is actually similar to that of Ollie, and although she is slender, she does not have Ollie's frail appearance.

　If you stare at her for a long time, you will suddenly realize that she is like a silent female leopard, hiding an extremely terrifying power beneath her maid's clothes.

　If Ollie hadn't directly pointed out that she was a member of the "Pisces Maid Corps," Dark would have thought she was from the "Leo" sign.

　Of course, she herself did not exude that kind of aura; Dark was relying more on experience to deduce it.

　"How many 'Netherworld Flames' did you absorb?" Dark suddenly asked.

　Angry could no longer remain silent and uttered a number in a deliberately low voice: "Seven."

　……

　Seven "Netherworld Flames"!

　Dak was stunned.

　No wonder he only brought Angry this time; this is enough for two people...

　"The more 'Netherworld Fire' one absorbs, the stronger the desire it generates becomes," said Aurelia. "So we usually keep it around two or three, but Angrey's willpower is incredibly strong. She doesn't even need Janice's help to control herself. Of course, seven is already the limit."

　Then, changing the subject, she smiled and said, "Of course, if the young master's experiment hadn't been so successful, Janice wouldn't have allowed her to take the risk. Such a child is rare in the 'Pisces Palace.'"

　"Pisces Palace" should have been the public relations department.

　How did such a child come about?

　Dark touched his nose, then smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll make sure 'Death Coffin' does its best."

　Seven pieces, "Death Coffin" should enjoy them very much, right?

　As he thought this, he did not expect that the more "Netherworld Fire" he absorbed, the deeper it would take root in his body, which would then bring some minor troubles.

　However, compared to Professor Cazell's experiment, that was merely a minor episode.

　After dusk, the group had dinner in the treasure chest that had been reserved in advance.

　Eve also communicated with Irene, allowing them to meet with the people from the Duke's mansion again.

　Then the two former maids were also sent on the dragon by Dark—of course, he also took his custom-made gift watch with him.

　Although both Ollie and Angeli are leaving after Christmas, sending two more maids before Christmas wouldn't be a problem.

　After a long-awaited reunion, Dak and Ollie did not return alone after the meal.

　He entered the teachers' dormitory with several maids, intending to help them tidy up their rooms, but was immediately kicked out by Ollie.

　"What kind of behavior is this, young master?"

　I suppose even Sister Ollie gets angry sometimes.

　Dark smiled faintly.

　He was only invited in after Ollie had tidied up the room, and then the conversation turned to Professor Kazel.

　It's a secret.

　But he is not someone who needs to be kept secret.

　After dismissing the other maids, Ollie spoke to him about it.

　She said softly, "Professor Cazell sent a letter last week, hoping that the Duke's mansion could send someone to provide support before Christmas. He only has one request for this person."

　Dark asked, "What are the requirements?"