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

　In order to observe and test the "Netherworld Fire" more closely during the refining process, Dark deliberately slowed down the refining speed.

　But by about 10:30, he had still completed this training.

　The first transmutation using "Netherworld Fire" went very smoothly.

　Just like the situation when Angus Jeffrey was forging the fragments of memory.

　According to Angus Jeffrey's recollection, starting from the second alchemy attempt, the probability of success would be reduced to a very low level.

　It took him almost a whole week to create the second "Netherworld Stele," after which he found that he could no longer succeed.

　That "Netherworld Flame" was almost plucked bald by him, and it was only through constant duels that it was able to replenish the nutrients needed to grow back.

　Dark felt absolutely no pity for this "fire of the underworld".

　So, I'm going to pet it until it's bald!

　……

　"So, it's successfully refined?"

　Aurora carefully examined the magic card lying quietly on the table and asked curiously.

　"Well, basic magic conjugation isn't actually that complicated. You'll come into contact with it frequently once you start school."

　Dark picked up the magic card with tweezers, rinsed it in the pool, and then put it back on the lab table.

　All eyes were drawn to the card, whose edges glowed with a faint, gray flame-like light, while the background of the card was pitch black.

　If you stare into that darkness, you'll have the illusion that you're about to be sucked in.

　Against the dark backdrop, a rusty gray collar lay quietly.

　The surface of the collar was engraved with indistinct flame-shaped patterns, and a silver-gray iron chain, thicker and longer than the collar itself, stretched out from the clasp.

　At the end of the chain is a handshake ring.

　"Isn't it the 'Border of the Underworld'?"

　Dak frowned slightly, somewhat disappointed.

　Angus Jeffrey's "Netherworld Monument" is visibly useful, and his "Netherworld Binding" which can bind "Luna" is an extremely powerful combo skill.

　However, this is the nature of magical alchemy; the archmage's own characteristics will always have varying degrees of influence on the process.

　The final results of the alchemy will vary.

　Claire poked his cheek and reminded him, "Don't just stand there, take a look at what kind of spell card this is?"

　"Hmm." Dark responded, then picked up the magic card and infused it with a trace of magic power.

　The collar on the card glowed, and some information was transmitted into Dark's mind through magic.

　A thought struck him, and he said, "'Netherworld Soul Ring,' a spell card that can summon a soul collar... Judging from this, the effect of that spell is likely restraint."

　"A binding spell?" Claire pondered, resting her chin on her hand. "Then what's the use of your 'Netherworld Soul Ring'?"

　"Let me see." Dark continued to infuse magic power, conducting an in-depth analysis of the spell cards in his hand.

　A moment later, a smile appeared on his face: "Not bad."

　[Netherworld Soul Ring: A collar that summons souls, binding the opponent's soul and dragging it to the abyss of the underworld, offering it as a sacrifice to the god of the underworld.]

　"A spell card that can bind the opponent's magical spirit and convert it into a tribute for your side. It has a very wide range of applications."

　"However, it seems that the restraint strength may be limited at present. It will most likely only be able to convert first-tier magical spirits into sacrifices for our side. If it is second-tier, it will only have a certain degree of restraint effect."

　Dark continued to infuse magic, and then cast a normal summoning spell, quickly summoning the "Netherworld Soul Ring".

　Items summoned using spell cards are actually manifestations of magic; they are a form of magical expression rather than actual items.

　The same is true of Angus Jeffrey's "The Monument to the Underworld".

　However, when classifying magic cards, mages sometimes categorize this type of magic card as item cards.

　Just like "Holy Sword Spell", it belongs to both the magic card and the item card category.

　After summoning the "Netherworld Soul Ring", Dark instinctively searched for the figure of Impmon.

　After a slight pause, he remembered that Little Devimon was still studying hard.

　Claire carefully examined the collar in Dark's hand and said, "It's somewhat similar to my 'Beast-Trapping Ring.' However, while my 'Beast-Trapping Ring' is stronger, it can only capture avian beasts."

　Then she thought for a moment and added, "Jeffrey can increase his strength by crafting two 'Netherworld Monuments,' perhaps you can too?"

　Dark glanced at the fairly full flames on the "Netherworld Fire" and pondered, "It's worth a try."

　……

　After having the idea, Dak immediately began the second round of refining.

　But even after stripping all the flames outside the core of "Netherworld Fire" bare by 9 p.m., he still hadn't managed to forge a second spell card.

　Claire and Ylvette had already left during the day.

　Although details about the "Fire of the Underworld" cannot be easily revealed, they can still mitigate its harm by strengthening security and rigorously investigating crime.

　Therefore, only Aurora Montilfali remained by Dark's side.

　However, for Aurora, the whole process was like a primary school student watching a university student conduct an experiment.

　"Dong dong dong."

　"Click."

　Ollie came in carrying pastries and tea, placed the tray on the table, and asked, "How did it go? Any results?"

　Dark smiled helplessly: "No result, but it's over."

　As he spoke, he put down everything he was holding and called Aurora to help him clean up the experimental residue.

　The simplest way to replenish the external flames of the "Netherworld Fire" is to duel with someone.

　However, dueling with others inevitably involves risks, and even victory can bring pain to others, which is completely contrary to the vision of "bringing smiles to people through dueling".

　Furthermore, Dark is not even certain whether he can engage in a "dark duel".

　After all, he wasn't possessed by the "Netherworld Fire".

　"Since that's the case, then we can only wait for the Netherworld Fire to grow flesh on its own, cutting it off each time it grows..."

　Dark flicked at the "Netherworld Fire," which had shrunk to the size of a walnut, with his fingertips. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he reached out and grabbed it into his palm.

　Then he imbued his palm with magic, closed his five fingers, and actually pressed the "Netherworld Fire" slowly under the skin of his palm.

　When he stopped moving, the "Netherworld Fire" was completely hidden in his palm!

　……

　The following Monday, a light drizzle began to fall in the capital from the early morning.

　Alvitt and Claire left the Duke's mansion early in the morning.

　After finishing his morning exercise, Dark did not devote much energy to "Netherworld Fire" anymore. Instead, he resumed his research on writing "Transfiguration Spells" and filling in the gaps in the "Mathematics 2" textbook.

　Not long after, Diana rejoined the ranks of students after Camilla's return.

　However, because the "armed class" has not been reopened, she spends most of her time studying on her own and doing her summer homework.

　However, the growth of a mage is extremely dependent on self-study.

　It is much better to understand and master more knowledge through one's own efforts than to be forcibly instilled with it.

　Through self-study, archmages can develop their independent exploration and research abilities to the greatest extent possible.

　This is extremely important to a mage.

　Meanwhile, Aurora also borrowed the first-grade textbooks from Dak and joined the ranks of self-taught learners.

　The learning atmosphere within the Duke's mansion thus became even stronger.

　A week passed in the blink of an eye.

　Dark finally finished writing and adjusting the "Transformation Charm" on Sunday night.

　He knocked on Claire's door with barely suppressed excitement.

　This week, Claire has been busy preparing to create the "Mage Company".

　She actually knew very little about this, so she needed to do a lot of intensive study.

　However, when Dak occasionally pays attention, he notices a contented smile on her face.

　"Perhaps this is what it feels like to find your goal."

　With that thought in mind, Dak knocked on the door a little harder.

　"Click."

　Behind the suddenly opened door was a lion's round face.

　Dak walked into the room as if it were a normal occurrence, and smiled, "Good evening, Aunt Claire."

　Good evening, Dark.

　Claire responded casually, but her tone clearly betrayed her annoyance.

　Dark asked curiously, "Aunt Claire, what's bothering you?"

　Claire frowned and said, "I'm thinking, what should we name the company we're going to start?"

　"So you were naming them?" Dark couldn't help but show a hint of empathy. "I'm also terrible at naming things, and I still haven't decided on names for the vampire heiress and the phoenix girl."

　Claire casually remarked, "Why not just name one Olivia and the other Phoenix?"

　“(⊙o⊙) Ah!” Dak paused, and then really started to think about it.

　Olivia is the alias of Ophelia Brad, the Blood Princess.

　Although the vampire heiress has essentially severed ties with her, the magical spirit was created incidentally to save her, so the connection between them is still unbreakable in terms of reason and emotion.

　And Olivia is indeed a very beautiful name.

　As for Phoenix, it also symbolizes the "phoenix" in this world, making it the most fitting name.

　Finally, all that's needed is to give them the surname Dimon.

　Claire turned to look at him and said lazily, "The entrance exam is on August 15th. We need to leave two days in advance, and their ID cards also need to be registered in advance. You'd better decide quickly."

　“Alright.” Dark took a deep breath. “Then I’ll ask them for their opinions tomorrow. But the vampire heiress’s blood pack…”

　“I already have a plan for that thing,” Claire smiled. “On the eve of the Demon King’s execution ceremony, we raided the hideout of an evil cult and seized something interesting. I’ll give it to you after their trial is over.”

　"That's good." A huge weight was lifted off Dak's shoulders.

　Claire then added, "So, you've come over here to help me think of a name for our company?"

　Dak walked over to Claire, thanked the monkey who had brought the table, and sat down.

　Then he said, "Since it's a company mainly composed of mages, why not call it the Dark Mage Company?"

　Claire rolled her eyes at him and said, "Then it would be better to call it the Claire Archmage Society. Anyway, although I plan to recruit only archmages as core members, it's best not to highlight it so directly in the name. After all, most ordinary people have the same impression of archmages and magicians—they feel mysterious and awe-inspiring, which is not conducive to the society's promotion among ordinary people."

　“I was just joking,” Dark thought for a moment and said, “So, how about the International Projection Society? Since our main profit and development project is nationwide duels, then highlighting ‘projection’ directly is a good choice.”

　“International?” Claire said. “Are you planning to expand your business to markets of other races?”

　Dark said seriously, "Of course. If we're going to build it, it should be a world-class company, or at least that should be our goal."

　Claire couldn't help but flick a strand of hair and said, "You're thinking even further ahead than I am. But we're just a two-person company right now."

　Dark couldn't help but laugh and said, "How can there only be two people? What do you think of Eve and Irene?"

　Claire frowned slightly and said, "Are Eve and Irene the twin sisters working for Chris?"

　Dark nodded and said, "That's right, it's them. For a company to grow big, intelligence gathering is essential. We can't always rely on intelligence from within the Duke's mansion. It's always a good idea to book an intelligence department in advance. Besides, the magic they possess is very useful. If we really want to do the Duel Disk and Card business, it's necessary to maintain constant communication with the Academy."

　Claire: "You mean..."

　Darke smirked and said, "Eve and Irene, one of you can stay on Traveler's Street."

　This would be very convenient for him.

　After realizing the key point, Claire gave him a meaningful look and said, "Number 15, I'll go to the academy with you and discuss it in detail with Professor Sylph. Although the academy certainly won't reject a suggestion that can increase revenue, they might not necessarily offer any concessions."

　Dark blinked and said, "Then why don't we bring Janice into our company too? A good public relations department is just as important for a large company. Janice is just sitting around at the company anyway."

　Claire chuckled and shook her head. "My initial intention in starting the company was to better help Alvette. Besides, how can you poach your own mother's boyfriend like this?"