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

　……

　It's often said that the dining table is the easiest place to bring people closer together, but Dak doesn't feel that way at all right now.

　He had reserved a private room at the Waltz Music Restaurant in advance. So when he arrived at the restaurant, he went straight into the private room.

　The dining table in the private room was a very grand round table.

　As soon as Dak sat down in the main seat, Victoria immediately moved to his right, while Aurora sat rather reservedly on Victoria's other side, with Phoenix sitting next to her.

　To Dark's left sat Eve, followed by Nana and Josie.

　As for the newlyweds, they all sat opposite Dak!

　Putting aside Lacey, who clearly wasn't very sociable, Dark had no idea that Grace had also isolated herself, sitting alone opposite him.

　Lacey is consistent inside and out, and is taciturn.

　Grace was charming and gentle, and should have been eloquent. But in reality, she spoke very little, only answering when Dark asked her a question.

　But Dark isn't running a quiz competition; he can't keep asking questions like that forever.

　In short, both of them clearly have problems!

　In retrospect, Nana and Josie, who were among the first to be sent, were far too easy to get along with; it seemed as if they had been sent specifically to cooperate with the experiment.

　Lacey and Grace, who arrived in the second batch, were rushed to receive the fruits of their labor—or, as Grace said, to receive treatment!

　Lacey is a "mission maniac" and even a "mission expert." But ever since she accepted the "Netherworld Fire," she has repeatedly encountered setbacks. Whether it's the urge to challenge or the urge to reproduce, she feels lost and helpless.

　Grace has a special constitution, and if she is not treated soon, her impulsiveness may erupt.

　Therefore, she deliberately kept her distance from the young master to avoid being provoked.

　In comparison, Grace's problem seems to be more serious.

　Therefore, after gaining a thorough understanding of the situation, Dark decided to first have the "Coffin of Death" completely remove the "Netherworld Fire" from her body, and then it would be "Lassie's" turn.

　In short, this meal at least helped Dak to get to know Nana and Josie better.

　After the meal, they returned to the shop, but did not open for business. Instead, they all went into the inner room, where Eve used "Telepathic Connection" to connect with Irene and then projected the image.

　As the figures of Arvit and the others appeared on the wall, Dark finally started talking.

　For the first half hour, he talked almost entirely with Arvit. They discussed what was happening inside and outside the academy.

　Of course, he did not reveal the "brain fluid demon" this time.

　On the one hand, the college needs to keep things confidential, and on the other hand, there is no need to say anything.

　Saying it out loud will only cause more worry.

　After the mother and son finished their conversation, it was finally Nana and Josie's turn to give their reports.

　Both "Scorpio" Chris and "Leo" Trina were present.

　Nana and Josie recounted most of what they had experienced at the academy, but they did not mention the investigation for the time being, instead focusing their report on the details of the experiment.

　After the two finished speaking, everyone in the Duke's mansion finally had a very detailed understanding of how Dark removed the "Netherworld Fire".

　When the topic of their return came up at the end, Nana suddenly suggested, "Don't you think the academy needs a guide?"

　Her boss, Chris, remained silent.

　Alvette asked with great interest, "The guide of what?"

　Nana then stated matter-of-factly, "Using the 'Coffin of Death' to remove the 'Fire of the Underworld' doesn't require Young Master's personal involvement. However, the comings and goings of us maids will drain Young Master's energy. I personally believe this will waste Young Master's time and negatively impact his studies. We must avoid this!"

　Arvit was very pleased with her perspective and nodded repeatedly.

　A hint of smugness flashed in Nana's eyes as she continued, "In conclusion, I believe we need to assign a fixed guide within the academy to specifically guide the maid sisters coming and going. If a fixed route can be established, we won't even need the young master to personally intervene. As long as they follow the fixed route, they can help the sisters extinguish the 'Netherworld Flames.' This will not only save the young master's time but also increase efficiency. It's a win-win situation!"

　“That makes perfect sense,” Arvit praised. “So, do you want to be this guide?”

　In Arvit's view, although Nana is somewhat scheming, if she is loyal enough, her scheming can actually be a plus.

　Since Nana proposed setting up a mentor, it seems that she herself wants to stay at the academy.

　As for the reason, Arvit felt there was no need to guess.

　But she soon realized she had miscalculated.

　Nana shook her head and said, "The work of a guide is a bit too boring. Let's choose someone who can endure loneliness. In their spare time, the guide can also work as a shop assistant. With two people, we won't need to find students to temporarily do the work or recruit new people."

　Nana did not specifically mention who would be replaced.

　However, this is actually a binary choice.

　Now, besides her, the only other person familiar with the experimental procedures and capable of acting as the guide is Josie from the same batch.

　If His Excellency the Duke accepts her proposal, Josie will be able to stay without any problem.

　"Then let Josie give it a try?" Alvit looked at Josie, her eyes asking.

　Josie said nothing and did nothing, yet she became a candidate for "guide".

　She stared at Nana with wide eyes, looking completely bewildered.

　Nana turned her back and winked at her.

　Josie was momentarily at a loss; her mind wasn't quite working quickly enough. "I need to think about it..."

　But at this moment, Trina, the "Lion" standing behind Arvit, suddenly asked, "Josie, do you want to stay by the young master's side?"

　This question is much harder to answer than the previous ones!

　Josie blushed and managed to squeeze out a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "Yes, I do want to."

　But as soon as she said that, everyone else in the room turned their attention to her!

　Aurora suddenly realized that her future rivals were probably far more numerous than she had imagined...

　Josie was like a fierce warrior on the battlefield, standing tall despite being riddled with arrows.

　Before she could even agree, "Lion" Trina made the decision for her: "Then you'll stay at the academy for now, as the person in charge of the 'Netherfire Project.' Understand?"

　Josie instinctively put her feet together, clapped her hands to her sides, and stood at attention, saying, "Understood!"

　“Very good.” Trina smiled with satisfaction.

　“Then it’s settled,” Arvit confirmed.

　This matter is settled just like that!

　Nana was quite pleased with herself. If the projection hadn't been still there, she would have definitely taken credit on the spot.

　But she was clearly too happy too soon.

　Scorpio Chris suddenly said, "Nana, I don't think you need to come back. One person in charge might not be enough to oversee everything, so two is the standard. What do you think?"

　Nana turned her neck slightly stiffly, her gaze meeting that of her immediate supervisor.

　Chris's face showed no change in expression.

　But Nana could clearly sense that she was angry!

　However, there is nothing wrong with what Chris said.

　One person alone is not enough; at least two people are needed for better coordination.

　……

　But it has nothing to do with any of these.

　Faced with Chris's sharp, razor-sharp gaze, Nana knew that she only had one path left to take!

　She said awkwardly, "It sounds like, it seems, that's indeed the case..."

　Thus, the so-called "person in charge of Project Darkfire" changed from one person to two.

　Josie was also very happy that Nana stayed on.

　Alvitt already thought she was alright, and having another person by Dak's side would naturally lighten Dak's burden.

　And Dak himself, of course, would not object to this arrangement.

　In fact, apart from Nana herself, no one present objected to this decision.

　The world where only Nana was injured was thus completed!

　……

　The subsequent "video conference" continued.

　But their conversation had already shifted from "Netherworld Fire" to the two magical spirits.

　Victoria and Phoenix wore tense expressions as they listened to the Duke's concern.

　That mere bit of concern for the young master was almost too much for the two magical spirits to bear.

　They're just ordinary magical elves, how could they possibly be as academically gifted as the young master?

　……

　The video conference ended with a family-style message of advice, and both Victoria and Phoenix felt the care from their parents.

　The other person who received the same level of care—Aurora—was like a role model standing in front of them, leaving them speechless with a question like, "How could anyone do that?"

　Because of the Duke's academic requirements, two of them have met all of them!

　……

　"Well then, goodnight, baby." Yalvette waved to Dark and then disappeared from the projection.

　After replying "goodnight," Dark put his hand down and looked at Nana with interest: "Looks like you don't need to pack your luggage, Nana."

　"Ha, young master," Nana said with a wry smile, "it seems Nana will have to trouble you again."

　“I’m the one who’s troubling you,” Dark smiled. “The head of ‘Project Hellfire,’ right? I’ll leave the arrangements for Lace and Grace’s experiments to you and Josie. I’ll have ‘Death Coffin’ at your disposal.”

　Nana took a deep breath and sighed, "It's nothing."

　Josie, on the other hand, was enjoying herself immensely.

　As for the fact that Lacey and Grace were assigned to each other, there was absolutely no objection.

　Of course, they were not entitled to raise objections under these circumstances.

　……

　That evening, Lacey and Grace, guided by Nana and Josie, checked into the teachers' dormitory left by Claire.

　Fortunately, the faculty housing at St. Mary's College is spacious enough that even with two more people, it doesn't feel crowded.

　Dark also lent out the "Coffin of Death," allowing Lacey and Grace to experience what it's like to "sleep in a coffin."

　After confirming that neither of them had any adverse reaction, Dark arranged for Grace to complete the experiment first, while Lacey would follow later.

　In this way, it will only take about three days to help Grace complete her treatment.

　Then Nana and Josie can arrange for her to leave the academy and replace her with a new student.

　In short, with these two maids directing things, Darke was indeed able to save a lot of trouble.

　Moreover, not having to deal with a new maid every week greatly reduced his mental strain.

　Lacey and Grace, who came today, are both very troublesome.

　Who knows what kind of troublemaker will be sent next week?

　The maids trained in the Duke's mansion are not the kind of puppets whose own thoughts have been worn away.

　They have their own personalities and relatively free rights.

　Nana and Josie are perhaps truly one in a hundred who get along well...

　Regardless, Project Darkfire officially begins today!

　It is foreseeable that, under the combined effects of the "Netherworld Fire" and the "Coffin of Death," the Duke's Mansion will produce batches of powerful individuals skilled in both magic and martial arts.

　What Dark will likely need to do next is simply lend out the "Coffin of Death" and, in the final moments of removing the "Netherworld Fire," use "Pride I" to help them regain their senses.

　That's quite easy.

　……

　At 10:30 p.m., after much consideration, Dak first extracted two points from his "Pride" storage, increasing his "Pride" reserve from 4 to 6.

　The very next day, the first class of December began.