With their own individual schemes in mind, the three maids crowded around Anna.

"Oh, let's not talk about that anymore," Abigail said. "Anna, your skin looks a bit dry. Did you forget your moisturizer? I just bought a jar I haven't used yet. It has very nourishing honey in it, perfect for you. I'll bring it to you in a bit!".

The other two, not wanting Abigail to take the lead, vied with each other to offer Anna "unopened" and "super effective" skincare products. Anna didn't mind maintaining these "plastic" friendships and accepted them all without hesitation.

As the four girls chatted, Kelly offhandedly mentioned a topic that piqued Anna's intense interest. Kelly noted that the small building on the west side of the garden had become quite eerie ever since a noble mage moved in, and no one dared to go near it.

Anna's heart leaped. She quickly followed up, "A mage? The kind that goes pew-pew-pew and throws a lot of magic around?".

The girls laughed at Anna's sound effects. "Yes," Kelly said. "I heard he's a brilliant young genius. Only in his twenties, yet he's already a four-star mage!".

Anna felt her throat tighten with excitement. The original host's memories contained elements of the supernatural, like mages, but she had never seen one in person—well, that wasn't strictly true, as Priest Louis at the Temple of Lumenia in Bluestone City was a priest gifted with the power of light by the Goddess.

Because her host had been of the lower class and lacked an understanding of the world's structure, she knew even less about magic and mages. But as a transmigrator, who hadn't dreamed of being a magic user during their younger, more imaginative years? Since she had traveled to a world with supernatural powers, how could Anna not be interested? She had lacked a way to learn more before, but now that her friends knew something, she was determined to find out more.

"That sounds incredible... I've just arrived at the Manor and don't know anything yet," Anna said bashfully. "Is a four-star mage considered very powerful?".

Since all three were eager to please Anna and show off their knowledge on a non-taboo subject, they began talking all at once.

"Although our Bluestone City doesn't have a Mage Association, I once met a noble mage who was very kind, so I learned a few things," Abigail said proudly. "Did you know that normally a mage apprentice has to be forty before they can become a four-star mage? But that gentleman reached that rank in his twenties! It's amazing! Plus, he's the son of a high-ranking Duke!".

Anna pressed on. "What is a Mage Association? Is 'four-star' a rank? How are mage ranks divided?".

Fiona cut in, determined to contribute. "The Mage Association is where elemental mages go to study. We don't have one in Bluestone City; the nearest one is in Turquoise City. That's why we rarely see mages here. I heard the Manor recruits some mages as consultants, but I've never seen one".

"Mages are loners; they don't usually hang around the Manor," Abigail added. "The one over there just arrived a few days ago to recover from an injury. They say he was hurt by a legendary demon beast! You hadn't even arrived yet when he got here, Anna".

"Wait, I heard he was injured in an assassination attempt?" Kelly countered.

"I heard it from Kanrei. Who did you hear it from?"

"I don't remember, but my source is definitely closer to the truth!"

"Haha, nonsense! The Lord himself has praised Kanrei; how could he be wrong?"

As Abigail and Kelly began to trade snide remarks over whose rumors were more accurate, Anna was dying of impatience. They still hadn't explained what rank a four-star mage was, what an elemental mage was, or if Priest Louis counted as a mage or practiced a different system of power.

Unfortunately, before the three could finish their argument—Fiona had somehow jumped into the fray, and the three of them were now bickering amongst themselves—Anna's break ended. Seeing Rebecca waving at her from a distance, Anna had to bid them farewell and run back to work, leaving the three still arguing behind her.

This was Anna's second day at Wilson Manor, and she continued her training in the kitchen. Aside from the moments when Lord Patrick specifically requested her presence, Anna, as a newcomer, did not have to face the high-ranking members of the household.

Perhaps due to the recent string of "staged accidents" involving the other maids, more people began approaching Anna in the kitchen to pry into her relationship with the young Lord. Anna remained cautious, clarifying that she had no special connection with him and offering no further details.

By her third day at work, Anna noticed that the restless atmosphere from the day before had suddenly vanished. From the other maids, she learned that the sheer number of girls attempting to "fall" in front of Lord Patrick had finally alerted the Head Butler. Furious, he had summoned all the maids involved, gave them a harsh scolding, and docked half a month's wages from each of them.

Consequently, the manor had quieted down again. Anna listened to the news while covering her mouth in feigned shock, perfectly maintaining her persona of wide-eyed innocence. No one suspected that she was the one who had subtly guided the chaos. Even Abigail, Kelly, and Fiona believed they had come up with the idea to attract the Lord's attention on their own, never realizing they were acting according to Anna's design.

When it came time to deliver breakfast to the demon for the third time, Anna couldn't help but marvel at how lazy he was. It was already past 11:00 AM when the valet, Waldo, finally came to the kitchen to have her bring the meal. Anna stole only a single glance at the demon; today, he still possessed that same terrifying aura that seemed capable of scaring someone to death.

The breakfast was as lavish as ever, and Anna stood respectfully to the side, watching as the demon finished every bit of it. She mused that not wasting food was perhaps his only redeeming quality.

As soon as he finished, Anna stepped forward to clear the table. However, just as she approached, the demon suddenly clutched his stomach, and cold sweat began to pour down his forehead.

Anna was startled. Her mind immediately raced with paranoid thoughts: Is this demon trying to frame me for poisoning him? Is he growing impatient and trying to land me in prison so he can force me into a soul contract while I'm desperate?. Cold sweat began to roll down her own back as she imagined the worst-case scenarios.

Waldo's reaction was far more direct. While supporting "Lord Patrick" toward the bedroom, he shouted at Anna, "Quickly! Go find Priest Louis!".

Anna immediately obeyed and rushed out. As the cold wind hit her face outside, she felt a sudden surge of excitement. Perhaps Priest Louis, who reportedly possessed genuine divine power from the Goddess of Light, could see through to the demon's true form and destroy him!. Since she wasn't the one summoning the priest for an "exorcism," even if the attempt failed, the demon couldn't pin the blame on her.

After all, as far as the demon was concerned, she had no way of knowing that a supernatural predator was hidden inside Patrick Wilson's body.