He is right, I have to get trained and stronger on my own and I also don't know which side he's on, even though he hates the protagonists but he is loyal to the kingdom.
"Please give me the best magic books you have on training and magic beast summoning and can you make it to have an ordinary book cover". she said, so as not to alert any unwanted attention to herself, it would be suspicious to buy magic books as the original doesn't possess mana.
" No problem, but it'll cost more". he said, as he let out a smirk.
"No problem".
"Do you know where I can get two magic ovens"?
"I have them some in the back," he said I give the weirdest look that says why do you have that, although I know he's a great mage but it's not normal to have them in the back of your shop as usually only those that are certified are allowed to make magic tools.
"Well, I got bored one day one thing lend to another and I made a few but no one has asked for one, so I have them stored in back".he explained, as put is handed on one cheek.
"O-okay". she replied, with complicated thoughts.
" I'll like to purchase two, pleased".
"Noted". he said while looking serious as wrote it down in a journal filled with financial transactions.
"he's seriously good at this look at those details". she thought as she give a big thumbs up as she admired him in her head
"So I'll have someone come here and get them, I"ll give them something so you know it's me"
"Okay". he replied
" That would be 250 gold, please". He replied, with a smile on his face like the crook businessman, he is.
" Wow, that's a lot". she thought.
While she paid, he explained how the magic ring, teleportation scrolls, and storage space work.
" To use the teleportation scroll, you just think where you want to go and rip it"
"For the storage space just touch the object and think about sending to the space and vice versa"
" And lastly, the magic contract just let them their sign it and put a drop of blood or tear on it to seal the process and it can only be annulled when the contract term is over but certain conditions like not revealing a secret can be kept till they die, ".he said
"Thank you". She mumbled softly.
" Come again, I can't wait to see what your future holds". he said, full of expectations
" Goodbye". she spoke in a polite tone.
"Honestly, how did that guy become the great mage of solaria, I think whoever declared that has a few screws loose, anyway overall he seems talented I'll give him that and I got what I needed and found out that I have mana". She thought as pulled her hair back and walked towards the step into the carriage.
" Well, that was unexpectedly fun, an outsider who would've thought but I wonder where the original went". he thought as she left the shop.
"Welcome back, my lady". Marie said.
" Thanks, Marie".
" Coachman, take us to south avenue downtown".she spoke, as she got into the carriage put her hand on her cheek, and looked out the window.
" I understand, my lady". he replied in a respectful and polite tone
As we got to our destination, Marie told the coachman to stop. we got out of the carriage and walked on the sidewalk of the busy to which she found a dark alley away from the carriage and people eye views, then told Marie to keep watch and put on the ring to change her hair and eyes brown then she stepped out of the alley and revealed herself as Marie stood there not surprised or moved.
" My lady, you're done". she spoke, as she bowed.
"You aren't surprised".She asked Marie as she raised one of her brows and put her hand on her chin as she tilted her head sideways.
" My job is to serve, my lady wholeheartedly which also includes keeping her secrets".
"Seems like I made the right choice". she thought, as sighed in relief.
" Marie, as you know I have a lot of people in the mansion who hate me and try to find my weakness to use against me, so I can be backstabbed at any point in time that's the reason why I don't trust you just yet, so I want you to sign this magic contract to swear never to reveal my secret and in exchange, I'll double your salary and take care of your needs, so what do you say". she said as she and Marie step back into the alley
" I'll sign it, my lady". She replied with the creepiest smile I have seen, now that I think about I haven't seen her show much emotion once since I got here.
"O-okay".she replied, as took two steps back, I think I like it better when she doesn't smile, as she signed the magic contract and added a drop of blood sealing the contract as she spoke these words.
" Repeat after me, I swear on my name to never betray my lady and to always be loyal and never reveal her secrets even after this contract ends". she said as she closed her eyes.
" I swear on my name to never betray my lady and to always be loyal and never reveal her secrets even after this contract ends, ".she said, as the contract glowed and as it came into effect.
" I always wanted to do that even though, it wasn't required and all she had to do was put a drop of blood but that's way too boring and plain for my liking, it's more exciting this way".
" I hope all goes well".she said, in a cool voice as she sighed.
" I promise to do my best, my lady". She spoke
They left the alley and continued walking on the sidewalk as she looked at several store windows and observed them, she saw a few women talking about cosmetics and the new outfits they bought as they bragged about their husband and family wealth.
" it's obvious that they're from wealthy and noble homes from the designers they're talking about". she thought, as she recognized the names of the designer since the original owner liked their things too.
After walking for a while, Marie lead her toward a good-looking man with green hair with long hair tied in a ponytail, and stunning grey eyes dressed in black trousers and a white shirt.
"You know I completely convinced that everyone in this kingdom is gorgeous and not normal in any sense whatsoever well then again it's not like the people around me were ever normal, ".she thought, as she shuddered in her head.
" Greetings".she spoke, we exchange greetings as Marie introduce us to each other.
" This is my lady, who is seeking to purchase a building".
" my name is Jacob and I am the owner of this building".
" My name is miracle grace". she said as she used her original name as an alias.
" That's unusually are you from her". he asked, politely in a genuinely curious manner.
"My parents aren't from here". she replied, smoothly without a hitch.
"That why it sounded unfamiliar, I am sorry if I offended you".
"No problem".
"I'll take you to look around the building".
"This is this the kitchen and there 4 bathrooms, two upstairs and two downstairs, it's a little dusty and needs a little work but it's a great building". He said, as he explained the conditions of the building and suggested what could be done to make it better.
"Excuse me for interrupting, Mr. Jacob but do you know a place that sells baking ingredients and tools". she asked Jacob, as he explained the best place to get them and the estimated cost.
" Marie can you buy some eggs, flour, baking soda, honey, fruits lemons, bowls, ice, water, baking tools, cake decorations, etc". she spoke, as she handed her around 50 gold.
"I understand miss, I'll be back soon". she said as she walked out of the building.
As we continued touring the building, the kitchen is big and in working condition which is good for my plan and this is the exact type of building she was imagining as she envisioned how and where things would stay.
"How much is it". she asked
"10 gold, miss".he responded
"I'll purchase it".she spoke, as they discussed the transfer of ownership to her and he explained the different ways to transfer ownership and the best method to use.
"Okay, I'll get the contract for transfer ownership ready".he said excitedly, as he brought the contract and explained the terms and conditions.
" He seems like the honest person for now at least". she thought, as she an idea popped into her head.
" Miss, the bakers you asked for are here". He spoke, as he came to inform her.
"Thank you, tell them I will right with them". she said as she let out a small smile.
" Also before you go, do you have contact people who construct and design the interior of a building ". She asked.
"No I don't, but I do know someone who does i"ll get in contact with them, ".he said, after contemplating for quite a bit.
"Thank you". she spoke in a very grateful voice.
she signed the contract with the former owner and made her way downstairs and spotted 6 humans, 3 elves and a half-demon boy and yes demons, elves, dwarves and all those magical creatures exist after all light in the dark was a typical otome game.
"Miss, these are the bakers, although Damien(half-demon) wasn't officially employed as one, he is a good baker. I hope you don't mind his origin"
" I don't mind at all, I care about is how skilled he is and what he can contribute".She replied, in a calm manner.
" After all, he can't be bad compared to most people I've to have me". she thought,
"AHHHH, demon".
"Isn't he a demon"
"What is demon doing here"
" All demons should perish"
"The nerve of him to show his even after what his kind did".they all whispered and cussed him.
" Please stop talking, ".she said, as they quiet down and stopped talking.
"Like I was saying, I don't mind him being here, everyone here is being judged on their skills and I don't care about their background if they're they they they humans or not, so I hope you focus on your skills, thank you you you".
" There is going to be a competition to decide who is skilled and capable enough to work for me. Out of the 10 of you, I am going to choose the 3 best and the three with the winning desserts is going to add to my main menu".
" Wow"
"Wonderful".
"This is such an amazing opportunity".they said
"I, Marie are going judge your dessert on four criteria". She spoke, as she was about to list the criteria.
"W-we are". Marie answered hesitantly as she tried to decline.
"Yes, I would like you to help". she said, as pleaded with Marie to help, I would also like sir Jacob's help but he is familiar with one of the contestants.
"Okay miss, I'll try my best".she replied, determined to perform well
"The criteria for judging are:
The precision of techniques ( 5 points)
Originality(4 points)
Taste and texture(7 points)
Design(4 points) ".she said as she explained the rules in which their dessert and drinks would be judged.
"There are going to be 3 rounds which are:
(round 1) drinks, for this round the time given will be 20 minutes.
(round 2) pastries, the time given will be 40 minutes
(round 3)cakes, the time for this round will be 60 minutes, each round has 20 points, the person with highest points in each round wins".
Marie came to tell me that the items are ready for use to which I replied okay.
"Please follow me to the kitchen".
" This is where the making of desserts will be carried out, no cheating anyone caught will be disqualified immediately and try as much as possible to limit the use sugar you can use honey as a sweetener instead, I also want to see experimentation and creativity with the designs ".
" Although, my last life wasn't the best but thanks to being some who couldn't say no, I've been able to judge baking and cooking competitions before". she thought as she got one good thing from it but she wouldn't go back to that life.
"if anyone has a question but raise your hand". she said, as she scanned through the crowd to spot Damien raising his hand.
" Yes, Damien".she answered, as she was eager to listen to his question.
" is he up to something".
" I can't see why he or the elves are allowed to be here".
"Yeah, I don't know why the emperor allowed them into this kingdom while they live off of our taxes". They said
" l am all for freedom of speech but you have learned to hold your tongue, or did forget in the heat of the moment that you guys could get beheaded for slandering his Majesty right".She spoke, as it went died silently almost immediately in the room.
" I thought so, be careful remember the walls have an ear". she said, as she looked at the people who were talking with their heads held up a few minutes ago, now as they shivered in fear as their knees were about to give out.
" You can ask your question, Damien".
" Are we allowed to experiment with the taste or should it be more traditional ?".
"That's a good question, Damien as most bakers and the general public like to stick with a well known and familiar taste which is understandable but it has led us to not come up with new flavors as we are too afraid of the unknown but you can experiment as long as the flavors are well balanced".
"Is that all". she said, as nodded.
" Let the competition begin".