"There is quite a lot of interesting news for you to know about, young miss. I got that man to speak up all he could before disposing of his body. I am sure you will be interested in learning all about it."

Mary assured the younger girl, her mischievous air adding an intriguing twist to the conversation.

"Stop beating around the bush and speak up. I don't have the whole day to listen to your chatter."

Layla spoke in an annoyed voice. Mary's indecisiveness made her eyes twitch, and the older demon noticed this.

For the first time in forever, Mary stopped teasing Layla and told her the truth.

"So, apparently, this competition is just a front for the nobles around here to gain fame. But that is not all. This magic-control competition is also a place for them to operate their business of kidnapping and selling children.

According to the reports I've read up until now, more than 20% of participants end up disappearing along with their parents during this competition. That man we captured told us that those people end up as slaves."

This was…troubling. Mainly because Layla was walking directly into the problem she had been trying to avoid.

But every cloud had a silver lining, and this time was no different.

"This competition has all kinds of participants. I am sure the nobles list people they can go after without causing much trouble. Their cover can get blown if they went after anyone noble or wealthy."

It was obvious to conclude at this point.

"Mary, which name did we participate under?"

Layla asked her maid since she had arranged all the paperwork and completed the other physical tasks required for participation.

"Ah, we registered under a normal name. It would be better to win without using the Duke's name and then revealing that we are from the Dukedom. That way, no one could accuse us of buying our way to victory…but it looks like this can cause trouble. Shall I deal with this situation for you?"

Layla asked, and she looked excited at the thought of being able to 'take care' of more trash.

"I cannot allow you to do that…for now. Let's observe what is happening here. And once these people try to make a move on me, you have my permission to do what you want to."

Layla doubted that she would be targeted, but one may never know.

After all, these people had already tried to go after once. They could very well try to go after her once more.

...

"Welcome, all participants. We will now divide you into sections for your stay here. Those with a golden band should follow me; those with a red band should follow the female instructor; and those with a blue one should follow the male instructor."

Layla looked at her red band and quickly walked behind the female instructor.

The segregation had already begun, even before the competition started, and Layla cursed at her past self.

She had paid for a regular room and was likely stuck with the bunch who would most likely be kidnapped.

Layla observed the groups as soon as they had finished being divided.

The blue group had the richest people, while the golden had nobles and other influential people.

On the other hand, her group consisted of only normal people who knew little about magic, but they wanted to stand out and get someone to take them under their wing.

'What a shame. Most of these kids look like they are orphans as well. They have no one accompanying them, and these are likely their best clothes.'

Layla was an orphan in her last life and started as an orphan in this one.

That made her feel like she was a companion to these kids.

But that was where her feelings stopped. She did not sympathize with these kids (or she tried to). They could work hard and turn it around if serious about their life.

'Now I am just projecting myself on these kids. I need to get my head in order here.'

Layla shook her head as she continued to walk behind these kids. Most of them looked excited, not knowing they were walking right into the jaws of danger.

"Mary, make sure to survey this place once we settle down. I will head toward the first competition. I doubt these people would go after me first."

Layla advised her maid, who looked quite amused at her young miss's suggestion before she quickly left.

It left Layla all alone in the sea of kids, and she was soon assigned a room with a few 'better-off' people than the bunch.

All these kids had parents staying in the same room as her, but they ignored her.

The room had four beds, separated by a small curtain in the middle. This made Layla capable of hearing each word that these people spoke.

She did not want to hear the private conversations between these kids and their parents, but one of them caught her ears.

"Do I have to do this, Mother? I don't want any kid to be separated from their mother. It would make me sad if I never saw you again."

The kid spoke in a low voice. It was barely a whisper, but Layla heard it.

"It'll be fine. Don't think about what you are doing. Just remember, you are doing this for Daddy and these kids. Most kids here are poor, and they don't even have food to eat. They will be sent to a place with more food and better living conditions by making them follow you.

You will be doing them all a favor. Don't you want to help these kids?"

The mother spoke in the same low voice as her son, making the son hesitate.

Most kids in this competition were no older than eight, and the mother was bluntly manipulating her kid into helping with the kidnapping.

Layla wanted to ignore it, but since it was also related to her survival, she felt compelled to listen to her.