"I want you to tell me where the dark elves live. I am not asking for too much from you, right? Ah, if you are worried about their safety, then don't. I just want to offer them a contract and have them work for me.

My deal with them would be as beneficial for them as it would be for me. I even have a legal document for them to check out here."

Layla brought out the paper she was carrying on her all this time, but the elf in front of her rubbed his forehead at her words.

"You put Rosette in danger just for this information? Ugh, I want to smack you so badly, but I need to resist the urge to do so."

The older elf seemed to be having a hard time processing what happened. His eyes had turned a little cold when he looked at Layla.

She had shattered his confidence in her by putting Rosette in danger and bringing her here, but if Layla were worried about disappointing her teacher, she would not have started any of it.

"I told you before, right? I will go to any length and use anyone and anything to achieve my ultimate goal. That does not discriminate against my teachers or friends either.

Besides, you wanted to meet her, right? Your eyes are still darting toward the door once in a while."

Layla was right.

Loyal Ragnarock found his eyes gravitating toward the door once in a while as his instincts told him to go out and embrace the only thing left behind by the woman he loved. But he controlled himself and paid attention to Layla first.

"Fine! You want those dark elves' location, right? I will give it to you. But I must warn you that reaching them won't be easy. Moreover, you might make some powerful enemies if you seek the dark elves out."

The professor tried to scare Layla away, but she only looked resigned and unafraid.

That was how he knew he couldn't scare her away. At this point, it was better to help her simplify his life.

"I will keep your words in my mind, professor. Now, hand me the address, and we will call this even."

Layla held her hand out, and the professor sighed before he handed her the coordinates for where she needed to go in the form of magic.

[Coordinates registered. Would you like for the system to navigate?]

The mechanical voice asked, and Layla felt a little spooked.

She rarely used the system, to the point that she forgot she even had it. But it did come in handy in situations like these.

"What's wrong? Do you need help reading these coordinates? The magic I cast is not that advanced, but maybe because you are six years old, it feels advanced to you-"

Layla ignored the professor's rambling for the time being and opened the door to let the others inside her party.

Rosette and Adam shot Layla curiously but did not ask her any questions. On the other hand, Raziel kept his guard up and even kept Loyal Ragnarock under suspicion.

"Everyone, this is Professor Loyal Ragnarock, my potions instructor. I am done with your talk, and the professor has agreed to host us for the night. Please come inside, and we can have some tea now."

Layla opened the door for the others to enter, and the elf professor flinched at her bold choice.

He opened his mouth to rebuke Layla, but it was too late.

Rosette was looking at the elf professor with huge eyes; her smile seemed contagious as it spread across her face.

"Thank you, professor Ragnarock. I like your lab! Can we come in?"

"I…ah…sure?"

The elf professor tried to keep his professionalism, but he stumbled in the end and stuttered.

"Pervert."

Layla muttered as she saw her professor acting this way over a literal child, but she did not get any response. Her professor was far too busy trying not to faint or embarrass himself.

...

"Is it fine for you to share a room with me? I mean, If you would prefer to be alone, then I can go and share the room with Adam instead…"

Rosette looked nervous as she stood in the doorway and looked at the king-sized bed in the room.

She felt nervous sleeping on that bed with a noble.

From what she had heard in the orphanage, the nobles liked their privacy and space. They were territorial and could get angry if their space was invaded for no apparent reason.

She did not want to anger Layla and alienate her friend from her. That was why she felt so nervous and did not enter the room.

But Layla did not even look at her, much less give her a glare for being here.

"Come in, Rosette. I don't mind sharing the room, and it would be better if you spent a night with me instead of the boys…. not that anything would happen. We are still six, after all…but you never know."

Layla spoke the same way the older sisters in the church spoke when Rosette told them about taking a bath with other kids.

They looked uncomfortable and asked Rosette to keep her distance from the boys. It was 'for her safety,' or so they claimed.

"Ugh, I don't get it. Why should I be careful of boys? They aren't that different…"

Layla looked disturbed before taking a deep breath and grabbing Rosette's shoulder.

"Rosette, you might not think there is much difference between boys and girls right now, but as we grow up, that difference increases. It is also for your reputation and your friends.

You are free to spend your time however you want to, but if you will pay it with Adam, don't tell others. Otherwise, they will send Adam away for 'your protection.'"

Layla spoke these words but did not elaborate. These words stuck with Rosette, but she did not know their meaning until later.

For now, she was just a kid who had been advised by her friend and intended to follow.