My older sister is a villainous rich girl.

"If I had to say why, it would only be because of the subject matter."

On his way to the research lab, Wayne reflected deeply on his mistakes.

The experience I gained from watching harem or stock market anime protagonists in the past is somewhat inaccurate when applied to otome (female) anime like "The Villainess: Heiress."

Damn it! It's just a Mary Sue character that you can win over so easily!

Upon hearing the news of yet another failure, Ge Li, who was in the orchestra, simply gave a cold "oh" and continued practicing.

It looks like it's almost lost its motivation.

But his time became tight, and he could no longer spend time in the orchestra.

Dejected, Wayne followed the address Professor Conley had given him to his personal research room.

Tall trees on both sides sandwich a path in the middle, casting dappled sunlight through the intertwined branches and leaves. Under the dense foliage, a gray building stands out.

Although it's just a personal research lab in a rather remote location, it looks much better than the student council's place.

Wayne stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Professor Conley's voice rang out.

But before he could make a move, several vines stretched out from the crack in the door and pulled it open.

Wayne looked in surprise along the angle of the vine's spread and saw a deformed wooden figure.

It was as if a tree the size of an adult had been randomly pulled from somewhere and the top section had been cut off. The extensive root system was exposed on the floor, yet it was washed very clean, with no soil visible.

The "vine" retreated from under the bare tree roots of the wooden figure, like a tentacle of an octopus reaching out.

"This is..." Wayne stood at the door for a while before going in.

Professor Conley wore an apron over his white robe and was holding a saw, cutting something.

"You're here." He greeted them casually, just like the owners of those roadside stalls.

"Since you are my disciple, you must start from the most basic things and work diligently."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a branch appeared out of thin air, wiping up a rag. "Let's clean up first."

Wayne, looking bewildered, picked up the rag and glanced at Professor Conley in the lab, who seemed to find this method inconvenient and had simply put one foot on the workbench, sawing wood continuously.

"Didn't I come here to learn magic?"

Professor Conley's expression turned serious. "What do you think is the most important secret of magic?"

Wayne thought for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Hengxin?"

Everyone is very weak when they first awaken their magic.

Only through daily practice, learning, and application can one gradually master more powerful magical spells. Essentially, it is a process of continuously expanding one's magic pool and constantly improving the efficiency of magic utilization.

This is something he only gradually began to understand after becoming a magical girl.

Conley was surprised when he heard what he said.

"You've thought it through very thoroughly."

He then gestured with his chin, indicating, "So now, cleaning is also part of training your perseverance!"

"That's a lie! Just like when we were in school and we were made to clean the public restrooms, supposedly to cultivate a work ethic—it's all a lie!"

Wayne was internally ranting and raving.

However, he still gripped the rag tightly in his hand.

It's just cleaning, right?! If you can teach me magic, I'll show you in no time!!!

He channeled his grief and anger into motivation, starting with what was at hand, wiping away sawdust and dust until it flew everywhere.

"Hey! Don't start wiping there! My darling—"

Wayne got goosebumps from his shout and hesitated, stopping his hand from touching the wooden figure.

Conley dropped the saw and ran over anxiously, hugging the wooden figure and stroking it repeatedly.

"Don't touch this!" he said.

Wayne asked with a somewhat strange expression, "Could this piece of wood be your...wife?"

Conley looked bewildered. "What? What wife?"

He said irritably, "What I mean is, it's easily damaged by water!"

"Oh—" Wayne suddenly realized.

You startled me; I thought you were the type to consider strange things as wives.

"It took me a lot of effort to make this thing," Conley said proudly. "It opens when I say 'come in' and closes when I say 'get out.'"

As he said this, the wooden figure obediently extended its vines, then withdrew them halfway through.

Wayne was actually quite interested in this thing.

"How did you do that?" He carefully examined the grain of the wood.

It's almost like a voice-activated switch, but it's smart.

"Hmph." Conley crossed his arms, looking smug. "If you behave well, I'll teach you how to do it."

Please, I'm already an old man, stop trying to act cute!

Wayne smirked and shouted energetically, "Understood, teacher! I'll clean properly!"

……

After school, Chris waited for him at the entrance of the elementary school so they could go home together.

For some reason, ever since the massacre that wiped out his family, Chris has insisted on going to and from school with him every day, even during weekend tutoring sessions.

Wayne climbed unsteadily onto the carriage and collapsed onto the seat like a dog.

"Has it been hollowed out?" Chris laughed.

Even inside the carriage, she held a pen in her hand, flipping through a stack of booklets while scribbling on blank paper.

"Yeah, I spent the whole day cleaning."

Wayne complained bitterly, "That Professor Conley is inhuman. He hasn't cleaned the room in days. There's a huge pile of lab coats and aprons on the floor. He only cleaned a small part of it today, and I guess he'll have to continue tomorrow."

"Oh, I see," Chris said absentmindedly. "Actually, we could hire some staff to help with the cleaning."

"Normally, outsiders are not allowed to enter Qingxi Academy, but many internal staff members, and even some students from poor families, are willing to take this opportunity to earn some extra money to supplement their family income."

Yes, she mentioned Wayne and it reminded me of him.

The original female lead also helped the teachers with some auxiliary work in her spare time in order to supplement her family's income.

However, such behavior would be looked down upon by nobles from privileged backgrounds.

There was a moment of silence inside the carriage.

"By the way, what are you drawing?" Wayne asked casually.

It doesn't look like homework.

"This?" Chris held up the not-too-thick stack of booklets and waved it, answering lightly, "It's a special revenue generated by our family's trading company since the launch of the miniature Bobbi doll."

Wayne: !!!

He sat bolt upright in surprise.