Beatrice moved swiftly through the night, navigating through the deserted alleys and dark streets, making sure to avoid anyone else who might be around. She slowed down or hid whenever she heard the sound of a car passing by. As she approached the wealthy neighborhood, she couldn't help but wonder how those giant metal objects worked. She paused for a moment, observing the cars as they moved past her.
Beatrice slowed her pace as she approached the gated neighborhood, taking a moment to assess the situation. The fence surrounding the area was tall, with sharp metal spikes lining the top to prevent anyone from climbing over. The gate itself was wide, made of wrought iron and guarded by two men in uniform. They seemed alert and well-trained, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of trouble.
With a careful eye, Beatrice surveyed the surroundings, scanning the length of the fence for any sign of a shadowy alcove. Her gaze traced every inch of the fence, noting the spots where the light didn't quite reach, and the places where the shrubbery grew tall enough to offer some cover. After a few moments of scanning, her eyes finally landed on a small, dimly lit corner, where the fence met the nearby hedge. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give her a chance to slip inside unnoticed.
Beatrice moved with agile grace, her movements almost fluid as she darted towards the darkened area on the fence. She approached the fence with momentum, almost appearing as if she was going to run into it, but at the last moment, she pushed off with her feet, using her shadows to propel her upwards. She effortlessly scaled the fence, pulling herself up and over the top with ease. Her heart raced with excitement as she landed on the other side, her landing almost soundless as she touched down on the soft grass.
She looked around cautiously, scanning the area to make sure no one had spotted her. Satisfied that she was still alone, she once again covered herself with shadows and headed towards the first house she saw. It was a grand two-storey house, with large windows, intricate stonework, and a well-manicured garden.
Beatrice approached the house slowly, trying to remain unnoticed. She noticed a large door made of solid oak and a balcony on the second floor.
As Beatrice silently circled the house, she delved deeper into the memories she had acquired. However, she found nothing of use in the man's memories. Frustrated, she moved on to the boy's memories. While they were not entirely helpful, she did find some tidbits about the neighborhood. The boy seemed to only care about the cars and pretty girls.
Beatrice slowly approached the window. Peering inside, she saw that the room was empty, but she remained cautious. Slowly, she tried to open the window, fearing it might creak and give her away. To her relief, the window opened smoothly, and she carefully climbed inside, silently chanting her magic to keep her footsteps quiet.
As she entered the room, she felt a strange sensation wash over her. She had been using her mana quite a bit since transforming, and now she was running out. She realized she hadn't recovered enough mana to replenish what she had used in her transformation.
As Beatrice looked around the room, her eyes quickly took in the opulent furnishings. The walls were adorned with several intricate paintings while the long sofa was covered with plush cushions. Frilly curtains hung on the windows, their delicate lace patterns adding to the room's elegance. The chandelier on the ceiling sparkled and cast a warm glow over the room. However, as Beatrice scanned the room, she couldn't spot any cash. Her frown deepened as she realized the man's memories had not been as useful once again. She decided to move on to the next room in hopes of finding something of value.
As Beatrice entered the kitchen, the soft light coming from the ceiling created an almost warm atmosphere. The kitchen was quite spacious, with a polished wooden floor and white walls. The furniture was simple but elegant, with cabinets made of dark wood and silver handles. The countertops were made of a sleek black stone, and the appliances looked expensive and new. The fridges were stainless steel and had magnets that showed different places the owners had visited.
As she scanned the area, she noticed a bowl on the counter with some coins in it, which brought a smile to her face. She went closer to the bowl and saw that there were a few silver-looking coins. She quickly pocketed them then turned towards the refrigerator.
"Let's find the good stuff.", she muttered to herself. She had gone without a proper meal for some time and was practically salivating at the sight of the refrigerator. Slowly, she opened the door, the warm light illuminating the room. The refrigerator was filled to the brim with foodstuffs, from fresh produce to neatly packaged meat. Beatrice's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the abundance of food.
She couldn't resist the urge to grab a random fruit and take a bite. The sweet taste exploding in her mouth was a delightful sensation that she relished. She rummaged through the refrigerator, taking out all sorts of food. Beatrice sat down at the kitchen counter and relished in the taste of the food. It was the first time in a while that she had felt somewhat satiated.
As she looked around, she spotted a small pantry in the corner of the kitchen. She headed towards it, hoping to find water to quench her thirst. She opened the door and found herself staring at rows of wine bottles, champagne, and other expensive-looking drinks. Beatrice sighed, not recognizing any of them using the memories she aquired. Both their owners had either been too poor or too young to recognize them. She kept searching until she finally found a few bottles of mineral water, which she eagerly grabbed and drank. The water tasted refreshing, and it gave her a much-needed energy boost.
Beatrice looked at the abundance of food in the refrigerator and couldn't bring herself to leave so much behind. She knew it was risky to take too much, but she also knew that food was scarce in her situation. She decided to take as much as she could carry, but she didn't have anything to hold them all in.
So, she walked back to the previous room and slowly dragged the rug from the floor to the kitchen. She laid it on the ground and started taking out whatever fresh produce or sealed containers with food she could find from the refrigerator, placing them onto the rug. She couldn't believe her luck at finding such a bounty, but she also knew she had to be quick before someone discovered her presence in the house.
Beatrice slowly made her way through the house, the weight of the food-filled rug on her back. As she passed through a room decorated with life-sized statues of gods and goddesses, she couldn't help but marvel at their beauty. The statues were so lifelike, their features expertly carved in stone. She could feel the power emanating from them, almost as if they were alive.
She then entered a grand room with an ornate staircase that seemed to lead to the upper floor. The stairs were made of marble, and the railing was adorned with intricate designs that matched the statues in the previous room. Beatrice couldn't resist running her hand along the railing, feeling the smoothness of the marble under her fingertips. But just as she was about to ascend the stairs, she heard the sound of footsteps coming from above. She froze as she wondered if she had been discovered.