In the dorm, Lilith stared at the ceiling for three minutes.
“One more try.”
Lilith took a deep breath and extended her right index finger once again.
This time, she was smarter about it. She stopped trying to pinpoint the Demon King's Palace all at once; that required precise coordinates and a deep understanding of spatial structure, which she couldn't manage yet.
She changed her approach: since Veen’s magic provided a general direction, it was like... opening blind boxes? If she just kept trying different directions, she was bound to get lucky once, right?
Regardless, she had plenty of magic to burn, so she could afford to be reckless.
The first time she tore open a spatial crack, she peered through it.
It was the same ruins from before. She immediately withdrew her gaze and closed the crack.
The second time, it seemed to be a plane currently engulfed in war. Lilith closed it decisively.
The third time, the deep sea? Forget it.
...
Lilith frowned as she toggled through countless planes, rapidly opening and closing one spatial crack after another.
She only took a quick glance each time, immediately switching if it wasn't right.
The eighth time.
The crack opened.
A familiar aura wafted through.
“Found it!”
Lilith’s eyes lit up, and she stepped through without hesitation.
The Demon King's Palace.
Veen was sitting at a tea table, holding a cup of steaming tea.
His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were savoring the aroma or perhaps lost in thought.
Then—
Slap!
A palm landed firmly on his back.
Veen’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, but not a single drop of tea spilled. However, he clearly stiffened for a moment before turning his head with a hint of helplessness.
Lilith stood behind him with a smug smile on her face.
“Your Majesty?” Veen set down the teacup, a flash of surprise in his eyes. “Didn’t you just leave a few days ago? Why are you back already?”
“And...” He paused, his tone becoming a bit more inquisitive. “How did you get back? Did you learn teleportation magic?”
“Of course not.”
Lilith waved her hand, pulled out the chair opposite Veen, and sat down, pouring herself a cup of tea as she spoke. “I tore through space myself to get here.”
She took a sip of tea and smacked her lips. “Not bad. As for the process... there were a few minor accidents. I ended up in some strange places, but the result was good. I finally made it back.”
Veen fell silent for two seconds.
He sighed.
“So, does Your Majesty have a specific reason for returning this time?” He picked up his teacup again, his tone returning to its usual composure. “Surely it wasn’t just for a cup of my tea?”
“Oh, right, business.”
Lilith set down her cup, her expression turning serious. “Veen, there’s a human student at the Holy City Magic Academy named Karl. In just half a month, he went from a quasi-Rank 1 beginner straight to a Rank 4 Mage. Do you think that’s normal?”
Veen’s hand holding the teacup faltered almost imperceptibly.
He looked up at Lilith, a trace of contemplation flashing in his eyes.
“Half a month, from quasi-Rank 1 to Rank 4?” he repeated, and Lilith could hear the slight gravity in his voice.
“Yes, it’s absolutely true. It’s officially certified by the academy; he’s ranked first in talent,” Lilith nodded.
“I’ve seen him myself. His magic fluctuations are very stable. He’s definitely a solid Rank 4, not some fake. But this is just too fast—unreasonably fast.”
Veen was silent for a moment.
“That is indeed abnormal,” he said slowly.
“Human mages need time to accumulate magic to promote. Even with the support of top-tier resources, reaching Rank 4 in half a month... exceeds the definition of a genius. It’s more like...”
He trailed off, not finishing the sentence.
“More like what?” Lilith pressed.
“More like a form of forced catalysis,” Veen explained, setting down his teacup and lightly tapping his finger on the table.
“Catalysis?” Lilith frowned.
“Forcibly raising one’s realm, perhaps even paying a price in exchange for gaining power in a short time,” Veen said.
“Such methods have appeared in the history of humans and other races alike. However, most are considered forbidden because the consequences are endless.”
“So, you think Karl used one of these forbidden methods?” Lilith asked.
“I’m not sure,” Veen shook his head. “I haven’t seen him myself, so I can’t judge. But reaching Rank 4 in half a month is almost impossible through normal means. Unless...”
“Unless what?”
“Unless there was already a power hidden within him that didn’t belong to him. Or, an external force is helping him.” Veen looked at Lilith. “What do you think, Your Majesty?”
Lilith recalled Karl’s appearance. Compared to before, she hadn’t felt any particularly unusual aura.
“I couldn’t tell,” she said honestly. “That’s why I came to ask you. Do you know what’s going on? Or are there any similar precedents among the demon race?”
Veen shook his head.
“Your Majesty, I do not know. My understanding of the human mage promotion system is limited. Furthermore, if this truly involves some rare forbidden technique or a hidden faction, it’s normal that I wouldn’t know.”
Lilith was a bit disappointed. Even Veen didn't know?
But then, Veen changed the subject.
“However, there is someone who might know.”
Lilith’s eyes lit up. “Who?”
Veen looked at her and slowly uttered a name:
“Eve.”
“The Fourth of the Four Calamities, Eve.”
Lilith blinked. “Who is she?”
“Eve is...” Veen pondered for a moment.
“She is quite unique. She spends far more time sleeping than she does awake. However... she might know something.”
Lilith thought about it.
That... seemed to make some sense? Someone in a state of long-term sleep with a wandering consciousness might indeed come across some strange knowledge.
“Fine.” She stood up. “Take me to her.”
Veen also rose and bowed slightly.
“Certainly, Your Majesty. Please follow me.”
Eve’s residence was in a very remote corner deep within the Demon King's Palace.
She looked even more petite than Lilith had imagined.
She lay there with her eyes closed, her breathing steady, looking like she was sleeping soundly.
Lilith and Veen stood by her bed, watching the soundly sleeping Eve.
“Is she... always like this?” Lilith whispered.
“Basically,” Veen nodded. “Unless there’s something exceptionally important or she’s had enough sleep, she won’t wake up.”
“How do we wake her?”
“It’s usually not recommended to wake her forcibly,” Veen said. “She has a bit of morning crankiness. However...”
“Since it’s you, Your Majesty, perhaps you could try.”
Lilith raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give it a shot.”
She stepped forward, crouched beside Eve, and reached out to gently shake her shoulder.
“Eve? Wake up.”
No reaction.
Lilith applied a bit more force and shook her again. “Eve, get up. I have something to ask you.”
Eve’s brow furrowed slightly, and a muffled mumble escaped her lips. She rolled over, buried her face in the cushions, and continued to sleep.
Lilith: “...”
She looked back at Veen. Veen made a gesture for her to continue.
Lilith took a deep breath, leaned into Eve’s ear, and raised her voice:
“EVE! GET! UP!”
“Mmm...”
Eve finally showed some reaction. She sluggishly opened her eyes, which were filled with confusion and lacked focus, clearly not fully awake yet.
She stared at Lilith’s face, which was inches away, for several seconds, and then...
Her eyes slowly closed again.
Her head tilted to the side as she drifted back to sleep.
Lilith: “...”
Beside her, Veen’s shoulders were shaking slightly as he tried to suppress a laugh.
Lilith narrowed her eyes.
It seemed she would have to use some unconventional methods.
She reached out and pinched Eve’s small nose.
“Mmm... hmph...”
Unable to breathe properly, Eve’s brow furrowed even tighter, and her limbs began to flail unconsciously.
Lilith didn’t let go.
A moment later, Eve finally woke up completely.
She slapped Lilith’s hand away with a “thwack” and sat up. She glared at Lilith, her eyes still watery from sleep and filled with... obvious anger.
“Who... woke me... up...”
Her voice was soft and carried a heavy nasal tone, lacking any real intimidation.
“Me,” Lilith said frankly. “I have something to ask you.”
Eve stared at her for a few seconds, seemingly only just recognizing who was in front of her.
“Demon... King...” She rubbed her eyes. “What is it...”
“Something very important,” Lilith said. “Regarding a human mage who went from quasi-Rank 1 to Rank 4 in half a month. Do you know what’s going on?”
Eve tilted her head, her gaze still hazy as if she were struggling to process Lilith’s words.
After a long while, she finally spoke sluggishly:
“Human... Rank 4... half a month...”
Rate on N.U.
