Inside the Paradiso Mansion's garden, flowers bloomed in all seasons, and butterflies danced, while the gardeners meticulously trimmed every flower bed into neat, square shapes.
Beneath the domed gazebo built with elegant white marble, Lilith and her mother were enjoying afternoon tea.
Standing beside them was a raven, its entire body ablaze with black flames, craning its neck and glaring at Lilith, emitting a hoarse voice:
"So, Mil, the priest who was the culprit behind so many people being captured, isn't a traitor to the Abyss? And you're even supposed to protect him?"
"Yes, that's what the Honored Lord said."
"But the news from the Church is that Mil disguised himself as the Demon God's Child's spokesperson and set up this trap!"
Lady Charles, who was beside them, put down her teacup and said with a smile, "Ibon, this should just be Mil's excuse to the Church. The Demon God's Child is so cautious; the spokesperson he chooses must have a certain level of strength and be absolutely loyal to the Abyss. It's unlikely to be Mil."
One could tell that the Black Magician Ibon was very angry. His most beloved disciple, Theron, had been captured and was undergoing unimaginable torture.
Meanwhile, the succubus mother and daughter, who had assisted Theron in casting the slumbering spell, were leisurely sipping afternoon tea.
The raven tilted its head, its body shaking with flames:
"Tsk... The Demon God's Child refuses to show himself, and now everyone has been captured. Is Mil the only one left who can contact the 'spokesperson'?"
"Probably... yes."
"Probably? I think you two, mother and daughter, should understand even more clearly that without me, you wouldn't be where you are today! Likewise, only by letting me become the Demon God's Child can you have a future, so you must find the current Demon God's Child before the chaos holy stone is unsealed! This is our only chance..."
"I understand."
Saying this, Lilith pursed her lips and lowered her head somewhat helplessly. The black-flame raven, meanwhile, stamped its feet on the railing, impatiently pressing on:
"So what exactly is Mil's identity? A Cultist? A Black Magician?"
Lilith hesitated for a moment, gripping her fingers tightly before making up her mind to say, "He... is just a pure Abyss worshipper."
"Oh? Why does the Demon King value him so much then? Is it just because he's the Saintess's brother?"
"Yes. The Honored Lord didn't reveal any more information."
"Then... what's Mil's reason for serving the Demon God's Child?"
"He gained magic talent."
The raven's head suddenly rotated 180 degrees, blinking its red eyes, and after pondering for a moment, it asked, "Oh? He hasn't become a Black Magician yet?"
"No, he hasn't become a Black Magician. At least, I haven't seen him use dark-attribute magic."
In fact, Lilith didn't necessarily have to keep Mil's secret.
But if she admitted it, the other party would likely use that reason to threaten Mil into finding the Demon God's Child.
If Ibon succeeded, that would be fine, but if he failed, both mother and daughter would be implicated and doomed.
"Are you saying the Demon King allowed an ordinary person to become an elemental magician? Meridiana Sidi, you'd better not lie!"
"Is there a need to?"
Lilith looked up, her gaze becoming much more resolute.
...
During this time, Mil was incredibly busy, working at the Church in the mornings, attending classes at school during the day, and perfecting his plans at night...
But this kind of life was very fulfilling.
Finally, on the "Action Plan for Conquering the World," he left two words:
Precipitation.
Klama, the Tribunal Adjudicator, thought that after Mil became a hero of the Holy City, he would be influenced by this atmosphere and enter a positive cycle from then on.
He never expected this kid to remain incorrigible. To some extent, Mil even counter-culturally influenced him.
Klama: "Tell me, what are the eight virtues of a knight?"
Mil: "Tense, Urgent, Filial, Joyful, Elegant, Numb."
Klama: "Six."
Mil: "Tang."
Klama: "Get out."
...
In the Sibyl Magic Academy, in a tiered lecture hall for two hundred people, an external lecturer from the Tribunal was giving a boring law class...
And after a period of intensive study, Mil's magic theory knowledge gradually improved, and he gained a deeper understanding of magic.
What he first mastered was storage-type magic, which allowed him to carry magic stones, Black Magic tools, and the succubus book with him and keep them hidden.
During class, he no longer sat with Lilith; the gazes around her were too intense, he couldn't stand it.
Moreover, any kindness this woman showed came at a price...
In contrast, Mil preferred to fiddle with the "succubus book." Miley, the succubus's daughter, had a pleasant voice and was gentle.
She could also help Mil collect Black Magic knowledge, chat with him, and offer advice.
Mil habitually sat in the corner of the classroom, taking out the succubus book:
"Miley, Miley, since vampires belong to the Undead, then according to the Church's laws, does pushing down a vampire girl only count as desecrating a corpse?"
"Honored Lord, most vampires have a fishy smell, and a vampire girl's body is very cold. I don't think you would like it."
"What about you?"
"Heh, my temperature... you'll only know if you try it."
"I asked, do you have a fishy smell?"
"..."
Mil liked to fiddle with the succubus book for another reason: it allowed him to train his control over dark attributes and strengthen his mental resonance.
A thought suddenly popped into his head: Miley's name had magic, and this book could communicate with her...
So, Mil wrote "Meridiana Sidi" in the book, then activated his magic, and his finger gently glided over the name.
His fingertip actually felt a moist, delicate sensation.
"Ah—!"
A sudden scream in the classroom startled Mil...
He looked up, following everyone's gaze, and saw Lilith on the other side of the classroom suddenly tremble, her face flushed, clutching her skirt, her legs weak.
The law teacher put down his thick textbook and asked, "Miss Lilith? Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Teacher, I'm fine... I just had a cramp. Please continue."
The previously sleepy classroom suddenly became lively, and the warm-hearted boys all started to boil water.
Mil didn't pay it any mind, only feeling the book in his hand beginning to heat up.
The book's cover, which felt like skin, not only turned fair with a rosy glow but also noticeably changed in texture, becoming even smoother and more delicate.
It was as smooth as a beautiful girl's skin...
His finger gently glided over the distinctly jointed spine on the back of the book, and it seemed to tremble and twitch.
Besides this, Mil was pleasantly surprised to discover that he could connect to Miley's "magic nerves" through this book and improve his magic level through synchronization!
As for Lilith, she had completely lost the desire to attend class. Clenching her fists, she lay on the desk, her taut face almost cooked through...
Soon, Miley's pleading voice came from the other end of the book page:
"Honored Lord... please don't do this..."
"Heh, you say no, and I won't?"
How could Mil let go of such a quick way to improve his strength?
No wonder they say there's beauty like jade in books; this book truly is jade! Not only will I touch it today, but tomorrow, and every day!