The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

One day while Lilith was training, Elara walked into the Training ground with determination in her eyes.

Lilith stood in the training ground, her hands wrapped around the spear Kai had given her, its shaft glowing faintly with her infused mana. Kai was explaining the finer points of channeling energy through the spear when Elara approached them, her steps confident and her presence commanding.

"Elara," Kai greeted, nodding respectfully.

"Teacher," Elara acknowledged him with a slight bow before turning her gaze to Lilith. "Lilith, you've learned much from Kai. Your progress is commendable."

Lilith's face lit up with pride at Elara's words. "Thank you, Elara. I've been working really hard."

Elara's expression shifted to one of determination. "Good. Now it's time for a real test."

Lilith looked at her with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"A mock battle," Elara stated firmly. "Between a maid-knight and a battle-mage. It's time to see how well you can apply what you've learned in a real combat scenario."

Kai stepped back, giving Elara and Lilith space. "This will be a valuable experience for you, Lilith. There's only so much you can learn from training exercises."

Lilith's grip tightened on her spear, a mix of excitement and nervousness evident in her eyes. "I'm ready."

Elara drew her sword, its blade gleaming in the sunlight. "We'll see. Remember, this is a test of skill, strategy, and adaptability. Use everything you've learned."

Lilith nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I understand."

Kai raised his hand, ready to signal the start of the battle. "Are you both ready?"

Elara and Lilith nodded simultaneously.

"Begin!"

Lilith moved first, her spear crackling with electric energy as she thrust it forward. Elara deftly parried the attack with her sword, the clash of metal ringing through the air. She countered with a swift strike aimed at Lilith's side, but Lilith was quick, summoning a gust of wind to propel herself out of harm's way.

"Good use of wind magic," Kai commented from the sidelines. "Keep your movements fluid."

Elara pressed the attack, her strikes precise and relentless. Lilith struggled to keep up at first, her spear spinning to deflect the blows. She concentrated, channeling her mana into the ground. Suddenly, vines erupted from the earth, wrapping around Elara's legs.

Elara smiled, slicing through the vines with ease. "Creative, but not enough."

Lilith took advantage of the brief opening, lunging forward with her spear. This time, she infused it with fire, the tip blazing as it aimed for Elara. Elara dodged, but the heat singed her armor.

"Impressive," Elara admitted, her tone approving. "But can you keep it up?"

Lilith responded with a flurry of attacks, each one combining physical prowess with magical enhancement. Elara matched her blow for blow, their combat a dance of skill and power. As they fought, Lilith's confidence grew, her movements becoming more fluid and instinctive.

Finally, Elara raised her hand, signaling the end of the battle. "Enough."

Lilith lowered her spear, breathing heavily but with a triumphant smile on her face.

"You've done well, Lilith," Elara said, sheathing her sword. "You still have much to learn, but you've proven yourself today."

Kai walked over, clapping Lilith on the shoulder. "I'm proud of you. You've shown great potential as a battle-mage."

Lilith beamed, her heart swelling with pride. "Thank you, both of you. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."

Elara nodded, a rare smile touching her lips. "This is just the beginning, Lilith. Keep pushing your limits and never stop improving. You'll become a force to be reckoned with."

Lilith nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "I will, Elara. I promise."

After months of rigorous training, Lilith stood in the training ground with Kai, her spear glinting in the sunlight. Her muscles were lean and strong, her movements precise and controlled. She had learned much under Kai's tutelage, mastering the balance between physical combat and magical prowess.

Kai observed her critically, then nodded with satisfaction. "Lilith, it is time for you to use your newfound skills in the real world. You should go to the guild and get a subjugation quest."

Lilith looked at him, excitement and a bit of nervousness in her eyes. "What kind of quest?"

"I've heard that there are still undead in the mountains," Kai continued. "Miners sometimes get attacked, so the guild still issues quests to go there. It is strange, though. I'm not sure how the undead remain animated even after the necromancer's demise."

Elara, who had been standing quietly in a corner of the training ground with Ella perched on her shoulder, spoke up. "Yes, that is mysterious. It could have something to do with the ancient ruins," she suggested thoughtfully. "But it could also be other things. Regardless, I agree with Kai. You should take a subjugation quest from the guild, Lilith."

Lilith's eyes widened at the suggestion, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Do you really think I'm ready for that?"

Kai smiled reassuringly. "You've trained hard and learned a lot. You're ready. This will be a good test of your abilities and a chance to put everything you've learned into practice."

Elara stepped forward, her expression serious but supportive. "Remember, Lilith, this isn't just about fighting. It's about applying your skills in real situations, making decisions under pressure, and learning from the experience. You have our support, but it's time for you to prove yourself."

Lilith nodded, determination settling in her heart. "Alright. I'll go to the guild and take on a subjugation quest."

Kai placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good. And remember, we're always here if you need us. Trust in your training and your instincts."

Ella fluttered over to Lilith, landing gently on her shoulder. "You've got this, Lilith. We believe in you."

With a deep breath, Lilith smiled at her friends, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thank you, everyone. I won't let you down."

As she made her way to the guild, the words of her mentors echoed in her mind. The training had been tough, but it had prepared her for this moment. She was ready to face the challenges ahead, to test her limits, and to prove that she was capable of standing on her own as a battle-mage.

Upon reaching the guild, Lilith was greeted by the bustling activity of adventurers preparing for their quests. She approached the quest board and scanned the available missions until she found what she was looking for: a subjugation quest involving the undead in the mountains.

Taking the quest slip, she approached the counter, Vicksy who stood behind the counter looked up with a smile. "Ah, Lilith. Taking on a subjugation quest, I see?"

Lilith nodded. "Yes, I'm ready."

Vicksy nodded approvingly. "Good. Be careful out there. The undead can be unpredictable, especially with the mystery of their continued animation. But I have faith in your abilities."

With the quest slip in hand and a heart full of resolve, Lilith set out towards the mountains, ready to face whatever awaited her. She knew this was just the beginning of her journey, but with the support of her friends and the skills she had acquired, she was confident that she could handle whatever came her way.

Meanwhile, Ella, perched on Elara's shoulder, watched Lilith with concern. "Is it really okay to let her go alone?" she asked, her tiny voice filled with worry.

Elara turned to her with a calm smile on her lips and a glint in her eye. "It will be fine, Ella. Lilith needs to face this challenge on her own to grow and gain confidence in her abilities."

"But she's still so young," Ella insisted. "And even though she's learned a lot from Kai, she's still a novice battle-mage."

Elara nodded, understanding Ella's concern. "That's true, but remember, Lilith is a Demon Lord. Her inherent power is immense, even if she hasn't fully realized it yet. And now, with her training as a battle-mage, she's even more formidable."

Ella fluttered her wings nervously. "I just can't help but worry."

Elara's smile softened. "I understand, and that's why we won't let her go completely alone. We'll follow her stealthily, just in case anything bad happens. We'll be her silent guardians, ready to step in if necessary."

Ella's eyes brightened at the plan. "Really? We'll follow her?"

Elara nodded. "Yes, we'll be there, keeping an eye on her from a distance. She won't know we're there, but we'll make sure she's safe."

Ella sighed in relief, her wings relaxing. "Thank you, Elara. That makes me feel a lot better."

Elara patted the tiny fairy gently. "It's important for Lilith to feel independent and capable. But it's also important for her to have support, even if she doesn't see it. We'll ensure she has both."

As Lilith continued her preparations, unaware of the silent agreement between her companions, Elara and Ella shared a knowing look. They would let her embark on this quest alone, but they would be there, unseen and ready, to protect her if needed. It was a balance of trust and vigilance, allowing Lilith to grow while ensuring her safety.