LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 22: Lilith Maltrix
Lilith's family, the House of Maltrix, is one of the most ancient and influential dynasties in Hell, revered for their mastery over commerce, politics, and arcane innovations. They are known as the "Merchants of the Abyss," a title that reflects their dominance in the trading and production of rare, highly sought-after resources. They control vast networks of infernal businesses, the Maltrix family's reach extends to nearly every corner of Hell. They do not rule through brute force like some houses but through strategic alliances, shrewd manipulation, and their ability to provide the tools and resources that every other demon desires.
The Maltrix lineage boasts a unique and potent bloodline infused with a blend of demon, succubus, and other monstrous ancestries, giving them extraordinary charisma and raw magical power. Their bloodline's potency is further augmented by generations of selective breeding and the accumulation of magical artifacts, making them an unstoppable force in Hell's social hierarchy.
Lilith herself is a reflection of her family's legacy, but she's not content with merely inheriting their power—she's determined to expand it. Born with an innate talent for miasma manipulation, she wields it with precision and creativity far beyond her peers. Her control over the energy is so seamless that she can weave it into illusions, binding contracts, and even physical constructs. Lilith's golden hair, crimson eyes, and towering horns make her the embodiment of demonic elegance, a beauty that belies the razor-sharp mind lurking beneath.
But Lilith isn't just a prodigy in magic; she's a brilliant tactician and a master manipulator. She effortlessly navigates Hell's cutthroat social ladder, turning enemies into assets and allies into pawns. Unlike many spoiled aristocrats in Hell, Lilith applies herself rigorously, learning not only traditional magic but also the intricacies of negotiation, economics, and even espionage.
Her ability to see opportunity where others see chaos is what sets her apart. For instance, introducing Aiden and his gun into the rare-being competition wasn't just a random whim—it was a carefully calculated move to reinforce her family's reputation and open new trade opportunities. To Lilith, everything is a game, and she plays to win.
Her family's influence combined with her own talents has made her a figure both feared and admired. While some demons respect her for her power, others loathe her for her arrogance and cunning. But regardless of where they stand, no one can deny that Lilith Maltrix is a force to be reckoned with—a prodigy of Hell and a dangerous player in its unending games of power.
Lilith Maltrix's popularity in the academy is both a product of her family's fearsome reputation and her own dazzling charisma. As the daughter of the illustrious House of Maltrix, she commands respect through her lineage alone. The Maltrix family has supplied the academy with weapons, enchanted artifacts, and resources for centuries, making them invaluable to its operations. Few would dare challenge a scion of such a powerful house, knowing the consequences could extend far beyond personal humiliation—whole families have been ruined for crossing the Maltrix name.
However, Lilith's popularity is not solely inherited. She has cultivated her image with calculated precision. Her stunning appearance—golden hair, crimson eyes, and horns that curve like sculpted obsidian—makes her impossible to ignore. Her sharp wit, biting humor, and unshakable confidence draw admiration and envy in equal measure. Lilith has a knack for drawing attention wherever she goes, often orchestrating dramatic entrances or pulling audacious pranks that become the talk of the school.
But not everyone adores Lilith. Her arrogance and sharp tongue have earned her a fair share of rivals, many of whom resent her for her power and the shadow her family casts over the academy. The children of other noble houses, particularly those vying for influence, see her as an obstacle in their own rise to prominence.
Still, the academy is filled with ambitious demons, and even Lilith cannot outmaneuver them all. Some rivals have formed coalitions to oppose her, using subterfuge and indirect attacks to undermine her authority. Despite her dominance, Lilith is aware of the threats around her. She plays the long game, carefully choosing her battles and keeping her enemies close.
Ultimately, Lilith's popularity at the academy stems from a mix of fear, respect, and fascination. She is both admired as a paragon of power and despised as a reminder of the privilege and cruelty that define Hell's elite. Even those who hate her cannot ignore her, and that, perhaps, is the true measure of her influence.
To the students of the academy, it was utterly baffling—of all the beings Lilith Maltrix could have chosen to associate with, she picked a human. A fragile, unremarkable creature from a lesser realm, one that most demons viewed as nothing more than prey or a curiosity. The mere thought of Lilith, heiress of the Maltrix legacy and the Crimson Abyss, willingly spending her time with a human had sent waves of gossip rippling through the academy.
Some believed it was a cruel joke, another one of Lilith's infamous pranks taken to an absurd extreme. Others theorized that the human must have some hidden power or significance, something Lilith saw as valuable—after all, why else would she waste her time? But the most scandalous rumor, whispered in hushed tones, was that she kept him around because she liked him. Such an idea was almost too ridiculous to entertain, yet the sight of Lilith casually strolling through the academy halls with Aiden at her side was a spectacle none could ignore.
But no one dared to openly challenge Lilith on her decision. To question her was to risk her wrath, and the consequences of that were legendary. Lilith did as she pleased, and if she found amusement in keeping a human around, no one could stop her. Yet, it was more than that. Aiden wasn't just a pet or a pawn—there was something in his presence that intrigued her, something that made him worth more than the fleeting entertainment others assumed he provided.
Still, the whispers lingered: why him? Why now? Why, in a place filled with creatures of unimaginable power and cunning, did Lilith choose to spend her time with the weakest of them all? It was a question that haunted the academy, a puzzle they couldn't solve.