Surviving in the Demon's Academy as a Human

Lilith led Aiden further outside her mansion, the air heavy with the scent of sulfur and the faint rustle of ash falling from the crimson sky. They approached a massive barracks flanked by towering, jagged pillars. The barracks themselves were austere, carved from gray stone. Standing guard outside were her knights—beings so still they might as well have been statues. Their forms were hulking, their armor etched with intricate patterns that pulsed faintly with demonic energy. They resembled golems, their movements unnatural and precise, as if puppets controlled by an unseen hand.

"These are my personal knights," Lilith explained casually as they walked. "They are unyielding, loyal to a fault, and utterly devoid of the petty flaws that plague living soldiers. A masterpiece of necromancy engineering, wouldn't you agree?"

Aiden, still uneasy about Hell's endless surprises, nodded. "They... definitely look the part," he mumbled, watching the eerie, mechanical precision of a knight's patrol.

Lilith smirked at his response but didn't comment further. They soon reached a grand stage overlooking a training field, where a table laden with food had been prepared. Unlike the opulence of the mansion, the meal was humble—freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and a selection of fruits and cheeses. Yet the aroma was tantalizing, and Aiden's stomach growled involuntarily.

Lilith sat gracefully at the table, gesturing for Aiden to join her. "Eat. You'll need your strength," she said, her tone almost playful.

As they began to eat, the sparring session below commenced. Aiden's eyes widened as the knights took up lances, their movements impossibly fast for beings of their size. They collided with such force that the ground seemed to quake, sending shockwaves through the air. Each strike and parry was executed with terrifying precision, the sheer power on display leaving Aiden in awe. To him, it was like watching gods clash, their agility and strength far beyond anything a human could achieve.

But Lilith, reclining comfortably in her chair, merely sipped her wine with an air of disinterest. "This is nothing," she remarked, noticing Aiden's astonishment. "They're only warming up. A proper duel would be far more… destructive."

Aiden couldn't help but feel humbled, realizing that what he considered extraordinary was, to Lilith, little more than routine. Despite this, the atmosphere between them grew more relaxed as they talked. Aiden found himself growing more comfortable in her presence, her sharp wit and mischievous humor slowly disarming his initial fear.

Hours passed as they watched the knights spar, and eventually, Lilith rose from her seat. "Come," she said, gesturing for Aiden to follow. "There's something else you need to see."

They returned to the mansion, where Lilith guided Aiden into an immense library. The moment they stepped inside, Aiden felt as if he'd entered another world. Endless rows of towering bookshelves stretched beyond what his eyes could see, each shelf packed with leather-bound tomes that radiated an aura of power. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink, and faint, ghostly whispers seemed to echo from the walls.

Aiden's jaw dropped. "This... this is incredible. It's like every piece of knowledge in existence is stored here."

Lilith chuckled softly, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Flattering, but far from true," she said, her tone humble yet tinged with pride. "This library is extensive, yes, but it's nothing compared to what some other noble families possess. For many, the size of their library is a symbol of their knowledge, their history, and the power of the spells they've recorded. We merely imitated their structure."

Despite her modest words, Aiden couldn't shake the feeling that this library was more than sufficient for someone like him. Lilith seemed to read his thoughts and added, "For you, however, this will be more than enough. You'll find everything you need to understand Hell here—its society, its history, and perhaps even the means to survive it."

She turned to him, her expression serious now. "I won't always be here to explain things to you. While I'm away, I expect you to study. Learn about this world, its rules, its people. If you're to survive in Hell, ignorance will only get you killed."

Aiden nodded, swallowing hard. The weight of her words pressed down on him, but the vast expanse of knowledge before him offered a sliver of hope. Perhaps, in this library, he could find the answers he desperately needed.

Lilith led Aiden on an extensive tour of her grand estate, her voice echoing with pride as she explained the history and significance of every room and hall they passed. Her crimson eyes gleamed with intelligence as she gestured toward intricate tapestries depicting ancient battles and statues of her ancestors. Along the way, she stopped at the library again, guiding Aiden to a section dedicated to the noble families of Hell.

"If you're to understand how demons live and navigate in Hell, start here," Lilith suggested, pulling out several thick tomes with gilded edges. "These will give you a glimpse into the power dynamics, the rivalries, and the etiquette you'll need to survive. And don't worry, the bloodier the stories, the more accurate they are."

Aiden hesitated, holding one of the books as if it might bite him. "So, all demons really live like this? Scheming, backstabbing, and… bloodlines?"

Lilith smirked, her expression a mix of amusement and something more unreadable. "It's not so different from humans, is it? Just… with a bit more fire and brimstone."

As they continued through the mansion, Aiden kept peppering her with questions. "Why do noble families matter so much? Why can't demons just live without all this hierarchy?"

Lilith gave him a sidelong glance, her tone mockingly sweet. "Oh, darling, if we didn't have hierarchy, we'd simply spend all day ripping each other apart. This way, we only rip apart those who deserve it."

Eventually, they arrived at the dining hall—a massive chamber far more extravagant than the smaller dining area they'd previously visited. The ceiling was adorned with a magnificent crystal chandelier that bathed the room in a soft, eerie glow. The walls were lined with dark, ornate carvings, and the table, so long it seemed to stretch into infinity, was covered with an extravagant spread of food.

Aiden's stomach growled, but he couldn't help but gape at the feast before him. Many of the dishes were unrecognizable—birds with monstrous faces, steaming platters of vibrant fruits that seemed to glow faintly, and a bubbling crimson soup that smelled both sweet and metallic.

"Go on, take a seat," Lilith urged, gesturing toward the far end of the table.

Aiden walked to the seat she indicated, and Lilith, ever the picture of elegance, took her place at the opposite end of the absurdly long table. For a moment, they tried conversing, but the sheer distance between them made it nearly impossible for Aiden to make out her words.

Lilith rolled her eyes in exasperation. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, standing up. She strode over to his side with a predatory grace, her golden hair shimmering in the warm light of the chandelier. Without hesitation, she sat beside him and grabbed her plate.

Lilith chuckled as she gestured to the ridiculously long dining table that stretched across the grand hall. "Normally, tables like this wouldn't be an issue for demons," she began, her tone dripping with amusement. "You see, most demons have enhanced senses—hearing included. Conversations across vast distances like this? Child's play for us."

She leaned on the table, running a finger along its polished surface as a mischievous grin spread across her face. "But this table? It wasn't built for practicality. No, no. This monstrosity exists purely for... appearances. It's a favorite among nobles—a symbol of status and superiority."

"So, let me get this straight," he said, crossing his arms. "This table—this ridiculously impractical, banquet-sized monstrosity—is basically here because some demon nobles got insecure about... what, their hearing? Or is it just their egos in general?"

Lilith smirked, thoroughly amused by his reaction. "Precisely. It's all about appearances here."

Aiden shook his head, letting out a small, disbelieving laugh. "You know, where I'm from, people just buy sports cars or wear expensive watches to show off. But here? Tables. Demonic nobles are out here competing over table lengths. Makes me wonder what else is a contest around here."

Lilith paused, locking eyes with Aiden, her expression both amused and disdainful. "You know what they say: the longer the table, the stronger the senses—or so they'd like everyone to believe. It's less about utility and more about a contest of ego." She smirked, leaning closer to him as if to share a scandalous secret. "In truth, it's just another form of a dick-measuring contest. Only in Hell, it's about whose senses are sharper, not... well, you get the idea."

She scooped a spoonful of the strange soup and held it to his lips. "Here, try this," she said with a mischievous grin.

Aiden flushed crimson, flustered by her sudden proximity and the unexpected intimacy of her gesture. "I-I can feed myself, you know," he stammered, avoiding her amused gaze.

"Oh, but where's the fun in that?" Lilith teased, leaning closer. "Besides, I want to make sure you're eating properly. You're my precious little human, after all."

Aiden reluctantly opened his mouth, the rich, spicy flavor of the soup surprising him. Despite his embarrassment, he found himself giving in to her teasing, though his heart raced every time her fingers brushed against his cheek or when she leaned in too close.

As the meal went on, Aiden's earlier unease began to melt away. He found himself glancing at Lilith, noticing the way her golden hair framed her face and how her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. Her beauty, he realized, was otherworldly, but it wasn't just her appearance that drew his attention. There was something captivating about her confidence, her mischievous demeanor, and the way she seemed to effortlessly control the room.

For the first time since his arrival in Hell, Aiden felt his thoughts shift. The fear and confusion that had clouded his mind began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of comfort in Lilith's presence.