The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

As Lilith stepped through the shimmering portal she had conjured, she was greeted by the sight of a lush, vibrant forest. The air was thick with the scent of moss and flowers, and the chirping of birds filled her ears. But her admiration was cut short when she stumbled upon a chaotic scene—goblins viciously attacking a group of humans near a caravan.

Before she could react, a blur shot from the trees beside her.

Slash!

The unmistakable sound of a mana blade cutting through flesh echoed as the shadow cleaved a goblin clean in half. The remaining goblins froze for a moment, their grotesque faces contorting in horror and rage before launching a frenzied attack.

Five more slashes rang out in rapid succession. The would-be attackers fell, their lifeless bodies crumpling to the ground.

Lilith smirked, brushing her hair back as she surveyed the carnage. "So, this is why Jakinn said to always stay on guard. Good thing I've matured since becoming true." She glanced at the humans struggling to fend off the remaining goblins. "Hmph. I suppose I should help them. They did attack me first, after all."

With a blink, Lilith teleported beside a goblin mid-swing, her mana-infused blade slicing through its body in a single, fluid motion. The human fighting the goblin staggered back in shock, his weapon falling from his trembling hands.

"Get it together!" Lilith snapped, her sharp tone cutting through his stupor. "The fight's not over!"

The man nodded quickly, shaking off his daze, and rushed to help his comrades.

Minutes later, the last goblin fell, its lifeless body joining the rest. The forest fell silent, save for the labored breathing of the survivors. Lilith stood amidst the aftermath, surveying the scene.

"So, this is Xandoria," she mused, wiping her blade clean. "Not exactly the warm welcome I had in mind."

As she pondered her next steps, a merchant from the caravan approached her. His clothes were torn, his face streaked with dirt, but his gratitude shone through.

"Thank you, miss," he said, bowing slightly. "Are you a mercenary?"

"A mercenary?" Lilith echoed, tilting her head. "Well... I suppose I'm on my way to becoming one."

"How fortunate!" the merchant exclaimed. "I lost some of my guards in this fight, and with a caravan this large, I could use more protection. You seem more than capable." He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can offer you 15 gold for the job and another 25 gold for your assistance here. It's not much, but it's all I can spare."

Lilith crossed her arms, considering his offer. She knew little about this world and was eager to learn more, especially about the academy Jakinn had mentioned. After a moment's thought, she nodded.

"Alright," she agreed. "I'll join you for now."

The merchant's face lit up with relief. "Thank you! You won't regret this."

As the caravan prepared to move, Lilith glanced at the horizon, her curiosity about Xandoria and its mysteries growing with each step forward.

As the day waned and the sky turned a deep orange, the caravan came to a halt.

"Lilith," called the older merchant, Johan, his voice carrying over the clatter of unloading supplies. "We'll set up camp here for the night. It's getting late, and the drakes need a rest. Besides, we're out of the forest now, which should make it easier for the night watches."

"Sounds good, Johan," Lilith replied, stretching slightly. "Just let me know if you need help."

"Don't worry about it," Johan reassured her with a wave of his hand. "We'll handle everything. That said, would you mind sharing a tent with the other mercenaries? We've got one set up for female mercs, so you'll have some privacy."

"That's fine," Lilith said with a small shrug. "I don't mind where I sleep, as long as I can rest."

"Glad to hear it," Johan said with a smile. "You'll find the tent near the back of the camp."

While the humans busied themselves setting up tents and tending to the drakes, Lilith wandered the campsite. Murmuring softly under her breath, she discreetly placed wards around the perimeter—alert wards to sense movement and protection wards to shield against unexpected attacks. Only she could see the faint shimmering glow of her magical handiwork.

As she worked, her thoughts wandered. Xandoria was unlike anything she had seen before. The small drakes that pulled wagons and served as mounts were a peculiar sight, their scales shimmering like jewels under the fading sunlight. They snorted and chittered as they settled down for the night, their handlers feeding them chunks of dried meat and brushing their hides.

Lilith's gaze shifted to a group of squirrels scampering nearby. Unlike the squirrels she was accustomed to, these had bright, colorful fur and seemed to hum in harmony as they darted between trees. One paused, locking eyes with her for a moment before letting out a trilling melody.

"Singsters," Johan called out as he passed by, noticing her interest. "They're harmless... mostly. They sing and pull pranks, like stealing food or small trinkets. Best keep an eye on your belongings."

Lilith smirked. "Noted. This world just keeps getting stranger."

She finished setting her wards and returned to the campfire, the hum of the Singsters fading into the distance. The camp was now alive with quiet conversation and the clinking of cookware as the humans prepared for the evening. Lilith sat near the fire, her thoughts drifting between her wards, the peculiarities of this world, and the academy Jakinn had mentioned.

As the stars began to dot the night sky, she found herself both intrigued and wary of what Xandoria had yet to reveal.

As the journey continued, Lilith spent her time learning about this strange new world from the other mercenaries. They were a rough but friendly group, eager to share stories of their exploits and the lands they had traveled. Through their chatter, she discovered more about their destination: Xahorb.

Xahorb was an ancient castle town steeped in history and mystery. Its most notable feature was its sprawling dungeon, a labyrinth that stretched deep beneath the earth, formed by the convergence of leylines and dense mana flows. Treasures and magical artifacts were said to lie hidden within its depths, guarded by monsters spawned by the dungeon itself.

"Nobody knows why the dungeons exist," Maia, one of the more talkative mercenaries, explained. "Scholars have theories, of course. Some say the leylines create them as a way to release excess mana, while others think they're remnants of ancient civilizations. Either way, they're dangerous—and profitable."

Lilith's curiosity was piqued. She'd never encountered a dungeon before, and the idea of exploring one sounded like an excellent opportunity to test her skills—and uncover whatever secrets Xandoria might hold.

"Can anyone enter the dungeons?" Lilith asked, leaning casually against the side of a wagon.

"Not just anyone," Maia replied, shaking her head. "You need to be registered as a mercenary, and even then, you need a decent rank to be allowed entry. They don't want amateurs wandering in and getting themselves killed."

Lilith frowned thoughtfully. She had no interest in bureaucratic restrictions. If the dungeon was anything like the challenges she had faced in Eldoria, sneaking in would be a simple task. After all, she was likely the strongest being in this world—or so she thought.

"Don't worry," Maia added, noticing Lilith's contemplative look. "When we get to Xahorb, I'll take you to the Mercenary Guild. I can help you get registered and show you the ropes. You seem more than capable, so getting your rank up shouldn't take long."

Lilith nodded, a small smirk playing on her lips. "I appreciate that, Maia. But just so you know, I don't plan on staying at the bottom for long."

Maia chuckled. "I figured as much. Something tells me you're not the type to settle for second place."

As the caravan continued its trek, Lilith's mind buzzed with possibilities. Xahorb and its dungeon promised to be the perfect place to gather information, test her strength, and uncover more about this world. Though she planned to play along with the rules—for now—her confidence in her abilities assured her that no barrier, bureaucratic or otherwise, could stand in her way.

As the towering walls of Xahorb came into view, Lilith felt an unexpected flicker of excitement in her stomach—like butterflies dancing inside her. The ancient castle town radiated an aura of mystery and history, its stone walls weathered but resilient, standing as a testament to the centuries it had endured. She found herself eager to explore this new realm, with its secrets, dungeons, and opportunities.

During the journey, Johan had been a wealth of knowledge. He shared stories of the lands and its quirks, but what caught Lilith's attention most was the mention of the Academy.

"The Academy is a prestigious place," Johan explained one evening by the campfire. "But it's not easy to get into. It costs a fortune just to apply, and then you have to pass three rigorous exams to be admitted. They only hold the entrance tests once a year, and the next term starts in about six months."

"Six months, huh?" Lilith mused, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "And where is this Academy?"

"It's in Academy Plaza," Johan said, gesturing broadly as though pointing out the direction. "A city built around the first school that was established over 800 years ago. What started as a single institution grew into a massive city with its own name, rules, and hierarchy. It's about a month's journey from Xahorb to get there."

Lilith listened carefully, weighing the information. A month's journey wasn't insignificant, but it was manageable. The real challenge seemed to be the gold required for admission. She had earned a small amount helping Johan's caravan, but it wouldn't be nearly enough.

"The Academy is worth the effort, though," Johan continued. "People come from all over Xandoria to study there. It's a place for the talented, the ambitious... and those who can afford it."

Lilith smirked, determination flickering in her crimson eyes. Gold wasn't an issue—she could acquire what she needed, whether by treasure hunting in dungeons or taking on mercenary work. As for the exams, she had no doubt her abilities would surpass whatever mundane challenges the Academy posed.

For now, her focus was on Xahorb. The city's dungeon, its bustling streets, and the promise of opportunities awaited her. As the caravan creaked closer to the gates, Lilith felt a surge of anticipation. Xandoria had already proven to be a strange and fascinating world, and she was just getting started.