"Today is the day, huh?" Lira said, her voice tight with anticipation. She fidgeted with the hem of her jacket—still black, still slightly too big on her, like she'd never quite shaken the street rat she once was.
Sara stood beside her, arms wrapped around her notebook, eyes scanning the sky like it might offer answers.
"It really is," she murmured. "Five years... and we're finally going to ask him."
Lira gave a nervous chuckle, running a hand through her now-neatly tied hair. "I wonder what insane trial he'll throw at us this time. Last time it nearly vaporized half the forest."
Sara nodded, lips pressed into a thin line. "Knowing him? Something worse. But if we want to evolve—really evolve—there's no other way."
Lira took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and turned to her friend.
"Well… there's no backing out now. Let's do this."
Sara gave a small nod, and together, they stepped out from behind the marble pillar that had hidden them for just a moment longer than necessary.
They crossed the sun-drenched courtyard toward the Progenitor, who lounged on a reclining chair beneath the shade of a blooming sakura tree. He sipped from a glass bottle of cola, one leg casually draped over the armrest, sunglasses hiding his eyes.
He didn't look up.
"What can I do for you girls?" he asked, voice smooth and knowing, like he'd been expecting this for days.
Lira stopped just short of his feet, fists clenched at her sides.
"We're ready."
Sara stepped forward, voice quieter but resolute.
"We want to evolve. We've trained, studied, fought, and grown. Now we need the next step."
The Progenitor tilted his head slightly, finally lifting his gaze. The sunglasses glowed faintly with data streams reflecting off the lenses, analyzing them both down to the last magical particle.
He set the bottle aside, sat up slowly, and stood.
"So," he said, folding his hands behind his back. "Lira wants to become a True Demon Lord, and Sara seeks to awaken as a True Hero."
He looked between them, expression unreadable.
"You understand what that means, don't you? Evolution isn't just power—it's transformation. It changes who you are. You may not come out the same people."
Lira grinned, fire sparking in her eyes.
"That's the point, Papa. I'm not the same person I was when you found me in that alley. I want more. I need more."
Sara nodded, voice calm but firm.
"I want to protect people—not just with strength, but with purpose. If being a Hero is what it takes, then I'll bear that title with everything I have."
The Progenitor studied them for a long moment. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"Good. Because I wouldn't accept anything less."
He raised a hand, and the air shimmered.
A rift opened behind him—a swirling vortex of light and shadow, humming with raw potential.
"Then let's begin."
They both nodded silently to each other before stepping through the rift. I followed after them without hesitation.
The moment we arrived, the air shifted—thick with ancient power and regal authority. Before us stood the a towering marvel of black marble and gold filigree, its spires piercing the sky like the fangs of a god. It was not just a castle—it was a declaration.
"A ruler worthy of legends."
"I didn't expect you to come visit me so soon, Nox," came a voice behind us.
We turned as one.
There, standing at the top of the wide marble steps, was none other than Anos Voldigoad , the Demon King of Tyranny. His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement beneath strands of silver hair. Flanking him were his two younger sisters—Sasha and Misha, both beautiful beyond mortal comprehension, yet radiating an oppressive aura that made even seasoned demons tremble.
Lira and Sara immediately stiffened beside me, their bodies shaking subtly but unmistakably.
"Yo, Anos," I said casually, raising a hand in greeting. "How's it been?"
My tone earned a sharp glare from Sasha and a scoff from Misha.
"Hmph," Sasha crossed her arms, her lips curling into a slight pout. "Why come visit after all this time? I was sure you'd forgotten about us."
"Fifteen thousand, nice, quiet years without you—" Misha added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And now they're ruined."
"Now, now," I said, raising my hands slightly in mock surrender. "I truly am sorry about that."
Anos smirked, descending the stairs with slow, deliberate steps until he stood just a few feet away.
"So what brings you here today, Nox?" he asked, folding his arms behind his back. "Surely not just for tea."
I glanced at the two girls beside me, then stepped aside, gesturing toward them.
"These two," I said simply.
The shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Anos' gaze sharpened, his crimson eyes scanning Lira and Sara like he could see straight into their souls. Sasha tilted her head curiously, while Misha let out a soft hum.
Lira, despite her fear, squared her shoulders and tried to meet Anos' stare. Sara clutched her notebook tightly, eyes darting between the Demon King and his terrifying wifes.
"They want to evolve," I continued. "Lira seeks the path of a Demon Lord , and Sara walks the road of a True Hero ."
Anos raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious."
Misha leaned forward, studying Lira with a grin. "She smells... interesting. Like potential wrapped in chaos."
Sasha gave Sara a once-over, then smirked. "And this one… she carries purpose. A rare thing these days."
Anos turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "You bring them here for my opinion?"
I chuckled. "More like… to test if they can stand under the weight of destiny."
He studied me for a long moment before breaking into a slow, knowing smile.
"...Well then," Anos said, turning to the girls with a smirk that sent shivers down their spines. "Let's see if you're ready."
"Um… Papa, is this the next training ground?" Lira asked, still trembling slightly, her usual bravado shaken by the sheer presence of the Demon King and his terrifying wifes.
"Yep," I replied casually, gesturing toward Anos. "This is your stop. My friend here is going to train you—for a tree years."
Sara stepped forward hesitantly, clutching her notebook like it was a lifeline. "Um… what about me, sir?"
I turned to Anos with a grin. "Yo, Anos—is that hero friend of yours still around? I was thinking he could help her become a True Hero."
Anos raised an eyebrow. "He is. I'll make arrangements." Then he frowned slightly. "But aren't you the better fit to train Lira to become a Demon Lord?"
I chuckled darkly, my expression shifting—just for a moment—into something ancient, something cold. The air around me shimmered as a faint echo of my true form flickered at the edges of perception.
"Oh, now, Anos… you know I myself could never teach my daughter how to be cruel. That would be too much for her."
For once, even Anos looked unsettled.
Lira stared at me, eyes wide. "Papa…?"
Sasha blinked rapidly, clearly trying to process what she'd just heard. "Wait. Daughter? When? With who?! What woman in her right mind would ever want to be with you? "
I gave her a flat look. "She's my adopted daughter. But she has absorbed some essence from me… so technically, she is my bloodline."
Sasha opened her mouth, closed it, then finally nodded slowly. "...Ah. I see."
Misha narrowed her eyes at Lira. "So you're the one who's been running around pretending to be a street rat while being related to him ?"
Lira shot back defensively, "Hey! I was a street rat before Papa found me!"
I chuckled. "And now you're on the path to becoming a Demon Lord. So try not to die during training."
Anos folded his arms. "Understood. I'll take care of her."
Before either girl could protest—or panic further—I turned to Sasha and Misha with a calm smile that didn't reach my eyes.
"And before you do anything bad to them…" I let my power leak just enough into the air to make the castle tremble slightly. "...Sasha, Misha—don't overstep your boundaries."
They both stiffened, then practically squeaked in unison:
"Okay!"
Anos sighed, shaking his head. "You really know how to ruin someone's fun."
I shrugged. "Call it parental instinct."
He glanced at me thoughtfully. "What about you? You gonna stick around?"
I considered it for a moment, then grinned. "Hmm… I will stay over. Do you have a nice bed?"
Anos rolled his eyes. "Of course. It's a palace, not a dungeon."
"What about your country?" he added. "Won't it be a problem if you're gone?"
I waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, that's no problem."
With a simple flick of my fingers, time froze across my entire universe—Eden, its people, the sky, the stars, everything.
"There. That ought to do it."
Lira, standing beside me, paled. "What did you do, Papa?"
I smiled brightly. "Oh, nothing much. I just stopped time in our universe."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Sara dropped her notebook. "Y-you can do that?!"
I picked it up and handed it back to her with a wink. "Of course I can. Don't worry—it's only temporary. Besides, we wouldn't want anyone getting bored without me there, would we?"
Anos gave me a long, unreadable look. Then he laughed. "You haven't changed a bit."
I smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Then I turned to the two girls—who were currently caught somewhere between awe and existential dread.
"Now," I said gently, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "You're in good hands. Learn well. Grow stronger. And don't forget who you are."
Lira swallowed hard. "We won't."
Sara nodded, voice shaky but determined. "We'll make you proud, sir."
I ruffled Lira's hair one last time before stepping back.
"Good," I said, stepping back and giving both girls one last look. "Because when I wake up… I expect miracles."
There was a long silence before Sasha broke it, blinking in confusion.
"Wait… you're going to sleep ?" she asked, clearly not expecting that answer.
I nodded casually. "Yep. That's the plan."
"But wouldn't you want to stay awake—to see how they grow, train, fight… evolve?" she pressed, her brows furrowing slightly.
I chuckled, folding my arms behind my head. "Nah. I prefer surprises. Watching them unfold their own stories without me peeking is half the fun."
Misha gave me a sidelong glance, her lips twitching into a smirk. "You're weirdly sentimental for someone who just froze time across an entire universe."
I grinned. "Only for those I care about."
Anos let out a low chuckle beside me. "Still as dramatic as ever. Well then… if you're serious about this nap of yours, I'll have a room prepared."
"Much appreciated," I said, already walking toward the grand hallway lined with golden torches and ancient murals depicting battles long past.
Sasha huffed, crossing her arms. "You know, most people at least tell their friends when they're going to sleep for who-knows-how-long."
I paused mid-step, glancing over my shoulder with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"Would it have changed anything?"
She faltered.
"No," I continued gently. "So don't be mad. If I've learned anything from raising a daughter like Lira, it's that sometimes the best way to help someone grow is to step back and trust them."
Misha tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "And what if they fail?"
I looked ahead again, my voice soft but certain. "Then they'll rise stronger. That's all I've ever wanted for them."
Sasha sighed dramatically. "Ugh, fine! But if something amazing happens while you're asleep, I'm making sure you hear about it every day ."
I laughed. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
Misha gestured down the corridor. "Come on, lazybones. Your suite's this way. And don't worry—it has everything you could possibly need: tea service, books, and even a bed that floats."
"Sounds perfect," I said, following her lead.
Behind us, Anos watched me go with a knowing smirk, hands tucked into his pockets.
"You haven't changed a bit," he murmured.
I glanced back once more, my form flickering slightly as the weight of slumber began to settle over me.
"Maybe not," I admitted. "But I'm still looking forward to seeing who they become."
And with that, I walked into the chamber that would hold me for a years—ready to dream, ready to wait, and ready to be surprised.
Time Skip — Three Years Later
The rift opened with a soft hum, like the universe itself parted out of respect.
I stepped through, adjusting my coat as I landed softly on the marble floor of Eden's throne room. The scent of jasmine tea lingered in the air, mingling with the faint ozone of magic being pushed to its limits.
Eve was waiting, her expression unreadable behind her ever-present data streams.
"Welcome back, Master," she greeted, bowing slightly.
I smirked. "How did they do?"
She tilted her head toward the balcony, where voices—familiar, but changed—echoed into the chamber.
I walked forward, stepping onto the wide balcony overlooking the training grounds.
And there they were.
Lira stood at the center, flames swirling around her like a second skin. Her once-wild hair was now tied back neatly, though strands had come loose in the heat of battle. She moved with confidence, precision—no longer the reckless girl who used to set fire to rose bushes for fun.
Across from her, Sara held her ground, glowing runes etched into her skin like divine scripture. Her eyes, once filled with hesitation, now burned with purpose. In her hand, a holy blade shimmered—a gift from Anos' heroic ally.
They weren't fighting each other.
They were sparring against Sasha and Misha .
And holding their own.
A flicker of pride stirred inside me.
Then Lira noticed me.
Her eyes widened mid-strike, and she barely dodged a lash of Sasha's ice whip.
"You're back ?!" she shouted, grinning wildly even as she retaliated with a shockwave of demonic energy.
Sara turned too, momentarily distracted before Misha sent her skidding across the field.
"Lira! Focus!" Misha barked, launching another attack.
I chuckled, stepping down into the arena. With a simple gesture, I halted all combat.
The air stilled.
Lira dropped to one knee, panting but smiling. "Papa..."
Sara got up more slowly, brushing dust from her uniform. "You came back."
I looked at them both—really looked.
Three years ago, they were eager girls clinging to dreams of power.
Now, they stood before me as something more.
"Looks like you two grew up while I was away," I said, crossing my arms.
Lira laughed. "More like got beaten into shape by these two!"
Misha gave her a mock-offended look. "You make it sound like torture."
Sasha smirked. "It kind of was."
I turned to them. "Thank you. For everything."
Anos stepped forward from the shadows, sipping tea like he hadn't been watching the entire match. "They exceeded expectations. Both of them."
I nodded, then turned back to the girls.
"So… how much have you evolved?"
Lira grinned, flames igniting around her fists. "Let's just say Milim won't be laughing when she sees me again."
Sara lifted her blade, light dancing along its edge. "And when the time comes… I'll protect everyone."
I felt something stir in my chest—something warm, something proud.
I ruffled Lira's hair, then placed a firm hand on Sara's shoulder.
"Good. Then let's see what you've learned."
The training ground trembled as the next phase of their journey began.
Time Skip – Three Years Later
From inside the palace, footsteps echoed—calm, measured, and powerful.
Then he appeared.
Tall, regal, and impossibly relaxed, the Progenitor stepped into view, sunlight catching in his silver-streaked hair. He worehis usal robe, sleeves rolled up, a book in hand.
He looked up, paused—and then smiled.
"...Well. Look what the wind dragged back."
Lira didn't hesitate.
She launched herself forward, tackling him into a hug so hard that even the castle shivered.
"PAPA!"
Sara followed more slowly, eyes wide with emotion. When she reached him, she simply bowed deeply, voice thick with gratitude.
"We're back, sir."
He placed a hand on each of their heads, ruffling Lira's hair before looking them both in the eyes.
"You look different," he said simply.
"We are," Lira said proudly, her red eyes blazing with determination. "I'm not just a demon anymore—I'm a true heir of yours."
I let out a soft chuckle, arms crossed as I studied both of them.
"Haha… Both of you have grown." My smile turned slightly sharper. "Now let's see if you can back it up."
Lira blinked. "What do you mean, Papa?"
Before she could finish the sentence, the world around them shifted.
One moment they were standing in the palace garden.
The next—they were in the center of an arena.
Behind me, the observatory seats shimmered into existence, revealing Anos lounging in his throne-like chair, Sasha and Misha whispering conspiratorially beside him, and Ley leaning forward with obvious interest.
Sara barely had time to catch her breath before she looked around, bewildered. "When did you teleport us here?"
I gave a slow, knowing smirk from across the battlefield. "Oh, that's something you learn to do when you're me."
Lira groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh, really, Papa? You're something else. "
From above, Ley raised a hand with a wave. "Yo, Nox! How's it been?"
I tilted my head toward him, still keeping my focus on the girls below. "Oh, you know—destroying a universe here and there. Nothing much."
He laughed. "Still crazy as ever, huh?"
I turned fully toward Lira and Sara now, hands in my pockets, expression unreadable. "Well then, girls—I'll let you decide what percentage of power I use."
Lira grinned immediately. "Of course, 100%!"
There was a pause.
Then—
A ripple.
Just one.
But the entire arena shuddered under the weight of that single percent of my aura.
The air thickened. The ground cracked. Even the sky seemed to darken for a fraction of a second.
Sara staggered slightly, gripping her notebook like it was a lifeline.
Lira, meanwhile, was sweating bullets.
"Are you sure this is 1%... by the way?" I asked casually, smiling.
"Okay, okay!" she yelped, holding up her hands. "Can you just match my strength instead?"
I nodded slowly. "Okay, I can do that."
In an instant, I pulled back the overwhelming pressure, recalibrating my aura until it matched Lira's exact magical output.
"There. That better?"
Lira exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from her brow. "Yeah… much better."
Anos chuckled from the balcony. "She didn't even flinch at 1%, but now she's shaking after matching her own power against his."
Misha smirked. "That's the gap between a teacher and a student."
Sasha leaned forward, watching Lira closely. "Still… she held up better than most would."
I took a step forward, voice softer now. "You've come far, Lira. But power isn't just about strength—it's about control, timing, and understanding your limits."
Lira clenched her fists, nodding slowly. "I get it now… kind of hard not to when you feel like you're being crushed by a mountain made of gods."
I smiled. "Exactly."
Then I glanced over my shoulder at the others. "So… anyone want to place bets on how long it takes her to land a hit?"
Lira gasped. "Wait, we're fighting now?! "
I winked. "Why not? You wanted to prove yourself, right?"
She hesitated only a moment before grinning.
"Yeah. Let's do it."
Spectator Box – The Bet Begins
From the elevated observatory seats, Sasha leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Ohhh, this is going to be fun."
Misha smirked beside her, already pulling out a small notebook labeled "Progenitor Beatdown Odds." "Alright, people—place your bets! Minimum stake: one gold."
Anos rolled his eyes but didn't object. "How long do you think she'll last before he disarms her with a finger?"
"Five seconds," Sasha said immediately. "Max."
"Too generous," Misha countered. "Three."
"I say she lands at least one blow," Ley chimed in, lounging back with his arms behind his head. "She's got guts. And chaos magic. That combo usually buys five minutes of delusion before reality kicks in."
Sasha snapped her fingers. "Ten gold coins says she doesn't even make it ten seconds."
"Fifty!" Misha added. "And if she actually gets him to blink in surprise, triple the pot."
Anos raised an eyebrow. "You're running a casino now?"
Misha grinned. "Only for special occasions."
From the shadows, a new voice cut through the air.
<<[Bet Placed: 100 Platinum Marks — Lira will survive at least thirty seconds.]>>
Everyone turned.
Eve stood at the edge of the balcony, arms crossed, expression unreadable—but her eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
"You're late," Anos said dryly.
"I had tea," she replied simply, floating down to sit beside me in the air like gravity was optional today. "Besides, I wouldn't miss this for the world."
I looked up at them from the arena floor, smirking. "What can I say? I attract high rollers."
Eve gave me a sidelong glance. "More like I bet on you losing focus for a second."
I chuckled. "Good luck with that."
Back in the stands, Sasha groaned. "Ugh, now she's here. The odds are gonna be skewed."
"Yeah yeah," Misha muttered, scribbling notes furiously. "Still taking bets!"
Ley raised a hand lazily. "Another twenty on Lira lasting until the first yawn."
"That's not even a real metric!" Sasha exclaimed.
"It is now," Ley said with a grin.
Anos sighed, rubbing his temples. "Remind me again why I allowed gambling in my palace?"
"Because you secretly love watching mortals lose their minds trying to beat impossible odds," Misha answered without looking up.
He didn't deny it.
Back in the Arena
Lira cracked her knuckles, rolling her shoulders. Her red eyes burned with determination—and maybe a little insanity.
Sara stood at the edge, watching closely. She knew better than to interfere. This wasn't just a spar. It was a test. A lesson. A rite of passage.
The Progenitor tilted his head slightly. "Ready?"
Lira nodded. "Born ready."
A pause.
Then—
"Begin."
The arena was silent for a heartbeat—then it exploded into motion.
Lira lunged first, her red eyes blazing as she summoned twin flames around her fists.
"Let's see if you can dodge this!" she shouted, launching a barrage of fireballs at point-blank range.
Sara followed up seamlessly, her hands glowing with divine light.
"[Great Sage's Insight] activated — predicting trajectory! " she called out, already calculating the perfect counterplay.
But the Progenitor didn't flinch.
He flicked his wrist.
Every fireball froze mid-air—then vanished into nothingness.
Before they could react, he moved.
Not fast.
Impossible.
One moment he was across the field.
The next, he was standing behind them, arms still casually tucked into his pockets.
"Too slow," he said gently.
Lira spun around, snarling like a cornered beast. "[Flame Dragon King Art: Inferno Spiral]! "
A spiraling column of flame roared toward him, warping the air with heat so intense it cracked the stone beneath it.
Sara reinforced it with her own power. "[Light of Divine Clarity] — amplify fire output by 300%! "
The combined attack surged forward, turning the battlefield into an inferno.
And then—
The flames collapsed inward.
Swallowed by a black void that pulsed once, then vanished.
The Progenitor raised one finger.
"Nice combo. But you're broadcasting your moves too early."
He snapped his fingers.
A shockwave of pressure slammed into them both, sending them skidding backward.
Lira gritted her teeth. "Okay… plan B!"
She dashed forward again, weaving between shadow portals she created mid-step—each one distorting space just enough to confuse tracking.
Sara stayed back, activating her [Great Spirit of Light] .
A soft voice echoed from within her mind. <
"Good," she whispered. "Target analysis — identify weak points or exploitable patterns."
<
Sara relayed the data to Lira through a pre-arranged signal—a flash of blue light in her palm.
Lira smirked.
They charged together.
Lira came in low, feinting with a kick before aiming for the ribs.
Sara appeared above, diving down in a radiant arc of holy energy.
A pincer move.
For the first time, the Progenitor's expression shifted.
Just slightly.
He stepped forward —into the attack.
But not directly.
Instead, he placed himself between their strikes, forcing them to adjust mid-motion.
Lira cursed. "He read us!"
The Progenitor caught Lira's wrist with one hand and batted Sara's strike aside with the other.
Then he whispered:
"Lesson Two — don't rely on what you think is happening. Control the battlefield itself."
With a whisper of <<[Imaginary Space]>> activation, gravity reversed.
They were thrown off-balance mid-air.
Before they could recover, he teleported behind them again.
"This is fun," he admitted. "You're actually making me think."
Lira growled, channeling her demonic aura outward. [Demon Lord's Haki]
A crimson wave of oppressive force burst from her, distorting the air.
Sara overlaid it with her own aura. "[Hero's Resolve] — reinforce willpower and resistance! "
Together, their combined presence filled the arena with raw potential.
The Progenitor finally smiled.
"Now we're getting somewhere."
He raised a hand.
"Alright. Let's see how long you last now."
His aura erupted.
Even restrained, even diluted…
It was like standing before a god.
And yet—they stood.
Still trembling.
Still breathing.
Still fighting.
The arena was scorched from their earlier attempts—craters littered the ground, magic residue shimmered in the air, and the very atmosphere trembled with residual energy.
But the Progenitor hadn't even broken a sweat.
Still standing casually, hands in his pockets, he gave them a small nod. "Alright. You've earned it."
Lira cracked her knuckles. "Now we're talking!"
Sara adjusted her stance, eyes narrowing. "He's going to use real skills this time."
"Only Unique and lower-tier ones," the Progenitor said calmly. "I promised to match your strength—not break it."
From above, Sasha leaned forward. "Ohhh, he's actually playing fair."
Misha smirked. "That means they might actually land a hit."
Anos chuckled beside them. "Don't get your hopes up."
Back in the arena, the Progenitor raised one hand.
<<[Great Sage] — Tactical analysis mode: active.>>
<<[Demon Lord's Haki] — passive aura suppression engaged.>>
<<[Visitor] — spatial mobility locked to local plane.>>
<<[Mathematician] — borrowed from Sara. Just for fun.>>
His presence shifted—not stronger, but sharper . More precise.
Lira narrowed her eyes. "You're using our own powers against us?"
"Not against," he corrected gently. "With."
Without warning, she launched forward again, flames spiraling around her like twin suns.
"Let's see how you dodge this!" she shouted, unleashing a vortex of fire enhanced by her demonic core.
Sara followed up instantly, activating [Great Spirit of Light] .
<
She fired a beam of pure divine energy at the exact angle to cut off escape routes, forcing him into the inferno.
But instead of dodging—he calculated .
Using [Mathematician] and [Great Sage] together, he predicted the exact moment of impact down to the microsecond.
Then—
He stepped aside.
Not fast.
Perfectly timed.
The combined attack roared past him, vaporizing the far end of the arena.
Before they could recover, he moved.
Not with overwhelming speed.
With precision.
One step.
Two steps.
And he was behind them.
"You're reacting too late," he said softly. "Because you're thinking about what you want to do next. Not what I'll make you do."
He flicked his wrist.
A pulse of [Graviti collapse] warped gravity just enough to throw off their balance.
Then, with a whisper of [Visitor] , he repositioned himself behind them again—but slower this time, giving them a chance to react.
Lira spun around, fists blazing with chaotic flame.
Sara reinforced her strike with light energy, syncing their timing to perfection.
They came at him in perfect unison.
And he met them with a single palm strike.
Using [Body Creation Art: Adaptive Flesh] , he molded his arm into a shock-absorbing structure that redirected their blows without harming them.
Then, with a soft push—
They were sent flying backward, landing lightly on their feet.
Lira wiped sweat from her brow. "Okay… that was insane."
Sara nodded, breathing heavily. "He didn't block or dodge. He just… redirected everything."
The Progenitor smiled. "Exactly. That's the point of mastering Unique Skills—they let you control the battlefield without brute force."
He gestured toward them. "Try again. But this time—don't think about winning. Think about understanding. "
Lira grinned. "I like this lesson."
Sara tightened her grip on her notebook. "So do I."
They charged once more.
This time, not with raw power—but with intent.
And for the first time, the Progenitor had to adjust.
Lira wiped blood from her lip, her red eyes blazing with defiance.
Sara stood beside her, breathing hard, fingers tightening around her notebook like it was a weapon.
They both looked up at the Progenitor—still standing casually, not even scratched .
"Still going?" he asked gently.
"You bet," Lira growled. "We've got one last move."
Sara nodded. "Let's show him what we've been working on."
The Progenitor raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
From above, Sasha leaned forward. "Here we go."
Misha smirked. "This should be interesting."
Anos watched closely. "They're syncing now. That's new."
Lira took the lead, flames spiraling around her arms as she activated her demonic aura.
[Demon Lord's Haki] — full output!
A crimson wave of oppressive force rippled outward, distorting the space around her.
Sara followed instantly, summoning light energy into her palms.
"[Hero's Resolve] — reinforce our will! "
Golden threads wrapped around Lira, reinforcing her strikes, stabilizing her magic flow, and amplifying her perception.
They moved together.
Not just in tandem—but as one .
Lira attacked first, launching a flurry of fire-enhanced punches while Sara analyzed mid-motion, feeding her subtle adjustments through micro-signals.
<
<
<
Lira twisted mid-strike, redirecting her blow just enough to bypass the Progenitor's redirection field.
For the first time—
Her punch landed.
Not hard.
But it landed.
The Progenitor blinked once, then smiled.
"Well done," he murmured, barely moving.
Then he caught Sara's follow-up strike before it could connect.
"You're close," he said, releasing her wrist. "But you're still thinking separately. You need to feel each other's intent."
He stepped back slightly, raising one hand.
<<[Great Sage] — tactical mode: advanced.>>
<<[Visitor] — spatial sync engaged.>>
<<[Mathematician] — predictive layer active.>>
His aura shifted—not stronger, but more complex.
"Now," he said. "Try again. But this time—don't think about attacking me. Think about becoming the attack."
They hesitated for only a moment.
Then something changed.
Lira closed her eyes.
Sara did the same.
And for the first time, they didn't act on instinct.
They acted on trust.
On unity.
They opened their eyes—and charged.
Lira summoned a vortex of flame beneath the Progenitor, forcing him to step upward.
Sara used that opening to create a radiant barrier behind him, cutting off escape routes.
He pivoted—only for Lira to appear where he expected to land, fists blazing.
She struck.
He blocked.
But this time, Sara wasn't waiting.
She appeared beside him—inside his guard.
Not with brute force.
With precision.
She placed her palm against his chest.
[Great Spirit of Light] — resonance lock engaged.
Light surged.
And for a fraction of a second—
The Progenitor didn't move.
Just long enough for Lira to deliver a final, combined strike.
Flame and light erupted together in a dazzling explosion.
When the smoke cleared—
He was still standing.
But his coat had a scorch mark.
And his smile?
It was wide.
Proud.
The Progenitor clapped slowly, the sound echoing across the silent arena.
"Not bad," he said, brushing off the slight burn mark. "You finally stopped trying to beat me… and started fighting like a single force."
Lira collapsed to one knee, panting. "Did we... actually hit you?"
He crouched beside her, ruffling her hair. "Yeah. You did."
Sara fell onto her back, staring at the sky. "I can't feel my arms..."
He chuckled. "That means you pushed yourself."
From the stands, Misha sighed dramatically. "Ugh, I lost the bet."
Sasha groaned. "They lasted way longer than I thought they would."
Anos gave a slow nod. "Impressive. They fought with understanding, not just power."
Eve materialized beside the Progenitor, smiling softly. <
He smirked. "They're not just combatants. They're students. And daughters."
Lira grinned weakly. "So… does this mean we passed?"
"Yeah," he said. "You passed."
He looked over both girls—his red eyes scanning every bruise, every drop of sweat, every flicker of exhaustion in their magic signatures.
Then he smiled.
But it wasn't his usual teasing grin.
It was softer.
Warmer.
The dust had barely settled, but already the atmosphere felt different—like the air itself recognized they'd crossed a threshold.
Lira on her back with a groan. "Ugh… I think I left part of my soul back there."
Sara beside her. "I don't even know if we won or not."
From above, Sasha smirked. "You made him move more than most gods ever have. That's a win in my book."
Misha gave a rare nod. "Yeah. You're getting close."
The Progenitor approached , his usual calm demeanor softened by something almost… fond.
"You did well," he said simply, offering both girls his hands.
They took them without hesitation.
He looked between them, then smiled. "It's your birthday today, isn't it?"
There was a beat of silence.
Lira blinked. "...Wait. It is?"
Sara checked her wrist device. "...Oh. It really is."
The Progenitor chuckled. "Of course you forgot. You were too busy trying to punch me into next week."
He raised one hand, and the space before them shimmered.
A gift appeared first—wrapped in crimson silk, glowing faintly with ancient energy.
"For you, Lira."
She took it eagerly, tearing off the wrapping to reveal a small, pulsing crystal orb filled with swirling light.
"What is it?" she asked.
"100,000 souls," he said casually.
Sara gasped.
He waved a hand. "Don't worry—they're willing spirits who chose reincarnation under your rule. They'll serve as the foundation for your ascension into a true Demon Lord."
Others thoughts 'Willing my ass'
Lira stared at the orb, eyes wide with awe. "You mean... I can start evolving when I'm ready?"
"Exactly," he said. "No rush. No pressure. When you're ready."
She hugged the orb to her chest like it was the best birthday present ever.
Then he turned to Sara.
"And for you, Sara… I'll evolve you into a True Hero when we return to our universe."
Her breath caught. "You mean it?"
He nodded. "Your potential is already there. All you need is the final spark—and that belongs in our world."
Sara bowed deeply, eyes shining. "Thank you. I won't disappoint you."
He ruffled both their hair.
"You never do."
Before they could fully process everything, Anos stepped forward, holding two long, ornate cases.
"I figured this much," he said, opening one case to reveal a sword unlike any other.
The blade shimmered with layered runes, its hilt carved from obsidian and gold, humming with restrained power.
"This one's for Lira," he said. "Forged in the heart of a dying star, tempered in the void, and bound with demonic law. Call it [Nightshade Ember] — a weapon worthy of a rising Demon Lord."
Lira took it reverently, drawing the blade slightly. A pulse of flame danced along the edge.
"Whoa…" she whispered.
Anos smirked. "Try not to set Eden on fire."
Then he handed Sara the second case.
Inside was a blade of pure white light, its form shifting like water.
"This one is [Dawnbreaker Luminary] ," he explained. "Its core contains a sliver of divine will. It responds to your sense of justice and purpose. May it guide you toward truth."
Sara held it carefully, feeling the warmth radiating from it. She nodded solemnly.
"Thank you, sir Anos."
Anos inclined his head.
Other Gifts:Sasha gifted them enchanted cloaks woven from shadow-silk, allowing stealth and minor teleportation within short distances.Misha gave them a pair of custom-made gauntlets embedded with runic amplifiers—perfect for enhancing magical output during battle.Ley Grandsley , ever the gentleman, presented Sara with a sealed scroll containing a fragment of an ancient hero's blessing—an artifact only usable by those with a truly righteous heart.Eve , in her own way, offered them a living data archive —a crystal tablet filled with tactical knowledge, historical records, and predictive AI support for future battles.Final Words
The Progenitor stood tall, watching girls with pride.
"You've grown far beyond what I expected," he said softly. "But this is just the beginning."
Lira grinned, sword slung over her shoulder. "So… does this mean we get our own kingdoms now?"
He smirked. "Eventually. First, you need to survive ruling yourselves."
Sara smiling. "That sounds like a challenge."
"It is," Anos said, stepping beside the Progenitor. "And I expect you both to rise to it."
The Progenitor glanced at the sky, then back at them.
"Soon, we'll return to our world. But until then… enjoy your gifts. Train. Learn. And remember who you are."
Lira saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Sara gave a respectful bow. "We won't forget."
He placed a hand on each of their heads.
"No," he murmured. "I know you won't."