"Ugh... help me up... Where are we...?"

Lilith forced herself upright, her consciousness slowly returning. She noticed thick bandages wrapped around her head.

"In Demon City. At a succubus’s place—you seemed to have a nightmare just now. Kept muttering nonsense about school, early classes, job hunting... Did you hit your head too hard?"

Alquett’s voice dropped suddenly.

"That succubus here is... off. She kept staring at me with those eyes. Said she’d go buy tonics earlier but never came back—do you think she’s plotting against us...?"

"Succubus... Is it Aunt Doros—"

"Ugh..."

Alquett frowned in thought, then nodded.

"Sounds about right."

"...Then we’re safe. She’s my department head and direct superior... Ow, my head—" Lilith clutched her temples. "What... happened last night?"

"...I’m sorry."

Alquett’s face twisted with awkward guilt.

"It’s my fault... I shouldn’t have pushed you to carry us while flying. I knew you were exhausted, yet..."

"So what actually happened?"

Lilith suddenly noticed her right wing was half-broken, tightly bandaged and visibly shrunken.

"...Last night, it was pitch dark. You lost focus for a second and... crashed straight into a mountainside."

Alquett’s beautiful eyes lowered as she recalled.

"We tumbled down the slope... You terrified me. Blood gushed from your head—this high—" She spread her arms wide, licking her lips unconsciously. Her voice lilted, caught between horror and excitement.

"...Everyone got hurt. Especially Viola... She’s still unconscious."

"Oh..."

Lilith rubbed her bandaged head, nodding slowly.

"...I vaguely remember... How did we get back?"

"Hmm, a kind stranger heading to Demon City gave us a lift."

Alquett explained.

"An unnamed Witch. Wore a black veil and a wide-brimmed hat. She dropped us at the city gates and vanished."

"I see..."

*So we really crashed...*

Lilith examined the scrapes on her wrists. *Falling from that height at that speed—any normal person would’ve died. Lucky I’m a dragon now. Just these minor injuries...*

Her gaze drifted to Alquett. Impeccable. Fresh clothes. Flawless skin—not a scratch.

"Uh... that is..."

"Hm? What do you need, Master Lilith?"

"...Never mind."

Lilith tried to swing her legs off the bed but winced as her knees prickled with pain.

"Ah—"

"Wait, no! That succubus said your legs are injured. You need rest—" Alquett rushed over, pressing her back onto the bed.

"We’ll have to wait until Viola wakes up to heal you."

"...Fine."

Lilith lay back, staring at the ceiling.

Alquett perched on the bedside, fidgeting with her fingers. She kept sneaking glances at Lilith, jerking her eyes away whenever caught.

Morning light spilled through the window, painting Lilith’s face pale. Street noise buzzed below but was muffled by soundproofing runes on the walls.

Silence thickened. Only their breaths filled the room.

Alquett twirled a strand of hair around her finger, heart pounding.

*What do I say...? This is so awkward...*

She realized with a jolt how little she truly knew Lilith. Her likes, dislikes, interests—nothing to spark easy conversation.

*Romance manga and novels... I’ve read so many. Why can’t I think of a single joke now?*

*If I stay quiet... will she stop liking me?*

*No—please don’t!*

Sweat beaded on Alquett’s forehead. Her cheeks flushed crimson. She squirmed as if sitting on a hot stove.

"...Miss Alquett...?"

"Ah! Sorry! I—I’ll go check on Viola—"

Alquett shot up at Lilith’s voice, fumbling out the door and slamming it shut behind her. She leaned against it, hand on her chest, gasping.

*I’m not ready for this...*

*Being alone with someone who loves me—*

...

Lilith blinked at the shut door.

*"...Could you get me some water?"* died in her throat.

*Damn... so thirsty...*

Her eyes scanned the room. In the corner, Alquett’s copycat puppet huddled, trying to vanish into the shadows.

"Hey... Miss Alquett Clone? Could you fetch me water?"

The puppet blinked, unmoving.

*...Figures. Won’t listen to me.*

*I’ll ask Mom later how to tame these puppet bodies—*

*Though the Great Demon King probably knows... But after last time, she feels dangerous. Better avoid her.*

Throat parched, Lilith opened her system menu. Two glowing Proficiency Points shimmered on the screen.

Last night’s experiment proved they could elevate any skill she already possessed to mastery.

*Two points left... What should I use them on...?*