Covering his nearly deafened ears, Ink Ash clamped a hand over the girl's mouth.

"Come on, is it really that shocking? Sure, being apprenticed to a supreme powerhouse like me is an honor—but no need to overreact!"

"Mmmph!!"

With her only means of expression blocked, the girl could only mumble incoherently.

Rubbing his face modestly, the Great Demon King demurred with feigned embarrassment.

"Oh? So you think it’s an honor too? No, no... saying that’ll make me proud."

"Mmmph!"

Tears welling in her eyes, her face flushed crimson—it was clear she meant nothing of the sort.

Having perfected shamelessness to an art, Ink Ash sighed nonchalantly, his thick skin outmatching city walls.

"Now, now, no need to be humble. Under my guidance, your swordsmanship will soar—but no need to slave for me. Just prepare three meals a day."

"That’s not what I meant!"

Furiously breaking free, the girl retorted indignantly, pushed to her limit.

"Huh? You actually escaped?"

Ink Ash stared at his suddenly freed hand in surprise. Slowly rising, he asked with a playful grin, "Well? Decided yet? I never take disciples, you know~!"

Biting her cherry-red lip lightly, emerald eyes flickering with hesitation, the girl gazed at him longingly. "I... I... can you really teach me swordsmanship?"

"Of course! Your earlier moves screamed self-taught, right?"

Though he’d never held a sword, the shameless Demon King calmly baited her.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Huh? How’d you know?!"

"If I can’t spot that, what kind of master would I be?"

"Young lady, choose wisely—a once-in-a-lifetime chance awaits!"

Though eager to agree, the precocious girl held a sliver of caution.

"N-no, I don’t believe it. Even the revered knights refused free lessons."

"Why would a stranger like you take me as an apprentice?!"

"Tch, that trash can’t compare to a Demon King like me!"

Scoffing at knights, Ink Ash suddenly turned sincere.

"They lack vision. They can’t see your hidden potential—like your cooking skills?"

Flattered by such praise—especially never hearing it from boys—she stammered, "I... I’m just a commoner. Not that special."

"But to me, you shine uniquely—pure-hearted (easy to fool), perfect bone age (easy to raise), and rarest of all... you’re self-sufficient (you cook)."

"Ah~ these days, a self-reliant disciple like you is scarce!"

Clutching his chest dramatically like an opera singer, Ink Ash nearly tasted his soon-to-be disciple.

Flushed from the compliments, the shy girl asked hesitantly, "D-do I really have so many good points?"

"What could you possibly have worth deceiving for?"

Avoiding her question, he eyed her coarse linen clothes.

After much thought—never considering herself—she bowed deeply and declared firmly, "Master, please accept me!"

"That’s my girl... ahem, since you’re my disciple—"

Quickly lifting her up, the grinning Great Demon King turned serious. "Three rules you must follow!"

Naive and trusting, she nodded instantly. "Understood."

"Oh, right—your name? I don’t even know it!"

Watching his new disciple, Ink Ash suddenly realized the gap.

Her pale fingers clenched tightly, she forced calmness. "Lily."

"Lily? Just that? No surname?"

Puzzled by the Western-looking girl’s name-only reply, he pressed.

A faint sadness crossed her porcelain face as Lily shook her head gently. "No."

"Well, easier to say... Lily, I am Ink Ash, Ink Ash Alpha Merlin! Call me Master—or Shishou~!"

Shaking his head, the mischievous Demon King fabricated his surname on the spot.

(Though sometimes, coincidences... are fate’s jokes. The Great Sage’s title isn’t to be trifled with~!)

Tilting her head cutely, Lily echoed in confusion, "Shi... Shishou?"

"Yes! Lily’s such a good girl. Again!" Ink Ash grinned wickedly.

Warily eyeing her erratic master, she stiffly replied, "Master sounds better."

"Ahem, fine... but next, no choices!"

Straightening his expression, he declared righteously after drafting his unequal terms.

Determination hardened her face. "I’m ready."

"Listen well—Rule one: always obey the master’s orders. Rule two: the master’s orders are always correct. Rule three: doubt? Refer to rules one and two."

"My dear disciple, can you do this?"

Unaware of the trap, the innocent Lily gritted her teeth. "N-no problem!"

"Excellent. Tomorrow, you won’t regret today..."

Satisfied with her youthful resolve, a faint smile curved Ink Ash’s lips.

And so, our mighty Great Demon King secured his long-term meal ticket... ahem, disciple!