The doors to my office burst open. Lira bounded in. "Papa! How's paperwork hell treating you?" she chirped, vaulting over a chair.
Behind her, Sara hovered in the doorway, clutching two sheets of paper.
Setting down my pen, I smiled. "Hello, sweetheart. To what do I owe this... enthusiastic interruption?"
Lira plopped onto my desk, sending documents flying. "School gave us this dumb assignment." She shoved a paper at me—'What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?' printed in elaborate cursive. "Figured I'd ask the expert on world domination."
I scanned the form with raised eyebrows. "You want me to decide your future?"
"Obviously!" She kicked her legs. "You've got, like, a million backup plans for everything."
Sara timidly offered her own paper. Three options were neatly checked:
✓ Hero
✓ Banker
✓ Progenitor's Maid
My finger lingered on Sara's third choice. "This one surprises me."
Sara's face flushed crimson. "I-I thought 'hero' would be the shocking option!"
I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers. "Oh, you absolutely can become a hero. I could arrange training that would mold you into the greatest this world's ever seen." My gaze sharpened. "But my maid? Never. You're Lira's friend - you should be equals."
Lira bounced on her feet, eyes alight. "What about me, Papa? Got any world-shaking plans for your favorite daughter?"
I smirked. "You? If Sara's set on heroism, you could join her... or become the Demon Lord who gives her something to fight against."
Their synchronized gasp would've been comical if not for the sudden fear that flashed across their faces.
"Wait... you'd really do that for us?" they chorused, voices trembling between excitement and terror.
I stood, my shadow stretching unnaturally long across the marble floor. "Of course." The temperature dropped as I let a fraction of my power leak out - just enough to make the lights flicker blue. "But let me be perfectly clear..."
The windows rattled as my voice took on an echo not entirely of this world:
"The training will be literal hell."
Lira's gulp was audible. Sara's knuckles whitened around her parchment. Behind them, the door creaked open to reveal maid holding a tray of tea - she took one look at the scene and immediately backed out, closing the door with a soft click.
After a beat of perfect silence, Lira whispered:
"...Can we start tomorrow?"
"Hold your horses — you're both still fourteen. First, grow up a little, gain a few skills to get started, to make training easier," I said, leaning back with a knowing smirk.
"A skill or two, huh?" Lira mused, her eyes gleaming. "Well, I've got Flame Manipulation and Survivor ."
"That's a good start," I admitted, crossing my arms. "But those aren't exactly game-changers. What about you, Sara?"
Sara shifted slightly under my gaze before answering. "I have Mathematician ."
"Not bad," I nodded. "Thought Acceleration and Analysis are solid foundations. But not enough if you want to play in the big leagues."
I stood straighter, suddenly serious. "Alright then — if you're both serious about this, I'll give you two Unique Skills each to kickstart things." I paused, locking eyes with them. "And Lira, Demon Lord or Hero... which will it be?"
She didn't hesitate. "Demon Lord, obviously. And yes, I'm serious," she added smugly.
"I am too," Sara chimed in, more quietly but just as determined.
"Good," I smiled. "Then here's what you get."
A flick of my wrist, and two glowing orbs of data hovered between us.
"For you, Lira — Great Sage and Gluttony ."
Lira blinked at the floating lights before grinning. "Oooh, sounds powerful."
"And for you, Sara — Great Sage and Chosen One ."
Sara gasped softly, her hands trembling slightly as the data streams settled into her core.
I took a step back, watching their reactions carefully. "Now, let's see what you can do with them."
"Hey Papa," Lira asked, flopping onto the plush carpet beside my throne. "How many skills do you have?"
Sara looked up from her book, suddenly interested. She had gotten used to the absurdity of life whith lira by now, but even she wasn't immune to curiosity about me.
I turned away from the window, where I'd been watching the sun dip below the horizon. For a moment, I was silent — not because I didn't know the answer, but because calculating it wasn't as simple as checking a list.
"Well…" I mused, eyes glazing over slightly as I dove into the vast database of my consciousness. Skills weren't just static entries for me; they were living systems, evolving, branching, merging like rivers in a cosmic landscape.
"Theoretically?" I said finally, blinking back to reality. "Unlimited."
Lira blinked. Sara tilted her head.
"But currently…"
I paused again, letting the silence stretch just enough to build anticipation.
"Three hundred twelve sextillion, two hundred thirty-one quintillion, five hundred sixty-five quadrillion, eight hundred sixty-five trillion, one hundred twenty-eight billion, nine hundred fourteen million, nine hundred fifty-four thousand, one hundred thirteen skills," I said casually.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then both girls gasped in unison—Lira's jaw dropped comically low while Sara clutched her notebook like it was the only stable thing in the room.
"That's not a number!" Lira finally sputtered. "That's a threat!"
Sara nodded frantically. "How does someone even get that many skills?! That's more than the number of stars in the sky!"
I smirked. "When you live forever, absorb entire universes, and occasionally invent new branches of magic, numbers like this just… happen."
Lira narrowed her eyes. "You're making this up."
I shrugged. "Want me to list them?"
"No!" they both shouted.
"Good," I said, turning back toward the hallway. "Because I wasn't planning to.now you two have school tomorow go you dont want to be sleepy for your class tomorow."
"Okay Papa, we'll get going. See you over winter break!" Lira said, already halfway out the door.
They both exited the room, leaving me alone with the mess Lira had made—papers scattered like fallen autumn leaves across the floor.
With a flick of my fingers, every single sheet snapped back into neat stacks, returning everything to its original order.
"Now that's what you call a useful skill."
<
I know. I just gave them the latest count before you added more. But why keep making more?
<
'Thanks.'
Time Skip – 4 Years Later
We stood in the training grounds—reinforced with layers of protective magic to withstand even the most reckless explosions. Two figures lay sprawled on the ground, panting and covered in sweat.
"You're too strong! It's not fair!" Lira groaned, her face pressed against the dirt.
"If you want to be a demon lord, 'fair' isn't in your vocabulary," I said, arms crossed. "Still, you've come a long way in these two years."
"Yeah, but it's been two years of constant training, and we still can't land a single hit on you no matter what we try," Sara muttered, brushing dust off her cheek.
I shrugged, smirking slightly. "What can I say? Nobody has ever landed a blow on me."
"Lets put that to the test!" came a high-pitched, energetic voice from above.
A blur of motion streaked down from the sky, diving straight toward us with incredible speed.
"Wait—don't go that fa—" I started, but it was too late.
She slammed face-first into the invisible barrier covering the entire training ground.
"OWWW! That hurt!" the girl whined, rubbing her nose as she tumbled on the barrier.
Lira tilted her head curiously. "Um… Papa? Who's that girl with pink hair?"
I sighed and opened a section of the barrier. She floated down gently, landing in front of me.
"Girls," I said, gesturing to the newcomer, "meet Demon Lord Milim Nava."
Milim struck a dramatic pose, hands on her hips. "MUHAHAHA! Long time no see, Progenitor!"
I raised an eyebrow. "What are you here for, Milim?"
She grinned widely. "I came to settle the score! Why else?"
"Great," I said, clapping my hands together. With a flick of my will, the two girls were teleported to the side benches.
"Let's show you how you should be fighting when facing a Demon Lord," I said, turning back toward Milim with a calm smirk.
"You really agreed to fight me?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Yeah. The girls need to learn," I replied simply.
"But Guy told me you'd never agree to a fight like this," she mused, tilting her head slightly as if trying to figure out what had changed.
"He did, huh?" I chuckled. "That's under normal circumstances. This is different. You can go all-out here—the training ground is heavily reinforced. No need to hold back."
Her grin widened. "Are you sure? Are you even able to handle me?"
I ignored the playful challenge in her voice and turned to the girls instead.
"Observe closely how we fight," I said, my tone shifting into that of a teacher. "This is a rare opportunity. What you see today could save your life—or help you take one—in the future."
Milim stretched her arms above her head, wings unfurling with a burst of pink energy. The air around us shimmered with barely contained power.
From their seats, Lira and Sara sat on the edge of their benches, eyes wide but focused. They knew this was more than just a sparring match—it was a masterclass in raw demonic might.
Milim cracked her knuckles. "Ready when you are, Progenitor."
I gave Milim a lazy glance before turning back toward the girls on the bench.
"Watch closely," I said. "This is how you handle a high-tier demon lord—especially one who thinks raw power alone wins fights."
Milim cracked her knuckles with a grin. "You're gonna regret that lecture, Progenitor!"
She vanished in a blur of pink.
And then she was there—her fist already halfway to my face.
I didn't move.
Her punch stopped an inch from my nose.
"...What?" Her eyes widened.
I tilted my head slightly. "[Authority Override]."
Her wings snapped shut. Her limbs locked mid-motion. Her entire body froze like a statue caught mid-charge.
The girls gasped.
"Lesson One," I began, pacing slowly around the paralyzed Milim. "Control your battlefield before your enemy even touches it. Skills like [Authority Override] or [Great Sage's Analysis] let you dictate the rules of engagement before the fight truly begins."
I flicked my finger.
Milim dropped to the ground like a stone.
She rolled mid-fall and landed in a crouch, but her cheeks were flushed with irritation.
"You could've warned me!" she growled.
"You're a Demon Lord," I said dryly. "React faster."
"Ugh! Fine!" She launched herself upward again, wings flaring with radiant energy. "Let's see if you can keep up now!"
"Lesson Two," I continued, ignoring her theatrics. "Predict movement and intent. Don't just react—anticipate."
Milim came down in a spinning kick, aiming for my shoulder.
I stepped forward —into the attack.
But not directly into the blow.
Instead, I moved just enough so that the momentum carried her off-balance. With a single palm strike to her ribs, I sent her skidding backward across the training field.
"Use their force against them," I explained. "Don't block when you can redirect."
Milim wiped her mouth and grinned. "Okay, okay, I get it. But don't think this is over!"
She raised both hands.
"Dragon Nova!"
A massive beam of concentrated dragonfire erupted, roaring toward me like a comet.
I didn't flinch.
"[Void God Azathoth]."
The beam hit an invisible wall of space-warping energy—and disappeared.
No explosion.
No heat.
Just... gone.
"Lesson Three," I said, voice calm. "Neutralization is better than resistance. Why take damage when you can erase the attack entirely?"
Sara's eyes were wide. "That entire Dragon Nova... just vanished?!"
Milim pouted. "That's not fair!"
I arched an eyebrow. "Fair doesn't exist in war. Only results."
She growled playfully and charged again, fists blazing with magic.
I sighed.
"Final lesson: always have an escape route. And a counter."
With a snap of my fingers, Milim found herself standing in a pocket dimension—her own momentum frozen mid-sprint.
She blinked.
Then turned to glare at me through the distortion.
"That's cheating!"
"Nope," I said. "It's called [Imaginary Space]. You should learn it someday—if you ever stop throwing tantrums mid-fight."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine! But I'm not done yet!"
I smirked. "Good. That means you're learning."
I released the technique, and she tumbled out of the rift, landing lightly on her feet.
Milim dusted herself off and shot me a mock-glare.
"You're such a showoff."
"And you're predictable," I replied.
She opened her mouth to retort—but paused.
Then she laughed.
"Ugh, fine! You win this round, Progenitor! But next time, I'm bringing backup!"
I chuckled. "Bring whoever you want. The lesson will still be the same."
Lira clapped excitedly from the bench. "That was amazing! I totally saw what you meant about redirecting attacks!"
Sara nodded, scribbling notes furiously. "So many skills working together... It's like watching a perfect machine in motion."
I turned to them both, serious now.
"This was just a demonstration. Real fights won't be this clean. Milim held back more than she realized. If she'd gone all out, half the continent would've been scorched by now."
Milim waved a hand dismissively. "Pfft, maybe only a third."
I ignored her.
"Still, today was a good start. Tomorrow, we begin your sparring sessions."
They both gulped.
Milim grinned wickedly. "Oooh, can I help?"
I glanced at her.
"...Only if you promise not to break them."
"Can't make any promises!" she chirped.
"Now then," I said. "Let's go back and replenish our strength. I believe the food is ready."
"Food?" Milim perked up instantly. "Can I join as well?"
I gave her a knowing smirk. "Why not? There's always room for one more."
After Dinner
"Woah! That was amazing!" Milim leaned back in her chair, hands behind her head, utterly satisfied.
A maid in a crisp uniform approached, clearing the plates with practiced efficiency. "Thank you for your kind words, Lady Milim. I'll be sure to pass them along to the chef who prepared the meal."
Milim waved a hand enthusiastically. "Yeah, make sure he knows it was amazing ."
The maid gave a polite bow. "Of course, my lady."
I watched the exchange with mild amusement. "I see you enjoyed the food quite a bit. It makes me proud as a ruler to hear that."
She grinned widely, still basking in post-meal bliss. "Seriously, I've never had anything like that before?"
I said casually. "I'm glad you approve."
Milim chuckled. "You say that like it's normal. You're such a weirdo."
I simply raised an eyebrow, letting the comment slide. "You're welcome, by the way."
She tilted her head curiously, eyes narrowing slightly. "I've been meaning to ask—do all your subjects treat you like this normally?"
"Yes," I replied smoothly. "Why do you ask?"
Before she could answer, a soft cloth dabbed at the corner of my mouth. The maid—who had been silently lingering nearby—gently wiped away a trace of sauce, her expression serene and professional.
Milim blinked. "...Wait. Did that just happen?"
I didn't flinch. "Yes. Why?"
She stared at me for a moment longer, then burst into laughter. "Man, you really are something else. This is how you live every day?"
I leaned back, unbothered. "It's not about luxury—it's about respect, tradition, and the occasional pampering. Besides, if you can afford perfection, why settle for less?"
Milim shook her head, still chuckling. "You are so full of yourself."
"And yet, here you are, enjoying the benefits."
She pointed at me with a grin. "Fair point."
"Now," I said, smoothly shifting the subject, "you mentioned something about training the girls?"
"Oh yeah!" Milim beamed, her eyes lighting up. "I can totally train them! They've got potential—I saw it during your fight. With some training, they could be scary strong!"
I nodded, folding my hands behind my back. "I see. Thank you for that. Truth is, my schedule is really packed these days. I can't train them every day. That's why I'd appreciate it if you could take over for a week—at most."
"A whole week?" Milim blinked, then grinned mischievously. "Ooooh, so you're delegating now? The mighty Progenitor is finally trusting someone else with his precious students?"
I gave her a flat look. "Don't flatter yourself. It's not trust—it's convenience. And survival instinct. If I have to hear Lira complain about 'boring theory lessons' one more time, I'm going to turn her into a frog."
Milim burst out laughing. "Don't worry, I'll keep things fun—and explosive enough—to keep her entertained."
"Just don't break them," I said, only half-joking.
"Can't make any promises!" she chirped, already bouncing on her feet. "But fine, fine—I'll be responsible. Mostly."
I sighed. "That's all I can ask for, I suppose."
From the side benches, Lira shot up, practically vibrating with excitement. "Wait—so does this mean Lady Milim is gonna be our trainer for a bit?!"
Milim spun toward her with a dramatic flourish. "Yep! Starting tomorrow, you two are gonna get the full Demon Lord experience!"
Sara gulped audibly, clutching her notebook like it was a shield. "Does that include… flying drills again?"
Milim winked. "Ohhh, especially those."
I took a step back, watching the energy between them build. This could either be the best thing for their growth…
…or the start of an ungodly amount of property damage.
Only time would tell.
A Week Later
I strolled through the reinforced doors of the training grounds with my usual calm, hands in my pockets.
"Hello, girls. How… are… you… doing?"
The words trailed off as I took in the sight before me.
Lira and Sara were sprawled on the ground—eyes glazed, limbs twitching slightly, their uniforms singed and torn beyond recognition. Their expressions were eerily blank, like two dolls left out in the rain too long.
Milim floated a few feet above them, casually inspecting her nails.
"Oh, hey, Progenitor," she greeted with a lazy wave. "What's up?"
I didn't take my eyes off the girls. "...What happened to them?"
She shrugged, still floating upside down now for no reason other than mischief. "I might've gone a little overboard. Sorry about that."
"A little overboard?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, y'know, basic demon lord stuff!" She grinned. "Flight drills at high speed, magic endurance tests, and some light psychological training."
I blinked once. Then sighed.
"...I see. Well, no matter. It'll help them reach new heights—I can feel it."
As if summoned by my words, both girls stirred.
They lifted their heads slowly, like zombies clawing their way out of despair.
Then, in perfect unison, they croaked:
"Help us... please! "
Their voices cracked on the last word, echoing pitifully across the chamber.
Milim giggled. "Yep, looks like they're recovering!"
I crossed my arms, watching them struggle to crawl forward like broken puppets.
"You call this recovery?"
"They moved, didn't they?" Milim shot back.
I crouched beside Lira, who was trying—and failing—to summon a fireball with shaking fingers.
"Lira. Report."
She coughed weakly. "Day one: Milim made us run laps around the continent. Day two: we learned how to dodge lightning storms while blindfolded. Day three: she threw us into a volcano. Day four…"
Her voice cracked again.
"...I stopped counting."
Sara nodded solemnly beside her. "We asked for mercy. She said mercy wasn't on the syllabus."
Milim gasped dramatically. "I never said that!"
"You did," they both said flatly.
I stood, brushing invisible dust off my coat.
"Well, you're not dead. That means it worked."
Both girls groaned in despair.
Milim beamed. "See? Parenting tip right there—tough love!"
I glanced at her, unamused. "That's not parenting. That's child abuse with sparkles."
"Pfft, semantics."
I extended a hand toward the girls. With a flick of my will, restorative energy flowed into their exhausted bodies.
Color returned to their cheeks, and their limbs finally obeyed them again.
"Thank you, Papa…" Lira whispered, hugging her knees to her chest.
Sara looked up at me with tired but grateful eyes. "We… learned a lot. Even if we don't remember most of it."
Milim pouted. "You're gonna ruin all my hard work!"
I gave her a dry look. "Let's just say I'm balancing your 'intense mentorship' with a little humanity."
She rolled her eyes. "Ugh, fine. But next time, I'm doubling the difficulty."
I smirked. "Just make sure they dont die."
One Month Later
"Papa, how are you doing?" Lira asked as she strolled through the door to my office.
I glanced up from my desk, eyes flickering with data streams as I analyzed her.
"I'm doing good. How… about… you?" I drawled, watching her closely.
She paused mid-step, narrowing her red eyes at me. "What's gotten into you ?"
I leaned back in my chair, folding my hands behind my head with a smirk.
"Well, well. Congratulations are in order—it looks like both of you have evolved into Enlightenment Humans ."
Lira blinked. "Enlightenment Human? What's that?"
Sara, standing slightly behind her and still catching her breath, gave a small smile.
"It's a human evolution we underwent last night," she explained. "It felt… different from normal evolutions. Like everything suddenly made more sense."
I sat up, impressed. "I see you've been putting Great Sage to good use. Nice work."
Lira threw her hands up. "Okay, what does that mean ? Why do I feel like my brain is running on hyperdrive all of a sudden?"
I stood and walked around the desk, stopping just in front of them.
"Enlightenment Human is an advanced evolutionary path that enhances not only your body but your mind—especially when combined with skills like Great Sage or Sage. It allows for rapid comprehension of complex systems, intuitive understanding of magic theory, and even subconscious skill optimization."
Sara tilted her head. "So… it's like being born again, but smarter?"
I chuckled. "More like awakening . You're no longer just reacting to magic—you're beginning to understand it. That's why things feel… sharper."
Lira looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers experimentally. "Huh. No explosions yet, so that's new. But everything feels… clearer. Like I finally figured out how to tune into the right frequency."
Sara nodded. "Same here. My analysis speed has increased dramatically. I even solved one of the palace math puzzles without writing anything down."
I grinned. "That's the Enlightenment effect kicking in. Your bodies may still be growing, but your minds are starting to catch up to the power you wield."
Lira grinned widely. "So does this mean I can finally beat you in a fight?"
I arched an eyebrow. "Not even close. But now you've got the tools to start learning how."
She pouted. "Ugh, fine! But don't think I'm gonna stop trying!"
Sara smiled softly. "Even if we can't win yet… I want to keep learning. Every day."
I placed a hand on each of their heads, ruffling Lira's hair and giving Sara a gentle pat.
"That's all I ever wanted to hear."
"Aren't you proud of them, Milim?" I asked, glancing toward the door where she stood—half-hidden in the shadows, arms crossed with that ever-present spark of mischief in her eyes.
She let out a soft hum, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I am," she admitted after a beat. "But they're still way too weak to challenge someone like me. They've got a long way to go."
I nodded, not at all surprised by her response. "Yes, I'm aware. But they're still human—for now, at least."
Milim grinned. "Yeah, well, this is about as much as I can do for them. I've got my own kingdom to run, y'know? Can't babysit forever."
"Fair enough," I said with a small smile. "Still, it was nice having you around. The staff at the mansion absolutely adores you."
She gave a mock bow. "Aww, I try my best! Tell them thanks—I had so much fun."
"I will," I replied, watching as she turned to leave.
With a flicker of pink light, she paused mid-step, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk. "Oh—and don't let them get too soft without me. I expect a much stronger challenge next time!"
And with that, she vanished in a blur of wind and light.
I chuckled to myself, shaking my head.
"Next time, huh?" I mused, watching Milim vanish into the horizon. "Well, you heard her—better train harder from now on."
Lira and Sara gave twin nervous chuckles — more out of politeness than amusement.
"Ehehe… yeah, Papa," Lira muttered, scratching her cheek. "Totally gonna do that."
I turned to them, a small smile playing at my lips. "Well, since you're both at this stage, I've got a gift for each of you."
Their eyes lit up instantly.
"A gift?!" Lira practically bounced in place. "Are you giving us a sword? Or armor? Or maybe a legendary beast we can summon? Anything you give us is gonna be extraordinary!"
I raised an eyebrow, amused by her excitement. "Hah. Cute. You're still way too weak to wield any real weapons. But when you can actually make Milim sweat — then I might consider it."
Lira pouted, but Sara simply nodded with quiet determination.
"So… what is it, sir?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
With a flick of my fingers, a soft orb of golden light formed above my palm — warm, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.
"Here," I said, extending my hand toward her. "This is for you."
Sara stepped forward cautiously, studying the glowing sphere. "What is it, sir?"
"A Great Spirit of Light," I replied simply.
Her breath caught. "Wh-What? A spirit? Truly?"
I nodded. "Yes. It will guide and strengthen your magical core, helping you refine your power. Consider it a companion and teacher in one."
She bowed deeply, voice filled with awe. "Thank you so much, sir! I won't disappoint you!"
I smiled warmly. "You never do."
Lira tugged eagerly at my coat sleeve, bouncing slightly. "Hey, what about me, Papa?"
I turned to her with a knowing smile and snapped my fingers.
From thin air, a small creature materialized—a strange, adorable beast with glowing runes swirling across its skin. Its aura pulsed faintly with untapped power.
"This one's for you," I said. "Use Gluttony to absorb it."
Lira blinked. "...That's it? It looks like a plushie."
I chuckled. "Looks can be deceiving. That little guy contains the core of an ancient lesser demon lord—a seed of power waiting to be unlocked. If you want to become a Demon Lord yourself, you'll need to consume it… and then fight to control it."
Her eyes lit up, all hesitation gone. "So this is like a starter kit for becoming a Demon Lord?"
"Precisely," I confirmed. "But don't get too excited. Just absorbing it won't make you one—it'll test you, push you, and if you're not strong enough, it could consume you instead."
Lira grinned, already reaching out toward the creature. "Challenge accepted."
She placed her hands on it—and the moment contact was made, a pulse of dark energy rippled outward.
The creature let out a low growl, its tiny form trembling as it began to shift and fuse with her magic.
I watched carefully, monitoring the process.
Sara stood beside me, watching Lira's trial unfold with quiet determination.
"You both have a long road ahead," I murmured.