Just after experiencing that sense of connection in the shower, I find myself being escorted by the same girl to the place where Lilith and Slyther are. This place is enormous.
"By the way, do you know what kind of entertainment Lilith has planned?" I ask, genuinely curious since I have no idea what kind of entertainment I might receive or how this world works.
Maid: "Mmm? Honestly, I have no idea what Lilith-sama has planned. But knowing how she is when she takes things seriously, you'll probably have to put in a lot of effort not to disappoint her. Besides, she has pinned all her hopes on you. You're the only person who can help her." She responds with a smile before her expression turns serious, and she stops in front of me.
"That's why I ask you to do your best, not just for Lilith-sama, but for the Kingdom of Shadowfall. Although this place looks like this now, it's not the same as before. The kingdom has shrunk by almost 80% since it was attacked, and many have left. But I don't want to depress you or put more pressure on you. By the way, we've arrived," she says, quickly changing her expression and smiling before opening a door that apparently leads to the castle's courtyard or garden-I can't tell.
In the distance, I see three people looking in our direction. One of them is Slyther, and the other is Lilith in her... tired form? But I have no idea who the other girl is, though I quickly notice the resemblance... Damn, she's probably her mother. If she finds out what happened, I'm dead, and I haven't even completed my first side mission yet.
Lilith: "Hey Alexs, hurry up! We don't have much time to waste. We need to start the explanation and your training!" Lilith shouts, waving her hand in greeting.
"Yes! Right away," I respond, running towards them, followed by the orange-haired maid.
Slyther: "Good morning, Alexs-sama. How are you? I hope your room was to your liking." He bows as he greets me.
"I'm fine, and yes, thank you, it was beyond my expectations." I reply, bowing slightly to show respect.
Slyther: "There's no need to bow to me, sir. By the way, good morning to you too, Celes-san." He greets the orange-haired maid, whose name I finally learn.
Celes: "Good morning to you too, Slyther-chan," she responds with a big smile. "And to you too, Lilith-sama."
Lilith: "Good morning, Celes. I hope it wasn't a problem for you to wake Alexs up. I know you had to attend school today."
School? Oh crap, what kind of mess have I gotten myself into? I can already hear the sirens.
Celes: "Don't worry, Lilith-sama. Anyway, it was much more educational to meet Alexs." She gives me a conspiratorial smile, and I swallow hard, remembering what happened.
???: "Enough with the chatter. I don't understand why this guy is here. Is he really the one to save the kingdom, Lilith-sama, Slyther-sama? He doesn't seem like much, plus I can't sense any magical abilities from him, and he doesn't look like a warrior."
The woman, who seems to be Celes' mother, points at me while speaking animatedly.Great, now I'm more scared of what she might do, but at the same time, I'm annoyed by what she said. She doesn't even know me, and we haven't even started my training.
Lilith: "I know it's sudden, and it might not seem like a great idea, but I have hopes that he will help us restore the kingdom. So please, give him a chance."
???: "But... Li-" She doesn't finish because Celes interrupts her.
Celes: "Mayuri, respect Lilith-sama's decision. Enough of your tantrums. Be satisfied that she kindly asked you to help with Alexs' training. Also, show more respect to the young man who has volunteered to help Lilith-sama without asking for any compensation." Celes takes a firm stance, looking directly at Mayuri with a serious and imposing gaze.
Mayuri: "I'm very sorry, Mother, and I apologize, Lilith-sama, Slyther-sama, Alexs-sama." She bows her head while apologizing, though I notice that she gathers strength to say my name.Why is she acting like this? I haven't done anything wrong to her... Wait a second.
"Mother??????" I can't help but shout in surprise at this revelation. How can she be her mother? Though if she is, then I have nothing to worry about.
Celes: "Oh, sorry, Alexs! I forgot to introduce myself. Well, my name is Celes, and this little ball of hate is my daughter Mayuri."
Mayuri: "Mother, please, I don't like you calling me that, especially in front of Lilith-sama." She shouts at her mother, looking away with a blush on her face while Celes approaches and fixes her hair.

Mayuri on the left in a knight's dress, and Celes on the right in a maid's outfit.
Lilith: "Well, you don't need to apologize, Mayuri. I understand your frustration. I know you've worked hard to keep what remains of the kingdom standing. That's why I brought Alexs to take some of the burden off your shoulders. And who better to train him than the girl responsible for protecting the kingdom?" Lilith looks at Mayuri with a smile, extending a hand to help her up. When Mayuri takes her hand, she looks at her with a blush and hearts in her eyes.
Mayuri: "Lilith-sama... Alright! If you ask me, I'll train him personally." She responds enthusiastically, turning towards me with a serious and determined look.
"It's time, Alexs. Any questions before we begin?"
"Many, actually. But for now, just about the training. What should I do, or how should I start? How do I know if I have powers, gifts, magic, or whatever I need to use?"
Lilith: "Right, let's start by talking about magics and critical magics. Slyther, please explain."
Slyther: "Lilith-sama, you should explain, or have you already forgotten?"
Lilith: "Of course, I remember." She thinks for a moment before responding. "Hmm? Ah, got it. Pay close attention, Alexs. In this world, there are many types of creatures from different regions, ranging from beings capable of living underwater to those that can survive in areas surrounded by active volcanoes, and even in the sky. But there are also beings with immense strength or great intellect. Although most beings in this world can use magic, there's a unique type that only one in a million possesses, known as critical magic.""Critical magics?"
Slyther: "That's right, Alexs-sama. Critical magics are very distinct and are considered any kind of magic capable of having a significant impact on the world. That's why heroes summoned to this world have so much power, as they receive it directly from the gods."
"Does that mean my companions and Hanako have that kind of magic?"
Slyther: "I'm afraid so, but if we're lucky, you might also have acquired critical magic."
"And how do I find out? Do you guys have any of those magics?"
Lilith: "Of course, I do. After all, I wouldn't be so amazing and powerful if I didn't. Mine is called Arcane Resonance." She responds while transforming into her... adult form? She releases an aura that envelops her body entirely, generating a red flame in the palm of her hand.
"It grants me incredible strength and energy, allowing me to attack and defend against any physical or magical attack. However, it also requires a lot of training since it consumes a lot of energy and lifespan, although being a demon with extended vitality helps a lot," she says, returning to her "normal" form.
"All that was missing was a hair color change. Anyway, what about you, Slyther?"
Slyther: "Well, mine is a bit more complicated since it's not a physical critical magic, but you've already witnessed it in a way." He extends his hand and launches a sphere that turns into a sort of portal. "As you can see, I can create portals from one place to another, even travel in time, although only a few hours. It can be very useful, especially with Lilith-sama, who tends to go all out. However, it has a weakness: if I try to create a portal to another dimension, I have no idea where it might lead or what I might bring to this side, and doing so generates a great mental and mana burden. It was quite a challenge, as I had never tried it before. I almost lost my sanity." He responds casually.How can he say that so calmly? He almost died bringing me here, and they weren't even sure if it would be me or something else.
"And you, Mayuri, do you have one?" I turn my attention to her, and she just makes a disgusted face and looks away.
Mayuri: "Crystallization, and I won't tell you more. You'll have to discover it in battle, and for the record, it has no weaknesses." She responds while walking towards a table with a cube on it.
"Come closer, I don't have all day.""Okay, okay, no need to be so harsh.
"Mayuri: "Mmm."
Lilith: Normally, learning magic requires a lot of time studying and practicing to learn the basics and its power, but since we don't have time, we'll cheat a little. This cube is an object that was created to skip all that, and with it, you'll learn everything about magic in a second. By the way, it's an object created in this kingdom. We specialize in creating magical items and selling them to other kingdoms, although with everything that's happened, it's become more difficult to continue doing so. Anyway, put your hand on the cube and concentrate. She says with a trembling voice before switching to a more cheerful tone.
"Sure, let's do it." I respond and place my hand on the cube, which begins to shine intensely. A bunch of strange symbols flash through my mind and many chants in unknown languages resound, slowly starting to make sense and I can understand what they say. Ahhhh, my head hurts, it hurts a lot. I scream in pain and then fall to the ground, the pain gradually fading away.
Lilith: So, Alex, can you feel the mana flowing in your body?I look at my hands while feeling a current of energy flowing through my veins.
"This is what magic feels like? It's amazing and hard to explain. Yes, I feel it, I can even summon it, watch-" I close my eyes and visualize all types of enchantments. I summon a magical shield and launch it towards a nearby tree, which explodes, leaving a huge crater.
Slyther: It seems everything went perfectly, so it's time for the real training. He mentions with a serious expression.
"What do you mean by real training?"
Slyther: Now that we know you can use magic, it's time to see if you have any critical magic.
Lilith: That's right, and the only way to find out is by exposing your body to extreme danger. In short, you have to be on the brink of death. She responds with a smile.
Mayuri: That's why I'm here. You will face me in combat, and if you survive, which I highly doubt, then there's a chance you will invoke your critical magic. If not, well, you'll die. She smiles broadly as she says the last part.
"You know, I'm starting to regret this. Besides, I think normal magic is more than enough for me." I respond insecurely at the mention of possibly dying.
Lilith: Don't worry, Alex. I trust you. That's why Slyther managed to bring you to this world, and I know you're the one to save the Kingdom of Shadowfall. She holds my hand as she says this, and it feels relaxing. Seeing this, Mayuri's gaze fills with anger.
Alex: Alright, let's do it.Now, Mayuri and Alex are in the middle of the courtyard, facing each other to begin their combat. Alex has a serious expression, trying to concentrate as much as possible to find a way to attack Mayuri, while she just looks at him with an expression that would scare anyone, emanating a violet aura as the temperature around her drops drastically.
Mayuri: What are you waiting for? Why don't you attack? Or are you too terrified to face me? I knew it, you're just a coward. You don't deserve the trust Lilith-sama has placed in you. This idiot is not worthy of being Lilith-sama's champion. If I defeat him quickly, I'll prove that I'm the most suitable to be her number one. I will save the Kingdom, just watch me, Lilith-sama.
"Alright, if there's no other way, let's start the dance." I respond while thinking of a useful spell.