Aiden sat across from Lilith in the garden, the weight of his thoughts pressing on his chest. He hesitated, gathering his courage to speak. His hands fidgeted, and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. Finally, he blurted out, "Lilith… I've been thinking. Maybe it's better if I just stay here in the mansion. I mean, this academy you mentioned sounds dangerous, and—" He paused, swallowing hard. "—and I don't think I'm cut out for it. I could stay here, learn more, and… and eventually find a way to return home. I'll even say goodbye to you properly before I leave."
He glanced at Lilith, hoping for a flicker of understanding. But her expression remained unreadable. Silent. Her crimson eyes bore into him, and the air grew heavy. Aiden's breathing quickened as the atmosphere around him seemed to change, pressing him down like an invisible weight. The garden, so peaceful moments ago, now felt oppressive.
"I—I just thought…" he stammered, his voice trembling as the silence stretched. "I thought maybe you'd agree. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful or—"
Before he could finish, the weight lifted, and he collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Sweat dripped from his face as he clutched his stomach. He coughed violently and, to his shame, vomited onto the floor.
Lilith's voice was calm but carried an icy edge. "Aiden, do not utter such ridiculous things again. You insult my efforts to protect you." Her eyes softened, but her tone remained firm. "I may be merciless to my enemies, but to those I consider under my care… I am far more patient than you deserve."
She knelt before him, her presence suddenly less intimidating. "I ask for your patience as well. You will not go to this academy defenseless. I will take care that no harm will befall you. I will ensure that you will be in my presence at all times and even offer you some of my family's artifacts to protect you from harm"
Aiden nodded weakly. Lilith reached behind her back and retrieved something wrapped in a dark cloth. She placed it in his hand, and the weight surprised him. He unwrapped it carefully and froze.
"A… gun?" he whispered, staring at the polished black surface and the glinting metal.
Lilith's lips curled into a faint smirk. "This is not just any firearm. This is a modified Colt M1911, tailored for precision and reliability. A relic of your world. It fires enchanted rounds capable of piercing some demons... well not all of them."
She pointed to various parts of the weapon as she explained. "The magazine holds seven rounds, and the safety is here." She flipped the safety on and off. "This lever is the slide release. Reloading is simple—eject the magazine, insert a new one, and pull the slide back."
Aiden's mind raced with questions. "How did you even get this? Why do you have something like this in Hell?"
Lilith dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "Details are irrelevant. Focus on what's in front of you."
Before Aiden could press further, Lilith stood and folded her arms. "Now, shoot me."
His eyes widened. "What? Why would I—?"
"Trust me," she interrupted. "I know what I'm doing. You won't harm me."
"I… I can't," Aiden said, gripping the gun tightly.
"You can," Lilith said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "And you will. Fire."
Taking a deep breath, Aiden reluctantly raised the gun, his hands shaking. "Are you sure about this?" he asked one last time.
Lilith smiled faintly. "Do it."
Closing his eyes, Aiden squeezed the trigger. The deafening bang startled him, and he opened his eyes to see Lilith unharmed. Her arm was raised, her palm open—and in it, she held the bullet he'd just fired. Aiden was shocked to see that she managed to catch it.
"Keep going," she instructed, her voice calm.
This time Aiden was less hesitant after he understand what she was trying to do. Gritting his teeth, Aiden fired again. And again. Each shot rang out, and each time, Lilith caught the bullet effortlessly. By the time the gun clicked empty, his arms sore.
Lilith opened her hands, revealing a pile of bullets. "See? You'll need more practice, but this is a start."
Aiden stared at her in disbelief. "You're insane…"
She chuckled. "Perhaps. Now, return to the library and focus on filling the gaps in your knowledge. You have two months before we leave for the academy. Make the most of it."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Aiden clutching the empty gun and wondering what he'd gotten himself into.