Internet Mage Professor-Chapter 57: Lirazel’s Mission

Nolan sat with one leg crossed over the other, cradling a warm mug of dark, bitter coffee—he bought outside—between his hands.

Steam curled gently into the air, dancing in slow spirals that dissipated just beneath the cabin’s low ceiling.

Across the table, Lirazel hovered in a slow, deliberate orbit over her own cup—untouched, save for the occasional contemplative glance she shot toward the swirling surface.

Despite the near-death encounter just moments ago, there was a strange stillness between them now, the kind of eerie calm that usually settled after a violent storm.

Nolan exhaled quietly and sipped. His eyes remained fixed on her. "Now," he said, tone steady, "can you tell me what’s going on?"

Lirazel hesitated. She looked down. Her wings fluttered nervously, brushing against the air with a whisper.

For a moment, she looked like she was about to brush the question aside again, the same way she had with many others. But then, with a heavy breath of resignation, she slowly lifted her head.

"...Alright."

She didn’t look at him at first—only past him, eyes distant, haunted by memories Nolan couldn’t see.

When she finally spoke, her voice was low and slow, each word weighed with an ancient heaviness.

"There are planes above this one," she began. "Higher realms. Infinite layers of space and power, each more distant from mortal comprehension than the last. The Arcane Planes. Among them are domains where the Demon Gods dwell—primordial entities of desire, violence, hunger, decay, dominance... and more. Their domains are vast, unknowable... but even gods—yes, even them—aren’t content with their own territories."

She glanced at him now, her golden eyes shimmering with an unnatural glow.

"They want more. Always more. And this realm—the Lower Realm, where your people live—it’s a perfect staging ground for expansion. It’s untamed. Open. Not yet claimed by any one divine force. It’s the last fertile ground."

Nolan leaned forward, his grip tightening on the mug. "So they’re invading?"

"Not directly," Lirazel said quickly, shaking her head. "They can’t. The boundaries between realms aren’t just thick; they’re enforced by ancient laws. Laws even gods dare not break. Direct incursion invites opposition... consequences. So instead, they send us."

Nolan’s breath caught. "Us?"

She smiled faintly. Sadly. "Their children."

The silence between them cracked like ice.

Nolan stood suddenly, the legs of his chair dragging across the wooden floor with a screech. "Wait, wait—children? You mean there really are demon gods? And they have kids? You’re saying you’re—"

"Yes," Lirazel said quietly. "I am one. A daughter of the Demon God of Lust. My mother... she’s ancient, terrifying and powerful beyond comprehension. But even she must follow the rules. So, she created me—just like the others created their own. Her spawn. Her champion. And then, sent us here."

"To do what?" Nolan asked, barely able to keep his voice steady. "Conquer the world?"

Lirazel floated lower now, just barely above the table surface. Her tone was almost bitter. "Something like that but it’s more likely to compete."

"Compete?" Nolan echoed.

"It’s not enough to invade," she said. "We must earn the right to rule. Only one of us may claim dominion. The others must be eliminated. That’s the game. The cruel game our parents made."

Nolan’s mouth opened slightly, then shut again. "You mean... all of you... your siblings... you’re at war with each other? And other demon spawn? For this world?"

Lirazel nodded. "The last one standing takes everything. The rest... become fuel."

Nolan sat down again, slower this time. "So this is a bloodbath."

"I didn’t want it," Lirazel murmured. "I was born with no experience. Barely formed. I’m young, weak—compared to them, at least. I had no choice but to form a pact, and I ended up with you. That was my only shot."

Nolan clenched his jaw, trying to breathe evenly. "So you’re saying I made a pact with... a demon’s daughter... to help her kill her sisters, kill other demon god offspring, win this—this cosmic death game? And I have no way out?"

Lirazel leaned in. "No."

Nolan blinked. "...Wait. No?"

She shook her head. "It’s not that simple. I don’t want slaughter. I want survival. That’s all. And the pact you made isn’t like the others. I didn’t bind you the way my siblings would bind their contractors. I didn’t have the strength."

He stared. "So I’m not—enslaved?"

Lirazel grinned. "No. It’s closer to a... partnership. Strange, I know. But I had no other option. I used what little power I had to preserve you during the bonding, and instead of suppressing you, I gave you a sliver of my power and tied your growth to mine. A gamble."

Nolan slumped slightly in his chair. "I feel like I’ve been dragged into some insane cosmic drama."

"You have," she said, sipping her coffee finally.

He watched her silently. Then: "So what now? What do we do?"

"You don’t have to worry," Lirazel said brightly, her tone suddenly shifting to something closer to cheer. "I’m confident the others are still weak. Compared to you, at least."

That caught his attention. "Compared to me?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Your power has grown fast. Exceptionally fast. You’re already a Rank Nine mana user. Most other contractors wouldn’t be past Rank Six by now, maybe Seven at best. In fact, Mother’s conditions only allow binding with individuals of Rank Five. But you? You were already beyond that."

Lirazel twirled midair, her delight obvious. "You’re my secret weapon!"

Nolan squinted. "How do you know they’re still weak? You’ve been hiding here the whole time."

Lirazel froze mid-spin.

"...I mean," she started, faltering, "I don’t know exactly. I’m guessing. But look—every spawn we’ve encountered was only Rank Two, right? That must mean the others aren’t moving very fast. That’s a reasonable assumption!"

Nolan narrowed his eyes. "You’re guessing?"

"Well, yes—but I’m confident in my guess!" she said quickly. "And it’s not just a blind guess. You’re accelerating far beyond expectations. Your growth defies everything I know. Your mana pool is vast, your stamina’s recovering rapidly, and your—your lifespan! It even extended again! I noticed!"

She suddenly leaned in, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Tell me—what is your secret? How are you growing so fast? Is it because of that lifespan anomaly? Is that how you bypassed some of the pact’s restrictions? Come on, tell me! You’re amazing!"

Nolan rubbed the bridge of his nose. He felt an odd mix of pride and guilt twist in his gut. He said nothing about the cheat internet, nothing about the hidden game loot, the absurdity of his finger-screen inventory system. It wasn’t time for that.

"Don’t ask too many questions," he said, deflecting. "Let’s talk about your sisters."

Lirazel blinked. "What about them?"

"How many are there? Where are they now?"

She sighed, folding her arms. "I don’t know. Honestly. None of us do. We were born... differently. Sent as eggs. Scattered. Hidden. Even I didn’t hatch until recently. My sisters... they have higher talent, greater energy compatibility, more refined souls. They didn’t need a pact. They’re more... autonomous." frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Wait," Nolan said, frowning. "You were hatched?"

She nodded. "Yes. Like an egg. That’s how our kind is delivered to the Lower Realm. A containment cocoon. I was artificially accelerated once you accepted the pact. The others? I assume they woke up already. Or will soon."

Nolan rubbed the back of his neck. "That’s insane."

"I know."

"So you’re telling me," he said slowly, "that not only are you siblings... not only are you all trying to kill each other to win this world... but you don’t even know how many of them are out there?"

"No, what do you mean, ’kill each other’?" Lirazel mumbled.

"Huh? Not kill?"

"Well, I mean—we could, but that’s only if we fought against each other over who will lead all the sisters..."

"Ah?"

"Yes, our goal was to come together and defeat our foes..."

Nolan slumped back and stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then, slowly, he leaned forward and looked her in the eye.

"Let’s get this straight," he said, voice hardening. "There are Demon God offsprings like you. You and your sister’s enemies. And they’re here in the same realm. Competing. Spreading their influence."

She nodded solemnly.

"But yesterday," he continued, "you said your sisters are supposed to fight each other to see who leads. That only one gets to claim the world. Right?"

"Yes."

"Then why," Nolan asked slowly, "why are they busy fighting each other if enemies from other Demon Gods are already invading and spreading their armies?"

Lirazel froze.