Aethelgard—a continent powered by the veins of Mana Leylines, vast rivers of magic flowing beneath the earth. Kingdoms and guilds thrived upon these unseen currents, and whoever commanded a Leyline ruled with unmatched magical authority. Five great kingdoms divided the land, each represented by a prestigious guild. Yet these guilds didn't just protect their nations—they competed, schemed, and sometimes waged silent wars for dominance. Among them stood the radiant Kingdom of Solara, home to the renowned Golden Aegis Guild Academy. And in that city of light, a young man had just arrived. His name was Argus Alioth. But long ago, he had been someone else—someone feared across realms. Once, he was Valerius Kael—the Demon Lord. Now, he walked calmly through Solara's sunlit streets, looking no older than nineteen. Handsome, composed, with soft gray hair and an aura too serene to be ordinary. His long black cloak brushed the cobblestones as he moved. No sword. No staff. No weapon at all. Yet his weapon was right beside him—walking, sulking, and very much alive.
A pale-skinned girl with bright blue eyes and long black hair framed by soft bangs matched him step for step. She looked sixteen, maybe seventeen—adorably cute, though her aura betrayed something ancient. Her horns, wings, and tail were hidden by her own magic, making her appear human. Her name was Lilith, the Abyssal Blade of Agony—Valerius's sentient weapon and eternal headache.
"My Lord, the air here—ugh! The trees, the flowers—why is everything green? I hate green!" Lilith complained, flopping dramatically.
"Get used to it, Lilith," Argus said evenly.
"Tch. So annoying! Why are we even here anyway?"
"We're looking for the Golden Aegis Guild Academy. This is the Kingdom of Solara."
"So what? Are we gonna destroy them? Burn the place down?"
"No, Lilith. We're applying as students."
"WHAT?! You—a student?! That's ridiculous!"
"We need a place to stay. And if I remember right, the academy's in a city called Luminaris. Oh, and stop calling me My Lord."
"Fine, whatever you say… Master!" Lilith huffed, sulking. Argus sighed in defeat.
Their journey continued until the grand city of Luminaris spread before them—a sprawling hub of color and life. Vendors shouted over the crowd, selling charms, potions, and mana-infused trinkets. Children laughed as adventurers in shimmering armor passed by, their weapons humming with latent power.
"So these are adventurers, huh?" Argus remarked.
"Pathetic mortals. All show, no substance," Lilith snorted.
"Heh. Says the most dramatic being I know."
"Excuse me—the cutest being you know," she countered.
"If you say so," he replied with a faint smirk.
Soon they reached the gates of the Golden Aegis Guild Academy—a fortress of polished steel engraved with runes and radiant wards. Crowds of applicants filled the plaza, each hoping to prove their worth in the upcoming Trials of Admission.
"Ugh, so many mortals. I think I might throw up," Lilith muttered.
"You'll be making friends with those mortals soon," Argus said lightly.
"Eww! Never! Not in a thousand years!" she retorted.
At the registration desk stood two young women in uniform, their crests marked with a golden sun and shield—the emblem of Solara. Myra, a cheerful third-year wind mage, smiled warmly, while beside her, her younger sister Aliya, a quiet second-year water user, observed the crowd silently.
"Welcome! Please write your name, age, and magical specialty here," Myra instructed.
Lilith blinked at the form. "Uh… what should I put as my full name, Master?"
"Use Alioth. From now on, you're Lilith Alioth."
Her eyes sparkled. "Heehee! That means I'm your wife now, right?!"
"Quiet down. You're my younger sister, not my wife," Argus said, deadpan.
"Hmph! Killjoy," she muttered, crossing her arms.
They handed the form back. Myra glanced at Argus. "Hmm… Sir Argus, you don't seem to carry any weapon?"
"That's correct," he replied.
"Eh? Then how do you fight?" Aliya asked, eyes wide.
"He fights with sarcasm," Lilith quipped.
"Don't listen to her. I specialize in martial arts… and strategy," Argus added.
"And being annoyingly smug," Lilith shot back.
"Shh." He quickly covered her mouth.
From behind came a loud, mocking laugh. "Hah! No weapon? What are you gonna do, run around dodging attacks?" It was Arman. His polished armor gleamed under the sunlight. His longsword rested at his side, the hilt worn from use. Despite his arrogance, he looked like someone who'd earned every scar.
"You're not wrong—but I won't be the one running," Argus replied calmly.
"He'll be the one chasing," Lilith added, smirking.
Before Arman could retort, the sky dimmed and the wind turned cold. A heavy pressure spread through the air.
"Master…" Lilith whispered.
"A test already?" Argus asked, eyes narrowing.
"No… something's wrong," Myra said uneasily. The heavens split open, and four pale, ghostly figures descended—screaming in agony. Panic erupted. Some applicants fled; others drew weapons, fighting in vain. Myra summoned razor winds; Aliya launched spikes of water. Nothing worked.
"Impossible—they're not affected!" Myra shouted.
"Sis, I'll get the A-Class instructors!" Aliya called. Knights formed a barrier, blades glowing faintly with holy mana. One spirit darted toward Argus.
"Sir Argus!!" Myra screamed.
"Oh, looks like it's interested in you, Master~" Lilith chimed playfully.
In a single motion, Argus caught the spirit by the neck. The entire area froze. The ghost writhed, shrieking.
"How… how is he touching a spirit?!" Myra gasped.
"Haha! Gotcha," Lilith laughed. No mortal should have been able to touch a cursed soul. Yet Argus held it effortlessly. Then, in a jaw-dropping instant,
he leaned forward…
and kissed the spirit on the lips.
"W-WHAT—?!" Myra screamed.
"He just… kissed it?!" Aliya cried.
"MASTER!!!" Lilith yelled, grabbing him by the collar.
Light burst from the spirit, flooding the plaza. The four ghosts transformed into weeping women—human once more. They knelt before Argus, tears falling freely.
"My Lord… thank you," one whispered.
"Your suffering has ended," Argus said calmly. And with that, they vanished like mist. The crowd was silent. A man with no weapon. No chant. No spell. Just… a kiss.
"What was that?! You kissed it! Why?!" Lilith demanded, shaking him.
"Calm down, Lilith. That was exorcism—a purification ritual," Argus explained, unfazed.
"Oh really?! With your lips?!"
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Ugh! I swear, I should throw you back into the Abyss!" she growled. Argus's sharp glare shut her up instantly.
"Um… those spirits—they were once people. Corrupted by demons," Myra said quietly.
"See? Told you," Argus smirked.
"Still! There were other ways to free them!" Lilith protested.
"Wrong. What I gave them was hope," Argus said, his tone calm but commanding.
Myra glanced at them. "A-Anyway, you two should head inside. Enrollment's about to begin."
As they walked, Lilith grumbled, "If you're handing out hope, why didn't you kiss me? I'm miserable enough."
Argus leaned close, his tone dropping cold. "Because, Lilith, we're not here for hope. We're here to find why the Leylines feel… different. And if they keep sending us corrupted souls to kiss—" A faint smirk crossed his lips. "—we might find our answer sooner than expected."
Lilith's grin turned devilish. "As you command… My Lord."