The Aiber Selection.

Anna led Ethan down the corridor, her steps light and graceful, a portrait of elegance. She stopped in front of a grand wooden door, adorned with intricate carvings, and turned the brass doorknob with a gentle touch. The door swung open, revealing a lavishly furnished room, bathed in warm, golden hues.

"This will be where you'll be spending the night," Anna spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of formality. She gestured for Ethan to enter, allowing him a glimpse of the luxurious surroundings.

Ethan's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the opulent furnishings and tasteful decorations. A plush bed dominated the center of the room, adorned with silky sheets and fluffy pillows that invited him to rest.

The room was adorned with elegant paintings, their vivid colors capturing scenes of serene landscapes. Soft sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting a gentle glow across the room.

"Thank you," Ethan uttered with genuine gratitude, as he stepped inside, careful not to disturb the tranquility of the space.

Anna stood at the threshold, her presence commanding yet distant. There was a fleeting moment of hesitation in her eyes, as if she held something back. Despite her kind words, a subtle undertone of detachment and coldness lingered in the air, creating a barrier between them.

"I'll come back to call you for lunch," Anna said, her tone attempting to convey warmth, though it faltered. "You should rest in the meantime." With a graceful motion, she reached for the door, her hand lingering on the ornate handle for a moment before closing it with a soft click.

As the door sealed shut, Ethan found himself alone in the room, surrounded by a silence that matched the hollowness he felt. The grandeur of his surroundings couldn't mask the subtle disconnection he had sensed from Anna. It was as if her words were mere formalities, devoid of true care or concern.

Ethan sighed, his gaze drifting towards the window, where the sun cast long shadows upon the lush gardens outside. "Lilith are you there?" He called out, and immediately got a response.

Ethan's weary eyes turned toward the window, where the golden sunlight painted intricate patterns of dancing shadows upon the flourishing gardens outside. A tinge of melancholy clung to his soul as he whispered into the stillness of the room, his voice carrying a hint of longing. "Lilith, are you there?"

In an instant, a response echoed within his mind, the familiar voice of his loyal companion. {Are you so lonely that you couldn't last a few minutes without me, master?} Lilith's mischievous words reverberated through his consciousness, filling the room with a playful energy.

With a sudden surge of enchantment, the enigmatic book-shaped necklace adorning Ethan's neck began to radiate a soft, ethereal glow.

As if summoned by his call, Lilith emerged from the necklace, materializing before him in a graceful flourish. She lay upon the bed, her presence exuding an air of intrigue and allure.

A playful smile graced Lilith's lips as her slender fingers delicately traced patterns upon the pristine bedsheets. "Did you miss me?" she inquired, her voice laced with a beguiling charm that belied her true nature.

Contrary to her previous manifestation within the confines of the cave, Lilith's current form appeared diminutive, resembling that of a child.

Ethan's contemplative silence filled the room, his expression devoid of emotion as he finally broke the stillness. "Why do you look like that?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of detachment.

Anxiousness flickered across Lilith's face, her features betraying a vulnerable uncertainty. "W-What are you talking about?" she stammered, her voice tinged with unease.

Ethan's gaze remained fixed upon her, his eyes penetrating the facade that she had assumed. "Why do you appear as a lost child?" He inquired, his voice calm yet resolute, unyielding in his pursuit of truth.

The air crackled with tension, and a trace of irritation crossed Lilith's countenance. Abruptly, she rose from the bed, her small figure commanding attention as she pointed an accusing finger at Ethan. "Who are you calling a lost child?!" she exclaimed, her voice laden with indignation.

"I'll have you know that this appearance is a consequence of your actions, you ungrateful master. Breaking the seal on the primordial demons drained a significant portion of my energy, forcing me to assume this meager form—it is the best I can manage under the circumstances."

Lilith pouted, her frustration palpable as she lowered herself back onto the bed, crossing her arms in defiance. "Tch! Even after all that, this is the thanks I get?" Her voice carried a hint of hurt, a glimpse into the vulnerability that lay hidden beneath her fiery exterior.

Maintaining his composed demeanor, Ethan made his way toward the bed, taking a seat with measured poise. His voice carried a hint of reproach as he addressed Lilith, "That was quite reckless of you."

Lilith's expression intensified, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and defiance.

Undeterred by her outburst, Ethan pressed on, his tone firm yet controlled. "Lilith," he began, his gaze steady, "right before I collapsed in the cave, you mentioned something about there being other kings. Does that imply that my father had other children?" The weight of his words hung in the air, a testament to the gravity of his inquiry.

Lilith's sigh resonated with a hint of resignation, her anger giving way to a sense of understanding. "No," she responded, her voice tinged with a sense of solemnity. "When I spoke of other kings, I was referring to the candidates for the Abeol Selection—the royale that determines the true king, the god of this world."

Ethan's brow furrowed as he absorbed the weight of Lilith's words. The revelation raised further questions, fueling his thirst for knowledge and understanding. "Tell me more," he urged, his voice steady yet brimming with curiosity. "What is this Aiber Selection, and how does it relate to my role in this realm?".

Lilith's gaze softened, her eyes reflecting a mixture of compassion and determination. She settled herself beside Ethan on the bed, her posture mirroring his own resolve. "The Aiber Selection is an ancient tradition," she explained, her voice carrying a sense of reverence. "It is a competition among the chosen candidates, the descendants of the gods themselves, to determine who will ascend to the throne as the true king, the vessel of divine power."

Ethan's mind whirled with the implications of Lilith's words. The weight of his ancestry, the legacy of divine heritage, bore down upon him. "So," he ventured, his voice laced with a tinge of uncertainty, "I am supposed to be one of these candidates?".

Lilith nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of pride and concern. "Indeed, dear master," She affirmed, her voice gentle yet resolute. "You possess the blood of the Demon king flowing through your veins, a birthright that entitles you to partake in this monumental contest".