Chapter 6: Checkup? Check What Exactly?

Lilia was so embarrassed by Lucia’s words that she wanted to crawl into a hole.

How could someone hear her talking in her sleep!

“I… I’m going to the Laboratory!”

She bounced off the bed and rushed out of the room as if fleeing.

Lucia’s low laughter followed her, making Lilia’s ears burn even redder.

Back in the Laboratory, Lilia forced herself to calm down.

I can’t let her words affect me!

I have to focus on my research!

She opened the  she had only read halfway through yesterday. Inside were even more complex formulas.

Seeing the list of materials, Lilia frowned.

These ingredients sounded expensive just by their names.

Forget it, I have the Demon King as my backer anyway. I’ll just ask first.

She pressed the bell in the room.

Less than a minute later, Lilith appeared.

“Miss, do you need anything?”

“I’d like some alchemy materials.”

Lilia handed her the book.

“Can you get these?”

Lilith glanced over the list, her eyebrows arching slightly.

“Of course.”

“But Miss may want to take a look at this.”

She pulled a thick catalog from her pocket.

Lilia took it and opened it. Her eyes widened instantly.

Each material’s price made her inhale sharply.

Any one of these could buy an entire city!

On the last page, she saw a small line of text:

Lilia froze.

Unlimited supply?

Did that mean she could take as much as she wanted?

“Is… is this real?”

“Her Majesty’s orders are never false.”

Lilith’s tone was calm, but a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

“Whatever Miss needs, please ask freely.”

Lilia’s heartbeat sped up.

This feeling… it’s like getting a limitless credit card!

Her urge to conquer began to stir.

Since Lucia was being so generous, then she wouldn’t hold back!

“I want Millennial Dragonblood Crystal, ten kilograms!”

“Stardust Powder, one hundred bottles!”

“Sands of Time, fifty pouches!”

“And Void Crystal, give me ten pieces!”

She deliberately chose the most expensive materials.

And the quantities were astronomical.

After listening, Lilith’s eye twitched slightly.

“Is Miss certain you want this much?”

“Certain!”

Lilia put her hands on her hips, looking proud.

“It’s unlimited supply anyway! I can have as much as I want!”

“Let’s see just how much your Demon King dotes on me!”

“Very well. I’ll make arrangements immediately.”

Lilith gave her a long look, then turned and left.

Lilia watched her back, feeling triumphant inside.

Let’s see where your limits really are!

With so many precious materials, even the Demon King would feel the pinch, right?

She’ll definitely come to settle accounts with me later!

Then I can use the chance to… hehehe…

Ten minutes later.

The Laboratory door swung open.

A team of Magic Puppet Maids pushed in massive carts.

The carts were piled high with gleaming materials.

Millennial Dragonblood Crystals glowed a deep red, each one fist-sized.

Stardust Powder swirled with silver sparks inside crystal bottles.

Every grain of Sands of Time twisted the surrounding space, making one dizzy just looking at it.

Void Crystals even caused the air itself to warp.

Lilia stared at the mountain of rare materials before her, dumbfounded.

The total value of these…

Even Monarch-class powerhouses would be envious!

“Miss, all your requested materials are here.”

The lead Magic Puppet Maid said respectfully.

“Do you need anything else?”

Lilia’s mouth hung open. For a long time, no sound came out.

She had only wanted to test the Demon King’s limits.

She hadn’t expected them to give it all without hesitation!

And in such quantities!

This feeling…

It’s like a poor student suddenly winning the lottery jackpot.

Faced with a fortune falling from the sky, she didn’t know what to do.

“So this is the emptiness of the rich…”

She muttered to herself.

Looking at the mountain of materials, Lilia fell deep into thought.

Each of these was priceless.

But to Lucia, they were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

The difference in power…

It gave her conquering urge a huge shock.

But it also made her more excited.

No! I can’t let myself be bought off by a little favor!

She shook her head hard, her silver twin-tails swishing.

Since she’s so generous, I’ll make even better use of it!

I’ll use these materials to research the strongest alchemy!

And make her see me in a new light!

Then… hehehe…

Lilia began her spree.

She picked up a chunk of Millennial Dragonblood Crystal.

This material was usually used to make the highest-grade magic weapons.

Even a tiny piece would bankrupt a master mage.

But she wanted to use it for ink.

The magic conductivity of Dragonblood Crystal is strong. If I turn it into ink, I should be able to draw more efficient magic arrays.

She got to work.

She ground the Dragonblood Crystal, worth a hundred thousand gold coins, into powder without a second thought.

Adding various solvents.

But she overlooked a problem.

The magic of Dragonblood Crystal was too active.

When she added the third solvent—

Boom!

The entire crucible exploded.

Red magic splattered everywhere, forming dazzling sparks in the air.

A huge hole was blasted in the lab table.

Even the wall was scorched with black marks.

***

Lilia crawled out of the smoke.

Her face was blackened, and her hair had turned into an afro.

“Failed… But it’s fine, there’s plenty of material!”

She patted the dust off herself without care.

Then grabbed a bottle of Stardust Powder.

This time, she tried to make a flash bomb.

Stardust Powder glows by itself. If I add explosive materials…

I should be able to make a super blinding weapon!!

Another huge bang.

This time even the ceiling cracked.

Silver sparks danced in the air, flooding the Laboratory with daylight.

Lilia was undaunted and continued experimenting.

She tried using Sands of Time as a timer.

If it can twist time, it should control reaction speed!

She tried Void Crystal for a teleportation device.

The principle of space distortion should be similar to a teleportation gate!!

Each experiment ended in a bigger explosion.

In less than two hours, the entire Laboratory was in ruins.

The walls were scorched and marked with strange light.

The floor was full of pits, some still leaking colored smoke.

The air was filled with strange smells.

There was the sweet tang of dragon blood, the fresh scent of stardust, and the metallic taste of time distortion.

“Miss…”

Lilith appeared at the door.

She looked at the mess, her mouth twitching.

A hint of helplessness—and… admiration?—flickered in her eyes.

“Are you researching demolition spells?”

“No!”

Lilia stood up from the ruins.

Her hair was a mess, and colorful streaks marked her face.

But her eyes were shining with excitement.

“I’m researching alchemy! It’s just… the experiments got a bit intense.”

“But I gained something!”

She waved her notebook enthusiastically.

“I discovered the reaction rules between the materials!!”

“Even if I haven’t succeeded yet, I’ve found the direction!”

Lilith took a deep breath.

“I see. Please wait a moment, Miss. I’ll arrange for repairs.”

She waved her hand, and a team of Magic Puppet Maids swarmed in.

They began cleaning up with practiced ease.

Lilia watched their skillful movements, feeling a bit guilty.

“Um… is it too much trouble?”

“It’s not.”

Lilith’s tone was calm, but her eyes softened.

“The Array of Restoration in the Evernight Palace is very efficient. It’ll be back to normal in half an hour.”

She paused, looking at Lilia.

“Her Majesty foresaw this situation.”

“She did?”

Lilia was stunned.

“Yes. Her Majesty said Miss’s research methods are… unique.”

Lilith’s words were tactful, but a smile flickered in her eyes.

“So she specially reinforced the Laboratory’s Defensive Array.”

“Otherwise, the whole Evernight Palace would’ve felt the blast.”

Lilia’s face turned even redder.

Lucia had expected her to blow up the lab?

Being seen through so thoroughly…

Made her feel both embarrassed and strangely sweet.

“Did… did she say anything else?”

“BE Fi…”

Lilith’s voice grew meaningful.

“Every failure of Miss is a step toward experience.”

“She looks forward to your first success.”

Lilia’s heartbeat sped up.

Lucia was watching her research?

And looking forward to her success?

This feeling of being valued…

Made her urge to conquer burn even brighter.

“Um… if I use up the materials, can I get more?”

She asked softly, a hint of probing in her voice.

“Of course.”

Lilith replied without hesitation.

“Shall I prepare another set?”

“Yes!”

Lilia’s voice rose again, her fighting spirit reignited.

“This time I’ll definitely succeed!”

“I’ll show Lucia the power of science!”

Half an hour later, the Laboratory was good as new.

New materials had arrived too.

Even more than before.

Lilia resumed her research.

This time, she was smarter and used only a little material each time.

There were still explosions, but the power was much less.

She began recording the reasons for each failure.

Analyzing the properties and reaction conditions of materials.

Using scientific methods to inch closer to success.

Thus, she spent the whole day in the Laboratory.

Blowing it up, repairing it, blowing it up again.

Materials were consumed batch after batch.

But each failure brought her closer to the truth.

By night, she was finally exhausted.

She slumped in her chair, staring at the pile of experimental records.

Even if I haven’t succeeded yet, I’ve grasped the patterns…

She was tired, but her eyes still shone with excitement.

Tomorrow, I’ll definitely create something truly useful!

Then I’ll show Lucia what I can do!

“Miss, you’ve worked hard.”

Lili-th walked over, her gaze tinged with genuine respect.

“Her Majesty asked me to inform you that she’ll come to review your research results tonight.”

Lilia’s body went rigid.

“Review? Review what?”

Her heartbeat sped up—not from fear, but from anticipation.

“Your experiment records for today.”

Lilith pointed at the stack of dense notes on the desk.

“And… your learning attitude.”

Lilia swallowed.

She hadn’t made any finished products today, but she had recorded a mountain of failed attempts.

These data were more precious to her than any success.

But how would Lucia see it?

“I… I’m going to take a bath!”

She wanted to run, but couldn’t bear to leave the Laboratory.

Behind her, Lilith’s meaningful laughter echoed.