Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

{Melisa}

Melisa stood among the crowd of students. To everyone else, she probably looked calm. Confident, even.

But beneath her skin, Melisa was going fucking crazy.

[AAAAAAAAH!] She thought, inhaling and exhaling slowly. [I'm going to... fucking... die!]

Ever since her 13th birthday, 4 years ago, Melisa had been feeling a growing sense of unease.

It started off light, like a faint tug, a whisper in the back of her mind that she couldn't quite shake.

But as the days passed, that whisper grew louder. More insistent with every woman she laid eyes on until it was a constant, maddening hum.

She knew what it was, of course. Her mother had warned her about this, about the "pull" that all nim felt towards others when they came of age.

Margaret had sat her down, looked her in the eye, and told her in no uncertain terms that she needed to be responsible. That, once she was out in the world at this age, she'd need to exercise restraint. All nim, the men and the women became like this. It was normal.

But standing here, surrounded by so many vibrant, alluring women, Melisa was beginning to realize just how difficult that was going to be.

It was like an itch beneath her skin. Every glance, every brush of skin against skin, sent a jolt of electricity through her body. She wanted to reach out, to touch, to taste, to lose herself in the rush of Essence she knew she'd get if she just...

[Get a grip, Melisa,] she almost slapped herself. [You're stronger than this. You have to be.]

She tried to focus on the headmistress's words, on the grand promises of heroism and destiny.

But even as she nodded along with the rest of the students, her mind kept wandering.

[This is torture,] she thought, gritting her teeth. [Pure, unadulterated torture. How am I supposed to concentrate on my studies when all I can think about is...]

She shook her head, banishing the thought before it could fully form. She couldn't afford to indulge those fantasies, not here, not now.

[CALM DOWN, MELISA! You are more than your instincts,] she told herself firmly. [I am Melisa Blackflame, future hero and talented mage. I will not be ruled by my... That girl's got such a nice butt. Good god.]

She started breathing heavily.

In truth, she should have seen this coming. Her people were, after all, essentially succubi. But, reincarnating into them as a 9-year-old had given her a false depiction of what life would be like as one.

[I have to get out of here.] Some desperation crept in. [I need to find somewhere quiet, somewhere I can breathe, somewhere I can...]

As the headmistress concluded her speech and the students began to disperse, Melisa blinked.

She missed the entire end of the speech.

Now that people were getting away from her, she was able to breathe again.

[Oh, that was close. Highest number of people I've been exposed to in a while. Oh god.]

She didn't know how she was going to survive the next few years, how she was going to keep her sanity intact while surrounded by so much temptation.

But she did know one thing.

[I won't let this beat me!] She vowed, her eyes flashing with determination. [I'll... I will find a way to master this, just like I've mastered everything else. I have to.]

---

[Okay, focus. One step at a time,] she told herself, straightening her shoulders. [First things first, gotta find out where I'm meant to stay.]

She made her way through the dispersing crowd, keeping her eyes fixed firmly ahead.

She didn't dare let her gaze linger on any of the other female students, not trusting herself to maintain control if she did.

After a bit of searching and a few awkward conversations with staff members, Melisa found herself standing in front of her assigned dormitory. It was a tall, imposing building, all dark stone and arched windows.

[Huh, not bad,] she thought, taking in the outside. [Definitely a step up from the village, that's for sure.]

With a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.

The interior was just as impressive. High ceilings and plush carpets.

She climbed the stairs to the third floor, scanning the numbers on the doors until she found her own. Room 317.

[Here goes nothing.]

She turned the knob and stepped inside, half-expecting to be greeted by her new roommate. But the room was empty, the second bed still pristinely made.

[Guess they haven't arrived yet,] Melisa shrugged, dropping her bag on the floor. [More time for me to get settled in, I suppose.]

She took a moment to explore her new living space.

It was cozy, with two beds, two desks, and a shared wardrobe. A large window overlooked the academy grounds, offering a stunning view of the towering spires and lush gardens.

[Not too shabby,] Melisa nodded with a little smile. [I could get used to this.]

But as she began to unpack her things, a sudden realization hit her.

[Oh shit, I almost forgot! I need to go say goodbye to Mom and Dad!]

With everything that had been going on, with the headmistress's speech and her own internal struggles, Melisa had nearly forgotten that this was the moment she'd be parting ways with her family.

She'd be living on her own for the first time, in this new world.

While she would be staying here at the academy, they would remain at Javir's home in the city. Even after eight years, Javir was still having them stay, saying she didn't mind their presence at all.

And, to Melisa's eyes, it didn't look like her parents minded staying there either. Her mother in particular.

[Anyway, I gotta go say goodbye. Can't believe I almost let that slip my mind. Some daughter I am.]

---

She made her way out of the academy grounds, navigating Syux's busy streets the way Javir taught her to. She still couldn't say she knew the ins and outs of this city, there were lots of places Javir wouldn't even let Melisa get close to, but the stretch between the Academy and Javir's house was one she knew like the back of her hand.

[Just another nim in the crowd,] she thought wryly, keeping her head down as she wove through the sidewalk. [Nothing to see here, folks.]

Before long, she found herself standing in front of Javir's house.

With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Mom? Dad? I'm back!" she called out, her voice echoing through the spacious foyer.

She found them sitting in the main room. Their expressions were hard to read. Pride, anxiety, and a whole lot of other feelings were right there, in their eyes.

Her father, Melistair, was still in his work clothes, his hands clasped tightly in his lap.

[He should be at the construction site right now,] Melisa realized, a lump forming in her throat. [He must have taken the day off, just for this.]

"Hey, sweetie," Margaret said, rising to her feet and pulling Melisa into a warm hug. "How was the big day? Did everything go smoothly?"

Melisa nodded, burying her face in her mother's shoulder.

"Yeah, it was... it was good. The headmistress gave a big speech about destiny and heroism and all that jazz. And my dorm room is really nice. Lots of space and a great view. Lots of students, too!

I didn't know there were that many mages in Syux- well, I guess not all were mages, but..."

She was rambling.

It was hard to get to the point. To get to the reason she was here right now.

Her father, however, took the first step.

Melistair cleared his throat, standing up to join the embrace.

"We're so proud of you, Mel," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You've worked so hard for this, and now it's finally happening. Our little girl, off to become a great mage."

"I... I..."

Melisa felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back furiously.

[Come on, don't cry. Don't be such a baby.]

But as her father's arms tightened around her, as the weight of the moment settled on her shoulders, she couldn't hold back any longer.

The tears came, hot and fast, spilling down her cheeks in a waterfall of emotion.

"I'm going to miss you guys," she choked out, her voice muffled against Melistair's chest.

[I haven't had to live on my own in so long. How am I gonna manage?]

Margaret stroked her hair, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Oh, honey, we'll miss you too. But, Mel, it's not like we're never going to see each other again. We'll always be here for you, no matter what. You know that, right?"

Melisa nodded, sniffling as she pulled back to look at her parents.

"I know. I just... I almost wish you could come with me, hehe."

Melistair smiled, a sad, understanding smile.

"I wish so too. But this is your path to walk. And we'll be cheering you on every step of the way, even if we can't be there by your side like we always have been."

Melisa clenched her fists.

When all of this first started, she hadn't imagined she'd get attached to this new family the way she had.

As Melisa stepped back from her parents' embrace, a flicker of movement caught her eye.

She turned, a smile already tugging at her lips as she spotted a tiny figure peeking around the corner.

"Hazel, is that you?" she called out. "Come here, you little rascal."

The seven-year-old nim girl giggled, her red eyes sparkling with mischief as she bounded out from her hiding spot and straight into Melisa's arms.

[AAAAAAH! My little sister's so cute,] Melisa thought, her heart swelling.

Yes, Melisa now had a little sister.

It hadn't been a surprise to anyone when, eight years ago, Margaret had announced that she was pregnant.

After all, Margaret and Melistair had a tendency to verbally broadcast their late-night activities to the entire Folden household.

A blessing, Melistair had called it back then. A sign that their new life in Syux was truly meant to be.

And from the moment Hazel had entered the world, wailing and squirming and utterly beautiful, Melisa had been smitten.

"Meli, Meli!" Hazel chirped, nuzzling her face against Melisa's chest. "You're back!"

[Not for long, unfortunately.]

Still, Melisa laughed, hugging the little girl tightly and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Ever since she got to Eldora, her goal had been the same. To be a hero. To change the world.

But now, holding Hazel in her arms...

Now, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would do whatever it took to live up to that ideal.

[Your big sis won't let you down!]

With one last squeeze, Melisa released her sister, standing up and squaring her shoulders.

"Alright, Hazy. I have to go now. But I'll be back before you know it, okay?

Hazel nodded, her eyes shining with excitement.

It was clear the girl didn't quite get what was happening, but it didn't matter. Melisa would try her hardest to remain a constant presence in her life.

And with that, she turned to her parents, giving them one last hug and kiss before striding out the door, her head held high.

[Alright, Prestige Class. Here I come!]