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

{Javir}

Javir stood at the window of her office, her gaze fixed on the sprawling grounds of Syux Academy.

The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the carefully manicured lawns and towering spires, a sight that never failed to take her breath away. Today, however, there was something else on her mind, other than the Academy's exterior beauty.

Her thoughts drifted to Melisa, the young nim girl who had so thoroughly upended her world.

[She should be in her first class right now,] Javir realized, glancing at the clock on the wall. [I wonder how she's doing. Probably charming the pants off everyone. Hopefully.]

The sound of her office door opening pulled Javir from her musings. Given that the person didn't bother knocking or anything of the sort, Javir could guess who it was.

She turned, her eyebrows raising as she saw the headmistress herself striding into the room.

"Eliana," Javir greeted, inclining her head respectfully. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The headmistress fixed Javir with a look that could freeze lava.

"I think you know very well why I'm here, Javir," she said, her voice crisp and cool. "The news of your little nim protégé has already spread throughout the city. People are talking, and not in a good way."

[Of course they are.] Javir crossed her arms. [Is she going to try to kick Melisa out? Like hell am I going to allow that.]

But the headmistress's next words caught Javir off guard.

"Javir, she's in the Prestige Class now. If Melisa Blackflame does not perform to the highest standards, it will reflect poorly on the Academy," Eliana said, her gaze boring into Javir's. "People will say we've lowered our standards. I cannot abide by that. This girl better be everything you said she is."

Javir held back a sigh of relief.

[At least she's not trying to stand in Melisa's way. That's something. Still have to keep an eye out, though. There are many potential threats Melisa has no way of anticipating.]

A slow, confident smile spread across Javir's face.

She met the headmistress's gaze unflinchingly, her voice ringing with conviction.

"You have nothing to worry about, Eliana. Melisa will exceed all expectations, I guarantee it. That girl has more talent and determination in her little fingers than most of these students have in their entire bodies."

"Those are borderline treasonous words you're speaking. You know some of the prospects that will be sharing her classes, right?"

[How could I not? It's all anyone's been talking about, aside from Melisa.]

The roster that was set to begin studying this year had the potential to be the most talented generation the Academy had seen yet.

And still, Javir said:

"I predict Melisa will stand at the top, regardless. You can trust me on that."

The headmistress studied Javir for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded.

"I hope you're right, Javir. For all our sakes. Because if you're not..."

She let the implication hang in the air, heavy and ominous.

Javir just smiled.

"I am. Melisa Blackflame is going to change the world. I'm sure of that. And we'll be lucky to be a part of it."

The headmistress gave a final, curt nod, then turned on her heel and strode out of the office, leaving Javir alone with her thoughts.

[You've got this, Melisa,] she thought, turning back to the window and gazing out at the Academy grounds. [You're going to show them all what a nim can do. And I'll be right there beside you, every step of the way.]

---

{Melisa}

Melisa squirmed in her seat.

Isabella was sitting on Melisa's lap, one arm thrown over Melisa's shoulder.

[Oh my god, Isabella, what are you doing?] Melisa screamed internally, acutely aware of the snickers and whispers rippling through the classroom.

"I-Isabella," she hissed, trying to keep her voice low. "Can you please sit in your own seat? People are staring."

Isabella just grinned, nuzzling her cheek against Melisa's like a contented cat.

"But I am sitting in my seat, silly!"

Melisa's blush deepened, and she could swear she heard a distinctly amused chuckle coming from someone nearby.

The worst part was, a large part of Melisa's instincts were telling her to not get Isabella off her. In fact, to pull her even closer.

[Traitorous hormones, stop reacting! React later! In private!]

At the same time, Melisa knew she had to urge her to move.

If Isabella hadn't been affected by Melisa's pheromones yet, it would probably happen soon. And that was a can of worms Melisa had no intention of opening (right now).

"Izzy, please," Melisa begged, trying to squirm out from under her cousin's weight. "I'm serious. You need to get your own chair."

Isabella pouted, her fluffy ears drooping slightly.

[My heart!]

"Fiiine," she sighed, sliding off Melisa's lap with exaggerated reluctance. "But only because you asked so nicely."

She plopped down into the seat right next to Melisa, still close enough that their shoulders brushed with every movement.

Melisa let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, trying to ignore the lingering warmth of Isabella's body against her own.

[Okay, crisis averted. Now, if I can just make it through this class without any more-]

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the classroom door opening once more.

Melisa looked up, expecting to see another late student stumbling in.

Instead, she found herself staring at a man much older-looking than anyone in the classroom, a tall, lanky man with smooth, gray hair and a serene expression on his face.

"Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice soft but carrying effortlessly through the room. "I know you're all eager to dive into the mysteries and wonders of magic, but let's take a moment to settle down, shall we?"

The class quieted, the earlier buzz of excitement and chatter fading into respectful silence.

The professor smiled, nodding approvingly.

"Thank you. Now, I understand the allure of the more flashy, impressive aspects of magic. The grand spells, the powerful incantations, the world-altering feats of arcane might."

Melisa caught his eyes twinkling.

"But before we can run, we must first learn to walk. And that, my dear students, is where we will begin today. With the fundamentals, the building blocks upon which all greater magics are built."

Melisa leaned forward in her seat, her earlier embarrassment forgotten in the face of her growing curiosity.

[The fundamentals, huh? This should be interesting.]

She glanced over at Isabella, expecting to see a similar look of interest on her cousin's face.

But to her surprise, the kitsune girl was staring off into space, a dreamy expression on her features.

[Uh oh. I know that look.]

Melisa followed Isabella's gaze, her eyebrows raising as she realized just who had captured her cousin's attention.

Melisa rolled her eyes.

[The darian girl?]

She shook her head, trying to focus.

Melisa turned her attention back to the professor, determined to focus on the lesson at hand.

[Alright, magic fundamentals. Lay it on me. I'm ready to learn.]

---

{Isabella}

Eight years ago, Isabella met the most beautiful girl in the world.

That girl was now sitting beside her.

As the professor droned on about the basics of magical theory, Isabella found her gaze drifting, time and time again, toward her.

[Melisa,] she thought, a warm, giddy feeling bubbling up in her chest. [Gods, she's even cuter than I remembered.]

It had been eight long years since that fateful day in the village, when Isabella had first laid eyes on her. Eight years of patient training later, and now she was well on her way to being a master sorceress.

But through it all, through the endless hours of study and practice and mind-numbing boredom, one thing had remained constant.

The memory of Melisa's face, her shy smile, her bright, inquisitive, crimson eyes.

And what she and Melisa had seen that day.

["Remember what I showed you, Isabella!"]

Isabella smirked, half-closing her eyes.

[Oh, I did. And now, you're here. Right next to me. Close enough to touch.]

Isabella's fingers twitched, itching to reach out and brush against Melisa's soft, purple skin.

But she restrained herself, knowing that her cousin likely wanted to maintain a low profile.

[My little antics might have harmed her chances of doing that, but I couldn't help it. She's here! And she's so adorable!]

Isabella sighed.

[Calm yourself,] she thought. [You've waited this long to reconnect. You can wait a little longer.]

The class flew by. Soon, students were packing up their things and heading for the door, eager to get to their next lesson.

Isabella saw her chance.

She leaned over, pressing herself against Melisa's side with a coy smile.

"Sooo, cuz," she purred, batting her eyelashes. "What do you say we ditch the next class and go find a quiet corner to catch up? It's been years! I wanna know how you've been."

Melisa stiffened, her cheeks flushing a delightful shade of pink.

"I-Isabella! We can't just skip class on the first day!"

Isabella pouted, nuzzling her face into Melisa's neck.

"Aww, come on. Don't you want to spend some quality time with your cousin? We're family! Surely, all this stuff is secondary to that fact."

Melisa squirmed, gently but firmly pushing Isabella away.

"We'll have plenty of time to catch up later. But right now, we need to focus on our studies."

Isabella sighed, but she couldn't help the fond smile that tugged at her lips.

[Always so responsible. Given what my mother told me about her, the achievements she's been stacking already, I guess I should have seen that coming.]

"Alright, alright. But don't think you're off the hook that easily. I fully intend to monopolize your attention later."

And with that, they headed off to their next class.

---

Isabella sat at the back of the room, her gaze once again fixed on Melisa.

[She's taking notes,] Isabella realized, a surge of affection washing over her. [Of course she is. Probably writing down every single word the professor says. She's a nerd? Cute!]

Just then, the professor called for attention.

"Alright, class. I'd like to get a sense of where everyone is in terms of practical skills. Would anyone like to come up and demonstrate a spell they've learned?"

"..."

The room fell silent.

The students all glanced at each other nervously.

[Oh, this is too perfect. Obviously, everyone here thinks they're powerful. The reason no one's walking up right now is, rather, because no one wants to put a target on their backs.] She smirked. [I, however, don't really give a damn.]

Isabella's hand shot up, a confident grin on her face.

"I'll do it, Professor!"

She bounded to the front of the room, her tail swishing behind her.

Turning to face the class, she let her eyes lock with Melisa's.

Isabella took a deep breath, centering herself. Then, with a flourish of her hand, she began to cast.

"Aer, spiritus, ventus!"

A gust of wind swirled around her, lifting her hair and tugging at her clothes. It grew stronger, faster, until a miniature tornado danced at her fingertips.

The class gasped collectively. Several had wide eyes and jaws acquainting themselves with their desks.

But Isabella only had eyes for Melisa. Hers was the only reaction she cared to see.

[Do you see, Melisa? I am very powerful, aren't I?]

The nim girl stared back, her expression a mix of surprise and something else. Something that made Isabella's heart skip a beat.

As the wind died down and the class erupted into applause, Isabella bowed and walked back to her chair.

[Just you wait, cousin. I will be the strongest sorceress in the world, one day. And, when I am, I will have you by my side~]