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

{Raven}

As the last student took their turn facing Javir, Raven watched from the sidelines, her mind racing.

[Damn it,] she thought. [I shouldn't have let myself get carried away like that. What if Javir suspects something now?]

But as Javir called the class to attention, Raven forced herself to take a deep breath, to push down the rising panic in her chest.

[No, no, no. Stay calm,] she told herself sternly. [You can handle this. Just play it cool, and everything will be fine.]

"Well, well, well," Javir said, a wry grin spreading across her face as she surveyed the students before her. "I have to say, that was quite the display. Of incompetence, that is. You're all really, really bad!"

A few nervous chuckles rippled through the class. Most of the students just looked embarrassed or annoyed, but Javir managed to lighten the mood a little with that.

"But don't worry," Javir continued, her tone turning more serious as she stood in the center of the room. "That's what this class is for. To turn you from bumbling novices into true warriors. With that being said, let's get started."

With that, she launched into a detailed explanation of proper weapon techniques.

The correct way to swing a sword, heft a warhammer, and wield a mace.

Raven watched closely, her keen eyes taking in every nuance of Javir's movements.

"As much as I'd like to give you all some tips that would make every single one of you her world-class fighters, outside of the very, very basic things I'll be showing you, the optimal path toward mastery of your preferred weapon will change based on what your own strengths and weaknesses are. Your height, your frame, the length of your limbs, etc."

As she continued talking about this, she kept waving around her sword casually, with everyone watching on with great interest.

[She's good,] Raven admitted, remembering how Javir caught her off-guard. [Very good. It's clear she's had extensive training, likely from a young age. But where? And why?]

The questions swirled in Raven's mind, adding to the caution she'd already built up around this lady.

[I'll have to keep a close eye on her,] Raven decided.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the class came to an end.

Raven gathered her things, ready to make a quick exit and regroup in the privacy of her own room.

But just as she was about to slip out the door, Javir's voice rang out.

"Raven? A word, if you please."

Raven froze, her heart leaping into her throat.

[Shit. Shit, shit, shit. What does she want? Does she suspect something? Is she going to confront me about my skills, demand to know where I learned to fight like that?]

But as she turned to face Javir, schooling her features into a mask of polite curiosity, the professor's next words caught her completely off guard.

"I was hoping you could do me a favor," Javir said, her orange eyes boring into Raven's own. "As Melisa's roommate, you have a unique opportunity to help her grow and develop as a fighter. Would you be willing to give her some extra training? Help her hone her skills outside of class?"

"Melisa?" Raven replied instantly, baffled.

"Yes, Melisa," Javir replied. "This is pure nepotism, I'll admit, so feel free to decline my request, but the girl... means something to me. She is like family and I wouldn't want to see her perform too badly at this tournament. I'd like it if you could give her some pointers."

Raven blinked, thrown by the unexpected request.

[She wants me to... train Melisa? The very girl I'm supposed to be spying on, the target of my mission?]

For a moment, Raven just stared back.

But as she met Javir's gaze, Raven got her instincts back under control and bowed her head.

"Of course, Professor," she said, the words falling from her lips calmly. "I'd be happy to help Melisa in any way I can."

Javir smiled.

"Thank you, Raven. By the way," she added, "I am very curious where you learned how to fight. Though..." She gestured at Raven's scar, "if you don't want to tell me about it, you don't have to."

"Maybe another time, ma'am," Raven replied.

With that, she turned and strode away.

[What have I just agreed to?] she wondered. [No, wait. I could use this. Perhaps I could take Melisa someplace far under the guise of training. Once I kill her, I won't have to come back to the Academy, so I could just use this to finally handle the mission!]

Raven nodded to herself.

[But, like Master said, I'll have to wait till the organization gets back to us. So, for now, I'll have to play along with this. Oh well.]

---

{Melisa}

Later that day, as Melisa made her way back to her dorm room, her mind was still reeling from the events of the combat class.

[That was just embarrassing.]

She was so lost in her own thoughts that she almost didn't notice the familiar figure leaning against the wall outside her door.

"Javir?" Melisa blinked, surprised to see her mentor waiting for her. "What are you doing here?"

Javir straightened, her expression serious.

"Wanted to talk to you about something. Mind if I come in for a bit?"

"No, go right ahead."

Once inside, Javir wasted no time getting to the point.

"It's about Raven," she said, her orange eyes boring into Melisa's own. "I think there's something off about that girl. I can't quite put my finger on it, but my gut is telling me she's trouble."

Melisa frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Javir sighed, sitting down on Melisa's bed.

"The way she fought today, the skill she displayed, the scar on her face, the way she tenses up when she sees me... I don't like it. Something feels wrong."

Melisa's frown deepened.

"So... what are you saying? That Raven is, what, some kind of secret agent or something?"

Javir sighed, running a hand through her fiery hair.

"I don't know. Maybe."

Melisa crossed her arms.

"I mean, she's my roommate," Melisa stated. "If she wanted to kill me or something, she probably could have done it by now."

Javir nodded along.

"All I'm saying is, I think you should keep an eye out as you train with her. Watch for anything suspicious, any signs that she might not be who she claims to be."

Hearing that, Melisa pulled back.

"Train with her? What are you talking about?"

Javir's lips twitched, a hint of amusement breaking through her serious demeanor.

"I asked Raven to give you some extra lessons in swordsmanship. Help you hone your skills outside of class."

Melisa's jaw dropped.

"You did what? But Javir, you're the one who said that training with the wrong teacher would only create bad habits! That I needed to wait for the right mentor to come along!"

Javir nodded, her expression turning somber once more.

"I know, and I still believe that. But Melisa, the tournament is coming up fast. You need to be ready, and we can't afford to keep putting off your training."

"But, then, why can't you just train me yourself? Why have her do it?"

"Two things," Javir replied. "One, it'll give you a chance to inspect her. See what she's about. Two, I am absolutely going to be a bit too busy these days."

"Why?"

"Bussiness with his majesty," Javir sighed. "I suspect I'm going to be called on soon, so yeah."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Javir opened her mouth like she was going to respond but then closed it.

"I don't wanna bother you with my issues, but yeah. I've got some stuff to do."

Melisa blinked.

[Uh... That kinda sounds like...]

Melisa almost slapped herself.

[What? No, no, no, no! Stop that, Melisa! Don't project your sex drive onto others. Come on!]

She placed a hand on Melisa's shoulder.

"I wouldn't have asked Raven if I didn't think she could help you. She's skilled, incredibly so. I could tell just from clashing with her in class. But, don't let your guard down around her."

Melisa swallowed hard.

"I... I understand, Javir. I'll be careful."

Javir smiled, giving Melisa's shoulder a final squeeze before stepping back.

"Good. I know you can handle this, kid. You're stronger than you realize."

With that, she turned and headed for the door, pausing just before she stepped out.

"Remember, Melisa. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you. And if anything feels off, anything at all, you come straight to me. Got it?"

[But, won't you be busy?]

Outwardly, though, Melisa nodded, a determined glint entering her crimson eyes.

"Got it."

As Javir left, closing the door softly behind her, Melisa sank down onto her bed, her mind whirling with questions and uncertainties.

[Raven, a threat? A spy?] She shook her head, trying to reconcile the quiet, unassuming girl she knew with the skilled warrior she'd seen in class. [It doesn't make sense to me. Then again,] she quickly added, [she does have that scar. And, if Javir is worried...]

She took a deep breath.

[I'll do as she says. I'll train with Raven, learn everything I can from her. But I won't let my guard down, not for a second!]

Melisa put her game face on.