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

{Three Months Later}

{Melisa}

Melisa and Raven traded blows.

Melisa's eyes remained narrowed. She tried to stay focused as Raven approached.

Melisa parried and deflected her blows. A few months ago, she wouldn't have even been able to block one strike, now she was blocking multiple at a time.

Over the past three months, she had thrown herself into her training with an intensity that surprised even herself. She tried to push herself, to hone and materialize skills she wouldn't have even imagined herself capable of having back on Earth.

Now, with the day of the tournament just a week away, Melisa felt it had paid off.

While she was still no match for Raven, Melisa could feel the difference in her own movement. The newfound confidence that came with hard-earned experience.

She grinned fiercely as she lunged forward, her blade slicing through the air... only to be met with a lightning-fast riposte that sent her stumbling back, barely keeping her footing.

"Whoa!" Melisa laughed, shaking her head in amazement. "Okay, that was a good one. You got me."

Raven lowered her blade.

"You're improving," she said, her tone as cool and measured as ever. "Your footwork is more stable, and your reactions are getting quicker."

Melisa felt a flush of pride at the rare praise.

"Well, I've had a pretty great teacher," she said, grinning cheekily. "Speaking of which, I think we've earned a break. What do you say we go grab a bite to eat? I'm starving."

Raven hesitated, a flicker of reluctance crossing her face.

"I don't know, Melisa. I have some things I need to take care of, and-"

"Oh, come on!" Melisa wheedled, putting on her best puppy-dog eyes. "It won't take long, I promise. And besides, you need to eat too, right?"

She clasped her hands together, pouting exaggeratedly.

"Please, Raven? Pretty please?"

Raven sighed.

"I..." she relented, shaking her head. "I suppose a quick meal couldn't hurt."

---

A short while later, they were seated at a small, cozy table, the warm breeze ruffling their hair as they dug into their food.

Melisa took a huge bite of her sandwich, savoring the juicy meats.

"Mm, delicious as always," she mumbled around the mouthful. "Seriously, I don't know how they do it. I never tasted anything like this back in- back in my home village, hehe."

Raven took a more delicate bite of her own sandwich, chewing thoughtfully.

"It is quite good," she agreed, nodding. "Thank you for the recommendation."

Melisa beamed, always happy to share her love of food with others.

As they ate, she found herself studying Raven.

The other girl was still as reserved as ever, her emotions still carefully guarded behind a mask of detachment.

But there were moments, these little glimpses, where Melisa could see a bit more shine through.

A flash of amusement at one of Melisa's jokes. A flicker of concern when Melisa took a particularly hard fall during training. A softening around the eyes when Melisa brought her a cup of tea after a long day.

Small things, but they added up.

"So, Raven," Melisa said, swallowing another bite of sandwich. "How have you been doing, outside of our training sessions? Anything new and exciting going on in your life?"

Raven blinked, seeming slightly taken aback by the question.

"I've been well," she said after a moment, her tone carefully neutral. "Keeping up with my studies, mostly. Nothing particularly noteworthy."

Melisa nodded, unsurprised by the vague answer.

Getting Raven to open up was like trying to pry open a locked vault.

"Ah, same old, same old, huh?" she said, keeping her tone light and casual.

Raven hummed noncommittally, taking another bite of her sandwich.

[Hm...]

But Melisa wasn't deterred. She knew that beneath that cool exterior, there was a person worth getting to know, a friend worth having.

She could feel it!

"You know," she said, "I've been thinking about trying out a new hairstyle. Something a little more daring, maybe with a bit of color. What do you think, Raven? Pink streaks, yay or nay?"

Raven blinked again, clearly thrown by the sudden change in topic.

Which had been the point. Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire

Melisa wanted to surprise her.

"I... I don't really have an opinion on hair color," she said slowly, as if choosing her words with great care. "I suppose if it makes you happy, then... that's good?"

Melisa laughed softly.

[Not a bad answer. Good job, Raven.]

Melisa and Raven continued to eat in silence, the busy sounds of the café providing a nice little backdrop to their meal.

Melisa was just about to take another bite of her sandwich when-

Splash!

A wave of cold liquid cascaded over her head, soaking her hair and dripping down her face.

Melisa blinked, droplets clinging to her eyelashes as she looked up to see a human woman standing over her, an empty glass in hand.

"Oh my, how clumsy of me," the woman said, her voice dripping with faux concern. "I do hope I haven't ruined your... meal."

Melisa calmly set down her sandwich and reached for a napkin, dabbing at her face with an air of practiced nonchalance.

"No worries," she said cheerfully. "Though I have to say, you've got to work on your aim. Back in elementary school, kids usually managed to get my whole shirt too!" She laughed.

The woman's smug expression faltered, clearly thrown by Melisa's lack of reaction.

With a huff, she turned on her heel and stalked away.

Raven stared at Melisa, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"What... what just happened?" she asked, her usual composure slipping for a moment. "Did you know that woman?"

Melisa shrugged, wringing out her hair with another napkin.

"Nope, never seen her before in my life," she said, her tone light despite the circumstances. "But hey, at least the drink was cool. Refreshing, too."

Raven's frown deepened.

"I do not understand. Why would she do that if she doesn't know you?"

Melisa let out a small, slightly bitter laugh.

"Why do you think?" Melisa asked, but Raven just shrugged. "I'm a nim. This sort of thing is normal. Hey, at least this time it was just a drink. A few years ago, sometimes it was mud, or rocks, or whatever else they could get their hands on."

"I see," Raven said finally, her voice soft. "That... sounds so strange."

Melisa shrugged again.

"It wasn't always easy," she admitted. "But hey, I survived. And now I've got a whole new life here at the academy, with awesome friends like you. I'd say things are definitely looking up."

Raven raised a brow.

"Friends? Like me?"

"Uh, yeah," Melisa replied, giggling. "I don't think I'd call the person I hang out with almost every day an acquaintance, right?"

Raven almost looked shocked. Like she only just now realized what they'd been doing these past few months.

"Hanging out..." She muttered, looking down at the table.

Melisa sighed.

When both were done with their respective meals, Melisa threw the leftovers in the trash and stood by Raven.

"Yeah. So, what do you say we go do some more of this 'hanging out' stuff, huh?"

Raven paused.

"I... Sure."

And, with that, they left the cafe.