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

{Raven}

Raven walked through the academy halls, her mind a million miles away.

Around her, students chattered and laughed, their voices fading into a distant hum as she retreated deeper into her own thoughts.

Distraction wasn't something Raven was accustomed to.

Her training had taught her to be ever-vigilant, always aware of her surroundings and the potential threats that lurked in every shadow.

But right now, the only thing she could focus on was the scene she'd just witnessed.

Melisa and Isabella, locked in a passionate embrace, their bodies entwined and their lips...

Raven felt an unfamiliar heat rising in her cheeks at the memory.

In all her years at the Shadow Mage headquarters, she had never seen anything like it.

Her instructors had been thorough in their teachings, covering everything from stealth and subterfuge to the most efficient ways to end a life.

But this? This was new territory entirely.

Raven could almost hear it even now. The soft, wet sounds of their lips moving together, the breathy sighs and muffled moans...

[Stop it,] she shook her head as if to physically dislodge the noises from her ears. [This is not the time or place for such distractions.]

But even as she tried to focus on the task at hand, the mission that loomed ever closer, Raven couldn't quite shake the strange, fluttering sensation in her stomach.

It was almost like- Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

"Raven."

The voice cut through her musings like a blade, sharp and sudden.

Raven's head snapped up, her body instantly falling into a defensive stance as she turned to face the speaker.

But it was only Professor Linner, her expression as cool and impassive as ever.

"Come with me," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We have much to discuss."

Raven hesitated for just a fraction of a second, her mind still reeling.

But she knew better than to disobey a direct order.

With a curt nod, she fell into step beside the professor, following her through the winding corridors of the academy.

They walked in silence, the only sound the click of their boots against the polished stone floor.

Raven tried to focus on that, on the familiar rhythm and the comforting weight of the knives hidden beneath her sleeves.

Anything to keep her mind from wandering back to that closet, to the heat and the passion and the-

"In here."

Professor Linner's voice jolted her back to the present.

They had arrived at her office, a small, spartan space with little in the way of decoration or personal touches.

The professor gestured for Raven to take a seat, settling herself behind the large, imposing desk that dominated the room.

For a long moment, she simply studied Raven, her gaze piercing and assessing.

Raven met it unflinchingly, her own expression carefully blank.

Finally, Professor Linner spoke.

"The deadline approaches," she said, her voice low and measured. "I trust you have not forgotten your mission?"

Raven shook her head, a single, sharp motion.

"No, professor," she said, her tone even and controlled. "I have not."

"Good."

The professor leaned back in her chair, interlocking her fingers before her.

She sighed.

"The nim girl, Melisa. She grows more powerful by the day. Miss Folden has told me all about it. Nothing she can't do, nothing she can't learn," Linner spat out. "Her potential, if left unchecked..."

She trailed off, her eyes narrowing.

"She could become a threat to everything we have worked for. Everything we stand for."

Raven nodded, a sense of unease settling in her gut.

She had seen firsthand the strides Melisa had made in her training. Melisa could still by no means be called a swordswoman, but she was getting better at an incredible rate.

Raven made sure not to teach her too much. But, in just three months, Melisa had made around one year of Raven's initial progress.

[It's quite baffling.]

"You've been seen spending quite a bit of time with her."

"Yes," Raven said. "Reconnaissance. I've been trying to keep a close eye on her."

Linner narrowed her eyes at Raven.

"You have your orders," Professor Linner continued, her voice cutting through Raven's thoughts like a knife. "And I expect you to carry them out, without hesitation or mercy. Is that understood?"

"Yes, professor," she said, mechanically. "I understand."

"Good."

The professor stood, signaling the end of their meeting.

"You have five days. Make them count."

Raven rose to her feet, her mind racing even as her face remained an impassive mask.

Five days.

Five days, and then she'd need to complete her mission, to snuff out the life of the girl who had somehow, inexplicably, become the closest thing to a friend Raven had.

The girl who was currently locked in a passionate embrace with another, their bodies moving together in a strange dance Raven had never even imagined.

[Focus,] she told herself firmly, pushing those thoughts aside with a mental shove. [You have a job to do. Nothing else matters.]

---

{Melisa}

Melisa stirred. It was time to get up.

As consciousness slowly returned, so too did the memories of the previous day.

[... Isabella's tongue tastes so good.] Melisa buried her face in her pillow.

The way Isabella's hands had roamed... It had set Melisa's body on fire.

Melisa felt a flush rising to her cheeks, a familiar warmth pooling low in her body.

[We got so close,] Melisa noted, feeling her face heat up. [A few times now, I've almost let her...]

If Isabella was- well, wasn't packing as much as she was, Melisa would have already let it happen.

And, right now, she could feel she was close to doing so regardless.

It would be so easy.

But, instincts from Earth still held her back.

With a sigh, Melisa pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

Across the room, Raven was already awake, her dark hair damp from her morning run. Like always, Melisa woke up just as Raven had finished.

"Morning," Melisa greeted, stifling a yawn. "Sleep well?"

Raven glanced over.

"Well enough," she said, her voice flat and even. "I was planning on heading to the training grounds. Care to join me?"

Melisa shook her head.

"I can't," she said, an apologetic note in her voice. "I'm heading home for the weekend."

"Really?" Raven's brows shot up.

"Yep. Gonna go to my parents' house."

It was a bit of a white lie. In truth, Melisa would be staying with Miss Folden, the woman who had taken her family in all those years ago, but it was close enough to the truth. And besides, Raven didn't need to know all the details of Melisa's personal life.

"I see," she said, her voice thoughtful. "When will you be back?"

"A few days," Melisa replied. "I'm just staying a couple of nights. That's all."

"Ah, I see." She looked strangely relieved. "I hope you have a good time. With your family."

A warm feeling spread through Melisa's chest.

It was such a small thing, such a simple sentiment. But coming from the incredibly cold and distant Raven, it felt like the highest of compliments.

Before she could think better of it, Melisa was on her feet, crossing the room in a few quick strides.

She reached out, pulling Raven into a hug.

But the other girl flinched, her body going rigid at the sudden contact.

Melisa froze.

[Right,] she thought, a flush of embarrassment rising to her cheeks. [Raven doesn't like to be touched. She needs her space.]

Slowly, carefully, Melisa lowered her arms, taking a small step back.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "I didn't mean to..."

But her words trailed off as she caught sight of Raven's face.

The other girl was blushing. A faint pink tinge colored her usually pale cheeks.

It was a rare sight. Unexpected and endearing. One that made Melisa feel her breath catch in her throat.

[Cute,] she thought, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. [She's actually really cute when she blushes like that.]

For a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other.

But then Raven looked away, clearing her throat softly.

"You should get going," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "You don't want to keep your family waiting, do you?"

Melisa nodded, the spell broken.

"Right," she said, turning to gather her things. "I'll see you when I get back, okay?"

Raven hummed a noncommittal response.

And, Melisa got ready, soon walking out the door.

---

Melisa took a deep breath, a sense of warmth washing over her as she took in the familiar sight of Javir's manor.

[... It's not my family's house, but it sure feels like home,] she thought, a smile tugging at her lips. [It's good to be back.]

She made her way up the path, her bag slung over her shoulder and a spring in her step.

But as she drew closer, the sound of voices drifted out to meet her. Laughter, chatter, the clink of cups and plates.

[Guests?] Melisa wondered, her brow furrowing slightly. [I didn't think we were expecting anyone. Maybe they're Javir's guests. I'll try to stay out of the way, then.]

She pushed open the door, tip-toeing into the cozy warmth of the living room.

And there, seated around the table with her family, were two familiar faces.