CHAPTER 119: HARD TO FOCUS*

Aegis woke up to someone straddling her hips.

Sophie grinned down at her, blonde hair messy, wearing just a nightshirt that barely covered anything.

"Good morning, big sis~"

[Oh no.]

"Sophie, it’s like six in the morning."

"Perfect time for some quality sister bonding!" Sophie leaned down, her tits pressing against Aegis’s chest through the thin fabric.

From across the room, Lune groaned.

"Please. Not again."

"Hehe, Sophie, look. You’ve got Lune groaning, even."

The roommate in question sat at her desk, brush in hand, looking like she wanted to die.

"What?" Sophie glanced back. "I’m just saying good morning."

"You’re grinding on her."

"I’m being appropriately affectionate!"

Aegis grabbed Sophie’s hips, trying to push her off.

"Sophie, it’s wayyyyy too soon!"

"Awww, but big sis—"

"No."

Sophie pouted, bottom lip sticking out.

"You never want to have fun anymore."

"We had fun two days ago."

"That was two days ago!"

Aegis laughed despite herself.

[Yeah? You want some fun?]

She licked her lips.

Then, Aegis grabbed Sophie’s head with both hands and pulled her down into a kiss.

Sophie made a happy noise, mouth opening immediately. Aegis sucked on her tongue hard, then let it go with a wet pop.

"There. That’s all you’re getting."

"But—"

Aegis rolled, dumping Sophie onto the bed, and sprinted for the door.

"Wait! Big sis, come back!" Sophie scrambled after her, nearly tripping over the blanket and faceplanting. "We’re not done!"

Aegis was already out the door, laughing.

Behind her, Sophie’s voice echoed down the hall.

"This isn’t over! I’ll get you later!"

[Fucking hell. She’s relentless.]

Aegis made her way through the halls, adjusting her uniform. A few early-rising students gave her weird looks, probably because she was grinning like an idiot.

She headed toward the administrative wing, where Professor Nazraya’s office was.

[Time for some shadow magic training. Need to get stronger before the trials, after all. I mean, not that I’ll use any shadow magic, but Nazraya might teach me some conventional stuff... Maybe.]

She knocked on the door.

"Come in, pet."

Aegis stepped inside. Nazraya sat behind her desk, red eyes gleaming. She wore her usual tight black dress, which showed way too much cleavage.

Aegis’s eyes bulged out of their sockets, as usual whenever she was around Nazraya.

"Good morning, Professor."

Nazraya gestured to the chair across from her.

"Sit."

Aegis sat, pulling out her notebook.

"So, I was thinking we could work on—"

"Come here."

Aegis blinked.

"What?"

"Stand up. Come here."

[Uh oh.] Aegis swallowed. [She’s in a mood today.]

Aegis stood and walked around the desk. Nazraya spun her chair to face her.

"Closer."

Aegis stepped closer.

Nazraya grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. Aegis stumbled, catching herself on the desk with both hands.

Nazraya stood, pressing against her back. Her tits pushed against Aegis’s shoulders.

"You seem tense," Nazraya purred in her ear.

"Just stressed about the Winter Trials."

"Mmm. Understandable. It’s in four days, yes?"

"Yeah."

Nazraya’s hands slid down Aegis’s sides.

"And what are your goals for it?"

"Win the combat tournament, obviously."

"Obviously." Nazraya’s fingers found the hem of Aegis’s skirt and lifted it. "Anything else?"

Aegis’s breath hitched.

"Maybe earn a title if I place high enough."

"A title?" Nazraya pulled Aegis’s panties down to her knees. "How ambitious."

"I’m full of ambition."

"I’ve noticed." Nazraya freed her cock. It was already hard, thick and veiny. "What would you do with a title, pet?"

She lined up with Aegis’s pussy and pushed inside in one smooth thrust.

Aegis gasped, fingers gripping the desk.

"Fuck!"

"Answer the question, pet." Nazraya started moving, hips snapping forward.

"I—ah!—I’m trying to become marriage material."

"Marriage material?" Nazraya laughed, the sound low and wicked. "For whom?"

"Princess Stone."

Nazraya’s thrusts faltered for a second. Then she laughed harder, fucking Aegis even deeper.

"You want to marry the princess?"

"Yes."

"That’s adorably ambitious."

"I can do it."

"Can you?" Nazraya’s hand wrapped around Aegis’s cock, stroking in time with her thrusts. "A title alone won’t be enough, pet. You’ll need money. Connections. Power."

"I know—ah!—I have a plan."

"Of course you do." Nazraya’s breath was hot against Aegis’s ear. "You always have a plan, don’t you?"

Aegis’s hips jerked forward, fucking into Nazraya’s fist. Her pussy clenched around Nazraya’s cock.

"For what it’s worth," Nazraya said, voice almost conversational despite the fact she was currently pounding Aegis over her desk, "House Vermillion’s matriarch is looking for a young, talented commoner to sponsor."

"Really?"

"Mmm. Lady Vermillion believes in merit over bloodlines. If you impress her at the trials, she might back you."

"How—ah!—how do I impress her?"

"Win. Obviously." Nazraya increased her pace, cock driving deep. "But also show restraint. Strategy. She hates brutes who rely solely on strength."

Aegis tried to focus on the advice. Hard to do when Nazraya’s cock was hitting so deep with every thrust.

"She’ll be watching the combat tournament closely," Nazraya continued, hand working Aegis’s cock faster. "Make it count."

"I will."

"Good girl."

Nazraya thrust harder, cock driving impossibly deep. Her balls slapped against Aegis’s ass. Her hand worked Aegis’s cock faster, thumb rubbing over the head.

Aegis came first, spilling into Nazraya’s hand with a strangled moan. Her pussy clamped down around Nazraya’s cock.

Nazraya followed moments later, burying herself deep and filling Aegis with cum.

They stayed connected, panting.

"Now then," Nazraya said, pulling out slowly, "go get breakfast. You’re going to need your strength."

Aegis’s legs were shaking. She pulled her panties up, feeling Nazraya’s cum leak out.

[Can barely fucking walk.]

"Thanks, Professor."

"Anytime, pet." Nazraya sat back in her chair, looking completely composed. "And Aegis?"

"Yeah?"

"Good luck. I have a feeling you’ll need it."

Aegis left the office, walking like she’d been hit by a carriage.

Students stared as she passed, but she didn’t care.

---

She made it to the dining hall eventually. The smell of food hit her immediately. Her stomach growled.

[Right. Breakfast. Need food.]

She grabbed a tray and started loading it with eggs, bacon, and toast. As she scanned the hall for a seat, she spotted Darius sitting with a group of nobles.

[Fuck. I still need to befriend that asshole.]

She swallowed her pride and headed over.

"Mind if I join you?"

Darius looked up, surprised. His wolf-like features sharpened as he studied her.

"Starcaller. Didn’t expect to see you here."

"Thought I’d branch out." Aegis sat down, keeping her expression neutral. "Get to know more people before the trials."

One of the nobles snorted.

"Since when do you care about networking?"

"Since I realized I can’t coast on talent alone." Aegis took a bite of eggs. "You guys have been training your whole lives. I’ve got catching up to do."

Darius’s expression shifted.

"That’s... surprisingly mature of you."

"Yeah, well. Losing to you at the trials would be embarrassing."

He laughed.

"Confident you’ll face me?"

"Aren’t you?"

"Fair point." He leaned back, crossing his arms. "You’ve improved since the start of the semester. I’ll give you that."

Aegis forced a smile.

"Thanks. Helps that Commander Korvo’s been giving me pointers."

"Really?" Darius raised an eyebrow. "He’s teaching you?"

"Not formally. Just corrections here and there."

[Lie. But he doesn’t need to know that.]

"I’ve been training with him privately," Darius said casually. "Every morning. He’s brutal."

[There it is. Intel.]

"I bet." Aegis took another bite. "What kind of stuff does he have you doing?"

Darius, unable to stop himself from pretty much bragging, launched into a detailed explanation of his training regimen. Speed drills. Endurance work. Combat scenarios.

Aegis listened, mentally cataloging everything.

[So he’s focusing on speed and stamina. Makes sense. He’s already strong.]

She asked a few follow-up questions, stroking his ego just enough to keep him talking.

By the time breakfast ended, she had a decent picture of his fighting style.

"You know," Darius said as they stood, "I misjudged you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I thought you were just another arrogant commoner. But you’re smarter than that."

[If only you knew.]

"Thanks. I think."

He clapped her on the shoulder.

"Good luck at the trials. You’ll need it."

"Same to you."

Aegis watched him leave, then let out a breath.

[One step closer to understanding that pompous dickhead.]

Her HUD pinged.

Hearts and Minds Event Update

Darius Goldspire: Relationship Status - Neutral (Intrigued)

[Progress. Not friendship, but progress.]

---

The day passed slowly. Classes blurred together. Aegis took notes, trained, and counted down the hours until midnight.

Finally, the clock struck twelve.

She made her way to the Sky Piercer, using the magical lift to reach the top.

Rosanna stood at the edge of the platform, gazing over the city. She wore her usual loose robe, tied with a simple belt.

"Good evening, darling."

"Hey, Rosanna."

Aegis joined her, looking out at the lights below.

"You seem tense," Rosanna observed.

"Had to play nice with Darius today."

Rosanna laughed.

"The ’pompous dickhead’ you told me about?"

"Exactly."

"Must have been difficult."

"You have no idea." Aegis rubbed her face. "I wanted to punch him the entire time."

"But you didn’t."

"But I didn’t."

"That’s growth." Rosanna turned to face her. "Now then. Let’s work on something that might help you actually beat him."

She gestured for Aegis to stand in the center of the platform.

"I’m going to teach you Aether Pulse," Rosanna said. "It’s a stunning little technique."

Aegis couldn’t disagree. Especially not once she saw the stats.

Aether Pulse - 10 MP, 10 CD

[Pretty spammable. Okay, let’s do this.]

Aegis nodded, focusing.

Rosanna moved around her, demonstrating the hand movements. Her robe shifted with each motion, fabric sliding across her skin.

"The key," Rosanna said, "is to release the energy all at once. Like this."

She raised her hands and pushed forward. A wave of translucent energy rippled outward.

Aegis felt it wash over her, making her stumble slightly.

"See?" Rosanna lowered her hands. "It disorients your opponent. Gives you an opening."

"Got it."

Aegis tried to copy the motion. Her first attempt produced nothing.

"Again," Rosanna said, stepping closer. "You’re holding back. Commit to it."

Aegis tried again. This time, a small pulse of energy flickered.

"Better. But you need more power behind it."

Rosanna moved behind her, arms wrapping around to adjust her stance. Her tits pressed against Aegis’s back.

[Focus. Don’t think about her tits. Focus.]

"Like this," Rosanna murmured, guiding Aegis’s hands. "Feel the energy build, then release."

Aegis concentrated, gathering aether in her palms. When she pushed forward, a proper pulse burst out, rippling across the platform.

"Excellent!" Rosanna stepped back, beaming.

As she moved, her robe shifted.

One of her nipples slipped free.

Aegis’s brain short-circuited.

[Don’t stare. Don’t stare. Don’t—]

She stared.

Rosanna kept talking, completely oblivious.

"Now, remember, timing is everything when it comes to these sorts of spells."

She demonstrated again, raising her arms.

The other nipple slipped out.

Both tits were now fully exposed, pale and perfect in the moonlight.

Aegis’s mouth went dry. Her cock hardened instantly.

[Oh fuck. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck.]

Rosanna lowered her arms, finally noticing. She glanced down.

"Ah. How clumsy of me."

She adjusted her robe slowly, covering herself with a knowing smirk.

"Were you distracted, darling?"

"No."

"Liar."

Aegis’s face burned.

"You did that on purpose."

"Perhaps." Rosanna’s eyes gleamed. "But you learned the technique, didn’t you?"

"Yeah."

"Then my methods work." She patted Aegis’s cheek. "Now go. You need rest before the trials."

Aegis descended the lift, still flustered.

[That woman is going to kill me one day. Death by distraction.]

But as she walked back to her dorm, she couldn’t help grinning.

[One week left. I’ve got new techniques. Intel on Darius. And a plan.]

She opened her door to find Sophie and Vera making out on Lune’s bed while Lune painted at her desk, looking resigned to her fate.

"Really?" Aegis asked.

Sophie broke the kiss, grinning. Vera was too busy making heart eyes at Sophie to acknowledge Aegis’s arrival.

"Welcome home, big sis!"

Aegis flopped onto her bed, not even bothering to change.

[Winter Trials, here I come!]