CHAPTER 24: PATHWAYS AND PLOTS 2*

Author’s Note:

You see that asterisk in the title? You know what’s coming. Enjoy!

---

Aegis knocked on Lady Roseheart’s office door, grinning.

Lady Roseheart was the woman that assassin Aegis had interrupted before had been planning to kill. Aegis hadn’t spoken with her yet, but Commander Korvo had seen Aegis stopping the assassin, and thus she assumed word had spread among the faculty that Aegis had "saved" her. At least, that’s what she was counting on.

[Time to cash in that life-saving favor.]

"Enter!"

She pushed open the door and froze.

Three women sat around an elegant tea table. Lady Roseheart, resplendent in emerald robes. A woman with Talia Stone’s same sharp cheekbones, definitely her mother. And Princess Talia herself, yellow eyes widening in horror at the sight of her commoner rival.

[Oh, this is too perfect.]

"Ah, you must be Aegis Starcaller!" Lady Roseheart stood, beaming. "Welcome, welcome! Please, make yourself at home. Ladies," Roseheart turned toward the two puzzled noblewomen, "have you heard of Starcaller’s heroics?"

Talia’s face went from surprise to murderous in record time.

"Heroics?" Aegis stepped inside, channeling maximum charm. "You’re too kind, Lady Roseheart."

"Nonsense! Sit, sit!" The older woman practically dragged Aegis to the table. "Tea? Cakes? Anything for the girl who saved my life!"

"I’d love some tea." Aegis sat directly across from Talia, maintaining eye contact. "Princess. Duchess. What a pleasant surprise."

The Duchess studied her like a specimen.

"So you’re the commoner who topped the rankings."

"Guilty as charged." Aegis sipped her tea. "Though I prefer ’scholarship student with exceptional test scores.’"

Talia’s jaw clenched.

"So, if I’m understanding correctly, you were... involved in the assassination?" Aegis didn’t like that wording, but stayed silent. "Tell me about the assassination attempt." The Duchess leaned forward. "The guards were vague."

"Oh, oh, I’d love to hear about this as well," Lady Roseheart nodded.

"Oh, it was nothing too dramatic." Aegis waved dismissively. "I was exploring the academy grounds, trying to memorize the layout, you know, when I spotted someone suspicious near the training grounds."

[... You know what? Let’s milk this.]

"He had these gorgeous daggers." She touched her chest dramatically. "Something about him felt... wrong. So I called for the guards."

"And he attacked you?" Lady Roseheart gasped.

"Briefly. Master Korvo arrived just in time." Aegis shuddered delicately. "I’m just glad you’re safe, Lady Roseheart."

"Thanks to you!" The woman grabbed Aegis’s hands. "I never properly thanked you. Name your reward!"

"Milady, your safety is reward enough."

Talia made a disgusted noise. Her mother shot her a warning look.

"Nonsense! I insist!" Lady Roseheart squeezed her hands. "Anything within reason."

[Here we go.]

"Well..." Aegis bit her lip, glancing at Talia. "There is one tiny thing."

"Name it!"

"The Autumn Gala is coming up." She looked down, the picture of humble embarrassment. "As a commoner, I need a noble sponsor to attend. But with all the rumors going on about my test scores..."

She let her voice crack slightly.

"I understand if it’s too much to ask. I wouldn’t want to embarrass your house by—"

"Absolutely not!" Lady Roseheart slammed her teacup down. "You’ll attend as my personal guest!"

Talia choked on her tea.

"M-Mother," she wheezed. "Perhaps we should discuss—"

"Hush, Talia. This girl saved my life." Lady Roseheart turned back to Aegis. "You’ll need a proper gown. I’ll have my seamstress contact you."

"You’re too generous." Aegis let tears gather in her eyes. "I promise I won’t embarrass you."

"Embarrass? My dear, you’ll be the belle of the ball! I’ll write your invitation immediately."

The Duchess watched this performance with calculating eyes. Talia looked ready to combust.

"Here!" Lady Roseheart finished writing with a flourish. "Your official invitation. The seamstress will visit your dorm tomorrow."

Aegis accepted the invitation reverently.

"I’m overwhelmed. Truly."

"Think nothing of it!" The woman hugged her. "Anyone who’d risk their life for a stranger deserves recognition."

[If only you knew I just wanted those daggers.]

"I should go." Aegis stood, curtseying perfectly. "I don’t want to interrupt your tea further."

"Nonsense! But I suppose you have classes." Lady Roseheart beamed. "I’ll see you at the gala, my dear."

"I can hardly wait." Aegis turned to the others. "Duchess. Princess. Always a pleasure."

She headed for the door, counting silently.

[Three... two... one...]

"Actually." Talia’s voice dripped venom. "I’ll walk you out. Mother, Duchess, please excuse me."

"Of course, dear." Lady Roseheart waved them off.

Talia followed Aegis into the hallway. The door clicked shut.

"You manipulative little—"

"Yes?" Aegis spun around, backing Talia against the wall. "Finish that sentence. I’m dying to know what you really think of me."

Talia’s breath hitched. They stood inches apart.

"You planned this."

"I planned to thank Lady Roseheart." Aegis braced one hand beside Talia’s head. "Finding you there? That part was what they call a... happy little accident."

"Liar."

Aegis smiled.

"Prove it."

They stared at each other. Talia’s chest rose and fell rapidly.

"Stay away from my family."

"Sure," Aegis shrugged. "I can’t promise I’ll stay away from you, though."

"What?"

"You’re too much fun."

Talia’s hands fisted in Aegis’s uniform. For a moment, Aegis thought she’d actually get punched.

Instead, Talia shoved her back.

"Whether you make it to the gala or not changes nothing. Whether you fool the professors into giving you good scores or not changes nothing either. You’re still just a commoner playing dress-up."

"And you’re still a princess who can’t stop thinking about me." Aegis straightened her uniform.

"What!?"

Now, Aegis felt like Talia might actually punch her.

"Nothing. See you in class, Your Highness."

She walked away, leaving Talia speechless in the hallway.

[Ahhhh~ She was so cute the way she wanted to burn me alive...]

Instead, the only thing burning was the invitation, sitting warm in her pocket. Two weeks to prepare. Two weeks to plan the perfect entrance.

[This is going to be fun.]

---

Aegis practically skipped to Nazraya’s classroom.

[Gala secured. Now for some shadow magic practice.]

She knocked and entered without waiting. Nazraya sat at her desk, reading. No skirt-hiking or cock-stroking this time, sadly.

"You’re early." The professor didn’t look up. "And unusually cheerful."

"Good day." Aegis closed the door. "Ready to be impressed?"

"Doubtful."

[We’ll see about that.]

Aegis moved to the practice area with her teacher. She’d spent all day thinking about this. Rosanna hadn’t forbidden shadow magic, just warned against corruption. With her new clean pathways and expanded mana pool, surely she could handle both.

[Besides, Nazraya’s too good a teacher to abandon. And too hot.]

"Shadow Bolt." Aegis raised her hand. Dark energy coalesced instantly. The bolt shot across the room, hitting the target dead center.

Nazraya’s eyebrow twitched.

"Again."

Aegis fired four more in rapid succession. Each one perfect.

"Your aether pool expanded."

"I meditated all day yesterday."

Nazraya raised a brow.

"Show me sustained channeling."

"I... Could you give me a moment? I need my mana- my aether, rather, to uh... recharge."

"Where’d all that confidence go?"

"J-Just a bit of time!"

A short minute or so later, Aegis held out both hands. Shadow energy flowed between them, stable and controlled. No trembling. No exhaustion.

"Thirty seconds."

She held it for a full minute.

"Interesting." Nazraya stood, circling her. "Your form improved dramatically overnight. Your reserves feel as though they’ve quintupled. Tell me, pet, what aren’t you sharing?"

Aegis grinned.

"Maybe I’m just talented."

"Cheeky. Or maybe you found another teacher." Red eyes narrowed. "Someone who cleaned those pathetic channels of yours."

[Shit. She’s too sharp.]

"Jealous?" Aegis let the shadows dissipate. "Worried someone else is playing with your pet?"

"Careful." Nazraya stopped directly in front of her. "That tongue of yours will get you in trouble someday."

"I hope so."

There was a pause.

Aegis only realized then that the look on Nazraya’s face was changing. Flirting was second-nature to Aegis. After all, as Emily, she literally didn’t have anything else to do. But, because the women she flirted with were all a bunch of married or just straight nurses not wanting to mess with a young patient, it never went anywhere.

This, however, was going somewhere. And it was going there fast.

"You’re playing a dangerous game, little commoner."

Just as Aegis made that realization, dialogue options popped up.

1. "Sorry, Professor. I’ll focus on training." [ABANDON THE MOMENT]

2. "Speaking of tongues, that shadow manipulation technique..." [DEFLECT]

3. "Those are my favorite kind." [ESCALATE]

[Huh...]

By now, Aegis had developed a working theory when it came to these dialogue options. It was hard to think about it right now, given the situation, but she guessed that they normally popped up whenever Aegis was "veering off the script" so to speak. Almost like the System was creating a new game whenever Aegis ignored the old one.

Right now...

[I... I kinda wanna keep this going. I’m scared. It feels like she might crush me under her foot. But, well, I kinda wanna see her do that.]

Letting her heart lead her on, Aegis answered:

"Those are my favorite kind. Unless you’re all talk."

Nazraya moved faster than thought. One second Aegis stood defiant. The next, her back hit the wall, Nazraya’s hand wrapping around her throat.

"You’re walking a very thin line." The professor’s body pressed against hers. "Starting things you can’t finish."

Aegis’s breath hitched. Not from fear.

Then...

[BONDMARK OPPORTUNITY DETECTED]

[Target: Professor Nazraya]

[Compatibility: 72%]

[Warning: High Risk/High Reward]

[Wait... Bondmark? This...] Aegis’s eyes widened. [I... I can have SEX HERE!?]

It was all happening way too fast. Aegis had spent so many nights back on that hospital bed picturing what losing her virginity would be like. At no point did she think it would come from annoying Nazraya into fucking her.

More dialogue options appeared:

1. "I’m sorry, Professor." [ABANDON]

2. "We should focus on training. [DEFLECT]

3. Use shadow magic to break free. [ESCAPE]

4. "Who says I can’t finish?" [BONDMARK]

Aegis swallowed.

[Oh fuck it.]

"Who says I can’t finish?" Aegis arched against her. "Maybe you’re the one who’s scared. What? Can’t handle one bratty student? I’m disappointed, teach."

Nazraya’s pupils dilated. She laughed, honey to Aegis’s ears.

"Your funeral."

She crashed their lips together. Nothing gentle about it. Pure hunger and dominance. Aegis moaned into it.

[Holy shit holy shit holy sh—]

The kiss (Aegis’s first!) lasted absolutely no time at all, as Nazraya spun her around and pressed her face-first against the wall.

"First lesson." Lips at her ear. "Never challenge someone unless you know what you’re getting into. You clearly don’t."

Hands yanked at Aegis’s uniform. Buttons scattered.

The rest happened in a blur. Aegis’s clothes basically vanished as Nazraya pulled everything off her easily. Aegis’s boobs, which Aegis was still not used to being so big, fell free as Nazraya removed her uniform.

"Distracted already?" Nazraya’s voice dripped amusement. "How disappointing."

Before Aegis could respond, Nazraya grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand. The other hiked up her own skirt.

Aegis’s eyes went wide.

[Holy fuck... It’s so big.]

Her own dick twitched desperately. The size difference was almost comical. Nazraya’s cock stood proud and thick, while Aegis’s looked cute in comparison.

"See something you like, pet?"

"I—yes. Fuck yes."

"Good." Nazraya pressed closer. "Because you’re going to take every inch."

[BONDMARK INITIATED]

[Analyzing connection...]

Aegis barely registered the notification. Too busy gasping as Nazraya spun her around and bent her over the desk. Papers scattered. An inkwell crashed to the floor.

Nazraya pressed her tip against Aegis’s pussy. Right, hermaphroditic genitalia, Aegis recalled. At least she wouldn’t be taking that monster up the ass.

Not yet, anyway.

Nazraya pushed inside without warning.

"FUCK!"

Aegis’s hands scrambled for purchase on the smooth wood. The stretch burned. Her virgin pussy definitely wasn’t prepared for this.

"Language, pet." Nazraya pulled back slightly, then thrust deep. "Though I suppose I’ll allow it. This once."

[Can’t think. Can’t breathe. So full.]

Each thrust sent sparks through her vision. Nazraya set a brutal pace, clearly intent on teaching a very specific lesson about control. Or the lack thereof.

"That’s it. Come on. Don’t tell me this much is already overwhelming?"

"I can’t—it’s too—"

"You wanted advanced lessons." Another sharp thrust. "Today, I teach you what happens when you push me."

The desk creaked ominously. Aegis’s legs shook. Her own cock leaked steadily, making a mess of the papers below.

"Professor, I’m going to—"

"Already? We’ve barely started."

Nazraya’s free hand wrapped around Aegis’s dick. One stroke was all it took.

"NAZRAYA!"

Aegis came so hard she saw stars. White streaks painted the desk, the floor, possibly the wall. Her cunt clenched around Nazraya’s cock.

"That was pretty." The professor didn’t slow down. "But we’re not done."

[Oh god. Oh fuck. I’m going to die. I’m going to be fucked to death. For sure.]

Aegis’s softening cock immediately hardened again.

"That’s the blessing at work, you know?" Nazraya’s breath was hot against her ear. "Enhanced stamina. Enhanced sensitivity. Enhanced everything. You and I were made for this."

She punctuated each word with a thrust.

[BONDMARK STABILIZING...]

"Feel how our auras mingle?" Nazraya’s pace turned punishing.

Aegis couldn’t form words. Just desperate noises as Nazraya used her thoroughly. The desk finally gave up, one leg snapping.

They crashed to the floor. Nazraya didn’t miss a beat, just adjusted the angle and kept going.

"Flexible. Good."

[Everything hurts. Everything feels amazing. I can’t tell the difference anymore.]

"One more time, pet. Come on."

Nazraya’s hand found Aegis’s cock again. This time she stroked in rhythm with her thrusts.

"I can’t—not again—"

"You can and you will. I command it."

Power and pleasure mixed until Aegis couldn’t separate them. Her second orgasm hit even harder.

This time Nazraya followed. Heat flooded Aegis’s insides as the professor finally let go.

[BONDMARK COMPLETE]

[Partner: Nazraya Stringer]

Relationship Status: Nazraya Stringer: (❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️)

[Blessing Bonus: +25% Shadow Magic Affinity]

[Stat Increase: Intelligence +10]

[New Skill: Shadow Embrace (Passive)]

They lay among the wreckage of the desk. Aegis couldn’t move. Everything was sticky. Everything ached.

"Hmm." Nazraya stood and straightened her skirt like nothing happened. "Adequate performance."

"Adequate?" Aegis tried to sit up. Failed. "I literally broke furniture."

"Yes. I’ll pay for the repairs." The professor put her hand on Aegis’s ass like she was appraising a good pillow. "Hm... You’re good enough. Work on your stamina, pet. I’ll be using you more often~"

[Good.]

[I’m gonna die.]

Both thoughts popped up in Aegis’s mind. Which was more prominent, she couldn’t tell.