CHAPTER 31: PATHWAYS AND PLOTS 9

The week before the Autumn Gala was... insane.

Monday morning, Scarlett banged on her door like the world was ending.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!"

Aegis groaned into her pillow.

"Five more minutes."

"Nope!" The door flew open. Scarlett marched in, grabbed Aegis’s blanket, and yanked. "Time to make you less pathetic!"

"Scarlett, I swear to the goddess—"

"Up! Now! Before I carry you!"

[She would, too.]

Aegis dragged herself out of bed. Her hair stuck up in twelve directions. One eye refused to open properly.

"You look adorable." Scarlett grinned. "Like a grumpy kitten."

"I hate you."

"Sure you do. Training grounds, ten minutes."

---

The sun barely peeked over Rosevale’s towers when they arrived. Morning mist clung to the grass.

"Today we’re working on dodging." Scarlett stretched, muscles rippling under her shirt. "My job is to hit you. Your job is to not get hit."

Aegis blinked.

"Wait, what—"

Scarlett’s fist whistled past her ear.

"Holy shit!"

"Too slow!" Another swing.

Aegis threw herself backward. Her ass hit the ground hard.

"Better! But you need to stay on your feet." Scarlett offered a hand up. "Again."

They went at it for twenty minutes. Aegis dodged maybe one in ten strikes. The rest caught her shoulders, ribs, stomach—never hard enough to really hurt, but enough to sting.

"You’re thinking too much." Scarlett circled her. "Stop planning. Just react."

"Easy for you to say!" Aegis panted. "You’re not the one getting beat up!"

"Aw, poor baby." Scarlett’s eyes sparkled. "Want me to kiss it better?"

[Don’t blush don’t blush don’t—fuck.]

"Just... just attack me again."

This time when Scarlett lunged, Aegis moved on instinct. She ducked under the punch, spun away from the follow-up.

"Yes! Like that!"

Scarlett increased her speed. Aegis’s body responded, diving and weaving. Not graceful, but functional.

Until Scarlett feinted left and swept Aegis’s legs.

"Oof!"

Aegis hit the ground. Before she could move, Scarlett straddled her waist, pinning her wrists above her head.

"Gotcha." Her breath tickled Aegis’s face. "You’re getting better though."

Their faces were inches apart. Scarlett’s weight pressed down in all the right places.

[Oh no. Oh no no no.]

"Your form needs work." Scarlett shifted, hips grinding slightly. "When you dodge, you leave your center exposed."

"S-Scarlett—"

"What?" That innocent smile fooled nobody. "Just giving you pointers."

She leaned closer. Her chest brushed Aegis’s.

"For example..." Scarlett’s grip on her wrists tightened. "Right now you’re completely helpless. In a real fight, I could do anything."

"Anything?"

The word came out breathier than intended.

Scarlett’s eyes darkened.

"Anything."

They stayed frozen for a heartbeat. Two. Three.

Then Scarlett rolled off, laughing. Right, just a joke. As usual.

"Come on! Break’s over!"

Aegis lay there, heart hammering.

[This woman will be the death of me.]

The rest of the session involved more "corrections." Scarlett’s hands guided Aegis’s stance, sliding along her arms, her waist, her hips. Each touch lingered just long enough to be suspicious.

"Feet wider." Scarlett’s palm pressed against Aegis’s lower back. "Hips forward. Feel the difference?"

Aegis felt something, alright.

By the end, she’d gained 2 Power and lost several years off her life.

Power: 6 → 8

"Same time tomorrow?" Scarlett winked.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Nope! See you then, princess."

---

Tuesday evening meant shadow magic with Nazraya.

The crypts felt colder than usual. Shadows danced across stone walls as Nazraya circled her student.

"You’re distracted." Red eyes narrowed. "What’s on your mind?"

"Nothing, Professor. Just tired from—"

"Lies." Nazraya stepped closer. "Lie to me again and we’re done."

Aegis swallowed.

"Fine. I’m... frustrated."

"Sexually?"

"Professor!"

"What?" Nazraya’s lips curved. "It’s a valid question. Sexual frustration blocks magical channels, you know? Creates interference."

[Is she serious right now?]

"Now then." Nazraya moved behind Aegis. "Cast Shadow Bolt. Show me your focus."

Aegis raised her hand. She tried to concentrate on gathering shadow energy, but it was hard to do that with Nazraya pressed against her back, breasts soft against her shoulders.

The spell fizzled out.

"Pathetic." Nazraya’s arms wrapped around her. One hand covered Aegis’s, guiding the gesture. The other slid down her stomach. "Your body is too tense. Too... pent up."

"Professor?"

"Shadow magic requires complete focus." Her fingers danced lower, teasing the waistband of Aegis’s skirt. "But you can’t focus when your body screams for release, can you?"

Aegis’s breath hitched.

"I don’t—"

"Shh." Nazraya’s hand dipped lower. Her fingers grazed over Aegis’s crotch through the fabric. "Oh my. Someone’s excited."

[Fuck fuck fuck.]

"Perhaps we need a different teaching method."

Aegis felt movement behind her. Fabric rustling. Then something hard pressed against her ass.

She glanced over her shoulder. Nazraya had hiked up her robes and pulled out her cock.

[WHAT.]

"Here’s what we’re going to do." Nazraya’s hand pulled Aegis’s panties aside like it was the most normal thing in the world. "You’re going to cast Shadow Bolt."

"B-But... You mean... While you...?"

"Yes."

The tip pressed against her entrance.

"But I can’t possibly—"

HISS

Aegis gasped as Nazraya pushed inside. Slow but relentless, stretching her open. Her own dick instantly went rock hard under her skirt.

"F-Fuck!"

"Language." Nazraya bottomed out with a satisfied sigh. "Now then. Cast the spell."

"You’re insane!"

SMACK!

Nazraya’s palm connected with Aegis’s ass.

"I said cast. The spell." She punctuated each word with a shallow thrust. "We aren’t leaving until you show perfect concentration."

Aegis whimpered. Every movement sent sparks through her body. How the hell was she supposed to focus like this!?

"The longer you take..." Nazraya rolled her hips. "The longer this lasts."

[She’s pure evil.]

And Aegis loved it.

Aegis raised a shaking hand. Drew on her shadow magic while Nazraya fucked her with slow, deliberate strokes. The energy scattered every time Nazraya hit that spot inside her.

"Concentrate." Nazraya’s fingers found Aegis’s cock through her skirt. "Or would you prefer I stop?"

"No! I mean—fuck—"

"Then cast."

It took fifteen tries. Fifteen agonizing attempts while Nazraya edged her mercilessly. Finally, desperately, Aegis forced her mind to focus.

The Shadow Bolt flew from her palm, striking the wall.

"Good girl." Nazraya’s pace increased. "Again."

By the time they finished, Aegis had mastered Shadow Bolt and discovered several new kinks. She slumped against the wall, legs trembling, cum dripping down her thighs.

"Progress." Nazraya straightened her robes like nothing happened. "Same time Thursday. Don’t be late."

She swept out, leaving Aegis in a puddle of her own making.

[I need therapy. Or more of that. Possibly both.]

Intelligence: 25 → 26

---

Wednesday’s Strategic Thinking class provided unexpected entertainment.

"Today we’ll practice impromptu debates." Professor Alberic gestured to the podium. "Miss Starcaller, you’re up."

Aegis stood, still walking funny from last night. Across from her, a blonde noble sneered. Lady Clarissa Goldwater, one of Talia’s inner circle.

"The topic: Should commoners be allowed in noble-only facilities?"

Clarissa went first. Standard elitist garbage about bloodlines and tradition. Aegis let her finish, then smiled.

"Lady Clarissa makes excellent points." Aegis moved closer to the podium. "Though I can’t help but notice something."

"What?"

"You’ve never actually spoken to a commoner, have you? Outside of giving orders?"

Clarissa’s cheeks flushed.

"I—of course not! Why would I?"

"Then how can you judge what we deserve?" Another step closer. Aegis leaned against the podium, just inside Clarissa’s personal space. "Perhaps you should... experience it firsthand."

"That’s ridiculous!"

"Is it?" Aegis’s finger traced the podium’s edge. "You speak with such passion about keeping us out. Makes me wonder..."

"Wonder what?"

"If you’re afraid."

"I’m not afraid of commoners!"

"No?" Aegis tilted her head. "Then why is your pulse racing at the mere sight of me?"

Clarissa’s hand flew to her throat. Her eyes widened.

"Well, unless..." Aegis trailed off. "No, no, that can’t be right... I’ll say it anyway though. Unless you’re just thinking that perhaps you’ve been deceived as to what commoners like me are truly like. Is that it? Which is it?"

Steam practically poured from Talia’s ears. Behind her, several students fanned themselves.

As Clarissa had no response, the professor cleared his throat.

"Point to Miss Starcaller."

Aegis returned to her seat. Clarissa still stood at the podium, dazed.

[Too easy.]

She caught Talia’s murderous glare and blew her a kiss.

The princess’s eye twitched.

[Man, she is so gonna murder me one day.]

Aegis wouldn’t have it any other way, though.

---

Thursday brought singing lessons with Liora.

"No, no." Liora frowned. "You’re forcing it. Let the notes flow naturally."

"Easy for you to say." Aegis rubbed her throat. "You sound like an angel. I sound like someone strangling a cat."

"You don’t—well—" Liora bit her lip. "Maybe a little?"

"Gee, thanks."

"I’m sorry! Try once more. And please, breathe from your diaphragm this time."

Aegis attempted the scale. She hit maybe two correct notes out of twelve.

Liora’s hand flew to her mouth. A giggle escaped.

"Hey!"

"I’m sorry!" More giggles bubbled up. "It’s just... you went so sharp on that last note—"

"It’s not funny!"

But Liora was fully laughing now. Real, genuine laughter that lit up her whole face. And Aegis was smiling, knowing that, yeah, it was pretty funny.

"Oh goddess, and that middle part!" She clutched her stomach. "It sounded like—like—"

"Like what?"

"Like a dying goose trying to seduce another goose!"

Aegis gasped in mock offense.

"How dare you! I’ll have you know my mating calls are slightly more tolerable!"

That set Liora off again. She doubled over, tears in her eyes.

"There!" Aegis pointed. "See? You CAN laugh! I was starting to think you were too pure for humor."

"I am not!" Liora protested between giggles. "I laugh at plenty of things!"

"Name one."

"Well..." She wiped her eyes. "Your singing."

"Ouch!" Aegis clutched her chest. "Betrayed by my own teacher! What would your pure, innocent reputation say?"

"Oh stop." But Liora smiled, bright and warm. "Let’s try again."

"Sure, sure."

They practiced for another hour. Aegis improved marginally... from dying cat to merely sick cat.

Grace: 6 → 8

"Same time next week?" Liora packed up her sheets.

"If you can handle more of my beautiful voice."

"I’ll bring earplugs."

"Rude!"

They left the music room together, still smiling.

---

Friday night meant aether weaving with Rosanna.

"Tonight, we focus on defense." The ghost queen materialized directly behind Aegis. "All the offensive power means nothing if you’re dead."

"Cheerful thought."

"Reality, darling." Rosanna’s ethereal hands positioned Aegis’s arms. "Feel the aether threads around you. But instead of gathering them to strike, you’ll weave them into protection."

Aegis closed her eyes. The threads responded slowly, reluctantly.

"They resist."

"Of course they do." Rosanna’s voice dropped, lips near Aegis’s ear. "You’re asking them to change their nature. To solidify when they wish to flow."

"So how do I—"

"Convince them." Ghost hands slid down Aegis’s arms. "Show them why you’re worth protecting."

[How do I convince magical threads of anything?]

All she could do was try, though. And try she did.

Aegis projected her need for protection, her desire to survive.

It took a while, but eventually, the threads responded, condensing into a shimmer around her body.

New Spell Learned: Aether Veil

Type: Defensive

MP Cost: 8

Effect: Creates a barrier absorbing 50 damage

Cooldown: 10 seconds

"Excellent." Rosanna clapped. "You’re quite gifted at convincing things to wrap around you."

"Was that innuendo?"

"Everything’s innuendo if you’re creative enough." The queen’s laugh was warm honey. "Again. But this time, make it stronger."

They practiced until Aegis’s mana ran dry. Each cast came easier, the threads more responsive.

"You’re learning quickly." Rosanna floated beside her as they watched the city lights. "Most students take weeks to manage a basic veil."

"I have a good teacher."

"Flatterer." But she smiled. "Same time tomorrow?"

"Wouldn’t miss it."

---

{Varyn}

In a dim alley behind the academy walls, Varyn Duskbane slid a leather pouch across a scarred wooden table.

"Twenty gold pieces." The coins clinked. "I want to know everything about Aegis Starcaller."

The hooded figure picked up the pouch, weighing it.

"Everything?"

"Where she goes. Who she meets. What she does when she thinks no one’s watching." Varyn’s violet eyes gleamed. "That commoner is hiding something. Multiple somethings."

"And if she’s just talented?"

"Please. Nobody’s that talented." He leaned back. "Perfect test scores? Beating Princess Talia in rankings? Seducing half the academy already? Please."

The figure pocketed the gold.

"When do you want reports?"

"Daily. Use the dead drop behind the old astronomy tower."

"Consider it done."

The spy melted into the shadows. Varyn remained, drumming his fingers on the table.

[I’ll find out exactly what dirty little secrets you’re hiding, Starcaller. And when I do...]

He smiled.

[You’ll learn what happens when commoners forget their place.]