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

Javir's magical carriage rattled through the streets of Syux, its spectral horses casting a suitably magical glow on the cobblestones below, given the circumstances.

Inside, Melisa sat between Isabella and Raven, trying not to focus too hard on how this could all turn into a shit-show soon.

"Woooow, I still can't believe you're letting me be the center of attention, for once," Isabella murmured into Melisa's ear.

"Hey, this is your invention," Melisa replied, blushing a bit as she reached around her and wrapped an arm around Isabella. "I'm just the pretty purple accessory today."

"Pretty purple accessory who happens to be the most famous nim in Syux," Kimiko chimed in from across the cart, breasts bouncing with every bump in the road. "Have you seen the crowds already gathering?"

[... She's not wrong.]

She gestured out the window where people were already lining the streets three deep, pointing and whispering as they passed.

[Weird,] Melisa thought, her tail curling anxiously. [I'm not even the one who made the wand, and a lot of those people are coming to see me specifically. Ooh, goosebumps.]

"Look at this," Isabella grabbed a flyer from someone selling them outside. "'Come see the miraculous nim girl and her latest magical achievement!' They're not even mentioning it's my invention!"

"Fame by association. You'll be fine," Armia commented, somehow maintaining perfect posture despite the carriage's motion. "I mean, who'd trust a product by 'Local Slut, Isabella Summer'?"

"Hey!" Isabella pouted. "I resent that! I'm a PROFESSIONAL slut, thank you very much. I mean, I did work as a sundancer at the gala and all~"

Even Javir's laugh could be heard from the driver's seat.

"Aaanyway," their mentor called back, "everyone remember their positions for today?"

"Yes, Mom!" Isabella called back cheerfully.

"I am not your mother!"

The carriage hit a particularly rough bump, sending Isabella tumbling into Melisa's lap.

"My, my," Isabella wiggled her eyebrows with a grin. "If you wanted me down here, you could have just asked."

"Oh, don't tempt me," Melisa replied, already leaning in to kiss her. "We'll be here all day if you do."

"Focus," Raven's soft, but stern voice came from right next to her, just before Melisa could touch those soft lips...

... But, Isabella didn't get off Melisa's lap.

The streets were more crowded than Melisa had ever seen them. Merchants had set up impromptu stalls everywhere, selling everything from snacks to cheap magical trinkets.

"Oh gods, look at this!" Isabella pointed at one vendor's sign. "''Get your Blackflame Charms here!' Guaranteed to make you as magical as the nim prodigy herself!'"

"Oh my fucking god..." Melisa nearly cringed into oblivion.

"Hey, I think I want a little Blackflame Charm myself," Isabella said. Then, just so only Melisa heard this, she whispered, "maybe it'll make me as adorable as you are~"

"You're already there," Melisa responded with a shrug. "Hell, with the whole fox set you've got? You're probably way past my cuteness level."

Hearing that, Isabella gave her a kiss on the cheek while Armia looked like she'd rather be anywhere else and Raven's right eye twitched.

The carriage turned another corner, and suddenly the square came into view. Melisa's jaw dropped.

[Holy shit, Malachim really went all out.]

The normally open space had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale.

A massive stage dominated the center, draped in rich purple and gold fabric that sparkled in the morning sun. Rows of seats had been arranged in a semicircle, already filling with nobles in their finest clothes.

Above it all, magical lights danced in intricate patterns, casting a sophisticated glow over everything. The effect was both beautiful and slightly unnerving - those lights would make it harder to spot Shadow Mages trying to blend in.

"Wow," Isabella breathed, pressing her face against the window. "That's... that's all for my wand?"

"That's all for the money they think they'll make from your wand," Kimiko corrected, though she was beaming with pride.

"Hm... Look at the security," Raven muttered, grey eyes scanning the perimeter. "Not too many guards."

"Good," Javir called back. "Means more space for us to work with if things go south."

The carriage pulled to a stop at a private entrance. Guards immediately moved to form a protective corridor for them.

"Show time," Javir announced, opening the door. "Everyone ready?"

Melisa stood, smoothing down her uniform one last time.

"Come on, everyone!" Isabella called out. "Take a wand. You'll appreciate it once the fighting starts, trust."

"Remember," Javir said quietly as they prepared to exit, "trust in yourselves, trust in each other. And, who knows? Maybe nothing will happen. But, be ready."

[Just got to survive whatever the Shadow Mages throw at us. No pressure.]

As they stepped out into the morning sun, the crowd's murmuring grew louder. Melisa could hear her name being whispered, along with "nim" and "magic" and "impossible."

Lord Malachim himself came hurrying down the steps to greet them, his perfectly manicured beard somehow even more perfectly manicured than usual.

"Ladies! Welcome, welcome!" he spread his arms wide, his golden robes glittering. "Everything is prepared just as we discussed. The demonstration area is fully warded, the nobles are all in attendance, and-"

He lowered his voice, eyes darting around.

"The... security measures are in place as well." Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire

[Yeah,] Melisa thought. [Everything's ready. For both sides, I guess.]

"Excellent," Javir replied smoothly. "Shall we begin then?"

Lord Malachim offered his arm to Isabella, who took it with a grace that would have made Armia proud. As they ascended the steps to the stage, Melisa caught movement in her peripheral vision.

[They're probably already here. Watching. Waiting.]

"Ready?" Raven whispered beside her, suddenly appearing from nowhere.

"As I'll ever be," Melisa replied, plastering on her best showman's smile. "Let's give them a show they'll never forget."

Above them, the magical lights continued their dance, unaware that they were about to witness either a revolutionary magical advancement or a battlefield.

Probably both.

---

{Aria}

The royal carriage glided through the streets of Syux, its polished exterior catching the morning sun. Inside, Aria sat with perfect posture despite her petite frame, watching the crowds through the window.

[Look at them all,] she thought, noting how the common folk whispered and pointed. [So excited to see a nim perform tricks.]

Lord Caelum sat across from her, his aged frame carrying the dignity of his position. His grey beard was neatly trimmed, and his court robes were immaculate as always. She'd known him since she was a child - he'd been her father's advisor even then.

"His Majesty really should have come," he said, not for the first time this morning. "This event could have significant political implications."

"Father had important matters to attend to," Aria replied smoothly, though they both knew it was more likely he simply didn't have the strength today.

"Paperwork," Lord Caelum nodded, playing along with the excuse. "Always more paperwork."

[At least he's still able to hold a quill,] Aria thought, her heart clenching.

The streets were packed with merchants and spectators. Someone was selling little purple dolls that supposedly looked like Melisa Blackflame. They didn't capture her presence at all.

"The nim girl has quite a following," Lord Caelum observed, watching a child clutch one of the dolls. "Who would have thought?"

"Indeed," Aria's grey eyes narrowed slightly. "Quite the rise to fame for someone who appeared out of nowhere."

The carriage turned into the square, and Aria had to admit the setup was impressive. Lord Malachim had outdone himself with the decorations - purple and gold everywhere, magical lights dancing overhead.

[Trying to curry favor with both sides,] she noted. [Royal colors mixed with nim purple to show his progressiveness. Not bad, not bad at all.]

As their carriage stopped at the noble's entrance, Aria could see the final preparations being made. Servants scurried about, adjusting chairs and checking magical wards.

And there she was.

Melisa Blackflame stood near the stage, her purple skin stark against her academy uniform. She was laughing at something the kitsune girl beside her had said, her tail swishing carelessly.

[She seems awfully relaxed for someone who might have murdered the queen.]

Then Melisa turned, and their eyes met across the square.

The look of surprise on her face was absolutely delicious. Those red eyes widened, that confident posture faltered just slightly, and her tail went rigid.

[Didn't expect to see me here, did you?] Aria thought, allowing herself a small, cold smile. [Good. Keep you off balance.]

"Your Highness?" Lord Caelum's voice drew her attention back. "Shall we proceed?"

"Yes," she said, not breaking eye contact with Melisa. "Let's see what miracles our nim prodigy has in store for us today."

As she stepped out of the carriage, her white hair catching the morning light, she could feel Melisa's eyes following her.

[Watch me all you want,] she thought, her delicate frame moving with practiced grace toward their reserved seats. [I'll be watching you too. Every move. Every word. Every spell.]

After all, her mother had taught her well - the best way to catch a predator was to let them think you were prey.

And Aria played that role perfectly.