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

{8 Years Later}

{Armia}

Finally, it was time.

For a few years now, Armia had spent her days rotting in tutoring sessions and studying in the libraries. Now, at 17 years of age, Armia could officially begin her magical studies at Syux Academy.

She walked up to the Academy's gates early on in the morning. There was a certain energy in the air. All of the students currently making their way through the courtyard, up to the arena where the headmistress was set to give a speech, all looked like they were just as eager as Armia to get started.

Just about the only person who didn't was her brother, walking beside her.

"You could at least try to look a little more excited, Darien," Armia chided, glancing at her brother as they walked through the courtyard. "We're about to start our magical studies at the most prestigious academy in Syux. Show some dignity!"

Darien rolled his eyes, his tail flicking lazily behind him.

"We're not really getting started though, are we? Forgive me for not being thrilled about waking up at the crack of dawn for some long-winded speech. Besides, isn't pride and dignity and all that bullshit your thing? I prefer to leave the posturing to you."

Armia scoffed, hitting him with her own tail in annoyance.

"It's called making a good impression, dear brother. Something you might want to consider if you plan on surviving the next few years here."

That was no exagerration.

Armia could feel it as she moved through the academy now. The eyes of others on her, some cautious, some outright hateful.

To say Darian were in a precarious position in Syux was an understatement.

[Ever since that damn war with Rhaya started, people look at us and see the enemy, even though we were born and raised here... I hate it.]

"I think I'll manage just fine, thank you very much," Darien retorted with a smirk. "After all, I've got the oh-so-gifted Armia watching my back, don't I?"

"More like cleaning up your messes."

As they approached the arena, Armia's eyes scanned the gathered crowd of first-year Prestige-Class students.

Most were, naturally, human or kitsune, with a smattering of darians like herself and Darien. All of them carried themselves with an air of confidence and purpose, the weight of their family names and expectations hanging over them.

As much as she told herself to keep her chin high, Armia did start to feel a little self-conscious. She made sure her skirt was just the right length, that her gross biceps weren't showing too much. And, of course, that the damn thing didn't show itself either.

Her looks were the one thing, the one aspect of Armia's being she didn't have complete confidence in.

As much as she wanted to play the role of her family's princess, her family's golden child, due to her darian blood she would always look like a hulking brute.

She hated it. If she could trade bodies with any of these humans or kitsunes around her, while still keeping her mind, she would at a moment's notice.

[Get that out of your mind for now. Relax.]

One figure stood out, catching Armia's attention as she looked back at the others around her.

At the edge of the crowd, a nim girl with long black hair and piercing red eyes stood slightly apart from the rest. She seemed unbothered by the curious and sometimes hostile glances thrown her way, her posture relaxed but alert.

Unlike Armia, that girl was making no efforts to scout anyone out, keeping her gaze on the stage up ahead.

[A nim? In the Prestige-Class?] Armia thought, her brows furrowing in surprise and confusion. [Can she... Can she use magic?]

Nim were a rarity in Syux as a whole, let alone in the upper echelons of the Academy. Most were either actual slaves or effectively slaves. To see one standing amongst the elite was jarring.

[She must be something special,] Armia mused, her curiosity piqued. [Another opponent. No matter.]

As if sensing Armia's gaze, the nim girl's eyes flickered in her direction.

For a brief moment, their gazes locked, red meeting gold.

But, just as quickly, the girl looked away.

With that, Armia turned her attention back to the stage, where the headmistress was preparing to begin her speech.

As the headmistress took the stage, a hushed silence fell over the gathered students.

She was an imposing figure, her silver hair pulled back into a tight bun and her piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd.

"Welcome, first-year Prestige-Class students," she began, her voice ringing out clear and strong. "I am Headmistress Eliana, and it is my honor to greet you as you begin your journey here at Syux Academy."

Armia straightened her posture, listening intently. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for.

"You stand here today as the future of Syux," Headmistress Eliana continued, her gaze sweeping over the sea of faces. "In these uncertain times, with war looming on the horizon and tensions rising within our own borders, it is you who will shape the destiny of our nation."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. There was a mix of excitement and anxiety.

Armia felt her heart swell with pride and purpose. This was her chance to prove herself, to show everyone that she was more than just a darian, more than the enemy.

"Now, more than ever, Syux needs heroes," the headmistress declared, her voice rising with passion. "Heroes who will stand tall in the face of adversity, who will fight for what is right and just, who will lead us into a brighter future."

Armia's fists clenched at her sides, a fierce determination burning in her chest.

She glanced around at her fellow students, taking in their rapt expressions and eager nods. They all wanted the same thing, to be recognized and celebrated as the best and brightest of their generation.

But Armia knew she would have to work twice as hard, fight twice as fiercely, to earn that recognition. She was a darian, after all. Right now, that meant she would be viewed with suspicion and mistrust.

[I'll show them,] she thought, her jaw set with resolve. [I'll be the best damn mage this academy has ever seen. I'll make them forget I'm anything but human. I will be one of those heroes,] she vowed silently. [I will prove my worth, my loyalty to Syux. I will make them see me as one of their own.]