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

{Melisa}

Melisa tossed and turned in her bed, the familiar sounds of creaking springs and muffled moans drifting through the walls. She pulled her pillow over her head, trying to block out the noises coming from her parents' room.

[... Right,] she thought, a wry smile on her face. [I forgot how thin these walls are.]

At that exact moment, Margaret let out a particularly loud moan.

Melisa's face was on fire.

She felt her cheeks burning. Shifting side to side, she tried to push the sound out of her skull as she all but willed herself to go to sleep.

Morning came all too soon, the sunlight streaming through her window and pulling Melisa out of her dreams.

After a quick breakfast, during which she studiously avoided meeting her parents' eyes, Melisa made her way to the backyard. The crisp morning air helped clear her head, and she took a deep breath, centering herself.

[Okay, Mel,] she thought, raising her wand. [Time to get to work.]

She began practicing the spell parries, as described in the notes she took from class, her movements growing more fluid with each attempt. It was hard to know if she was doing this right since she was alone and all, but she was at least casting the spell. That was something.

As she worked, she could feel her mind starting to wander, already thinking of ways to modify the spell, to create something new and exciting.

But then, Isabella's words echoed in her head:

"You need to focus on mastery of spells, not just creating more and more spells."

Melisa sighed, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand.

[She's right,] Melisa admitted to herself. [I need to master the things I can already do before I start trying to reinvent the wheel.]

She ran through the parry spell again and again, working on her speed and precision in drawing the spellsign and muttering the incantation.

It wasn't as thrilling as inventing a new spell, but Melisa could feel herself improving with each repetition.

[Maybe there's something to this mastery thing after all,] she mused, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Just as she was really getting into the rhythm of practice, a voice called out from the house.

"Melisa! There's a letter for you!"

Melisa lowered her wand, wiping the sweat from her brow.

[A letter?] she thought, curiosity piqued. [Who'd be writing to me here?]

She made her way back inside, where Margaret was waiting with an ornate envelope in hand. Melisa's eyes widened as she recognized the royal seal.

[Oh shit,] she thought, her heart rate picking up. [This is it.]

With trembling fingers, she broke the seal and unfolded the letter. As she read, she could feel a mix of excitement and nervousness building in her chest.

"Well?" Margaret asked, unable to contain her curiosity. "What does it say?"

Melisa looked up, a slightly dazed expression on her face.

"It's... it's time," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They want me at the palace. Today."

Margaret's eyes widened.

"Today? But that's so soon! Are you ready?"

Melisa took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.

[Am I ready? Hell no. But I can't let that stop me.]

"Ready or not, I have to go," she said, a determined glint in her eye. "This is my chance, Mom. I can't waste it."

---

Melisa sat next to Javir in the magical carriage, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap.

The streets of Syux rolled by outside, but Melisa barely noticed, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

"Nervous?" Javir asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Is it that obvious?"

Javir reached over, placing a comforting hand on Melisa's knee. The touch sent a jolt through Melisa's body, and she had to fight to keep her composure.

"You'll be fine," Javir assured her, giving her knee a squeeze before withdrawing her hand. "Just remember what I told you. Same as with the gala, be charming, be yourself, and don't let the court sorceress see you sweat."

Melisa nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Right. Charming. I can do that."

As they approached the palace gates, Melisa felt her heart rate pick up.

[Holy shit,] she thought, her eyes wide. [AHHHH, I'm really doing this.]

The carriage came to a stop, and Javir turned to Melisa with a smile.

"This is where I leave you," she said. "You've got this, Melisa. Show that mage what you're made of."

Melisa swallowed hard, nodding.

"Thanks." As she stepped out of the carriage, Melisa turned back. "I'll just walk back home after. I think I know the way by now. No need to wait around."

Javir raised a brow.

"Yet again, your memorization skills do not cease to surprise me. Good luck, Melisa. I'll see you soon."

With that, the carriage rolled away, leaving Melisa alone there. She took another deep breath, squaring her shoulders.

[Okay, Mel. Time to, uh, be charming again.]

A knight stood at attention by the gate, his armor gleaming in the morning sun. Melisa approached him, trying to project confidence she didn't entirely feel.

"Good morning," she said, her voice only wavering slightly. "I'm Melisa Blackflame. I'm here to see the court sorceress."

The knight's eyes widened slightly at her name, behind his helm.

"Come."

He gestured for her to follow, leading her through the gates and into the palace proper.

As they walked through the opulent halls, Melisa couldn't help but feel out of place today. No fancy gown this time, just her, a white shirt with some frills, black pants, and black boots.

She was acutely aware of the curious glances thrown her way by passing nobles and servants. Some of them she recognized from the gala, most of them she didn't.

[Just breathe,] she reminded herself. [You belong here. You earned this. You literally saved the king's life! Calm your nerves.]

The knight led her to a grand set of doors, ornately carved with scenes of historical battles. He knocked, and a voice from within called for them to enter.

Melisa's breath caught in her throat as she stepped into the room.

She hadn't been here before. It was a large, circular chamber, its walls lined with bookshelves and what looked like random magical artifacts. In the center stood a massive desk, behind which sat King Aldric himself.

"Ah, Melisa Blackflame," the king said, rising from his seat. "Welcome. Please, come in."

Melisa approached, bowing deeply.

"Your Majesty. Thank you for having me."

King Aldric waved off her formality with a smile.

"None of that, now. You saved my life, Miss Blackflame. If anything, I should be bowing to you."

[I don't think I'd make it through the night if the city found out you did that.]

Melisa felt her cheeks flush.

"I... I was just doing what anyone would have done, Your Majesty."

The king's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"I doubt that very much. But your modesty is commendable."

He gestured for her to take a seat, and Melisa perched on the edge of an ornate chair, her back straight and her hands folded in her lap.

"Now then," King Aldric said, leaning back in his own chair. "I wanted to thank you again for your actions during the gala. Your quick thinking and magical skill saved not just my life, but potentially the stability of the entire kingdom."

Melisa nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

"As a reward," the king continued, "I've arranged for you to study under our court sorceress, Zephyra Vortell. She's a... remarkable woman, and I believe you'll learn a great deal from her."

Melisa's eyes lit up.

[AAAH, can't believe this is happening!]@@novelbin@@

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm honored by the opportunity."

The king's expression turned slightly apologetic.

"I must warn you, however. Zephyra is a very busy woman, with many responsibilities. I was only able to secure four weeks of her time for your tutelage. After that, well," he gestured vaguely, "we have a war she needs to continue helping with."

Melisa felt a pang of disappointment, but quickly pushed it aside.

[Four weeks with the current court sorceress is still a lot.]

"I understand, Your Majesty," she said, nodding. "I'm grateful for any time at all. I promise to make the most of it."

King Aldric smiled, clearly pleased by her response.

"Excellent. I have no doubt you will. Now then, shall we go meet Zephyra?"

Melisa's heart leaped into her throat as she followed the king out of the chamber and down a winding corridor.

They passed countless doors and hallways, each feeling more grand than the last, until finally coming to a stop before a simple wooden door.

The king knocked, and a voice from within called out:

"Come in!"

As the door swung open, Melisa's eyes widened. The office before her was a chaotic mess of books and scrolls. A couple of broken spirit crystals littered the side of the room.

In the center of it all stood a woman with raven-black hair and piercing amethyst eyes.

... And an exceptional pair of boobs.

[Wow.]

Melisa blinked.

Clad in a sleek, black dress that hugged her healthy figure perfectly, Zephyra Vortell, the court sorceress of Syux, looked up from the tome she was reading. Her eyes landed on Melisa, and a slow smile spread across her face.

"Well, well," Zephyra hissed out, her silky voice sending shivers down Melisa's spine. "So this is the famous nim mage I've heard so much about."

Melisa swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of her racing heart and the heat rising to her cheeks.

[Oh fuck,] she thought, her nim nature responding to the sheer presence of the woman before her. [Right, right. Your pheromones.]

She inhaled sharply and reeled them in.

[Control... Control. That's your greatest tool, Mel. Use it wisely.]

King Aldric cleared his throat.

"Zephyra, this is Melisa Blackflame. I trust you'll take good care of her during her time here."

Zephyra's smile widened, her eyes never leaving Melisa's. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"Oh, I intend to, Your Majesty. I intend to."

With that, the king left Melisa there.

And Melisa felt like she was about to be eaten or something.