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

Melisa pressed herself against the wall, her eyes wide as she watched Javir advance.

The air around them seemed to thicken, crackling with magical energy.

Javir's hands began to move, her fingers weaving multiple intricate patterns in the air. Her lips moved just as quickly, muttering incantations as she kept her eyes locked on the attacker.

The assassin mirrored her actions, her own hands dancing through the air as she chanted her own spells.

Suddenly, a blue bolt shot from Javir's fingertips.

The attacker threw up a shimmering barrier, the spell exploding against it in a shower of sparks. Without missing a beat, the cloaked woman retaliated, sending a wave of fire rushing towards Javir.

Javir sidestepped. The flames flew harmlessly through the air where she'd been standing a moment before.

Javir muttered another incantation and a gust of wind tried to slam the attacker from above, to bring her down to the ground, but the woman moved forward, avoiding its area of effect.

There was a certain musical element to this fight, Melisa noticed. Given what she was seeing, it didn't even process anymore that this was a fight to determine her fate. She was too busy analyzing each party's moves.

Because of how magic worked in this world, both women would cast a spell, pause, speak their incantations and draw their spellsigns in the air with their hands, then cast another spell, and repeat.

It felt like watching people shoot each other with Civil War-era firearms, having to aim, fire, and then take time loading up another shot before aiming and firing again.

[How much of a part does prediction play in all this? How many steps ahead are they thinking?]

So many different factors showed themselves in this moment. For example, the attacker saw Javir beginning to cast one spell, stopped casting the one she'd been in the process of using, and switched to a different incantation and spellsign.

Melisa was watching with wide eyes, in awe.

[If you see your opponent using a spellsign pattern you recognize, you'll be able to figure out what kind of spell they want to use before they do it, right?] Melisa asked herself. [And, that factors into the whole prediction thing. Whoa.]

The two women moved like dancers locked in a deadly waltz, their spells flying back and forth in a dizzying display of magical prowess.

Barriers rose and fell, elements clashed, and the very air seemed to vibrate with the force of their duel.

Melisa watched on, her feeling of danger fading away to where now, all she felt was wonder as her mind raced to keep up with each spell cast.

[So this is what real magical combat looks like. Wow.]

As Melisa watched the duel unfold, she realized something.

[I can't just stand here. I need to help somehow.]

She considered what she could do.

She didn't have the Essence to cast any spells right now. She didn't have a weapon on her. No, all she had were her two tiny hands and a heart filled with determination.

[Maybe that's all I need!]

Without fully thinking it through, Melisa dashed forward.

Taking advantage of the attacker's focus on Javir, she launched herself at the woman's legs. Like a wolf bringing a giant to its knees, Melisa's charge brought the woman down.

The assassin, momentarily caught off guard, snarled in frustration.@@novelbin@@

"You filthy nim freak!"

With a swift kick, she sent Melisa back, making her roll a few steps.

"AH!" Melisa cried out. [That really hurt...]

But that split second was all Javir needed.

"Ignis, cor, penetra!" Javir's voice rang out, clear and commanding.

A lance of flame erupted from her outstretched hand, streaking through the air towards the assassin. The woman, still off-balance from Melisa's tackle, tried to dodge, but she was a fraction too slow.

"ACK-"

The woman froze.

The fiery spear pierced her chest, emerging from her back in a burst of heat and light. A few red drops fell on Melisa's face.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The assassin's eyes widened in shock and pain, a choked gasp escaping her lips.

But she wasn't done yet. With a desperate surge of energy, she staggered backwards, her hand clawing at the air as if trying to grasp at the last threads of her life.

"No... not like this..." she rasped, her voice barely audible.

Javir's face was grim as she advanced, another spell already forming on her lips.

The assassin stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. She fell to her knees, then pitched forward.

Melisa found herself frozen in place as the woman's body fell towards her. With a dull thud, the assassin collapsed at Melisa's feet, her lifeless eyes staring up at the young nim.

Javir wasted no time rushing to Melisa's side.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" she asked, helping Melisa to her feet.

Melisa shook her head, taking her eyes off the attacker.

"I'm fine, just a bit surprised." Her eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to her. "You got here awfully fast, though. Almost like you were... waiting."

Javir's expression shifted, a mix of guilt and admiration crossing her features.

"You truly are remarkably perceptive for your age, Melisa. Yes, I used you as bait. But I swear, I never intended for you to be in any real danger."

Melisa felt a flash of anger, but it quickly subsided. She understood the logic, even if she didn't like being used.

"I forgive you," Melisa said after a moment. "But next time, maybe let me in on the plan?"

Javir nodded, relief evident in her eyes.

"You have my word. From this moment on, no harm will come to you. I'll make sure of it."

But Melisa shook her head, a determined glint in her eye.

"That's great, but... That's not all."

"What?"

Melisa inhaled. Her eyes found that assassin again.

"I can't spend every single moment of the day next to you. But, I don't want to hide or lay low. I need to be strong."

Jaavir seemed to understand where this was going, but she let Melisa speak.

"I want to be strong. I want you to teach me to be like you, to be a real mage." She gestured at the aftermath of the magical duel. "I want to show the world what I can do. What nim can do."

"I will train you," Javir promised. "But... You're still..."

"Too young? I know," Melisa nodded. "But, I don't think they care." She nodded at the assassin's body.

"No, they don't."

Javir studied Melisa for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face.

"Very well," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and resignation. "I'll teach you everything I know. But be warned, the path you're choosing won't be easy."

Melisa grinned, excitement bubbling up inside her.

"I'm ready for whatever comes. I promise."