Chapter 174. Productive Night

Succubi Chapter 174. Productive Night

We finished our breakfast, took our lunch and dashed to the academy.

Well.

Dashed is a generous word.

Gladia waddled with purpose. Rivy strutted like the hallway personally owed her rent. Sera drifted like gravity was optional. Val walked like the academy was a subsidiary company under her name.

And Evelyn…

Evelyn walked beside me.

Silent.

Too silent.

Usually she carried that cool assassin vibe. Chin slightly raised. Eyes half lidded. That subtle aura of “I could stab you and still look elegant doing it.”

Today?

She was… different.

Every time our shoulders brushed, she stiffened slightly. Every time our eyes accidentally met, she blushed and looked away like she’d just remembered something scandalous.

Which, okay.

Fair.

But still.

The contrast was wild.

Cold assassin at night.

Shy dorm romance protagonist in the morning.

I glanced at her.

She caught it.

Blushed.

Looked down at the stone path.

My chest did that annoying soft thing again.

Stop that.

We stepped into the main academy building. High ceilings. Polished floors. Students from all houses moving in organized chaos. Banners of Valor, Arcana, Titan, and Saint hanging overhead.

First semester’s first class today was mixed.

All four houses.

Which meant…

Me.

Evelyn.

Leon.

Adrian.

Ares.

And a lot of witnesses.

We took our usual seats. Leon plopped down on my left. Evelyn on my right.

Side by side.

I felt the weight of it.

Leon leaned back in his chair and stretched.

“Morning,” he said casually.

“Morning,” I replied.

He looked at Evelyn.

Then at me.

Then back at Evelyn.

And then…

His eyebrows slowly rose.

Oh no.

Leon was not stupid.

He leaned slightly closer to me.

“…Did something happen?” he asked under his breath.

I stared straight ahead. “No.”

He blinked. “You leveled up,” he said immediately.

I turned my head slowly.

“…What.”

“You feel heavier,” he said. “Like your aura’s denser.”

I forgot Leon was a werewolf.

They sensed these things.

I cleared my throat.

“Academically productive night,” I said.

Leon’s gaze flicked to Evelyn.

She was staring very hard at her notebook like it had personally offended her.

He blinked again.

“…Oh.”

Adrian slid into the seat in front of us and turned around.

He looked between me and Evelyn once.

Then smirked.

“…Oh.”

I resisted the urge to throw something at him.

From across the room, Ares was watching.

Of course he was.

That guy had radar for me.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Then…

He frowned.

Not angry.

Confused.

He could feel it too.

The shift.

The level up.

He tilted his head slightly.

Trying to figure it out.

Good.

Stay confused.

I allowed myself a tiny smirk.

Yeah.

I was glowing a little.

Not literally.

My system stats were higher. My Demonic Influence had jumped. My aura carried more weight.

And it showed.

The class began.

Professor droned about theoretical cross house synergy. I took notes automatically, but my mind was half elsewhere.

Every now and then my arm brushed Evelyn’s.

Every time, she tensed slightly.

Once, I leaned over to whisper something about the lecture.

She looked at me.

Too close.

Too aware.

Her cheeks turned pink again.

Leon choked on nothing.

Adrian pretended to cough.

This was ridiculous.

After the mixed class ended, students split into their respective houses.

Leon clapped my shoulder once. “We’re talking later,” he said quietly.

I groaned internally.

Great.

House intervention incoming.

Evelyn stood up slowly.

We walked out together with the crowd.

“Are you okay?” I asked quietly as we reached the hallway.

She nodded too quickly. “I’m fine.”

“You’re blushing like someone confessed under a cherry blossom tree.”

She shot me a look. “Stop.”

I grinned slightly. “You were cooler last night.”

Her face turned red instantly. “Evan.”

I leaned a little closer, lowering my voice. “You’re cute like this though.”

That did it.

She glared at me.

But it lacked venom.

Which somehow made it worse.

“I’m going to Valor,” she muttered.

“I know.”

She hesitated for half a second.

Then…

Very quickly…

She brushed her fingers against mine before walking away.

Soft.

Brief.

But deliberate.

And my heart did that stupid soft thing again.

Control yourself.

Arcana awaited.

Adrian walked beside me toward our section.

“You are glowing,” he said bluntly.

“Stop saying that.”

“From?”

I stared at him.

He stared back.

We both knew.

He smirked. “I see.”

I hated him slightly.

We reached the Arcana training field.

Wide open grounds. Magic circles etched into the stone. Targets at various distances. Dummies reinforced with enchantments.

Instructor Elise was already there.

Of course she was.

Perfect posture. Arms crossed. Hair tied back neatly. That sharp gaze scanning the students as they approached.

Her eyes found me instantly.

Locked.

Stayed there.

And there it was again.

That look.

Interested.

Curious.

Not inappropriate.

Just… attentive.

Consistent.

She had been consistent since day one.

Felix sidled up next to me.

That guy still smelled like he bathed in liquid gold.

Expensive cologne hit my senses aggressively.

“Do you think,” Felix whispered conspiratorially, “we can hope for a teacher x student forbidden relationship?”

I choked on air. “Excuse me?”

Kyra appeared on my other side like she had been summoned by gossip. “I really want to see it,” she said dreamily. “Forbidden love is my favorite genre.” She tilted her head slightly. “Despite the fact that I might get jealous.”

I stared at her.

She smiled mysteriously.

Damn her.

Instructor Elise stepped forward. “Arcana,” she called.

The field quieted immediately.

“Today is battle training.”

Of course it was.

My favorite.

She walked between the rows slowly.

“You will spar in pairs.”

Her eyes flicked toward me again.

Then away.

Professional.

Very professional.

Felix leaned closer. “If she pairs you with her, I am writing fan fiction.”

“I will end you,” I muttered.

Kyra giggled.

Across the field, I could still feel Ares’ presence from earlier.

He had looked confused.

Annoyed.

Like something didn’t add up.

Which was fair.

I had gotten stronger overnight.

Without a public fight.

Without a dungeon.

Without a duel.

Instructor Elise stopped in front of me.

Her gaze lingered for half a second longer than necessary.

“You look different today, Evan,” she said calmly.

Here we go again.

“Academically productive night,” I repeated.

Her lips curved slightly. “I see.”

Her eyes held mine for a moment.

Searching.

Then she moved on.

Felix leaned into my shoulder.

“She is absolutely into you.”

“Shut up.”

Kyra hummed thoughtfully. “Forbidden love is such a delicious trope.”

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