The Alchemy classroom buzzed with activity as students settled into their workstations. Dark wooden tables lined the room, each equipped with mortars, beakers, and other equipment I couldn't name. The scent of herbs and minerals hung thick in the air.

Professor Auriel stood at the front of the class, her golden hair cascading down her back as she arranged materials on her demonstration table. Despite being a fallen angel, she carried herself with grace and purpose. The occasional glimpse of her blackened wings, usually kept hidden, served as the only reminder of her past.

"Today we'll put theory into practice," she announced, her melodious voice carrying across the room. "The best way to understand alchemical properties is to witness their interactions first-hand."

I sat beside Aria at our shared workstation, watching as Professor Auriel gestured to the equipment before us.

"Turn to page six in your textbooks. We'll be creating a basic energizing tonic. Though the recipe is simple, pay close attention to how the ingredients interact. Understanding these fundamental reactions will form the foundation of your alchemical education."

Aria leaned close, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief. "Think we could give some to Bellas? Might make our evening activities more... interesting."

Heat crept into my cheeks as memories of last night flooded back - tangled limbs, passionate kisses, and... I shook my head, trying to focus on the task at hand. Opening my textbook, I scanned the list of ingredients: Thornroot, Infernal Moss, Vis Crystal, and Ember Spores.

The names meant nothing to me, though according to the footnotes, these were common materials in Hell. I glanced at the illustrations, showing various dried plants and crystalline formations.

"Each workstation has been provided with the necessary materials," Professor Auriel continued. "Remember to handle the Vis Crystals with care - they're quite delicate despite their appearance."

I wrinkled my nose at the peculiar scents wafting from our workstation. Despite my years studying chemistry as Liam, none of that knowledge helped here. Alchemy operated on entirely different principles - it was all about manipulating magical essence with mana.

"While we'll use equipment during your studies," Professor Auriel explained, gesturing to the array of tools before us, "by graduation, you'll be capable of performing alchemy with mana alone." She picked up a delicate glass beaker. "However, tools enhance efficiency. I recommend investing in a personal set after graduating."

Her golden eyes swept across the classroom. "Now, begin crafting. But remember - don't fixate on memorizing recipes. Every ingredient is unique. A true alchemist creates based on understanding properties and interactions, not by following rigid formulas."

I reached for the Thornroot, relieved that Professor Morrigan's mana manipulation lessons had prepared me for this. At least I wouldn't embarrass myself by not knowing how to channel magical energy.

Unlike in Magicraft class, where my unexpected talent had drawn unwanted attention, my results here were decidedly average. I glanced around, still uncomfortable remembering those predatory stares from my classmates after showing off during water magic practice. Perhaps being unremarkable wasn't such a bad thing.

Beside me, Aria's hands moved with surprising confidence. Her mixture already showed promising signs of transformation, the liquid shifting through various hues as she worked. She seemed to grasp the fundamental concepts of essence manipulation intuitively.

"This is amazing," Aria whispered, carefully adding Ember Spores to her concoction. "It's like the ingredients tell you what they want to become."

I continued working on my potion, carefully following the instructions. The liquid in my beaker shifted from murky brown to a pale green - not quite the vibrant emerald shown in the textbook, but close enough. At least it wasn't smoking or bubbling ominously like some of my classmates' attempts.

Beside me, Aria's concoction glowed with perfect intensity, the exact shade described in our reading. She bottled it with practiced movements, her violet eyes gleaming with pride.

"See? Not so hard once you get the hang of it," she said, patting my arm. "Though I have to admit, it's nice to finally beat you at something brainy. I mean, seriously - you sleep through math and still solve everything instantly. It's not fair!"

I ducked my head, embarrassed. "Math just... makes sense to me."

"Well, alchemy makes sense to me," Aria preened. "We all have our talents."

Professor Auriel clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Before we conclude today's lesson, I have an important announcement. Next week, we'll be conducting a special field trip to gather ingredients in one of the mortal realms."

The classroom erupted in excited whispers. My heart leaped - a chance to leave Hell, even if briefly?

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"You'll need to form groups of up to four students for a collaborative project," Auriel continued. "Choose wisely, as you'll be working together closely."

"Oh, this is going to be amazing!" Aria squealed, grabbing my arm. "I can't wait to play with some untamed mortals. Don't get me wrong, Bellas is wonderful, but there's something thrilling about breaking in fresh ones who haven't been trained yet."

My stomach twisted. For a brief moment, my body hummed with excitement at the prospect before my mind caught up. These were people Aria was talking about, not toys. Yet part of me had responded instinctively to the predatory suggestion. I suppressed a shudder.

Professor Auriel raised her hand, silencing the growing chatter. "Before you get too excited, understand this is strictly an academic expedition. No sightseeing or... extracurricular activities until after we complete our gathering tasks."

A collective groan rippled through the classroom. Aria pouted beside me, but I felt relieved. At least there would be some restraint on what my classmates could do to the local population.

As we packed our alchemy supplies, Isabella's tall figure cast a shadow over our workstation. Her ice-blue eyes fixed on us with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

"Form a group with me," she said without preamble.

I nearly dropped the crystal vial I was holding. The directness of her request caught me off guard - no small talk, no careful maneuvering. Just a straightforward demand.

Taking a steadying breath, I placed the vial carefully in its holder. "Why us? There must be plenty of other students eager to partner with a pureblood such as you."

"Exactly why I'm asking you two instead." Isabella's silver hair caught the light as she crossed her arms. "I need reliable partners."

Aria snorted, closing her alchemy book with more force than necessary. "And what makes you think we're reliable? We could just be really good at hiding our ambitions."

"Call it instinct." Isabella's lips curved into a slight smile.

Something about her answer didn't sit right with me. Purebloods, especially those from prominent houses, never did anything without multiple reasons. "What do you really want, Isabella?"

"Straight to the point? Fine." She leaned against our workbench, lowering her voice. "You two are the only ones I've seen who don't immediately start grovelling when a pureblood walks by. I need partners who won't waste time kissing my ass when we should be working."

Aria raised an eyebrow. "So you want us because we're not proper bootlickers? That's... different."

"Different is exactly what I need." Isabella's expression hardened. "Do you know how exhausting it is having people agree with everything you say? Never challenging your ideas even when they're clearly flawed?"

I understood that feeling all too well. Back when I was Liam, working as an engineer, I'd seen how yes-men could destroy even the best projects. "Having people challenge your ideas helps you grow."

"Precisely." Isabella's eyes lit up. "Most purebloods surround themselves with sycophants, and look how well that worked out for Valentina. She probably never had anyone tell her 'no' before coming here."

Aria twirled a strand of her black hair thoughtfully. "You know, most purebloods would see that as a good thing."

"Most purebloods are idiots drunk on borrowed power." Isabella's blunt statement made both of us stare. "What? It's true. They coast by on family reputation without developing any real strength of their own."

I studied her carefully, remembering what I'd read about Hell's politics. "You're trying to build your own power base."

"Smart girl." Isabella smiled, showing just a hint of fang. "But that's a conversation for another time. Right now, I need partners who won't freeze up or defer to me when things get dangerous in the mortal realm. So, what do you say?"

I exchanged looks with Aria. Working with Isabella could be risky - she clearly had her own agenda. But she was also offering something rare in Hell: honest collaboration.

"We'll need time to discuss it," I said carefully.

"Of course." Isabella straightened up. "But don't take too long. Other groups are forming quickly."

After she left, Aria turned to me. "Well, that was unexpected."

"Indeed." I gathered the last of our supplies. "What do you think?"

"I think..." Aria paused, choosing her words carefully, "she's telling the truth about wanting competent partners. But there's definitely more to it."

"Agreed." I nodded. "Though having a pureblood ally might not be the worst thing, especially with Valentina still around."

"True." Aria grinned. "Plus, did you see how she absolutely dragged other purebloods? That was kind of amazing."

I couldn't help but smile back. "It was rather refreshing."

"So we're doing this?"

I thought about Isabella's words - about building real strength rather than relying on status. It aligned surprisingly well with my own need to understand this world I'd been thrown into.

"Yes," I decided. "But we'll need to be careful. Just because she's being honest about wanting reliable partners doesn't mean she's showing all her cards."

The next morning, Aria and I made our way to the canteen to meet Isabella. We found her already seated at a corner table, a cup of steaming liquid in front of her.

"We'll join your group," I said as we sat down.

Isabella's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Excellent." Her reaction bothered me - it was as if she'd known our answer before we'd even given it.

"Don't look so smug," Aria said, dropping into the seat beside me. "We could still change our minds."

"But you won't." Isabella took a sip from her cup, her ice-blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, already questioning our decision. The way she carried herself, so certain of everything - it set off warning bells in my head.

But then something changed. Isabella's shoulders relaxed, and she leaned back in her chair. "Have you tried the blood tea here? It's actually quite decent."

"Blood tea?" I asked, trying to keep the horror out of my voice.

"Oh right, you're new to all this." Isabella's tone softened. "It's not what you think - just regular tea with a hint of preserved blood for flavor. Makes it richer."

Aria perked up. "The unicorn blood blend is my favorite."

"Really?" Isabella's face lit up. "That's my preferred morning drink too. Though the phoenix blood gives it a nice kick when you need extra energy."

I watched as they launched into an animated discussion about different tea blends. Isabella seemed... normal. Almost friendly. Her carefully maintained pureblood facade had melted away, replaced by genuine enthusiasm.

But a small voice in my head, that understood how politics worked reminded me to stay alert. This was still Hell, after all. Not everyone wore their intentions as openly as Aria did.

I made a mental note to keep watching Isabella carefully, even as she laughed at one of Aria's jokes. Just because she could act normal didn't mean she wasn't playing a longer game.