I sat on my bed, carefully opening the letter from Lilith while Aria rummaged through her wardrobe.

"What do you think about this one?" Aria held up a sheer black dress.

"Too revealing for the mortal realm," I said, pulling out the perfumed parchment. The scent of brimstone and roses wafted from the paper.

My dearest Lily,

I hope this letter finds you well. I trust your studies are progressing smoothly. Your father misses you terribly - he keeps pacing the throne room when he thinks I'm not looking.

"Maybe this one then?" Aria twirled in a midnight blue ensemble.

"Better," I mumbled, returning to the letter.

Moira informed me about that despicable Morgenstern girl's attempt to drug you. The audacity of that worthless spawn! Say the word, my dear, and I'll ensure their entire house burns. I'll start by flaying the skin from her bones, then-

The next paragraph detailed tortures so graphic I had to skip ahead, my stomach churning. It was a stark reminder of who - what - Lilith really was.

But enough about that unpleasant business. I heard you're heading to the mortal realm soon. While I don't particularly care about mortal lives, you must be careful not to kill them during feeding. Unlike your slave, mortals haven't been enhanced to withstand a succubus's hunger.

I froze, the words hitting me like a punch to the gut. All this time, I could have killed someone? The only reason Bellas survived was because he'd been... modified?

"This red one is gorgeous!" Aria's voice barely registered.

The key is to take small sips of their energy, like sampling fine wine. Focus on prolonging their pleasure - it makes the energy flow sweeter anyway. Start with gentle touches, building slowly...

The letter continued with detailed feeding instructions that made me blush.

"Earth to Lily!" Aria waved her hand in front of my face. "You haven't looked at a single outfit!"

"Sorry, just... reading a letter from Mother." The word felt strange on my tongue.

Remember darling, you're my precious daughter. Take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to write if you need anything.

*All my love,

Mother*

I set the letter aside, feeling oddly touched despite myself. It was exactly the kind of motherly attention I'd never had as Liam - even if it came from Hell's queen herself. The thought made me uncomfortable. What would Lilith do if she knew the truth about me?

"Finally!" Aria said, now wearing a dress that could pass as a conservative in the mortal world. Her demonic features melted away as she cast a glamour spell. "Come on, we need to get to the transport gate soon."

I nodded, tucking the letter away. Following my instincts, I reached for my own magic, letting it wash over me. My horns and tail disappeared, replaced by a human appearance. It was strange how naturally it came now, when just a week ago I'd barely understood mana manipulation.

"At least the innate magic is easier than what we learn in class," I said, standing up.

"True that." Aria checked her reflection one last time. "Ready?"

I followed Aria through Igneus's winding streets, our heels clicking against the obsidian paths. The trade hub sprawled before us, demons of all kinds rushing about their business. Isabella waited by the transport gate, her silver hair gleaming under the crystal lights.

"There you are," Isabella said. "I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost."

The transport gate dominated the plaza - a massive black arch inscribed with hellish runes that pulsed with crimson energy. A steady stream of demons passed through its shimmering surface, disappearing and emerging from different realms.

"Look who's here," Aria muttered, nodding toward Valentina who stood with her group.

Valentina shot us a venomous glare before turning away. The manual labor punishment had clearly done nothing to improve her attitude.

"Just ignore her," Isabella said, launching into a discussion with Aria about the latest gossip from the Crystal District.

I tuned out their chatter, fascinated by the gate's operation. Each time a demon stepped through, the surface rippled like liquid mercury. The runes shifted and realigned, presumably adjusting to different destinations. A group of merchants emerged carrying crates of mortal goods, while a succubus disappeared through the portal clutching a struggling human in chains.

Professor Auriel arrived, her golden hair bound in a practical braid. She approached one of the demon guards - a massive brute with curved horns and scaled skin. They exchanged words as she counted out several soul coins into his meaty palm.

"Everyone, gather in your groups," Auriel called out. "We'll be passing through momentarily."

I moved closer to Isabella and Aria as the class assembled. The guard input something into a control panel beside the gate, causing the runes to pulse brighter.

"Follow me closely," Auriel instructed. "And remember your glamour spells. We don't want to cause a panic in the mortal realm."

I stepped through the shimmering gate, a tingling sensation washing over my skin. The portal deposited us into what appeared to be an underground chamber. My eyes widened at the scene before me.

Red-robed figures writhed together on silk cushions scattered across the stone floor. Incense smoke curled through the air, carrying a heady sweetness that made my succubus instincts stir. Candles cast dancing shadows on walls covered in profane symbols.

"Welcome, daughters of darkness," a hooded cultist approached us, bowing deeply. "Would you honour us by joining our ceremony of pleasure?" He directed the question to Professor Auriel.

"We're here on business," Auriel replied curtly. "Nothing more."

I couldn't tear my gaze away from the debauched tableau. Men and women tangled together in various states of undress, lost in their carnal worship. My textbooks had mentioned mortal pleasure cults, but seeing one in person...

Next to me, Aria's eyes gleamed with interest while Isabella maintained a carefully neutral expression.

Several of our classmates were practically salivating at the display. One succubus even took a step toward the writhing mass before Auriel's sharp voice cut through the heavy atmosphere.

"Ladies, we are here to gather ingredients," she reminded us firmly. "Follow me outside. Now."

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I gladly followed her toward the exit, trying to ignore how my body had instinctively responded to the raw sexuality permeating the chamber.

We emerged from the dank basement into what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. The musty air gave way to something different - not quite fresh, but heavy with the scent of coal smoke and machine oil.

My heart sank as I took in the cityscape before us. This wasn't the Earth I knew. Brass and copper spires stretched toward grey skies, while massive airships drifted between buildings on steam-powered propellers. Horse-drawn carriages clattered past on cobblestone streets, but they were mechanical constructs of gleaming metal rather than flesh and blood steeds.

Women in corseted dresses and men in top hats strolled past towering clockwork lampposts. The architecture reminded me of Victorian London, yet everything was twisted into some strange alternate reality version of itself.

"Welcome to New London, capital of the United British Empire," Professor Auriel announced, gesturing at the industrial panorama. "Mind the automata - they're not always good at avoiding pedestrians."

"Wow, look at those flying machines!" Aria bounced excitedly beside me, pointing at the airships overhead.

"This isn't..." I muttered under my breath, unable to hide my disappointment.

Isabella caught my whispered words. "Something wrong?" she asked quietly.

I forced a casual shrug. "Oh, nothing really. Just different from an earth I saw before."

Isabella laughed, the sound musical despite her obvious amusement. "Well, that's obvious. There are many different earths out there. The one you've been to must have been quite different from this one."

My heart skipped a beat. Different earths? The thought of another world with another Liam made my head spin. Could there be...

"At least each earth is unique," Aria chimed in, interrupting my thoughts. "It would be boring if they weren't." She nudged me with her elbow. "Though imagine meeting yourself from before becoming a succubus. That could be fun."

Isabella nodded sagely. "The multiverse was made diverse, but not infinite. Though that doesn't mean the creator didn't get lazy. There are many things that are copied over between worlds."

"Oh yes, my mother told me about this," Aria said, bouncing on her heels with enthusiasm.

Our group followed Professor Auriel through winding streets until we reached the city outskirts. The buildings gave way to rolling hills dotted with twisted trees and peculiar flowers I'd never seen before.

"Each group will receive different assignments," Professor Auriel announced, pulling out several sealed envelopes. "These tasks are designed to test your knowledge of ingredients and your ability to work together."

She handed each group leader a pendant - simple brass discs etched with arcane symbols. Isabella examined ours with keen interest.

"These pendants will allow you to contact me in emergencies only," Professor Auriel's golden eyes fixed on each of us in turn. "And I mean true emergencies, not 'we can't find ingredients' situations."

She distributed the envelopes, continuing her instructions. "We'll meet here at sunrise tomorrow. Whether you've completed your tasks or not, you must return. Those who don't show up or fail to gather all required ingredients will receive a failing grade."

"Remember, I'll depart whether you're here or not. Those left behind will have to contact their families for retrieval." Her eyes narrowed. "Or experience... less pleasant means of returning."

I felt a chill run down my spine at her words, though I wasn't sure why.

Aria fidgeted beside me. "What if we finish early?"

"When you've completed your tasks, feel free to use the pendant to contact me," she added, her tone lighter. "I've arranged suitable accommodations for tonight."

"But if you want, you're free to spend your remaining time however you wish." Professor Auriel's lips curved into a slight smile. "Though I suggest discretion. If you draw unwanted attention from the locals, you're on your own. I won't intervene unless your lives are genuinely at risk."

"What counts as unwanted attention?" someone asked.

"Use your common sense. This isn't the First Circle - mortals here aren't accustomed to succubi." She gestured to the city behind us. "Their authorities tend to respond poorly to demons. Keep your glamours active and behave appropriately."

Isabella tucked our envelope into her dress. "When can we begin?"

"Now." Professor Auriel waved her hand dismissively. "Remember - sunrise tomorrow, no excuses."

I opened the envelope Isabella held, and we huddled together to examine the contents. The parchment listed various ingredients - some familiar, others completely foreign to my eyes.

"Smog shrooms?" I squinted at the list. "And flux crystals?"

"Oh, those grow in factory districts!" Aria's eyes lit up. "The smog shrooms, I mean. They feed off industrial pollution."

Isabella pulled out the catalogue Professor Auriel had instructed us to bring. "Let's see what we're dealing with before rushing off."

We found a relatively clean patch of grass to sit and study the detailed descriptions and illustrations. Some ingredients, like nightshade and mandrake, I recognized from my previous life. Others, like midnight oil and brass moss, seemed to exist only in this steampunk world.

"We should split up," Isabella suggested, marking locations on a crude map included with our materials. "Cover more ground that way."

"I can handle the herbs," I offered quickly, spotting an opportunity to work with something familiar. "Nightshade, mandrake, and wolfsbane - I've seen these before."

Aria bounced excitedly. "I'll take the smog shrooms! And these other fungi too - they usually grow in similar conditions."

"That leaves me with the flux crystals and underground ingredients." Isabella traced a finger along what appeared to be tunnel entrances marked on the map. "We should meet back at the pub marked here in four hours. That gives us time to gather everything before dark."

"What if we run into trouble?" Aria asked.

Isabella tapped the pendant. "Real emergencies only, remember? Otherwise, we're on our own."

We divided the list according to our chosen tasks. As I memorized my portion, I felt oddly grateful for my Earth knowledge. At least some things remained constant across worlds.

I knelt beside a cluster of nightshade plants, their dark purple flowers a stark contrast against the smog-tinged leaves. My fingers hesitated for a moment before plucking the berries - old habits from my human life warning of their toxicity. But this body wasn't human anymore.

The plants here had adapted to their environment, their stems taking on an almost metallic sheen where factory smoke had settled. Still, I recognised them easily enough. What surprised me more was how clearly I could see everything - from the finest veins in the leaves to movement in the branches fifty metres away.

These demon eyes picked up details I'd never noticed as Liam. The world seemed sharper, more vivid. Even in the dim forest light, colours jumped out with startling clarity.

A twig snapped behind me. I turned to find Valentina and one of her followers - Clara or Cara, I couldn't remember which - watching me from between the trees.

"Well, if it isn't the merchant's daughter," Valentina's lip curled. "Scavenging in the dirt where you belong."

I continued gathering berries, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response.

"I suppose that's all your kind knows how to do - root around like animals." She crossed her arms. "Though I'm surprised you can even identify the correct plants, given your... background."

Her lackey tittered on cue, but I noticed how Valentina kept her distance. The memory of Valencia's punishment was clearly still fresh.

"At least I know what I'm looking for," I said, tucking the berries into my pouch. "Unlike some who seem to be wandering aimlessly."

Valentina's face flushed dark red. "You-"

"Careful," I cut her off. "Wouldn't want another chat with the Headmistress, would you?"

"Stop hiding behind the Headmistress," Valentina snarled, her perfect features twisting into an ugly mask.

I rose from my crouch, brushing dirt from my skirts. "That's rich, coming from someone who only throws her weight around because of her family name."

"How dare you!" Her eyes flashed crimson through her glamour. "A lowborn like you couldn't possibly understand what it means to uphold a noble household's reputation."

"If I'm so lowborn," I said, meeting her gaze steadily, "then why are you so obsessed with me? You're a pureblood, aren't you? Shouldn't you be above caring what someone like me thinks?"

Valentina's mouth opened, then closed. For once, she seemed at a loss for words.

"After all," I continued, watching her squirm, "someone of your supposed stature shouldn't care whether a mere merchant's daughter wants to associate with you or not." I took a step closer. "Or is your pride really so fragile that it can be shattered by a simple lowborn refusing to worship at your feet?"

The colour drained from Valentina's face. Her follower glanced between us uncertainly, clearly wondering if she should intervene.

"No commoner should be able to humiliate a pureblood like that," Valentina spat. "I was merely paying you back for what you did in the cafeteria."

I straightened my back, meeting her burning gaze. "Even so, what you did in the garden went too far. Using feral-inducing nectar? Even if the effects are temporary, that's crossing a line."

"I-"

"Is this what you wanted?" I cut her off. "To hear that you've won? Fine. You've proven your point. You're stronger, better, more powerful - whatever helps you sleep at night. Now stop bothering me and get lost."

For a split second, something flickered across Valentina's face - hurt? vulnerability? - before her features hardened again. Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed off, her follower scurrying after her. They vanished between the trees, leaving only rustling leaves in their wake.

I returned to gathering herbs, but my mind kept drifting back to that moment. For just an instant, Valentina had looked as if she was about to cry. But that couldn't be right, could it?

My fingers paused over a sprig of wolfsbane. A strange thought occurred to me: was this her way of seeking attention? Like those schoolyard boys who pulled girls' pigtails because they didn't know how else to express themselves? And her hostility towards Aria - was it simply jealousy?

I shook my head, focusing back on the task at hand. These herbs wouldn't gather themselves, and I had already wasted enough time on Valentina's drama.