I pushed the disturbing vision of those red eyes to the back of my mind. Nothing I could do about it now - learning stronger scrying magic would take months of study.

Professor Moira's voice cut through my brooding. "Remember ladies, when seducing nobility, subtle signals work better than overt displays."

I found myself nodding along, taking notes. The class no longer made me uncomfortable like it used to. The techniques were just tools, after all.

"Body language speaks volumes," Moira continued, demonstrating a graceful turn that emphasized her curves while appearing completely natural.

After class ended, I joined Aria and Isabella at our usual table in the canteen. The food today was some kind of writhing meat stew, but I'd gotten used to variety of Hell's cuisine by now.

"Did you hear about the new teacher?" Aria leaned forward, violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "He's replacing Professor Vox."

"What happened to Vox?" I asked, genuinely curious. The math teacher had seemed fine yesterday.

Isabella delicately dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "Called away on urgent business, apparently. But yes, I heard we're getting a Devil as his replacement."

"And he's supposedly incredibly handsome." Aria sighed dreamily. "Even by Devil standards."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Every Devil is handsome, Aria. It's part of their nature."

"No, no - I mean he's supposedly exceptional even among Devils." Aria gestured enthusiastically with her fork. "My friend in second year saw him arriving this morning. She said he looks like a sculpture come to life."

I found myself oddly invested in the gossip. Maybe it was the succubus in me, or maybe I was just getting better at embracing casual conversations about supernatural beauty.

"When's his first class?" I asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Isabella replied. "Though I doubt he'll be as impressive as the rumours suggest."

"Want to bet on it?" Aria grinned mischievously.

"I'll take that bet." Isabella's lips curved into a predatory smile. "If I'm right and he's just another pretty Devil, I get a night with Lily."

My heart skipped a beat at her directness. Before I could protest, Aria clapped her hands together.

"Deal! And if I win, I want to borrow your personal slave for the night, Isabella."

"Hey!" I found my voice. "Don't I get any say in this? You're betting with me as the prize here."

Isabella's silvery laugh rang out. "Of course, dear. What would you like to bet on then? If you win, you can choose your prize too."

I opened my mouth to object, to say this wasn't what I meant at all. But the words died in my throat. I couldn't deny my curiosity about Isabella. I'd experienced Aria's passionate yet playful approach, but Isabella carried herself differently - controlled, refined, dangerous.

"Fine." I crossed my arms, surrendering to the playful energy at our table. "Then I bet he'll be less handsome than an average Devil."

Isabella's ice-blue eyes widened. "That's quite a risky wager. Devils are known for their supernatural beauty. To suggest one would be below average..."

I leaned forward, words instinctively rolling of my tongue before I could stop them. "And if I win, I want both of you for the night."

The words hung in the air for a moment. My face flushed hot as I processed what I'd just proposed. But I didn't take it back.

Aria's violet eyes lit up. "Ooh, I like where this is going. A threesome sounds absolutely delightful."

"Well then." Isabella's pale fingers drummed once on the table. "We have ourselves a proper bet. Though I must say, Lily, you continue to surprise me. I wouldn't have expected such... initiative from you."

"Is that a yes?" I asked, my heart racing.

"It is." Isabella's predatory smile returned. "May the most accurate judge of devilish beauty win."

I paced in our room, my face burning with embarrassment. What had come over me? Suggesting a threesome with both Aria and Isabella... That wasn't like me at all.

"I can't believe I said that," I muttered, running my fingers through my white hair.

Bellas looked up from where he was folding clothes. "Would my mistress like something to drink to calm her nerves?"

"No, I... I need some air." I hurried out of the room before he could respond.

The corridors of the Academy felt stifling. I needed to get outside, clear my head. Maybe walking through Igneus would help settle these conflicting emotions.

As I walked down the obsidian streets, my mind kept circling back to that moment in the canteen. The way the words had just slipped out, so naturally. I found myself praying that Aria's assessment of the new Devil teacher would be right. At least then I wouldn't have to face the consequences of my impulsive bet.

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"...northern caves are getting restless," a gravelly voice caught my attention.

I slowed my pace, listening to two demons conversing near a market stall.

"Third attack this week," the other demon replied. "Something's stirring up the dead."

"Keep your voice down," the first demon hissed. "Don't want to start a panic."

I continued walking, filing away this information for later. The northern caves weren't far from the Academy...

"Well, if it isn't the merchant's daughter."

I turned to find Valentina standing there, but something was different. Her usual venomous tone carried an edge of uncertainty.

"What do you want, Valentina?" I kept my voice steady.

"I..." she started strong but faltered. "You think you're so special, don't you? With your... your..."

The words seemed to die in her throat. The punishment must have affected her more than I'd thought. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to maintain her proud stance.

"Just stay away from me," she finally managed, but the threat lacked its usual bite.

I watched Valentina's retreating form, her usual confident strut replaced by uncertain steps.

A piercing scream cut through my thoughts, followed by more shouts echoing down the obsidian streets. I turned toward the commotion, curiosity getting the better of me.

Demons rushed past me, their faces lit with excitement rather than fear. I followed the crowd, pushing through until I could see what caused the disturbance.

Skeletons clashed with hell's guards, their bones clicking and clattering against demon steel. Zombies lurched forward, their rotting flesh hanging in strips as they grabbed at anything within reach. The guards cut them down, only for more undead to stumble forward from the shadows.

"Twenty soul coins on the captain losing an arm!" A demon beside me shouted.

"Thirty on the skeleton getting beheaded!" Another called back.

Blood sprayed across the black stone street as a guard's blade severed a zombie's head. The crowd cheered. A small demon child jumped up and down, clapping as the head rolled past her feet.

"Did you see that? Right through the neck!" The child squealed with delight.

I stood frozen, watching this display of violence. The demons around me treated it like entertainment, placing bets and cheering each gruesome death. Not a hint of fear crossed their faces - why would they fear death when they'd simply reform some time later?

A shadow passed overhead. Pyrrha Lilitu descended from the crimson sky, her silver hair streaming behind her like liquid metal. She landed gracefully between the guards and undead, raised her blade, and swung.

A wave of pure energy erupted from her weapon, tearing through the ranks of undead. Bones shattered and rotten flesh disintegrated. In one strike, she'd ended the entire battle.

"Show's over," she announced to the disappointed crowd. "Return to your business."

As demons dispersed, grumbling about interrupted entertainment, Pyrrha's emerald eyes met mine. Her stern expression softened into a smile. She gave me a small nod, no doubt recognizing me from our visit to the estate, before launching herself back into the sky.

"...and then Pyrrha just obliterated all of them with one strike," I said, sitting cross-legged on my bed while Aria sprawled across hers. Isabella perched elegantly in our desk chair.

"Mother does have a flair for the dramatic," Isabella mused, twirling a strand of silver hair. "Though I'm more concerned about what those demons were saying about the northern caves."

"Right?" I leaned forward. "Three attacks this week alone. Something's definitely stirring up the undead."

"Ooh, we should totally check it out!" Aria bounced up, her violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "Maybe there's treasure in those caves. Or ancient artifacts. Or cute vampire boys!"

Isabella's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "That would be incredibly reckless. Those caves are dangerous even without undead pouring out of them."

"Isabella's right," I said. "We don't know what we'd be walking into."

"Oh come on!" Aria flopped back dramatically. "We're demons! What's the worst that could happen? We die and reform? Big deal! And we wouldn't be going alone - there's three of us!"

"Three academy students," Isabella pointed out.

"Three very capable academy students," Aria countered. "You're amazing with combat magic, Isabella. I'm great at alchemy. And Lily..." She gestured vaguely in my direction. "Lily's got that weird talent thing going on."

I raised an eyebrow at her description but didn't argue. She wasn't wrong about my unexplained abilities.

"Besides," Aria continued, "aren't you both curious about what's causing this? It could be fun!"

I watched Isabella's face as she considered Aria's proposal. Her usual composed expression wavered.

"If Lily agrees, I'll accompany you both," Isabella said, straightening in her chair. "Someone needs to keep you two out of trouble."

Aria turned to me, her violet eyes wide and pleading. She clasped her hands together under her chin, bottom lip jutting out slightly.

"Please, Lily? Pretty please?"

I sighed, running a hand through my white hair. "Fine. But the moment things get dangerous, we're running for it. No heroics, no treasure hunting, just straight back to safety."

Aria squealed and launched herself across the room, tackling me in a hug that sent us both sprawling across my bed. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"We're not going today," I added firmly, extracting myself from her embrace.

"Well duh," Aria sat up, smoothing her uniform. "We've got that bet to settle tomorrow first. I can't wait to see who our new devil teacher is going to be!"

Heat crept into my cheeks as I remembered the terms of our wager. I buried my face in my hands, trying to hide my blush.

"It's quite adorable how you still act like a shy maiden sometimes," Isabella remarked with a knowing smirk. "Especially considering what you suggested if you win the bet. A threesome with all three of us, wasn't it?"

"I said that in the heat of the moment," I mumbled through my fingers, face burning hotter.

I slumped in my chair next to Aria, watching our classmates kill time before the new devil teacher arrived. Two succubi three rows ahead locked lips, their hands wandering freely. A year ago, such a display would have shocked me. Now it barely registered.

The click of boots against stone echoed through the classroom. Our new instructor walked in - and my heart sank. He looked... ordinary. Handsome, yes, but nothing spectacular. His dark hair fell neatly around curved horns, his features pleasant but unremarkable.

"Is that it?" Aria whispered, disappointment clear in her voice. "He's so... bland. For a devil, I mean."

My stomach dropped as realization hit me. I'd bet he'd be below average for a devil's appearance. And judging by the collective sighs of disappointment from my classmates...

"Looks like you won," Isabella's voice drifted from behind us, tinged with amusement. "My room after classes? It's more private than your shared dorm."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "About that bet... can't we just forget what I said?"

"A bet is a bet, dear Lily." Isabella's tone carried a hint of predatory anticipation. "You seemed quite... enthusiastic when suggesting the terms."

"But I-"

"Good morning, class." The devil's voice cut through my protest. "I am Professor Malphas, and I'll be taking over mathematics for the foreseeable future."

I sank lower in my seat, trying to focus on his introduction. But my mind kept drifting to tonight. To Isabella's room. To what would happen there. The worst part wasn't the embarrassment burning my face - it was the flutter of excitement in my stomach. These weren't just my succubus instincts talking anymore. Part of me actually wanted this.

What had I gotten myself into?