We arrived early to class, finding seats near the front. Aria was in the middle of telling me about her mother's romantic escapades.

"And then she actually hooked up with this gargoyle! Can you believe it?" Aria wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "The look on father's face when he found out-"

"Excuse me." A sultry voice interrupted. I turned to see a stunning blonde succubus with crimson eyes staring at me with naked desire. "You should really find better company."

Aria's smile vanished. "We were having a private conversation-"

The crack of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the classroom as the blonde's hand connected with Aria's cheek. "How dare a common succubus interrupt me?"

My jaw dropped at the sudden violence. The other students watched with eager interest, but no one moved to intervene.

"I am Valentina Morgenstern," the blonde announced, preening. "Heir to House Morgenstern and a pureblood succubus." She turned those burning eyes back to me. "I've taken quite a fancy to you. You should feel honored - a pureblood showing interest in someone of your... station. Ditch this trash and serve your betters."

Aria's hand was frozen halfway to her reddened cheek, her eyes wide at the name Morgenstern.

I remembered Moira's words about the academy's anti-discrimination policies. "I'm not interested," I said firmly. "And you should watch yourself with the face-slapping. Your status means nothing here in the academy."

Aria seemed to find her voice again. "Yeah, take your stuck-up attitude somewhere else!"

Valentina's eyes narrowed dangerously at Aria before returning to me. "We're in Hell, darling. The academy's protection won't last forever. After graduation..." She let the threat hang. "I'm giving you one last chance."

Looking at Aria's defiant expression despite her fear, I realized I'd grown fond of my roommate. Her cheerful nature and genuine attitude meant more than this noble's threats and promises.

Besides, even if Valentina's word held weight outside these walls, I doubted House Morgenstern could match that of Lucifer's daughter. Not that I planned to stick around in Hell long enough to find out.

"Get lost," I said coolly. "I prefer Aria's company to a spoiled brat who can't follow basic rules."

Valentina's face contorted with rage. She opened her mouth to retort, but movement at the classroom door made her pause. Professor Moira stepped in, and Valentina's mouth snapped shut. With a final venomous glare at both of us, she stalked away to find a seat.

Aria leaned close once Valentina was out of earshot. "Thank you," she whispered, her purple eyes shining with gratitude. "You didn't have to do that. House Morgenstern is... well, they're not people you want as enemies."

"Please. Her company compared to yours? No contest." I gave her a reassuring smile. "Besides, I can't stand bullies who think they're better just because of their background."

Professor Morrigan cleared her throat. "Settle down, class." Her sharp gaze swept across the room. "Today we begin our study of Magicraft fundamentals."

The classroom fell silent. Even Valentina, still fuming in the back corner, turned her attention to the front.

"As succubi, you all possess natural magical abilities," Professor Morrigan continued, pacing before the blackboard. "Your Magicka Cortex allows you to cast spells instinctively, while your Mana Heart provides the necessary power." She traced a complex symbol in the air, leaving glowing trails. "However, raw talent alone will only take you so far."

She gestured, and the symbol burst into a shower of sparks. "Through proper understanding of magical theory and dedicated practice, you can refine your innate abilities into something far more potent. Think of it like dancing - your bodies know the basic movements, but technique and knowledge elevate mere motion into art."

My pen scratched across paper as I took notes. This actually reminded me of calculus - knowing the formulas was one thing, but understanding why they worked opened up whole new possibilities.

"Your Magicka Cortex processes mana differently depending on your focus and intent," Professor Morrigan explained. "By learning to consciously direct this process rather than relying on instinct alone, you'll achieve greater control and efficiency in your spellcasting."

The practical applications of this knowledge began forming in my mind. If I could better understand how magic worked, maybe I could find a way back to my original body - or at least figure out what had happened that put me in this situation.

As we left Professor Morrigan's classroom, Aria stretched her arms above her head. "That was actually less boring than I thought it'd be."

"It was pretty interesting," I agreed, keeping my enthusiasm in check. The theoretical framework behind magic fascinated me, but I knew Aria preferred hands-on learning.

"Still," Aria grinned, "give me Seduction class any day. At least there we get to practice what we learn."

We turned the corner toward Biology class when Valentina blocked our path, flanked by two other succubi who hovered around her like moths to a flame.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"This isn't over," Valentina sneered, her red eyes blazing. "How dare you humiliate me like that in front of everyone?"

"You're doing a fine job of that yourself," I muttered under my breath.

Valentina's face contorted with rage. "What did you just say?"

"Oh my, did the merchant's daughter actually talk back?" One of Valentina's cronies gasped.

"Such uncouth behavior," the other chimed in. "But what can you expect from someone who associates with common succubi?"

"You should know your place," Valentina jabbed her finger at me. "A nobody like you has no right to refuse me."

I barely contained my laughter. Their coordinated verbal assault was straight out of a bad teen drama. But glancing at Aria, I noticed her tensing up, ready for a fight.

"That's quite enough." A cool voice cut through the tension.

A silver-haired succubus approached us, her ice-blue eyes regarding Valentina's group with casual disdain.

Valentina's posse exchanged uncertain glances before retreating, their leader shooting me one last venomous glare.

"Isabella Lilitu," the newcomer introduced herself. "Some people have trouble accepting the academy's structure. They usually come around by second year - or face the consequences." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I must say, I'm impressed. Not many have the courage to stand up to Valentina like that, even with the school's protection."

"Thank you for the help," I said carefully, studying Isabella's elegant features. "Though I have to wonder why you stepped in."

Isabella's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Let's just say Valentina and I have... differences of opinion. She parades around flaunting her family name like it's an achievement, when she hasn't done anything worthwhile herself."

"And that bothers you?" Aria asked, her earlier tension melting into curiosity.

"She's making all purebloods look bad," Isabella's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "Some of us actually work to earn our position. Having someone like her running around, throwing tantrums like a spoiled child... it reflects poorly on all of us."

The realization hit me like a bucket of cold water. This wasn't about helping us at all - it was pure politics. Isabella saw an opportunity to undermine Valentina and took it. We were just convenient pawns in their power play.

How very... hellish.

My thoughts drifted to my earlier confrontation. Standing up for Aria, refusing to abandon her - those weren't typical succubus behaviors. Most would have jumped at the chance to climb the social ladder, regardless of who they had to step on.

Well, too late to worry about that now. Besides, seeing Valentina's face when I refused her was worth any potential complications.

"We should head to Biology," Aria tugged at my sleeve. "Professor Tiamatha hates tardiness."

"Of course," Isabella inclined her head gracefully. "It was a pleasure meeting you both."

We exchanged goodbyes and hurried toward our next class, leaving Isabella and her political machinations behind.

I collapsed onto my bed, my mind still reeling from Professor Tiamatha's biology class. The way she casually pointed out erogenous zones on those anatomically correct models made me blush. The minotaur model was particularly... impressive.

"Gods, I thought she'd never stop talking about orc stamina," I groaned into my pillow.

"Are you kidding? That was fascinating!" Aria bounced onto her own bed. "Though I could've done without the detailed explanation of minotaur mating habits."

"At least Math was peaceful." I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling.

"Peaceful for you maybe." Aria propped herself up on her elbows. "How did you do that anyway? You were practically sleeping until Vox called you out."

I tensed. I couldn't exactly tell her that as Liam, I'd earned an engineering degree. "Just intuition, I guess. Numbers come naturally to me."

"That's so unfair!" Aria flopped back dramatically. "I wish I could sleep through class and still answer everything perfectly. Did you see his face when you solved that equation without even looking at the board?"

"He did seem surprised." I smiled, remembering Professor Vox's bewildered expression.

"Surprised? He looked like someone had slapped him with a fish! And then he just... gave up on catching you not paying attention." Aria laughed. "Though he made poor Sylvia solve problems for the rest of the class when he caught her passing notes."

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "The problems weren't that difficult."

"Says you! I was struggling with the basics while you were having a nice nap." Aria threw a pillow at me. "Some of us actually have to study, you know."

The door creaked open and Bellas stepped in, his muscular form glistening from whatever chores he'd been doing. My breath caught - even after our intimate encounter, seeing him nearly naked still stirred something in this succubus body.

"Perfect timing!" Aria sat up. "Bellas, sweetie, these classes have left us so tense. Why don't you give us both massages?"

"Of course, Mistress." His voice was soft, melodic - typical of elves. He approached Aria first, his hands already working their magic on her shoulders.

I watched them, conflicted. Part of me - the part that was still Liam - felt guilty about owning another person. But seeing how gently he touched Aria, remembering Valentina's cruel smirk... At least with us, he'd be treated with some kindness.

"Oh gods, right there," Aria moaned as Bellas worked on her back. "Lily, you have to try this. His hands are magical."

"I... um..." I felt my face heat up.

"Don't be shy." Aria turned her head to look at me, her purple eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, we could have some real fun tonight. All three of us."

My body responded eagerly to the suggestion, while my mind struggled with the implications. "I don't know..."

"Come on," Aria purred. "After dealing with Valentina and those boring classes, we deserve to unwind. And Bellas is so good at helping us relax, aren't you, pet?"

"I live to serve, Mistresses," Bellas replied, his fingers still working their magic on Aria's shoulders.

I swallowed hard, watching them. The succubus hunger stirred inside me again, making it harder to think straight. Part of me wanted to say yes, to give in to these new instincts. But another part still hesitated.

I stood up abruptly, my legs shaky. "I think I need a bath. To clear my head."

"Suit yourself." Aria stretched like a content cat under Bellas's skilled hands. "But if you change your mind..." She let out a pleased moan. "We'll be right here having fun once he finishes the massage."

My throat went dry at her implications. The bathroom beckoned - an escape from the growing heat in my body. I practically fled inside, closing the door behind me with trembling hands.

The large marble tub filled quickly. I sank into the steaming water, trying to let it wash away the burning need inside me. But even here, I could hear their voices through the door - Aria's pleased sighs, Bellas's soft responses.

I dunked my head under the water. The succubus body craved touch, connection, pleasure. Fighting it felt like trying to hold back a tide with my bare hands. Was this what my existence would be now? Constant struggle between who I was and what this body wanted?

Lilith had warned me about suppressing these urges. Said it wasn't healthy for a succubus. But giving in felt like losing the last piece of myself - of Liam.

A particularly loud moan from Aria made me sink even deeper into the water. My body responded traitorously, despite my attempts to ignore it.

I stared at the ceiling, water dripping from my hair. Maybe I was fooling myself. Could anyone really fight their own nature forever? And was I only making things harder by trying?