“Welcome,” Gianche grumbled as a small group of students stumbled their way into the classroom, Lia among them. The wizard clad in blue robes waited for everyone to be seated before he spoke again. Now that the few stragglers have finally arrived, we can begin.”
“What took you so long?” Cyris asked as Lia sat beside him in the seat he had reserved.
“We got held up. You know what it's like catching up with an old friend.”
Cyris narrowed his eyes. “You’re tense all over. Did he do something to you?”
“Don't be stupid." Lia shook her head. "I've known Therion for a long time. He isn’t that kind of person. He's different from the other Oni.”
That's it, Lia... She thought to herself. Gotta keep the peace.
The wizard turned and, with a white piece of chalk, etched the word ‘affinity’ onto the blackboard behind him. “Can any of you tell me what this word means?”
Hands sprung up all throughout the classroom.
“Yes, you, go ahead.”
A boy with webbed fingers and fish-like ears stood to attention. His face was a mixture of scales and skin. “A natural liking for and understanding of someone or something.”
“Well done. I see that someone has been reading up on their terms. You may be seated.”
Gianche turned back and wiped the board clean. “Now, as accurate as that definition may seem. I have always found it just a tad misleading. So I will give you my own definition.”
The wizard waved his fingers over the peace of chalk and uttered a strange word that sent the child down Lia’s spine.
The chalk took on a faint glow before hovering through the air and etching the new definition onto the blackboard. It moved on its own, just as the book had floated and flicked through the pages by itself.
“A predisposition toward any particular person or thing.” Gianche read the new definition word for word without turning to examine it. “You see, I have always felt the old definition wasn't clear enough in that the word refers to almost a genetic fondness. A feeling you are born with.”
Lia found herself tracking each of the wizard's steps intently as he paced back and forth. “For some, it's sport. For others, it is animals. For me.” Gianche waved his hand in the air, his blue robes Swooshing as he did so. “It was the wind.”
A gust blew through the room, gathering a pile of books from the opposite corner of the room. Following the current of the wind, each book was deposited before an individual student. Lia leant back and gasped as hers fell from the sky.
"You see, ever since I was born, I had a particular fondness towards spells that relied on the wind. Of course, it helped that I was born a wizard."
The crowd fell into gentle laughter.
"But you see, this is the very definition of an affinity. I have the capability to use spells of other nature. However, I have always felt the urge to rely on and learn about the intricacies of the wind. A predisposition, if you will."
The gust of wind ceased, returning the room to normal. Each student now had a book before them.
“Open the first page," Gianche commanded, and the students did.
A strange diagram stared back at Lia.
Are these... elements?
"Fire," Gianche held out his hand, and a small flame flickered in his palm. He showed a similar example for each of the following affinities listed. "Water, wind and earth. These are the four main elements on which almost all magic is based. Most of you will find a fondness for one of these. Depending on your species, you may even find a fondness for two or three."
The students smiled at Gianche's presentation. Even Lia found herself fascinated.
"That doesn't mean that these are the only forms that magic can take. No. There are almost endless forms. Mr David, for example. The teacher you met in the previous class with a bit of a grumpy attitude."
The students laughed again, and Gianche cracked a wise smile.
"He has a very unique form of magic. One that I had never seen before. Projection magic. The ability to tell a story or share a memory without the use of words. Very beautiful, sometimes frightening."
The class nodded in agreement.
"Magic comes in all sorts of forms. Some have still yet to be discovered. But I like to believe that most of the more common forms are found inside this piece of text." Gianche tapped the cover of his own book. "Throughout the years, countless scholars have researched a list of all well-known species and compiled a list of their potential affinities into this book."
Lia brisked through the pages and was amazed by what she saw.
"This book is the best place to look for anyone wishing to pursue the magical arts. A succubus, for example, would find that they have the potential to control all four of the main key elements. Rare, but possible. There is also another magic listed in the book. A rare form of magic and uncommon even among the succubus race. Teleportation magic."
Murmurs and whispers spread through the class. Lia could feel the subtle gazes of the other students.
"Please, I would like each of you to find the chapters dedicated to your own species and read through them for the remainder of this class."
Lia reached out to touch the book, but a sharp pain struck her. She gasped and cradled her head with both hands. A thumping developed in her head like a stray knife was trying to force its way through her skull.
“Itylia, what's wrong?” Cyris whispered, leaning into her shoulder.
“It hurts...” Was all she could muster in reply. She pinched her eyes shut as if it would stop the pain from spreading any further.
Lia... Lia, can you hear me? Lia, answer me! It's me! A strange voice crackled in her mind as if it were invading her thoughts like a parasite. Big sis Lia!
Lia gasped and sat upright. The pain disappeared. A shadow loomed over her, and she looked towards it. Gianche stood over her, observing her with a furrowed brow.
“Feeling unwell?” The wizard asked. The rest of the students were deep in study.
Lia gave a brief nod.
“Then perhaps it might be beneficial for you to take a moment outside. Go get some fresh air. If need be, the nurse's office is not far from here.”
"I'll go with you."
"No..." Lia shook her head. "You stay. I'll be fine."
...
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Lia stumbled her way through the corridor. Unable to keep her balance, she relied heavily on the walls to assist her. Numerous students passed her by, but instead of helping, they would make sly comments and give her a wide berth.
The world was spinning. Each noise scraped against the inside of her ears, amplified by her panic. A tear made its way down her cheek.
Lia, it's me! Answer me, Lia! Where are you? Did you make it!?
“What is happening to me...” Lia whispered. The thoughts filling her mind were not hers but something else entirely, like a transmission through an old radio.
Each breath was a tight and small contraction. Lia stumbled to her knees. She gagged, and her whole body convulsed.
“Woah there.” A voice soft and kind filled the corridor. Another student, a girl with hulking arms and a chiselled chin, rushed over. She wrapped her arms around Lia and pulled her to her feet. “You okay darlin? Lets get you to the nurses office.”
“No!” Lia shouted in a panic. “O-o-outised. Take me outside.”
“You got it, girl.” The stranger grinned and then stormed her way through the corridor with Lia in tow. “Out of the way, people! We've got a live one here!”
Lia squeezed her eyes shut, willing the pain to be gone.
...
"You feeling better now?"
It was peaceful outside. No noise. Lia's thoughts had since stopped screaming at her and the headache was beginning to subside.
“Thank you,” Lia said, drawing in a deep breath. She lay flat on her back beneath the shade of a tree.
“No problem at all!” The woman flexed her biceps and grinned. Lia couldn't help but laugh a little. “What's your name, girly?”
“Itylia.” Lia replied, “And yours?”
“Turnip.”
"Thank you... Turnip."
"No problem. Sorry, but I cant really stick around, I have to get to class."
Lia nodded.
"You sure you're okay now? You still don't want to go to the nurse's office?"
"Im sure."
"Okay then. Well, it was nice meeting you, succubus girl! I hope to see you again." Turnip said, running off with a final wave.
...She just called me a succubus girl. Does everyone in the entire academy know who I am at this point?
...
Lia breathed deeply. She had ventured from small nature park surrounding the first year class rooms, over to the lake. High above her, up the hill, she could see the balcony on which she first admitted to Nara that she was in fact from the human realm.
The lake glistened beneath the afternoon sun, and silhouettes of fish swam just beneath the surface.
Lia, can you hear me?
Lia gasped at the sudden voice. It was so clear that she turned around to ensure no one was actually talking to her.
“Who is this...” Lia dared to whisper back.
Itylia.
That name struck her like a lightning bolt.
Im speaking to you from the human realm right now. Im so glad I was finally able to reach you. How are you going?
“H-how am I going?” Lia repeated, standing to her feet. “How the hell do you think I'm going!?”
You sound mad at me...
“You think!? Do you have any idea where I am right now?”
I can guess. Judging by how many days have passed since our encounter. I would say that you have been enrolled into the academy.
“The academy for monsters!” Lia exclaimed. “You have a lot of explaining to do!”
I know, and I will. So please, try and understand.
Lia sat down, crossed her legs and folded her arms. “Start talking.”
Right. You deserve an explanation, so here it is. Before I wen to the human realm, I had been trying for so long to convince my family to come out of hiding. To accept the new way of things and to try to form a relationship with the academy. But my parents refused, and my siblings labelled me a fool.
“Go on...” Lia grumbled.
It wasn't until a year ago that I finally managed to convince my parents to let me attend the academy. But it was only under two conditions that they would let me go. The first was that I had to hide my identity. And the second-
“You had to act as a spy for your mother.”
Correct. I thought this was amazing. A sign of change. Potential to repair and mend the broken relationships between my family and the rest of the monster realm.
“So why the hell aren't you here instead of me.”
A few days before I was scheduled to leave the castle for the academy. I overheard my mother having a discussion with my father and siblings.
“What kind of discussion?”
They were making plans to raid the human realm. That's why I came here on such short notice—to protect your world.
“Wait,” Lia shook her head. “Your family intends to invade my world?”
Correct. I don't know when. I came here as soon as possible. I needed somebody to take my place inside the monster realm so that my family didn't grow suspicious. Im sorry Lia... I didn't know what else to do. I was so scared that there was going to be another war.
Itylias voice came through as a mere whimper. And for the first time since arriving in the monster realm, Lia remembered her for what she truly was. A child.
“How are my family?”
Their safe.
“Do they... know that I'm missing?”
No. When we switched places. I altered not only your physical form, but also my own. Your family are still going about their normal daily lives. As if nothings changed.
Lia sighed. “So you're living as me right now?”
I am.
Lia drew in a breath and asked the question that had been weighing on her ever since arriving in the monster realm. "When can I go home...?"
I don't know... I haven't seen any attempt from my family to raid the human world yet. But I can't leave until I know for sure they aren't coming.
There was silence for a few moments.
I had no right to take you from your world and throw you into mine. I lied to you and tricked you. It was foolish of me. I put you in serious danger. If you would like to return to your world, then I will take you now.
Lia’s heart skipped a beat. "Right now?"
Right now.
Home.
No more monsters.
No more magic.
No more danger.
Lia looked up and saw the glimmering lake. She tensed the fingers in her right arm, and pinched her ear.
“You're saying I could go back, and everything would be normal again?”
If that is what you wish. I have spent my years trying to be everything my family is not. Holding you against your will is exactly what my mother would do. All you need to do is say the word, and I will send you straight home.
"But... then what would you do? Would you return to the monster realm?"
No. I will stay here. But there is no dought my family would eventually come looking for me.
Lia looked back at the academy’s dining hall and the balcony.
She remembered Emily.
She remembered Nara.
She remembered Gianche.
She remembered Miss Sleather.
Even Cyris...
Finally, she remembered the little girl and her white dress. How sad she’d looked beneath the moonlight.
“You think there is a serious threat in my world?”
I do.
"If I were to stay here, would that help keep my world safe?"
...I believe it would. For a time.
Lia drew in a deep breath. “I can't believe im actually going to say this, but... I'll stay.”
Then there are a few things I'm going to have to teach you.
...
Three days had passed since Lia first discovered she could contact Itylia through her thoughts. Since then she had explained her entire situation and all the events that have led up to this point.
The stars and moon reflected on the lake's still surface.
“I don't get it.” Lia lay down on the shore’s edge. “I keep trying and trying, but nothing’s working.”
You're still a newborn Lia. Your body is still changing and adapting. You aren't going to find it easy at first, but I promise you it's possible. Just try once more. Then we can call it a night.
“Fine.” Lia stood and closed her eyes. Just as Itylia had taught her, she first calmed all of her senses—smell, sight, and sound. Removing distractions was the easiest way to improve focus.
She willed her heart to be slower with each beat. Imagining it pumping away in her chest.
That's it, Lia. Slow everything down.
She felt it now—a strange, euphoric feeling that gave her the sense she was floating out somewhere deep in the ocean. It was the second time she had managed to reach this state of concentration.
She wanted to smile, to feel joyful, but held back.
Permit nothing to break your concentration.
She imagined her body. Each limb. Each strand of hair. Then focused on her back.
Feel your inner eye where you want the change to occur. Let it form there and circulate.
Lia listened to every word Itylia said. Despite its elusive nature, she found herself achieving this feeling with relative ease as if her body wanted her to succeed.
Then, will the skin to change. Comand the muscles to grow. Give it first shape, then colour.
The feeling was intense. Almost grotesque. She could feel the skin on her back begin to rumble and protest.
Finally, let it sprout!
Lia’s eyes widened as a white tail erupted from her back. It was thin and sharp, similar in every way to Cyris’ except in colour.
“Ah! I did it!” Lia turned frantically, trying to catch glimpses of it with each spin.
Itylias laughter split her mind. Its your tail silly. You don't have try and catch it. Just move it in front of you.
Lia paused and scrunched her face as she focused on the additional appendage on her back.
Like a baby learning to use its fingers, Lia's tail twitched, forming a neural link. Before long, she was able to control her tail, swishing it back and forth, erecting it like a spine, and curling it around her leg like a vine.
But each of these actions was... exhausting.
Lia collapsed to the ground, heaving with each breath.
It will take some time to get used to. Your body needs to build a resistance towards it. For now, try not to push yourself.
“I was only able to produce a single tail, and I'm already this exhausted... I had hopes I was going to be at least able to give myself a pair of wings as well. Just a tail won't be enough to convince anyone that I'm a succubus.”
I was going to mention this earlier, but it seems that your body is a little bit starved. Monsters can go a long time without food, it's true. But without food, your power isn't going to be easily controlled.
“You're saying I need to... drink more blood.”
If you choose to stay inside the monster realm, eventually, you won't have a choice. You can't just avoid it forever, Lia.