CHAPTER 17: RACE AGAINST THE RANKINGS 2

The classroom emptied out, students rushing to their next periods. Aegis lingered, pretending to organize her notes while her heart hammered against her ribs.

GULP

[This is it. First shadow magic lesson with the extremely hot older woman that nearly choked me to death last night. Try not to die, Aegis... Or get hard. Actually, definitely prioritize not getting hard.]

Professor Nazraya was borderline strutting between the desks, collecting stray papers. Aegis had to pry her eyes away with invisible crowbars to keep from staring at what were the absolute image definition of "child-bearing hips".

"Didn’t run off, pet?" She didn’t look up. "How delightful."

"You said evening lessons." Aegis kept her voice steady. "But I figured it might be nice to—"

"You figured correctly." Nazraya’s red eyes found hers. "Free period between classes. May as well take advantage of it. Perfect for... remedial education. I suppose this will be a good time to remind myself of the basics as well. Always good to keep the fundamentals sharp." Nazraya swept toward the door. "Walk with me."

Aegis scrambled to follow.

The hallways were mostly empty, just a few stragglers rushing to their destinations. Nazraya’s heels clicked against the stone dominantly. Or, maybe Aegis was projecting her own desires of being domina-

"Tell me," Nazraya began, "what do you know about magic?"

"Um..." Ageis knew most there was to know about the magic in this world, but she was playing the role of a beginner. "Just the theoretical stuff from books, mostly. Never had formal training."

"Mm. Then we start from nothing." Nazraya’s lips curved. "How refreshing. Most students arrive thinking they know everything."

They descended a staircase that you couldn’t go down in the game (due to an invisible wall). The temperature dropped with each step.

"Magic in Valdria operates on three pillars." Nazraya’s teaching voice was different now. Still sultry, but with an edge of genuine passion. "First, Aether. The fuel. Everyone has a finite pool, though it can be expanded through meditation and practice."

The way she spoke, it was clear teaching wasn’t just her money laundering scheme or something. She genuinely enjoyed it.

They turned down a familiar corridor. One leading to the crypts.

"Second pillar: Intent." Nazraya pushed open the heavy door. "Aether without purpose is just energy. Intent shapes it, gives it form and function. Vague thoughts produce weak magic. Clear visualization creates power."

"And the third?" Aegis knew the answer, but wanted to look interested.

"Conduit." Nazraya led her deeper, past tombs and statues. "The medium through which Aether flows and explodes out into the world. Your body, a wand, a staff, a ritual circle. Even words and gestures can serve as conduits."

They reached a small chamber Aegis hadn’t seen before. This was where Nazraya had come out of before. Candles flickered in wall sconces, casting dancing shadows. A circle of strange symbols covered the floor.

"Most students learn this as children." Nazraya turned to face her. "But then, most students can cast basic spells without my help."

[Ouch. But fair.]

"Shadow magic is different from other forms, however." Nazraya’s eyes gleamed. "It draws Aether not from within, but from the spaces between. The void that exists in every shadow, every moment of doubt, every dying breath. The Umbral Realm."

She moved closer.

"It’s illegal because it’s uncontrollable. Unpredictable." Nazraya’s finger traced Aegis’s jaw. "I’ll ask once more. Are you certain you want this?"

[It’s not really a choice, no? I say "no" and she just kills me right now cause I know too much.]

"Yes." The word came out breathless.

"Then we will begin." Nazraya stepped back. "Strip."

"What?"

"Your uniform, darling. Remove it." Nazraya’s smile was wicked. "Shadow magic requires skin contact for beginners. The fabric interferes with Aether flow."

Aegis blinked.

[She’s messing with me. There’s nothing in the lore books about this!!! She has to be messing with me.]

But Nazraya just waited, one eyebrow raised.

Aegis fumbled with her buttons, face burning. The uniform jacket hit the floor. Then the shirt. She hesitated at her pants.

"Those too, pet. Though you may keep your undergarments. I’m not that cruel." She winked.

[Fucking sadist.]

Aegis stripped to her underwear, shivering in the crypt’s chill. Nazraya circled her slowly, like a predator sizing up prey.

"Adequate." She stopped behind Aegis. "Now, feel the shadows around you. Don’t reach for your internal Aether. That’s for regular magic. Instead..."

Hands settled on Aegis’s shoulders, warm against her cold skin.

"Feel the darkness between heartbeats." Nazraya’s voice dropped to a whisper. "The pause between breaths. Like the moment before sleep claims you."

Aegis closed her eyes, trying to focus. But Nazraya’s touch was distracting. Those hands slid down her arms, leaving trails of heat.

"I don’t—"

"Shh." Nazraya’s breath tickled her ear. "Stop thinking. Feel."

Something shifted. The shadows in the room grew deeper, darker.

"Good." Nazraya’s approval sent warmth through her chest. "Now, shape that feeling. A simple bolt. Like lightning, falling from the sky. You’ve seen it a million times, no? Picture it now, leaving your hand."

Aegis raised her hand, visualizing shadow given form. The darkness responded, sluggishly gathering at her palm.

"Intent, pet. Remember what I said? Weak thoughts create weak magic. Command the aether to take your desired shape."

Nazraya’s hand covered hers, fingers interlacing. The shadows snapped to attention.

"Like this."

A bolt of pure darkness shot from their joined hands, slamming into the far wall. Stone cracked.

"Holy shit," Aegis breathed.

"Language," said the almost-murderer. "Again. Alone this time."

She stepped back, leaving Aegis cold and aching for more contact.

[Focus,] she thought. [Shadow bolt. Like lightning, coming out of the palm of my hand. Command, don’t ask.]

Aegis thrust her hand forward. A weak tendril of shadow dribbled out, dissipating after a few feet.

"Pathetic." Nazraya tutted. "But expected. Again."

They spent twenty minutes on that single spell. Each attempt grew slightly stronger, though nothing approached Nazraya’s demonstration. The professor corrected her stance, her breathing, her visualization, always with touches that lingered too long.

By the end, Aegis managed a proper bolt. Weak, but formed. It struck the wall with a soft thud.

And, immediately, she saw:

MP: 0/10

[So, one proper bolt takes ALL my mana. Lovely.]

"Progress." Nazraya nodded. "You may dress."

Aegis grabbed her clothes, trying not to seem too eager. But as she bent to retrieve her shirt, she felt the telltale stirring between her legs.

[No. Not now. Think unsexy thoughts. Varyn in a speedo. Lune naked-agh, that’s sexy!]

Too late. The evidence pressed against her underwear, obvious in her bent position.

Nazraya’s chuckle was dark velvet.

"My, my. Did my lesson excite you that much?"

Aegis straightened, clutching her shirt to her chest.

"I—it’s not—"

"Relax, pet." Nazraya glided closer. "Your enthusiasm is... flattering."

Her gaze dropped meaningfully. Aegis felt her face burn hotter.

"Same time tomorrow." Nazraya turned away. "Do try to maintain better control. Shadow magic responds to emotion. Uncontrolled lust could have... explosive results."

She left Aegis alone in the crypt, half-naked and fully mortified.

[RELATIONSHIP UPDATE: Professor Nazraya]

[Affection +5 (❤️❤️🤍🤍🤍)]

[Status: Intrigued Mentor]

[Note: Subject finds your reactions amusing]

"Explosive results," Aegis muttered, yanking on her clothes. "Because that’s not ominous at all."

---

The library was packed with students cramming for tomorrow’s lectures. Aegis found her makeshift study group in a corner table, already deep in discussion about magical theory.

"—but if Intent shapes Aether, why do some spells fail even with perfect visualization?" Ellis pushed his spectacles up his nose.

"Because visualization isn’t everything," Aegis said, sliding into an empty chair. "You also need emotional resonance. Believing the spell will work."

Miheyra looked up from her notes.

"The textbook doesn’t mention that."

"The textbook doesn’t mention a lot of things." Aegis pulled out her materials. "Real magic is messier than theory."

They dove into studying, sharing notes and quizzing each other. Aegis found herself genuinely enjoying it. These students were hungry for knowledge, eager to prove themselves. Unlike the nobles who treated education as their birthright.

"Aegis?"

She looked up. Liora stood beside their table, clutching her ever-present notebook.

"Could I... speak with you? Privately?"

[Oh. Oh shit.]

The study group exchanged glances. Aegis nodded, following Liora to a secluded alcove between bookshelves.

"About earlier," Liora began. "In art class—"

"I’m sorry." Aegis cut her off, bowing at a perfect 90-degree angle. "For worrying you over nothing... and lying like that."

Liora blinked, clearly not expecting immediate confession.

"I just..." Aegis ran a hand through her hair. "Professor Loralei put me on the spot. I can’t sing. At all. And instead of admitting that like a normal person, I faked an injury. Lame, huh?"

Liora looked confused.

"But.. why?"

"Because I’m an idiot who hates looking weak." Aegis met those kind blue eyes. "So, yeah, again... sorry to bother you like that."

Liora studied her for a long moment. Then her shoulders relaxed.

"Thank you. For being honest." A small smile touched her lips.

[RELATIONSHIP UPDATE: Liora Vale]

[Affection +5 (❤️🤍🤍🤍🤍)]

[Status: Cautiously Forgiving]

[Note: Subject appreciates the genuine honesty]

Liora studied her for a moment.

"You know, I could help you."

"What?"

"With singing." A small smile touched Liora’s lips. "You can’t fake voice problems forever. Professor Loralei will catch on eventually."

Aegis blinked.

Somehow, she’d failed to consider this as even being an option.

"No really," Liora said as she noticed Aegis’s odd expression. "I could teach you. Basic vocal techniques, breath control. Nothing fancy, but enough to get by."

[Private singing lessons with the best singer in Rosevale Academy? Yes please.]

"You’d do that?"

"Helping each other is what students should do, right?" Liora shrugged.

[She’s so sweet.]

"Right. Yeah. That’d be... amazing actually."

"Library practice rooms, tomorrow evening?" Liora suggested. "They’re soundproof, so no one will hear you... learning."

"It’s a date—I mean, yes. Practice. Tomorrow."

---

Back in her dorm, Aegis collapsed on her bed. Every muscle ached from combat training and shadow magic practice.

"Long day?" Lune asked from her side of the room.

"The longest." Aegis turned her head. "What’re you working on?"

Lune held up her sketchbook. Another portrait of Aegis, this one capturing her mid-spell during Nazraya’s class.

"You draw me a lot."

"You’re interesting." Lune’s pink eyes showed no emotion. "Your expressions change rapidly. Good practice."

As Aegis watched, the sketch shimmered. Her illustrated face morphed into something else—a symbol made of writhing shadows.

"What was that?"

"What was what?" Lune looked at the page. The portrait was back, innocent as ever.

"Nothing. Trick of the light." Aegis sat up. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"You may ask."

"Your illusion magic. Is it just visual, or can you do other senses?"

Lune tilted her head.

"Why?"

"Curious. Wondering if you could help with the ranking test. Maybe make opponents see openings that aren’t there."

Lune blinked slowly.

"That would be cheating."

"That would be a creative strategy." Aegis grinned. "Besides, everyone else will use their advantages. Why not us?"

Lune considered this.

"I’ll think about it."

[STAT INCREASE: Insight +5 (1 → 6)]

[Understanding of Lune Solana has improved]

The symbol flashed again in the sketch, just for a second. Shadow magic? Or something else? Lune wasn’t in the game, which meant Aegis had no script to follow.

[Trust her or investigate? Both options have risks.]

"I’m going to sleep," Aegis announced. "Early training tomorrow."

"Goodnight." Lune returned to her sketching.

Aegis lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. In one month, she’d face the ranking test.

[Shadow magic could give me an edge. Or get me executed if discovered.]

She closed her eyes.

[I’ll take that gamble.]