Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Melisa groaned, burying her face deeper into what she thought was a pillow but turned out to be Isabella's thigh.

Knock. Knock. KNOCK.

"Make it stop," Isabella mumbled from somewhere in the tangle of bodies on Melisa's bed.

Melisa cracked one eye open. Sunlight blasted through the window, which meant they'd overslept. The knocking continued, more insistent now.

[Fuck. What time is it?]

She sat up, her naked body peeling away from Isabella's with a sticky sound like tape ripping off a package. The evidence of last night's activities was everywhere—on the sheets, on her skin, even in her hair.

Isabella had somehow migrated during the night and was now using Armia's massive tits as pillows, snoring softly with a face that screamed "I died and went to heaven." Armia was still out cold too, one arm draped over Isabella, the other hanging off the bed.

Raven was nowhere to be seen.

[Typical. She's probably jogging already. And definitely avoiding the morning-after awkwardness.]

The knocking resumed, louder this time.

"Coming!" Melisa called, her voice raspy from sleep and all the moaning she'd done.

She stumbled to the door, not bothering to grab a robe or towel. Whoever was knocking at this hour could deal with her nudity. It was probably just Raven anyway.

She pulled the door open, ready to bitch at her roommate.

But it wasn't Raven.

It was Javir.

The professor's eyes widened momentarily as they traveled down Melisa's naked body, lingering for just a beat too long on her breasts—which, Melisa noted with a mix of pride and annoyance, were definitely bigger again—before Javir cleared her throat and forced her gaze back to Melisa's face.

"Good morning," Javir said, her voice about as casual as someone discussing taxes with their ex. "I see you're... not ready yet."

"Ready?" Melisa blinked, her brain still foggy.

"For your departure? For your service? With the military?"

Melisa's eyes flew open.

"Shit! What time is it?"

"Nearly eight. Captain Fenris sent a messenger. They're waiting for you at the eastern barracks."

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Melisa turned back to the bed. "Isabella! Armia! Wake up! We're late!"

Isabella grumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "five more minutes on these tits" and snuggled deeper into Armia's chest.

Javir coughed politely, still standing in the doorway.

"I also have this for you." She held out a sealed letter. "From Her Majesty."

Melisa took it, breaking the seal with clumsy fingers.

Melisa Blackflame,

Captain Fenris has been informed that your companions will be joining you. While I did not agree to this part of the arrangement, I will not oppose it. However, let it be known that the crown takes no responsibility for whatever befalls you or your entourage during this mission.

Aria, Queen of Syux

"Great," Melisa muttered. "At least we're officially-unofficially allowed to go."

"I suggest you hurry," Javir said, her eyes now glued to Melisa's face like her life depended on it. "And perhaps... put on some clothes?"

Melisa looked down at herself, suddenly remembering she was standing there with her tits out.

"Right. Sorry."

Javir nodded stiffly and turned to go, then paused.

"Good luck out there, Melisa. All of you. Come back in one piece."

"We will," Melisa promised, surprised by the genuine concern in Javir's voice.

---

Twenty chaotic minutes later, Melisa, Isabella, and Armia were rushing through the streets of Syux toward the eastern barracks, their bags looking like they'd been packed by drunk toddlers and their clothes barely straightened. Raven had indeed been jogging and met them at the gates, looking fresh as a daisy as if last night had never happened.

"Overslept?" she asked, face blank but eyes twinkling. Which, was the "Raven" way of being smug these days.

"Shut up," Melisa and Isabella said in unison.

"The nim mage and her entourage, I presume?"

Captain Fenris was a weathered woman in her forties, with short-cropped gray hair and a scar that ran from her temple to her jaw. Her expression as she surveyed the four of them was somewhere between amusement and "oh god what did I do to deserve this."

"Melisa Blackflame," Melisa confirmed, extending her hand. "And these are—"

"I know who they are," Fenris interrupted, shaking Melisa's hand briefly. "Isabella Summer, the wand inventor. Armia Duskscale, served with the eastern regiment last month. And Raven Nightsong, former... well, let's just say your reputation precedes you, Miss Nightsong."

Raven inclined her head slightly but said nothing. Armia didn't seem to care about her own reputation. Isabella looked absolutely pleased at being known as an inventor.

"With all due respect, Captain," one of the soldiers standing nearby said, "are we really bringing civilians into a combat zone? Especially... her?" He glanced at Melisa with a look that screamed "I hate nim."

[Great. Another nim-hater. Just what I needed to complete this perfect morning.]

Before Fenris could respond, an arrow from the practice field went wild, heading straight for the soldier's head. Without thinking, Melisa traced a quick spellsign in the air.

"Ignis, core, protev mein!"

A shimmering shield of flame materialized in front of the soldier, burning the arrow to ash inches from his face.

The entire barracks went dead silent.

"I believe," Captain Fenris said into the stillness, her skepticism gone, "that answers your question, Sergeant."

The soldier stared at Melisa, his face paling.

"I... yes, Captain."

Fenris turned back to Melisa with newfound respect.

"Queen Aria said you were talented. I see she wasn't bullshitting."

A tall, handsome man in his late twenties stepped forward.

"I'll take them to Alpha Squad, Captain."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Darius," Fenris nodded.

As Darius led them through the camp, Melisa couldn't help noticing how his eyes kept darting to her.

"Alpha Squad is our elite unit," Darius explained, quickly changing the subject. "You'll be working with them directly in the field."

"When do we leave?" Armia asked.

"Tomorrow morning. We need to finish preparations today. You've arrived just in time for the final briefing and dinner."

By the time evening fell, they had settled into their assigned tents and made their way to the mess area. Isabella, true to form, had already found someone to flirt with—a cute soldier with freckles and pure tomboy charm who actually blushed furiously every time Isabella spoke to her.

"Does she ever take a break?" Armia asked, watching Isabella lean in close to the soldier, her tail swishing back and forth like she was about to pounce.

"You know the answer to that," Melisa replied, taking a bite of the surprisingly decent stew. "They'll probably be behind a supply tent within the hour."

Captain Fenris joined them, sitting across from Melisa with a face that meant business.

"I want to be clear about your role in this mission," she said without preamble. "You're not here as heroes or vigilantes. You're here as magical support for a military operation. That means you follow orders, stick to the plan, and don't go off on your own."

"We understand, Captain," Melisa assured her.

Fenris looked about as convinced as a cat being told not to knock things off tables.

"The darians we're facing aren't like the ones you've seen in the city," she glanced at Armia. "They're trained warriors with decades of combat experience. They know the terrain, they have superior numbers, and they hate humans with a passion."

"What exactly happened at this place we're heading to?" Raven asked, speaking for the first time since their arrival.

Fenris's expression darkened.

"Raid turned massacre. They didn't just attack the military outpost—they went after the village too. Women, children, elders... didn't matter. Nearly forty civilians dead. I'm telling you, these darian warriors are brutal."

A somber silence fell over their table.

"Get some rest," Fenris said finally, standing up. "We move out at dawn."

In her tent that night, Melisa stared at the canvas ceiling, trying to process everything. Somewhere nearby, she could hear Isabella giggling, probably with that freckled soldier. Armia and Raven were in their own tents, presumably sleeping like sensible people.

Tomorrow they'd head out. Two weeks, Aria had said. Just two weeks of helping the military, like Armia had done, and then Koros would be spared.

She was just starting to drift off when the night exploded with noise—warning horns, shouts, the clash of metal.

"DARIANS! NORTH PERIMETER!"

Melisa rolled her eyes and reached for her boots.

[Of course.]