A Virtual Temptress Ch. 12 (part 2/2)

“Ah, Mr. Firewilde. You’re right on time.”

Glorianna Brightwind was immaculate. Her white hair was kept in a tight, elaborate braid that trailed down the back of her silver overcoat. She nodded curtly, spun on the toe of her fur-hemmed boot, and began walking up the stairs.

Dan jogged to keep up.

He had run almost the entire way. A pyromancer’s stamina bar is not generous, and the cramp in his side was growing increasingly painful despite the numbing effect of virtual reality. Fortunately, the Second Speaker of the Nath Valen Arcanist’s Society kept her back to him as they walk. Less fortunately, the path to the academy angled steeply upwards.

“I do apologize for the stairs,” Glorianna said. Her voice carried perfectly despite her brisk pace and her facing forward. “The teleportation stones are far more convenient, but require attunement prior to use. A necessary precaution - no outsider can access the Society through magical means.” She gestured toward the well-maintained granite slabs. “Thus, stairs.

“It also sets a vital precedent for our students, and more importantly their families. Which brings us to why you are here, Mr. Firewilde. Tell me, what do you know about our fine academy?”

He was still struggling to breathe, but Dan had at least done his research. “The school is here to train specialists, right? Mostly nobility, plus a few talents in each class from the common folk. Merit-based achievement, practical skills according to each student’s vocation.” He wheezed as quietly as possible. “Battlemages, Artillerists, and Peacekeepers are your most well-known, but I imagine there are a lot more specializations than that.”

“A student of history - I am impressed, Mr. Firewilde. Indeed, there is much that goes on at the Society to which even the crown is not privy, let alone the Adventurer’s Guild. We have had an unquiet history between the two organizations, I’m afraid, but our stance on admittance of non-citizenry is at the core of the Arcanist’s Society’s beliefs.”

They had reached the first landing.“The view is quite magnificent, even from this height. Wouldn’t you agree?” Glorianna gazed out into dusk-cloaked city, tactfully not noticing as Dan fought to calm his breathing. After a few minutes respite she turned away and began up the next set of stairs.

“This history brings us to your purpose here,” the Speaker continued. “While our strict standards have strengthened us, they have also led to the occasional divide among our students. We have always resolved these differences swiftly in the past, but I believe outside assistance is called for in this particular instance. We have an exceptional group of young minds in the academy at this time, and you may trust that I have an eye for such talent. Alas, our instructional expertise has waned of late.

Glorianna sighed. “I do not mean to besmirch our instructors - far from it, in fact. The Arcanist’s Society employs the most brilliant minds on the continent. Alas, while our research remains cutting edge, I fear that the formality of our instruction has led to a stagnation in practical applications.”

“You’re saying…” Dan frowned, considering the Potion of Greater Intellect in his satchel. It was his last vial, at least until he could get another blood sample from Lexi and have it processed. He pushed on, struggling to parse her language.

“Simply put, our combat instructors are masters of their craft but maladaptable. The unusual levels of talent within the student body have led to instructors being overcome by their pupils. Not merely in the classroom, where such a thing is a source of pride for an educator, but in show matches and similar settings. Not a few of our students have grown overly bold with their victories, believing we have no more to teach them. They are remarkably incorrect, of course, but this belief has hampered the quality of their instruction. I would like you to correct this issue.”

They reached the top of the steps, and Glorianna opened the tall brass gates with a wave of her hand.

Dan leaned heavily against a retaining wall as the Speaker turned to face him at last. “Speaker Brightwind, I’m afraid you’ve lost me. I apologize. Would you mind simplifying? What is it you need me to do?”

Glorianna waved her hand in mild annoyance. “You are being hired as an instructor, Mr. Firewilde. I expect you to instruct.” Her voice dropped slightly, eyebrows lowering. “But perhaps more importantly, I need you to put some fear back into those little shits.”

She resumed her dignified pose, eyeing Dan conspiratorially. “Simply put, there is an unacceptable level of arrogance among the student body. Having bested their teachers, they believe themselves untouchable. A match for any foe! They are wrong, of course, but we have been unable to dissuade them of the notion. I am hiring you, an adventurer with an unorthodox combat style, for two purposes. First, I want you to knock the troublemakers off their pedestal and teach them a measure of respect. I trust that is within your capabilities?”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Maybe he was the overconfident one this time, but Dan held little doubt he could best a NPC mage in 1v1 combat.

“Excellent. The second thing I need you to do is to train them for the realities of modern combat. The world is changing quickly with the influx of adventurers into our world, and we must adapt with it. I hardly expect you to bring the academy into the modern era single-handedly, but I would nonetheless appreciate your support in my project.”

“Madame Speaker, your offer is more than generous and I’m not one to pass up being the first adventurer in the Arcanist’s Society. When do I start?”

* * * * *

Teleportation magic always made Dan a little dizzy, but that was a small price to pay for avoiding the stairs on the way down. Sore, tired, and ready for some real-life sleep, he slumped back to the townhouse and opened the door.

Dan stopped. He blinked. Drawing a deep breath, he slipped the key into his pocket and closed the door behind him.

“Lexi, what the hell is going on?”

The succubus was wearing a partially translucent nightgown that was artfully draped across her breasts, hair pulled back with a simple blue ribbon, eyes focused on one of the lore books Dan had given her the day before.

Shinji Shadowstep, aka Jimmy, was positioned below her, Lexi’s plump asscheeks grasped with both hands as she knelt above his face. The man was entirely naked save his boots, grunting and moaning happily as he lapped at the demon’s nectar-slick pussy.

“Daniel, you’re home! This is not what it looks like, I promise you.”

“Jesus, Lexi, how is it not? You were specifically instructed not to seduce anyone, right?”

For the first time in her life, the succubus managed to look embarrassed. “This man, who claims to be a companion of yours, was creeping about the house when I encountered him. He asked all sorts of questions - Daniel, I fear he knows far too much about our activities. And, well…”

“So you didn’t seduce him, but you’re sitting on his face?”

“It was the only way to make him stop talking!”

Dan opened his mouth, looked at Lexi, looked at Jimmy. His mouth closed. He sighed. “That… I actually believe.”

Dan rubbed his hands with his eyes, squinted, then gestured to Jimmy. “He’s a player, though - same as me. We can’t just make wipe his memory or mind control him like you did with that Templar, right?”

Lexi grinned, hefting her breasts teasingly and glancing down at the man pinned beneath her. “Daniel, please. When you’re as attractive as I am, you can get away with all sorts of things.”