Incubus Ascension-Chapter 9

Liam was running through the empty streets again at 2 a.m., swearing quietly every time he thought how close he was about to miss class.

Sure he could quit class, a lot of people would’ve killed to be at his place, but not now.

He still needed resources, skills, and knowledge from teachers to form connections and increase his influence.

There were many good items still waiting for him at Ark academy, items no one knows their true benefits except him.

He shook the thought and kept running.

His calves were on fire, lungs stinging, but he kept going until the dorm gates finally came into view.

There she was, Mia, the night guard, sleeping in her little booth with her head resting on her folded arms, fast asleep.

He let out a long breath through his nose.

Thank God. The last thing he needed was her realising he spent the night outside the dorm. Ark academy was tight with rules.

He pushed the gate open as quietly as he could, slipped through inside, then jogged the rest of the way to his building.

The second his door clicked shut behind him he basically collapsed face-first onto the mattress.

He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand. The screen lit up: 6:04 a.m.

One hour. One miserable hour until class. Perfect.

"Maybe just a quick nap..." he mumbled into the pillow.

That was the last thing he remembered before everything went black.

The phone alarm screamed five minutes before class.

He jolted upright, his heart hammering. "Shit, shit, shit."

He threw on yesterday’s jeans, the first hoodie he grabbed, and sprinted across campus.

By the time he shoved the classroom door open, the room was already packed.

Everyone was seated, chatting, waiting. No teacher yet. He sighed in relief.

He scanned for an empty spot. And only one left, right next to Pyra.

Great.

He dropped into the chair, trying to act like he hadn’t just entered late.

Pyra turned her head and looked at him.

"Morning," she said. In a quiet and polite tone, For the first time. Pyra the class’ cold beauty actually greeted him.

He blinked. "Uh... morning." His brain short circuited. Is this because of yesterday’s demon attack?

Yeah... a freaking demon had strolled into one of the most secure academies in the country like it was nothing.

This was probably because of those two shady people he saw back in that dark alley.

If he remembered correctly, they said a name....Zalor?

Before his thoughts could spiral further, the door opened and Teacher Martha walked in.

Their eyes met for half a second. She gave him a small, almost warm smile. His stomach twisted.

Things are about to get weird, aren’t they? he thought.

She clapped once to get attention. "Good morning. Today I’m returning your exam marks"

A ripple of unease went through the room.

Pyra sat up straighter, her eyes locked on Martha like she was waiting for a trophy.

He laughed at her reaction, he guessed even the future dragon witch liked to get validation from time to time.

Martha held the stack of exam papers and paused, just long enough to make it dramatic.

"We actually have a tie for first place. Both students scored perfect marks."

She let that hang.

"First... Pyra." A few people clapped politely like they were already expecting it. Pyra didn’t smile; she just nodded once, confident.

"And second... Liam."

The room went dead quiet for a beat, then exploded into murmurs.

"Impossible."

"No way."

"Are you serious?"

The classroom was filled with noise, all of them didn’t believe the one who always scored last in the class, Liam. Actually scored first.

Their comments were a mix of jealousy and condescending. Mostly because he already pissed off some noble students before.

And being friends with the one who pissed the noble students sounded counter productive.

Then the noble student flared up, Rax being their leader.

They turned to glare at him like he’d personally insulted their mothers. Rax’s blonde head turned toward Martha.

"He cheated. Obviously."

Martha’s eyes narrowed. "Do you really think that he can cheat, right Infront my eyes?

I watched him write every single answer right in front of me."

He couldn’t help it. He smirked and flipped them the middle finger under the desk.

Their jaws clenched so hard he swore he heard teeth grinding.

Rax leaned back, his voice low but heavy.

Then he turned towards his gang, smiling.

"Don’t get worked up guys. We’ll handle him tomorrow during the open-field test."

His friends nodded like trained dogs. Rax kept staring at him, his eyes narrowed.

"I don’t know what trick he’s pulling, but he’s hiding something."

Next to him, Pyra was staring at his paper like it had personally offended her.

Their answers were almost identical, hers neat and perfect, his... well, apparently just as perfect, maybe even a little more formal in places.

She turned to him, voice quiet but sharp. "How did you do that?"

He shrugged. "Secret."

She let out a short, annoyed huff. "Fine. Keep your secret forever then."

Pyra: ’I’ll figure it out. I’ll watch him until he slips.’

He hid his smirk. Good luck with that, Pyra. It’s not a study habit. It’s a literal skill. But you’re never cracking that code.

Teacher Martha moved on, explaining the next section of the course.

When she finished, she scanned the class. "Any questions?"

She was met with only silence. The chairs scraped as people started packing their things up and leaving.

She sighed, clearly irritated by how students literally wanted to vanish the moment the bell rang.

Then her gaze landed on him. "Liam. Stay behind for a minute."

Everyone else left the class. Pyra paused at the door, glanced back at them for a long second, then left.

The door clicked shut. Just him and Martha.

She walked over, smiling softly. "I’m really proud of you. That kind of improvement... it’s just impressive."

He kept his face neutral, but inside he snorted. In his past life she didn’t even notice he existed, but now...

Then she reached out and took his hand.

The second their skin touched, a sharp buzz shot up his arm, like static, but more warmer and hotter.

A notification pinged in his vision:

Skill "Ero Hands" is interacting with a lust being.

Upgrading to "Lust Touch."

Touch now reveals weak points instantly. Pleasure effects significantly amplified.

His eyes went wide. A lust being? Who do you mean?

He looked up at Martha. Her skin was shifting, her pale skin turning deep violet.

Her curves looked even more exaggerated, almost glowing in that strange color. With violet neon light.

Her blouse and skirt started burning up, the edges slowly vanishing until the fabric turned to ash and drifted into air.

She snapped her wings in the room. With horns slowly forming on her head. She was now completely naked.

Huge chest, wide hips, tail flicking behind her.

She exhaled, almost relieved. "Well... that was faster than I expected, finding the chosen one

But I finally found him. My queen is going to be very pleased."

His mind short circuited, Chosen one? You mean me. He couldn’t help but to say it loudly.

She nodded, yes that electric feeling. It was what the ancient records told us when the chosen one touched a succubus.

Scubbuss? You mean the monster race. What is my relationship with them? Wait. Why I didn’t realise that in my past life...

He looked at her again, he had many questions. But the look of her eyes didn’t mean she would sit and explain it all.

She didn’t hesitate and lunged at him.

He stumbled back, heart slamming against his ribs.

She yanked a whip from thin air and cracked it against the floor. The tiles split.

"Come with me," she said, voice almost sweet. "I’d hate to ruin that pretty face."

His mouth was dry. "Was it you? Did you let the lesser demon in yesterday in the cafeteria?"

She tilted her head, casual. "A lesser demon? Please. I wouldn’t waste my time smuggling trash like that."

She lunged again, faster this time. Her hand clamped around his arm.

Her wings snapped open. Glass exploded outward as she dragged him through the window.

They were gone.

A minute later the classroom door opened again.

Pyra stepped inside, froze at the shattered window, the scorched floor, the empty room.

Her eyes widened.

Then she turned and ran straight for the director’s office.