Chapter 232 232: Conference
Morning came far too early for Melisa's taste.
The sun streamed through her window like it was personally trying to annoy her. Her head ached, and even her uniform felt uncomfortably stiff as she made her way to the Headmistress's office.
Simply put, she had "that feeling". That feeling when you just kinda new it wouldn't be your day.
And, well, the fact that she'd been called to the Headmistress's office in the first place was certainly reinforcing that suspicion.
[Please don't let this be about yesterday's alley incident,] she thought, suppressing a yawn. [Ugh. It wouldn't surprise me at all if somehow these people found out about that. Feels like everything I do somehow makes the local papers. Honestly, at this point, I should probably just have a pre-written speech ready for different random situations.]
The halls were quieter than usual this early. Most students were still at breakfast, which meant Melisa didn't have to dodge the usual mix of admiring and suspicious glances she got these days.
Her control over her pheromones had evolved since she discovered she even could control them a year ago. She still couldn't truly keep from influencing those close to her, but she could now aim them just well enough to stop annoying people from being too... annoying.
Which meant she hadn't had to deal with much in the form of "ugh, there's that nim whore" in a while.
Melisa shook her head, trying to focus. The double doors of the Headmistress's office loomed ahead, their polished wood gleaming regally.
[Here goes nothing.]
She knocked.
"Enter," came Headmistress Eliana's crisp voice.
Melisa stepped inside, immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of old books and brewing tea. Headmistress Eliana sat behind her massive desk, her silver hair caught in its usual tight bun, piercing blue eyes fixed on some paperwork.
[I will never understand how some people can look so... put together at this hour. It's not even properly morning yet!]
"Ah, Miss Blackflame," the Headmistress looked up, gesturing to the chair across from her. "Please, sit. Tea?"
"Um, yes please?"
[Wait, tea?] She stopped. [This can't be about trouble then. I was expecting something more along the lines of disappointed sighing. No one gives bad news over tea, right?]
Eliana pushed forward a cup, steam curling upwards invitingly.
"How are your studies progressing?" Headmistress Eliana asked, adding a precise amount of sugar to her own cup.
"Oh! They're... good?" Melisa tried not to fidget. "Professor Javir says my control over Fire Magic is improving."
That was about all Melisa could come up with for the sake of conversation, really. After all, she had figured out most of what she and the others were being taught over the last 9 years and all.
"Ah, that's good to hear," the Headmistress's lips twitched. "And how are you finding the advanced theoretical classes?"
[Where is she going with this?]
"They're challenging but interesting," Melisa answered carefully. "Though sometimes the other students still look at me like they're waiting for me to sprout extra heads or something."
"Hmm," the Headmistress took a careful sip of her tea. "And that brings me to why I called you here."
For a moment, Melisa feared she'd been wrong and she'd be the first person expelled from their school over a cup of tea.
Thankfully, that wasn't what happened.
"The Academy is hosting a conference next week. Several of our most promising students will be speaking about their experiences and achievements here at Syux."
Melisa blinked.
[Wait, what?]
"I would like you to be one of them."
Melisa's tea cup clattered slightly as she set it down.
"Me? But... why?"
The Headmistress raised one elegant eyebrow.
"Why not? You've revolutionized our understanding of... nim magical capabilities, maintained exceptional grades despite numerous disruptions," [so, she has read the news, huh,] "and shown remarkable growth. I struggle to find a reason why you shouldn't be invited." She shrugged. "Unless, of course, you'd rather not?"
"No! I mean, yes! I-I mean..." Melisa took a deep breath. "I'd be honored. But... won't it be kind of controversial?"
"Miss Blackflame," Headmistress Eliana's expression softened slightly. "In my opinion, that's precisely why it needs to be you."
[Wait...]
"Is this about the nim attacks?"
"To an extent." Eliana nodded. "You can feel it in the air, can't you? Change is coming to Syux. This is about showing our beloved city that we're all on the same side," the Headmistress corrected. "Though, I know you're used to more... chaotic ways of handling things, but perhaps a simple speech or two could help ease this change through, don't you think?"
Melisa couldn't help but grin.
"My chaos is pretty effective, I dunno."
"Indeed, but I'd rather read less about my students getting into high-profile skirmishes out in the streets. So, I'd prefer it if you just agreed to this, honestly."
Melisa could almost feel the anxiety pouring off the older woman.
"I... guess I could," she shrugged, smiling. "Wouldn't hurt."
"Indeed it would not."
And... That was it.
As Melisa left the office, her mind was already racing with possibilities. Stuff to say, stuff to discuss.
[A week, huh? You know what? Maybe this is exactly what I need right now. I'm no "traitor",] she scowled at nothing in particular. [But, I'm not interested in fighting humanity either. I mean, my parents are literally living at a human's house. How awkward would that be? So, yeah.]
---
{Isabella}
Isabella couldn't stop staring at her mother.
Kimiko was lounging on their couch, reading the morning paper like nothing was wrong. Like she hadn't died last year. Like she wasn't basically living on borrowed time and... Magical sex.
[Stop being so morbid,] Isabella scolded herself, her tail curling into itself behind her. [Mom's fine. Melisa's "treatments" are working. Everything's fine.]
Still, she couldn't help but watch every little movement, analyzing every breath. Even now, Kimiko looked perfect. Her pink hair falling in waves around her shoulders, her expression serene as she read about whatever crisis was gripping Syux this week. Her breasts spilling out of that nightgown.
Isabella had no desire to lose her.
"Darling," Kimiko's voice cut through her thoughts. She wasn't looking Isabella's way, and yet she said, "if you're going to stare at me like that, you might as well come here and give me a proper good morning."
Isabella sighed and padded over to the couch, her ears twitching slightly.
"I wasn't staring."
"Mmhmm," Kimiko set aside her paper, opening her arms. "And I wasn't the biggest slut in Yalmir."
"Mom!"
"What? We both know where you got it from," Kimiko winked, pulling Isabella into her lap. "Now, what's got my beautiful daughter so worried this morning?"
Isabella nuzzled into her mother's neck, inhaling her familiar scent.
"How are you feeling? Really?"
"Besides desperately horny for my precious baby girl?" Kimiko's hands wandered lower. "I'm fine. Melisa's last visit was... quite thorough."
"Mom, I'm being serious!"
"So am I," Kimiko lifted Isabella's chin, meeting her eyes. "I promise, I'm-"
A knock at the door interrupted them.
"That'll be your cousin," Kimiko said, smirking.
Isabella blinked.
"How can you possibly know that?"
"Listen to those knocks. Energetic, irregular, like someone who doesn't know the meaning of holding back," Kimiko chuckled. "There's always something incredibly unguarded about how that girl does... well, everything."
Sure enough, when Isabella opened the door, there was Melisa, practically bouncing on her feet.
"Guys! You'll never believe what just happened!" Melisa burst in, then paused. "Oh, was I interrupting something?"
"Nothing unusual," Isabella grinned. "What's got you so excited?"
"The Headmistress wants me to speak at this fancy conference thing!" Melisa flopped onto their couch. "Like, officially represent the academy and everything!"
"That's wonderful!" Kimiko beamed. "Though I hope you'll wear something more... presentable than your current attire."
"What's wrong with my uniform?"
"Besides the fact that it looks like it was put on in a hurry after some closet activities?" Isabella teased.
"Hey! I'll have you know that storage closet was very clean!"
They dissolved into giggles, and Isabella felt some of her earlier anxiety ease. This was normal. This was good.
"Oh!" Melisa sat up suddenly. "I was thinking. I could probably promote your wands too! You know, talk about how my magic is evolving, mention your breakthrough..."
Isabella's ears perked up.
"Really? You'd do that?"
"Of course! It's perfect timing, really. Show everyone how nim, mostly me, are contributing to magical advancement instead of just... you know, attacking people in alleys. Not me, that last one."
"Speaking of which," Kimiko's voice turned serious. "Be careful with this, both of you. The political situation is... delicate."
"When isn't it?" Isabella flopped down next to Melisa. "But hey, at least this time we can solve it with words instead of violence!"
"Though violence is always an option," Melisa added helpfully.
"Of course," Isabella grinned back.
"Girls," Kimiko warned, though her lips twitched.
"Sorry, Mom," Isabella wasn't sorry at all. She leaned against Melisa, her tail wrapping around her cousin's waist. "So, want to practice your speech?"
"Actually," Melisa's eyes darkened. "Now that I'm here, I was thinking we could practice something else first..."
Isabella's brows shot up.
"Well," Kimiko sounded just as surprised. "Someone's in a mood."
"Maybe."
[And there it is,] Isabella thought as Kimiko slid closer, sandwiching Melisa between them. [I hope this never changes.]
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