Chapter 23. House of Arcana

Succubi Chapter 23. House of Arcana

I sighed, leaning back in my chair and watching her casually bite into the bread like this was just another regular day.

“You know…” I started, swirling the last bit of my drink before setting it down. “That guy might like you.”

Sera blinked, chewing.

“And,” I continued, “maybe he’s drawing a different conclusion from your attitude. He might think you like him too or something.”

Sera swallowed, her expression completely unreadable. “I don’t like him.”

“I figured.”

“I just don’t mind the breads and milk.”

I exhaled through my nose, rubbing my temple. “Uh… well. Accepting or not accepting his gift is your decision, obviously. Just… make sure he doesn’t misunderstand it, okay?”

Sera nodded but kept eating, her posture completely unaffected by the topic of conversation.

I sighed again, shaking my head. I wasn’t gonna lecture her on romantic expectations and social cues, but I also knew how some people thought.

For me, giving something to someone and receiving it doesn’t mean the receiver accepts the giver’s feelings. That was just common sense. If someone handed me free food, I’d take it without a second thought too.

But…

I also knew that some people considered it a green light. They saw acceptance as encouragement. An invitation to try harder. To push forward.

I didn’t want to assume the guy from earlier was like that, but… it wouldn’t be the first time a situation like this turned messy. And from his expression, yes, that guy had a crush on her while she didn’t have any feelings for him at all.

I shook off the thought and focused on finishing my food.

The cafeteria was still buzzing with students, but things were starting to settle down as break neared its end. The clatter of trays and the distant hum of conversation faded slightly, replaced by the occasional laughter and the low murmurs of students mentally preparing for their next class.

I finished my food quickly, not wanting to waste time.

After this, our studies would split up.

Leon and Evelyn would head to their House of Valor Lesson, where all the combat-focused students were grouped together. The ones who specialized in physical prowess, melee combat, and battle tactics.

Me?

I was assigned to the House of Arcana.

Magic, strategy, knowledge-based combat.

Which, in theory, kinda suited me. I relied on instinct and adaptability, sure, but I also knew that my true strength wasn’t just in fighting—it was in understanding how to fight.

The problem?

I didn’t know anyone in the House of Arcana. I was going in alone.

Hopefully, I could make some friends.

Or at the very least, not make any enemies.

I exhaled, shutting my food box and wiping my mouth with a napkin before stretching my arms. “Alright,” I muttered, glancing at Leon and Evelyn. “Guess this is where we part ways.”

Leon frowned, still picking at the last scraps of his meal. “Wait, what class do you have?”

“Arcane Theory and Fundamentals.”

Leon’s face scrunched up immediately. “That sounds boring as hell.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, well, I don’t plan on being a punch-first, think-later kind of fighter.”

Leon scoffed. “Hey. I think.”

Evelyn smirked. “Debatable.”

Leon gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Evelyn. That hurt.”

“I don’t care.”

I grinned, pushing back my chair and standing up. “Anyway, enjoy your House of Valor class. Try not to get your ass kicked by Ares.”

Leon rolled his eyes. “Please. I’ll be fine.”

Evelyn stood up as well, adjusting her bag. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Some of the students here already had combat training before entering the academy.”

Leon paused. “…Wait, what?”

Evelyn gave him a look.

I laughed. “Ohh, yeah, you’re definitely getting your ass kicked.”

Leon groaned, burying his face in his hands. “This sucks.”

“Try not to die,” I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Leon waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. Go do your nerd magic or whatever.”

I smirked, turning away. “See you later, dumbass.”

Leon scoffed. “Please, I’ll be fine.”

I gave him a pointed look. “You say that now, but if Ares wipes the floor with you, I’m never letting you live it down.”

Leon rolled his eyes. “Like hell that’s gonna happen.”

Evelyn let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head as she and Leon started heading toward the House of Valor’s training hall.

Meanwhile, I grabbed my own bag and turned to leave, only to find Sera still sitting there, finishing the last bite of her bread at an excruciatingly slow pace.

I sighed. “You planning to sit here all day?”

Sera blinked slowly, then stretched her arms like a cat waking up from a nap. “Mhm. Maybe.”

I huffed. “You do realize the break will end soon, right?”

Sera gave the laziest nod I had ever seen. “Mhm.”

“See you later then.”

She blinked again, as if processing my words at a painfully slow speed. Then, with a small tilt of her head, she muttered, “Goodbye, Anomaly.”

I snorted. “Wow. That was so heartfelt.”

She yawned, standing up and grabbing her bag in the slowest manner possible. “I’ll see you later.”

I shook my head with a smirk. “Yeah, yeah. Try not to fall asleep in class.”

Sera gave a slow wave before shuffling off toward her House of Saints lecture hall.

I exhaled, finally making my way to my own class.

The hall leading to the House of Arcana’s wing felt different from the rest of the academy. The air was cooler, not just in temperature, but in presence—like a quiet hum of magic ran through the walls themselves. The torches lining the corridor burned with a faint blue glow, their flickering flames tinged with arcane energy.

The doors to the lecture halls were lined with delicate, shimmering runes, faintly pulsing under the dim light. Some of them were simple barrier wards, probably to prevent magical accidents from spilling out. Others? More intricate. Observation wards, maybe? As if the very walls were watching every student who passed.

I reached my assigned lecture hall and stepped inside.

The moment I entered, I felt out of place.

Most students were already seated, chatting in low, refined tones. The atmosphere was calm, intellectual—even a little tense.

No loud conversations. No dumb jokes.

No Leon complaining about food.

I swallowed, scanning the room.

Yeah.

This was gonna be different.

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