The day after Professor Nyara's class, Isabella, Aria and I gathered in the corridor to discuss our upcoming excursion. The hallway buzzed with the usual between-class chaos—succubi laughing, comparing notes, or simply lounging against the obsidian walls. We huddled near a window overlooking the Academy grounds, keeping our voices low.

  "So, we're agreed then?" Isabella asked, her silver hair catching the crimson light filtering through the crystal panes. "We leave for the Second Circle on Friday after classes?"

  I nodded. "That gives us the weekend to investigate without missing any more lectures."

  "We're already on thin ice with some of the professors," Aria added, twirling a lock of her black hair. "I don't think Scarlet would be as gentle a second time."

  "Gentle isn't the word I'd use," I muttered, remembering the intensity of those invisible caresses.

  Isabella's expression grew serious. "I need to make something clear. This isn't like our trip to Earth. The Second Circle operates under different rules."

  "How so?" I asked.

  "Glacius is... harsh," Isabella explained. "Not just the environment, though that's challenging enough. The politics are treacherous, and the denizens are far less tolerant of outsiders than those in Igneus."

  Aria frowned. "But we've died before and came back. What's the big deal?"

  "That's precisely the issue," Isabella said. "If something kills us in Hell, especially in another Circle, reformation takes much longer. We could be out for weeks, if not months."

  I felt a chill run down my spine that had nothing to do with the mention of Glacius's frozen landscapes. "Months?"

  "And that's assuming everything goes smoothly," Isabella continued. "The reformation process can be... complicated when you die outside your home Circle."

  I shuddered involuntarily, imagining what my parents might do if they learned I'd died in the Second Circle. Lucifer's wrath would be terrible to behold, and Lilith... I couldn't even imagine how my mother would react. The diplomatic incident alone would be catastrophic.

  "Not to mention," I added quietly, "we'd most likely fail our first year at the Academy."

  "Exactly," Isabella nodded. "So we need to be extremely careful. No unnecessary risks."

  As we continued down the corridor, I spotted a familiar platinum blonde head among a group of succubi. Valentina Morgenstern walked past us with her usual entourage of bootlickers. I braced myself for a sneer or cutting remark, but surprisingly, she didn't even glare at us. She merely glanced in my direction, her eyes lingering on me for a moment before she continued on her way.

  Once Valentina was out of earshot, Aria nudged me with her elbow. "Okay, you really must have done something to her. What was that about? She didn't even try to insult us!"

  "I told you, we talked," I said, quickening my pace slightly.

  "Did you reveal yourself as a princess?" Aria pressed. "Threaten her entire house with royal retribution?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Nothing of the sort. I can be persuasive when I want to be, that's all."

  The memory of Valentina pressed against the tree, her pupils dilating with unexpected desire, flashed through my mind. Some things were better left unsaid, even among best friends.

  "Whatever you did," Aria said, "I'm glad Valentina's temper has been reined in. It's about time someone put her in her place."

  We reached our dorm room, and Isabella paused at the door. "I'll need to arrange for better equipment than last time. The Second Circle requires specialised gear."

  "Is there anything I should bring?" I asked. "It feels weird to always rely on you for everything."

  Isabella chuckled, her ice-blue eyes warming slightly. "Don't worry about it. House Lilitu has loads equipment for various excursions like that. Consider it my contribution to our little adventure."

  Aria's eyes lit up with that familiar mischievous glint. "You know what we need before our dangerous expedition? A little relaxation at the Pleasure Dome."

  I groaned. "Again? We were recently."

  "Exactly! And you enjoyed it," Aria countered, bouncing slightly on her toes. "Besides, who knows what we'll encounter in the Second Circle? We should indulge while we can."

  I turned to Isabella, hoping for an ally in sensibility, but she merely shrugged her elegant shoulders.

  "I've got time," she said, checking her silver timepiece. "Mother is occupied with House matters until tomorrow, and I've completed my assignments for the week."

  Betrayed by both friends, I looked between their expectant faces and sighed in defeat. "Fine. But Aria, get it out of your mind right now—I am not going anywhere near those tentacles."

  Aria's pout was immediate and dramatic. "You're missing out on a transcendent experience! The sensation of multiple appendages simultaneously—"

  "No," I cut her off firmly. "Not happening."

  "Fine," she huffed, crossing her arms. "But mark my words, Lily, I'll get you to experience it sooner or later."

  "I'd like to see you try," I challenged, though a small part of me worried she might actually succeed someday. Aria could be remarkably persistent when she set her mind to something.

  Isabella chuckled, heading toward the door. "Shall we, ladies? I believe the Crimson Chamber awaits."

  As we left our dorm room, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises awaited us—both at the Pleasure Dome and in the frozen wastes of Glacius.

  * * *

  I woke early the next morning, mentally preparing for our upcoming expedition to the Second Circle. After a quick shower, I dressed in my Academy uniform and headed to the cafeteria to meet Aria and Isabella. We needed to finalise our plans before classes began.

  The hallways were relatively quiet this early, with only a few demons shuffling sleepily toward breakfast. Aria had gone ahead, eager to secure our usual table and sample the morning's offerings. While we didn't need food for sustenance, many succubi enjoyed the sensory experience of eating—something I'd grown to appreciate since awakening in this body.

  As I rounded the corner toward the cafeteria, a familiar figure stepped into my path. Valentina Morgenstern stood alone, without her usual entourage of sycophants. Her platinum blonde hair was perfectly styled as always, but something in her expression seemed different—more intense, more focused.

  "Nightstar," she said, her voice lacking its usual venomous edge. "I need to speak with you."

  I stopped, maintaining a careful distance. "What is it, Valentina?"

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Her crimson eyes narrowed as she studied me. "Who are you? Really?"

  "I'm not sure what you mean," I replied carefully.

  Valentina took a step closer, her voice dropping to ensure no passing student could overhear. "You know exactly what I mean. No normal succubus would act like you do."

  "And how do I act?" I asked, genuinely curious about her perception.

  "You have all the qualities of a recently turned succubus," she said, her eyes never leaving mine. "The occasional awkwardness, the hesitation with certain aspects of our nature. But it feels like... an act. As if you're merely pretending."

  I chuckled internally. If only she knew. It wasn't an act at all—I had genuinely struggled to adjust to life as a succubus. The irony was almost too perfect.

  "Then there's your white hair," Valentina continued, gesturing toward my head. "Your unusual aptitude for magic. Your strength. And most telling of all, the way Aria and Isabella defer to you." She emphasised Isabella's name with particular interest. "Isabella Lilitu, from one of the most prestigious houses in Igneus, treats you as an equal—sometimes even follows your lead."

  "Maybe they simply value my friendship," I suggested.

  Valentina scoffed. "Friendship? Among succubi? Don't be naive." She circled me slowly, her eyes measuring every inch. "What household are you part of? Which bloodline?"

  "I'm not part of any household," I answered truthfully. Technically, this wasn't a lie. As the daughter of Lilith herself, I didn't belong to a household—if anything, I would be the one to establish my own household someday.

  Valentina stopped her circling, standing directly before me again. Her expression was a fascinating mix of suspicion, curiosity, and something else—that same flicker of desire I'd seen in the garden. She seemed genuinely conflicted by her feelings toward me.

  "Fine," she said finally. "Keep your secrets, Nightstar. But don't think this is over." She leaned closer, her perfume carrying notes of midnight orchids and something sharper, more dangerous. "I'll find out who you really are. Count on it."

  With that, she turned and walked away, her posture perfect as always, though I noticed a slight tension in her shoulders that hadn't been there before.

  I sighed deeply once she was out of sight. Valentina digging into my background was exactly what I didn't need right now. Between planning our expedition to the Second Circle and trying to investigate the attacks on purebloods, the last thing I needed was a suspicious Valentina poking around my identity.

  I resumed my walk to the cafeteria, wondering how many more complications would arise before we even set foot in Glacius.

  * * *

  I approached our usual table in the half-empty cafeteria, spotting Aria's enthusiastic wave from across the room. Isabella sat beside her, reviewing something on a parchment with her typical focused expression. The morning light filtering through the obsidian ceiling crystals cast a warm glow across the space, giving everything a slightly reddish tint.

  "Morning!" Aria called out, her purple eyes bright despite the early hour. "I grabbed you some of those crystallised mandrake roots you liked last time."

  I slid into the seat across from them, grateful for Aria's thoughtfulness. "Thanks. I was craving something sweet."

  The cafeteria was quieter than usual, with only about a third of the tables occupied. Most succubi preferred to skip breakfast entirely, having no biological need for food. Those who did attend typically came for the social aspects or simply because they enjoyed the flavours.

  Isabella looked up from her parchment, her ice-blue eyes assessing me. "You look troubled. Did something happen on your way here?"

  I considered telling them about my encounter with Valentina but decided against it. We already had enough to worry about with our upcoming expedition to Glacius and the investigation into the pureblood attacks. Adding Valentina's suspicions to the mix would only complicate matters further.

  "Just thinking about our trip," I replied, popping a crystallised root into my mouth. The sweet-spicy flavour burst across my tongue, followed by a pleasant tingling sensation. "Have you finalised the route?"

  Isabella nodded, sliding the parchment toward me. "I've mapped our path through the Eastern Transition Zone. It's longer than using the Transport Gate, but we'll attract less attention this way."

  I studied the map she'd drawn. The Transition Zone was a narrow region where the volcanic landscape of Igneus gradually gave way to the frozen wastes of Glacius below. The boundary between circles wasn't a sharp line but rather a gradual shift in environment and magical properties, with natural pathways spiralling downwards through the rock formations that formed the floor of our circle and the ceiling of the next.

  "How long will it take?" I asked, tracing the ascending path with my finger.

  "About four hours each way," Isabella replied. "We'll need to leave immediately after classes end if we want enough time in Glacius before returning. The climb gets steeper near the boundary."

  Aria reached across the table to grab a plate of what appeared to be iridescent purple tentacles. "I packed some supplies already. Extra clothing, though we don't really need protection from the cold, some basic alchemy ingredients in case we need emergency potions, and a few snacks."

  I nodded, still examining the map. "And our objective once we're there?"

  "The smithy that forged the dagger is located in Frostheim," Isabella explained, pointing to a settlement marked on the eastern edge of the map. "It's a smaller outpost, primarily populated by frost demons The smithy itself is run by a demon named Eisenhart."

  "Do we have a plan for approaching him?" I asked, eyeing the writhing purple tentacles on Aria's plate with visible discomfort. Despite having tried and enjoyed similar dish before, something about the way these ones still moved made my stomach turn slightly.

  Isabella's lips curved into a slight smile. "I thought we'd use the direct approach. House Lilitu has enough influence that most craftsmen would be eager to assist us. I doubt he'll refuse to answer my questions."

  Aria grinned, purple juice from the tentacles staining her lips slightly. "And if he does refuse, we have other methods of persuasion." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  I rolled my eyes at her. "Let's try diplomacy first before resorting to seduction."

  "You're no fun," Aria pouted, then brightened immediately. "Oh, try these spider legs! They're from the giant ones that live in the Western Caverns. They're actually really good!"

  She pushed a plate of long, jointed appendages toward me. Despite having been in Hell for months now, I still hesitated before trying new foods. The spider legs were glazed in some kind of amber sauce that smelled surprisingly appetising, like caramelised sugar with hints of spice.

  "What's in the sauce?" I asked cautiously.

  "Venom from Abyss Snakes," Isabella replied casually, taking one for herself. "Perfectly safe for succubi. Gives it a nice kick."

  I gingerly picked up one of the smaller legs and took a tentative bite. To my surprise, it was delicious—crunchy on the outside with tender meat inside, and the sauce added a complex sweetness with a pleasant warmth that spread through my mouth.

  "Not bad," I admitted, taking another bite.

  "See? I told you!" Aria said triumphantly. "You should trust my food recommendations more often."

  "The last time I trusted your food recommendation, I ended up with a mouth full of something that was still moving," I reminded her.

  "That was one time," Aria protested. "And technically, you did enjoy it."

  Isabella cleared her throat, bringing us back to the matter at hand. "We should discuss what we'll tell anyone who asks about our presence in Glacius. The Second Circle isn't exactly a popular weekend destination for Academy students."

  "Research for Professor Tiamatha's class?" I suggested. "We could say we're studying the adaptation of different species to extreme environments."

  "That could work," Isabella nodded. "It's plausible enough, and specific enough that most wouldn't question it further."

  Aria finished her tentacles and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "What about equipment? Do we need anything special for Glacius?"

  "We don't need cold protection," Isabella replied. "But I'd recommend bringing some basic navigation tools. The blizzards there can disorient even experienced travellers."

  We continued discussing the details of our expedition as we finished our unusual breakfast. By the time the warning bell rang for first period, we had a solid plan in place. We would attend our classes as normal, meet at the Eastern Transition Zone immediately after, and make our way to Glacius on foot. The return journey would be quicker—we'd use the Transport Gate once our investigation was complete.

  "We should head to class," I said, standing up from the table. "Malphas gets particularly creative with his punishments when students are late."

  Aria groaned dramatically, slumping in her seat. "Do we have to? I'm so tired of differential equations being explained with penetration metaphors."

  Isabella raised an eyebrow. "I thought you preferred Malphas to Professor Vox?"

  "I did," Aria sighed, reluctantly gathering her things. "But the novelty's wearing off. There's only so many ways you can sexualise calculus before it gets repetitive. Even the anatomically correct diagrams are getting boring."

  I couldn't help but laugh at her complaint. Only Aria would find explicit mathematical demonstrations tedious rather than inappropriate.

  "At least his methods work," I pointed out as we made our way toward the exit. "Your grades have improved since he took over."

  "True," Aria conceded, falling into step beside me. "But I'd rather be doing the real thing than just looking at diagrams all day. Maybe we should suggest a more hands-on approach to the curriculum."

  "Please don't," Isabella said with a pained expression. "The last thing we need is to give him ideas for more 'interactive' lessons."

  We pushed through the cafeteria doors into the bustling corridor, joining the stream of succubi heading to their morning classes. The Academy hallways always felt alive with energy—conversations, laughter, and the occasional flirtatious encounter between students creating a constant background hum.

  "After class, Eastern Transition Zone," Isabella reminded us quietly as we navigated through the crowd. "Don't be late, and don't mention our plans to anyone."

  Aria and I nodded in agreement as we approached the mathematics wing, ready to endure another of Professor Malphas's uniquely educational experiences before our real adventure could begin.