The day had started with the promise of something new, but Pyris hadn't expected it to take such an unexpected turn. Walking through the quiet halls of the academy, his mind buzzed with the weight of his growing fame.
Students everywhere seemed to praise him, not for who he was, but for what he represented: the new CEO of Obsidian Tech, the figurehead of a company that had reshaped the mortal world with advanced technology.
Yet despite the admiration, Pyris found himself wishing to disappear—if only for a moment.
["You can't blame them, Pyris,"] Lia chimed in, her voice soft but filled with knowing. ["Your family's company has made magicians and warriors across Argos dependent on your products. It's no wonder they treat you like a walking opportunity."]
Lia wasn't wrong. Obsidian Tech was a titan in the world of magical artifacts and technological advancements.
Their spatial storage artifacts alone were a game-changer, not to mention the beast sensors and advanced weaponry that magicians preferred over ancient tools. But popularity, Pyris realized, came with a price.
"They're all looking for a way in," Pyris muttered under his breath as he walked through the empty corridor toward the Obsidian Roar club hall. "They're just waiting for the chance to gain something from me or my family."
["The cost of being at the top, Pyris,"] Lia whispered with amusement. ["Fame is a double-edged sword."]
As he turned a corner, lost in thought, something unexpected happened. A hand suddenly yanked him inside a nearby room, the door slamming shut behind him with a force that startled him.
Before he could even react, a voice—sultry and familiar—cut through the air.
"Hey there, handsome~"
Pyris blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light, and his gaze fell upon Liez—the seductive succubus from the Demon Empire. Her red eyes, glowing with a pink hue, shimmered mischievously as she smiled at him.
Her fingers trailed over his body with a gentle, teasing touch, her nails grazing his skin just enough to send a shiver down his spine.
"Jealous, are we?" Liez whispered, her voice dripping with allure as she circled him, her white dress barely containing her curvaceous figure.
Her succubus nature was hard to ignore—her beauty was designed to intoxicate men.
But Pyris had long developed resistance to her charms. This wasn't the first time she'd tried to seduce him, and it likely wouldn't be the last.
"Liez," Pyris began, his voice holding a mix of frustration and amusement. "Still trying to pull this on me?"
"Only if I thought you'd fall for it," she said, pouting playfully. "But you're stronger than that, Pyris. You always are."
Her seductive tone made his heart race, but Pyris didn't lose his composure. "You can save the act," he said, his voice steady. "I've got too much going on to play around right now."
Liez's hands trailed up his chest as she pinned him lightly against the wall. Her movements were slow and deliberate, but something was different today.
Despite the usual flirtation in her voice, Pyris could sense a shift in her demeanor. Her touch wasn't as forceful as usual, and her red eyes didn't hold the same manipulative gleam.
"What's going on, Liez?" Pyris asked, frowning slightly. "You're not acting like yourself."
She let out a soft, resigned sigh and looked up at him. "That's because I'm not here to chase after you like I always do."
Her words caught him off guard, but before he could respond, she continued, her voice softer than he had ever heard before. "Pyris, I've thought about it. I'm done chasing you around, hoping for some casual fling. I've realized something."
Pyris blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. "What are you talking about?"
Liez's hands, which had been teasing his chest just moments ago, slowly slid down to her sides. Her eyes softened, her usual fiery confidence fading as she leaned her head against his chest, her body trembling slightly.
"I love you, Pyris," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I've always loved you. But I know that if I keep chasing after you like this... it'll never be what I want. I'll never have you the way I need to."
Pyris stared at her in shock. Liez, the ever-confident succubus, was confessing her feelings—feelings that Pyris hadn't expected to hear.
"I've always thought that I could get you through desire," she continued, her voice fragile now. "But even if we kept having sex, even if you gave me what I wanted, it would never be enough. You wouldn't love me the way I love you."
For the first time, Pyris saw Liez as more than just a seductress. She wasn't just trying to manipulate him with lust. She was vulnerable, and her feelings were real.
Pyris felt something shift inside him, something that he hadn't acknowledged before. He gently placed his arms around her, pulling her close in a hug.
Her body shuddered slightly in his embrace, and he could feel her emotions—raw and honest—for the first time.
"You're not just some casual fling to me either, Liez," Pyris said softly, his voice carrying more warmth than he'd expected. "I never wanted our relationship to be just about sex. I was waiting for the right moment... but maybe I was waiting too long."
Liez looked up at him, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears. "Do you really mean that?"
Pyris gave her a small, reassuring smile before leaning down to kiss her softly on the lips—a gentle kiss that sent a wave of warmth through both of them. It was brief but tender, and when it ended, Liez's breath hitched as she looked up at him in awe.
"More," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Please... more."
Pyris chuckled at her request, his heart warming at her vulnerability. "Take it, then. As much as you want."
Liez didn't need any more encouragement. With a soft gasp, she leaned in and captured his lips in a deeper, more passionate kiss. This time, her tongue darted between his lips, tasting him, savoring him.
Pyris pulled her closer by the waist, his body reacting to her touch, his suppressed feelings for her rising to the surface.
As they kissed, Pyris's hands gently roamed her back, tracing the curves of her slim yet powerful body. She fit perfectly in his arms, and for the first time in a long time, Pyris allowed himself to fully embrace what he felt for her.
"Mhmm~" Liez moaned softly into his mouth, the kiss deepening as they both gave in to the emotions that had been bubbling beneath the surface for so long.
Her hands threaded through his hair, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed together.
For a moment, the world outside the small room disappeared. It was just the two of them—no responsibilities, no fame, no family legacies...
Just Pyris and Liez, finally acknowledging the feelings they had kept hidden for so long.
But as the passion began to build, Liez suddenly pulled back, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
"Wait," she whispered, placing a hand on his chest. "Not yet. Not like this."
Pyris frowned, his mind still clouded with desire. "Liez, what—?"
"I want to wait," she said, her voice firm but soft. "I want our first time to be... different. Not like before. I want it to be real. Pure."
Pyris blinked in surprise, but then a slow smile spread across his lips. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Liez nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I am. This time... I want it to be about love. Not just desire."
Pyris's heart swelled with respect for her decision, and he nodded in agreement. "Alright, Liez. We'll wait. But when the time comes... it'll be worth it."
Liez smiled, relief washing over her as she rested her head against his chest once more.
*****
One review... If you guys want a side story (background story) how Pyris and Liez knew each other!