Chapter 119 Subtle Desires
It had been a quiet day at the academy, but Pyris Obsidian's mind was far from still. After some reflection and thoughts, his focus had narrowed. Arabelle, the enigmatic teacher who had recently piqued his interest, stood out not only because of her formidable rank and mysterious background but because of something deeper—something that tugged at the edges of his awareness.
There was power in her, yes, but something far more dangerous: desire. Your journey continues on empire
He had seen her around the academy for some time now, but today would be different. He was ready to engage her directly, to test both her strength and something even more elusive—her will.
As the final bell of the day rang out, signaling the end of classes, Pyris made his way through the corridors, Lia whispering softly in his mind.
["Are you sure this is a good idea, Pyris? She's not just any teacher. If your charm starts affecting her... well, you know where this could lead."]
Pyris smirked. ["That's exactly what I'm counting on."]
As he turned a corner, he spotted her—Arabelle, standing near the entrance to the staff wing, reviewing some papers in her hand.
Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the light of the afternoon sun, and her amethyst eyes shimmered with the weight of hidden knowledge.
She was more than a teacher—she was a mystery, one Pyris intended to unravel.
Pyris approached her with his usual confidence, his presence commanding attention. "Teacher Arabelle," he called out softly, his voice smooth but with a hint of challenge.
She looked up, her expression neutral, though her eyes flickered with recognition. "Pyris Obsidian," she replied, her tone calm but measured. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
Pyris stopped just a few steps from her, his gaze steady. "I've been thinking," he began, "about power, and about those who wield it. You're one of the strongest figures at the academy, aren't you?"
Arabelle's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't deny it. "I am," she said cautiously. "And what of it?"
Pyris smiled faintly, leaning in just a little closer. "I want to train with you. Not the usual sparring the academy offers, but something more... private."
Arabelle blinked, taken aback by his boldness. "Private? And why, exactly, would I agree to that?"
Pyris met her gaze without hesitation. "Because you're curious about me, teacher Arabelle. You've been watching me, haven't you? Wondering what I'm capable of. I can feel it." He leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Let's satisfy that curiosity. A private session—just the two of us."
A brief pause hung between them, tension crackling in the air. Arabelle's eyes searched his face, her mind racing. The offer was tempting, far more tempting than she'd expected.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Pyris had a point—she was curious about him, more than she should have been, 'He's cocky, I like that!' Arabelle thought.
["Well done,"] Lia chimed in playfully in his head. ["You've got her hooked."]
Finally, Arabelle's lips curled into a small, amused smile. "Very well, Pyris. But be careful what you ask for. I won't go easy on you."
Pyris's heart raced, though he kept his cool exterior. "That's what I'm counting on."
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Arabelle led Pyris through a series of winding hallways, deeper into the academy's restricted areas until they reached a secluded training ground reserved only for teachers.
The room was vast, with high ceilings and a smooth stone floor, enchanted to withstand even the most destructive magic.
The air crackled with latent energy.
As they entered, the doors shut with a soft thud behind them, sealing them away from the rest of the academy.
"This is where we train," Arabelle said, her tone matter-of-fact as she turned to face him. "No students allowed here."
Pyris surveyed the room, nodding appreciatively. "Perfect."
They stepped into the center of the room, the atmosphere already charged with anticipation. Arabelle was calm and collected, but beneath that cool exterior, Pyris could sense the faintest flicker of something—something dangerous, and perhaps even exciting.
It was subtle, but it was there.
"Before we begin," Arabelle said, eyeing him carefully, "I should warn you. I don't hold back." Although she restrained her rank to match his, she won't be holding back her abilities.
Pyris smiled faintly. "Neither do I."
The tension between them grew as they prepared to spar. Arabelle's eyes glowed faintly as she tapped into her powers—darkness, space, and illusion, the three elements that made her one of the most dangerous figures in the academy.
Pyris, meanwhile, suppressed most of his Golden Dragon powers, opting to rely on his other elements for now—space, time, and darkness.
He wanted to keep his true strength hidden, at least for the moment.
Without warning, Arabelle struck first, sending a wave of dark energy surging toward Pyris. He reacted swiftly, warping space around him to avoid the attack, the shadows dissipating harmlessly behind him. But Arabelle didn't stop there.
She followed up with a series of quick, precise movements, using her mastery over space to teleport across the room in bursts, keeping Pyris on his toes.
Each time she struck, Pyris countered with his own space manipulation, warping the battlefield to his advantage. They moved in a deadly dance, neither one gaining the upper hand but both pushing each other to their limits. Pyris was impressed by Arabelle's skill—she was fast, precise, and relentless.
But what intrigued him more was how close they kept getting, their bodies brushing against each other in fleeting moments as they dodged and attacked.
Every time they touched, Pyris could feel the faintest flicker of heat from Arabelle—her breath quickening, her pulse racing just a little faster than it should have.
And each time, her control slipped, just for a second.
It was subtle, but Pyris could sense it. His charm was working on her, despite her best efforts to resist.
["She's fighting it, but you can see it in her eyes,"] Lia whispered in his head. ["She's drawn to you."]
As the battle continued, Arabelle summoned an illusionary version of herself, creating two mirror images that darted toward Pyris from opposite sides.
Pyris smirked, using his time manipulation to slow down both illusions, stepping between them with ease.
But then, in a sudden twist, Arabelle materialized directly behind him. Pyris turned, barely dodging her strike, but the movement caused him to stumble—right into her. Before either of them realized what was happening, Pyris's body collided with hers, sending them both tumbling to the ground.
They fell in a heap, Pyris landing atop her, his arms braced on either side of her head. Arabelle's breath hitched as their faces hovered inches apart, their eyes locking in a moment of raw tension. Pyris could feel her warmth beneath him, her body trembling ever so slightly as their breaths mingled in the charged air.