Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!-Chapter 319: The Artifact, Part Fifteen

{Javir}

"Are you all clear on the ritual?" Javir asked, looking around her office at the three young women who'd been affected by the Memory Snare.

Melisa nodded from her seat on the worn leather armchair. Raven stood perfectly still by the bookshelf, her expression unreadable as usual. Jaylin leaned against the wall near the door, avoiding eye contact with everyone (for some reason).

The disc sat on Javir's desk, still sealed under its glass case.

"The ritual is simple," Javir continued. "We form a circle around the disc, each place a hand on it simultaneously, and acknowledge the memories we've seen. This should close the connection and end the effect."

"And you're certain this will work?" Melisa asked.

"As certain as I can be based on historical records," Javir replied. "The question is, are we ready to proceed? The longer we wait, the more chance of accidental touches and... privacy invasions."

Javir expected immediate agreement.

After all, she'd made it clear how dangerous and unethical the Memory Snare's effects were. Instead, she was met with uncomfortable silence.

Melisa cleared her throat first.

"About that... I was thinking maybe we could wait a few more days?"

Javir's eyebrows shot up.

[... What?]

"Wait? Why?"

"Well," Melisa fiddled with the hem of her tunic, "I've been learning some really interesting things. About the academy, about people. Things that could be... useful."

Before Javir could respond, Raven spoke up.

"I also request a delay."

Everyone turned to stare at her.

"You?" Javir couldn't keep the surprise from her voice. "May I ask why?"

"Research," Raven said simply. "The data I'm collecting is valuable."

"Data," Javir repeated flatly.

Raven blinked.

"Yes. The memories provide insight into social dynamics I have struggled to understand."

Javir turned to Jaylin, who was studying her boots with suspicious intensity.

"And you? Do you also want to continue invading people's privacy?"

Jaylin's head snapped up, her cheeks flushing.

"I didn't say that! I just... I think maybe we should make sure we understand the artifact fully before we deactivate it. For academic purposes."

"Academic purposes."

Javir was in utter disbelief.

[They're all lying,] she realized. [And rather poorly at that.]

She sighed.

"I'm disappointed in all of you," Javir said, rising from her chair. "This artifact was designed as a weapon. To spy on and exploit others. And you want to keep using it?"

"It's not like that," Melisa protested. "I just think—"

"No," Javir cut her off. "You're not thinking. None of you are. You're being seduced by the power it gives you, just like those who used it during the Rebellion."

She looked at each of them in turn, letting her words sink in.

But, then...

"Fine. Take your few more days. But remember, the longer this continues, the greater the risk. And not just to others—to yourselves as well."

"What do you mean?" Jaylin asked, suddenly looking concerned.

"The historical records indicate prolonged use of the Memory Snare had... effects on its users. Psychological effects. When you see into another's mind, something of them stays with you." Javir sighed. "Just be careful. All of you."

"We will," Melisa promised. "And thank you."

After they filed out, Javir slumped back into her chair, rubbing her temples.

[What am I doing? I should have insisted.]

---

{Melisa}

Melisa strolled through the busy marketplace, ostensibly shopping for spell components but actually hunting for memories. Her leather bag already held three small vials of herbs she didn't need and wouldn't use. Cover story established.

The Memory Snare's abilities were too valuable to give up just yet. How else could she identify potential threats? Find out who at the academy was mistreating nim? Learn the truth about the Shadow Mages?

Javir's warning echoed in her mind:

"Something of them stays with you."

[Well, if that's true, it's still worth the risk,] Melisa decided, sidling up to a fruit vendor's stall.

She pretended to examine a bright red apple while deliberately brushing fingers with the vendor as she handed over a copper coin.

The world tilted.

The vendor was counting the day's earnings behind his stall after the market closed. A hooded figure approached, and the vendor's demeanor changed instantly—his shoulders straightening, his expression becoming deferential.

"The shipment arrives tonight," the figure said, voice low. "Ensure your stall is positioned by the north entrance tomorrow."

"Yes, lord," the vendor replied. "And the payment?"

The figure pushed back his hood slightly, revealing a face that Melisa didn't recognize—but the vendor clearly did, based on his sudden pallor.

"Your continued existence is your payment," the figure said coldly. "Unless you'd prefer to join the others who failed me?"

The vendor's fear was palpable.

"No, lord. I'll be there."

"Good. Remember, the nim girl with red eyes and black horns. If she passes your stall, you know what to do."

The nim girl with red eyes and black horns. Her. They were talking about her.

Reality snapped back, and Melisa found herself still holding the apple, the vendor smiling pleasantly at her.

"Fine choice, miss," he said. "Anything else today?"

Melisa studied his face. The same obsequious smile he'd given the hooded figure. The same eyes that had agreed to... what? What was she supposed to do if she passed his stall tomorrow?

"Actually," she said, setting the apple down, "I've changed my mind."

She backed away, scanning the crowded marketplace with new awareness. How many others here were watching her? Waiting for her?

The vendor's smile faltered slightly as she retreated, his eyes tracking her with unmistakable recognition.

[He knows who I am,] Melisa realized. [And he's working for someone. Shadow Mages?]

She needed to act fast. But she couldn't confront him in the middle of the crowded marketplace either.

Melisa doubled back through the crowded stalls, circling around until she could see the fruit vendor from behind. He was scanning the crowd, probably looking for her. She slipped closer, hiding her distinctive horns under her hood.

"Inactus leporis dormantu," she whispered, drawing a quick spellsign in the air. A simple sleeping spell.

The vendor's eyes widened briefly before drooping closed, his body slumping forward onto his stall. Several nearby shoppers looked over in concern. freewёbnoνel.com

"Too much sun," Melisa called out, rushing forward as if to help. "My uncle does this all the time. I'll take him to get some water."

Before anyone could object, she had the vendor's arm draped over her shoulder and was guiding his unconscious form toward a narrow alley between buildings. Once out of sight, she propped him against a wall and cast a second spell to ensure he stayed unconscious.

"Let's see what you know," she muttered, placing her palm against his forehead and focusing on the Memory Snare's connection.

This time the world tilted violently, memories flooding her consciousness in a disorienting rush. Most were mundane, a lifetime of selling fruit, a wife, three children, debts. But then she found it: Shadow Mages. Not just one meeting, but several.

This guy had been blackmailed into service. His oldest son had gotten involved with a nim rebel group, and the Shadow Mages had evidence that could send the boy to the executioner. In exchange for silence, the vendor provided information and occasional "assistance."

Tomorrow's assignment was to drop a spelled gem into Melisa's basket if she visited his stall. The gem would allow the remnants of the Shadow Mages to track her movements throughout the city.

Melisa pulled back, processing what she'd learned. This poor fool wasn't truly an enemy... just another victim.

But the Shadow Mage who controlled him...

A familiar face from the memory surfaced in her mind. Not the hooded figure's face, which she hadn't seen clearly, but someone else. Someone in the background of an earlier meeting.

A palace guard. One she'd seen standing behind Queen Aria during her academy visit.

"Shit," Melisa whispered.

When she was done, she propped him more comfortably against the wall, placed his coin purse conspicuously beside him to suggest a robbery attempt, and slipped away.

As she hurried back toward the academy, Melisa's mind raced. She'd been right to insist on keeping the Memory Snare active. Without it, she could have walked right into the Shadow Mage's trap tomorrow. But the discovery that there was still one of them among the Palace Guard was shocking.

[I need to warn Aria.]