Parent's Visit: Part II

Back in the dinner Hall 

After that heated meeting with Annabella, Reagan entered the hall ignoring the curious looks and smiles from the girls that were throwing themselves at her feet. She was still buffled but decided to enjoy the dinner with her crew. They sat at their usual place and engaged in light hearted conversation.

Killian not being able to contain his curiosity, flashed Rea a curious smile as he said:" Soooo...did you tell her about the plan?

The others came closer waiting for the response and impatiently waiting to hear all the details. Rea started telling them some aspect of what transpired today. At the end of it, they all looked at each other and started laughing like mad people. The people around were eyeing them not daring joining their table to get the tea. Although they had become a symbol of resistance against the powerful, they were still feared by some because of what it meant to sit with them. 

Killian said breathlessly:" Do you know how pheromones work?! I understand why she reacted this way!"

Issey chuckled as she said:" Boss ... you messed up. Even I knows"

Rea said annoyed: " Well ... tell me motherfucker!"

Raizel said fearfully:" If we tell you , you gonna kill us for talking about her that way"

Kaizel nodded:" Hard Pass... You fight like a possessed person. No gonna risk it"

Rea sighed and layed back on her seat:" Fuck you all"

Killian said:" It is better if you discover about it from Your Lady herself. The same way i assume we all got to discover about it from our partners at the time."

They all nodded in acknowledgement. Aye 

Rea grunted dramatically, running a hand through her hair. "This girl is actually gonna be the death of me. And I still haven't told her about the plan. I might just have to… you know…" She smirked. "Sneak into her room tonight."

Raizel almost fainted. Kaizel barely caught him, his voice laced with sheer panic. "S-Sneaking into the De La Croix favorite daughter's room? Child's play*, right? We might just die tonight, guys. Cheer up."

Rea just grinned, drumming her fingers on the table. "Ride or die, boys."

Killian sighed. "Well, mostly just die."

Killian scratched his head, considering the insanity of it all. Finally, he smirked. "I think we can make it happen… but it means you'll have to come with us to Yennefer's late-night party to create a credible diversion. We'll set everything up, create an opening, and from there—" he shrugged, "you're on your own, boss."

Issey chuckled, but there was definite discomfort behind it. "Uhh… isn't that gonna enrage Lady Annabella?"

Rea hesitated, rubbing her temple. "She's already worked up… this might just be the last drop."

Killian yelled louder than he meant to. "OH, GROW BALLS!"

The entire table flinched.

Then he leaned in, whispering conspiratorially at Issey. *"You're just making excuses 'cause you don't wanna run into Louise. Yeah, Louise—the girl you slept with last week but never talked to again.**"

Yssey's soul visibly left her body.

Killian turned to Rea next. "And you? You'll figure it out."

With that, he casually leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms as if he hadn't just aired out everyone's dirty laundry.

"This is gonna go down in history," he continued smugly. "I'm gonna be the guy who pulled off the greatest infiltration stunt ever. Don't ruin it for me."

Kaizel snorted, shaking his head. "Fuck you, Kil. It's always about the glory with you."

Killian grinned, completely unbothered. "Damn right it is."

Rea and Issey shrugged at the exact same time—so perfectly synchronized that the rest of the crew lost it, nearly falling out of their seats laughing.

Then, mid-laughter, they all choked as Annabella looked directly at them.

It wasn't just any look. It was the kind of look that made their skin crawl—like she knew they were up to no good and, even worse, blamed them for Rea being so dense.

Every single one of them had the same thought:

She's almost as scary as the boss.

Steven Westor entered the hall, flanked by the other Magisters. The room fell into a tense silence as he cleared his throat.

"The parents' visit will take place in four days. For the first three days, your parents and guardians will have full access to the academy's facilities. During this time, they will be informed about the final-year exams and given a detailed report on your behavior."

Several students stiffened. Others exchanged nervous glances. A few immediately started calculating how much bribing would be necessary to make certain records disappear.

Steven continued, completely unbothered. "On the fourth day, the official ceremony will begin. Parents will be escorted to the venue, and you will commence the challenges."

From the far side of the hall, Yennifer—lounging with her usual crew—grinned devilishly.

"We've been on our worst behavior! Right, death mages?"

Her entire table burst into laughter, high-fiving like they were being given an award instead of a disciplinary hearing.

Steven, completely ignoring them, continued in a more serious tone. "For those whose parents or guardians cannot attend, you will be given special permission to leave the academy. However, you must return in exactly three days. Failure to do so will be considered an admission of failure."

The weight of that statement settled over the room.

Then, without another word, Steven simply said, "Enjoy the rest of your night."

And just like that, the hall was alive again, students whispering, panicking, or already plotting how to survive the incoming disaster.

Rea glanced at her crew, who looked equally terrified and excited.

Shit was about to go down.

The students who knew what was up casually made their way to the balcony, where the party was about to kick off. The air buzzed with anticipation, liquor, and the unshakable certainty that someone was going to do something stupid.

As Rea moved through the crowd, she was abruptly stopped by the last person she wanted to see right now—Steven.

Steven folded his arms and smirked. "I heard you intend on going back."

Rea stiffened, then forced herself to act as unsuspiciously as possible—which, given her track record, wasn't much. "Y-yeah, I decided to go. I'll be meeting the Gran—uh—His Excellency and His Honorable Wife at their summer house. It's… uh… a one-day ride from here."

Steven raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "I could lend you my teleportation portal. You'd be back much earlier."

Rea froze. Oh, for fuck's sake.

She scrambled to maintain her composure. "D-don't b-bother y-yourself."

Steven chuckled, clearly loving this. "It's no trouble. George is an old friend—I don't mind. But I understand… a long ride to clear your mind. A wise choice."

Rea nodded stiffly, gave a hasty bow, and bolted before he could mess with her any further.

Behind her, Steven grinned to himself. "I love my job. Always fun messing with young blood."

At the party Balcony 

Yennifer was all smiles and laughter, comfortably wrapped up in Torry's arms—who refused to let her out of her sight after catching the looks and smirks she'd been flashing at Rea.

Meanwhile, Rea was acting like a lost puppy, pretending to focus on her drink but failing miserably.

Across the room, Killian was busy being a menace to society, refilling glasses and hyping everyone up.

"You're such a bad influence," someone muttered as they accepted another shot.

Killian grinned, completely unbothered. "Please. I'm a strategic bad influence."

Because, in reality, this chaos wasn't just for fun.

It was a cover-up.

Over in one corner, Raizel and Kaizel were already drunk out of their minds, engaging in a push-up competition against each other, failing spectacularly, and making a complete spectacle of themselves.

Perfect distraction #1.

In the center of the room, Issey and Rea were locked in an intense fire-dance battle.

With every movement, flames erupted from their limbs, twisting and flaring in mesmerizing patterns. It was an ancient game among the firelords of Malvoleus—a blend of combat, artistry, and raw flexing.

The crowd oohed and ahhed as the flames danced around them.

Then Issey misstepped, tripped, and fell flat on her ass.

The room exploded in cheers.

Rea smirked, accepting a drink from Killian, who winked—a silent confirmation.

They were almost clear.

Then, of course, trouble walked straight up to her.

"I wanna have a try too," Torry said, voice casual—but his eyes anything but.

Rea, sensing bullshit, raised a brow. "I would never dare defy the heir to my clan."

Torry smirked. Then, without warning, he spun and launched a double kick—so fast it cut through the air inches from Rea's face.

She didn't even blink.

Yennifer, clearly thriving off the tension, clapped her hands together. "Indulge me, guys! I wanna see this happen."

The crowd surged forward, forming a tight circle around them.

The cheers grew louder.

Rea let out a long sigh, rolling her shoulders.

"As you wish."

The crowd pressed in, their cheers roaring as Torry and Rea squared off.

Torry was fast, ruthless, and precise—as expected from the daughter and heir of House Bellarion. She moved like a blade in the wind, her attacks both elegant and cunning.

Rea, instead of countering with brute force, chose to flow with her movements.

It turned into something more than a fight—a dance of red and blue flames.

The embers crackled around them as they twisted and spun, their fire mirroring each other in perfect synchronization.

Then, with a sly smirk, Torry swept low and tackled Rea.

For a split second, it seemed like Rea had lost.

But instead of crashing down, she twisted midair, landing on her hands before flipping twice—a trail of golden flames shaping into the image of a majestic dragon.

The entire hall froze.

Then, thunderous applause.

Even Torry, eyes gleaming with admiration, grinned and clapped.

"Damn, that was a loss, but that was a pretty one," she admitted.

Tony approached, patting his sister's shoulder. "Nice one, sis." Then he turned to Rea and gave her a small nod—a silent acknowledgment.

That was beautifully done.

Tony challenged Torry, drawing the crowd's attention.

Rea glanced at Killian, who flashed her a quick signal.

Move.

The guards near Annabella's room were now occupied—chasing after a chaotic mess of Issey, Kaizel, and Raizel, who were running for their lives like drunk criminals on the run.

Rea smirked, taking her chance.

With the grace of a shadow, she slipped out of the party and made her way toward Annabella's room.

On her way out when she felt a pair of hands yanking her into the shadows.

Before she could react, her back hit the cold stone wall.

She gasped—but not in fear.

Yennifer was so close, pressing her body against her, their heat melding in the dim light.

"Your girl won," Rea murmured, lips curling into a teasing smile. "Should I congratulate you?"

Yennifer's eyes gleamed with something dangerous, playful—hungry.

"You did great yourself," she whispered, voice like silk laced with fire. "But tell me, why are you sneaking out on me?"

Rea swallowed hard, suddenly too aware of the way Yennifer's breath ghosted over her skin.

Rea sighed feeling a little uncomfortable because of the effect Yennifer had on her:" I...am not sneaking. I Just need some air."

"I... I'm not sneaking," she lied, shifting uncomfortably. "Just needed some air."

Yennifer leaned in, her lips brushing against the shell of Rea's ear, sending a delicious shiver down her spine.

"I know I don't leave you indifferent," Yennifer whispered, her fingers tracing slow, taunting circles on Rea's wrist. "So tell me—why are you clinging to someone who can never be yours?"

Rea sucked in a sharp breath.

She couldn't deny it.

The pull between them was forbidden and maddening.

"Because I could be with you?" Rea exhaled, voice betraying something deep, raw, unsure. "You don't mean that."

Yennifer smirked, rising on her tiptoes, bringing her lips just close enough to brush against Rea's.

"Why not?" she breathed.

Rea felt her heart stutter.

For a second, she almost gave in.

But then, Torry's face flashed in her mind—and right after, Annabella's.

With a low, ragged exhale, she gently but firmly gripped Yennifer's wrists, creating just a sliver of space between them. 

"Torry loves you," Rea murmured, forcing herself to meet Yennifer's eyes. "And my feelings for Annabella haven't changed. This... whatever this is, it's powerful. I won't deny that. But I wouldn't love you the way you deserve."

For the first time, Yennifer's playful mask cracked.

She let Rea go, stepping back with something almost like hurt flickering across her expression.

"She's lucky," she said softly. Then her gaze hardened. "But don't ever pretend you know what's good for me."

And just like that, Yennifer turned on her heels and disappeared into the crowd.

A moment later, Rea saw her pull Torry into a corner, lips crashing against hers in a kiss that was just a little too intense.

Rea let out a long, frustrated sigh, clenching her jaw as she tore herself away from the party.

Rea approached Annabella's door, fingers already weaving a spell, unraveling the layers of protection and deception cast upon it.

The first few spells were simple—a mix of traps and alarms.

But the last one?

Pure Ambroseus magic.

It pushed back against her, resisting like a living entity, clawing at her energy.

Rea grit her teeth, summoning Grimson Light, feeling the power pulse through her.

The spell shattered—but at a cost.

A sharp pain sliced through her chest, and suddenly, blood spilled from her lips.

She stumbled, gripping the windowsill, dizzy and breathless.

"Shit…" she muttered, wiping the blood away with the back of her hand.

But she had made it.