Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

{Melisa}

"Melisa," Javir said calmly, "could I speak with you in my study for a moment? About that... research question you had earlier?"

Melisa nodded quickly. Maybe a little too quickly.

"Sure, yeah, absolutely."

"Aww, but I was going to show Melisa my other spells," Hazel pouted.

"I promise I'll watch all of them when I get back," Melisa assured her, ruffling her hair. "Save the best ones for last, okay?"

Javir led the way to her study, closing the door behind them once Melisa was inside. She didn't speak immediately, taking a moment to pinch the bridge of her nose with blatant, obvious disapproval.

It wasn't a matter of if Melisa was in trouble, but rather how much.

"So," she said finally, "I think we may have a problem with that artifact."

"Uh, seems like it, yeah," Melisa ran a hand through her hair, looking frazzled. "I just experienced Isabella using a wand in ways that she definitely didn't tell me they'd been made for."

Javir raised an eyebrow but clearly decided not to ask for details.

"I had a similar experience with Melistair just now. So... The artifact seems to have created some sort of memory transfer effect." She started pacing. "When we touch someone, we experience a memory from their perspective."

"B-But it didn't happen when we first found the disc," Melisa pointed out. "I picked it up and nothing happened."

"Indeed. The effect might have been delayed, or it might require some sort of activation," Javir mused. "Either way, it seems to be affecting both of us now."

Melisa groaned, slumping into a chair.

"Great. Just great. What about Jaylin? She touched it too."

Javir visibly cringed.

"If she's experiencing the same effect..."

"She came back to the house before I did," Melisa said. "She could have touched anyone. Oh man, she's probably traumatized for life," Melisa finished. "No wonder she wasn't here when I got home. She's probably off somewhere trying to bleach her brain."

"Bleach?"

"Purify!" Melisa corrected.

"Well, in any case, we clearly need to fix this," Javir said decisively. "I'll have to research the artifact more thoroughly. There must be a way to reverse the effect."

"And in the meantime?" Melisa asked. "What, we just wear gloves and avoid touching anyone?"

"Assuming that actually works, that might be the safest approach, yes." Javir frowned thoughtfully. "Though it would look rather suspicious if we all suddenly started avoiding physical contact simultaneously. And, to be honest, I'd rather not have to explain what I saw a moment ago to anyone."

"I guess we could say we have some highly contagious disease," Melisa suggested halfheartedly.

"I'd rather not incite another contagion panic either," Javir replied dryly. "For now, let's just try to minimize contact until we can study the artifact more closely. We should probably tell Jaylin what's happening too, if she hasn't already figured it out."

"You can tell her," Melisa said quickly. "She already wants to murder me for ditching her today. If she finds out I accidentally cursed her with other people's sexy memories, she might actually go through with it."

Javir couldn't quite suppress a small smile despite the seriousness of the situation.

"I'll speak to her. And first thing tomorrow, we're going back to that hidden chamber to take another look at that disc."

"What happened to 'this is beyond your current level of magical understanding'?" Melisa quoted, mimicking Javir's stern professor voice.

"That was before the artifact decided to give us all intimate insights into each other's private lives," Javir retorted. "Now it's a practical problem that needs solving."

Melisa nodded, then her expression turned mischievous.

"So... you saw a memory of Margaret and dad, huh? Was it steamy?"

"Melisa!"

"What? Just asking for scientific purposes. We need to understand the nature of the memories being transferred, right?"

"Out," Javir pointed to the door, fighting to keep her expression stern. "Go finish watching Hazel's magic show. And remember—"

"Minimize physical contact, got it." Melisa stood up, heading for the door. She paused with her hand on the handle. "Hey, Javir?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think this means I'll finally get to see what Raven's thinking behind that poker face of hers?"

Javir sighed deeply.

"Please don't experiment with this, Melisa. The last thing we need is more complications."

"... No promises," Melisa replied with a wink, then slipped out of the study before Javir could scold her further.

---

{Jaylin}

Jaylin stalked through the twilight streets of Syux, her hands jammed firmly in her pockets. The evening air did little to cool her burning face or erase the images seared into her brain.

[I can never look at them the same way again. Never.]

She had no destination in mind, just the desperate need to put distance between herself and the Blackflame residence. Between herself and that mental picture of Margaret and Melistair...

[Stop thinking about it!]

She turned down a busier street, hoping the crowd would distract her. The night market was just starting, vendors setting up stalls while early customers browsed their wares.

"Fresh pastries!" called a portly human woman. "Still warm from the oven!"

The thought of food made Jaylin's stomach turn. She quickened her pace, weaving between shoppers.

[This has to be that stupid disc's fault. Has to be.]

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the street performer until she collided with him, her shoulder bumping against his bare arm.

The world tilted.

Suddenly she was staring at herself from the performer's perspective, watching her own startled face. But the memory quickly shifted to something else entirely—the performer and a nim woman.

The lady, who was extremely flexible, was in some sort of bridging position while the guy pounded into her.

Jaylin's face turned deep red.

"Watch where you're going!" the performer snapped as Jaylin stumbled back, disoriented.

"S-sorry!" she mumbled, hurrying away, her face aflame.

[This is a nightmare. An actual waking nightmare!]

She turned down a less crowded side street, desperately trying to compose herself. A few deep breaths later, she felt almost normal again.

Until a darian woman brushed past her, their hands accidentally touching.

This time, Jaylin found herself in an ornate bedroom, surrounded by three kitsune, all with hungry eyes and massive dicks.

"Excuse me, miss? Are you unwell?"

Jaylin blinked, reality rushing back. The darian woman was staring at her with concern.

"Fine! I'm fine!" Jaylin backed away. "Just... remembered something important."

She turned and fled, not stopping until she reached a small park. She collapsed onto a bench, hugging herself tightly.

[This can't be happening. I just need to avoid touching anyone until I figure this out.]

A simple plan. An achievable plan.

Someone sat down beside her on the bench. A young human man, close enough that their shoulders almost touched.

Jaylin scooted to the far end of the bench, earning her a confused look from the man.

"Sorry," she said automatically. "I'm just... contagious. Very contagious. Nim fever. Highly infectious. You should probably move."

The man's eyes widened, and he quickly stood.

"Right. Thanks for the warning. Feel better."

[Good. That worked.]

Her momentary victory was short-lived. As she stood to leave, an old woman stumbled nearby. Pure reflex had Jaylin reaching out to steady her, grabbing the woman's wrinkled hand.

The memory hit her like a tidal wave—the old woman as a young bride, her wedding night with her husband, both of them nervous but eager. The man lasted 30 seconds.

[AAAAAAAGGGGGH!]

"Oh, thank you, dear," the old woman said as Jaylin helped her regain her balance. "These cobblestones are treacherous in the evening light."

"N-no problem," Jaylin managed, letting go as quickly as she could without being rude. "Have a good evening."

She practically ran the rest of the way back to the academy, avoiding every person she passed with the determination of someone fleeing a plague zone.

This was, absolutely, one of the worst things to ever happen to her.

And it was solely Blackflame's fault!