Succumania

After a tumultuous morning, the house finally settled into a peaceful lull. Luka let out a breath of relief as he read the message confirming that Nina was safe. That weight off his shoulders helped, though the lingering mystery of the man orchestrating everything still loomed over them. But for now, they needed a breather.

Eva had been sent on an errand to buy food for everyone, while the Lilith Sisters and Alma Elma had already decided on a lazy afternoon, having done their share of work earlier.

Mayu had gone for a jog, and the imps, still under the watchful eye of the Succubus mayor, were off strolling through the neighborhood—likely causing some minor problems, but nothing too extreme.

That left only a handful of people gathered in a newly enlarged room, magically expanded to accommodate their needs. Once a cozy library, it had now been transformed into a makeshift classroom, complete with a blackboard and rows of desks.

For the occasion, Vinum had shifted into her powered-up form, increasing her height for practicality's sake. She wore a snug white blouse and fitted blue jeans, her look completed with glasses that added an air of strict professionalism—though Luka suspected it was mostly for her own amusement.

Tapping a piece of chalk against the board, she adjusted her glasses and cast a sharp glance over her "students."

"Alright, listen up," she announced. "Class is in session."

Succubus-chan had also dressed for the occasion—sporting a blue traditional Japanese school uniform, complete with round glasses to match Vinum's. She raised her hand, barely containing her giggles. "Can I participate too?"

Vinum crossed her arms over her chest, her expression neutral. "Of course. As long as you don't annoy me too much."

Succubus-chan beamed, pushing her glasses up with an exaggerated motion. "I would never, teacher!" she declared dramatically, though her mischievous grin suggested otherwise.

Luka, sitting at one of the desks with his arms folded, hadn't dressed up for the occasion. In fact, he hadn't expected Vinum to go this far just for his lessons.

"I thought those were going to be private lessons," he muttered, his head resting on his hand. 

"Don't you think it's better with a classmate?" Succubus-chan raised an eyebrow. "I'm sad Mayu couldn't come with us since she also has a school outfit…"

"Quiet, you two," Vinum sighed, already regretting her decision. She quickly wrote the name of the class on the blackboard.

Succubi Studies 101

"This is a course on succubi," Vinum began, turning to face her small audience with an air of authority. "Today, I'm going to teach you what we are and the differences between species that I've gathered throughout my research." She adjusted her glasses again, the light glinting off the frames as she looked every bit the part of a strict teacher.

Luka straightened slightly, realizing that despite the theatrics, this could actually be useful. Considering he was now dealing with succubi on a daily basis, a little knowledge might go a long way. Succubus-chan, surprisingly, did the same, her expression turning focused as she stared at the blackboard.

Vinum cleared her throat and began. "First, let's start with the basics. Succubi are a type of demon that feed on life energy, primarily through sex or intimate contact. However, not all succubi are the same. There are several subspecies, each with unique traits and abilities, depending on the world they come from."

She turned to the board and began writing bullet points as she spoke. "The most common type is what we will call the Classic Succubus. They rely on charm and seduction, blending seamlessly into human society. They target individuals who catch their interest—usually men—and drain their energy through sexual interaction."

Succubus-chan raised her hand again. "Is that what I am?"

Vinum paused, considering her for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you fall into that category. You're a Classic Succubus."

 Succubus-chan grinned, clearly pleased with the classification. "I knew it! I'm a classic."

"Don't let it go to your head," Vinum said dryly, turning back to the board. "Now, as I was saying, Classic Succubi are highly adaptable. They can mimic human behavior perfectly, making them difficult to detect. Their primary strength lies in their ability to manipulate emotions and desires, often luring their targets into compromising situations without them even realizing it."

Luka raised a hand, his brow furrowed. "So, how do you defend against them? If they're so good at blending in, how do you even know when you're dealing with one?"

Vinum smirked, clearly anticipating the question. "Good question, Luka. The first line of defense is awareness. Classic Succubi often leave subtle signs—unnatural charm, an overwhelming aura of attraction, or a tendency to steer conversations toward intimate topics. If someone seems too good to be true, they probably are."

"So… I'm predictable?" Succubus-chan leaned back in her chair. 

"Yes," Vinum replied without missing a beat. "Now, pay attention. The second line of defense is mental fortitude. Classic Succubi thrive on exploiting weaknesses—loneliness, desire, insecurity. If you can maintain a clear head and resist their advances, you'll be far less vulnerable. Though…" She paused, adjusting her glasses with a sly smile. "I guess most succubi of that type target lonely men or virgins, which makes them easy prey."

"Yup," Succubus-chan nodded, her mischievous grin returning. "I also pick up guys who are a bit too confident. It's funny how their selfishness gets turned around the moment they realize they've been caught~"

Luka raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "What do you mean by that?"

Succubus-chan leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands as she explained with a playful glint in her eyes. "You know, the type of guys who think they can pick up any girl because they're popular. They're so sure of themselves, but the second they realize they're not in control anymore, it's like watching a castle crumble. Their confidence turns into panic, and it's hilarious."

Vinum sighed. "While I appreciate the anecdote, let's try to stay on topic. The point is, Classic Succubi are masters of psychological manipulation. They exploit vulnerabilities, whether it's loneliness, overconfidence, or anything in between."

Luka nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "I guess it doesn't matter for me since they can't really take advantage of me right now…" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Succubus-chan tilted her head, her grin turning sly. "Yeah because you're boring~"

Luka avoided her gaze, determined to stay focused despite her teasing. "I'll take 'boring' over 'dryfished' any day."

Vinum cleared her throat, cutting off the banter. "Enough distractions. Let's move on to the next subspecies. While Classic Succubi are the most common, they're far from the only type you'll encounter. Next up, we have what I call the Arch Succubus."

She turned to the board and began writing, her chalk moving in sharp, deliberate strokes. "Arch Succubi are a more advanced and powerful variant. They're often leaders or high-ranking figures within succubus society, possessing greater control over their abilities and a deeper understanding of energy manipulation."

Luka raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, there's a succubus society?"

Vinum adjusted her glasses, her expression serious. "Of course. While we are independent demons by nature, there is a hierarchy, and thus a society. It's not as formalized as human governments, but it exists nonetheless.

Succubus-chan leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "I've never dealt with them in the past…"

"It's because we rarely interact with others," Vinum added, her tone matter-of-fact. "Anyway. Arch Succubi can use a variety of spells that can cripple a prey's willpower in a matter of seconds, drain his energy quickly or even mind control him. They also boast powerful magical power and can use destructive spells as well."

Luka frowned, his brow furrowing. "So… isn't that what you are?"

Vinum adjusted her glasses, her expression calm but confident. "Exactly. The three sisters could be considered ones too."

Succubus-chan smirked, unable to resist chiming in. "Of course, they're all old hags. So it's only natural that— Ouch! " She winced as a piece of chalk bounced off her head.

"No interrupting me," Vinum sighed, casually tossing another piece of chalk in her hand as if ready to launch it again. "Anyway, boy," she turned her attention to Luka, her tone shifting to one of warning. "Arch Succubi can easily kill you through violence if you're not careful. The only way to beat them is to overpower them."

Luka nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, after fighting you, I get that you're not to be underestimated. Arch Succubi are basically very strong mages in succubus society."

Vinum's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Precisely. While Classic Succubi rely on charm and manipulation, Arch Succubi are far more versatile. They can dominate you mentally, drain you physically, or simply obliterate you with magic if they choose to. Underestimating one is a fatal mistake."

Succubus-chan rubbed her head where the chalk had hit, pouting slightly. "You didn't have to throw it so hard…"

Vinum ignored her, turning back to the board. "Now, let's move on to the next subspecies. While Arch Succubi are powerful, they're not the only advanced variant you'll encounter. Next up, we have the Nightmares."

She wrote the third name on the board before pointing at it with a ruler. "Nightmares are a unique and particularly dangerous type of succubus. Unlike Classic or Arch Succubi, they specialize in the realm of dreams and the unconscious. They can range from minor succubi who only live in dreams to those who can warp reality itself, transforming it into a dreamscape."

Luka's eyes widened slightly. "Sounds like Saki…"

Vinum tilted her head, her expression curious. "I don't know who she is, but I can tell that Mayu girl is one of them."

"Mayu?" Luka raised an eyebrow, his tone skeptical. "She seems pretty real to me."

"It's not because she can materialize in the normal world that she isn't a dream either. Nightmares can exist in the real world and act only once dreams anchor themselves to reality. Human women can also turn into Nightmares during these events, but that's another story. Do you remember the purple-haired one in the Land of Night?"

"Est? That one?"

"Exactly," Vinum nodded. "You could say she is one of the strongest Nightmares around. Est is a prime example of a Nightmare who can manipulate both dreams and reality, blurring the lines between the two. In summary, they are just like succubi but they can act in dreams and drown you into eternal slumber, as well as just kill you."

"Wait… Does that mean I'm basically very weak compared to all the others?" Succubus-chan's eyes widened.

"Of course," Vinum sighed with an annoyed expression. "You're a Classic Succubus, which means you rely on charm and seduction. Against a prepared prey who's aware of your existence, you wouldn't last long. Nightmares, Arch Succubi, and other advanced variants have far more tools at their disposal. You're… let's say, more of a beginner-level threat."

Succubus-chan slumped in her chair, her usual confidence visibly shaken. "That's so unfair… I thought I was doing pretty well!"

Luka couldn't help but chuckle, though he quickly stifled it when Vinum shot him a sharp look. "I guess that means I shouldn't be worried about Succubus-chan…" he muttered as he scribbled something in his notebook.

Succubus-chan's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. "H-Hey, what are you writing?"

"Just ranking you lower on the threat list," Luka replied casually, not looking up from his notes.

"You have a threat list?!" Succubus-chan exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "Since when?!"

"Since I started dealing with succubi on a daily basis," Luka said, still focused on his notes. "It's practical. Helps me keep track of who's dangerous and who's… well, not."

Succubus-chan leaned over, trying to peek at his notebook. "Let me see that! Where am I ranked? Who's above me? Is Mayu on there? What about Vinum?"

Luka quickly closed the notebook, holding it out of her reach. "It's for my eyes only. Besides, you're not exactly high on the list, so don't worry about it."

Succubus-chan puffed out her cheeks, clearly offended. "This is so unfair! I'm way more dangerous than you're giving me credit for!"

Vinum adjusted her glasses, her expression neutral. "If it makes you feel better, you're still more dangerous than the average human. But compared to other succubi, you're… well, let's just say you have room for improvement."

Succubus-chan grumbled and slumped back in her chair.

"I don't get why you want to be dangerous," Luka deadpanned. 

"I don't know… It would make me feel special to you…" she said with a soft voice, her eyes shying away from him.

Damn, she's good. Maybe I should put her higher…

He quickly reopened his notebook and placed her a rank higher than Rami.

"Either way, we've covered most of the subspecies," Vinum tapped the board with her ruler, drawing everyone's attention back to the lesson. "The others are barely worth mentioning, as they are just lesser demons, like the imps, for example."

"What about Alma Elma?" Luka raised his hand. "Is she an Arch Succubus?"

"She could be considered one," Vinum conceded, nodding. "But be careful with her tail. I think she is one of the few I know capable of swallowing a human alive with it."

Luka's pen clattered to the desk, his face draining of color. "S-She can what…?"

Vinum smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction. "You weren't aware? You're lucky to be on her good side because she's the only one who can make a meal out of you if she wants to."

Succubus-chan's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, wait. Alma Elma can eat people with her tail? Like, whole?"

"Yes," Vinum replied matter-of-factly. "There are others capable of that but they are very rare. You don't meet them often."

Luka's hands trembled, memories of Alma Elma's morning hungry grin flashing through his mind—suddenly far less innocent. Vinum sighed, rolling her eyes. "Don't be so theatrical. She's tame compared to me. She won't eat you."

"I-I-I know…" Luka stammered, swallowing hard. "She's been n-nice to me, haha…"

Succubus-chan giggled, clearly entertained by Luka's discomfort. "This is amazing. I'm curious how she does this."

"No, you don't," Luka cut in, shaking his head vigorously. "Let's just… keep things the way they are."

Vinum adjusted her glasses, her smirk fading as she turned to the board. "Moving on. We've hit the major subspecies, but there's one more layer to unpack: Demon Lords."

"Demon Lords?!" Luka's voice cracked, panic surging as old traumas flared. "No more Demon Lords! I'm done with them!"

"Calm yourself," Vinum sighed, flicking a piece of chalk at his forehead with a soft thwack .

"Hey!" Succubus-chan protested, rubbing her own head. "That was way softer than mine! Mine stung like crazy!"

Vinum ignored the complaint, tapping the board with renewed authority. "Demon Lords aren't a subspecies—they're a class unto themselves. Think of them as the pinnacle of succubus evolution, or any demonic lineage, really. They wield power that dwarfs even Arch Succubi. If a normal human were to see them, he would call them god."

Luka rubbed his forehead, still jittery. "Are there really some like this?"

"Yes," Vinum replied, her tone clinical. "They're rare—reclusive or locked in their own domains. You'd feel one before you saw them, or die. The air thickens, magic hums, and your instincts scream to run. If one's nearby, consider you already dead. And yes, even you boy."

Luka swallowed, his notebook forgotten. "Great. Another thing to dread."

"Don't wet yourself over it," Vinum said dryly. "They're not lurking behind every corner. Though I had one sealed in a book. But I lost it. I wonder where it went…"

"Y-You lost a demon lord?" Luka's teeth chattered, his voice pitching into a near-squeak.

"Isn't that very bad, professor?" Succubus-chan panicked as well. "I mean, if it's that powerful…"

"You would know it if she were free," Vinum replied, her tone oddly calm. "She would have gone on a rampage and killed millions in a matter of minutes. A mage must have picked up the book and sealed it somewhere…" she mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"Please tell me when you lose something this important!" Luka snapped back.

Vinum shrugged. "I already told you but you didn't listen. Besides, if she were free, you'd already be dead. So, no point in worrying."

"THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO WORRY!" Luka shouted, his hands gripping the edges of his desk.

Vinum ignored his outburst, tapping her ruler once more against the board. "Anyway, if you meet one, you're fucked. Both figuratively… and literally." She glanced at the clock above the board and nodded. "And that's all for today. I hope you took notes, boy, or I'll make sure you write them down a million times until your hand bleeds."

Succubus-chan raised her hand, her playful grin returning. "What if I didn't take notes either? Do I have to write them down too?"

Vinum adjusted her glasses, her expression neutral. "You're not the one I'm teaching. But if you'd like to join him in his punishment, be my guest."

Succubus-chan quickly shook her head. "Nope, I'm good! Just asking for a friend."

Luka groaned, slumping in his chair. "This is the worst class ever…"

Vinum's lips curled into a faint smirk. "You're welcome. Now, get out of my classroom. I have research to attend to. And say thank you when you leave."

The two students bowed in respect and shouted in unison. "Thank you for teaching us, Vinum-sensei!"

"Good," she smirked, her form returning to her more casual self.