Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner Chapter 255: Consecrated

The fifth lesson commenced with the introduction of a novel spell.

"Divine Spark," Selene declared, presenting her palm. A tiny orb of white light materialized between her fingers, radiating a sharp brilliance, suspended as if it were a minuscule firefly. "Its offensive application is somewhat limited due to its size, yet it proves exceptionally effective against those tainted by corruption. Consider it a needle meticulously crafted from pure light."

With a subtle flick of her wrist, the spark propelled itself across the chamber, impacting the distant wall with a faint gleam before dissolving into nothingness. A faint, scorched outline remained etched upon the stone surface.

"The crux of this technique lies in precision, not sheer power," Selene elaborated. "Any novice can unleash a torrent of light. However, the Divine Spark demands the intense compression of divine energy into a singular point, maintaining its form throughout its trajectory. Should your concentration falter even for a moment, the energy will dissipate before reaching its intended target."

Aegis raised her hand, her focus narrowing inward.

She drew the nascent light towards herself, compressing its glow from a diffuse radiance into a sharp point, a minuscule bead of white now resting in the curve of her fingers. It flickered erratically for a fleeting instant before stabilizing, holding its form.

"Excellent. Now, launch it. Aim for that section of the wall."

Mimicking Selene’s precise motion, Aegis flicked her wrist. The spark streaked forward, traversing the room in a direct path, and struck the wall approximately a foot away from the scorch mark Selene had created. The resulting flash was less pronounced, but impeccably clean.

"Once more," Selene instructed.

Aegis repeated the action. And then again.

By the fifth repetition, her aim was consistently within the span of her hand from the target, and by the sixth attempt, Selene ceased offering any further corrections.

Aegis lowered her arm, shaking her hand to alleviate the residual tingling sensation.

"So, how did I do? Rate my performance on a scale from one to 'the local clergy should be concerned.'"

Selene remained silent, processing the remark, a clear indication that Aegis's performance had prompted contemplation. This, in itself, was a form of commendation.

"You are compressing the divine energy too forcefully upon release," Selene finally stated after a brief pause. "This results in increased velocity but compromises the spark's stability over greater distances. Allow me to demonstrate."

Stepping behind Aegis, Selene placed her hands upon the latter's shoulders, subtly adjusting her stance.

"Square your footing. You are inclining too far forward, which introduces undue tension into your arm. The energy must flow unimpeded from your core, through your shoulder, and down the entirety of your arm. Any restriction in the shoulder joint disrupts the entire energy conduit."

Selene's hands applied gentle pressure, guiding Aegis's shoulders backward. Her thumbs pressed into the muscles flanking Aegis's spine, and Aegis felt a profound release of accumulated tension.

[Oh. Oh, my.]

"That is significantly better," Selene murmured softly. "Now, attempt the spell again."

Aegis raised her hand once more. Selene's fingers glided from her shoulders down to her upper arms, meticulously guiding the optimal angle, her breath a warm caress against the back of Aegis's neck.

"Sense the alignment," Selene instructed, her voice diminishing to a near whisper. "From your center, extending through the shoulder, all the way to your fingertips. Visualize it as a single, unbroken conduit."

[... She is remarkably close right now.]

Aegis could distinctly feel the pressure of Selene’s chest against her back. Selene's hands remained on her arms, her fingers loosely encircling Aegis's biceps, and she had made no move to distance herself.

Aegis slowly turned her head.

Selene was mere inches away, her azure eyes wide with an unspoken intensity, her lips slightly parted. At this proximity, Aegis could discern the individual lashes framing Selene's gaze. She noticed the subtle dilation of her pupils and the faint blush that ascended from beneath the neckline of her clerical attire.

For a suspended moment, neither of them stirred.

Then, Aegis closed the infinitesimal distance between them.

She initiated a kiss, and Selene reciprocated with equal fervor.

The embrace was anything but gentle. Selene's mouth parted against Aegis's immediately, her fingers tightening on Aegis's arms with a force that promised to leave marks. Aegis leaned into the kiss fully, one hand finding Selene's waist while the other cradled the back of her neck. A small, sharp inhalation escaped Selene against Aegis's lips, and instantly, her back pressed against the cold stone wall.

Aegis pressed forward, momentarily pinning her, and Selene's hands shifted from Aegis's arms to her collar, drawing her even closer. Their tongues met in a passionate dance, and Selene shifted her hips forward, a provocative friction against Aegis's thigh. Aegis nipped gently at Selene's lower lip, tugging slightly, eliciting a soft gasp. Selene's head tilted back against the wall, her eyes falling partially closed.

[Incredible, the devout one possesses a remarkable talent for kissing.]

Aegis trailed kisses down Selene's jawline to her neck, her mouth leaving a trail of heat against Selene's skin. Selene's fingers became entangled in Aegis's hair, her grip tightening. Selene pressed her thigh between Aegis's legs, eliciting a low groan from Aegis as she bit down softly on the delicate curve of Selene's neck. Selene's fingers tightened further in Aegis's hair, a silent urging that Aegis readily accepted.

Returning her lips to Selene's, Aegis deepened the kiss, her tongue exploring Selene's mouth while her hand slid beneath the gap between Selene's chestplate and hip, fingers pressing into the warm fabric beneath. Selene arched against the touch, her hips rolling forward with an undeniable urgency, and the sound she emitted against Aegis's mouth was a hushed, desperate cry, a stark contrast to the composed, professional demeanor she maintained within the sanctity of the prayer room.

The intense embrace lasted perhaps a minute. Possibly two.

Then, Selene’s hands pressed flat against Aegis’s chest, pushing her away with a gentle touch.

Aegis took a step back.

Selene remained pressed against the wall, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. A deep flush spread across her cheeks, her hair was disheveled on one side, and her blue eyes seemed wide and distant. Her lips were moist, and her armor sat askew.

She gazed at Aegis for a prolonged moment. Then, she visibly composed herself, straightening her posture, adjusting her chestplate, and smoothing her hair down with both hands before clearing her throat.

"The lesson concludes for today," Selene announced, her voice lacking its usual firmness.

She avoided Aegis’s gaze as she spoke, walking over to the table to close her satchel and pick it up.

"Same time next week?" Aegis inquired, her tone deliberately light.

Selene paused at the doorway, her back to Aegis, one hand resting on the frame.

"...Same time next week."

With that, she departed.

Aegis found herself alone in the quiet prayer room. She brought a hand to her own lips, still tingling with warmth, and a grin spread across her face.

Her hair was a complete mess. Her collar was creased from where Selene had grasped it, and there was likely a mark on her neck where Selene’s armored fingers had pressed a bit too forcefully. However, none of it bothered her in the slightest.

[Favorability: ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤍]

[Four hearts. Just one more needed. And she returned my kiss. She kissed me back with passion. The church will have a rather intriguing report to compile this quarter.]

The wide grin persisted on Aegis’s face as she stepped out into the bright afternoon sun. She probably appeared utterly foolish, a ridiculous grin plastered on her face on the chapel steps, but she paid it no mind.

[I just shared a passionate kiss with a church inquisitor. Unbelievable.]

---

The courtyard bustled with students transitioning between their afternoon classes and periods of free time. Aegis’s gaze swept through the crowd out of ingrained habit, cataloging faces, and she located Sylceris almost instantly.

Sylceris was positioned near the library entrance, engaged in conversation with a trio of commoner students whom Aegis recognized from the younger years.

Two girls and a boy, all scholarship students, the type who typically kept to themselves and avoided drawing undue attention. Sylceris leaned casually against the wall beside them, arms folded, listening more than actively participating in the discussion.

Aegis observed them for a moment. Sylceris’s head then lifted, her eyes meeting Aegis’s across the busy courtyard. Sylceris offered a brief nod before returning her attention to the ongoing conversation.

[She's definitely becoming more confident. Two weeks ago, she wouldn't have dared to converse with anyone in public. Now, she's holding court in broad daylight. I must accelerate my plans.]