The afterglow still clung to Lucian's skin like warm honey when the portal ripped open again.
A low hum vibrated through the bedroom, crimson light flaring at the foot of the bed. The edges crackled, impatient.
[Return Portal Activated]
[Lust Energy: 965 / 1000]
[Warning: Excess energy nearing cap. Next feed will trigger overflow bonuses.]
Lucian blinked, reality snapping back. Samantha was already asleep—curled on her side, dark hair fanned across the pillow she now hugged like a lifeline. Her breathing had slowed to the soft, even rhythm of someone finally at peace. A faint, contented smile curved her lips; tiny aftershocks from Pleasure Echo still made her thighs twitch every few seconds.
He reached out instinctively, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
She murmured something incoherent and nuzzled deeper into the pillow.
Guilt flickered through him. He hadn't even said goodbye properly. Hadn't asked if she was okay, if she wanted him to stay longer, if this would happen again.
But the portal pulsed louder, insistent. The System didn't care about tender moments; it wanted him back where the real game was played.
Lucian sighed and quietly gathered his scattered clothes. Shirt half-buttoned, pants tugged on, shoes in hand—he stole one last look at her sleeping form. She looked smaller now, softer, less broken.
"I'll come back," he whispered, not sure if he was promising her or himself.
Then he stepped through.
The world folded once more.
He emerged in the same circular atrium of the Academy of Lustful Craving, right where the portal had first swallowed him. Afternoon light slanted through the high stained-glass windows, painting the marble floor in shades of blood and rose. Students milled about between classes; the air was thick with chatter, laughter, and that ever-present undercurrent of musk and desire.
Lucian barely had time to orient himself before the scent hit them.
Vira was the first to notice.
She'd been lounging on the edge of the central fountain, tail lazily swishing through the water, when her nostrils flared. Her bubblegum-pink head snapped toward him like a predator catching blood on the wind.
"Oh. My. Gods."
She was on her feet in an instant, crossing the distance in three swaying strides. Behind her, the tall dark-skinned succubus from class—Liora, he remembered now—lifted her head from the shoulder of another student and inhaled deeply. Her golden eyes widened, pupils dilating.
The two of them circled him slowly, like sharks scenting fresh chum.
Vira leaned in first, nose brushing the side of his neck. She inhaled long and slow, then let out a delighted, throaty laugh.
"Sweet and musky," she purred, voice dripping honey and mockery. "And that's not just any after-sex glow, newbie. That's human woman all over you. Rich, needy, satisfied human woman."
Liora stepped closer on his other side, her ram horns catching the light. She dragged a single claw lightly down his arm, eyes glittering.
"Smells like you didn't just feed," she said, lips curving. "Smells like you devoured her. Slowly. Thoroughly. Look at you—still flushed, still hard under those pants. Poor thing didn't even let you soften before sending you back."
Lucian's face burned. He could feel the crimson flecks in his eyes glowing brighter now, could feel the tiniest nubs of horns beginning to press against his scalp—barely noticeable, but there.
"I—" he started.
Vira cut him off with a finger pressed to his lips. "Shhh. No excuses. We can all smell it. Virgin prince walked out of here with his cherry intact…" She leaned in until her lips nearly brushed his ear. "…and walked back in reeking of residue and power."
Liora laughed, low and rich. "Not such a pathetic loser now, are you? That raven-haired bitch who got summoned in front of you would be pissed if she knew some fresh incubus popped his seal before she could break you in."
Vira's tail curled around his wrist, tugging playfully. "So tell us, Lucian. Was she loud? Did she beg? Did you make her come so hard she cried your name?"
The atrium seemed to quiet around them—heads turning, nostrils flaring. A few other succubi drifted closer, drawn by the scent like moths to flame.
Lucian swallowed. His voice came out rougher than he intended. "She… needed comfort. I gave it."
Vira's eyes sparkled with wicked delight. "Comfort. How sweet." She pressed her body against his side, and he could feel how soft they were against his arm. "Bet you were so gentle. So careful. Bet she melted under you like warm chocolate."
Liora mirrored her on the other side, sandwiching him between warm curves and teasing claws. "Gentle's cute for a first time. But now you've got the taste. Now you know what real feeding feels like."
A new window flickered in his vision:
[Passive Skill Evolution Detected: Empathic Drain (Lv.1 → Lv.2)]
[Bonus: +10% Lust Energy from post-feed emotional residue]
[Current Lust Energy Overflow Imminent – Seek release or storage soon]
Vira noticed his eyes were unfocused for a second. She grinned wider. "Look at that. System's purring already. You're this close to capping, aren't you? One more good fuck and you'll level again. Maybe sprout real horns. Maybe get those pretty wings."
She stepped back, tail flicking. "Question is… are you gonna waste all that excess on some random summon? Or are you finally brave enough to play with your own kind?"
Liora leaned in, lips brushing his jaw. "We don't need comfort, cutie. We need more. Think you can handle two at once yet?"
The bell for the next period rang—sharp, demanding.
Students began drifting toward classrooms, but Vira and Liora didn't move.
Vira tilted her head, pink hair falling over one eye. "Class can wait. Or…" She dragged a nail down his chest. "…we can skip straight to extra credit. Your choice, ex-virgin."
Lucian's pulse thundered. The scent of Samantha still clung to him, mixing with the heavier, sweeter scent rolling off the two succubi in front of him.
He met Vira's gaze. Then Liora's.
Something hungry—new, sharp, demonic— uncoiled fully in his chest.
"Maybe," he said, voice low, "I'll let you find out."
The girls exchanged a look—surprised, then thrilled.
Vira's tail tightened around his wrist.
"Then come with us, Lucian Steele," she whispered. "Time to see what a real academy welcome feels like."