The Adventurer’s Academy

Rin stared back at Elmistrae for a while. 

Her mind whirled with a myriad of questions and uncertainties.

As the silence stretched between them, Elmistrae took a deep breath, her amethyst eyes meeting Rin's with a solemnity that belied the weight of her words.

"The reason for my presence here is not one born of malice or greed," Elmistrae began, her voice measured yet tinged with a hint of melancholy. "As a Succubus, I am bound by an innate need to feed off Essence. I'm sure you guessed as much."

Alea, her curiosity piqued by Elmistrae's revelation, stepped forward. 

"How?" Alea asked, gazing upon Elmistrae with surprise. "How do you feed off Essence?" 

A wistful smile crossed Elmistrae's lips at Alea's query, her gaze softening as she regarded the young woman before her.

"I believe you can probably guess that as well," she replied, her tone laced with a hint of amusement.

Alea blushed.

Elmistrae continued, her voice tinged with a note of regret.

"However, the process is not without its consequences," she explained. "Each time I draw upon the Essence of another, it exacts a toll upon them. A small but tangible portion of their life force is siphoned away, leaving them weakened and vulnerable." 

Rin noticed how Cara's jaw tightened. 

It was like she was thinking, "and that's why we should just kill you." 

"People weren't made to give away Essence," Elmistrae said, regrettably. "Hence why I came up with all of this. After much, much research I heard about a book that contained knowledge as to how to transfer one's Essence from one person to another. Without side-effects. I wished to investigate." 

Elmistrae's words hung heavy in the air, the weight of her confession echoing in the silence that followed.

As she approached Alea, eyes held a mixture of longing and anticipation, a silent plea for understanding and cooperation.

"If you were to find this book, it could hold the key to a new existence for me," Elmistrae admitted, her voice tinged with a note of urgency. "A chance to quell the hunger that gnaws at my very being."

Turning her gaze towards Alea, Elmistrae's expression softened with a glimmer of hope.

"Would you be willing to help me?" she asked, her voice laden with a quiet desperation.

The group exchanged hesitant glances, each member grappling with their own internal turmoil as they weighed the risks and rewards of aiding the succubus in her quest.

A few random guards who'd been listening in voiced their concerns, citing the potential dangers of meddling with forces beyond their understanding.

Rin observed Alea's conflicted expression, her keen eyes catching the flicker of curiosity that danced within her friend's gaze.

Sensing Alea's hesitance, Rin stepped forward, her voice calm yet resolute.

"One spell, right?" She asked. 

Once again, Elmistrae's eyes fell on her.

"Yes. That one ability is all I seek."

"... Then," Rin turned toward the others, "maybe we can afford to offer it," Rin suggested, her words carrying a note of cautious optimism. 

"Rin, this is a pretty big request you're making," Cara walked up. "The ability to move essence from one person to another, freely... It's not hard to see how it could be used for evil." 

"I have nothing but my word to offer as proof that I would not harm anyone," Elmistrae said. "That and the fact that I've not killed many people." 

[Many,] Rin noted. [But... Given what she is, I guess that would be a given.] 

"And, having this," she continued, "would stop me from killing any more. Please. I beg you." 

The regal-looking lady bowed before them. 

Everyone waited. 

"Alea," Rin said. "You're the one who found that book. In my opinion... It's up to you." 

That did nothing to ease the nerves of the room, but Alea nodded. She agreed with that. 

After a moment of deliberation, Alea made her decision, her hand trembling slightly as she extended the book towards Elmistrae.

[Okay,] Rin thought, inhaling sharply. [She did it.] 

With a sense of anticipation hanging in the air, the succubus reached out to take it, her fingers brushing against the worn leather cover with a mixture of reverence and longing.

As Elmistrae opened the book and began to read, a hush fell over the group. 

They all waited. 

But to their dismay, nothing happened.

Elmistrae hunched over, dejected. 

"I... Right," her disappointment was clear. "It won't work." 

"What?" Alea asked before the lady gave her the book back. 

"It's connected to you," Elmistrae replied. "Reading its words did nothing for me."

---

Under the veil of night, Maria's voice carried through the camp.

The group gathered around, their expressions reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and apprehension as they listened intently to Maria's plan.

"If obtaining that book was the sole purpose behind all of this, then it's clear our mission here is over," Maria declared, her voice firm with conviction. "It's time for us to pack up and leave."

While the discussion ensued, Rin slipped away unnoticed, her footsteps silent against the soft earth as she made her way toward the imposing black limousine where Elmistrae was, according to Alea. 

A guard moved to intercept her, but to Rin's surprise, the succubus herself called out, beckoning her closer with a welcoming gesture.

Rin just walked up and got in. 

"Hello there," Rin greeted, a nervous smile playing at her lips as she approached Elmistrae. "I, uh, my name's Rin. I wanted to speak with you."

Elmistrae regarded Rin with a curious gaze, her amethyst eyes sparkling with intrigue. 

"I couldn't help but notice that there's something different about you," she remarked, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Your beauty and aura are such that I almost mistook you for a succubus in hiding when I first laid eyes on you." 

Rin hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. 

"So, tell me, Rin. What is it you wish to share?" 

She pushed through it. 

"I... well, I have this ability," Rin began, her voice trailing off uncertainly. "We only just discovered it recently. I.. can transfer Essence, I mean. It's something I've always had, apparently, and I thought... maybe it could help you."

Elmistrae's reaction was one of genuine surprise, her features betraying her astonishment at Rin's unexpected revelation.

For a moment, she was rendered speechless, her mind racing with the implications of Rin's offer.

"Can you tell me more?" Elmistrae asked quietly. 

Rin did just that.