The days following the two duels passed by without much incident.

The only issue that popped up was Guiche attempting to start a fight with Aselith the day after his duel with Saito. He claimed it was for Malicorne's honor, but it sounded more like it was for himself. Maybe he thought he could fight Aselith after losing against Saito. Tabitha highly doubted that.

"The boy was hardly worthy of the time I gave him. But if so many of you come demanding more, then I should simply dissuade you of any notion of success." Aselith, of course, was more than willing to fight.

Guiche was about to rise to the bait, but Tabitha pointed her staff at him.

"W-What are you doing, Tabitha!?" He cried out. Tabitha also got a curious look from Aselith.

"Malicorne attacked my familiar first. He lost. I won't allow it again." She said.

"I'd be careful, Guiche." Kirche added. "Attacking a noble's familiar is the same as attacking a noble. Malicorne was lucky Tabitha was so forgiving before."

Guiche wasn't willing to duel Tabitha, due in large part to that being forbidden between nobles. "Hmph! It's hardly worth the time of nobles to bother with one fast-healing alchemy test subject."

That was the only incident that even came close to violence.

As per their agreement, Tabitha continued to instruct Aselith on her world's magic. How stacking elements together in spells worked. What combinations led to which types of spells. The strongest mages being square class, with pentagon being legend. How hexagon spells could be cast, but only between blood members of a royal family.

Aselith seemed to focus on the royal families. Being direct descendants of Brimir, of course they would hold his interest. Due to that, Tabitha revealed two things.

First was that the Vallieres were a cadet house of the Tristain royal family. The ideas that went through his mind about that must have been similar to her own.

The second thing was her own background, being the exiled former princess of Gallia. His reaction to that was about the same. Perhaps intrigued? As for why she decided to share that information, she had some time to think on things.

As far as Tabitha was aware, her uncle, the current king, had never cast an elemental spell. He had only cast common spells, ones outside the four branches, like Lock or Detect Magic. There was a woman who did whatever he commanded, whose skills with golems and manufactured creatures was extraordinary. He also had no familiar, or so Tabitha thought.

Could her uncle be a void mage? Tabitha would have dismissed the idea completely before. After all, how could such a vile man have the same magic as the Founder? But maybe he was. Maybe that woman, Sheffield, the one who also relayed orders to Tabitha, was his familiar.

Tabitha couldn't prove it either way, but she did relay her thoughts to Aselith, who was quite pleased to hear this. She only asked he not make any move against her uncle just yet. If he was a void mage, he would have had years, decades, to learn what his magic could do. Observing Louise would go a long way to determine King Joseph's abilities. Aselith easily agreed to this.

In fact, Aselith spent most of his time observing Louise and Saito. The boy was back on his feet the morning after the duel, and was chastised heavily by Louise. His meals were often withheld. If it wasn't for the kitchen servants providing Saito food, Aselith would have been sneaking some to Saito, just to make sure he didn't go hungry.

There wasn't much to report over the week or so of observation. Louise attended classes with Saito occasionally nearby. When not in class, Louise had Saito performing chores expected of a dedicated servant, or berating him for something. Aselith also helped Saito with his chores, when Louise wasn't watching, and listened to Saito's complaints, of which there were many. Though Aselith didn't say it, Tabitha believed he would eventually attempt to usurp Louise's influence over Saito. She didn't think the mental influence of his runes affected Aselith that much; maybe he thought he could disrupt them in Saito. This was just speculation.

It was somewhat aggravating to see Louise wasting Saito's potential like that. He defeated a noble, after all. At least the other academy servants were treating him well, and a few of the students were impressed with his performance.

Then again, Tabitha didn't have any room to talk, since she wasn't having Aselith do anything beyond observing Louise and Saito. When they would be near Tabitha, Aselith did as he had been and attended to her. In the mornings, he dressed her and brushed her hair. He almost went with her to the bathhouse in the evenings, but Tabitha prohibited that. She doubted any girls present would appreciate him being there, even if he didn't have a man's defining feature. Well, except Kirche…

Louise didn't interact with any of them much more than she used to. Whatever thoughts she had about Aselith mentioning his race—or how what he said could be taken as heretical, or admission to being a demon—were kept to herself. Aselith reported how she asked about his healing abilities more, and she asked Tabitha about potentially hiring their services for something in the future. Tabitha had a similar thought about Aselith, and how she might barter for that service.

In addition to teaching Aselith, Tabitha also went to the library more to read up on any information she could about Brimir's past. The tomes she found were common in any church, and ones she's already read, so she branched out as much as she could. Any additional information she could teach Aselith, or learn for herself about void magic, would be good.

Then something came up on a void day, a day of rest. Louise was going to take Saito into town to buy him a weapon. Tabitha considered going with Aselith to observe, but she decided against it. He knew enough to stay out of trouble—or, at least, to not start any. Besides, she wanted to do a little recreational reading…with company.

"Aw, where did Aselith go?" Kirche complained, sitting on Tabitha's bed next to her. "I was hoping to have another chat with him~."

The one thing Aselith did that truly annoyed Tabitha was spending so much time alone with Kirche. If they merely 'chatted', it wouldn't be an issue. But it was more than that. Aselith would often give Kirche…attention.

It was just like when Tabitha first caught them together. Aselith would massage Kirche's body, seemingly while learning from her. Truthfully, Tabitha thought it was a tactic to just annoy her. She didn't know why he did that, but there was always this look on his face that told her so. It didn't help that the last time he massaged her, Kirche wore nothing but a towel to cover her butt.

She supposed she should be grateful, in a sense. Since Aselith started doing that, Kirche hadn't slept with any boys. That was the single silver lining.

The next day was back to normal, or as normal as Tabitha's days became. Aselith was out late last night talking with Saito, since Louise had him work on her laundry then. Due to that, she wasn't able to find out what Aselith learned on the trip into town. But that could wait until tonight, once his observations of Saito outside of today's classes was done.

When classes ended for the day, Tabitha spent some more time in the library, a few hours. Even if she didn't gain any additional useful knowledge in a given day, reading was still enjoyable for her.

The sun was nearly set by the time she made it back to the dormitory. She opened the door to her room, and froze in place.

"K-Kirche…?" Tabitha uttered.

"Hey, Tabby~." Kirche responded, waving her fingers at her.

The sight before her was outside anything she thought possible. Kirche was laying on her bed, head propped up on one arm. But what she wore…was something Tabitha had seen a few times, though only once actually being worn by Kirche.

It was a violet negligee. Her breasts were covered with more solid material, but what went down her slim waist to her wide hips was nearly transparent. It showed off her form beautifully. The panties she wore barely covered her. In fact, if Kirche were to move her legs just a little bit…

"You should close the door, Tabby~." She said, her tone seductive and full of want. "Someone might walk by."

Tabitha swallowed and numbly did so. What was going on? Why was Kirche sitting on her bed, wearing…that!? This couldn't be real.

"Come closer~." Kirche beckoned her with a finger.

Slowly, Tabitha took a step forward. Then another. She couldn't process what was happening fast enough.

Before she knew it, she was in front of her bed, looking down at her best friend. The smile that was presented to her…

"Well~?" Kirche lifted her hand up, daintily offering it to Tabitha. "Aren't you going to join me?"

Tabitha raised up her hand. Seeing Kirche like this, it was indescribable. Unbelievable.

Impossible.

She pointed her staff at Kirche's head.

"Get out." The words felt so cold as they left her mouth.

"Tabitha?" Kirche reacted calmly, barely widening her eyes.

"Get. Out." Tabitha repeated the words.

Kirche sighed. "Really, there's no need to be this upset. I thought you would appreciate this, but—"

"Get out of Kirche!" Tabitha yelled. There was a fury in her she hadn't felt in years, if ever. When her mother was poisoned by her uncle, she was sad, angry, and ultimately hopeless. There was nothing she could have done, she eventually realized. Doing what her uncle ordered her was all she could do to protect her mother now.

But that wasn't the case here. Her uncle had a nation behind him, even if some of those 'loyal' to him were so more out of fear, if some rumors were true. Hundreds of mages, thousands of soldiers, and even the knighthood order she was a part of would stand in her way. But Aselith? He was just one person.

"What are you on about?" Kirche—no, Aselith—asked.

"You're possessing Kirche!" Tabitha hissed out. "Get out of her right now! If you don't, I'll…" She didn't know what she would do, but she would not let Aselith do as he pleased with Kirche.

"Relax." Aselith casually waved his hand, still laying in the same position when Tabitha first entered. "It's me. It's just me."

Tabitha didn't remove her staff from his face, which was still in the shape of her closest friend.

"While I'm sure some would consider being possessed to be harmless, your intent was clear. Commandeering her body would go against what I said to you." Aselith said, sounding bored. "Honestly, I'm just the tiniest bit insulted by the accusation."

Still, Tabitha kept her staff pointed at him. If Aselith wasn't possessing Kirche…no, she could believe that. He spoke truth. Not once did he go against his word, nor did he push the boundaries.

"Why?" She asked, finally lowering her staff. "Why take her form?" That was the alternative. He mentioned previously how dresili were also shapeshifters.

Aselith lifted an eyebrow. "I thought it would please you."

"What?" Tabitha took a step back as Aselith adjusted himself on the bed, letting his long, tanned, curvy legs slide over the edge.

"You are in love with her." Aselith stated. "It's obvious the way you look at her, the jealousy I feel when she's close to me. Continuing bloodlines and the social expectations of nobles keeps you from acting on your desires…or so I thought."

Aselith stood from the bed. "I admit, figuring out human emotions isn't easy. From your reactions, I was certain you were at least attracted to Kirche, if not fully in love with her." He shrugged. "Oh well. I'll just duck and hide next to your bed for a while until I change my form back. No need to upset you further with my mistake."

"A mistake?" Tabitha thought. Is that what he called this? Impersonating Kirche, waiting on her bed to surprise her, and offering his body to her? That was a mistake to him?

"Wait." Tabitha grabbed Aselith's arm, stopping him from walking away.

No. This was no mistake. Far from it.

This was what Tabitha wished for in the closed-off part of her heart. An impossibility she could only dream of.

Her mother being cured of the madness that was inflicted on her? Impossible. Revenge against her uncle, who murdered her father and poisoned her mother? Impossible.

"Stay with me tonight." Tabitha said, no, ordered.

"Is that all you want?" Aselith asked, still looking away.

Tabitha's grip on his arm tightened. "No. I…want more."

Kirche looking her way? Impossible. The two of them ever being together? Impossible. But, if only for tonight, Tabitha could pretend this dream came true. Maybe on other nights, other impossibilities would come true as well.

Aselith turned around, a smile on what appeared as her best and only friend's face. "As you wish."

Tabitha swished her staff and uttered a Silence spell…and a Lock spell. No one would disturb them now.

Author's Notes:

Longer chapter. Lemon incoming! The thing you need to know about me is I'm a deceiver. A Decepticon, if you will.