Chapter 38

Natalie closed the bathroom stall door, heart pounding. She could feel the heat on her face, radiating from her. Why was she so excited? And how suspicious had she looked, fleeing through the hallways in her rush for privacy?

Maybe they’d assumed she’d worked up a sweat? That she was flushed for a normal reason? She hoped so.

Swallowing, finally in the freedom of a private bathroom stall, she took stock of her situation. Why was she doing this? Sure, the idea to use her illusions in a lewd way had merit as a unique, shocking implementation of the skill, but she’d be lying if she said that was the primary reason she’d rushed off. Her heart slammed a little too hard for even her to believe that.

And why had Jordan been the person who’d manifested back in the courtyard? Natalie had vaguely been trying to summon a ‘sexy image’, so her thoughts shouldn’t have turned to Jordan. Those stupid kisses ... and the grinding session from yesterday ... were really having an effect on Natalie. A devastating one. Even if Jordan was willing to help Natalie out with her class, Natalie shouldn’t be wondering what she looked like naked.

Or felt like. Or tasted like.

She shook the thoughts away.

Experimentation.

She had tests to carry out. Maybe she couldn’t lie to herself and say that this idea was completely for practical reasons, but it did have a functional purpose. The inappropriate image had been so much easier to conjure than others. Why?

The answer seemed obvious. Her class was ‘Paladin of Lust’. She could advance her skills by kissing and groping other girls. Of course her [Illusion] spell would be inclined to images of that variety. That Natalie hadn’t considered it before this point was ridiculous. Proof, even, that she was failing to confront the reality of her situation. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of her class.

A bit shaky, Natalie strained her ears, checking if she was still alone. Hearing nothing, she crouched down and peered under the line of stall walls, making certain.

No shoes, so all clear. She stood and took a steadying breath.

Time to test, then.

Going through the process, Natalie focused her mind, then siphoned mana from that enigmatic resource pool. She took a combat stance and mimicked the motion of swinging a weapon, feeling ridiculous, considering she was in a bathroom stall, but the movements helped bring the spell to life.

This time, she guided the illusion. She wouldn’t let Jordan intrude again. She still couldn’t believe—and was angry and disoriented at herself—that she had the first time.

Natalie didn’t keep it small. She let the image expand outward, as large as a person would normally be. An illusion shimmered to life in front of her, the mana she’d gathered draining from her in an inexplicably exhausting way. But the tiredness barely registered. Her eyes widened as she took in the result.

Tess—the third-year who’d guided Natalie through lessons this morning—stood there, in a distinct state of undress. Not naked. But maybe worse than naked. Black lingerie clung to her, brought to life from Natalie’s imagination. Her curves were on full display, not much hidden, and indeed framed by the lewd, revealing underwear Natalie had imagined her in.

She was so life-like. Her features were perfect, exactly as Natalie remembered them. That stern, commanding aura—yet not unfriendly, not haughty or rude. Assured. She wore her hair in a bun, as before. The contrasting effect of her inappropriate clothing and her professional demeanor thrilled through Natalie. Her entire body burned.