“Is that normal? The circle and the power and the everything?” Reiko asked.
“That didn’t happen before. It was just the link and the pleasure. The rest seems to be because there are five of you, including Stephanie, in the group, and it created synergy.”
“What do we tell the Professor? Good morning, my aura tripled in density overnight, and it just so happens that three other students have the exact same power level?” Reiko asked, holding her hand up to Mary’s to feel the change for herself.
“Everyone breaks out the hidden amulets, potions and secret skills for exams. Maybe she won’t ask?” he suggested.
She would certainly notice that something was up. Nothing got past Professor Ashcroft, but since they were busy with the exams today, she might choose not to mention it right away.
Cassie and Ella came out of the shower wrapped in towels and quickly began to get dressed. Their eagerness to get going and think of anything but the exams, which had made them nervous about their future for the last month, was clear through the bond, though their actions seemed as normal as ever.
“That’s your signal. Get showered, and I will have your helper bring you fresh clothes.” Wolfe instructed Reiko and Mary, shooing them into the steam-filled room to get ready to face the day.
When Wolfe called him on the rarely used dorm phone, Reiko’s Butler seemed a bit confused about the situation but assured him that there was a change of uniform for Mary in their room as well, saving Wolfe a phone call.
It was a bit cruel to call him a Butler, as he was a Noble Son, heir to an impressive amount of business assets within the Fortress City, but Reiko had decided that he wasn’t a marriage contender, so he had been treated like a Butler for his entire stay at the Academy.
A crisp knock at the door was accompanied by “Lady Reiko, the fresh uniforms for yourself and your little friend have arrived.”
The phrasing made everyone laugh, but the two in question were still in the shower, so Wolfe went to collect the clothes for them. He only opened the door a crack and blocked the gap to keep the Butler from seeing inside properly while he handed over the clothes.
“Thanks for your help. The study session ran late, and they’re leaving straight to breakfast from here.”
“It is not an issue. I will wait for her to be ready.” The young man replied, handing over the clothes.
Nobody was properly dressed yet, so Wolfe closed the door on him, leaving him standing outside, then left the uniforms on the bathroom counter while he got himself ready to face the day.
He wasn’t allowed in the exam rooms, and the bond wasn’t quite strong enough for detailed questions yet, so he wouldn’t be able to help them cheat and would be keeping the other Familiars company for the day.
The exam was supposed to take four to six hours, so there was no rush. They could do whatever they wanted after breakfast. Meditation and a nap might be off-limits today, though. Wolfe didn’t know how meditation would affect the Witches with their recently changed bond, and he couldn’t risk their exam to test the effects today.
They all headed to the cafeteria together, where Mary’s not-boyfriend was waiting. It was obvious that he had the hots for her, but Mary wasn’t interested in him like that, so they had Bonded over their love of fluffy things while he tried to bring her around to his way of thinking.
“You look extra ready today. Did something good happen?” he asked once they were all seated.
“Something very good happened. But it’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. I’m confident that I’m ready for the exam, and I even got a full night’s rest, kind of.”
ƥαṇdαηθνε|
That rarely happened. She was too high energy to sleep all night long. The hours she spent resting against Pup were all she needed to keep going.
“That’s good to hear. Do you have all your tools?” He asked.
“To prevent cheating, you have to use the provided ones for the exam, and you can’t bring in any potions or reagents of your own. Only amulets and Talismans.” Reiko explained.
“That makes sense. I’ll be cheering for you.”
Once the Witches left, the two men turned to Wolfe for answers.
“You’ve got to tell us what happened?” Reiko’s assistant asked.
“It is a power-sharing spell. As long as it’s active, they can borrow my power for their spells.”
The two men were extremely skeptical of Wolfe’s explanation, enough that Mary’s friend actually flagged down a passing senior to ask what sort of Spell could do that.
“Probably a power infusion. Most powerful Demons and some magical creatures can load you up with mana one way or another, which basically supercharges your aura. My Drake does it for me all the time. It fades in a few hours, but it might last through the exam.” The Witch shrugged.
“Thanks. I was worried that he might have done something indecent.”
A Witch at the next table laughed at his relief. “If she’s taking power transfers from the Demon, you’ve already lost your chance at the blonde. Wolfe was born a lady killer, and they actually convicted him of being a Magi. I know since I was in my room a few doors down on the day that the investigator cursed him. Why don’t you come to play with me instead?”
“What does Wolfe being accused of being a Magi have to do with anything?” Reiko’s helper asked while Wolfe gave the Witch a displeased look, silently asking her to shut up.
“Looks like he hasn’t told you anything. The rumours say that just like an Incubus, energy transfers from a Magi to a Witch register as pure pleasure. From what I’ve seen, he could turn any Witch in this room into a drooling mess if she let him, and he would only have to lay a finger on her.
My mother has an Incubus Familiar, and they’re disgustingly close with each other.”
That Witch had definitely seen her parents doing things that no child wanted to see.
“Is it true?” Reiko’s butler asked through gritted teeth.
“It’s not a lie, but she somewhat overestimated the effect. That ability would be every man’s dream skill if it were as effective as she says. The feeling is said to be pleasant, but I’ve done it dozens of times, and only a few Witches have had an extreme response.”
“Forget the exams. If a Demon has tricked Lady Reiko, I am sure her mother would agree to pull her out right this instant.” He declared, getting to his feet.
“And fail her out of the academy? She’s still in her first year. She wouldn’t even be considered a Commoner Witch. You would sacrifice her entire future because you were upset she didn’t want you.” Wolfe pointed out.
“Your tricks aren’t going to stop me.” He insisted and got up to leave the room.
“Aren’t you going to stop him? Reiko is your friend as well.” One of the more timid Witches from the second year asked.
“No need. It’s five minutes past the hour. Even if she hasn’t locked it yet, by the time he gets there, the lab will already be locked for the exam. If he goes pounding on the door and upsets Professor Ashcroft, she will have him in one of those military busses back to the city before he even has time to realize that he screwed up.” Wolfe shrugged.
That sent Mary’s friend running after the butler in an attempt to stop him from getting himself in real trouble, while all the Witches just looked at the scene in amusement.
“And to think, my father once said that Witches were the irrational and reckless ones.” The Witch who goaded the butler into a frenzy in the first place laughed.
“You have learned well from his book of tricks, it seems. Messing with people is a lot of fun, but finding the exact right timing and thing to say is an art form that not many have mastered.” Wolfe agreed.
The Witches around them burst into laughter while she blushed, then looked up at the clock to make sure that they weren’t going to be late for their own exams. For the sake of efficiency, not all of them started at the same time, and some of these students in the second-year courses for applied skills wouldn’t begin until after lunch.