The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!

Right off the bat, Nelly loosed three arrows from his shortbow. They glanced off Oswald’s shield expectedly. The paladin advanced on Arenade’s adopted-son with a cautious stride. There was tension between them, but neither underestimated the other. Nelly was quicker on his feet, wearing less armor. He tested the waters by circling around Oswald and firing a few more shots.

Paladins, like any melee combatants, were at a disadvantage against ranged opponents. What they lacked in speed, they made up for in being a powerhouse. If Oswald ever got close to Nelly, the fight was over. Petyr Stormcloud would have used her Command skill to order her enemies to stand still or kneel, allowing her to deliver a finishing blow with Smite. Oswald didn’t have such a thing, or he would have used it already. Which meant Command was an incredibly high level Paladin skill.

Unfortunately, in a battle of attrition, Oswald had Nelly beat. The young dark elven knight was beginning to run low on arrows in his quiver. Even Kanae had no idea what Nelly was trying to do. His arrows weren’t going to get past Oswald’s kite shield. Even if they did, a paladin had the means to heal themselves. Not to mention, Nelly being crowned a Scout didn’t exactly give him the best skills. Scouts were largely a reconnaissance class.

”What’s the matter, Nelly? You stopped firing. Arms getting tired? Run out of arrows?” Oswald teased.

”How about you? You’re never going to catch up to me in all that gear. Guess we’re just going to have to call this a draw.” Nelly shrugged.

”As if!” The boy broke into a sprint much faster than anyone expected of someone in full plate.

Oswald Limmick closed the gap fast. His mace swung for Nelly’s head, but he ducked the blow and rolled behind the paladin. Two arrows flew from his bow and plunged into gaps between the armor behind Oswald’s knees.

”Shit!” Oswald cried out.

But Nelly was out of ammunition. He reached into his quiver and grabbed nothing. Meanwhile, Oswald ripped the two arrows out, then healed himself.

”It’s over, Nelly! When I win, Teana will finally see that I’m the better man for her!” Oswald charged again.

”You like Teana?!” Kanae and Nelly gasped.

Oswald empowered his next strike with Smite. Nelly darted back as the mace came crashing down on the ground. Dirt sprayed into the air on impact.

”True Shot!” From the cloud of debris, several more arrows plunged into Oswald’s armor. Once again, between the gaps of his plate. Even the paladin himself was perplexed.

”How?” Oswald growled.

When the dirt and dust settled, Nelly was just now picking up another arrow from the ground. He fired it into the gaps between Oswald’s pauldrons. Kanae had to hold back from applauding just yet. Clever. The arrows he had fired earlier were strewn all over the arena floor. When Oswald finally let his guard down, Nelly’s time to strike had come.

The crowned Scout dashed within attack range of Oswald’s mace, but his arm wouldn’t obey him. Two arrows wedged into shoulders and elbows prevented him from lifting his weapon. When he thought to swing with his shield, however, it was too late.

Far too deft to be caught unawares, Nelly sidestepped behind Oswald and hit him in the back of the helmet with the bow. The paladin collapsed forward. He rolled around, only to come face to face with Nelly’s shortsword.

”Victor, Nelly Brightwind!” Kanae announced into the enchanted scroll that amplified her voice.

Cheers roared across the stadium. Fellow students were especially loud, but paled in comparison to Arenade…

”THAT’S MY BOY OUT THERE! I’M SO PROUD OF HIM!” Arenade teared up, now needing more people to hold her from falling out of the booth.

”Since when did you like Teana?” Nelly asked, sheathing his sword and ignoring Arenade’s shouts.

”When we first met in passing! Teana always says hi to me with a big smile, asks me how I’m doing, and waves if our gazes meet. I don’t know why she always fawns over you, especially since you keep blowing her off,” Oswald huffed.

”Excuse me?” Kanae folded her arms and glared.

”N-No, it’s not like that!” he insisted from below, then returned his attention back to Oswald. ”And that just sounds like Teana being nice. She says hi, asks people how they’re doing, and waves to literally everyone. If you’re interested in her, you’re more than welcome to try and win her heart… I need a rest every once in a while anyway…”

Clerics rushed onto the field. Oswald had turned into a porcupine with how many arrows were sticking out of him. They put him on a stretcher and carried him out. Since Nelly looked fine, one cleric spared a glance-over and that was it.

The first battle had ended, and spectators were raring to see more. Kanae waited until Oswald, Nelly, and the clerics were out of the arena before announcing the next fight. She was already intimately familiar with the match-ups and knew exactly who was next.

”The next combatants will surely deliver a ferocious battle! Introducing my dear eldest daughter, Teana Toyomi!” Kanae’s chest filled with pride announcing her child’s name.

Standing tall and proud, Teana emerged from the north tunnel of the stadium. She came out cracking her knuckles and neck. A belt of shrunken skulls wrapped around her waist, and javelins hung from a sling behind her back. The cheers were louder than before. No surprise there given her popularity.

Kanae smiled at her adorable daughter, soaking in the attention. When Teana arrived at the center, she glanced up and waved. The girl was practically bouncing on her feet. She came a long way and grew up so much that it brought tears to Kanae’s eyes.

”And her opponent from my very own Amethyst Hall,” Kanae began and recomposed herself, ”the ogre, Thume!”

Kanae didn’t need to be on the ground to feel the quakes in Thume’s footfalls. The hulking ogre emerged from the southern tunnel, wielding a large wooden club with iron bandings around the shaft. One hit from that would surely knock anyone out. Thume already promised not to do anything untoward to Teana, but she didn’t want to see her getting hit by that either.

”Combatants, begin!” Kanae boomed.

The massive club crashed down on Teana, but she wasn’t underneath it when Thume lifted his weapon up to check. Instead, she was standing behind him.

”Uh, oh. Kanae gonna be sad that Teana disappeared,” Thume said.

”Right here, big guy!” Teana exclaimed.

Thume whirled around with his club. She ducked this time, snatching two shrunken from her belt. One of a direwolf and the other some kind of bird of prey. As a crowned Headhunter, she gained their powers by absorbing traces of their spirits.

Faster and more agile now, Teana ran circles around Thume. He wasn’t crowned himself. Normally, that would put folks like him at a disadvantage against those who were crowned. But ogres were gifted with some skills, incredible brute strength, and resilience.

Teana aimed for Thume’s weak points. His knees. Using her speed, she stayed out of reach and darted in to strike repeatedly. Finally, Thume dropped to one knee, having had the other bashed over and over again.

”Sorry, Thume! I’m gonna finish this now and move on to the next round!” Teana drew a javelin and winded her arm back.

”Thume don’t go down easily!” Thume flexed, and when Teana launched the javelin, the pointed end hardly plunged into his chest. He pulled it out and broke it in half. Her attack had left behind a superficial wound, trickling with a bit of blood.

Teana snarled like a wild beast. Instincts of having Goblin and Hobgoblin Ancestry. She was about to throw another javelin when Thume ran right for her. Although Teana dove out of the way, the ogre threw an arm to the side and caught her leg, sending her tumbling. She got up only for him to shoulder-check her across the arena.

Kanae fought every motherly fiber and urge to go down and protect Teana, but this was a fight she definitely shouldn’t intervene.

Eventually, Teana rose to her feet and brushed the dirt off from herself. Her nostrils flared. Her eyes widened. Her lips peeled back to flash her fangs. With hobgoblin blood boiling in her veins, she didn’t shy away from battle. She reveled in the challenge.

”I was going to save this for later, but you’ve earned it, Thume! Ever fought a plated gorilla? Hard-headed, and even harder to kill.” Teana reached behind her back to grab a particularly large skull despite its shrunken size. It was primate-shaped, sporting thick tusks and a very strong lower jaw. She pointed at him, then drew her thumb across her own neck. ”You’ve also been marked as my Prey with Thrill of the Hunt. Better hope you can beat me soon!”

”Thume ready!” Thume pounded his club on the ground.

Teana had transformed from a wild animal to an apex predator. She lunged for Thume, who hoisted his club high and brought it crashing down on her again. This time, however, she didn’t dodge the attack. Kanae almost wanted to scold her, but the club cracked against her head.

”Hehe. What did I just say?” Teana grinned and wrested the club away.

Ogre and hobgoblin traded explosive blows. Teana landed punches that sent ripples across Thume’s musculature. Empowered by the other two beasts that granted her speed, she dipped and dodged every one of his attacks. An uppercut knocked Thume several feet into the air, and then back down on his back.

”Why birds flying above Thume’s head…” Thume mumbled, his eyes spinning.

”Victor, Teana Toyomi!” Kanae announced proudly.

”I did it, Mama! I did it!” Teana flew up and tackled her with a hug.

”Yes, you did.” She grinded their horns together.

Not just clerics, but a large number of knights came out with a giant stretcher to roll Thume onto. It took twelve people to lift him out of the arena. Kanae wanted to celebrate with Teana, but the tournament must continue. She ushered her daughter into leaving, but as she was about to announce the next combatants, Archbishop Patrice dipped into view from afar in the stands. The high elf shook her head.

Weird. The next battle should be between Revah and another student. Then it hit Kanae. Her daughter must not be here.

”These two battles have been quite the spectacle, haven’t they? I know you’re all glued to your seats and hankering for the next fight, but we will be taking a break before continuing!” Kanae said into the magic scroll.

The audience mumbled in confusion. They also knew the schedule, so it was odd for them to suddenly go into a break. However, complaints were few. Many didn’t mind stretching their legs or getting up. In the meantime, Kanae flew up to the booth where Archbishop Patrice and King Turren were seated. Both of them were in a hushed conversation with some stadium organizers.

”Amethyst, your daughters Revah and Pan haven’t checked in this morning. You’re in charge of confirming the contestants of the under tournament. Did you get a chance to speak with them this past week?” Archbishop Patrice asked.

”I’m afraid not… They just took off running one day. I sent Minestra to look for them, but if she hasn’t returned… I’m so sorry. I can go look for them myself?” Kanae offered.

”No. We don’t have time for that. The recess will only last an hour, and we can’t just expect them to return. Whichever contestants are still present, we will pit them against each other instead. I will proctor the next fights. You seek out the willing combatants,” she said.

Kanae handed Patrice the rolled up magic scroll, then flew from the booth for the VIP seating. She breathed a sigh of relief, seeing Rasheena still present with Cerberus and their children. Before she had a chance to catch them, her own kids jumped all over her.

”Teana was so cool!” Suvee clung to her arm.

”Is Nelly okay?” Kanade tugged on her other arm and asked.

”More fighting. Me next!” Feraline said from her back.

”Can you three calm down for one second? Mom is still working!” Kanae groaned.

Arenade grabbed Kanade, Mikki pulled Suvee away, and Esta pried Feraline off.

”Who’s up next, Mom?” Mikki asked as Suvee wriggled in her grasp.

”It was supposed to be Revah against a fellow student, but the archbishop just told me neither her or Pan are here. I told Minestra to look for them a few days ago. I guess they gave her the slip.” Kanae sighed.

”I know they don’t like school, but it’s not like them to miss out on an event like this. Especially Nelly’s fight.” She frowned.

Rasheena looked this way and smiled.

”I have to get back to work. If by some miracle any of you see Revah and Pan, tell those two I’ve been looking for them.” Kanae peeled away to drop in on the Avanessi royal couple again.

”The first two victors are members of your family, are they not? I’m impressed! I would like to test their skills against mine,” Rasheena said.

”I don’t doubt you’re going to get your chance. Right now though, I was hoping you could get up and participate in a fight,” she suggested.

”Even though I’m not due to battle until tomorrow?”

”One of my daughters who is up next is missing.” Kanae sighed.

Rasheena and Cerberus exchanged glances, and the younger hellhound nodded.

”Say no more. I do not know what circumstances have taken your daughter away, but I will gladly step in to take her place.” Rasheena rose to her feet, lifting two of her four cubs high. ”Do you want to see your mother slaughter her opponents? Yes, you do! Yes, you do!”

An overwhelming sense of guilt washed over Kanae, having pitted this woman against a poor unsuspecting junior knight. If she remembered correctly, Rasheena wasn’t crowned. She was just a very skilled fighter. Although it wouldn’t have been fair, it definitely would have been more of a match for her to be in the upper tournament. Too late now.

Rasheena walked to the edge of the booth overlooking the arena floor. She leaped off, much to the horror of some of the guests sitting around. The hellhound woman landed gingerly at the bottom, then made her way to the booth above which Archbishop Patrice and King Turren were seated. When they looked down, the archbishop obliged to meet her below.

An hour passed, and Revah still hadn’t shown up. The tournament continued without her. Rasheena stepped into the arena. Sultan Cerberus had descended a few rows with his cubs to get a closer look at the fight. A junior knight named Bodan came out from the other end. Bodan was a young elven man crowned a Swordsman. He wielded a single longsword and donned a suit of chainmail. According to Mikki, Bodan was a capable fighter and constantly ranked at the top of his classes.

Finally, Kanae was able to sit back and relax to watch with her family and friends. With Dawn on her lap, too. Archbishop Patrice presided over the fight and began the match. Both combatants made no immediate moves. They stared each other down from a short distance. It was Rasheena, who made the first move, advancing briskly with her claws out. As Bodan stanced up and the two neared one another, the ground beneath them opened up. They fell right into the hole.

”A trap?!” Kanae gasped.

The crowds gasped. Even the archbishop looked around puzzled. Rasheena, however, flung Bodan back onto the surface, then jumped up like it was no big deal. Kanae and Mikki scanned the skies. That had to have been Revah’s doing.

”There, Mom! The awning above the spectators. East side!” Mikki pointed out.

Someone was sitting on the canopy that shielded spectators from the sunlight. Whoever they were kicked their feet and looked to be having a grand time.

”Let’s go get your sister,” Kanae said.

Mitty shouted something to them as they took flight, but Kanae and Mikki were too far to hear it. The figure on the canopy unfurled their wings and dove away, too. They were hot on their trail, flying through the stadium halls. Closer now, Kanae could make out the distinct succubi features. When the succubus glanced back, her hood and shroud whipped against the wind. Revah!

”Revah, stop!” Mikki shouted.

”You’re doing this on purpose now, aren’t you? Would you give it a rest already!” Kanae yelled.

Revah turned around, but her eyes flicked up. A giant cage fell from the ceiling. Kanae sped up just enough to avoid being trapped underneath. However—

”Mom… Help… I can’t… breathe!” Mikki had been pinned under the heavy trap. Thick wooden beams pressed against her back.

Kanae spun back to lift the cage trap.

”Can you crawl out?” Kanae asked.

”I’m still stuck!” Mikki cried.

”Shit. I’m so sorry!” Revah returned and muttered an incantation that vanished the trap entirely.

When Kanae tried helping Mikki up, she winced and pressed a hand to her back.

”Hold on. Don’t move.” Kanae casted Flash Heal until Mikki breathed a sigh of relief, the gain in her expression gone.

”I-I didn’t mean for that to hurt you, I swear!” Revah exclaimed.

”Did you even think about what could’ve happened to Mikki? Why are you and Pan being so reckless?” Kanae whirled around on Revah in fury and startled her.

”Mom, I’m fine now. Please, don’t yell at her,” Mikki pleaded.

Speechless, Revah disappeared. An invisibility spell from her class as a Trapper, it seemed. Kanae brushed the empty space and touched nothing. She was gone.

”I didn’t mean to yell, I just… Damn it.” Kanae sighed.