Page 43 of Academy of the Wicked, Year Two

"If you'll follow me," she announces, turning with practiced elegance that makes her jeweled skirt catch light from multiple angles, "I'll show you to your new accommodations. Year Two operates under different protocols than what you've experienced thus far."

The casual statement carries significant implications. Different protocols could mean anything from altered class structures to completely revamped relationships between students and faculty. After the trial's revelations about manipulation and hidden agendas, any change deserves careful scrutiny rather than automatic acceptance.

So…we’re not going to be able to talk about…this?

“Sorry to pause our haste, Professor Eternalis” Mortimer thankfully speaks up for our group’s behalf, walking further forward until he’s standing between our group and the Professor in question. “Would we be given just a few minutes to wrap around what just occurred?”

Her smile only widens in appreciation, before she bobs her head.

“Of course. I’m sure you have plenty of questions, though every moment you waste can lead to the ultimate reversal of your acceptance, so I would suggest we leave pleasantries and other more detailed discussions to afterward when you’re in your new dorm space.”

Shit…

We all share a nervous look before we look to Nikolai, who still seems confused as to what the problem is.

“Why are you all looking at me?” she demands, only now frowning as she seems to register her voice. “Why is my voice like…” she slowly trails off, before she slowly takes in her appearance, her eyes widening like saucers. “No fucking way!”

Before she can freak out, I’m forcing myself up, walking to stand before her, and pressing my hand against her lips. She looks confused, horrified, and insulted that I would even dare, while she’s forced to look upward because our height difference is rather obvious now with her being my usual feminine height.

“Don’t freak out because none of us have the fucking time,” I say far more roughly than I intend to. I don’t even know why I’m acting like this, feeling this sudden need to despise her. In truth though, it was called for when he was male, but pretty much unwarranted with him as a female. “Breathe. Walk. Follow, and we’ll confront shit later. Can you do that?”

She has no choice but to slowly nod against my hand that’s still pressed onto her lips. There’s this weird odd satisfaction in witnessing him be “submissive” to me.

If I can even call this confrontation anything close to submission.

Regardless, it’s enough for me because time is ticking.

And I need to distract myself, and how the tightness between my groin and my pants is feeling more obvious by the second.

I wrinkle my nose, trying not to acknowledge the sweet scent Nikolai gives off, but I also realize we can’t really be calling “her” Nikolai. No different to how I switch between Gwenivere and Gabriel.

Which prompts me to act accordingly.

“Nikki,” I mutter more to myself than to anyone in particular, before I slowly look back over to Professor Eternalis. “Will Nikki’s…current attendance in our group be a problem?”

I want to know the implications revolving around a “female” being a part of our group dynamic so we know there’s no consequences for such company.

“There will be no punishments in having females within your group dynamic due to Faerie’s unique dynamics in magic,” she reveals with a slight smirk. “It will be explained, but for now, with time being a pressing matter?—”

“Understood,” I cut her off as I let my hand drop from Nikki’s mouth and spin around almost coldly. “We can proceed.”

I’m walking before anyone can stop me, leaving Nikki behind, hoping it’ll encourage Professor Eternalis to push us away from the gates.

I sense Atticus following almost instantly, him shortly behind my steps, and not giving off a need to question my odd behavior, which I’m a tad thankful for because I’m not sure why I’m acting like this.

Cold and annoyed? No…I don’t necessarily feel like that.

Maybe it’s just exhaustion nagging at me and I need a very long nap.

The idea of resting seems far too inviting.

Professor Eternalis ends up leading the way, the rest of our group catching up, which has me walking in lead with Atticus on my right side and Nikki slightly trailing behind on my left. I can sense Mortimer and Cassius are right behind, walking a tad slower as if to make sure we’re protected from anything that can potentially jump us if we’re threatened to fall into another questionable trial.

I catch Nikki examining her reflection in a decorative mirror positioned along our route. The Fae's expression shifts from shock to calculation to something approaching resigned determination. Whatever caused this transformation, she appears to be adjusting with characteristic adaptability, already analyzing advantages and challenges presented by her new form.

I also notice how it’s taking her double the steps to keep up with our pace, which irritates me enough to walk even faster, which surely ruins our formation, but I’m too irritable to acknowledge or care.

Cassius ends up moving closer to my side, shadows briefly touching mine in a gesture that suggests both reassurance and warning. I kind of miss Grim’s presence, wondering if when we’re settled he’ll pop back in his miniature form, but I know this isn’t the time for that right now.

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