Free Web NovelOctavia looked haughtily at the slender, elf-like woman seated across from her. Hiding her dislike for Celes Callistos, the new Stratega Mage of the Academy, was a challenge for her. She really hated the woman.
Celes' long dark hair was decorated with real jewels, her eyes faintly glowed a shade of violet, probably a Glamor spell, and her form-fitting robes were an elegant shade of midnight blue. Her entire ensemble projected sophistication and power, except for her low-cut décolletage, which showed an indecent amount of her small chest.
Octavia was tempted to tell her that no one wanted to see her tiny tits.
She remembered Celes as an ill-natured mage, three years older than her, who spent more time chasing boys than learning to control her powers. And Octavia was experiencing those old jealous feelings rising up in her again, like she had not felt for years.
The third Stratega at the table, Stratega Healer, was their old acquaintance Dorian Andreon. His wide shoulders and fit form were hidden well beneath the pale blue robes of his station. She looked him over, not for the first time. At least he didn’t hide his pretty face behind his cowl, like many of his Magisters had taken to doing in public. Her expression softened as she inspected his fine blue hair and sculpted cheek bones. Flipping her Inspection Glasses casually between modes, she admired his Healing Score and noticed he had gained points in Binding since she’d last seen him. How interesting!
She examined his rich, dark skin through her X-ray mode, and was drawn to his engorged nipples. Why were they so pouty? Was someone sucking on them before his arrival this evening? His body was so fit, what a shame that he was so prudish in public. He hadn’t changed at all over the past ten years.
So why did he sit next to that skinny bitch and not next to her?
Dorian was chatting softly with Celes. Not in a friendly tone, but he had initiated the conversation. Octavia strained to listen in, but his low voice was so perfectly pitched that not a word reached this side of the large pentagonal table.
Celes was shaking noisily now, with that annoying high pitched ringing that she called a laugh. Was she flirting with him? What a bitch! ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Not for the first time Octavia wished that Xenia would show up for Last Meal. Then she would have someone to talk to that wouldn’t analyze her every word to use against her later.
Together she and these other two represented all the casting classes of the Academy, but it was still the Fighter class that held the most power. Their sheer numbers and the necessity for them in the Military granted Xenia leniency that the other Stratega could not afford. Only Stratega Astra, the head of the Striker class also dared to be absent for such an event. But she was an unpredictable madwoman, and Octavia was glad she wasn’t around.
Octavia became suddenly aware that someone was standing just behind her. Turning her head, she was surprised not to see a Magister, or even a senior Binder. No, it was a young Fighter boy, and a freshman at that!
"Stratega Octavia,” he declared, bowing low and sharply, “I have a message for you.” His clothes, though they looked new, were rumpled and dirty. His body moved constantly, with one hand warily adjusting the crotch of his pants. Her eyes were drawn to the huge bulge in front. A quick peek in X-ray mode confirmed the impossible. That was, in fact, the biggest dick she had ever seen.
Who was this enchanting boy? Did Xenia send him to her? His chest was small and his body was mostly arms and legs, suggesting he was still growing out. His long and silky hair framed a face that was round and charming. He was extremely pretty, and very well endowed... but his eyes were eerie and magical. Something was wrong with this boy.
“A freshman Fighter with a message for me?” she asked flatly, switching to Analyze mode, she was surprised even further. He was a Binder! Or rather, his strongest score was in Binding, and he was able to cast both Binding and Warding spells.
Was he masquerading as a Fighter to fool her? Perhaps one of Celes’ pets? This boy may be up to no good. “Well, what is it?” she asked with cold authority.
“Forgive me, Stratega.”
The boy twitched like a mouse traversing a maze. He peered around the table suspiciously, seeming to ignore her for a moment. He seemed not to trust the others? But he stood too easily near her. Did he already know her somehow?
“But the message is very sensitive. May I whisper it quietly to you?”
“Traa-la-la- Sounds like an old wizard’s trick,” chimed Celes, her voice trilling annoying once more. “Be aware, Octavia. This Fighter is going to cast a spell on you.”
Hmm… Octavia saw the glint in her eye. She had noticed that the boy was a spell-caster as well, but she was just as in the dark on his identity as she was. Dorian let out a deep-throated chuckle and seemed suddenly interested in the wine in his glass. He very purposefully did not look in the boy’s direction.
Octavia, now more curious than cautious, waved the freshman closer. She would listen to his message. He wasn’t nearly as powerful as she was, so she wasn’t worried about him whispering a charm into her ear. But what he did next intrigued her more than any spell could have.
As the boy leaned closer, she saw his big eyes widen and his pupils dilate. There was no mistaking it. He was checking out her boobs! Octavia had heard stories about boys who were sexually excited by the sight of women’s breasts, but those were silly stories they had told as young girls or questionable letters she had read in raunchy magazines.
Now, standing in front of her… this boy was definitely peering at the roundness of her boobs that was peeking out of her toga. His hand darted out just a moment, but he restrained himself, and a strong lustful smell reached Octavia’s nose. The smell of precum… of a young man in heat.
Without thinking, Octavia shifted her body, turning towards him and leaning into his lecherous gaze. The bulge in his pants was growing, and she couldn’t resist X-raying it once again. His green underwear was stained now with his fluid.
His mouth dropped close to hers now, and Octavia half-expected him to try to kiss her. A gesture she would welcome; especially with Celes staring enviously on from across the table. But instead, he did as he had said and began to whisper softly, his message.
“I am a Mnemon, and I come to aid you and to ask for your aid. Meet me in the Laboratory at the Nexus of Binding after the Last Meal. We can discuss it more then…” The boy’s breath was hot on her cheek. His voice was melodic and sensual. Octavia felt her control slipping, as she peered through X-ray mode, sucking in his scent. He added one more enigmatic line.
“I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip."
And then, he was gone. The way he moved swiftly through the crowded aisle erased any doubt that she had that he was a trained Fighter. But what had he meant?
Looking back at Celes, she saw the woman leaning forward, her robes fell forward, and her two pink nipples were now visible, pointing nastily out of her low-cut top. Yuck!
“I couldn’t help but overhear his ‘secret’ message, Octavia. What did the little darling mean when he said he was a Mnemon?”
This bitch used a Listening spell, no doubt about it! Octavia’s anger spiked, but she refused to let it show on her face. Dorian was watching her, too, with interest. He couldn’t have been listening in. The dear man had only Healing powers, and Healers had no spy abilities whatsoever.
“You’ll get no answers out of me, Celes. Why don’t you go ask your crystal ball, and stop Listening in to others’ private messages.” She kept her voice civil, and she ended the line of questioning just like that. But Celes wasn’t alone in wondering about the boy and his message. In a better world they could’ve discussed it together, but instead, Octavia sipped her wine in silence and pondered what he had meant by his last line.
‘I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip.’
* * * * * * * * *
A few minutes later, when the Commanders took the stage and gave their speeches, Octavia fully understood what had transpired. It was the High Commander Warminster who spoke of the terrible circumstances that they were living through.
Time was looping, and they were repeating the same days over and over. Then each of the Commanders stepped forward and echoed the words of the boy.
“I have witnessed it myself, evidence of the Time Slip.”
Each syllable resounded in her skull, as she searched for meaning. When Warminister continued once more, the boy's message became clearer.
She ended her speech saying, "Do not despair. There is hope. Some students and faculty members still retain memories of past cycles. They are called Mnemons. These Mnemons can provide us with key information on the fight against the wizards that could disassemble the Time Slip and help us to defeat the wizards once and for all.
This cycle will be different.
If you or someone you know has information on the past and future, seek out your commander and help us shape our future through victory. Thank you and enjoy your Last Meal!"
The Hall erupted anew with talk of the Commanders message and what impact it had on the war and the Academy. Most of the tables seemed assured by the words of their leaders, but at the Table of Stratega, the mood was more contemplative. Octavia wanted to immediately leave the Hall and seek out the boy… she didn’t even know his name… to ask him for answers. freewёbnoνel.com
Looking over at Celes, she regretted that the woman had heard as much as she did. But Octavia had one advantage over this mage bitch… the Mnemon boy had delivered the message to her. The incorrigible woman was watching her. The look of resentment on her face made the situation almost worthwhile. Dorian had pulled out his prayer book. He seemed deeply absorbed in the text, and so the two female Stratega were left staring at each across the width of the marble table. Soon, she seemed to make a decision. Opening her mouth in a venomous smile, she began to speak.
“You don’t know the boy Mnemon any better than I, and so you have no right to a private meeting with him.”
Octavia was fast to retort, “He knows me, and that is enough. You heard him, he wants to meet me and me alone. So, you can stay here with Dorian. Enjoy your Last Meal!”
Celes’ cheeks turned red. A rare sign of emotion from this frosty shrew. “If you think I’ll sit here while you go and learn secrets of the Time Loop with that little hottie, you’re insane. You probably didn’t even see the way his dick grew stiff when he looked at me,” she said indignantly.
Octavia nearly choked on her spit. This mage was trying to get a rise out of her. She took a deep breath before she calmly replied. “Whatever you want to think, Celes. Go home and dream your false dreams. There’s no way you’re coming with me to the Nexus of Binding.”
Celes gave a smug smile. “Oh yeah? Well, Commander Warminister asked for information on all Mnemons. I'm sure she'd love to hear about this secret meeting of yours. If I’m not joining the two of you, I may as well inform them of what's happening…”
Octavia’s mouth dropped open, but no sound came out. She really hated that woman!
