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Chapter 6 - First Quest Complete

The lecture blurred into discussions on shot composition, but Kaiya's mind was elsewhere—plotting how to make Lian faint without getting expelled.

Seduction? Teasing? The possibilities were endless...

She imagined leaning over his desk with a sly smile or dropping a cheeky comment to fluster him, all while keeping it subtle enough to avoid a professor's scolding. _'

'This new body's got charm to spare. But is it enough?'

The break bell chimed, a gentle signal that sent Professor Graves shuffling out with his usual leisurely pace.

Kaiya was lost in her thoughts when a couple of light taps landed on her shoulder. She turned to find her two closest friends in class: Jade, the bubbly one with curly red hair and an infectious laugh that could brighten any dull lecture, and Sara, the more laid-back type with straight black hair, glasses, and a dry wit that often came out in sarcastic quips.

Jade was always the chatterbox, speaking in quick, excited bursts like she was narrating a rom-com, while Sara preferred short, pointed comments, delivered with a smirk that said she'd seen it all.

"Whoa, Kaiya, that AV line? Total mic drop!" Jade exclaimed, her voice rising with enthusiasm as she plopped down on the edge of Kaiya's desk, her curly locks bouncing.

"I mean, you said it so casually, like you were announcing your lunch plans. The whole room went silent—I thought Professor Graves was gonna choke!"

Sara adjusted her glasses, leaning against the nearby chair with a half-smile. "Yeah, bold move. Didn't peg you for the shock-value type. What's the deal? New career goal or just stirring the pot?"

Kaiya shifted, a flicker of her old Toya shyness creeping in. Back then, he'd have melted under group attention, but this body carried a confidence she was still getting used to.

She smiled weakly, brushing her blue hair aside. "Oh, just a little joke to shake things up. Didn't expect it to cause such a stir!"

'Smooth save. Now dodge the spotlight before they dig deeper!'

Jade leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "A joke? Come on, spill! You've been acting different lately—like, more outgoing. Is this some mid-semester rebellion? If it is, count me in; I could use a break from all this editing software drudgery."

Sara nodded, her tone casual but probing. "Seriously. If you're actually thinking about it, that's cool. Film's film, right? But, you had me believing it for a second."

Kaiya's cheeks warmed, her mind scrambling. "Just… exploring ideas, I guess! Need to step out for a breather, catch you later!"

She grabbed her bag and slipped away, their friendly laughter following her like a gentle echo.

'Phew, escaped the inquisition! Friends are sweet but noisy.'

Her heels clicked softly as she made her way to the terrace, pushing the door open to a breath of fresh air. "Oh, what a mess I've made," she muttered with a wry smile, catching her breath as she leaned against the wall.

The terrace stretched out with its concrete floor and rusty railings, offering a quiet view of the city. She strolled to the edge, hands on the rail, and paused.

There was Lian, leaning against the opposite railing, his green eyes widening as they met hers. Kaiya coughed lightly, a small clear of the throat, and Lian turned his head away, pretending to study the horizon.

'Well, hello there—caught in the act! Time to work some magic, or at least some mischief.' She walked over with a casual sway, her dress hugging her curves comfortably.

"Hi, Lian," she said with a friendly nod. "Nice spot up here, huh?"

"Uh, yeah, great… weather," he replied, adjusting his glasses with a nervous twitch.

She leaned beside him, keeping it relaxed. "So, what did you think of the shot composition class? I found it a bit dry, too much theory for my taste."

Lian eased up a little, grateful for the neutral ground. "It was alright. I liked the rule-of-thirds bit—useful for my directing project. How about you?"

"Zoned out a bit," she admitted with a chuckle, letting her hair fall naturally. "Too busy daydreaming, I suppose. You always this focused in class?"

'Play it cool, Kaiya—let's see if he opens up.'

"Yeah, helps me keep up," he said, rubbing his neck. "Keeps the grades steady."

"Nice dedication," she said warmly, shifting slightly so her dress showed a hint of thigh. She noticed his quick glance and smiled inwardly. "Must take some effort with all that pressure."

Her tone was light, but her memories kicked in—Kaiya had never given Lian the time of day, yet his crush on her had been obvious. The way he'd linger after class, offering to carry her books, his shy smiles when their eyes met.

'Poor guy's been pining forever. Time to exploit that.'

"Sometimes," he agreed, swallowing. "I should head to the cafeteria, need to grab lunch."

Kaiya stepped into his path with a gentle smile. "Hold on, Lian. Stay a minute? I could use the company. Had a silly fight with a friend earlier, and it's left my head in a tangle."

'Time for a little sob story.'

Lian hesitated, his expression softening. "Oh, I didn't know. I'm here if you want to talk."

"Thanks," she said, leaning in just a bit, her voice soft. "You're kinder than most. I bet you'd make someone happy."

Her hand brushed his arm lightly, a friendly gesture.

'He's melting—perfect! Let's push it just a tad.'

His breath hitched, eyes widening. "That's… nice of you to say. I should really—"

Before he could finish, she leaned closer, her lips near his ear. His heartbeat was audible, a nervous rhythm, and she whispered, "You know, Lian… I like you," then stepped back with a playful grin, hurrying toward the door.

Lian stood stunned, the words echoing. His knees wobbled, and with a soft thud, he sank to the ground, out cold, tiny hearts flickering above him.

Inside, Kaiya strutted back toward the classroom, a wide grin splitting her face, her eyes glinting with a demonic edge. 'Mission accomplished! That was almost too easy—guess the quest's done with style.'

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