A challenge, a proposition, and lunch

Aeriel is still sitting in your lap, gently stroking the back of your head and neck, trying to ease your nerves. Professor Aspecta is standing at the front of the class staring at you, her expression as unreadable as ever.

After studying you for a few moments, Professor Aspecta approaches you with her predatory gait. Aeriel hugs you tightly, sensing your unease climbing. Finally, the professor is standing just before you, towering over you imposingly.

"first, I'll explain the meaning of your affinity.", Professor Aspecta's voice cuts the silence like a blade.

You look up into her face and nod, unsure if speaking now is a good idea.

"Your affinity is neutral. This means that you have no affinity."

You look at her perplexed.

"Can you venture a guess as to what this may indicate?", she asks.

Aeriel squeezes you tightly and speaks softly in your ear. "It's ok... I think you can figure this out... Don't be so intimidated..."

Her warmth and her words put you a little more at ease and you think on the professor's question a moment. Professor Aspecta, for her part waits patiently as you ponder this.

"Does it mean that my connection to any particular element is no stronger or weaker than any other...?", you ask finally.

Surprisingly, Professor Aspecta's normally stern expression softens considerably.

"Yes. Your hypothesis is accurate. Let me explain a little further. Having no natural inclination to any one or two elements means that you will be able to freely utilize all elements equally. You are like a blank canvas, so to speak. However, the caveat is that you will struggle equally to develop your attunement to each element. You are going to have to work much harder and be much more diligent in your studies for this course than your peers."

Professor Aspecta is looking at you with something like sympathy now, a far cry from her usual intense demeanor. You look at her, slightly concerned at what she has just said. for the first time since entering her class, Professor Aspecta smiles. It puts you off so much that you flinch.

"The payoff to this however, is that once you get a handle on each element, you will be able to freely wield them with little hindrance. Furthermore, you will potentially be able to accomplish combinations of elements normally not achievable under other circumstances."

"You see...?", Aeriel chimes in your ear. "Nothing to worry about... You're just super special...", she kisses you fondly and beams at you. You give a grateful smile to the sexy little magical minx in your lap and return your attention to Professor Aspecta.

Just as quickly as it appeared, the professor's smile retreats and is replaced once again by her stern countenance.

"I will tell you now...", Professor Aspecta continues, her voice grave. "I will be expecting much from you. I will not cut you any slack just because of your situation. I expect you to make the same progress as the rest of the class, despite it being more difficult for you. However, if I feel you are progressing adequately enough, I will set aside time to instruct you privately on the more advanced aspects of your neutrality. But only if you satisfy my expectations."

You look into her blue eyes and see the seriousness of her statement reflected there. You think you see something else there too, but can't quite place it. Hope maybe...?

"I understand professor. I will do my best."

"Please do. I tend to push harder on those I expect more from. But it is to draw out the very best in them. If I may make a suggestion...?"

"Of course", you reply.

"Get to know some of your classmates. Seek out people who have a primary affinity for each element and see about studying and developing together. This will likely take more time for

you as you will need to develop four times as much, but as I mentioned before, the payout will more than make up for the work. Once you've gotten a handle on each element, and only after that, will I then assist you."

"Thank you professor. I will try."

"Good. You may go now."

With that, Professor Aspecta turns from you and enters her office, closing the door behind her. You sit there a moment longer, trying to compose yourself.

"Looks like I'll be seeing quite a bit of action...", Aeriel titters.

You look at her and grin. "Yeah... seems like I'll be pushed to my limits with this class... I'll probably need a lot of practice..."

Aeriel beams at you. "Yes... You probably will..." she says eagerly, rubbing herself against you.

"Well, free period is just after lunch... Should be as good a time as any to get started... We can focus on elemental magic while trying some of those hand signs..."

Aeriel squeals excitedly at this. A little excited yourself, you decide to hurry off to lunch. While you could just skip lunch, you promised Parisa, Mana and Selena that you would seek them out to schedule a study date for your Tantric Healing class. You gather your things and exit the classroom.

"hey stud...", you hear from your left as you exit the room.

Looking over, you see Amelia leaning against the wall grinning at you. Taken aback slightly, you stammer out a nervous hello.

"I've got lunch next period too. Wanna walk together?" Amelia asks.

"uhhh... sure.", you manage.

Her grin never leaving her face, Amelia pushes off of the wall and links her arm in yours. Aeriel climbs around to your back with a giggle.

The two of you walk in silence for awhile, you feeling rather awkward. Finally, Amelia breaks the silence.

"so, what was that all about back there?"

You look at her quizzically. Meeting your gaze, she adds, "Professor Aspecta I mean. What did she want to speak to you about?"

"Oh...", you say, clearing your throat before continuing. "She was just explaining what my affinity means in more detail."

Amelia listens as you recount the meeting with Professor Aspecta.

"Well, my primary affinity is fire.", Amelia says, smiling at you. "I could be your study buddy for fire at least."

You stop abruptly, causing Amelia to stumble a little.

"You'd do that for me?", you ask somewhat incredulously.

"Sure, why not?", she replies with a warm smile. "From the sound of things, you are going to need all the help you can get. I don't mind."

"Thank you, that is very nice of you.", you say appreciatively.

"Don't mention it.", she waves her hand in the air dismissively. "You are my classmate. And besides, I take any chance I can get to spend some time with a hot guy...", she adds, her grin replacing her previous smile.

You blush at this and she just giggles.

You both resume your walk to the cafeteria. Though some of your nervousness has passed, there is still an awkward silence.

Finally, you both reach the lunchroom. Scanning the crowded room, you finally spot the trio of bombshells from your Tantric Healing class sitting at a table by the window. You turn to Amelia who is looking at you expectantly.

"So...", you begin somewhat awkwardly. "When would be a good time for our first study session?"

She grins at you, apparently pleased to see you take a little initiative.

"Well, I'm pretty busy for the rest of the day unfortunately. Maybe we can hook up after dinner tomorrow?"

You look over to the three Pegasus girls who have now noticed you, Mana and Selena waving you over eagerly.

Amelia notices and grins. "Looks like you're becoming rather popular stud. Just save some for me, will ya?", she smirks.

A little flustered, you stammer a little, finally managing to tell her they are your lab partners for Tantric Healing. She just keeps smirking at you, unconvinced.

"You're in Tantric Healing? That's interesting. Dr. Kinders is a nice woman. She has been a family friend for a long time. Anyway, after dinner tomorrow?"

You agree, and Amelia gives you a smile... and a swat on your butt before departing. You glance over to the three hotties and wave. You pantomime walking and point to the serving line then at them. They just smile and nod.

You walk over to the serving line and grab a tray. You look at the assortment of food and grab a banana for Aeriel. You decide on a sandwich for yourself, figuring it won't take too long to eat. You are wanting to try to get an early start on free period if possible.

Thinking for a moment, you decide you should at least say hi to Anna-Bell while you are here. You call out to her, but another, much older woman comes and informs you that Anna-Bell isn't working this shift. Feeling a little disappointed, you thank the woman and figure you will just have to wait until after dinner.

Finished at the serving line, you weave through the sea of crowded tables to your three classmates.

Arriving at their table, all three beauties smile and greet you. As you sit, Selena and Mana immediately scoot closer to you, resuming their playful teasing and boob brushing. Parisa, being Parisa, just smiles silently.

During lunch, you lose count of the number of times the two blondes brush their breasts against your arms or pat your thigh. Are they trying to get a head start on their study of erogenous zones? Do they even realize they are doing it? You are not complaining, but you begin to wonder at how much things have turned around for you.

Just months ago, nobody would give you a second glance, let alone any beautiful women. And now, it seems like every beautiful woman is inexplicably drawn to you.

Finally, the lunch period nearing it's end, the conversation turns to the study plans. It appears through some stroke of fortune, all four of you share free period before lunch tomorrow. You all settle on studying then, and with some final grins, smiles giggles and flirting, you part ways with your classmates.

As you walk back to Chimera house to begin your free period, your mind returns to your thoughts on the change in course in your life. Since Aeriel awakened, things have improved considerably. These thoughts are soon broken as Aeriel begins nuzzling your neck, apparently anxious to get started.

You hurry off to your dorm to begin your studies.