The Shield Array training hall smelled like old sweat and burnt mana crystals. Dim lights flickered overhead. Rows of wooden dummies stood in neat lines. Most of the real mages were in the advanced wings practicing fireballs and ice shards. Here it was just us. The supporters. The ones who got to stand in front and take hits so the pretty ones could look heroic.
I took my place at the back. Always the back. My robe was already clinging again. Damp patches under my arms and between my breasts. The fabric pulled tight across my stomach every time I breathed. I hated how it felt. Heavy. Exposed. Like everyone could see exactly how soft I was.
Instructor Mara called out pairs. She was thin and sharp-eyed. Earth affinity level 2. She never looked at me longer than necessary. "Synthia. Pair with Kael. Front line. Hold the barrier array."
Kael was one of Delan's friends. Light affinity. Level 3. Tall. Lean. Jaw like it was carved. He rolled his eyes when he heard my name. "Great. The cow's my shield today."
Snickers rippled through the group.
I stepped forward. My thighs rubbed together with a soft sound that made my face burn. Kael positioned himself behind me. Close enough that I could feel his breath on my neck. He didn't want to be close. He just had to be for the drill.
"Barrier up," Mara barked.
I raised my hands. No real magic. Just the array glyphs etched into my palms from last semester. They glowed faint blue. Weak. Support only. I channeled what little mana I had into the shield. A thin shimmering wall appeared in front of us. Barely enough to stop a thrown pebble.
Kael fired his light bolt. Bright. Hot. It slammed into my barrier. The impact shoved me back two steps. My ass jiggled. My breasts bounced painfully against the robe. The shield cracked like glass.
"Pathetic," Kael muttered. Loud enough for everyone to hear.
Another bolt. Harder. This time the barrier shattered completely. Light seared across my arms. Pain flared hot and bright. I stumbled. Fell to one knee. The floor was cold against my skin where the robe rode up.
Laughter again. Always laughter.
"Shitcake can't even hold a basic array," someone called from the side. Stellite's voice. She wasn't even in this class. Just passing through. Leaning in the doorway with her perfect arms crossed. Watching. Smiling.
My arms stung. Red welts rising already. I pushed myself up. Slowly. My tummy folded over itself as I stood. Sweat dripped down my spine and pooled at the small of my back. I could feel it trickling lower. Into places I didn't want to think about right now.
Kael stepped around me. "Next time maybe don't eat before drills. You're blocking my line of sight."
More laughs.
I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.
Inside my head something twisted. Hot. Dark. I pictured it. Grabbing Kael by his pretty hair. Forcing him down. Making him press his face right where the sweat was pooling. Making him inhale deep. Making him taste how salty and musky I was after standing here humiliated. Making him choke on it while I ground against his mouth until he begged.
The thought hit me so hard my thighs squeezed together without meaning to.
Wetness bloomed between my legs. Sudden. Shameful. Arousing.
I bit my lip to keep from moaning.
Mara called the next pair. I shuffled back to the wall. Leaned against it. Let the cool stone press into my back through the damp robe.
My hand slipped into my bra while no one was looking. Found the folded note from earlier. Pressed it against my nipple. The paper was soft. Warm from my skin.
I read the words again in my mind.
Your weight is power.
One day they'll kneel because of it.
My breath hitched.
I imagined it clearer now. Not just Kael. All of them. Stellite on her knees first. Her perfect lips parted. Tongue out. Lapping at the sweat running down my inner thigh. Her ice-cold eyes wide and watering while she begged for more. Delan next. His golden-boy smile gone. Replaced with desperation as he buried his face between my ass cheeks. Inhaling like his life depended on it.
And the secret admirer.
Wherever he was hiding. Or she.
Watching.
Wanting.
The note said someone sees me.
I pressed my thighs together harder. Friction sparked low in my belly.
Class ended soon after that. I didn't hear the rest of the instructions. Didn't care.
I left the hall first. Waddled fast down the corridor. Found an empty storage closet near the back stairs. Slipped inside. Door shut. Locked.
Dark. Dusty. Smelled like old books and broom handles.
I leaned against the wall. Breath coming fast.
Hand slid under my robe. Past the waistband of my underthings. Fingers found slick heat. So wet already. From the humiliation. From the note. From the fantasies burning through me.
I rubbed slow circles over my clit. Bit my lip hard.
Pictured Stellite's face again. Pressed right there. Nose buried in my folds. Tongue flicking desperately. Her hands gripping my thick thighs. Trying to spread them wider. Whimpering how good I tasted.
I came fast. Too fast. Shuddering against the wall. A small choked sound escaped my throat.
After. I stood there panting. Sweat cooling on my skin. Note still clutched in my other hand.
I unfolded it one more time. In the dim light from under the door.
Your weight is power.
I whispered it to myself.
"Power."
Then I tucked it back between my breasts.
Wiped my fingers on the inside of my robe.
Straightened up.
Walked out like nothing happened.
But something had.
Something was waking up.
And it was hungry.