Serah feels a tingle all over her body, running up and down her spine, as euphoria reaches her mind, before releasing her. Serah's body becomes limp, unwilling and unable to move, she lays there, taking the experience in as she slowly regains her mind.

“I love you.” Serah couldn't help but say. She didn't know what else to say. And the words… The words felt right.

Nickie lifts her face from between Serah's legs and smiles. “You always say that right after. I'm starting to think that you just love the service.” She says, amused.

Serah gulps and blinks a couple times. “No, no, really. I love you, baby. You’re my world.” She says before letting out a breath as her heartbeat starts to slow down.

“I don’t think you’re able to say anything else right now.” Nickie says with a smirk as she climbs up the bed before holding Serah in her embrace. “But that's okay. Even if it’s just the pleasure you love… I’ll stay by your side…” She says as she lays her head on Serah’s chest to hear Serah's heart beat.

Serah struggles to wrap her arm around Nickie, pressing Nickie's body against her own. “I don’t deserve you, Nickie. You’re an angel.” She says as she gives Nickie’s head a kiss.

Nickie smiles as she closes her eyes. “I know.” She says, half-heartedly, before immersing herself in the moment, allowing her senses to relax and rest.

Serah feels Nickie’s breath slowly even out and she could tell that the young lady was falling asleep. Serah lets out a sigh. I think I’m in too deep… Serah thinks as she ponders what the future would be like with Nickie.

…

…

“Yes, there is a special course for designated Healers. They won’t have to compete with the rest of the rabble like you would.” Jahir says with a chuckle as he pours himself a glass of tea. “No, I would say that in this place, the Healers are coddled towards success. Even if their results were mediocre, the college would still consider it a good investment. As for you, you’ll be thrown in with the rest of the animals. Struggling and begging for any sort of benefit the college has to offer. There are a multitude of resources here at the college; the largest collection of skill books in the kingdom, specialized tutoring from experts of every field, and a variety of beneficial potions, useful for both the body and your mastery of magic. There are even magical beasts that can be tamed. But everything can only be earned, not bought. There is no monetary system at the college, save for the occasional student who is desperate enough to trade for money. No, here, all your merits are recorded, undefined by any sort of number. But regardless, the teachers here understand full well the value of the students’ achievements, and everything is judged accordingly.” He explains before taking a sip of tea to quench his thirst.

“No monetary system?” Serah says, surprised, unsure how to feel about that. Then what am I supposed to do with all my money! She exclaims in her mind, somewhat angrily. “Then how am I supposed to earn skill books and other resources?” She asks, wanting to know how this game was played.

“Of course, the same way you would earn it anywhere else. You work for it. The teachers of the college have a variety of needs and they’re more than willing to send the students out for any sort of whimsical goose hunt. Some teachers are a little more considerate, while others…” Jahir says before letting out a chuckle.

Serah’s eyes widen. “Hey! What’s with the evil laugh? Don’t tell me some of the teachers are specifically out to put the students down!?” She exclaims in disbelief.

Jahir smiles. “I wouldn’t say that it’s purely done with that intent, but yes, it is somewhat encouraged, in the school, to test the quality of the students. Some… Are a little more ruthless than others…” Jahir says before taking another sip of tea, deciding to say no more of the matter.

Serah stares in shock as she thinks about her precarious future at the college. Suddenly she turns to Jahir, pondering a thought, before a big smile appears on her face. “Say, Jahir. You wouldn’t happen to need any sort of assistance with your research, would you? I do happen to have some knowledge with enchantment.” She says, hoping to squeeze some benefit out of this connection.

Jahir lets out an amused chuckle. “Don’t look at me, young lady. You’ll find no benefit here. Other than the healers, the college isn’t a place to be babied. It’s a fire, pure and simple. As for whether you’ll be able to walk out unscathed, that’s very much up to you.” He says honestly. Even if Jahir did want to provide special benefits for Serah, the rest of the college would be unable to accept it. They would sooner kick Serah out of the school for trying than risk the integrity of the college. There could be other teachers who would try it and there definitely have been previous teachers who have tried it, but those teachers didn’t know what Jahir knew. The perceived leadership of the college was the Archmage, but like in many other places in the world, the waters ran deeper than most people would dare to think. Like a man who looked down at an ant, Jahir knew that on some level, someone else was looking down at him, so he didn’t dare to rock the boat, because 9 times out of 10, it wouldn’t be worth it.