Hot as Hellfire (Arcane Assist #2)

Chapter One

Ava Fortier disliked Magical Combat class.

No, that was far too tame a word for how she really felt. Loathed, hated, utterly despised would have been far more accurate ways to describe it.

That hadn’t always been the case, though.

As a wolf shifter from an alpha line, fighting came naturally to her.

Brute strength, adaptability, and an innate sense of strategy were woven into her very being.

From an early age, she had learned to trust her instincts and rely on her quick reflexes to overcome any opponent.

The thrill of combat, the rush of adrenaline, and the satisfaction of emerging victorious were all familiar sensations, yet none of that helped her during the Magical Combat class she was currently enrolled in.

Despite her considerable skills, the last few months had proven to be a true test of her patience and fortitude. Ava found herself longing for the familiar comfort of a physical challenge rather than trying to figure out how to use her other magical abilities.

Because she really sucked when it came to spellcasting.

That wasn’t something she liked to admit. It was also difficult to accept that she had been transferred out of the advanced class back into a beginner’s course because she couldn’t get a handle on her stupid magic. While she understood the move was necessary, it was a definite blow to her pride.

“This freaking sucks,” Lana Darling huffed out in a posh British accent as she made her way through the dense jungle foliage next to Ava.

“I seriously think Magical Combat should totally be optional. I mean, this feels like freaking cruel and unusual punishment. I’m sweating like crazy, and I can’t breathe in this bloody uniform. ”

The beautiful blonde was usually impeccably dressed, but now she was wearing the same protective black and silver uniform as the rest of the class.

Even so, the demon-witch hybrid stood out in the form-fitting magical armor since she had on a pair of stylish knee-high boots instead of the bulky combat boots they had been given.

She had also replaced the basic sunglasses and black gloves with expensive designer labels that had been magically treated to ensure they complied with the required standards.

Lana might bend to practicality, but she would never accept mediocrity when it came to fashion.

Despite looking like a proper action hero, she was making quite a racket as she stomped on fallen branches and dead leaves with her boots.

She’d obviously forgotten that part of their group’s objective for today’s training was reconnaissance and stealth.

Either that, or she was just beyond giving a fuck.

Ava couldn’t really blame her.

It was fucking sweltering in the rainforest they were currently trekking through.

Being from New Orleans, she was used to hot, humid weather.

However, it was kind of a shock to the system since the sky had been dumping a blanket of snow over the campus when they arrived at the magical greenhouse less than an hour ago.

Located in Mystic, Colorado, Trifecta University had been experiencing sporadic snowstorms over the past two weeks.

While it was still too early to officially be considered winter, Mother Nature didn’t seem to care.

With midterms coming up, the persistent flurries and cold snaps only added to the foreboding sense of doom and gloom Ava had been feeling.

Forgetting about the snowstorm for the moment, she tried to ignore the sweat dripping down her face.

Although she didn’t mind the heat, the humidity in the jungle really was a killer.

She had pulled her thick black hair into a high ponytail that hid most of her gray streaks, but the long strands still felt like a heavy blanket around her neck.

Beneath the main greenhouse was a network of specially designed magical levels, each meticulously engineered to simulate a wide range of environments.

Some of the underground terrains were replicas of other realms, allowing students to experience landscapes and magical conditions they might one day encounter.

Other sections were entirely original in their design, uniquely crafted to push the boundaries of the students’ magical prowess and resourcefulness.

Those diverse training grounds served as rigorous testing areas, challenging students not only to survive but to master the blend of magic and practical skills required in each scenario.

Right now, they were in one of the unique levels that had been designed specifically for testing the students’ limits.

The entire level was an elaborate maze that was constructed in a dense rainforest. Every element within the maze had been carefully designed to force participants out of their comfort zones, pushing them to adapt and sharpen their practical skills under pressure.

The maze itself was sprawling, with thick foliage forming twisting corridors, unexpected dead ends, and different traps and hidden obstacles scattered throughout.

Some of those traps were magical, like illusory walls and enchanted vines that tried to ensnare anyone who passed by.

Others were physical obstacles, like deep pits concealed beneath layers of leaves or branches rigged to snap when stepped on that would trigger a launch of arrows or massive swinging logs that would target anyone within the area.

In addition to those hazards, the oppressive humidity, constant buzzing of insects, and the challenge of navigating in near darkness made the environment even more daunting. Since ranking weighed heavily on their final grades, they also had to avoid rivals trying to sabotage their efforts.

Students had to rely on all their senses, their magic, and their physical abilities to avoid danger and to complete whatever task they had been given. Navigating the maze demanded constant vigilance. Every sound, movement, or change in the environment could signal a hidden threat or trap.

Since there were a plethora of dangerous situations that could lead to serious injuries, healers were standing by in case of a dire emergency.

The professor and healers were only supposed to intervene if a situation became life-threatening.

Otherwise, the students just had to deal with the pain of their injuries until the end of the session, when they could be treated by the healers.

“Magical Combat is required for a reason,” Claudia Snow pointed out.

“Don’t logic me this early in the freaking morning,” Lana warned.

The snow leopard shifter snorted out a laugh. “Will you please stop stomping around like that? Remember, we are supposed to be evading the others while we search for the stupid exit to this stupid maze our stupid instructor has us wandering through.”

Since the exit moved each time they had class in the magical greenhouse, no one knew where it was until they stumbled upon it.

They also needed to pick up points by collecting colorful magical balls of light that had been hidden throughout the damn jungle.

They had to make sure they collected enough of those lights to pass the exercise before the other teams got to them.

While most of the students had a sense of fair play, there were some who would gleefully take all the lights if given the chance.

“You think it’s wise to call our professor stupid while we are being monitored?” Ava asked, trying not to show her amusement.

Claudia shrugged. “Who gives a shit? He’s only here until he gets that other offer, and he’s an asshole.”

That was true enough.

As a snow leopard shifter, Claudia barely made a sound as she crossed over the rough terrain.

Most shifters had that innate skill, though some were more capable in their animal forms. Unfortunately, the shifters had been specifically instructed not to transform during today’s exercise, while the rest of the group was forbidden from relying on their usual magical abilities.

The purpose behind those restrictions was to push everyone out of their comfort zones, forcing them to develop and rely on skills that they rarely practiced, such as stealth, teamwork, and adaptability.

It made sense, but despite the intention to foster growth, their professor failed to provide any meaningful guidance or support.

Instead of teaching them new techniques or offering constructive feedback, the useless mage was content letting them flounder on their own. That made the class feel like a complete waste of time, frustrating all of the students.

While their new professor was pretty worthless, their last instructor hadn’t been much better.

He had been fired after a recent situation had put a couple of students in danger.

He had been too lazy to fix an issue after an incident had happened in his class, letting a simple spell glitch turn into a potential catastrophe that could have destroyed the entire building.

Since the students who had been in danger happened to be Ava’s twin brother, Remy, and his mate, Starla, it was best that he was no longer at the school.

The professor had quit the moment he had heard who had almost been hurt due to his carelessness.

Actually, that was for the best. He should be thankful he was still breathing, considering what her brother would have done to him if he’d gotten his hands on him.

Remy did not play when it came to Starla’s safety.

That was one of the reasons he insisted on attending the beginner’s course with his mate, even though he was officially enrolled in the Advanced Magical Combat class.

He was also having a few mating issues that made it impossible for him to be away from Starla for extended periods of time.

He ended up following her around campus as much as his own schedule allowed, but she didn’t seem to mind his stalker tendencies.

In fact, she thought his separation anxiety was kind of cute.