NTR Quest 14 - Academy - Merit's Idea (Patreon)

Merit's idea was deceptively straightforward and involved first confronting Jeane about what was happening with the professor. You were surprised you did not think of it, considering she was the one you were worried about and she was the person in the best position to let you know exactly what was going on and why. You were not exactly worried about Jeane betraying you because she seemed as nonplussed about the situation as you were. The main problem, as you saw it, was getting her to tell you anything. The point of blackmail after all was to control the subject and if Kasin had anything big on Jeane it was in her interest to not get anyone else involved.

“You're being blackmailed, right? By Kasin.” You came right out and said it before your next tutoring session with Jeane. She glared at you.

“That is quite a 'your age' conclusion to come to, Hero. He is a colleague. The two of us meeting together is purely over professional matters. I did mention that others are undermining me and attempting to wrest control over your tutoring? It is all concerning that.” She explained. For anyone that did not have the information that you did, it was a perfectly reasoned, diplomatic response that saved face for all individuals involved. She returned her gaze to the desk that she was setting up, assuming that you would be satisfied with just that.

“So the sex is just for fun, then.” You commented offhandedly.

Jeane turned quickly and revealed her distaste for the man uttering harshly without thinking. “It is NOT!”She realized what she said and leaned back, her face turning red beneath her heavy makeup.
“I mean... What are you talking about?”

“It's not an assumption. I saw you.”

“How!?” She demanded, clenching her fists and almost grinding her teeth at the revelation that you likely did know.

“Esther used one of her devices. A portable hole.” You revealed.

Jeane seethed. She closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. Finally, after a minute of collecting herself and containing her emotions she unclenched her fists and held her forehead while exhaling deeply.
“Goblins... Artifice was a mistake. Allowing people to 'inherit' magic is so boorish that I can not even properly articulate how angry it makes me.”

“Are you trying to distract me from the fact that I found out you're having sex with the councilor by teasing me with ancillary information on one of my friends?” Jeane narrowed her eyes at you. You continued.
“Okay, so... What's the deal? Why are you being blackmailed. Is it for me?”

“No.” She stated flatly as she walked over to the door and inspected it closely. She turned to look at you and bitterly added.
“Needed to make sure there are no pesky green gnats invading my privacy further.” She returned to stand in front of you, her hands resting on her hips as she wondered what, if anything, she should do about your prying. After giving it some thought she shook her head lightly and gave in.
“I am being blackmailed. I will not allow myself to be accused of coupling with that man willfully. That is a far greater injury.”

“Why?”

“Because he is despicable and disgusting and degrading and-” You felt as though she could go on for quite a while insulting him, so you interrupted before it got out of hand.

“No no. Why are you being blackmailed?”

She considered what to tell you briefly but finally landed on some very basic ways to talk around what exactly was going on without letting on too much.
“I am an oddity.”

“I can tell.” You teased. As you said that growled a little at you. You stood at the center of her gaze and her ire.
“Sorry...”

“This school accepts those from all lands, but proximity means that politics leak in from below. This is not a school that is owned and run by the Kingdom, but there are administrators that treat it as though it is and there are certainly nobles and your rulers that are very, very liberal in the ways they refer to this as a 'Royal Magic Academy' simply because many of their brood have passed through these halls.” She rolled her eyes.
“No mention of the fact that we host nobles, kinglings and queenlings from all across the world.”

“Okay. Politics leaking in.” You nod and summarize her words to show that you were following, but mostly it was to reign in her rambling. She waved you down dismissively before continuing.

“For a political reason I would be an outcast among the local faction that is loyal to the Tryskan and Poren population that makes up much of the administration. Were it just that I would be able to coast, however I am ambitious and talented.” She watched for any incredulity but was surprised to not find any from you. They were qualities that you genuinely did not doubt. Jeane blushed lightly and cleared her throat to continue. Before she could speak, however, you were able to guess.

“You said would, so that means your status is hidden at the moment and only known by... Kasin and a few others, maybe. You think that if more people know, it'll basically stone wall you from any high up position here.”

“Too true. But Kasin is not a fool. He offered me a lifeline that gives me what I want while also firmly securing his ascension.”

“Because, if you weren't standing to gain anything and he was just threatening you, you'd probably risk whatever came as a result of people finding out.” You gathered from context clues.

Jeane tapped her nose. “Again. Too true. But that is an unappealing, harsh prospect and the current arrangement is...” She shuddered to admit.
“Acceptable...”

“You mentioned Poren would hate you as well, but you're an elf.”

“Stop your prying!” She snapped at you.

“You have all the information that you need. Are you satisfied, now? Do you understand why I HAVE to do what I am doing?”

“Ideally I want you to not have to.”

“I appreciate and share the sentiment, Hero.” Jeane nodded. She was already moving back to finish setting up for the tutoring session as though nothing had happened. She was simply going to endure what she was facing. That was that.

“Is Kasin a huge threat? Is he powerful?”

She chuckled lightly. “No no. He's actually quite terrible-” She stopped herself before continuing and decided to clarify.
“At magic, at most things. Where he does do quite well is politically.”

“It's a magic school, though. Not a political school.” You chimed in.

Jeane stared at you in disbelief. “Your friends came here to...” She rolled her hand and chose to trail off, waiting for you to find the answer yourself.

“Right.” You sighed and were not sure what you were thinking. As far as you knew, Merit was a literal princess seeking a throne that she would otherwise not receive. Esther was some type of high class goblin Lady that needed an army to recapture some lost glory or territory, or whatever. Aiden was the second Prince of YOUR kingdom hiding out from it's power struggles, and he only sought your help because he could not escape them within the school.

“None of them 'need' this Academy to learn magic. To be frank...” She sighed and just shrugged her shoulders in resignation.
“You do not either.”

“What?” You offered her a crooked glance.

“You are here because I wanted to improve my own standing. I think you would do fine without me, without all of this here.” She motioned around the room at all the various books.
“I brought you here to use you, but I still fell to the schemes of another.” She rolled her eyes again.
“Kasin's strength lies in the fact that he connects individuals who attain high ranks in the kingdom, then those individuals send students who become indebted to him by extension and eventually join the cycle. It is a scheme he has been running for year- no, decades. And now I am a part of it by bringing you here.”

“Am I really that important?”

“Of course you are.” She uttered impassively.
“The only reason Kasin is not pressing more insistently to get you under him is because you are under me and I am now under him...” Jeane leaned back and looked over the prepared materials. She seemed to be done.

“You're worried about your position here.” You gathered.

“Of course. Were you listening?” She derided harshly.

“How much does me being under you affect your standing?”

“Quite a bit.” It was your turn to stare at the elf in disbelief. She looked back at you incredulously.
“What?”

“You're worried that getting found out will lose you influence and that will have Kasin work harder to take me from you which will lead to you losing everything by extension.” You summarized.

“Yes, yes. We do not need to go over this again. What are you getting at?”

“For someone so smart you're actually pretty dumb.” You endured her furious glare for a few moments before adding.
“If I promised that I would stick with you and work to raise your standing, would the clout from keeping me outweigh you getting ostracized and targeted?”

Her eyes widened. “It is not a free ride, by any means but it would put me on an even playing field and-”

“And that's all you need, right?” You knew her pride quite well.

“You would do that?” She gulped.

“Of course.” Jeane rounded the desk and seemed intent on hugging you, but you stopped  her, leaving her standing in front of you with her arms raised.
“Knock all of that stuff you prepared meticulously off of your desk.” You ordered.

“What?” She seemed anxious at the mere thought. It did not even occur to her in the moment for what reason you would be asking her to do that.

“It's a condition.”

Jeane hesitated, but could not deny such a simple request. The delicate, elegant mage abruptly swept her arm over the top and knocked all of the prepared materials. She cringed as she watched many ordered and itemized pages flutter down and mix.
“Damn...” As she was looking down she did not catch you moving closer. Just like in your previous meeting you leaned in to kiss her. Just like in your previous meeting, as soon as she saw you her arm swung around to slap, only this time you caught it. For the first time you were able to press your lips to hers. You felt a thick layer of waxy makeup, but could still enjoy the softness and the warmness beneath. As you broke the kiss you looked Jeane in her shocked, saucer-wide eyes.
“I told you my eth-” She began. You quickly interrupted her by kissing her again and, pushing your tongue into her mouth. She relaxed and could not help but suck on it lightly. When you released her you leaned back and made sure you had her attention when you said.

“I don't care about your ethics.”